The abodes of two brothers located in South Bengaluru is placed in a setting that is rapidly shifting from rural to urban. Their way of life is reflected in the spatial rhythm further accentuated by a thriving native landscape.
Project Name: MANJODAYA
Office Name: ECUMENE HABITAT SOLUTIONS PVT. LTD.
Office Website: www.ecumene.in
Firm Location: 4th Floor, Bhagyalakshmi Square, 17/N, 18th Cross Rd, Sector 3, HSR Layout, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560102
Completion Year: 2022
Gross Built Area (m2/ ft2): 1883 sq.m./ 20,275 sq.ft.
Project Location: Bengaluru, India
Building Function: Private Residence
Photo Credits: Atik Bheda
CHOREOGRAPHY OF SPACES
Entering the grounds, a picturesque pergola draws emphasis on the structure, capturing the essence and concept of the design. All materials used in the building are highlighted at this point. Lined with greenery on both sides, the pergola uses clay Jali walls and metal beams, aiding the growth of these creepers. The entrance leads to a large lawn in the centre of the property surrounded by two houses and a club house, which houses a combined parking area and fitness centre.
The path is detailed using a combination of locally available Sadarahalli granite and grass pavers. These grass pavers aid the water permeability of the land.
With these two houses framed in one view, Jali work comes to the fore and two variations of terracotta blocks can be seen here. Camp Jali when combined with a four-petal design, as done in these homes, creates interesting visuals of light and shadow.
The two houses may be perceived as similar but are different in experience. The dwelling in the Southeast takes a horizontal and squat posture in comparison to the house in the Southwest where the volume is more vertical. The latter building has a double-height porch with a roof garden overlooking the scenic garden in the centre. This rooftop garden is adorned with trees and lawns in the centre and has a skylight directly above. A black lapaturo granite finish is used as the floor, thus drawing focus onto the car porch.
The main entrance radiates a warm ambience using wood contrasted with with white interiors. The colour palette used in these two homes are minimalist but still stand out in its own way because of its application. Vastu (traditional Indian planning system) has been widely applied to plan the different layouts.
Careful selection of materials has been done to maintain and enlarge the scale of the space. A most distinct feature of these houses is the expandable living room, which can connect these two homes, turning the area into a vast multi-purpose hall.
MATERIALS
The choice of construction, materials and form has an immediate effect on the emotional character of a space. The dramatic yet warm ambience of white interiors with raw natural wood and terracotta tiles was expressed through a very minimalist and mindful palette.
White is often associated with minimalism, but contrary to its very nature, here this achromatic colour was used to visually enlarge the scale of spaces.
Wood has been used widely, especially on the ceilings whereas the ornately carved wooden wall becomes the centrepiece of the living room.
The steel staircase draws one’s attention, made of L-cut wood and metal panels. This is done to avoid the joining of the two wooden planks and thus avoid the formation of a visible joint. The stairs are supported by two CNC-cut steel beams and overall giving the stairs a light and minimal feel.
Project Description Credits: Seethal S.R & Vasudevan R Kadalayil
