Our client was the proud owner of a 30*40 ft plot nestled in the quiet suburbs of bustling Bangalore. The brief was to construct a budget-friendly house with a separate residence on the ground floor for rental purposes and the first and second levels for the client’s use. The client desired a house that was simple & spacious, one that was sober on the outside but ‘feels like a bungalow inside’.
The subtle context and the client’s desire were strong points that drove the design approach – minimal yet magnificent. The elevation was conceived to mirror the calm neighborhood – a simple stack of rectilinear volumes with a recessed first floor to accommodate an entrance balcony. Lines, as a design element, manifest themselves throughout the elevation in different ways and materials – the strong edges of the structure itself, sharp rectilinear openings, simple grooves on plaster, and the linear geometry of the window grills and balcony railings, all adding subtle drama to the building skin.
Fenestration was designed to pop against the canvas of the building elevation – centrally pivoted metal shutters of the second-floor terrace give an ambiguity to that space, blurring exterior and interior lines, while also adding a strong physical character to the house by which it would be remembered.
The sparsely developed surroundings dawned upon us, the ample sunlight the area received. Light has the quality of amplifying all it touched. Keeping in mind the client’s desire for expanse and his finite budget, light was used as an element to shape the quality of the interiors of the house. This was done by introducing two courtyards topped with skylights above the living room and staircase core. This simple spatial element had a threefold advantage.
• The first look inside is of the living room which is one of grandeur at the astonishing vertical volume. The client’s desire for largeness which is restricted by the site size was realized along vertical planes, inducing a sense of expanse.
• The two double-height spaces created a bridge in between that connected various programs of the house arranged around the courts. This bridge becomes a vibrant viewpoint that offers an elevated floating sensation, heightening the sense of expanse.
• The skylights promise an ever-changing quality inside the house throughout the day. Light and shadow ornament the interiors, livening their quality. Basic alabaster shades were chosen for the elevation, complimented by charcoal grey bands and metalwork to give a sharp finish. Light was the main material inside. Off-white walls play canvas to the shadows while a forest green feature wall, naturally illuminated, emanates a soothing glow to the entire house. Carpentry with rich mahogany trimmings sets off this ensemble.
The aim was to create a home that transcends its physical boundaries and exists beyond just site and structure, in people’s memories. The client’s limited budget and large vision were challenges that birthed simple, straightforward design cues resulting in spaces that were ethereal and expansive. Material ornamentation was minimized in the interiors and natural elements were employed to adorn the spaces. It all culminated in a home that lived beyond the tangible; a home that was larger than life.
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