grs
Designed as a retirement home, this residence is closely integrated to the clients’ affection for Shivamogga, its pleasant climate, cultural heritage and abundant natural light. The design brief sought to translate this emotional connection into a built form where architecture becomes an extension of place, memory and everyday living.
Project fact file :
Project Name: GRS
Category: Residential
Architecture Studio: From Around Here (@from.around.here)
Design Team: Ar. Shreya Daffney, Ar. Rochelle D Souza and Ar. Saran Babu
Built-up Area: 3020 sq. ft.
Year of Completion: 2025
Location: Shivamogga, Karnataka
Photography: Murali M Abbemane (@murali_m_abbemane)
Drawing inspiration from the Malnad region, the home responds sensitively to its context through the use of sloping roofs. These elements not only reference the region’s architectural language but also provide protection from heavy monsoon rains while allowing soft, filtered daylight to permeate the interiors. Shivamogga, whose name is believed to originate from the term Sihi Mogge, meaning “sweet pot,” became a central inspiration for the project, informing both its material palette and spatial warmth.
Designed as a Vastu-compliant home, the residence is planned on an east-facing site to maximize natural light and ventilation. The entrance opens into a double-height living, pooja and dining space, creating a strong sense of openness, while a built-in seating nook encourages gathering and relaxation. At the heart of the home, the pooja is illuminated by a dedicated skylight, with terracotta jaali screens and brick-clad surfaces adding warmth, texture and shifting patterns of light. Overlooking the dining area, it connects seamlessly to the kitchen and utility spaces, extending the home's functionality towards the outdoors.
The dining and pooja spaces overlook a naturally lit stairwell crowned by a skylight. Warm-toned brick cladding adds texture and character to the interiors, evoking the comfort and warmth associated with the idea of the sweet pot. The double-height volume allows ample eastern light to penetrate deep into the home, creating bright and uplifting interiors throughout the day.
The primary bedroom is located in the south-west corner in accordance with Vastu principles and features a clerestory window that welcomes soft eastern light while maintaining privacy. A light metal staircase leads to the upper floor, where a bay window seat creates a quiet corner for reading and reflection. This level accommodates an additional bedroom and opens onto a spacious terrace, strengthening the connection between the home and its surroundings.
