House Beneath a Jackfruit Tree is a 3,700 sq.ft home
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

When Safder Machilakath visited the 10,000 sq.ft plot on which he was to design a home, he was instantly drawn to a jackfruit tree on-site. “ Decades old, it sparked our imagination. We saw an opportunity to craft a residence that not only respects its natural setting but narrates the heritage of its surroundings,” says Machilakath, principal designer and co-founder of Uru Consulting.

The project commenced in August 2022, and took two years to complete
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Situated in Malappuram, Kerala, the now-completed 3,700 sq.ft. home — built at a cost of approx. ₹1.1 crore — is aptly titled ‘House Beneath a Jackfruit Tree’. “The design draws inspiration from the symbolic significance of the jackfruit tree, a motif that resonates across cultures as a sign of abundance and continuity,” explains Machilakath, adding, “Rather than following a conventional blueprint, we envisioned the house as a book, its pages unfurling the rich tales whispered by the venerable tree. Each design element is a chapter that pays homage to the legacy and natural beauty the tree imparts to the home.”

Custom-designed furniture and artisanal artifacts complement the home’s design.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The project commenced in August 2022, and took two years to complete. While the tree, that bears fruit to this day, is the home’s focal point, other sustainable features of the home include raw-textured walls, a neutral tan palette comprising earthy brown, designs that incorporate ample natural light, to name a few. “To balance openness with the need for privacy in a densely surrounded locale, we extended the dining area with a curtain wall finished in intricate jaali work. This not only preserves the exclusivity of the space but also creates a serene, inviting patio,” says Machilakath, adding that custom-designed furniture and artisanal artifacts — crafted from reclaimed wood and natural materials — complement the home’s interiors. 

Natural light played a significant role in the house’s design.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Natural light, he says, played a significant role in the house’s design, “with a linear layout that maximises daylight from the East to create a sense of openness and grandeur”. He adds, “The over-projected roofs on the South side prevent excess sunlight, maintaining a comfortable balance of light and shade throughout the day.” 

Sustainable features of the home include raw-textured walls, and a neutral tan palette.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The largest spaces in the house are the dining and living areas that are designed with double-height ceilings “that amplify the feeling of space”. Since the home is situated in a plot surrounded by neighbouring houses, creating this spacious yet private family area was a significant design hurdle. “Bridge-like structures connect the stairs and bedrooms on the upper levels, fostering a sense of connection throughout the home. Every level is designed to encourage warm interactions, making it the perfect space for a close-knit family,” says Machilakath, adding that sourcing quality sustainable materials, navigating local regulations, and integrating modern eco-friendly systems required detailed planning.

If we ask visitors to the city what they notice the most, their answers may include buildings, streets, vehicles, gardens, and monuments. While a city cannot exist without buildings, buildings themselves cannot exist without streets.

Streets are to a city what blood vessels are to the body. But are they significant enough to be the focus of a three-day conference? The resounding success of the ‘Namma Raste’ (meaning “Our Streets”) event, held in Bengaluru from February 20 to 22, 2025, suggests they are.

Organised by BBMP, the city corporation, in collaboration with WRI India, the World Resource Institute, this was the second edition of Namma Raste. The event had WRI India as the knowledge partner, alongside 65 other contributors from academic, research, and civil society organisations. Their collective efforts focused on data-driven, sustainable, safe, and citizen-centric urban mobility.

A key highlight of the event was the release of Namma Raste Kaipidi, a manual jointly developed by BBMP, WRI India, and IISc. This manual captures best practices for sustainable streets, emphasising better design, engineering, and maintenance. It also explores solutions for safer school zones, station precincts, and urban spaces, making it a first-of-its-kind guide in India and a crucial reference for BBMP.

The event featured contributions from several key organizations, including BBMP, BMRCL, BMTC, DULT, K-Ride, Traffic Police, and B.CAP (Bangalore Climate Action & Resilience Plan), all of whom shared their visions for urban mobility. Students from institutions such as Srishti, RV, BMS, Ramaiah, and Manipal showcased their academic studies in art and architecture. BBMP also presented its mega projects, alongside precinct studies conducted by consultants like SDeG.

