Architecture

09-10-2025

Photographer : Harshan Thomson, Abhishek Chavhan

Split-House: A Synthesis of Nature and Privacy

Imagine sitting down for dinner in the comfort of your home yet feeling the quiet serenity of the outdoors. Nestled in the Sunny Brooks community of Bengaluru, the Split-House achieves just that. Designed by Collage Architecture Studio for a family of four, this residence is a poetic interplay of openness and privacy—brought together through a subtle yet powerful architectural move: the split. 

At first glance, the name Split-House suggests division, but the central split unifies the design. It draws nature into the core, separates public and private zones with elegance, and fosters a spatial flow that balances openness and intimacy. Set on an 80x83.5-foot plot in Bengaluru’s Sunny Brooks, the house embraces existing trees, weaving them into its layout. The architecture respects this green context, ensuring the home integrates seamlessly with its natural surroundings.

The site faces west, with pedestrian and vehicular entries positioned side by side at the northwest corner. A parking bay for two vehicles sits behind a privacy wall, connected by a clear path to the pedestrian approach. A separate entry in the southeast corner provides household staff direct access to the utility zone and their quarters. This thoughtful layout ensures privacy and functionality, supporting the home’s seamless daily flow.

Bangalore,Karnataka,India

Architects : Collage Architecture Studio
Area : 6221.54 sq. ft.
Year of Completion : 2024
Website : https://www.instagram.com/collage_architecture_studio/?hl=en

Exterior view of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio


Exterior view of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio


Zen Garden of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio


Court and Staircase of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio


Bird Sulpture of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio

The entry sequence begins with a set of steps leading to the south-facing main door. Inside, a striking staircase rises alongside a sunlit planter, creating a welcoming focal point. A minimal bird sculpture adorns the adjacent wall, adding a serene cultural touch. The space invites pause, but the living room to the left draws attention with its open, light-filled volume.

The living room is a clean, open volume, with two fully glazed walls that allow daylight to pour in, framing expansive views of the landscaped outdoors. One of these walls slides open, offering direct access to a deck that invites you to sit amidst the greenery. Built-in niches and understated furniture add warmth and colour without clutter. The palette is restrained yet rich: white walls, warm wooden textures, soft brown accents, and the lush greens of the landscape come together to create a calming, grounded atmosphere. 

This serene space leads naturally to the house’s central feature: the split 


Formal Living of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio


Formal Living of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio


Formal Living of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio


Dining & Pooja Mandir of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio


Dining & Pooja Mandir of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio


Staircase of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio


The Split of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio

The Split: Heart of the Home 

Drawn forward, guests arrive at the transitional space that defines the residence. A gravel bed gently divides the two built volumes, while a square granite slab acts as a stepping stone into this luminous double height core. It’s an experience of discovery—where light filters through a glass wall that bends into a skylight before disappearing seamlessly into the ground. 

Three slender trees grow from the gravel bed, integrating nature into the home’s core. Beyond them, a white puja room stands out, calm and prominent in the space.

A few steps further, the dining area opens up. A teak table with eight chairs sits amid greenery, blending seamlessly with the landscape. Above, a bridge links the two volumes, its curved teak soffit adding a refined touch over the gravel bed.

The material harmony is cohesive: grey gravel, white walls, green foliage, and warm teak tones blend into a unified spatial composition.


Bridge of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio

After exploring the private quarters, the bridge connects the two volumes across the double-height split. Its curved teak soffit adds warmth and elegance to the space. On the other side, social zones unfold: a family room opens to a spacious terrace, and a guest suite with twin vanities, a shower, and an east-facing balcony offers refined comfort.

This wing is designed for guest comfort. A built-in linen closet, subtly tucked away, adds hospitality-style functionality while keeping visual clutter at bay.


Mural wall of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio


Upper Living of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio

Crossing over into the private wing, one is invited to either ascend the sculptural staircase or settle into the generous dining area, flanked by a large open kitchen. The kitchen itself is clean and efficient, with ancillary functions—utility, washing, and storage—neatly tucked away from view. 

Just before the staircase lies the master bedroom, located in the southwest quadrant. Two large window walls allow sweeping views of the front landscape—one of them sliding to integrate the space with the outdoors. The bedroom includes a spacious dressing area, and a luxurious bathroom fitted with twin basins and a sense of understated elegance. 

The functionality of the house is as considered as its form. A lift connects all levels right up to the terrace, ensuring ease of access. Practical needs, like a powder room beside the lift, are discreetly yet thoughtfully addressed. 


Bedroom 1 of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio


Bedroom 2 of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio


Toilet of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio


Jacuzzi of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio


Upper Staircase of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio

The staircase is a sculptural centerpiece, with concrete treads cantilevered from the wall and supported by a slender metal rod. A teak handrail adds warmth and refinement. Its lightweight design creates an open, airy feel as it curves around the sculpture wall, leading to the second level with elegance and stability.

As one ascends the staircase, the wooden door to the second master bedroom comes into view—tucked behind a glass railing, subtly visible even from the living room below. Positioned directly above the master bedroom on the ground floor, it mirrors the same spacious layout but with a more generous dresser and a luxurious bathroom. This upper-level retreat opens out to a west-facing balcony, where vertical granite louvers rise from floor to ceiling, softening the afternoon glare and offering a delicate balance of light and privacy. The balcony is equipped with a swing, inviting moments of relaxation amidst the outdoors —a feature present across all outdoor spaces in the house.

Upon reaching the second level, the owner's mother’s room lies directly ahead—positioned with care and quiet dignity. On either side are the lift door and the bridge that spans the luminous split. Her room opens out to a well-proportioned balcony and includes a large window that looks down into the heart of the home, offering a serene view of the puja room and dining area below. A clearly defined dresser area within the room adds to its sense of comfort and spatial clarity. 


Balcony of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio


Balcony of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio


Terrace Garden of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio

Ascending once again—either by the lift or via a secondary staircase between the lift core and a custom Indian-seating space adjacent to the second master bedroom—one arrives at the terrace level. A flexible lounge awaits, imagined as a home theatre or entertainment zone depending on the owners’ needs. 

Outside, the terrace transforms into a wellness area. A spa-inspired zone with a swimming pool, steam room, and shower area stretches across the southwest quadrant. A pergola hovers above the pool to shade it from the southern glare, while gentle level shifts create terraces and a deck—spaces to unwind and reflect. 

On the opposite side of the split, the other built form opens to the sky entirely. It’s imagined as a stage—for performances, casual gatherings, or stargazing nights. A narrow metal bridge connects both built volumes at the back, maintaining continuity while allowing openness to prevail.

The Split-House is more than a home—it’s a balanced integration of light, openness, and nature. It blends public and private spaces with the surrounding greenery, creating a serene environment. The design prioritizes clarity and calm, offering a model for sustainable, human-centric living in Bengaluru’s urban context.


Exterior Night View of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio


Elevation of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio


Ground Floor Plan of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio


First Floor Plan of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio


Second Floor Plan of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio


Section AA of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio


Section BB of The Split House by Collage Architecture Studio




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