---
title: "Brick Vault House Hyderabad: Sustainable Adaptive Reuse Architecture"
description: "Discover the Brick Vault House, an adaptive reuse project in Hyderabad by Archiopteryx. We specialize in sustainable architecture and Vastu-compliant home design."
canonical: https://mytribe.in/archiopteryx/sustainable-residential-architecture/the-brick-vault-house-adaptive-reuse-in-hyderabad
last_updated: 2025-09-25
---

# Brick Vault House: Adaptive Reuse in Hyderabad

Tribe Verified · Sustainable architecture across Delhi and Hyderabad.

By [Archiopteryx](https://mytribe.in/archiopteryx) · Takes projects across Delhi NCR and Hyderabad · ₹350 per Sq. Ft. (Carpet Area) (estimate)

Part of [Sustainable Residential Architecture](https://mytribe.in/archiopteryx/sustainable-residential-architecture). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/archiopteryx/sustainable-residential-architecture/gallery)

Adaptive reuse is not about demolition; it is about honoring the existing structure while rethinking how we live. In this Hyderabad project, we converted a single-story building into a multi-level habitat, proving that a home can be sustainable, Vastu-compliant, and structurally bold.

## Photos and videos

- ![The facade of the Brick Vault House in Hyderabad, showcasing the adaptive reuse of the original structure. The design combines exposed brick with modern arched windows and a new water feature, creating a distinctive ethno-modern aesthetic.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/adec97ba-15a0-449c-98c4-f64e6386f8b9)
- ![A closer view of the Brick Vault House exterior, highlighting the interplay of textures between the exposed brick, smooth plaster, and the lush greenery in planters. The arched windows on the upper floor are a signature feature of the design.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e6b63142-06d0-45fb-91d8-76187e88f1fd)
- ![Inside, a sculptural spiral staircase with a wooden handrail creates a dramatic focal point. This staircase connects the multiple-height volumes of the home, leading up towards the magnificent exposed brick vaults on the ceiling.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1876d8fe-76cc-4c23-bd97-8742f6f1292f)
- ![The interior showcases the impressive 30-foot-long brick vaults. These are not merely decorative but are load-bearing structures, left exposed to become the main feature of the space. The arched windows allow natural light to pour in, illuminating the rich texture of the brickwork.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/031cd270-1bc1-4e31-9231-d3cb4326a0cf)
- ![Looking directly up through the stairwell reveals a geometric composition of lines and textures. The rectilinear form of the staircase contrasts with the exposed brick of the upper levels, creating a powerful visual journey through the home.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2d669f9d-c026-41dc-84f9-40bfae3ac881)
- ![This view from an upper level shows the multi-height volumes and the flow of space within the Brick Vault House. The design creates interesting sightlines and a sense of connection between the different floors.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/520f25ad-bba4-488d-8cea-e921704fa7fe)
- ![A custom-designed folding glass and wood door separates spaces while maintaining a sense of openness. In the background, the sculptural spiral staircase hints at the vertical journey through the home's unique volumes.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4c537718-5168-476d-87b9-5d081af11b36)
- ![The symmetrical arched windows at the end of the vaulted ceiling frame views of the sky and trees. This design choice ensures that the interior is always connected to the outdoors and filled with natural light.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d1ebd287-541c-4fd5-ab80-908b6409da8a)
- ![This image shows the repurposing of over 70-year-old wood from the client's ancestral home. Here, it is used to create a beautiful arched alcove, preserving a piece of family history within the new, modern structure.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7e297cef-8ae5-401f-b1e7-ea3141d4caa7)
- ![Another view of the repurposed wood alcove under construction. This detail is a key part of the project's sustainability-centric principle of reusing existing materials to create nostalgic and meaningful elements within the home.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/65bf4933-50dd-49d6-82a6-87fb1d4418a2)
- ![The craftsmanship involved in creating the brick vaults is evident in this photo. Here, a mason is carefully applying recessed grouting to the 40-foot-long vaults, a technique that highlights the form of each individual brick.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/54f5e027-f943-4419-9393-13905d737217)
- ![A close-up of the meticulous pointing work on the brick vaults. This reinterpretation of age-old construction techniques is a key ingredient in my architectural practice, ensuring that building systems are both functional and beautiful.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6c89f260-defc-47be-b403-82a33b0f55a9)
- ![This image captures the tunnel-like effect of the completed brick vault, showing how it shields the interior from the hot sun while allowing soft, diffused light to enter from the end.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5413a5ff-e50f-48ff-a146-d31ea7a0579c)
- ![I have a deep appreciation for random rubble masonry, and it's heartening to see the care with which our team works with this hardy local material. Here, workers are cleaning and pointing a stone wall, bringing out its natural texture and color.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/71ac9baf-3791-49fc-a6c9-e7e233685868)
- ![An interior view during construction, showing the raw structure of the brick vaults and the multi-level spaces before the final finishes were applied. This 'skinless' view reveals the architectural bones of the building.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fb57120a-6a55-4dfb-a2a8-8781bf1da42a)
- ![The exterior of the Brick Vault house during construction, with the random rubble masonry wall in the foreground. The design retains the original lower floor while adding new volumes above, all compliant with Vastu principles.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c392de91-8ccd-4b0f-988a-7f702486a2b6)
- ![The interior space under construction, with scaffolding still in place beneath the newly completed brick vaults. This image shows the scale of the double-height volume and the large arched openings designed to let in light.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/125529b9-f574-488a-afcd-db5f0450d658)
- ![The exterior of the Brick Vault House nearing completion, with workers on scaffolding putting the finishing touches on the brick cladding. This phase is about fine-tuning the details before handing the building over to its inhabitants.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7337e8d9-d3c2-429a-8324-6227b8f1e5ca)
- ![An update from the site as we raced to complete the exterior before the monsoons. The exposed brick facade and China mosaic edging on the roof are nearing completion, showcasing the building's signature materials.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a90540ca-8691-41a1-905e-c5214b9d2443)
- ![A detail of the construction process, showing the concrete and stone work for the entrance ramp and planters. Every element is carefully considered to contribute to the overall design.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8a73ef9d-96a4-4e5b-a5ed-5d750e055485)
- ![A view from below of the hybrid metal and wood spiral staircase under construction. This complex sculptural element takes shape within the rectilinear stairwell, creating a dynamic contrast of forms.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8f695a99-91fd-4ba8-bb21-354c378000f7)
- ![A close-up of the brick arch construction, showing the precision and skill required to create these beautiful, load-bearing forms.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/64ab208a-4fe1-4721-8a6a-ddffecf0a360)
- ![The Brick Vault House nearing completion, with the exposed brick cladding and grit wash finish applied. The white broken china mosaic on the curved roof surfaces helps reflect heat, a low-tech and effective sustainability feature.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ed78de4b-3093-4e7b-a283-28822027cd05)
- ![The house in its early construction phase, showing the addition of new floors on top of the original single-story structure. This image documents the beginning of the adaptive reuse process.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d1521710-e26d-44cd-8b34-2f9b59f5ac74)
- ![An interior shot during the structural phase, showing the raw concrete forms and openings that will eventually become light-filled, multi-height spaces.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/dc37cb8a-27c6-4226-ada9-a883ee5eed1e)
- ![Workers on site preparing the reinforcement for the concrete slab. This image provides a glimpse into the hands-on process of building and the labor that goes into creating these complex structures.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/afc3fc5c-f4db-48f1-91bc-6bb3cd3e0046)
- ![An interior view of the Brick Vault House during construction in Delhi. The harsh summer sun is filtered through the building's openings, creating soft light and shadow within the multi-height courtyard spaces.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ba5206da-2fa2-4126-b44a-b1839b21fb86)
- ![Another perspective of the light and shadow play within the courtyard home during construction. The design uses volume and form to create moments of pause and contemplation.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/18746c65-4bfe-48ba-aab6-d4243c54548e)

