Residences of Character
Every home tells a story. From the library corners of Dr. Rehamat’s residence to the light-filled spaces of the V S Sreedhara home, these projects reflect the distinct personalities of the people who live within them.
A teaser for the Dr. Rehamat Tarikere Residence, a home I designed 20 years ago. This video offers glimpses of its enduring design, from the lush entrance to the central courtyard and cozy, book-filled rooms.
This video captures the serene and artistic moments within the Dr. Rehamat Residence. The indoor swing, the quiet reading corners, and the views of the garden highlight a home designed for a life of contemplation and creativity.
More beautiful shots from the Dr. Rehamat Residence, showcasing the interplay of stone pillars, the indoor swing, rough-hewn stone steps, and sunlit reading nooks that define this timeless home.
A quiet moment on the indoor swing at the Dr. Rehamat Residence. The swing, suspended between two massive granite pillars, is the heart of the home's central courtyard, a place for conversation and connection.
The design of this home incorporates built-in seating and varied levels, creating informal gathering spaces. Here, the architect sits on the stone steps, demonstrating how circulation spaces can also be places for rest.
A large, informal seating area (jagali) built with stone and brick, perfect for hosting large gatherings of friends and family. This space embodies the home's spirit of community and intellectual exchange.
A home for a writer and academic is incomplete without a library. This room is filled to the brim with books, showcasing a life dedicated to learning. The design provides ample storage while keeping the space functional.
A simple, peaceful bedroom with built-in bookshelves. The design prioritizes function and comfort, creating a restful space for reading and contemplation.
A sunlit corner reading nook, with a book left open. This image captures the quiet, intellectual spirit of the home, where every corner invites you to pause and read.
A collage showing different quiet corners of the home, from a meditation spot with a view of the garden to an aerial view of the central swing. Each space is designed for a specific, peaceful activity.
About Project Showcase: Residences of Character
When you look at the joinery or the way stone meets timber in these homes, you are seeing a deliberate choice to avoid factory finishes. I prefer working with local craftsmen to create custom furniture—like those library nooks or reading seats—because a home should feel like it was made by human hands, not by machines.
My design philosophy, which I call 'Arivu' or awareness, is about creating spaces that engage all your senses. In these residences, we move away from standard layouts to create architecture that listens to the land and the lifestyle of the residents. For instance, designing a home for an academic requires more than just storage; it requires an environment where books feel like they belong, integrated into seating ledges and staircase voids rather than hidden away in cold cabinets.
We prioritize materials that age gracefully. You will find Athangudi tiles, wire-cut bricks, and reclaimed wood across these projects. These are not merely decorative choices. They provide thermal comfort, keep the air quality healthy, and bring a tactile warmth that synthetic materials simply cannot replicate. When we use traditional elements like jali screens or internal courtyards, it is to solve specific problems: drawing in natural light, ensuring cross-ventilation, and creating a sense of privacy in dense urban settings.
Sustainability is not a trend we follow; it is the baseline for how we work. Whether it is incorporating skylights to reduce electricity usage or designing built-in seating to save space in a compact apartment, every decision is made to ensure your home remains comfortable and functional for decades, not just for a few years. My goal is to create a living space that feels as honest as the materials it is built from.
Kham Design
I am Chetan. At Kham Design, I don't just build structures; I try to awaken the senses. I listen to the land and your personal stories—whether it is a library for a writer or a sitar corner for a musician—to create spaces that feel like home the moment you step inside.
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