Nature’s Haven

Minimal and tastefully curated, 2,400-sq-ft The Transient Nest by Studio WhiteScape is a Bengaluru residence sitting in the midst of nature.

Curated by: Tanaya Pednekar
Photographs: Photographix India, courtesy Studio WhiteScape

The minimalist facade is created with a combination of white painted walls, lush wood and glass and finishes with projections making the elevation interesting.

The brief

The family of three sought a safe haven that would make the most of the resources available. The requirement was to provide a three-bedroom residence with an additional 2BHK unit that the clients could rent out.

The entrance staircases are wide and vibrant which double up as an informal seating area to enjoy quiet moments under the trees.

The design process

Geared with the brief, Manjunath CN, principal at Studio WhiteScape, and his team began the process by weaving the features of a traditional Indian home into a contemporary dwelling space. The idea was to offer experiences that constantly left one intrigued and interested. Essentially open to nature, the proposal integrated dry and green courts to create pockets for unwinding and relaxing, with the spaces flowing into each other seamlessly.

The large, open living space is inviting and luxurious and gives one a glimpse of the beautiful landscape that is carefully integrated into the living spaces.

The spatial configuration

The duplex is spread over two floors: the lower one accommodates social spaces such as dining, living, etc, and the upper floor is completely private. The rental unit is placed on the ground floor. A vibrant entrance features bright planters and a tranquil Buddha statue. The large open living space is inviting and gives a glimpse of the landscape outdoors. Separated by a mere level difference, the dining space blends in visually with the overall narrative. The puja court and bedroom are tucked on one side. The open kitchen abuts the dining area on the other side.

The highlight of the project, the spiral staircase enhances the aesthetic value of the project.

A spiral staircase is placed in a “stair court” – a niche carved out in the middle of the house. A family space flanked by perforated walls greets one on the level. The master bedroom and the daughter’s bedroom are placed opposite each other. The first floor also houses a multipurpose space and a library. The large windows and openings that present great vistas are strategically placed in tandem with the other elements to ensure that while they bring in the views and the ventilation, they do not compromise on privacy.

The material and colour palettes

Frames and cubes featuring stark white paint and lush wood teamed with glass railings dominate the facade design. Like the minimal exteriors, the interiors, too, demonstrate restraint. Both the living and dining featured a muted colour scheme of brown, white and grey. In case of the staircase, bent MS sheets act as supports, while each tread is rendered from an MS sheet wrapped in timber. The melamine-polished timber and the Duco-finished MS sheets complement and balance each other’s colours. The master bedroom is generously proportioned and dressed in white, brown and grey, while that of the daughter follows a pastel green theme.

Dressed in white, brown and grey, the master bedroom houses a low seating bed next to an opening that allows light to flow in.

The highlights

The winding spiral staircase is the attention grabber. Placed in the stair court, this element not only connects the home functionally but aesthetically as well. Sitting on a marble platform, the stairs spiral upwards into the ethereal aesthetic of the skylight. The void from which it emerges is filled with pebbles to add a complementary texture to the space.