The void within

BMS School of Architecture, BMSIT Campus, Yelahanka, Bangalore

Idea projektu

The project breif is to create a residance for an architect, myself along the lake.

The project idea is to create a Living Space that negotiates the dramatic 3 meter level difference of the site. Instead of fighting the steep slope, the design uses it as a natural pedestal to lift the architect’s life above the road, creating a direct visual bridge to the Lake while maintaining an inward-looking soul.
The idea revolves around Three Horizons
The Blue Horizon: The elevated front, designed to capture the lake view and the prevailing winds.
The Green Horizon: The sides and rear, which blend into the mango and grape orchards through an internal green buffer.
The Silent Horizon: The central South Indian Courtyard, which provides a private, contemplative core for the architect's creative work.

Popis projektu

The architectural narrative begins with the site’s natural challenge, a 3 meter steep incline from the road level. The design adopts a Podium Strategy, utilizing the lower level solely for parking and services. By elevating the primary living floor, the house transcends the visual barrier of the slope, transforming the Lake across the road into a seamless panoramic backdrop for the family room.
A Modern Vernacular: The Inward Soul
Drawing inspiration from the traditional South Indian Nalukettu, the residence is organized around a central Courtyard. This core serves as a spiritual and climatic heart. To further integrate the house with its agricultural surroundings the Mango Orchard and Grape Vineyards an Internal Green Buffer was introduced. This landscape layer flows alongside the courtyard, acting as a living lung that purifies and cools the air as it moves through the house.
Spatial Organization
The Public Zone: The family room and social spaces are oriented toward the front, perched above the 3m rise to maximize the lake view.
The Private Zone: The bedrooms and utility areas are tucked toward the rear, benefiting from the quiet shade of the mango trees.
The Creative Zone: Designed for an architect, the studio is positioned on the top floor to benefit from the "soft light" of the external lake view, providing a space for deep focus.

Technické informace

-Foundation & Substructure: The house utilizes a (RCC) podium structure to negotiate the 3m level difference.
-Functionality: By placing non habitable zones (Parking/Storage) within the shadow of the slope, the habitable floor area is optimized for 100% lake-view exposure.
-Passive Climatic Design (Thermal Comfort)
-Stack Effect Ventilation: The central courtyard (Nalukettu) acts as a thermal chimney. Hot air rises and escapes through the open roof, while cooler air is drawn in from the lake surface.
-The Biophilic Filter: The internal green buffer near the courtyard increases humidity through transpiration, naturally lowering the indoor temperature by 3-5°C Evaporative Cooling.
-Cross Ventilation: The layout is designed on a see through axis, allowing the lake breeze to flow through the family room, across the courtyard, and out toward the mango orchard.

-Material Palette (Vernacular Modernism)
Structure: RCC frame with Porotherm (clay) bricks for the walls (high thermal insulation).
Roofing: High-sloped roofs with Mangalore Clay Tiles to handle heavy South Indian monsoons.
Flooring: Handmade Athangudi Tiles, which remain cool to the touch in tropical heat.
Shading: Deep overhanging eaves (Verandas) to protect the glass facades from the harsh south-west sun and heavy rain.

-Sustainable Water Management
Rainwater Harvesting: Given the courtyard design, all runoff from the sloped roofs is channeled into an underground sump.
Permeable Paving: The parking area below uses gravel or grass-pavers to ensure groundwater recharge.