The Philosophy of the Box

The name Out of the Box was a gift from my mother. She recognized that I would never thrive in conventional architecture and that I would find meaningful answers by thinking outside the literal concrete box. Today, that means redefining construction through a lens of eco-sensitivity and permanence.

I find inspiration in the legacy of Sir M. Visvesvaraya, whose century-old dams built of stone and lime mortar have outlasted modern RCC structures that leak. His work is proof that indigenous wisdom, when paired with science and integrity, creates a higher standard of endurance.

The Journey: From Conscience to Creation

Out of the Box was born in 2020, a time when the world paused to realize that true luxury is rooted in good health. For me, the journey began during my second year at BMS College of Engineering. I found myself ready to quit architecture because I could not reconcile a career that seemed destined for destruction. From the heavy carbon debt of modern construction and the silent toxicity of standard finishes, like VOCs in paints, I did not want to be a contributor to unhealthy spaces.

I soon realized that walking away would not change the system. The only way to heal the way we build was to create from within. I chose to stay, vowing to design with a deep love for the site, the environment, and the human beings who inhabit them.

Vernacular Meets Lab-Tested Science

Our approach is a blend of on-site grit and systematic engineering. Having worked under pioneers like Ar. Vinu Daniel of Wallmakers and Ar. Ajit Andagere, I learned to honor the unique strata of every site.

At OOTB, we do not guess; we validate. We use advanced climate modeling software to map sun paths and wind patterns to ensure our designs are naturally illuminated and ventilated. We complement this with rigorous lab testing of soil mixes. By performing compression and wet strength tests on each site’s unique soil, we create the strongest possible material like Mud Blocks, CSEB (Compressed Stabilised Earth Blocks) and Rammed Earth walls.

Based in Bengaluru and serving projects across Karnataka and South India, we are rediscovering an architecture that does not just provide shelter but actively maintains our right to unpolluted air and water.

Have a project in mind?

Founder - Ar. Harshita Tophakhane