Indian architecture firm Cadence have completed a residence in Bangalore, India, which features cast-concrete external walls decorated with perforations.
Called Out of the Box, the project is situated in a residential area of Bangalore and is designed to block views of the neighbouring buildings from within.
The plan is a variation on a traditional courtyard house layout; instead of placing the courtyard in the centre of the building the architects have split the house into quarters and placed the courtyard in the northwest corner.
The courtyard is elevated above street level on the first floor and features two perforated walls, traditionally known as jali walls, that allow light and cooling air to pass through from the outside.
Photographs are by Clare Arnie.
Here is some more text from Cadence:
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OUT OF THE BOX
PROJECT CONCEPT
The 1200sqft corner site presented us with the classic urban scenario. The site was abutted by houses on two sides and flanked by low income housing on the other two sides.
The question thus posed to us was, “What would be the relationship of the dwelling to the outside?”
The stand taken by us was to incorporate the ‘outside’ inside while the building shuns the surroundings.
A classic diagram of this would be the traditional courtyard house.
Taking this classic diagram we moved the court to the corner to create new spatial and formal effects.
By moving the court to the fourth quadrant of the square we could magnify the boundaries of each program flanking the court.
i.e. the living room, the dining and the bedrooms would not only feel much bigger but also would have sectional relationship with the open to sky court.
The court is further articulated by placing a sculptural element that would serve as an informal dining area as well as a tub for housing a tree.
The jali wall cast in-situ completes the fourth corner to accentuate the experience of the court.
Client: Phangun Rao
Site: 1200sqft
Built up area: 2300sqft
Location: Bangalore, India
Architects: Cadence
Principal Architects: Narendra Pirgal, Smaran Mallesh, Vikram Rajashekar
Structural Engineer: Manjunath & co
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Posted by Ali Morris
July 20th, 2009 at 3:08 am
Nice house… love the courtyard!
But such a sad finish on the outside, can clearly see how the courtyard was sealed in later. Funny even the photographer hasn’t helped that much and the shabby wall plaster detail shows through in every picture.
July 20th, 2009 at 7:14 am
Nothing much from out side..
But inside it looks Gooood
July 20th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Love the Interior effect!!! Awesome.
I would repaint the exterior again or would have left it pure concrete !!
July 20th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Though these box like structures usually leave me gasping for air, I find that the perforations allow me to breathe easier, almost enjoying this design.
July 20th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Great ! The outside is the best about the project you ignorants, straight box, Yeah!!
July 20th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
You have to give it the the Indians for designing a shrine space (puja) into the home as essential as a kitchen or bathroom.
July 20th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
when i read this & looked at the pictures i immediately thought about privacy, plus from the outside, to me, I can’t help but think the holes in the wall looks like a heart (picture one & 5 & 6 (ish)),
July 21st, 2009 at 7:40 am
I like it. Yes the finish could be better but the effect and usability of the space compensate the poor finish. Also very cool to see an Indian residence, nice change from the Japanese boxes
July 21st, 2009 at 2:39 pm
does this building have only one corner?
July 21st, 2009 at 8:16 pm
This idea is a really great way to provide outdoor sanctuary and preserve privacy in a busy urban environment. I agree with Royal though, i would like to see the stucture itself be more lyrical.
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:51 am
Very nice effects inside the house. Interesting details, feels like wonderland somehow … Outside … hmm puristic, minimalistic …
July 24th, 2009 at 5:06 am
Good looking from outside but why the courtyard so mini???
July 28th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
WOW….
kudos
simple..functional…contextual..i love the idea of how the courtyard is redefined using “jalis”
simply beautiful space
July 31st, 2009 at 7:32 am
Nice House. Peter zumthor like Jali (mesh) effect at the corner. Yes, exterior paint job could have been better.
Although interesting!! – aesthetically cool looking bench/sculpture in courtyard takes a lot of space and makes it almost not usable. For that bench you need a bigger court !!
Rest cool.. Presentation drawings are also nice
Effort appreciated!
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:18 am
whr can I get in touch with the architects? their website is under construction..any email? or tel no?
August 5th, 2009 at 10:31 am
smaran@cadence.in
99455-36523
September 3rd, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Looks terrible – the outside needs another layer of plastering to hide the cheap materials. the inside looks totally disjointed – that courtyard sculpture is too large and vague. The architects have tried to copy too many styles, rather than design with structured thinking.
September 27th, 2009 at 6:39 am
Hey Kumbu
too good, same as my dream house. Just wait till I can make avinash spend a little more.
Its brilliant.
Vanu
October 28th, 2009 at 11:10 am
well done to the architects !!!
nx time u guys want to offer negative comments….why don’t u attached pics of projects u completed…