kumar la noce clads house JP in bangalore with a perforated metal screen

kumar la noce negotiates between domesticity and the city with ‘house JP’ in bangalore, india. the multigenerational dwelling is distinguished by a perforated metal screen system, which was realized in close collaboration with a fabricator with a passion for detailed metalwork. the light blue veil, punctured by operable panels, lets the house be either solid or translucent; closed to the street or open to the urban environment outside.

image by vivek muthuramalingam

kumar la noce realized house JP for an illustrator, their young family, and their elderly parents. occupying a tight urban site of 180 sqm (1,938 sqft), the program is arranged over three levels and comprises two interconnected apartments. the second and third floors contain living, working and studio spaces for the family while the first floor is reserved for the illustrator’s parents. the house is also topped with a rooftop terrace.

image by nihaal ramesh

spaces are organized according to daytime and nighttime functions. the daytime spaces, including a double-height living area, are oriented towards the eastern street side of the site, filtered by the screen. meanwhile, the nighttime spaces overlook a lush public garden to the west. continuous natural ventilation and light were prioritized through the generous openings on both sides.

image by vivek muthuramalingam

the daughter’s bedroom on the first floor features a balcony created as a micro version of the front façade, a cozy pod that extends into the tree canopy of the garden at the west side of the site. the top floor of the house has a music studio and drawing studios for the clients. between the studios, sliding glass doors lead to an open courtyard and a stairway leading to the rooftop terrace. this floor and the rooftop terrace are flexible spaces that can serve a variety of uses: as an event space, space for workshops, or for play.

image by vivek muthuramalingam

the interiors are characterized by a pared-back material palette of white walls, polished cement and minimal wooden accents. this allows the natural light flooding in through the façade and skylights to take center stage. only a teal-hued staircase breaks with the subtle color scheme, providing the interiors with a bold feature that connects the different levels of the house and ties in with the blue façade outside.

image by vivek muthuramalingam

‘the parameters that structure this project and site are common to most tight urban residences in cities like bangalore’, explains kumar la noce. ‘concerns like security and privacy need consideration as much as light, ventilation and energy efficiency. we approached this brief with an intent to create a framework for enduring luxury in domestic space not defined by the cost of materials used but through natural light, quality of space and adaptability by the inhabitants.’