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Zero-Footprint Architecture: The Bylakuppe Office Project

bySejpal and Parekh AssociatesStudio in Mumbai; takes projects across IndiaStarts from₹250 ₹ per Sq. Ft. of Built-up AreaView full gallery

We believe architecture should start with the soil beneath our feet. This administrative office in Bylakuppe demonstrates how local materials and traditional techniques can create a structure that is both ecologically grounded and culturally resonant.

An exterior view showcasing the building's form, which integrates a central courtyard and uses perforated brickwork for natural cooling. The red steel structure provides a modern contrast to the traditional earth construction.

A detailed look at the facade's brickwork. The patterns are not just decorative but are a functional element of the building's passive cooling strategy, allowing air to circulate freely while providing shade.

The covered veranda features a filler slab roof, an innovative construction method that reduces concrete usage. This space acts as a breezeway, connecting different parts of the building while offering protection from the elements.

The central courtyard during construction, the heart of the 'pranganam' concept. This open space is designed to bring in daylight, promote air circulation, and serve as a gathering point for the community.

An aerial view during the construction phase, showing the two building blocks arranged around the central courtyard. The structure is set against a backdrop of coconut groves, highlighting its integration into the local landscape.

An early morning view of the site shrouded in fog. This image captures the building taking shape and settling into its environment, even before completion.

The entrance structure under construction. This frame provides a glimpse into the building's core, where the community courtyard will eventually be, establishing a welcoming entry point.

A worker applies finishing touches to the mud brick walls. The stepped entrance, a common feature in traditional Indian architecture, is also visible, providing informal seating.

A close-up of the building's corner during construction, showing the interplay between the mud brick walls, the concrete slab, and the steel frame for the roof.

The textured brick facade seen from below, with a neem tree branch in the foreground. This perspective emphasizes the building's verticality and the natural materials used.

About Zero-Footprint Architecture: The Bylakuppe Project

In this project, we moved beyond standard construction to embrace the site's own potential. By utilizing mud bricks crafted directly from the soil and integrating a filler slab roof, we significantly reduced the embodied carbon of the building. These choices are not merely aesthetic; they are functional thermal strategies that maintain a comfortable interior climate, drastically lowering the reliance on mechanical cooling systems.

Zero-footprint office project in Bylakuppe, Karnataka. — Approved by the tribe
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Sejpal and Parekh Associates

Studio in Mumbai; takes projects across IndiaStarts from ₹250 ₹ per Sq. Ft. of Built-up Area

We are SAPA. We look for the soul in every project, and for the ORTC office in Bylakuppe, that meant turning the local soil into the very walls that house the community. Our design is an extension of the land, respecting its limits while fostering human connection.

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