Kachra Mane

Kachra Mane is an addition to an older house in Bengaluru. Built with reused wood, salvaged glass, and recovered fixtures, it uses light construction and simple systems. The design brings in daylight, breeze, and openness, proving that recycled materials can create a comfortable and elegant home.

Details
BUA: 156 sqm/1700 sft built as an addition to an existing house, Value: ₹ 17 Lakh / $ 37,000
Location
Bengalru, India
Status
Completed, 2011
Team
Client: Das & Riti, MEP: McD BERL
Services Rendered
Architecture, Interior, Engineering
Recognition
Cover Story - Recoup, reuse, survive, iDecorama magazine, July 2017, Featured in an Episode, OMG Yeh hai India, History Channel, August 2017, Living in Trash, Jayanthi Madhukar, Bangalore Mirror, August 4, 2013, Bangalore’s Greenest Homes, : Kachra Mane, House of Scrap, Lavanya Keshavamurthy, the alternative.in, June 27, 2013, ‘Kachra Mane’, The Bangalore Home Built Entirely Out of Trash, Tansha Vohra, Homegrown.co.in, March 13, 2017, Want to Build an Eco-Friendly Home? These 5 Awesome Bengaluru Houses Will Show You How!, Sanchari Pal, The Better India, www.thebetterindia.com, February 2017, Idecorama, July 2017 Recoup, Reuse, Survive Written By, Vikas Bhadra www.idecorama.com

The house celebrates the stories held within reused materials. Old windows, reclaimed wood, and recovered furniture become part of a new life. Each element carries memory and character. The project shows that sustainability is not only about saving resources, but also about giving materials purpose again.

A simple home where discarded materials are transformed into light, warmth, and beauty.

Design Approach

Kachra Mane was designed as a light addition to an existing home. The structure uses reused pine wood from packaging crates, with glass walls that bring in natural light and fresh air. This comes from the clients vision and faith in a sustainable way of urban living.  The roof is lightweight, using timber framing and bamboo mat boards instead of concrete.

Many elements, including furniture, lights, and fixtures, were salvaged and carefully reused. The design values simplicity, comfort, and good use of resources. Rainwater harvesting, solar power, and water recycling systems support daily life. The project shows that thoughtful design can turn waste into something practical, elegant, and full of character.

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