Homes

The Auburn Studio composes a spirit song of tropical Balinese architecture inside Bengaluru wedding villas

MAR 6, 2024 | By Virender Singh
Upon arrival, stepping stones gently lead the visitors over the water feature, creating a sense of serenity and anticipation as they enter the villa; Photography by Yash R Jain
As one stepped inside, the space opened up to reveal a spacious living and dining area. The open-plan design allowed for seamless connectivity between these communal spaces, fostering a sense of togetherness and relaxation; Photography by Yash R Jain
Influenced by the idyllic charm of Balinese holiday homes, this design concept weaves together the tropical allure of lush landscapes with the timeless elegance of modern architecture, paying homage to Geoffrey Bawa's philosophy of harmonising built structures with their natural surroundings; Photography by Yash R Jain

When Sushmitha Ramesh, principal architect and founder of The Auburn Studio, was offered a 3,200 sq ft nuptial haven along the fringes of Jayaprakash Nagara in Bengaluru, her design response was immersive. Veiled by leathery ficus and indomitable palm trees, where the susurrus of flowing water is a steadfast accomplice, these open-plan twin villas had to “transcend the realm of mere construction and transport individuals to the essence of a tropical holiday destination.” 

In its previous lifetime, the family estate held a thriving nursery, aligning effortlessly with the typology of Balinese courtyard homes. Discernible by sloping thatched roofs that overhang their eaves, earthy monotones and a profound reverence for nature, Sumatra is an amorous hideaway where exchanging conjugal vows feels like a primeval rite of passage. 

The Auburn Studio
Large sliding glass doors and windows seamlessly connect the interior spaces to the verdant outdoors. This allowed for a continuous connection with nature, the views of the reflection pond and landscaping conjure up a serene backdrop; Photography by Yash R Jain

Influences of Bawa

During her brief stint with hospitality projects in Sri Lanka, Ramesh was spellbound by Geoffrey Bawa’s timeless duet of vernacular craftsmanship and European Modernism. This philosophical infatuation attenuated her own palette, translating to a minimalist creative identity that favours eco-conscious building practices and locally sourced labour. Admittedly, corralling the right tradesmen who could handle distinct areas of expertise proved to be a Herculean endeavour. “Each individual brought a distinct perspective and this intricacy of managing diverse viewpoints added a layer of complexity,” Ramesh confesses. 

As one stepped inside, the space opened up to reveal a spacious living and dining area. The open-plan design allowed for seamless connectivity between these communal spaces, fostering a sense of togetherness and relaxation; Photography by Yash R Jain

 

The Auburn Studio
Opting for a grey monotone palette, the design purposefully embraces an aesthetic of raw, exposed concrete and its inherent texture variations. The choice of a cement finish serves as a foundational canvas, providing a neutral backdrop that allows the woodwork to take centre stage and introduces a layer of warmth; Photography by Yash R Jain

Silhouettes of fluidity

Huddled in a U-shaped symmetry, the identical suites house two bedrooms each, a capacious living area that segues effortlessly into a utilitarian kitchen and dining space. Panoramic sliding doors and windows dissipate the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, while a lily-smothered pond clasps either villa, rife with shape-shifting reflections. A fleet of cement stairs ascends from the garden towards the stereobate platform, whereupon by playing hopscotch on stepping stones, one is promptly traversed outside the threshold.

To pay homage to tropical architecture, the designers utilised coconut wood rafters and adorned them with bamboo mats from Assam for the thatch ceiling. This choice not only enhanced the aesthetic appeal but also helped maintain a cooler interior temperature; Photography by Yash R Jain

Materials du jour

Cool grey hues embark upon the walls, pivoting around the inherent textural nuances of exposed concrete, overlaid with a cement finish from Pondicherry. Upon entering, the coconut wood trusses shouldering a high-pitched ceiling of Assamese bamboo mats instantly take centre-stage. Whether it be sun-dried adobe dwellings along the Brahmaputra valley or balé pavilions dotted all across the Indonesian archipelago, traditional masons have sworn by bamboo’s thermo-resistant qualities for countless generations. A honey-dew warmth radiates from the living room furniture, hand-carved in teak by local artisans and imbued with eloquent accents of rattan, visually congruent with the nativist theme. 

The Auburn Studio
The design incorporated regionally sourced IPS (In-Situ Concrete) for the floors and walls. To add character and texture, select accent walls feature locally available rubble, creating a dynamic contrast within the villa’s modern framework; Photography by Yash R Jain

 

Influenced by the idyllic charm of Balinese holiday homes, this design concept weaves together the tropical allure of lush landscapes with the timeless elegance of modern architecture, paying homage to Geoffrey Bawa’s philosophy of harmonising built structures with their natural surroundings; Photography by Yash R Jain

Planks of Kalimarudhu wood frame the kitchen window, repurposed from Chettinad heritage homes, ushering in wayward sunlight through mahogany-hued louvres. The spartan bench-style seating, organic light fixtures from The Purple Turtles and indigenously sourced IPS floors stitch together a tableau of togetherness and relaxation. 

The Auburn Studio
In a nod to conservation, the windows feature repurposed Kalimarudhu wood sourced from Chettinad homes, infusing a sense of history and sustainability into the design; Photography by Yash R Jain

Sustainable elements like cane and reclaimed timber are integrated across the property, through custom-made furniture. In the master bedroom, wicker panels adorning the walnut wooden cupboard exude a tactile richness. To lend continuity, Indian Patent Stone floors seep in as well. Set against the feature wall of exposed rubble and draped in pristine linen sheets, the chestnut-coloured bed with its coarse jute headboard acts as the pièce de résistance. Relaying a sense of homegrown comfort, the second bedroom is lit by these showstopper banana fibre lamps, imparting clever sophistication to the ambience.

This luxurious sanctuary featured an open-concept washroom, providing a spa-like experience. The suite also boasted ample storage, a dressing table, and a cosy reading nook, creating an oasis for relaxation and rejuvenation; Photography by Yash R Jain

 

The Auburn Studio
Designed for cosiness and comfort, the second bedroom offered its occupants a washroom that overlooked a skylit pocket of greens. Ingenious banana fibre and pinewood teak lamps by The Purple Turtles keep the organic theme running strong; Photography by Yash R Jain

Need of the hour

“In the wake of the post-COVID era,” shares Ramesh, “outdoor intimate weddings have witnessed a surge in popularity.” Completed in 2023, this Elysian arbour exemplifies how the dialogue between physical spaces and their context is an ever-evolving one. In the vein of Bawa’s tropical modernism, Auburn Studio worked with and not against the surrounding environment. Reinforcing its time-honoured ligature with motifs of water, lush flora and in-situ materiality, Sumatra coalesces as a paragon of connubial bliss.

 

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