Bangalore
Studio Whitescape | Manjunath CN
Located in a quiet residential area in Bangalore, the site encompasses an area of 2400 sq ft. It is facing the north and has three fully grown trees abutting the site. This home is a minimalistic and contemporary housing project for a family of three who wished to build a safe haven for themselves while making the most of the resources available.
While the interior of the home is minimal with abundant use of white, wood and greys, the exterior too follows a similar style. The facade is minimalistic with a combination of different materials and finishes. Frames and cubes made of stark white and lush wood teamed with glass railings dominate the facade design. The facade gives a peek into the austere interiors of the house which is sure to pique the interest of the passer-by. The depth of the different sections projecting out further adds to the aesthetic appeal of the home. The large windows and openings give a view from within and are strategically placed in tandem with the other elements to ensure that while they bring in the views and the ventilation, they do not compromise the privacy of the occupants.
Their requirements were a spacious three bedroom residence for themselves and another unit that could be rented out. Geared with this brief, the building has been designed to offer the finest architectural experience.
In the design, features of a traditional Indian home have been integrated into a contemporary dwelling space. The idea was to offer the best views and experiences that constantly leave one intrigued and interested while also offering visuals that bring comfort and solace.
Dry green courts were integrated into the plan to create pockets of spaces that were ideal to unwind, relax and bond. The plan is open with different spaces flowing into each other seamlessly. The parking and a 2BHK rental unit are placed on the ground floor.
The duplex is spread over two floors where the lower floor accommodates more social spaces like dining and living, while the upper floor is completely private. The stairs that take one to the entrance of the house are wide and vibrant which act as informal seating to enjoy quiet moments under the lush trees. The lotus pond with a bright yellow planter and a tranquil Buddha statue acts as a buffer and create a welcoming ambience.
The open living space is inviting and luxurious and gives one a glimpse of the beautiful landscape that is carefully integrated into the living spaces.
The dining area blends into the living space visually while being separated by a mere level difference. The puja court and bedroom are tucked on one side with the open kitchen abutting the dining area on the other side. Both the dining and kitchen are minimalistic in appearance and have a muted colour palette consisting of browns, white and grey. The dining area has low seating in tune with the client’s preference while looking into a dry court. The dining table extends into the court and is made of teak with live edges.
The puja room is accentuated with minimal wooden accents and bold angular elements that add a strong character while retaining the calmness and serenity of the space. The form adopted is inspired by the folding hands of a devotee and a low entrance is designed to ensure that one bends as they enter the puja room.
The spiral staircase is placed in a “stair court”- a niche carved out in the middle of the house to place this highlight element that not only connects the home functionally but aesthetically as well. The court adjacent to the puja room embraces and augments from the base of the stairs. In harmony with the lines and patterns of the puja room, the stairs spiral upwards into the ethereal aesthetic of the skylight. The void from which it emerges is filled with pebbles to add a complementary texture to the space and to create a sense of continuity amongst the other pockets created in the house. The melamine polished timber and the M.S sheets with a Duco finish complement and balance each other’s colours in resonance with the rest of the house.
