Text description provided by the architects. In rapidly developing North Bangalore, the last remnants of the Garakabandi Reserve Forest stand testimony. This protected forest is located within an urban sprawl, and is accompanied by an adjoining site that includes a wooded garden that seamlessly blends with the wildlife.
The site itself is a trapezoidal corner lot of approximately 3,500 square feet, flanked by roads on both sides and embraced by sylvan forest to the north. Its topography slopes gracefully from the southeast, sloping towards the northwest. The proximity to forests in a subtropical climate presents both challenges and opportunities. While the challenge is to guard against unwelcome visitors such as snakes and insects, it also entails embracing the harmonious symphony of birdsong and the fresh breeze. A complex set of requirements involving three generations — elderly parents, a married couple, and their teenage daughter — had to be addressed in the design. The exterior facade of the house exudes an aura of ruggedness, offering glimpses of its intrinsic form. The pedestrian entrance features a 3m high Corten steel gate, adorned with slender openings that dramatically reveal hints of the mysteries within.
Upon crossing the threshold, the senses are greeted by the gentle tone of a koi pond to one side, its calm waters lapping alongside the polished granite steps leading up to the main entrance foyer. This welcoming space is decorated with a bench for rest, inviting visitors to pause and remove their shoes before moving on to the interiors. The central axis, consisting of a three-height entrance foyer, a suspended staircase made of steel and green wood, and a double-height prayer alcove, serves as the organizational axis around which the rest of the dwelling revolves.
Designed for ease of access, the ground floor houses the parents’ bedroom, dining area and kitchen at the same height. In a strategic arrangement, the parking area is located in the lower northwest corner. The living room is raised above the parking level, and opens onto a terraced garden overlooking the woodland panorama. Adjacent to the prayer space, the open kitchen overlooks a courtyard where a prominent tree takes center stage, complemented by a backdrop of a flowing waterfall. The double-height prayer space, which rests on a floating platform and is topped by a circular alcove, radiates an aura of sanctity, enhancing the family’s religious practices.
Inside, the architectural palette embraces exposed concrete and brick, accentuating strong forms. This physical continuity extends into the interiors, appearing as a brick wall traversing three levels, finally touching the boat-like curvature of the concrete roof that surrounds and extends protectively over the entire structure. All windows and doors are made of recycled wood extracted from old demolished homes, making the house environmentally friendly.
Natural light filters through skylights, flooding the double and triple-height spaces with a play of light and shadow, heightening the dramatic essence elicited by the massive dimensions. The main staircase, delicately suspended from the curved ceiling, perpetuates a recurring motif that characterizes Funktion Design’s projects.
(tags for translation)architecture