Rhythmic sequences and fluid spaces in an Indian dwelling

Nestled amidst lush coconut and areca plantations and overlooking the Savandurga Hill, in Bengaluru, India, Ksaraah is a weekend retreat that merges with nature, eliminating the boundaries between indoors and outdoors while providing protection.  The main residence, developed on two levels connected by an external staircase, is characterised on the ground floor by a concrete structure without walls, serving as a patio and supporting the volume on the first floor. The latter, a permeable environment with natural ventilation and lighting, combines concrete with wooden shutters and is marked on the inside by a series of arches that add fluidity to the space. 

The project aims to connect with the entire local community by adding multifunctional spaces for exchange and interaction: the Pavilion, at the centre of the site, is a dynamic space with rhythmic modules and columns, hosting events of different kinds – during the pandemic it was used as a classroom by the local school.

It is an ever-changing project, in which light defines the spaces all over the day, merging with suggestions of authenticity given by the use local stone in certain details. The building can use solar energy, and vegetation plays a decisive role in ensuring a comfortable environment, while spare water can be used for local cultivations, thus enhancing the process sustainability of this architecture.