Bengaluru Architects Design A Contemporary Home That Morphs Its Form Around A Tree

FACT FILE

INITIAL THOUGHTS AND PRIMARY ZONING

The thing that arrested the architects — Raghunandan Gururaj and Nagendra Ramchandra’s attention was a majestic tree standing on the corner of the plot with its branches stretching out towards the sky. As the design process for the building began, the architects found themselves drawn to the tree's presence, its natural beauty inspiring them to create something truly special. They allowed the tree to guide their design, deriving a gentle curvature that broke the rigidity of the corner plot and infused the space with a sense of dynamism. What emerged is a building that feels in harmony with its surroundings, with the tree acting as a natural anchor grounding the whole structure.

In terms of site planning and zoning, the house has been strategically located facing north in a residential area. With buildings to the east and roads on two sides, the corner plot has been intelligently leveraged for allowing ample natural light to enter the spaces within from the north and west directions. This thoughtful positioning allowed the architects to take full advantage of the available light and create a bright, airy interior that feels in sync with its environment.

OPEN PLAN AND AIRY FEELING

At the heart of the design is a magnificent double-height courtyard, nestled perfectly within the building's gentle curvature. This space serves as a focal point, providing relief from all the other areas of the house. To add interest to the courtyard, the architects used a unique fabrication technique, creating intricate patterns of light and shadow that dance across the walls. This fabrication also serves a practical purpose, addressing security and dust concerns while maintaining the courtyard's open and airy feel.

Moving into the living room, the grey colour palette dominates, with a stunning mud-finished accent wall in red soil adding a touch of warmth and texture to the space. From the living room, you can easily access the courtyard garden, blurring the line between indoor and outdoor spaces.

The kitchen continues the open-plan theme, with a central cooking island that doubles as a dining space. The use of different textures, finishes, and materials in a monotone scheme creates a sleek, sophisticated look that's both understated and chic.

On the first floor, you'll find the cosy yet elegant master bedroom. The warm wooden flooring and grey walls create a serene atmosphere, while the balcony fabricated in MS allows for a close connection with nature. The designers have thoughtfully incorporated this outdoor space in a bid to ensure that the room feels both comfortable and expansive — with the delicate fabrication that visually merges the balcony with the fabricated facade of the elevation. The upper floor additionally houses the son’s bedroom with the attached walk-in wardrobe and bath. This room has a small study corner that has a window that offers a nice visual of the garden outside.

MATERIALS

The house is made of three important materials — cement finish, mud plaster and the fabrication on the exterior. The red plaster is derived by using the locally found soil and mixing it with a polymer and an oxide to make the colour pop. This was then applied to a plastered surface to incorporate a tactile texture. The resulting palette is a pleasing combination of greys and reds — both of which continue inside with the greys taking prominence.

For fabrication, there were debates about the material that can be used to the best of its potential which will also have the most light to penetrate the structure. The material that the architects settled on was steel due to its malleability. The vertical lines additionally have been replicated on the gates, and inside the house in the form of fluted walls and moulded veneer creating a design language that is homogeneous but also playfully diverse.

The Nest House is a testament to the power of smart design. Despite its compact size, this house is airy and bright, thanks to its strategic use of natural light and ventilation. The open-plan layout creates a sense of spaciousness, while the thoughtful selection of materials and finishes adds a touch of sophistication to the overall design. Whether you're looking for inspiration for your own home or simply appreciate great architecture, the Nest House is sure to impress.