Debris Block House

Bengaluru, Karnataka
CollectiveProject
Bengaluru, Karnataka
Published on 14th January 2026
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Debris Block House

This eBook has been produced and published on
Buildofy in 2026.
[Link] Debris Block House | CollectiveProject

Contents
Project Details 9
Key Contributors 9
Bengaluru: A City in Flux 10
From Rubble to Residence 12
The Facade Disappearing Amidst Greens 14
Ground Floor Plan* 16
Thresholds and Fluidity 19
A Sculptural Core 22
First Floor Plan* 24
Living Quarters 26
Bridges and Vistas 29
Second Floor Plan* 32
The Mango Tree Terrace 34
Jaali Screens & Play of Light* 36
Environmental Stewardship 38
Material Alchemy: The Science of Mud-Concrete 40
Conclusion 43
Material Palette 44
Product Specifications 46
Documentation Credits 46

* Drawings for reference on this page.

4 5
 Foreword
In an era where Bengaluru’s rapid
urbanization often comes at the steep
cost of its ecological identity, the Debris
Block House emerges as a radical
manifesto for circular architecture. While
the city grapples with the un-regulated
dumping of demolition waste into its
historic lakes, CollectiveProject proposes
a sophisticated alternative: treating the
ruins of the past as the literal building
blocks of the future.
By transforming the debris of a 50-year-
old structure into high-performance,
sundried mud-concrete blocks, this
residence challenges the industry’s
“urban blight” and wasteful status quo.
It is a home defined by its tactile history
and its “disappearing” green facade,
which harmonizes with a sentinel Mango
tree. Beyond its aesthetic brilliance, the
project provides a scientific roadmap for
low-energy, responsible construction.
It proves that construction waste is not
a liability but a celebrated resource for
modern design.

Ar. Guruprasath R G
[Link] Debris Block House | CollectiveProject

Project Details
Location Cooke Town, Bengaluru, Karnataka

Firm CollectiveProject

Principal Architects Cyrus Patell

Eliza Higgins

Project Team Vilma Muthamma

Plot Area 3,000 sq. ft.

Built-Up Area 4,750 sq. ft.

Project Start Date 2018

Project End Date 2023

Number of Floors Ground + 2

Number of Car Parks 2

Number of Bedrooms 4

Key Contributors
Structural Consultant Shivanand and Associates

Civil & Facade Consultant BRR Engineering

Landscape Consultant Raghu Tenkayala

MEP Consultant SRRC

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[Link] Debris Block House | CollectiveProject

Bengaluru: A City in Flux

Bengaluru, historically celebrated for its lush tree cover and temperate climate, has become a
victim of its own economic success. Rapid urbanization and unregulated sprawl have led to the
tragic filling of its lakes and the unceremonious dumping of construction debris. In a city that has
witnessed concurrent growth and rampant destruction, the Debris Block House emerges as a radical
alternative. Located in a quiet but dense residential neighborhood, the home occupies a 3,000
square foot plot on an inside corner. This site posed unique challenges in terms of layout planning
and construction staging, yet it served as the perfect laboratory for a new architectural ethos that
treats the city’s waste as a precious resource rather than a urban blight.

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[Link] Debris Block House | CollectiveProject

Construction Debris As an Urban Plight

Construction Debris As a Resource

From Rubble to Residence

The core philosophy of the home is rooted in the transformation of a 50-year-old structure that
previously occupied the site. Instead of contributing to the city’s growing landfill problem, the design
team questioned if building demolition debris could be reimagined as a construction material. This
inquiry led to the creation of custom mud-concrete blocks, synthesized directly from the waste of
the former house. By capturing the history of the site while transforming it into something modern,
the architects have managed to retain a tactile connection to the past. The result is a home that
does not just sit on its land but is literally born from it, offering a poetic and responsible roadmap
for construction in the 21st century.

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[Link] Debris Block House | CollectiveProject

The Facade Disappearing Amidst Greens

In stark contrast to the heavy, plastered, and painted facades of the neighboring buildings, the Debris
Block House aims for architectural humility. The design intent was to have the home “disappear”
into its surroundings through the strategic use of vegetation. Large planters were integrated at
every level of the structure, compensating for the limited garden area of the plot. As the building
matures, it blends seamlessly into the surrounding foliage, obscured from passers-by by these
elevated green buffers. This approach not only provides privacy in a dense urban setting but also
echoes Bengaluru’s original identity as a garden city, creating a lush, breathable skin that shields
the private lives of its inhabitants from the outside world.