Among the event’s most significant contributors was WRI India, which provided research insights, curated posters, and played a leading role in organising the conference. Other notable participants included IISc’s IST Lab, which examined sustainable transport; TUMMOC, which discussed integrated ticketing systems; Namma Yatri, which promoted local auto-rickshaws; and MoveInSync, which analysed traffic quality. Sensing Local focused on urban design solutions, while PotHole Raja proposed ideal road maintenance strategies. Everyday City Lab explored shading solutions, Bangalore Walks led the Walkaluru initiative, and India Rising Trust reimagined under-flyover spaces.

Other contributions included ITDP’s study on air pollution, Voltrix’s advocacy for a 15-minute city model, and Compartment S4’s analysis of crash data. HSR Citizen Forum emphasised feeder services, while APD India pushed for better accessibility. B.PAC encouraged public participation, Bengawalk reviewed bus stop infrastructure, and Pedaluru promoted cycling. Jana Urban Space advocated for public spaces, CSTEP emphasised scientific approaches, and the Bangalore Apartments Federation championed cultural spaces. Toyota Mobility Foundation supported universal accessibility, while ALSTOM contributed insights on low-emission transport. Numerous other initiatives also made their mark at the event.

Namma Raste was not just a conference — it was a major public consultation seminar that laid out a roadmap for a better city. It demonstrated how a multitude of small, citizen-driven initiatives can collectively enhance mobility, accessibility, and safety.

Namma Raste, a major public consultation seminar, gave a road map to a better city, advising and proving how multitudes of small initiatives can improve the city’s mobility, facility, accessibility and safety. Small is beautiful, said economist E.F. Schumacher. Small is necessary, said architect Laurie Baker. Small is doable, as we all know.

While discussions about Greater Bangalore often focus on mega-projects and large budgets, these can lead to greater urbanisation and more challenges. Instead, what Namma Raste showcased were not unattainable large-scale plans but practical, actionable solutions that citizens can implement at scale. For Bengaluru to truly become a greater city, the government must support and empower these grassroots efforts.

(The author is an urban designer, heritage conservationist and ecological architect in Bengaluru.)

Vernacular architecture is a style of building that champions the use of indigenous materials and traditional construction techniques while fostering climate responsiveness. “Vernacular building practices are crucial for sustainability and offer region-specific, passive solutions that effectively mitigate climate impacts while being cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable,” says Vaishali Mangalvedheker, partner, SJK Architects. The time-tested building styles and techniques of vernacular architecture have evolved over centuries and have been shaped by material, environment, and cultural influences.

“Climate change, resource depletion, and the loss of cultural heritage have necessitated the need for sustainable building practices and context-sensitive design, which has led to a rise, revival, and re-interpretation of vernacular architecture in contemporary constructions,” says Akshay Shrinagesh, principal architect, Archiopteryx. Here are five such buildings from across India:

The Courtyard House, Kappur, Kerala

House of Edappal Bhoomija.
| Photo Credit:
Prasanth Mohan

This 3,500 sq.-ft. home in central Kerala reimagines the traditional nalukettu veedu, a house focused around a central courtyard. “There is a thoughtful integration of traditional architectural elements, which includes the central courtyard coupled with sustainable and contemporary design solutions, which create a harmonious living space that is both ethereal and forward-thinking,” say Guruprasad Rane and Manasi Puliyappatta, co-founders, Bhoomija Creations. Laterite is the primary building material which has been used extensively not only for its accessibility but for its excellent thermal performance. “It is left exposed, and this cools the indoor temperature. Its natural texture and rich tone contribute to the aesthetic character of the home,” says Rane.

Concrete slabs with a form-finished surface and polished cement plaster left in its raw form promote durability, sustainability and reduce the need for excessive finishing materials. “The steel truss roof’s construction includes an air gap between the layers, which acts as an insulator, preventing heat from penetrating the interiors while allowing for the movement of air. The sloped roof design aids in the collection of rainwater, a crucial aspect of sustainable design in Kerala’s monsoon climate,” says Puliyappatta.

