Discover “Breathe”, a 100% energy-efficient and eco-friendly sustainable home in Bengaluru, designed by architects Deepa Suriyaprakash and Guruprasanna C of Betweenlines. Explore innovative, green building solutions for a sustainable future.
Nestled on the outskirts of Bengaluru in Kaggalipura, “Breathe” is an 8,000 sq ft sustainable home designed to embrace openness. The name reflects the home philosophy of being porous, in contrast to the typically sealed and enclosed houses of today. Constructed with natural materials, this 2 BHK residence blends modern architecture with ancient design principles, creating a living space that feels as though it emerged organically from its surroundings.
The “Breathe” project was brought to life by architects Deepa Suriyaprakash and Guruprasanna C, hailing from Chennai and Mysuru, respectively. It became the dream home of Ramki and Swarna, a couple deeply committed to wildlife conservation and environmental sustainability through their various passion projects.
In 2019, the couple reached out to the architects through a mutual connection, sharing their vision for a home that would “fit in with nature, be 100 percent energy-efficient, eco-friendly, and sustainable.” The architect duo, founders of Betweenlines — an award-winning design firm established in 2003 — eagerly embraced the challenge.
Deepa and Guru consider this project one of their highlights, not only due to the unique values of their clients but also because the design of the home deviates from the typical concept of earth houses, offering a fresh perspective on sustainable living.
The project took three years to complete, from 2019 to 2022, a journey that Deepa and Guru describe as “memorable.”
Deepa reflects, “Everything that followed was dedicated to ensuring the couple vision of sustainability became a reality.”
The Concept of Embodied Energy in the “Breathe” Home Project
Guru explains that the term "embodied energy" refers to all the energy required to produce a material or product. This includes considering the building process, sourcing materials locally to minimize fuel consumption for transport, and other factors.
He further elaborates that during the construction phase, the focus was on sequestering — increasing the lifespan of a product to reduce its environmental impact. “It differs from recycling. In sequestering, we repurpose materials in their original form, like using a washing machine rim as a ventilator frame,” Guru adds. These sustainable plans were made before construction began, ensuring a balanced approach to the project. Once this was in place, the building process commenced.
Deepa emphasizes that embodied energy was just one aspect considered in their design philosophy. Typically, she explains, “when building earth houses, there a tendency to follow a set pattern in an attempt to achieve the desired design. The process becomes somewhat formulaic. But this time, even though we had experience with earth homes, we chose to move away from formulas. Instead, we focused on the clients and their needs, designing specifically for them.”
The project faced numerous challenges, including the disruption caused by the pandemic in the middle of construction. However, Deepa and Guru believe this setback provided valuable time to reconsider certain designs and revisit material choices. In the end, the architects were pleasantly surprised by the outcome, as the changes and adjustments they made along the way contributed to an even better result.
Today, the collaboration between Ramki dream and the architects” vision has culminated in “Breathe” — a home that embodies the core principles of sustainability.
The Sustainable Building Practices Behind “Breathe” Home"
The home is a visual delight, surrounded by a lush garden that includes a variety of herbs and plants such as brinjals, bananas, hibiscus, lemongrass, rosemary, and button roses.
Although situated in a gated community, “Breathe” stands out among the more traditionally built homes in the area. This is largely due to its distinctive outer facade, which features a natural brick finish made from CSEB (Compressed Stabilised Earth Blocks), a sustainable alternative to concrete.
In recent years, CSEB has gained popularity in sustainable construction due to its numerous benefits. These blocks are resistant to mould growth, easy to maintain, and help prevent pest infestations. Additionally, they are soundproof, biodegradable, and free from toxic chemicals during production.
The commitment to eco-friendly principles extends beyond the walls to the foundation, which features rammed earth beds and random rubble masonry sourced from the site. As Deepa explains, “We used tyres filled with rammed earth instead of compression discs. These tyres became large blocks of earth, providing stability to the structure by evenly distributing weight, unlike concrete columns, which concentrate weight at specific points.”
The architects further emphasize that energy efficiency is a key consideration throughout the home, extending to the inner spaces as well, particularly in the living room central courtyard.
“The perforations on the curved jaali (mesh) wall allow light to filter through, inviting birds to nest while also aiding ventilation. The micro chajjas (eaves), made from waste granite trims, enhance this effect,” Deepa explains.
She goes on to highlight how the inner courtyard, enclosed by ferroconcrete fins, creates a dynamic play of shadows throughout the day. These fins, a slimmer version of concrete, use less steel and cement, making them both sustainable and labor-intensive rather than material-heavy.
As you explore the home, the charm of Athangudi tiles, handmade from the Chettinadu region, stands out. The architects created a gradient with these tiles, using their vibrant palette to contrast with the muted earth walls, contributing to a specific ambience within the house.
The home furnishings and decor reflect a strong commitment to upcycling. “Upcycled wood from the Khaggalipura market has been used in the staircase and window frames, while reused tiles are incorporated into the bathroom. Additionally, local leaves have been imprinted onto concrete surfaces for decorative effect,” Guru explains, noting that the wood adds a beautiful, natural touch to the home overall aesthetic.
Rainwater Harvesting and Biodiversity at “Breathe” Home
Over time, the home has evolved into its own ecosystem, attracting a variety of birds and insects. This vibrant fauna is partly due to the swale and retention pond on-site, which also serves as a rainwater collection system, given that a recharge well was not feasible in this location.
Deepa explains, “Due to the high terrain of Bengaluru, obtaining groundwater is challenging. When we explored rainwater harvesting, we faced difficulties because the earth was parched, making the construction of a recharge well unfeasible as the water would simply run off. The swale effectively collects the water, and the retention pond allows for percolation.”
In addition, a 1,000-litre tank installed on the terrace collects rainwater, which is then pumped and directed to water the plants, further enhancing the home sustainability.
The architects further explain that the water from the bath and basins is directed to a standalone greywater system on-site. This water is then used for the flush system and ultimately flows into the septic tank, ensuring efficient water management. This system recycles approximately 300 litres of water.
In addition, the home is powered by 7kW solar panels that meet all of its energy needs, with excess energy even being sent back to the grid.
While the construction cost of the home was Rs 1.35 crore, its sustainable features make it invaluable. As Swarna reflects, “We have always been passionate about sustainability, and this comes from the work we do. Today, as I sit back at my home, one of my favorite spots is the breakfast counter with the attached balcony, where I enjoy a lovely view of the hills. Sustainability is sometimes beautiful.”
Edited by Gayathri