"The Vault House" By SENSCAPE Architects

 

Design Rooted in Simplicity & Sustainability 

This weekend home, designed post-lockdown, caters to a multi-generational family—elderly parents, three daughters with their families, and pets. The layout features two simple rectangular volumes: one for private bedrooms and the other for shared living spaces, separated by a central courtyard that enhances light and ventilation. Entry is at a mid-level, allowing a straight staircase to connect all floors efficiently. The living area sits at entry level, with steps down to the kitchen, dining, and backyard, and up to mezzanine and first-floor bedrooms. All wet areas are clustered to minimize service costs. Bedrooms include balconies and cross ventilation, while varied ceiling heights ensure thermal comfort. The design emphasizes simplicity, cost-efficiency, and a strong connection to nature and family.

 

• Project Type - Residence
• Project Name : VAULT HOUSE
• Location : Bengaluru Karnataka
• Interior Designers: Creative concepts
• Landscape Consultant: SENSCAPE Architects pvt ltd

• Principal Architect & Designer: Ar. Shiva Kumar and Ar.Dinesh Kumar
• Address: #5/1, 2nd main raod, NR Colony, Basavanagudi, Bangalore 560019.
• Email Id : info@senscape.in
• Firm’s Website : https://senscape.in/
• Instagram : senscapearchitectsCivil: MR. LV SRINIVAS - BALAJI CONSTRUCTION

Tucked inside a peaceful gated community in Bengaluru, Karnataka, The Vault House sits gracefully on a 60’0” x 100’0” plot defined by its gentle, natural contours. Designed as a weekend home for a family, the house was conceived in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic—a time that made many people re-evaluate their relationship with their homes and surroundings. The idea was simple: to create a place that offers breathing space, calmness, and a deeper connection to nature.

We were approached by client to design a family weekend home post lockdown. For the family of elderly parents with three daughters and their respective families & pets. The brief was to design 4-bedroom house with basic cost in mind.

PANDEMIC: the respiratory disease outbreak worldwide is one of its kind that we all went through in our lifetime. Some of us lost our dearest family members & friends, May it not return again.

During the lock down we were all restricted inside our home for the longest time that I know only to stop or restrict meeting people with an intent not to spread the disease. This is something worked against the human psychology. We cannot be restricted in one place for the longest time. In most of our mind a common thought was running, what if one had home to stay far away from densely populated area, a private garden to breathe the fresh air. This Project is one such inception of once thought. 

The Layout is very simple its a juxtaposition of rectangular spaces one Private sleeping space & other common family space, separated by a small courtyard. House's main entrance is approached at the mid-level, Family living at the same level, partially going down to kitchen, Dining & back yard. And straight flight of step to the mezzanine and first floor. Straight flight of step was achieved only because of mid- level entry.

All the toilets are grouped together to save cost on services, and rooms attached are having opening with balconies and sit out outwards respectively, and basic cross ventilation is planned for all the rooms. The ground floor have very minimum ceiling heights whereas first floor is given with more than the required height for thermal comfort. 

Material usage were again basic with hollow clay blocks, as this brick has cavities it helps in providing better thermal comfort to the inside spaces, not only the walls even the entire ceiling is made of hollow clay blocks by the methods of filler roof slabs. This method reduces the use of concrete and the wait of the entire structure on ground. Flooring is made of natural limestone, which is a large spread of material in contact with the ground keeping the space cool further. In order to provide the communication from upper to lower floor we creating greater height in the living and yet minimized volume by curving the corners (where walls meets the roof) thus the roof becoming curved and vaulted. It’s another way of constructing the roof with no or minimal steel. Here the same wall material becomes the vault, emphasizing the minimalism. First floor bedroom roofs are of with the high ceiling flat roof in order to support the basic needs of the house services.

Space above the kitchen and dining becomes the terrace approached from the common space on first first-floor mezzanine overlooking the backyards. Terrace thus self-shaded by the taller build on the south and western sides. The largest opening of the house opens to the north, minimizing the heat gain. The structure is of load-bearing, do not have any columns, and thus its cost savings too. Today its not the practice in Bangalore.

As one approaches The Vault House, it reveals itself slowly and humbly. The structure is raw, minimal, and quietly elegant—anchored by vaults and flying buttresses that both support and define its visual identity. It does not try to stand out, instead, it blends seamlessly into its natural surroundings. The overall form, materials, and spatial planning reflect a clear respect for the land.

By working with the natural contours of the land, the need for extensive excavation or retaining walls was avoided, minimizing environmental impact. Using local, minimally processed materials not only reduced the project’s carbon footprint but also supported local trades and craft traditions. It’s a quiet, practical sustainability—not a technological showcase, but a home that simply works well with nature.

The Vault House is more than just a weekend retreat. It is an architectural response to a changing world—a world that now values slowness, connection, and quiet comfort more than ever before. Through its use of natural materials, passive design strategies, and a layout that grows with the land, the home offers a lifestyle that is both grounded and uplifting. In its quiet way, The Vault House demonstrates that architecture doesn’t need to be loud to be powerful. Sometimes, the most meaningful spaces are those that simply allow us to feel at home—with the earth, with others, and with ourselves.