The size of the plot was limited. But when Bengaluru native Anil Kasat demanded a simple house that invites plenty of light and fresh air the architects group De Square, headed by Naveen GJ, took up the challenge and completed the project with elan.
The design focussed on striking a balance between the built and the un-built spaces. Kasat's requirement is fulfilled by creating pockets of green space in between the functional spaces. The basement area, being partly below the road level, has been transformed into a parking space, which also accommodates an office. The designers, for the same reason, have divided the elevation into various levels and not as floors. Green spaces have been arranged at these multiple levels.
The second level of the building, which is above the parking space, flaunts living spaces. The central garden here is the focal point which could be viewed from all the floors. The dining directly opens up into this garden. There is also a garden above the car park ramp, which can be viewed from the living area. The horizontal line of the slab of this garden forms the datum for the rest of the structure above in the elevation.
The third level has more private spaces. The master bedroom and the kids' bedrooms are on this floor. The master bedroom has a private balcony (treated as a garden) overlooking the garden above the car park and the road. The kids' bedrooms are connected by a common balcony behind.
The fourth level is designed for a larger gathering of people. So, it has an open balcony and an entertainment room connected to a semi-covered balcony with a bar. The bar can be accessed from the entertainment room as well as the common area. The bar along with the powder room are treated in a very rustic manner with bamboo, exposed concrete and recycled wood.
The staircase core is given a cut-out for skylight above, so that all the levels are visually streamlined. The design of this contemporary house with a built-up area of 4000 sq ft is blended with rustic elements. A minimalistic modern pattern with straight lines is complimented with the rugged surface and unfinished edges of the rustic design. For example, the straight lines of the façade are completed with uncut and unpolished laterite stones on the front wall.
Exposed cement finish is used extensively; whether it's the staircase wall, sun shades or the powder rooms. This has been complimented with unevenly cut, un-planed but polished wooden pieces. In the dining, the flooring constitutes a mix of polished and unpolished natural stones.
Following the principles of sustainable architecture, recycled wood has been used for the entire project, whether it is the doors and windows or the ceiling or wall panelling. An old entrance door is suspended from the double height ceiling of the family room to convert it into a chandelier with lights hanging from it.
Project Facts
Owner: Anil Kasat
Location: Harlur Road, Bengaluru, India
Built up area: 4000 SFT
Architects: De Square
Interior design and landscaping: De Square
Phone number: 9741961016
