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Architecture

12-01-2026

Text provided by Architect

Located in a low density residential gated community of outskirts of Bangalore city which has temperate climate with more than 100 cloudy days and rains through nine months of the year. The architectural approach maximizes the light into the house and ways to keep it warm in the winters and cool during the short summer.

The house spans 225m² of built area on a 222² plot, consisting of a ground floor, an upper floor, and a roof level. The design emphasizes simplicity, a strong connection to nature, using raw and local materials to express the personality of the homeowners.

A central concept of the home is creating a space that encourages family interaction. Designed for a couple with two teenage children, the ground floor features an open layout with a large portico and garden for the dogs and the owners to entertain. There are no permanent walls between the living room, kitchen, and common areas, to support communication and connection in daily life. The living and the kitchen are divided by a sculptural staircase. Upstairs the bedrooms, TV room and study rooms allow the family members to remain connected with only glass book shelves dividing the spaces therefore transforming the upper floor into a shared space when desired.

To respond to the climate, the house incorporates many openings in different positions and large corner windows to allow the spaces to feel large and leading to more connectivity with the outside. Thick mud walls and alternative roofs reduce both heat gain, enhancing indoor comfort.

Bangalore,Karnataka,India

Architects	:	Studio Alaya
Area	:	2430 sq. ft.
Year of Completion	:	2024
Website	:	https://www.instagram.com/studioalaya_proj/

Exterior view of Nila by Studio Alaya

Parking area of Nila by Studio Alaya

Pedestrian entrance of Nila by Studio Alaya

Sitout of Nila by Studio Alaya

Covered Portico of Nila by Studio Alaya

Living room of Nila by Studio Alaya

Unconventionally, the home forgoes typical concrete plastered finishes. Instead, it celebrates raw mud plaster finishes on the walls and concrete finishes on ceilings and natural stone floors. An precast Arch panel roofing system was used for the upper floor while the ground floor has Filler slabs with patterns to enhance the aesthetic of the alternative construction technique. Warm, directional lighting adds to the cozy and distinctive ambience. More than just a shelter, the home offers a sustainable and harmonious living environment. It fosters close family bonds and a deeper connection with the natural surroundings.