Janapriya Residence’s Structure:
The client requirement, and hence the design, called for the structure to become ‘invisible’. The art collection of the client and the outdoor landscape were to be the focus here. This meant, we had to have large openings and large wall surfaces at the same time. The Janapriya Residence’s structure was to take a back seat and play the role of a ‘canvas’, onto which the client was to add ‘character & color’ by way of their art collection.
Photography by :© Arjun Krishna Photography
The materials used in this design are all exposed and ‘raw’, displaying the honest nature of those materials. About 80% of the external surface of this structure is glass. This was done to blur the edge between the ‘indoors’ and the ‘outdoors’. To achieve this effect, we needed large seamless panels of glass, which was made possible by the use of Heavy-duty ‘slim-profile’ aluminum frames. This allowed us to use large panels of glass, some as big as 8′ wide and 14′ high!! The aluminum frame was almost invisible.
Photography by :© Arjun Krishna Photography
Most of the walls were left exposed, after plastering and hand polishing. The ceiling was left exposed and for the flooring, we used an Oxide finish. To bring all these materials/ finishes together and to give each of them the needed contrast, a few wall surfaces were painted white. The clay jaali on the entrance wall, broke the monotony, in addition to maintaining privacy in an otherwise transparent house. The jaali also made sure the airflow is not disturbed.
Photography by :© Arjun Krishna Photography
The spaces needed to be clean and uncluttered, to bring in a sense of openness. This, along with the large windows makes the structure transparent and almost unnoticed, giving all the importance to the ‘art’ it houses and the landscape surrounding it. The design of the structure lets the sun and surroundings awaken themselves, in the daytime and at night the structure breathes life into its context.
Photography by :© Arjun Krishna Photography
Project Info:
Architects: Flad Architects, KPF
Location: BENGALURU, INDIA
Area: 650 m2
Project Year: 2019
Photographs: Arjun Krishna Photography
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.