The Light House, Nagpur

Wrapped in operable timber
 lattices, the Light House is a
 sunlit home for a
 multi-generational family.
| Photo Credit:
NIVEDITAA GUPTA

Designed as a private, sun-dappled residence for a multi-generational family amidst a dense urban neighbourhood, the Light House spans a whopping 20, 000 square ft. Given the intense heat during summers, the architects designed a contemporary jaali façade that filters harsh sunlight. “An eight-foot-wide, linear central atrium topped with a skylight reinterprets the courtyards of vernacular homes and acts as a lively social core for a family that cherishes togetherness. Its proportions are derived from detailed studies of scale and the movement of the sun throughout the seasons,” says Mangalvedheker. The outermost layer of protruding jharokhas and balconies offers privacy in the dense neighbourhood. The sleek geometric patterns of the lattices are inspired by abstracted vernacular motifs, creating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow that transforms the interiors into a living canvas throughout the day. “The railings and brise-soleil of the central atrium, crafted from recycled Burma teak wood and executed on-site by local carpenters, showcase an innovative take on traditional craftsmanship,” she adds.

Haveli, Amritsar

Outdoor dining for an authentic experience.
| Photo Credit:
Purnesh Dev Nikhanj

Haveli, a hospitality project spanning 1,07,500 sq. ft., is an ode to Punjab’s architectural heritage. “For centuries, Punjab’s architectural landscape has been shaped by a profound understanding of materials, climate and human interaction with space. The structures that defined the region — havelis, chowks, stepwells, and grand pavilions — were not just aesthetic marvels but functional, sustainable solutions to extreme weather conditions,” says Monika Choudhary, co-founder of Habitat Architects. Apart from the large open courtyards, the sandstone jaalis that line the façades and openings of the structure, as well as the vaulted ceilings and arched openings, enhance cross-ventilation. “Traditional building techniques like load-bearing stone masonry and timber joinery ensure longevity, natural insulation and earthquake resilience. Subterranean water storage, inspired by old Punjabi stepwells and percolation pits, helps replenish groundwater levels,” says Choudhary.

The People Tree House, Noida

 Living room with double height.
| Photo Credit:
STUDIO NOUGHTS & CROSSES

The People Tree House is a 7,000 sq.ft. residence that serves as a lesson in the use of local materials, energy conservation, water harvesting, and recycling. Locally sourced rubble for masonry walls, along with handcrafted, grit-washed walls, are an ode to traditional craftsmanship. “The load-bearing brick vaults are supported by metal beams embedded within concrete. Wherever visible, the metal detailing is kept honest with exposed nuts and bolts finished with duco paint. Besides minimising the use of concrete and steel in slabs, masonry infills provide insulation from the heat and cold,” says Shrinagesh. Locally sourced random rubble stone masonry forms the walls, lending structural integrity and natural cooling. “Earthen pots embedded in masonry further regulate indoor temperatures,” adds Shrinagesh.

House of Solid Stone, Jaipur

Façade with operable stone screen.
| Photo Credit:
FABIAN CHARUAU AND BHARATH RAMAMRUTHAM

This 4,700 sq.ft. home reimagines the use of Rajasthan’s traditional sandstone, which is often not used in modern construction. Built entirely from stone, the house uses materials sourced from the site and nearby quarries. “Every element was crafted by skilled stonemasons from local villages, merging generational craftsmanship with modern engineering principles. Sourcing materials and manpower locally helped reduce costs, making this approach more cost-effective than conventional methods,” says Arjun Malik, principal architect of Malik Architecture. The project, which modifies the traditional dry stone construction method by developing a hollow interlocking structural wall system, highlights the value of vernacular and regional architectural heritage through design choices, materials, and craftsmanship, offering a compelling counterpoint to mechanised construction.

The Bengaluru-based freelance writer is passionate about all things design, travel, food, art and culture.