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In the relentless chaos of urban sprawl, houses grounded in native architecture like this home in Bengaluru do more than provide solace—they offer a sanctuary where the rhythm of tradition is congruent with the pace of modern life. When the clients approached Priyadarshini Veerendra and Sharanya Sekar—Tarsi's founders and principal architects—they envisioned a home that echoed native sensibilities. They wanted a culturally rooted abode, emphasizing open spaces while exuding timelessness. Staying true to their philosophy that design finds its essence in the balance between heritage and innovation, the architects delivered a sanctuary that honours its roots while embracing modern living.
Planned on a 3,400-square-foot corner plot, Kathae is a multi-generational family home located on the outskirts of Bengaluru. The house has three bedrooms, with the master and parents’ bedrooms on the ground floor and the son’s bedroom and a study on the upper floor. “Since the rest of the site and the surroundings were bare, it was important to create interest within. Keeping this in mind, our basic approach was to carve out a large garden while minimising the building footprint,” says Sharanya.
The garden of this home in Bengaluru has been strategically placed towards the east to catch the rays of the morning sun. This results in an L-shaped layout for the open-plan living and dining. An earthy material palette provides continuity to the design vocabulary. Using jack arches in the living area adds a distinctive architectural charm and serves a practical purpose by acting as a natural insulator, significantly reducing heat gain. This passive cooling technique minimises the reliance on energy-intensive air conditioning. Combined with the emphasis on open spaces and native materials, the design ensures sustainability is woven into the home’s architectural fabric.
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From the living room, a low ceiling walkway speckled with bits of yellow Jaisalmer on the floor directs one to the double-height dining room with a sloped roof extending onto the veranda. All the furniture in this home in Bengaluru bears semblance to the old while offering the comfort of the years of the lore. Cherished antiques collected by the clients, and custom-designed elements like coffee tables and intricately carved wooden panels add a layer of history and personal significance to the space.
“Reflecting on the thought “The house is a garden; the garden is a house”, the ‘garden’ in this case is the heart of the house, an extension of the living spaces inside. The existing tall trees and a dense landscape planned along the west boundary wall aids in privacy as well as shade,” adds Priyadarshini.
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