In Bengaluru, Crest Architects’ Long House balances clarity, restraint, and Vaastu principles to create a minimal residence anchored by a dramatic cantilever.
Curated by: Rupali Sebastian
Photographs: Shamanth J Patil
The project
The Long House is a 4,890 sq ft four-bedroom residence that explores minimalism through geometry and intention. Defined by cuboidal volumes and a striking cantilever, the home was designed for a client returning from the United States with a clear brief for a direct, efficient, and purposeful living environment.
The site
Tucked within a quiet, gated neighbourhood in Bengaluru, the house occupies a plot where nearly one-third has been reserved for open space. A landscaped courtyard and waterbody set the tone for the home, softening the entry sequence and reinforcing its calm, restrained language.
The brief
The clients asked for a home that was precise, pared-down, and deeply functional, “only what is necessary, nothing more, nothing less.” They sought a design rooted in minimalism but aligned with Vaastu principles, offering spaces that are intentional, timeless, and responsive to lifestyle.
The design intent
The design response was to craft a pure, geometric form where function follows form. Three cuboidal volumes define an H-shaped plan around a landscaped courtyard, creating visual order and dialogue between built and open. “The architecture was reduced to clarity, a play of volumes and voids that shape the living experience,” note principal architects Vishwas Venkat and Vikas M V.
The civil intervention
As a new build, the interventions were embedded in the design process itself, from the introduction of a steel truss supporting the cantilevered volume to the integration of louvered screens that filter light.
The spatial configuration
The approach begins with a garden and stepping-stone path leading to the entrance porch. From here, the plan unfolds into a front-facing block that houses the formal living and dining areas, connected to both dry and wet kitchens. A central double-height informal living area forms the pivot of the house, opening on one side to a timber deck and on the other to a waterbody, with a puja room positioned nearby. The rear block accommodates the parents’ and guest bedrooms, with attached dressing areas and toilets, ensuring privacy.
Upstairs, a bridge links the private bedrooms, the master and kids’ rooms with their respective dressing and toilet areas, to a cantilevered multipurpose space. This dramatic 24-foot overhang shades the car park below and visually anchors the home. A workstation sits along the bridge, overlooking the informal living volume and courtyard below. A terrace extends the openness, reinforcing the sense of indoor–outdoor continuity. Circulation between levels is anchored by a sculptural steel staircase that acts as both functional core and architectural feature.
The material palette
Exposed concrete, solid teak wood, natural stone, and steel dominate, used in their raw, unadorned form to emphasise texture and material honesty. Interiors extend this logic of restraint: furniture is minimal, finishes are subtle, and every detail is tailored to functional needs without ornamentation.
The challenges
Engineering the dramatic 24-foot cantilever without compromising openness required careful structural design. Coordination between architecture, structure, and detail was critical to achieving the desired clarity.
The highlights
The bold cantilevered mass, supported on a concealed truss, makes a striking gesture at the entry. The double-height informal living area, courtyard, and waterbody anchor the home in openness and calm, while the cantilevered staircase becomes a sculptural highlight.
The takeaway
For the architects, the project reaffirmed the value of reduction. “Restraint itself can be expressive, clarity of form and intention often create the most lasting impact,” they reflect.
Fact file
Project: Long House
Location: Bengaluru
Area: 4,890 sq ft
Principal architects: Vishwas Venkat and Vikas M V
Design team: Shreya R and Akanksha
Structural design: S&S Associates
MEP: Crest Architects
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