Taṇṇeḷalu

Eco Friendly Home | Bengaluru

Taṇṇeḷalu: The Cool Shelter

In the dense concrete fabric of South Bengaluru, Taṇṇeḷalu stands as a quiet counterpoint. Meaning "cool shelter," the home is a translation of childhood nostalgia, of wide thresholds and thick mud walls, into an eco-friendly sanctuary rooted in daily ritual.

Built-up area :
2500 SqFt

Primary Materials :
Hand-cast Stabilized Mud Blocks (SMB), Lime, Indigenous wood, Kota Stone, Demolition Debris, and Rammed earth

Cooling Strategy :
Thermal mass, Stack Ventilation through court and clerestory windows.

Special Features :
Jack Arch roofing, Traditional timber roofing, Demolition debris & Rammed earth foundation, Lime plasters, Oxide plasters, Green Terrace garden, Tulsi Katte

Climate-Responsive by Nature

Designed to breathe with the seasons, the residence eliminates the need for air-conditioning through traditional wisdom and scientific precision

• Thermal Mass: Nine-inch hand-cast stabilized mud blocks (SMB) hold warmth in the winter and release the Bengaluru summer heat.

• Passive Airflow / Ventilation: An L-shaped plan centers around a double-height stair court with clerestory windows. As hot air rises and escapes, a soft, natural breeze is drawn in through shaded openings below.

• Shadow Play: The uneven texture of the mud-brick exterior creates a rhythmic pattern of tiny shadows that naturally reduce heat absorption throughout the day.

The Soul of the Soil

Taṇṇeḷalu is literally born of its own site, utilizing materials that age with dignity

• Rammed Earth Foundation: Trenches were filled with site soil mixed with demolition debris and stabilized with lime, creating a base that belongs to the land.

• Milky Lime Plaster: Inside, walls are coated in a soft, white lime plaster that glows in daylight. The subtle tonal variations reveal the movement of the mason’s hand, giving every surface a life of its own.

• Tactile Textures: Floors are finished in leather-textured Kota stone, providing a practical, anti-skid surface for aging gracefully while shimmering like water under the grazing sun.

Daily Rituals & Slow Living

The home is designed around the "slowness" of South Bengaluru life, where nature is a collaborator rather than an accessory:

• Thresholds of Belonging: From the Tulsi Katta at the entrance to the east-facing kitchen windows that catch the golden morning sun, the house honors a way of life valued through ritual.

• The Productive Terrace: A rooftop garden extends the home's relationship with the earth, providing fruits, vegetables, and herbs for traditional kashaya and daily meals.

• Preserved Imperfection: Jack-arch roofs and timber beams are left honest and visible, polished only with natural oils to celebrate the hand-built effort behind the craft.