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[Link] Debris Block House | CollectiveProject

LEVEL 00
KEY N
KEY

1. Entrance Vestibule
2. Powder Room
3. Guest Toilet
4. Guest Bedroom
5. Deck
6. Garden
7. Living
8. Dining
9. Kitchen
10. Pantry
11. Utility Deck

"]
515
[1'-8

[2'-11"]
5. 12. Staff Toilet

895
13. Staff Room
4045
14. Parking

925
0"]
[13'-3"]

[3']
148
[4'-1
8.

[11'-11"]
3620
5. 1100

5
2"]
736
[3'-7

[24'-
"]

420
7. 0
[13'-
9"]

905
1685

[3']
5
2"]
400

"]
259
9.

[8'-6
[13'-
[5'-6"]
103
0
[3'-5
"]

286 479
5 0
[9'-5 [15'-
9"]

0
"]
11.

"]
100
[3'-3
1. 129
5 10. 2750

5
2800

5
"]
157

"]
105
[4'-3

[5'-2
[9']

[3'-6
"]
[9'-2"]
2660

[7'-5"]
2265
[8'-9"]
[4'-4"]
1330

4185 1050
2110 [13'-9"] [3'-5"]
[6'-11"]

[3'-11"]
1200
[3'-3"]
1000

[11'-9"]
3570
1875 3225 4. 5. 6.
[6'-2"] [10'-7"]
[5'-4"]
1620

2. 3.

3000 1120
[9'-10"] [3'-8"]
[4'-11"]

2830
1495

[5'-2"]
1575
[9'-3"] 13. 12.
[9'-10"]

14.
3000

[4'-1"]
1245
2000 10140 1910

Ground Floor Plan [6'-7"] [33'-3"] [6'-3"]

16 1M 5M 17 10M
[Link] Debris Block House | CollectiveProject

Thresholds and Fluidity

The ground floor serves as a masterclass in open-plan living, where the boundary between the
interior and the landscape is intentionally blurred. Cast in exposed concrete, this level features large
sliding glass panels that open completely, allowing the living, dining, and kitchen areas to flow out
into the surrounding greenery. This fluid arrangement creates a sense of spatial generosity that
belies the site’s compact footprint. Off the main entrance, a small bedroom is tucked away, providing
a flexible space that offers privacy for guests or serves as a quiet retreat. The raw, industrial aesthetic
of the exposed concrete provides a neutral, grounding base for the warmer, earthier textures that
define the upper levels of the residence.

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[Link] Debris Block House | CollectiveProject

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[Link] Debris Block House | CollectiveProject

A Sculptural Core
At the heart of the home lies a dramatic central atrium, a vertical void that dictates the internal planning
and movement of the four-bedroom house. This space is anchored by a sculptural staircase that provides
both visual and physical connections across all floors. Bathed in light from above through strategically
placed skylights, the staircase becomes a dynamic element that changes character as the sun moves
throughout the day. This atrium is not merely a functional circulation zone; it is the home’s spiritual
center, fostering a sense of connectivity for the family. By allowing light to penetrate deep into the plan,
the atrium ensures that the interior feels airy and expansive, despite the dense residential context of
the neighborhood.
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[Link] Debris Block House | CollectiveProject

LEVEL 01
KEY N
KEY

1. Family Room
2. Garden
3. Master Bedroom
4. Deck
5. Master Wardrobe
6. Master Bathroom
7. Common Area
8. Bedroom - 1
9. Wardrobe
10. Bathroom
11. Bedroom - 2
960

[3'-2"]
970
[3'-2"] 4045
[13'-3"]
1370

5
[4'-6"]

"]
171
[5'-8
3. 4.

[17'-1"]
5195
2.

1000
[3'-3"]

10"]
5
542
[17'-
1.
1600 2245
103
0 [5'-3"] [7'-4"]

[9'-8"]
[3'-5
5. 6.

2950
"]

[9'-11"]
3030
302
5
[9'-1
1"]

4295
[14'-1"]

[7'-2"]
2175
3415
7. 4.
[11'-3"]
1865
[6'-1"]
[13'-2"]
4020

8. 9.
[7'-3"]
2205

3300
[10'-10"]

[13'-1"]
4000
11. 450
[1'-6"]
3220 3365
[10'-7"] [11']
[5'-8"]
1725

10.
[9'-11"]
3010

2.

