- Project: The Long House
- Architect: Crest Architects
- Location: India, Bengaluru
- Year: 2024
- Area: 454 m2
- Photography: Shamanth J. Patil
A Home of Intention and Purpose
Located within a peaceful gated enclave in Bengaluru, The Long House is an embodiment of minimalist precision and architectural intent. Crafted by Crest Architects, the 4,890 sq ft four-bedroom residence was commissioned by a client returning from the U.S., with a clear mandate: to design a living space that is direct, efficient, and intentional—devoid of excess and defined by purpose.
The standout feature is its dramatic 24-foot cantilevered volume, a powerful expression of structural elegance and conceptual clarity.
Geometry, Light, and Spatial Clarity
Crest Architects shaped the home through a bold trio of cuboidal volumes. Two grounded blocks define separate functional zones, while a third bridges above them, forming an H-shaped plan around a central landscaped courtyard. This arrangement ensures natural airflow, visual harmony, and an intuitive flow between interior and exterior spaces.
One-third of the site is intentionally left open, letting the landscape shape the architectural experience. A garden entry, marked by granite stepping stones, gently transitions visitors into the home’s serene design language.
Vaastu-Informed Spatial Planning
Inspired by Vaastu principles, the ground floor divides public and private functions into discrete blocs:
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Front volume: Formal areas including living, dining, and kitchen.
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Rear volume: Bedrooms opening to the courtyard.
The void between them forms an informal double-height living space, framed by a timber deck and a reflective water feature, reinforcing the relationship between indoors and out.
Above, the cantilevered mass houses a multipurpose room, elegantly shading the entrance and car park. Light filters through louvered screens, adding kinetic interplay of light and shadow. A bridge connects bedroom areas to the multipurpose space, offering contextual visual engagement with the central void and courtyard.
Structure, Materials & Interior Restraint
Crest Architects deployed honest, tactile materials—raw concrete, solid teak, natural stone, and steel—to emphasize craft and texture. Interiors remain pared-back, personalized to occupants’ needs with subtle material shifts for individuality, while furniture and finishes play a supporting role to the architecture.
A Masterclass in Minimalist Clarity
The Long House is a testament to architecture as intentional reduction. From its bold cantilever to its minimal interior interventions, every detail is purposeful. The result: a tranquil, timeless home rooted in form, light, and spatial depth—crafted with precision by Crest Architects.
