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Issue 59 - The Life Outside Issue

Issue 59

The Life Outside Issue

Introducing the Life Outside issue of Habitus magazine. With life increasingly being absorbed into a digital space, there is never a more important moment to hold something tangible. In this context, the power of nature to have a physiological impact on our sense of wellbeing has never been more important. So how can we cultivate the benefits of the our natural environment in the most intimate of places – our homes? This was the question that helped to bring this issue of Habitus to life.

A Product of

Rethinking Tradition In Bangalore, India
HomesHolly Cunneen

Rethinking Tradition In Bangalore, India

India

It took the residents of this Brick House in Bangalore, India, twelve years to decide they’d outgrown their former residence. This new build by Collective Project responds to the family’s needs now and into the future.


The residents of this house lived in it happily for twelve years. But, as their lives gradually evolved, and their three children grew up alongside their three dogs, the house became less and less suitable to their needs. However having known and been close friends with the previous owners, an elder couple who loved to entertain, they were sentimental about the house.

Architecture studio, Collective Project, was engaged by the not-so-new residents for what would be the team’s first project following the studio’s relocation from the U.S. to Bangalore, India.

Brick House Collective Project cc Benjamin Hosking entrance

The architects and clients began the process intending to preserve elements of the original building. But key deliverables of the brief – five bedrooms, a formal living room, family room, bar area and an open/closed kitchen – ended up conflicting with the original intent. The decision was eventually made to pivot to a new build.

As a result, Collective Projects prioritised creating a space that celebrated the memory of the original house, while also providing a versatile space that responded to the clients’ and their family’s needs now and into the future. And despite a 10,000 square-foot site, the architects didn’t extend beyond the footprint of the original house in order to maintain the spacious nature of the open lawn.

Brick House Collective Project cc Benjamin Hosking outdoor living

The ground floor responds to the kids’ active nature as an open and connected space, both between the various interior zones and between the interior and exterior zones. The latter is achieved with large sliding glass doors that can be opened to allow for free-flowing circulation.

“Bangalore is known for its mild weather, so on most days all the large glass sliding doors are open and one can walk from the living room through the courtyard to opposite dining space,” says Eliza Higgins of Collective Project.

Brick House Collective Project cc Benjamin Hosking living room

Upstairs comprises the private bedrooms. The staircase landing delivers residents to a family room adjacent to the atrium and drenched in natural light. But it’s here that the floor plan splits: the children’s bedrooms are north, south and west of the family room, while the parents’ bedroom is accessed through the library and via a thin metal bridge. This affords a sense of separation and privacy between the generations while maintaining a public level below, and private level above.

Brick House Collective Project cc Benjamin Hosking | library

Brick was a request of the clients as was a sloped roof. Hand-moulded table bricks were used in place of standard wire-cut bricks, which offer soft edges and welcome imperfections. “We felt these bricks told more of a story and in this case, we were keen on creating a project that was both precise and contemporary (the building geometry) and imperfect (the hand-moulded brick),” says Eliza. All the materials (brick, stone and wood) were locally sourced.

Brick House Collective Project cc Benjamin Hosking master bedroom

The brickwork, including the traditional perforated jaali screen, characterises the new house and offers a strong visual identity. Inside, the brickwork interacts with cream white plastered wall surfaces, thus avoiding repetition of the exterior whilst still referencing it.

In response to the clients’ desire for a pitched roof, Collective Projects utilised a series of sloped roofs with clerestory windows to capture natural light and convey a sense of loftiness in the space. “This also helped by giving a playful lightness to the heavy masonry form,” adds Eliza.

Brick House Collective Project cc Benjamin Hosking exterior

Having moved back in late December 2018, it remains uncertain who is most excited the new space: the family or their four-legged friends.

Collective Projects
collective-project.com

Photography by Benjamin Hosking

Brick House Collective Project cc Benjamin Hosking indoor-outdoor
Brick House Collective Project cc Benjamin Hosking hallway
Brick House Collective Project cc Benjamin Hosking brick detail
Brick House Collective Project cc Benjamin Hosking landscape
Brick House Collective Project cc Benjamin Hosking outdoor-indoor

We think you might also like Chavvi House by Abraham John Architects


About the Author

Holly Cunneen

Tags

BangaloreBenjamin HoskingbrickBrick HouseCollective ProjectEliza HugginsHolly CunneenIndiaIndian ArchitectureJaali


Related Projects
Issue 59 - The Life Outside Issue

Issue 59

The Life Outside Issue

Introducing the Life Outside issue of Habitus magazine. With life increasingly being absorbed into a digital space, there is never a more important moment to hold something tangible. In this context, the power of nature to have a physiological impact on our sense of wellbeing has never been more important. So how can we cultivate the benefits of the our natural environment in the most intimate of places – our homes? This was the question that helped to bring this issue of Habitus to life.

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