Something Borrowed: A 3,000 sq. ft. Bengaluru Home References Traditional Udupi Houses With A Contemporary Flair

India’s rich and diverse credenza of cultural heritage conceals within it the susurrus of regionalism and certain architectural elements that dare not cross the boundaries. Consequently, in a languorous neighbourhood, on the outskirts of Bengaluru, Veeraj Shet Design Studio crafts a nostalgic oeuvre that hat-tips to the regional architecture of the clients’ childhood home. A Udupi-style home affectionately mimicking the residents’ childhood abodes transpires, christened Brindavana.

“The whole idea of the house is deemed in such a way that it revolves around the coastal rustic theme,” reveals Veeraj Shet principal designer of his eponymous firm Veeraj Shet Design Studio.

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In The Chrome Crevices

“Brindavana is a residence for a Brahmin family who hails from Udupi, which is rich in coastal heritage,” Veeraj explains. Udupi is a coastal city about 400 km west of Bengaluru in Karnataka, relishing in the brackish wafts of the Arabian Sea, the clients’ hometown. So, “The intent of the house was to get that childhood memory and the ancestry of the client,” Veeraj tells us. The abode’s positioning, not very far from the clients’ hometown, only sharpening the architectural details, posed a challenge to Veeraj and his team. “(It is) Located out of Bangalore... (in) a proper gated community facing a smaller patch of the forest,” Veeraj explains.

As one stroll, a slender chrome edifice materializes in the monochromatic neighbourhood, smearing the onlooker in honey-dew warmth. “The façade is detailed with terracotta in combination with MS,” Veeraj explains. The terracotta blocks are set against the gigantic windows, altering their shape while retaining their diaphanous character and orchestrating a duet between shade and shadows. Armouring the apertures, the MS framings, slightly arched at the top, conspire with the positioning of the terracotta blocks, subtly referencing the medieval style. In the middle of the elevation, a chajja laps against the chrome and white backdrop, shielding the interiors from harsh sunlight and rain. “The intricate details of the façade (where) the corner junctions have these brackets, which are done with cast iron,” Veeraj describes. The intricately illustrated cast iron objets lurking in the corners subtly nod to the Victorian style while supporting the chajjas.

Journeying Through Nostalgia

A pristine white fenced door leads to the shaded parking area, which in turn leads to the home’s entry, shielded by terracotta wind catchers flanking it. “A main door, which has a proper traditional jackfruit timber coastal design,” Veeraj explains. This door is ornamented with brass accents, an essential feature of the country's South Indian region. This vintage door cloaks a minimalist foyer co-starring, “A laterite clad wall with a terracotta pergola at the top, which catches the east light... which almost takes you to that nostalgia of old coastal homes,” Veeraj muses. The pergola’s lucid character smears golden speckles on the dipped, slender pebbled bed, which accommodates potted planters. Perched above is a wooden log supported by intricate brackets against the laterite wall with trickling greenery. “The ground floor has a small studio unit... the stairway takes you to the living area on the first floor,” Veeraj describes.

As one treks to the living room, saturated with traditional tchotchkes inspired by the coastal Udupi style architecture, a larger-than-life window spreads a warm aura across the room. “A landscape and a double skin of terracotta diffuse the west light into the living area,” Veeraj explains. The wood and wicker furniture pieces are doused in plainness, humming symphonies of the nuances belonging to the bygone era. “The traditional swing, which is seen in old chowdis, almost takes you back to that memory,” Veeraj points out, referring to the wooden jhoola with a backrest, methodically swinging against the glittering window.

Chilling With Traditional Tchotchkes

Opposing the light source, Veeraj explains, “You can see the pooja and the dining, which is in the centre... is considered a precious Brahmasthana in Vaastu.” This space balances the minimalist vibe with strong references to the past, and “it opens to a triple-height volume, which has a clay tile roof at the top with a pattern of light,” the architect describes. The dappled skylights orchestrate a Dollu Kunitha on the rustic laterite wall, serving as a pooja area backdrop. “In the coastal house, usually the pooja is done with traditional jackfruit timber,” Veeraj points out, referring to the four rounded wooden columns that encircle the idol perched on a granite platform. To perfectly mimic the carvings, “We got a carpenter from Udupi, and the complete pooja setup was done,” Veeraj reveals.

“You have a bridge at the centre of the house which connects both the bedrooms... and overlooks the cutout below,” Veeraj elucidates. The primordial anchor for the bridge is the kids' bedroom, doused in simplicity, with pristine white hues and bay windows overlooking the publicly accessible spaces below. In the corner, a slender light illuminates the wooden study table and wood and wicker chair, fostering productivity. “You have gavakshi windows in both bedrooms, which connect the house... it’s a 3/4th window, all the traditional windows of rural homes have it,” Veeraj explains. He adds, “which also becomes the rain protector, but here it is taken in the urban scenario.” Peeking into the master bedroom from the 3/4th window, a French window entices one to look out into the lush surroundings. On the journey to a swanky view, a partition exuding a hygge aesthetic with traditional references separates the bedroom and the walk-in wardrobe. “This flexible partition is designed with the inlay of jute and... the cane weaving on the top, which gives continuous cross ventilation,” Veeraj enlightens.

Brindavana is an ode to the rich coastal culture of Udupi, with traditional bones and a contemporary heart that sings nostalgic symphonies of the bygone era. It tells tales of every detail, from the terracotta wind catchers to the intricate woodwork, underscoring the tradition and innovation, making the dwelling a true testament to the enduring beauty of Udupi’s architectural legacy.

To watch the complete home tour, peruse the drawings in detail, and browse additional photographs, visit Buildofy. While there, don’t miss out on the other impressive contemporary homes in Karnataka and across India.