Homes

Amirah Ahamed opens the doors to her green residence in Bengaluru

SEP 2, 2020 | By Sakshi Rai
Amirah Ahamed's home on the outskirts of Bengaluru uses a number of sustainable materials; Photographs by Justin Sebastian
A set of teak armchairs flank either side of a cushy couch facing a bone inlay coffee table; Photographs by Justin Sebastian
Ahamed opts for wooden benches alongside chairs to complete the dining setup; Photographs by Justin Sebastian
The living room features an L-shaped sofa that abuts the dining area; Photographs by Justin Sebastian
The wooden stairway lies spruced with potted plants at frequent intervals; Photographs by Justin Sebastian
An overhead view of the lower level reveals an interplay of textures seen on the furniture and furnishings; Photographs by Justin Sebastian
A teak bed with laminate finish headboard creates a cosy picture against the brick patterned wall; Photographs by Justin Sebastian

Part of the talented few, who have the luxury of waking up to their own creation every day, is the founder and principal architect of Bodhi Design Studio, Amirah Ahamed. The creative’s capacious 3,400 sq ft house, which she shares with her husband and their two young girls on the outskirts of Bengaluru, sits cosy in the lap of nature, cocooned among vegetable farms, orchids and a lake.

Not only is this two storeyed residence created amid greens, its sustainable construction ensures that the environment thrives as well. Ahamed lists some elements of its evident eco architecture, “The plot is filled with numerous gardens, courts and slit windows that look out to them.”

A patterned terracotta jaali that constitutes the southern facade creates playful patterns and ensures the interiors remain naturally lit and ventilated, while the use of Porotherm blocks with cavities help maintain the thermal balance. But the real game changers are the solar cells on the roof that power the entire property.

The facade employs a palette of muted hues comprising white, grey and terracotta; Photographs by Justin Sebastian

It’s picturesque setting is reason enough for it to be the ideal gathering ground for friends and family. This was kept in mind and realised in the architecture of the abode with many interactive spaces and vertically connected interiors.

An overhead jaali adds drama to the white wall, adjacent to the brick surface, by casting playful shadows; Photographs by Justin Sebastian

A pebbled walkway between two gardens leads the way inside, opening out to a family living room with a dining area on one side, and a patio and kitchen on the other. The one unifying aspect is that each space is bound by patches of green. An additional guest living area with a front garden and bedroom are also present on this floor.

Throughout the abode, screens with intricate motifs create a pathway for enhanced air flow and daylight; Photographs by Justin Sebastian

On the first floor, a corridor cemented with mustard yellow tiles connects the children’s room and the master bedroom, while overlooking the double heighted living room below. The other spaces on the upper level are a large terrace and a multipurpose hall with distinct yellow oxide flooring.

Handpicked and delicate textures are seen on the furniture as well, including this bespoke peacock cane chair and cabinet; Photographs by Justin Sebastian

“Being the designer and the client can be challenging but it also offers the freedom to improvise and experiment with new techniques, structures and materials such as jack arch, glass deck or filler slab roof,” says Ahamed. The main facade employs a combination of brick patterns and concrete finishes in grey balanced by white walls.

This cosy niche with a wooden desk and chair is framed with a soothing wallpaper; Photographs by Justin Sebastian

Italian marble flooring was chosen for all the public areas, terracotta for balconies and terraces, whereas more private areas such as the bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchen feature vitrified tile, customised to reflect the unique character of each section. The furniture also followed an organic process, resulting in an eclectic mix including remodeled and repurposed pieces sourced from Karaikudi in Tamil Nadu, a leather sofa clubbed with midcentury modern chairs, a bone inlay centre table and an antique display cabinet.