NOT ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL

Traditional building techniques open the windows to the future in this timeless home that champions the cause of sustainability through its diverse material palette

- Kashish Kaushal

It's often said that the past holds the key to the future, but it is only with wisdom and understanding that we can open the door. When Akshay Heranjal and Aditi Pai, co-founders and principal architects of The Purple Ink Studio were tasked with fulfilling their client's aspirations of a family/holiday home close to their ancestral roots, the choice was crystal clear-they had to turn the leaf to the past and put traditional design methods to use. Remember the old brick factories with chimneys poking above the coconut trees? Or the red-oxide flooring and lime plaster-finished walls, which kept the house refreshingly cool? Situated in Mangalore, Karnataka-a city well-known for its inimitable landscape and dotted heritage lingering in the old parts of the town-the 13,500sq ft home titled 'The Brick House' takes cues from yesteryears. A corner plot nestled between neighbouring buildings; the only view was of the existing trees from the neighbour's plot. Hence, passive design strategies and planning principles were involved to ensure uninterrupted cross-ventilation.