Retired Couple House By Shuonya Nava Designs

Retired Couple “Farm” House is a 4200 ft² residence in Banglore, India, by Shuonya Nava Designs.

The house, which we call the”FARMHOUSE,” is not a farmhouse. It’s a home for a retired couple who used to work in the heart of Bangalore city and wanted to move to a quieter area. This plot was in a community near Electronic-city, the hub of all major IT companies. The minimum plot size was around 10,000 square feet, and many eucalyptus and coffee plantations were nearby. The serenity of this community and the greenery made us name the house the farmhouse.

The residence was conceptualized as a serenity amalgamation of the site and the client’s requirement of a simple and low-maintenance house. To give some privacy to the inhabitants and avoid blocking the view of the surrounding at the same time. Looking at the home from the street reveals two prominent cubes with two layers, one layer with an opening and the other layer comprising louvers. The louvers provide the required privacy, whereas the opening gives the outside view from the inside.

The client’s requirement was unique, as they wanted a large house with a big kitchen and living room and a small one for their two grandchildren. The house is designed into two parts, the passive and the active. The passive part has various areas, such as the kitchen and utility. The primary bedroom and guest room sit next to each other, and the family room opens up to the wet and dry kitchen. The active part of the house features various areas, such as the utility room and the kitchen.

The other extension was the formal double-height living and dining area, which created a passive part of the house. The door separating these two parts would be closed, allowing the client to reduce their time cleaning the house.

This extension would be closed during winter to allow the client to enjoy the two living areas. They also required access to the main entrance and provided them with a handicap ramp on the Eastern part of the gate. A large court was added on the East side of the property, enclosed by the dining area and the living room.

The large dining room and the living room were both enclosed by the court, providing privacy from the front road. The upper floor balcony, which the family accessed, overlooks the garden. A large deck was also built on the east side of the property, which overlooks the garden.

The Main Bedroom has a spacious and functional mezzanine that doubles as a working area for the man. This arrangement provides the couple with the necessary privacy while still being able to connect visually. On the other hand, the lady can also enjoy her afternoon nap or read a book on the lower lever without disturbing the other. The primary bathroom has various features, including an outdoor shower, a foot spa, and an indoor toilet. The walls are also made of yellow sandstone, which adds a touch of color to the room.

The first floor features a bedroom and a large family room that can be accessed through the sliding doors. This level also has a window that overlooks the front road. A large sliding door opens onto the deck, providing ample entertaining space. A louvered grill and gate give this level of privacy.

The white and grey concrete facade with the prominent colors from the louvers and the white and grey accents adds a modest and elegant feel to the house. The key feature of this design is the large openings in the middle of the living and the primary bedroom to maximize the view of the green space. This combination of features ensures that the elevation treatment is seamlessly integrated with the rest of the house.

The key to creating the perfect concrete finish for a house was to get it right, setting the tone for its interior and exterior.

The interior of this house features a simple white and black palette and various shades of natural wood. The walls’ minimal massing and straight lines are also in line with the simple interior design. Wooden steps can be used from the textured concrete wall to create a space that feels spacious and light. The SS cables can be used to extend the dining area’s reach.

The long, dark skylight over the entire length of the steps adds to the beauty of the steps and creates a striking pattern on the adjacent concrete wall. The client’s old furniture was also re-polished to develop a more modern and tasteful look. The project’s key to understanding the client’s tastes and requirements is to find the perfect balance between the old and new pieces.

The client’s aversion to luxury allowed us to create a palette and texture that would reflect her lifestyle. The house is a distant retreat that features a more secluded garden.

Photos by: Shamanth Patil J

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