Step Well House

The Step Well House draws inspiration from dense organic neighbourhoods of Bengaluru, where homes evolve to respond to narrow plots and compact urban conditions. Here, staircases move beyond circulation to become social and spatial devices. Inspired by everyday urban encounters, the house transforms transitional spaces into interactive zones layered with greenery, light, and visual connections. The site in northern Bengaluru sits beside the veterinary college park, facing the northeast and framed by mature Honge trees. Living spaces open to the north and east, capturing park views while services form a buffer to the southwest. A cascading five-foot split-level section connects rooms, terraces, and balconies, blurring boundaries between inside landscape and movement. Inside, a rhythm of pauses defines daily life through stepped verandahs, tree courts, and mid-landing sit-outs. Bedrooms receive morning light and open to private terraces. Skylights animate overlapping volumes and support planting throughout. Exposed concrete bands and lime plaster create a calm, cohesive material language, grounding the architecture firmly within its site while enhancing comfort, community, and long-term adaptability for urban living.