Haarsha Architects creates a striking, highly-functional and eco-friendly habitat using the humble brick as the primary material.
Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Shamanth Patil J; courtesy Haarsha Architects
The architecture
The Brick Veil house designed by Haarsha Architects is located in a serene neighbourhood of Bengaluru on a quadrilateral plot of land. The uniqueness of the architecture lies in its simplicity of form and palette, tastefully moulded in brick cladding and liquid stone to ideally suit the streetscape of the locality. The four storied house towers over the landscape and faces the Southern skies; and its warm appeal complements the moderately-cool climatic conditions of the city. The building also showcases a strategic play of vertical surfaces with an unpolished finish that adds an organic charm to the architecture. The three-dimensional element of the building gets further emphasised in the form of idyllic spill out balconies which are slathered with lush landscapes along the edge on the upper floors. The planters complement the terracotta cladding, giving the impression of a fresh vertical garden. Portions of the building facade also showcase brick jaalis that facilitate privacy and re-engineer the quality of natural light entering into the double-height communal spaces in the abode. Likened to functional art forms, the jaalis aesthetically uplift the building from both, the interiors and exteriors.
The spatial configuration
In line with the simplicity of the facade, the building sweeps across the landscape in an orthogonal layout. The journey into the property begins from the stilt floor layout that accommodates a spacious parking lot for four cars, a home office and a home theatre. The habitable spaces start to unfold in the higher floor levels which are accessible via an elongated pedestrian staircase that offsets alongside the building leading towards the entrance threshold from the street level. The ground floor accommodates the communal activities of the home, including a living, dining and kitchen, and one guest suite. An exploration of double-height spaces commences from this floor plate via strategic staggering of upper floor levels. The first and second floors accommodate the more private spaces sacrosanct to the home anatomy, with bed and bath spaces occupying the Southern and Northern facing pockets of the layout and an informal family living/bridge that is centrally located. An alfresco terrace on the second floor creates just the right space for entertaining with its spacious cast-in-situ seating and bar space.
The material palette
A tasteful blend of simplicity and artfulness trickles into the interior compositions of Brick Veil. The base canvas of the interiors comprises brightly whitewashed walls and soft beige marble floors. Interior layering of accent and feature elements begins to personalise and add character to each space like decorative wallpapers and fluted wall panelling. Texture-rich additions like rattan, suede tufted beds, timber false ceilings, hardwood flooring, and bold pops of accents in rust and toasty browns altogether enhance the experiential signature of Brick Veil. Furnishing and artful decor pieces — like statement light fixtures, mid-century modern furniture, and soft monochromatic palettes specific to each space — add to the final touch.
Fact File
Project: Brick Veil
Location: HSR Layout, Bengaluru
Area: 2,400 sq ft (site) and 7,000 (built-up) sq ft
Principal architect: Haarsha Ravindra Prasad
Styling: Shruthi Rastogi
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