Project Description

Client Brief-

Our client desired to build a bungalow on his ancestral property of 140’ X 140’ that faces a lake. The site is located towards the outskirts of Bangalore. The client wanted a spacious, favourable environment where his children could grow up, creating nostalgic memories to look back at as adults. He was keen on a home filled with positive vibes and energy along with a balance of familial warmth and individual preferences. The spatial requirements comprised of formal living spaces, family bonding spaces, 5 bedrooms, a home theatre and a gymnasium all spread out in a G+1+.5 bungalow.

Concept note-

The idea was to use as less of the site as is possible, minimizing the building footprint while planning for maximal views looking towards the lake. Maximizing the outdoor space was a crucial aspect in the design conception so as to allow for the inclusion of many outdoor amenities. The bungalow would open up to nature, including it as a part of the indoors wherever possible. We approached the design with a tropical modern context, respecting site parameters such as the site contours, sun-path and wind patterns. Zoning of the spaces was done on the basis of levels of privacy required for the various spaces, the semi-private spaces in the ground level and private spaces in the first level. We planned on achieving a comfortable, intimate scale, abundant natural light and cross-ventilation, along with the incorporation of sustainable measures. All these factors would work together to create a warm, comfortable home with positive, uplifting vibes.

Design Process-

The building footprint was restricted to a modest 50’ x 60’ in order to achieve ample area for the outdoor amenities, namely the parking, a large swimming pool, a garden and a gazebo. The Northern and Eastern faces were oriented towards the lake to optimize the outdoor views. The lake’s location to the North of the site proved advantageous, considering that the windows facing it can be kept open without harsh sunlight entering. Thus, implementing the climatological aspects of the site concurred with our concept of maximizing views to the lake. Spaces that do not require much daylight and ventilation have been strategically placed in the western and south-western zones of the plan. These have minimal openings, thus reducing heat gain from the west and south-west.
The column in the North East corner of the living room was avoided, in order to get an undisturbed view of the lake. The double height spaces at the foyer, puja and lounge give a sense of visual connect between the two floors. The house was divided into 2 zones, the semi-private zones in the ground floor and the private zones on the first. The half floor on the terrace houses the gym and home theatre. The semi-private spaces are like outward oriented pavilions with seamless boundaries between the built and unbuilt, creating beautiful vistas.