Related Tags

Aamra by Betweenlines

Architecture

2022

Photographer : Vandana Druva Kumar, Madhuri Aggarwal

Aamra is a farmhouse, nestled between the Mango trees in a village called Gurukere Doddi, Kanakapura. Like its namesake tree, the house wants to be rooted, have an inconspicuous presence, and remain uncomplicated. Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication and it is this idea that they chased throughout the design and execution process. The material and finish palette were a few and plenty at the same time. The client is an accessory designer and a brilliant food photographer. So, the project from the outset was her vision, which they manifested through the medium of Architecture.

Jagli katte (Verandah/sitting area) was the inception point of the spatial organization. With a beautiful Mango farm around and a mountain view to the North, the house wanted to have as many semi-open spaces around as the indoor spaces. Hence a deep Jagli runs around the house, except the service end - East side.

The indoors simply consists of two rectangular bars, one horizontal that includes a spacious living room, with an open kitchen, service, store, and washrooms stacked from West to East.

The sleeping quarters, two in number, run perpendicular to the horizontal bar at the East end, creating an L-shaped built form. The large living area opens into an open lawn, streaming the enclosed space steadily outdoors. Layers of green are plenty in the farm from flowering plants in the immediate surroundings of the house to more productive gardens in the lower levels, along with the mango tree orchard.

[{"value":"Bangalore"},{"value":"Karnataka"},{"value":"India"}]

Architects : Betweenlines
Area : 3300 sq. ft.
Year : 2022
Website : https://www.instagram.com/b.e.t.w.e.e.n.l.i.n.e.s/

West elevation of Aamra by Betweenlines


Chapadi path and lawn of Aamra by Betweenlines

Considering that the view, elevation (altitude), and light all best served the North, the spine wall of the house running East-West inclines 12 degrees, lifting the roof slab by the same angle perpendicularly, allowing for the North clerestory light condition. This inclination of the roof slab also makes it a suitable host for solar panels and solar geyser units.

The geometrical shift, defines the interior space as a trapezoidal extrusion, with light cutting in from the North-South side. Essentially, the house is this tube, flanked by the low Jagli roof all around. The perforation design works through large openings, louver shutters, brick jaalis, ventilated skylights, and breathing panel doors, keeping the airflow constant throughout the house.


Verandah of Aamra by Betweenlines


Verandah of Aamra by Betweenlines

The material palette is mainly grey and red oxide, mud plaster, wire-cut bricks, Kota green stone, local Sadarahalli stone tiles, slabs, and terracotta tiles. The interiors of the house are painted a warm white with a dash of yellow, complimenting the hand-done oxide finish over the inbuilt furniture units. Reused wood, fluted glass, and mild steel props find their way in harmoniously. Hints of color and textures come from the inclusion of characteristic elements by the client. Antique light switches, Capiz (Oyster shell) mosaic on the kitchen table, handmade shades, handles, posters repurposed Padmini car bonnet sofa et all add to the aura of the house.


Verandah of Aamra by Betweenlines


Sitout of Aamra by Betweenlines


Living room of Aamra by Betweenlines


Kitchen of Aamra by Betweenlines


Bedroom of Aamra by Betweenlines


Bedroom of Aamra by Betweenlines


Katte (Platform) of Aamra by Betweenlines


Katte (Platform) of Aamra by Betweenlines


Bathroom of Aamra by Betweenlines


Detailed shot of wall of Aamra by Betweenlines

The architectural aesthetics however grows out of the low floating form, its minimal and stark elements highlighting the function it hosts. Hence, the Jagli, with its inbuilt seating meets the reclaimed wooden columns, meets the upcycled swing set, that flows into the utility, climbs up the terrace through a brick wall suspended staircase, and uses the roof form as both a sky gazing and reclining area, converses with the sheet of tree canopies near too far, collects and flows water through gravity, and peeks down at children playing, pups running, farmer bringing the yield of the day, adults going about their chosen activities, all within a panoramic view from the terrace. Hence, it blends the slow life with craft, architecture, and agriculture.
 
One could learn the name of Mango in 15 languages walking through the farm, through the placards on the trees, hand painted by the family, one of their many projects dedicated to the house and the land around.


Plan of Aamra by Betweenlines


Terrace Plan of Aamra by Betweenlines


Section of Aamra by Betweenlines



Tags
house
architecture
interior design
residential architecture
residential interiors
2022
3000 to 5000 sq.ft
india
karnataka
bangalore
Related Articles
Most Visited Articles

Most Visited Articles



Subscribe

Get our latest article and updates delivered straight to your inbox.