## About The Brick Vault House: Adaptive Reuse in Hyderabad

The structural soul of this project lies in the 30-foot-long brick vaults. These are fully load-bearing, not decorative additions. By leaving them exposed, we created a natural thermal buffer against the Hyderabad heat while turning the ceiling itself into a dramatic, tactile feature that connects the multiple levels of the home.

### Rethinking the Existing Structure

When we approached this 5000-square-foot residence, the goal was not to clear the slate but to work with the site's history. We retained the original ground-floor structure, adding two levels above through strategic structural interventions. This approach minimizes waste and energy consumption, which is core to our practice of true sustainability.

### Materiality and Craft

Sustainability is not just about installing solar panels; it is about how materials perform. We repurposed 70-year-old wood from the client's ancestral home to craft doors and interior alcoves. For the ceilings, we used load-bearing brick vaults that span 14 feet. These vaults are finished with broken China mosaic on the exterior to reflect heat, while the interior is left exposed to showcase the raw, honest texture of the brickwork. We employed local masons to execute this, using recessed grouting to define the individual character of every brick.

### Living with Nature

We integrated indigenous flora and Vastu principles throughout the layout. The home features large window openings at the ends of the brick vaults, allowing natural light to penetrate the deepest parts of the house. This connectivity ensures that even on the upper floors, residents maintain a visual and physical link to the outdoors. The spiral staircase serves as a sculptural focal point, connecting the multi-height volumes and encouraging movement through spaces that feel alive rather than static. This project stands as a testament to what is possible when we view a building as a habitat for humans, birds, and plants rather than just a place to reside.

## About Archiopteryx

I believe buildings should be as thoughtful as the people who inhabit them. At Archiopteryx, we avoid cookie-cutter designs to build habitats for humans, animals, and plants. This Hyderabad project is a clear example of how we take an existing foundation and breathe new, sustainable life into it.

[See all of Archiopteryx's services](https://mytribe.in/archiopteryx)

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- [Works in Progress](https://mytribe.in/archiopteryx/sustainable-residential-architecture/works-in-progress)
- [Recognition & Features](https://mytribe.in/archiopteryx/sustainable-residential-architecture/recognition-features)

## More services by Archiopteryx

- [Bespoke Interior Architecture & Design](https://mytribe.in/archiopteryx/bespoke-interior-architecture-design)

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