Homes
House of Greens: This Bengaluru home pays homage to nature with an indoor-outdoor canvas
MAY 6, 2024 | By Bindu Gopal Rao
With a visually evident name entitled to this home in Bengaluru, House of Greens, a narrative on nature and its inspirations emerges. Tucked inside a gated community in the city’s Sarjapur Road, this four-bedroom dwelling stays true to its name, surrounded and connected with lush greenery, both visually and physically, at all levels.
Designed by Chandrakant S Kanthigavi, Founder and Principal Architect, 4site architects, a sense of absolute tranquillity is one of the first clues firmly rooted in its design ethos.
A green makeover
The initial discussion with the homeowners was about creating a space that reflects peace and nature. “After some brainstorming sessions, we discovered that they are dog lovers, green enthusiasts, down to earth doctors and peace lovers, committed to a sustainable lifestyle,” says Chandrakant.
As a tribute to Bengaluru’s ‘Garden City’ epitaph, the theme of this home is to reflect the abundance of green spaces. This is how the concept was carefully conceived to imagine a garden-esque experience embedded in every space.
Space Fix
The stone-paved entryway reveals a nook lined with trees and a wooden slatted gate alongside a series of planters leading to the verandah. “A warm welcome awaits in the foyer as an idol of Krishna in the lobby and a double-height living area opening to the rear garden create a visual connection with nature,” says Chandrakant.
With the entire space contoured with a free plan layout and the greens co-existing as protagonists, the home mimics being a retreat blanketed with the hues of nature. The architect adds, “The common spaces at ground levels open to East, West and large North east gardens. The kitchen opens to the green garden to make the cooking enjoyable with natural light and ventilation. The parents’ bedroom is on the South West of the home and opens to the South with a green wall and deck.”
An exposed concrete folded plate staircase clad with mahogany wood takes you to the first floor. The primary bedroom trickles on to a private terrace garden with edge lawns and shrubs that also act as a safety barrier. The children’s bedroom has a private balcony overlooking the north east court below. On the second floor there is another bedroom, gym and terraced garden.
Going Green
The House of Greens design incorporates environment-friendly materials and energy-efficient technologies to reduce the home’s footprint. The use of natural lighting, passive heating and cooling systems and rainwater harvesting contribute to the sustainability of the home. In addition, a variety of indoor plants, a rooftop garden and lush backyard brings beauty of nature in the living spaces, lending a peaceful impression to the residents.
“The design has been carefully curated to enhance the greens and frame the existing greens. The rest of the palette is muted with natural materials such as wooden flooring, laterite stone cladding, natural granite and large wooden doors and windows. The balance is made with interior design including a mix of bespoke, built-in pieces, as well as traditional outdoor furnishings and an abundance of potted plants,” says Chandrakant. This is a perfect example of a home that merges the outdoors with the indoors creating a green space that adheres to the tranquil space requirement that the client always wanted.
