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Mane: Revitalizing a Heritage Apartment

byma+rsTakes projects across Bengaluru & Bhubaneswar; Visit Design Studio in Cox TownStarts from₹2,200 per sq. ft. of Built-up AreaView full gallery

We transformed a dark, compartmentalized 1250 sq ft apartment in Basavanagudi into a fluid, light-filled home that echoes the warmth of a traditional Karnataka Mane.

This video showcases the dramatic before-and-after of the Mane apartment renovation. We knocked down walls to create an open-plan living area, replacing dark marble with light grey terrazzo to brighten the entire space.

The new living area is designed for comfort and conversation, featuring custom teak and cane furniture. The design reflects the client's desire for a grounded, warm home reminiscent of their childhood.

A full view of the living room seating arrangement. The furniture, textiles, and artwork were all chosen to create a cohesive, contemporary Indian aesthetic.

A traditional wooden swing with brass chains becomes a central feature of the living space, viewed here from behind the custom sofa. It adds a playful and nostalgic element to the modern apartment.

The living room is a composition of textures, from the woven cane of the chairs to the patterned cushions and the smooth finish of the teak coffee table.

A close-up detail of the custom-designed armchair, showing the combination of teak wood, cane weaving, and brass accents that define the furniture in this home.

This detail shot highlights the material palette of the living room, with warm wood, natural cane, and touches of brass creating an earthy and inviting atmosphere.

The open layout allows for fluid movement through the space. A high skirting in grey IPS unifies the living and dining areas, creating a seamless transition.

This view captures the dynamic quality of the living space, where modern open-plan design meets traditional elements like the indoor swing.

A quiet reading moment on the swing, next to a built-in niche for displaying books and artifacts. This demonstrates our approach to creating personalized, multi-functional spaces.

About Mane | ಮನೆ: Revitalizing a Heritage Apartment

The primary structural intervention involved removing internal walls to merge the living, dining, and kitchen areas. By creating a clear visual axis from the entrance through to the balcony, we ensured natural light penetrates the entire floor plate. This layout redefines the 1250 sq ft space, transforming it from a fragmented, dark unit into an interconnected, functional home.

1250 sq ft heritage apartment renovation — Approved by the tribe
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ma+rs

Takes projects across Bengaluru & Bhubaneswar; Visit Design Studio in Cox TownStarts from ₹2,200 per sq. ft. of Built-up Area

We are ma+rs, a Bangalore-based architecture studio focused on carving out calm, light-filled spaces within the urban fabric. Our practice emphasizes a symbiotic relationship between structure and light, ensuring every home feels rooted in its specific context. We work directly with our clients to transform compartmentalized apartments into fluid living environments.

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The storytelling of this home starts right at the main door. The view opens into the foyer and leads to the most impactful space: the courtyard, where the mesmerizing, life-size marble sculpture of Lord Shiva and his family offers a breathtaking welcome.
With a modest elevation, we wanted the main door to be an eye-catching feature. We conceptualized a traditional carved teak door but chose to polish it in a gorgeous steel blue that stands out, telling a story of being traditional yet unconventional.
Behind the courtyard is the living room, a modest yet elegant space featuring the quintessential Indian swing. All-teak furniture provides warmth, a patterned fabric on the sofa adds ethnic appeal, and the coffered ceiling brings the space together into a cozy haven.

Project Prangan: Reviving an Ancestral Soul

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Studio IpsaTakes projects in Bengaluru & Hyderabad; Visit Design Studio in Kumara Park West
The private foyer welcomes you with a gorgeous brick-clad wall and a traditional Tanjore painting of a tusker elephant. This space immediately introduces the home's theme of warmth, art, and cultural heritage.18
A closer look at the foyer's details. The antique bench, brass temple lamp, and Nandi sculpture were all part of the client's collection, which we used as the starting point for the entire design.
The living room connects seamlessly to a double-height deck, blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors. The design balances modern grey sofas with antique wooden furniture, like the stately grandfather clock.
This cozy corner of the living area features a traditional Indian card table with inlaid tiles and chairs, set against a backdrop of unique art pieces collected by the family.

Traditional Kerala Inspired Interior Design in Bengaluru Homes

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ROxAR Design StudioTakes projects across Bengaluru & Chennai; Visit Design Studio in Kalyan Nagar
Every design begins with a feeling. This mood board for the Gopalan Florenza apartment captures the essence of our client's dream: the warmth of wood, the earthiness of lime plaster, and the vibrant touch of Channapatna crafts, all inspired by coastal Karnataka.11
The design was inspired by the client's brief for a home reflecting coastal traditions with carved wooden columns and an earthy charm. This collage shows some of the key inspirations, from Channapatna toys to traditional architectural forms.
The foyer sets the tone for the home. Here, I used durable Kotta stones for the high-traffic area and created a feature wall with art showcasing Carnatic musical instruments, immediately grounding the space in the family's cultural passions.
A view from the foyer into the living area, highlighting the transition from the red Athangudi tile flooring to the main living space. The design uses distinct zones to create a sense of discovery as you move through the apartment.

Modern-Heritage Interiors for Gopalan Florenza Apartments

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Kham DesignProjects across India; Visit Studio in Chamrajpet
This living area features a modern take on the traditional 'thinnai' or raised verandah seating. The curved, built-in bench is paired with patterned floor tiles and woven pendant lights for a look that is both contemporary and classic.12
A view from the dining area into the living room, framed by two traditional wooden pillars. This is a signature element I use to demarcate space while adding a touch of South Indian architectural history.
A tranquil outdoor alcove designed for a Ganesha statue. The space uses a combination of terracotta jali screens, laterite stone, and lush greenery to create a modern yet sacred-feeling shrine.
An internal courtyard that acts as the home's sanctum. The design uses brick planters, slate flooring, and open-to-sky elements to create a peaceful, green oasis that brings nature right into the heart of the house.

Modern Heritage Home Interiors

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1Leapingfrog StudioVisit Studio in Domlur; Projects in Bengaluru & Hyderabad
This image captures the essence of the restored Mattur residence. The traditional wooden staircase, stone-clad column, and collection of terracotta pots create a space that is rich in texture and history.4
A timeless tribute to heritage. This view highlights the restored waffle slab ceiling and earthy floors, reflecting the architectural wisdom of the Malnad region and blending tradition with modern living.
A view from the doorway into the heart of the home. The play of shadow and light reveals the central courtyard with its traditional swing, creating a sense of depth and tranquility.

Heritage Restored: The Mattur Residence

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Studio 69 ArchitectsTakes projects across Bengaluru; Visit Studio in Jayanagar
An aerial view showing how the traditional Mangalore tile roof of the Basavanagudi house stands out as a natural element amidst the concrete jungle of the city.5
The exterior of the Basavanagudi house, featuring a combination of exposed laterite stone on the ground floor and smooth lime plaster on the first floor.
The interior of the Basavanagudi house, showing the seamless flow from the kitchen to the dining area. The archway and exposed beam ceiling add traditional character to the open-plan space.
The open kitchen features a beautiful vaulted ceiling and a backsplash of handmade yellow tiles, combining modern functionality with warm, natural textures.

Basavanagudi Thotti Mane: A Breathing Courtyard Home

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PraanganaBuilds homes in Mysuru, Bengaluru & across Karnataka

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