Daily Dose: Out of the Box

“Out of the Box” designed by Cadence architecture firm in Bangalore, India is well-named: it is indeed a box designed to keep the outside out. Exterior white, cast-concrete walls decorated with perforations (called “jali walls” in India) do permit limited light and air to enter the interior courtyard. However, the same windowless walls “shun” the unwelcome sight of the surrounding low-income neighborhood, creating a bright haven for the owner.

Out of the Box; Bangalore, India; Image courtesy of Clare Arni

Interior courtyard of Out of the Box; Image courtesy of Clare Arni

Despite the modern playfulness of Out of the Box’s jali walls, something rubs me the wrong way with this design. Building an expensive, highly exclusive home in a poorer neighborhood seems like a blatant accusation-of-sorts of those who cannot afford better. On the other hand, this building brings a spot of beauty to a run-down area. What are your views? Does the design of Out of the Box show disregard for the surrounding community or does its presence offer respite from an otherwise suffering cityscape? Leave a comment.

Sources:
http://www.besthousedesign.com/2009/10/22/india-house-design-cool-exterior-walls-courtyard/
http://www.dezeen.com/2009/07/19/out-of-the-box-by-cadence/
Images:
http://www.clarearni.com/bio.php
http://www.besthousedesign.com/2009/10/22/india-house-design-cool-exterior-walls-courtyard/