palimpsest
A vernacular yet modern home, restored through a careful process of uncovering and understanding its many layers. Analysis of the 70-year-old residence revealed decades of modifications, prompting a search for the moment in time to which it could be meaningfully restored. Along the way, laterite arches, mud plaster, traditional wooden supports, and hidden ceilings were uncovered, revived, and celebrated.
project fact file :
Project Name : Palimpsest
Category : Renovation/ Residential
Architecture Firm : From Around Here
Principal Architects : Ar.Shreya Daffney and Ar.Saran Babu
Interior design and styling : From Around Here
Site Area : 29 cents/ 12,630 sq ft
Area : 2450 sq ft (Including renovation and new additions)
Year of Completion : 2019
Location : Udupi, Karnataka
Photography : Rashmi Mallya
Videography : Shravan Acharya
Project Contractor : Mr.Rajesh
Climatic conditions and the existing context of the house informed every intervention. A terracotta spool screen was added to the east-facing façade, while a uniquely trussed sloping roof responds to Udupi’s heavy monsoon rains. Between the entrance and the old jagli katte, a transitional space was created—an element we fondly call “terracotta rain.”
A courtyard with a linear water body is paired with a protective roof grill derived from the façade detail. Together, they create a dynamic play of light and shadow along the adjoining passage throughout the day.
The language of the ceilings is one to cherish. The existing wooden ceiling that was hidden away for over 25 years with cement boards, was embraced and polished while the adjacent space was also adorned with a false wooden ceiling to complement it. The old kitchen was transformed into an informal living space by the courtyard with an exposed concrete ceiling. The wood, greys and whites of the ceilings create a perfect balance of colors, complementing the greens of the courtyard.
A wooden ceiling, concealed for over 25 years, was restored and polished to celebrate the home’s history. The old kitchen was transformed into an informal courtyard-side living space, where wood, greys, and whites blend seamlessly with the greenery beyond.
