Speaking A Personal Language

De Square Architects’ design of this residence is an amalgamation of Tropical and Modern Architecture.


This 2400 sqft home in Southeast Bangalore, with parameters that go well beyond the physical and contextual realm, is a repository of memories and experiences, representing the ethos and cultural background of the family. The house evolved into an organic extension of the family, based on hierarchies of functions, requirements, and climate.

In the culmination of all the design elements and the building materials, the concluding form is unassuming, honest, and empathetic in all its functions and interfaces.

Ar. Naveen G.J, Founder, De Square Architects

From individual rooms for each member of the family, to interactive spaces for family activities, the design incorporates as much natural light as possible and integrates greens. All common areas of the ground and first floors are arranged around a courtyard, which not only reduced the need for removing the existing trees from the site, but also served as a tool for articulating and composing nature and light in the built environment.


Another subliminal influence is the interplay between the living spaces and the courtyard; this was the result of the need to accommodate the semi-basement parking, which caused the entire ground floor to be raised, except for the living room and foyer. As a result of the level difference, the courtyard is not only emphasized, but also organically delineated.


An L-shaped skylight mimics the sun path so that the prayer area is naturally lit throughout the day. To address the challenge of indoor heating posed by the large skylight, design strategies were deployed to ensure direct cross-ventilation between the North, South, and East, and wind-driven circular turbines were installed above the skylight. The skylight is surrounded by a bamboo stick trellis structure that not only cuts direct sunlight but also creates beautiful shadows. The result is a microclimate conducive to comfortable use of the skylight without the need for air conditioning.

Influences of tropical architecture play out throughout the house. They can be seen in the façade with the usage of a slanted roof. The material palette largely comprises of exposed red bricks, concrete finish, wood, and yellow Kota stone, which together create a medley that is earthy, rustic, warm, and embracing.

The tropical elements fuse with the minimal modern elements to create an intrinsic and personal language of their own. For instance, in the recreational area, the exposed concrete floor with double-height exposed brick walls and a corner window is again an amalgamation of tropical and modern elements.