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Residences: Sanctuaries of Light and Air

byFunktion DesignTakes projects across Bengaluru; Visit Studio in SanjayanagaraStarts from300 per sq. ft. of floor areaView full gallery

We design homes that function as personal sanctuaries. By integrating raw materials, double-height volumes, and direct connections to nature, we turn urban plots into breathing, light-filled retreats.

An exterior view of the Nairy Residence, which was nominated for the ArchDaily 2024 Building of the Year award. The composition balances heavy, protective forms with open, cantilevered balconies, expressing the home's layered approach to privacy and openness.

The facade of the Nairy Residence showcases a dialogue between materials. The warmth of exposed brick contrasts with the clean white plaster and the raw, board-formed concrete base, which is intentionally being overtaken by climbing plants to integrate the structure with its landscape over time.

The street-facing elevation of the Nairy Residence is designed for privacy at the ground level, with a perforated metal gate and a solid concrete plinth. Above, a projecting bay window with an angled sill creates a dynamic architectural feature while capturing specific views.

A key design strategy is to create pathways that connect the inhabitants with nature. Here, a set of exterior concrete steps runs alongside a water channel and lush planting, leading up from the garden and blurring the line between the built form and the landscape.

The living area in the Nairy Residence is designed to be immersed in the garden. Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows erase the boundary to the outdoors, filling the space with light and offering uninterrupted views of the surrounding greenery, creating a tranquil atmosphere.

The dining space seamlessly extends into a side garden through large glass doors. This connection not only provides ample natural light but also allows for a fluid indoor-outdoor living experience, with elements like the traditional brass bell adding a layer of cultural context.

A view from the living area looking up at the floating steel staircase. This open-plan design uses double-height volumes to visually connect different levels of the home, creating a sense of spaciousness and allowing light to penetrate deep into the floor plan.

The interior is defined by interlocking volumes and honest materials. A heavy, form-finished concrete beam defines the edge of a double-height space, with floating marble steps leading down into the main living area, creating a dramatic sectional play.

This view showcases the vertical circulation core, where a multi-level staircase of steel and wood connects the floors. The design emphasizes volume and transparency, with sightlines extending through the house to create a feeling of an interconnected, singular space.

The main staircase is conceived as a sculptural object, with a prominent green steel stringer beam supporting floating wooden treads. This element acts as a strong visual marker that organizes the interior spaces around it.

About Residences: Sanctuaries of Light and Air

If you love the raw look of exposed concrete, know that it requires careful site coordination during the pour. We work closely with contractors to ensure the shuttering creates a clean finish, rather than hiding flaws behind paint or plaster. This is about embracing the material as it is: honest, rugged, and enduring.

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