Bangalore's 20th century houses are transforming themselves into monolithic rental apartments, and we were tasked with a similar, tricky program requirement.
On a 40' x 70' site with five existing trees, the program was to design two spacious offices and four 2-3 BHK residences.
Stepping away from the standards of dingy basements, badly lit spaces and impractical common areas in apartment buildings, Shubhakara Courtyard boasts of a grand threshold to the indoor spaces through spacious parking areas, and a well lit, green courtyard, formed around the existing coconut and butterfruit tree. These spaces then lead up to the residences on the upper floors, where a coconut tree makes its way through the house, marking its precedence in site-history!

Being wedged between buildings on all its sides, the project presented us with the need for architectural intervention to ensure that residences are well lit, well ventilated and simply a joy to live in. Featuring 2-3 spacious balconies per house, ample windows and informal seating spaces, each home at Shubhakara courtyard presents a wholesome, human experience for its occupants.

Built with optimum cost considerations, architectural details and customisations had to be kept to a bare minimum. Most details in the construction of Shubhakara are nuanced versions of cost effective practices that construction teams are familiar with, and are efficient in executing.