THE SMALL TOWN TRIAD (#1)

Private Residence in Bellur

Three friends approached us together to design three modern, modest-sized houses on adjacent plots in a small town in Karnataka. After the initial deliberations on the level of connection between the houses, we resorted to the wisdom of the timeless quote ‘Good fences make good neighbors’ and created three individual houses that spoke the same design language to come together as a triad, yet each distinctive enough to stand out on its own.

A modernist vocabulary with simple geometries and serene proportions define the exterior of the homes. The first of the three, on a compact plot area of 30’X36’, comprises a duplex 2-bedroom residence for a small family and a second floor for renting out. A significant design challenge was to accommodate two separate sets of staircases for the client’s own house and the rented house while still maximizing the livable space in both the units. Principles we use for most of our projects to make a space feel larger than it is were marshalled again – an open plan with subtle separations between the main living zones of living, dining and kitchen; uninterrupted long diagonal views and skylights in strategic corners.

Since we were commissioned to do the full interiors, the spaces could be planned for furniture elements to fit exactly into pre-designated spots. Every furniture piece was tailored for function, with a streamlined, clean aesthetic. A play of color and geometric patterns brings together the different spaces, lending it a cheerful vibe and coziness, while still feeling strikingly modern and functional.