Spacefiction Studio

Brick Mask House

BRICK MASK HOUSE

Spacefiction Studio

Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography

ARCHITECTS
Spacefiction Studio

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Baba Sashank, Vindhya Guduru

MANUFACTURERS
AutoDesk, BoConcept, D'Décor, Alankaram, Bent Chair, Bharat Floorings, Fabindia, Gulmohar Lane, Hands Carpets, House of Things, Light Sketch, Loomcrafts, Luminary Studio, OMA Living, Odaville, P.O.D, Pinkmondo, STANLY, Seating World, StoneArt, +4

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND SITE COORDINATION
Santhosh Kandanala

FABRICATIONS
Fab-Tech

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING COMPANY
Alonum Design

LANDSCAPE
RRR Landscapers

PHOTOGRAPHS
Monika Sathe Photography

AREA
930 m²

YEAR
2021

LOCATION
Hyderabad, India

CATEGORY
Houses, House Interiors

Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography

The house, nestled in an acre of grid planted mango trees, was to serve as a secluded retirement home for a couple, away from the chaotic city life.

None of the existing twenty year old mango trees were removed. Instead, the house weaves itself around these trees, creating a multitude of experiences.

Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography

The peripheral walls of the house are made up of local wire cut bricks, with interjecting layers of exposed cement lintels.

This is a conscious attempt to blur the insides and outsides even further. The perforations are controlled depending on the space it divides or encompasses.

Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography

When lit by the sun, they transfer ever changing shadows to the inside and when back lit, they offer a playful hint of what is happening behind them. This jaali wall’s presence is felt from all the areas of the house.

There is no façade to the building from the outside. The brick layer is the only hint of the house, seen as a backdrop behind the trees, and vice-versa.

The Brahmasthala (heart of the house), is an open to sky courtyard. All sides are enveloped by the brick façade, from which glass projection boxes protrude around the existing trees.

Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography

One is constantly aware of the large, looming mango trees through sound of them swaying in the wind, or the large perforated shadows that they cast.

The traditional granite south Indian temple statues and the sound of water from the temple spouts of Mahabalipuram fill the central courtyard with a sense of spiritual serenity.

Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography

The north pergolas cast long, transitioning shadows on the stone-clad walls and a large pool below it.

The house is made up of two wings, connected by a double height space. The entry door leads to the east wing, which has a drawing room, beside a water court housing a mango tree. The puja corridor leads to a pebble court, also accommodating an existing tree.

Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography

A shaded wooden deck with a swing is opposite this. The other west wing houses two bedrooms and a study in between.

These are accessed through a long corridor, which is made into a gallery of paintings and sculptures on pedestals.

Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography

The morning eastern sun casts varying shadows on this wall through the perforated, brick façade.

The whole wall receiving this light is finished with yellow stucco lime plaster and brass knobs fit on a grid.

Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography

The two bedrooms on the top are accessed through the stairs in the central, double height area. A brass and brick accent wall encloses the staircase.

A bridge connecting the two also accommodates a bar area and sitout.

Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography

Throughout the length of the bridge, is a planter with light raining from on above.

A long window cuts above the south wall, which offers a view of the lake from afar while walking over the bridge.

Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography

The ceilings are exposed concrete. The flooring is primarily Italian marble, with pockets of handmade cement tiles laid in a pattern.

Accent walls of different areas are finished with different shades of lime plaster. Teak wood, brass accents and glass make up the rest of the material palette.

Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography

Accent walls of different areas are finished with different shades of lime plaster. Teak wood, brass accents and glass make up the rest of the material palette.

Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography


Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography
Brick Mask House
© Monika Sathe Photography


Brick Mask House
First Floor Plan
Brick Mask House
Ground Floor Plan


Brick Mask House
Section
Brick Mask House
Brick Wall Details


Brick Mask House
Site Plan 01
Brick Mask House
Site Plan 02
Brick Mask House
Site Plan 03

Spacefiction Studio
T +91 9502 127722
Spacefiction Studio
Plot no. 193, Rd Number 13, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana 500030, India