Pointing south

JVA infuses traditional materials into a contemporary home for a Bengaluru family

19 Sep 2025

Tradition doesn’t necessarily mean repetition. Nestled in Bengaluru, this 5,000 sq ft home, dubbed the Muthappa Residence, pays homage to history while creating something brand new. An ode to the classic homes of southern India, the house features open courtyards, double-height ceilings and clean, simple lines, all executed in style.

“From the outset, the homeowners emphasised the importance of honouring their traditions, all while embracing a refined and contemporary sensibility”, share Jyothsna Joshi and Vishnu Reddy, co-founders and principal architects at JVA, the firm responsible for the beautiful home.

Ceilings to the sky

The roof plays an essential role here. Making use of this metaphorical 5th wall, the Muthappa Residence plays with ceiling heights to shift the encompassing feel of various rooms. The formal living room and the family room boast double-height ceilings, amplifying light and inviting more to settle in. Above, the white ceilings are punctuated by teakwood bars, adding that perfect touch of warmth to a soaring space, while the courtyard ties it all in.

"The greatest architectural challenge lay in preserving a sense of privacy despite the expansive openings that connect the interiors with the outdoors"

— Jyothsna Joshi and Vishnu Reddy, JVA

Cosy window nooks, patterned headboards and customised wood furnishings feature in the master bedroom, headboard and linen blinds from Petals Bengaluru; Photography by Shamanth Patil

An expanse of sky and red brick below, the courtyard, a quintessential feature for homes of the South, allows the heart of the home to take a breath. Serving as a space to lounge under the blue, glass and wood pocket doors lead back into the dining space, weaving sunlight throughout the home.

Southern sanctuary

With a mission to allow southern inspiration to ground the house where possible, JVA had to approach the building materials of the home with care. They chose to work with Kota tiles for the flooring and terracotta light installations in the dining room, with custom-designed furniture throughout. Within discreet details like brass accents and concrete finishes, teak wood is emphasised throughout the home, tying it all together. The ubiquitous material has been utilised for cabinets in the bedrooms, along with simple storage drawers in the washrooms or in conjunction with rattan for homely backboards and shelving.

The sun dances across patterned tiles; Photography by Shamanth Patil

Delicate details

Doors, passages and rooms make up a house, but small, charming details turn into a space to call home. The second-floor landing, dry kitchen and terrace all feature the same patterned tiles, creating a cohesive, striking visual against the otherwise neutral palette. Other design elements like the cosy window nooks of wood in the bedrooms, the miniature bell-adorned doors to the home temple or even its yellow oxide walls, all subtly echo traditional elements. The master bathroom transforms into an oasis of rest, featuring greens against grey marble, imbuing the nature-infused philosophy that guided the design of the airy home. “A key requirement from the clients was to provide ample open space for their children to move and play freely,” say Jyothsna and Vishnu. Meeting this request, a balcony overlooking the courtyard connects from the children’s bedroom, encouraging connection. As pockets of space run along the home’s outer edge, the boundaries between the inside and the outside blur.

As sunshine pours into every part of this house, its airy floorplan, grounded in natural details, hones it into a space that allows this young family to grow, explore or take a meditative break when needed.