FACT FILE

ODE TO THE PAST

In the north of Bengaluru is the quiet little gated community called Manyata Residency. There, in plot F1, is a house that arrests an on-looker’s gaze with its modern yet artful facade that is beautiful in a timeless way.

Most of the material choices stemmed from the client’s strong influence by the material and brutalist style of IIM-Ahmedabad where he studied and spent his formative years at. Desiring to incorporate the essence of those spaces, the brief was devised accordingly. The residence makes generous use of natural stones but in a modern style. Architects Appachu Nanjappa and Vijay Narayanan take Buildofy through the complete journey of creating this residence.

THE ZONES

Designed to be a cosy and private home for a family of three who enjoys having guests over, it is aptly spread out over four levels, which make up the two main zones. One is the public zone with the family’s bedrooms and the second is the guest lounge. Each zone is sprinkled with plenty of semi-open spaces that attempt to blend in with the home’s natural surroundings.

In the neighbouring plot stands a tall building which cuts out the eastern sunlight. In the south is a wooded park with dense silver oak trees making it a nice view to leverage for the house. On the west of the plot is one of Bengaluru’s many rajakaluve — a kind of stormwater drain — with a busy public road beyond.

To make things convenient, the garage and utility spaces were strategically located on the lower level, close to the rajakaluve, and tucked away so that the living spaces could be kept separate and become the focal points of the house. When one first comes to the house, the main entrance greets you at the mid-level, with a strip of dense foliage adding a touch of greenery. From there, you get a sneak peek of the kitchen and dining areas, but the house envelops you welcomingly as you walk through it, revealing all of its different volumes and spaces.

The living room boasts incredible views towards the south and west, letting in loads of indirect natural light while cutting out the scorching sun. To keep things even cooler, there's a metal lattice screen on the facade that filters the light and adds a layer of privacy to the house. Sliding the French windows open, the living space opens onto the veranda. This visually expands the space giving more room to relax and enjoy the views.

On the floors above is the guest lounge. To make the lounge feel larger, the space has a huge corner window to light it up. The laterite from the exterior facade is weaved into the interiors by pulling it in for the walls of the guest lounge.

On the topmost level of the house is the pool. The home office is also on the topmost level which enjoys a direct view of the pool. In the rear of the office is another small outdoor space that acts as a spill-out to enjoy breaks in.

TEXTURES AND MATERIALS

A striking feature of the house is the Jaisalmer handcrafted flooring in the dining area, which has a unique delicate pattern that is visible through the glass top of the dining table. The master bedroom on the second floor has teak wood flooring.

The house has simple eye-catching accessories that add an element of character—such as the wooden study table and paintings around the house adding a touch of colour.

Some homes exude luxury not because they have a plethora of details that scream sophistication, but because they have so less to them that overall speaks of a laid-back king of ease and lavishness. Luxury can take up many forms — visit Buildofy to browse other modern luxury homes in India. To know more about the Manyata Residence, download the eBook with detailed drawings of the house and supporting pictures that capture the essence of every corner of this house, by clicking here.