This 2,600 square-feet-home, designed by architect Alok Kothari is a tasteful projection of both earthy aesthetics and modernity. Located in the Bibvewadi area of Pune, this home thrives amid lush greenery. This bungalow belongs to a family of five and comprises four bedrooms, and one multi-purpose room.

Pune Bungalow: Natural Elements

While primarily constructed in red bricks, this structure also showcases bold shades of grey throughout its interiors and exteriors. The screen-work designed with bricks helps create an intriguing play of light and shadow.

Pune Bungalow: Material Inspiration

Following the client’s brief, the architects aimed to create a simple structure with certain dynamic elements. Kothari says, “The client wanted a house that was simple, but simultaneously, one that made a statement. We took this up as a challenge and started exploring different modes of architectural expression.”

The architect was inspired by the traditional wada typology of homes in Pune. Simple and elegant, wadas were traditionally constructed in either exposed brick or basalt stone, or with a mixture of both materials. Enthused by this materiality, Kothari decided to render this home with brick, primarily because of the material’s many practical benefits and pleasing aesthetic. In addition to being economical, this material is also sustainable, environment-friendly and low in maintenance. Avers Kothari, “Bricks by nature radiate an innate sense of art, and have a timeless appeal.”

Pune Bungalow: Detailed Design Process

The construction process of this home was complex, due to the high precision required in both technique and workmanship.

The first step involved the erection of a Reinforced Cement Concrete frame. An RCC frame structure often serves as the primary load bearing framework of any building. This was followed by the construction of nine-inch thick external walls of the exterior façade. Once the founding external walls were installed in place, the outer surface was rendered with a uniform coat of plaster, with a wired brush finish. Kothari says, “This set the stage for covering the outer surface with a skin of wire-cut bricks. The reason for not using these bricks directly for the core nine-inch walls was to avoid any risk of leakage due to poor workmanship.”

After the base framework was in place, the architect moved on to inlaying the bricks into the external walls. By using a cement base-chemical adhesive, the bricks were set into the core walls. Due to the rough finish of the plaster, the adhesive bonded well with the wall, and helped seamlessly inlay the bricks into the edifice’s structure. In finality, the joining of the bricks was done using a rich cement-sand mortar amalgam, in order to give the exterior a finished look.

Pune Bungalow: Warm Interiors

The interior spaces of this house are ornamented with subtle geometrical imageries and shapes. Since the client ardently believes in vastu, the geometrical patterns in the interiors were made such that they boost the flow of energy and positivity within the household. Kothari says, “These positive vibrations transform this house into a home, an abode.”

Characterised by minimalism, this house stands out for its spaciousness and unobstructed floor plan. The interiors are toned primarily in a palette of warm browns and ochres, with pops of colours added in certain areas. The home radiates a sense of warmth and visual continuity of textural sensibilities.