Designing a Stylish Bengaluru Home Around a Mango Tree

Beautiful Homes: What is the brief that you received from the owners?

Pritvi Rao: The plot had this mango tree and the owners were clear that the house had to be planned around it. This was a perfect way to embrace the outdoors and seamlessly integrate it with the indoors. Another key mandate was the zero use of wood because they wanted the look and feel to be very modern and sleek. There were other requirements like provision for parking, staff quarters, store room and a small office. Hence, we decided to accommodate all this at the stilt level. The more private spaces like the living, dining, kitchen and bedrooms are on the subsequent levels.

BH: Could you elaborate on the layout and design of the project?

Pritvi Rao: The entry to the house is through the car park located on the stilt level which has an elevator that provides access to the rest of the floors. The next level i.e., ground floor has the living and dining spaces, a dry kitchen, a rear wet kitchen and the utility space. It also accommodates the parents’ bedroom and the puja room. The space in front of the puja room is accentuated by a textured wall which extends to the next level as well. There is a skylight on top and this accent wall is drenched by the natural light from the skylight during the day. The next level has a large family space with a balcony overlooking the courtyard and three bedrooms. The entire house has an open floor plan design with different spaces seamlessly blending into each other.

BH: How did you ensure that the tree remained an integral part of the house?

R Ramraj: Since the tree was growing from the ground level, we created an L-shaped plan and crafted a beautiful internal courtyard at the ground level. It is in the north east direction and we ensured that all the spaces like the living, dining and even the balcony of the family room overlook this double height courtyard which is covered at the terrace level.

BH: Since wood was not an option, what are the materials that you worked with?

Pritvi Rao: Since we could not use wood, we made strategic use of stone, lacquer and glass that gave the space a distinct texture and personality. The entire house has been finished in grey Italian marble flooring which has hints of blue and gold. Some of the furniture has been customized in lacquer. The colour palette is dominated by grey and white with pops of rust, aqua, blue, teal and olive green incorporated via the furniture, furnishings, bed backs and as hints in the lacquer finishing. The accent wall is finished in black rough stone and serves to break monotony of the muted greys.

BH: How did you make the most of the terrace?

R Ramraj: The terrace houses the entertainment area which includes an enclosed space, a deck area and an open terrace that is fully landscaped. A bar crafted in quartzite, a gym, a home theatre, a powder room and a pantry have also been incorporated on this level which is accessible directly from the elevator at the stilt level.