FACT FILE

Set in the heart of Kundapura, a lively town on India's western coast, is the Veiled House. This architectural masterpiece emerged as a sanctuary for a family deeply woven into the town's vibrant fabric, yet yearning for a private oasis. Their dream of anonymity and tranquillity in a community where everyone knows your name laid the foundation for the Veiled House's design philosophy. The site, a long stretch running north to south, was a prime location in the town centre. It provided easy access to the bustling main street via a busy bye lane to the north. The family craved seclusion from the hustle and bustle, so the ingenious decision was made to position the house towards the southern edge, creating a natural buffer of greenery to shield them from the outside world.

Inspired by the family's need for privacy, the Veiled House took on a 'faceless' persona with its shifting white walls, affectionately called veils. These elegant veils wrapped around the house, gracefully unveiling and concealing the interior spaces. As the sun danced in the sky, the veils performed a mesmerising symphony of light and shadow, creating an ever-changing spectacle throughout the day. A crucial design element was the house's orientation along the east-west axis. This strategic placement ensured that the house transformed throughout the day, as the veils became a canvas for the shifting sunlight and dancing shadows. The veils served as an architectural veil, blurring the lines between the built environment and the mesmerising experiences within.

To further embrace the duality of the Veiled House, the architects ingeniously separated nature from architecture. The open areas surrounding the house were deliberately kept inaccessible, preserving their untamed wilderness. Instead, glimpses of nature were allowed to weave through the gaps in the veils, gracefully entwining with the interior spaces.

The Veiled House has been thoughtfully divided into four quadrants. The northeast quadrant houses the public spaces, including the inviting living area. The master bedroom found its place in a quadrant of its own, ensuring the perfect blend of privacy and serenity. The remaining two quadrants on the lower floor embraced the elegant kitchen and a welcoming guest bedroom.

As one explores the house, a captivating feature emerges—the central courtyards. Nestled in the higher southern block and the lower northern block, these courtyards became the heart and soul of the Veiled House. Private sanctuaries for the bedrooms, they also fill the public areas with dappled sunlight and verdant greenery, creating an enchanting fusion of private and public spaces.

Venturing to the upper floor, the Veiled House unveiled its core and four inviting bedrooms. Each bedroom opened into its own private courtyard, providing an intimate haven for each family member. Eschewing traditional windows, the shifting walls showcased planar openings to invite natural ventilation, maintaining the family's privacy while fostering a connection with nature.

As you journey through the Veiled House, you witness a beautiful fusion of architecture and nature, where the shifting veils delicately balance the family's need for privacy with their desire to celebrate the surrounding beauty. The architectural symphony of light and shadow captivates you, creating an ever-changing spectacle.