A remarkable concrete residence in Bangalore, India, showcases how innovative architectural design can transform a cramped urban plot into a light-filled sanctuary. The 4,560-square-foot home, designed by A Threshold and photographed by Atik Bheda, features a striking skylight arrangement that creates an intentionally sacred atmosphere reminiscent of traditional Indian temples.
Situated on a compact urban plot off Bannerghatta Road in Bangalore, Karnataka, the residence faced significant challenges due to houses on three sides limiting natural light access. The architects responded by developing a design language that maximizes natural light, ventilation, and accessible green spaces within the home. This approach creates what the architects describe as "a more porous environment, giving rise to a series of connections and fostering interaction, further enhancing the user's way of life."
The home's most distinctive feature is its strategic use of light, drawing inspiration from the quality of illumination found in traditional Indian temples. As visitors move from outside to inside, the space gradually becomes darker, creating a profound sense of transition and anticipation. The centerpiece is a skylight strategically positioned within the central volume of the house, bringing in dramatic streams of light that evoke the Garbhagriha, or sanctum sanctorum, of a temple.
This thoughtful infusion of light adds a deeply meditative quality to the space, where natural illumination becomes a significant architectural material in its own right. The dynamic play of light and shadow creates an ever-changing quality within the house that evolves throughout the day and across seasons, making the living experience constantly renewed and engaging.
A large existing Gulmohar tree on the site became a crucial element in the home's organization, helping establish an axis that divides the residence into distinct public and private zones. Considering both climate conditions and functional requirements, the architects positioned more open areas on the north side to accommodate common gathering activities such as study and family living. The southern side houses utilitarian spaces like bathrooms and bedroom wardrobes, where residents typically spend less time during the day.
The building's section reveals green terraces cascading southward, harmonizing beautifully with the foliage of the Gulmohar tree. This creates the impression that the tree has naturally overtaken the entire facade of the house, achieving a seamless blend between nature and the built form. This design strategy also serves to break down the building's scale when viewed from the street, making it feel more integrated with its surroundings.
Multiple opportunities to experience the tree from within the house fulfill the architects' primary objective of fostering a close connection with nature. Dining, kitchen, living, family, and gathering spaces are strategically positioned to capture framed glimpses of this magnificent tree. The green terraces multiply internally to become extensions of living and bedroom spaces, offering residents a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living experiences.
The interconnected green courtyards, overlapping sections, and varying levels create visual connectivity throughout the house, ensuring that residents maintain a sense of connection with different areas of their home. The central axis serves as a unifying focal point for the entire residence, featuring thoughtful layering of spaces and activities while establishing that crucial connection with nature.
According to the architects, "The central space acts as a binding element, seamlessly weaving together various activities and allowing them to function autonomously yet harmoniously as a whole." This philosophy reflects their belief that architecture should blur boundaries between inside and outside while establishing meaningful correlations between humans, nature, and the built environment.
The project represents what the design team calls "an attempt to transform the space into a place, making the house into a home that celebrates life." Through its innovative use of natural light, integration with existing vegetation, and thoughtful spatial organization, this vertical concrete home demonstrates how contemporary architecture can create deeply meaningful living environments even within the constraints of dense urban development.
