The 'Breathe' Residence: An Earth-Built Habitat
A quiet retreat where architecture meets ecology. This home uses compressed earth blocks and perforated walls to create a living space that actively breathes with its surroundings.
An exterior view of the 'Breathe' residence, showcasing the curved Jaali wall made of compressed earth blocks. The surrounding native grasses and plants are not just decoration but an integral part of the home's ecosystem.
The residence at dusk, where the design's engagement with the landscape is clearly visible. The minimal hard lines and thriving softscape demonstrate my principle of letting nature lead.
The perforated Jaali wall acts as a living, breathing skin for the house. These perforations allow light and air to filter through while also providing nesting spaces for local birds, directly contributing to the site's biodiversity.
The inner courtyard, enclosed by ferrocement fins, creates a dynamic play of shadow and light throughout the day. This feature, along with the use of handmade Athangudi tiles, provides thermal comfort and connects the home to traditional craft.
The entrance gate incorporates terracotta blocks, introducing the project's material philosophy from the very first point of contact. Using locally sourced materials effectively cut costs, energy, and construction miles.
An interior court was incorporated based on the client's preference for a deep connection to the outdoors. This space brings a patch of green into the living area, enhancing thermal comfort and daily life.
A proud moment as 'Breathe' was featured as a finalist at the Latitude 2025 Design Awards. This recognition highlights the project's successful fusion of contemporary design with deep ecological principles.
This publication feature highlights the core concepts of the 'Breathe' house. The design integrates locally-made compressed earth blocks, brick jaalis, and courtyards to create a sustainable and breathable living environment.
A feature in Volume Zero magazine, recognizing the architectural and ecological merits of the 'Breathe' project. The article details how the house serves as a model for sustainable residential design.
Another shot from the Volume Zero feature, showing how the structure sits gently on the land. The design works with the natural slope, minimizing disruption to the site's topography.
About The 'Breathe' Residence: An Earth-Built Habitat
The curved Jaali wall isn't just a visual element. It serves as a functional climate control system, using granite trims to provide micro-shading that shields the earth walls from weathering while facilitating natural ventilation. By design, these perforations also create nesting spaces for local birds, making the home a truly living structure.
Architecture as an Ecosystem
The 'Breathe' residence serves as a practical model for carbon-conscious construction. We moved away from conventional load-bearing masonry to use Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks (CSEB) and rammed earth, which significantly reduce energy consumption during both construction and the building's lifecycle.
Material Logic
Every material choice in this project was driven by a commitment to sustainability and thermal comfort. We utilized handmade Athangudi tiles for their cooling properties, helping to maintain stable indoor temperatures without active cooling systems. The structure itself sits on the land with minimal site disturbance, respecting the natural topography rather than imposing a new one.
The 'Breathe' Concept
We designed the Jaali walls to be a porous skin, managing the relationship between the interior and exterior environments. This approach allows light and air to filter through, creating a dynamic play of shadow throughout the day. It is an exploration of how a building can transition from a static shelter to an active participant in its environment, supporting biodiversity while providing a serene living space for its inhabitants.
Betweenlines
We are BETWEENLINES, a design practice based in Bengaluru that views every building as a conversation between nature, traditional craftsmanship, and modern living. We focus on eco-sensitive, people-centric projects where raw materials like brick, earth, and wood define the character of the space.
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