4210
[13'-10"]

First Floor Plan

24 1M 5M 25 10M
[Link] Debris Block House | CollectiveProject

Living Quarters
The internal layout was driven by the specific lifestyle needs of the clients—a couple with young
daughters. Proximity between private rooms was a key requirement of the brief. On the first floor, the
bedrooms open directly onto a communal TV room and library, creating a centralized hub for family
interaction. This arrangement fosters a sense of togetherness, ensuring that the children are never too
far from their parents while still having their own dedicated zones. The use of the exposed mud-concrete
blocks continues into these private spaces, providing a consistent aesthetic that feels both modern and
ancestral. This level serves as the “private core” of the house, where the family can retreat into a world
of books and shared leisure.
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[Link] Debris Block House | CollectiveProject

Bridges and Vistas

As one ascends to the second floor, the central atrium reaches its widest point, creating a dramatic
sense of verticality. A bridge spans across this void, connecting a small music room to a personal
office. This architectural move provides a moment of pause and a unique perspective on the home’s
interior volume, allowing the inhabitants to experience the sculptural staircase from a variety
of angles. The bridge also serves to separate the work-from-home areas from the more active
parts of the house, providing the quiet and isolation needed for focus. By treating the atrium as a
primary organizational element, the architects have ensured that every corner of the house feels
interconnected, both physically and visually.

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[Link] Debris Block House | CollectiveProject

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[Link] Debris Block House | CollectiveProject

LEVEL 02
N
KEY

1. Outdoor Seating Area

2. Music Room
3. Powder Room
4. Study
5. Deck
6. Garden

5305
[17'-5"]

[3'-4"]
1010
2.

[12'-7"]
3840
3875
[12'-8"]

[4'-4"]
1330
3080

5420

9"]
[10'-1"]

[17'-
1.
970
[3'-2"]
3.

[5'-2"]
1575
1840
[6'-1"]

3110

[15'-8"]
4765
[10'-
2"]

[4'-7"]
1395
2905
[9'-6"]

[4'-3"]
1295

[4'-3"]
1290
3650
[12']
[12'-3"]
3725

4970

6. [16'-4"] 4.

[4'-11"]
1500
[7'-6"]
2275
4190
[13'-9"]

[13'-1"]
4000
6. 5.
1535
[5']

3260 3735
[10'-8"] [12'-3"]

Second Floor Plan

32 1M 5M 33 10M
[Link] Debris Block House | CollectiveProject

The Mango Tree Terrace

One of the most sensitive gestures of the planning was the decision to pull back the building’s
footprint on one side to respond to a large, pre-existing Mango Tree. This decision culminated in
an open terrace on the upper level, featuring an exposed concrete pergola. This space provides an
idyllic setting for outdoor dining, where the family can enjoy the shade provided by the massive
mango tree branching above. The terrace acts as an elevated garden, a vital breathing space in a
dense neighborhood where ground-level landscape is limited. It represents the project’s overarching
commitment to preserving the natural heritage of the site while creating high-quality, functional
outdoor spaces for modern urban living.

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[Link] Debris Block House | CollectiveProject

Jaali Screens & Play of Light

While the ground floor is defined by the solidity of exposed concrete, the upper levels transition into the
warm, textured palette of the mud-concrete blocks. These blocks are left exposed, showcasing the raw
beauty of the recycled material. To complement the masonry, porous jaali screens are integrated into
the facade. These traditional lattice elements are reimagined in a contemporary context to facilitate
natural ventilation and provide security at night without compromising on light or privacy. The interplay
between the solid blocks and the perforated screens creates a rhythmic facade that filters the harsh
Indian sun into dappled patterns, adding a layer of tactile and visual complexity to the interior spaces
while maintaining a comfortable microclimate.
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[Link] Debris Block House | CollectiveProject

Sectional Perspective

Environmental Stewardship
The Debris Block House is a manifesto for responsible construction in an era of climate crisis. By utilizing
waste as a resource, the project achieves a significantly lower carbon footprint than standard builds. The
focus was on an accessible, cost-effective solution that could be executed by semi-skilled labor on-site.
This democratization of sustainable building techniques is a crucial part of the project’s innovation.
CollectiveProject’s work demonstrates that high-end design does not have to come at the expense of
the environment. Instead, by leaning into the constraints of the site and the realities of urban waste, they
have crafted a residence that is both ethically sound and architecturally compelling.

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[Link] Debris Block House | CollectiveProject

1. Soil, lime, cement and debris are collected and filled in the moulds. 2. Everything is compressed into a mixture and made into blocks.

3. The blocks are dried in sun 4. The Debris Block

Material Alchemy: The Science of Mud-Concrete

The innovation behind the building’s walls involved a rigorous collaboration with a retired scientist
from the Indian Institute of Science. Extensive research went into developing the mud-concrete blocks,
which were created using manual moulds and locally sourced admixtures. The debris from the original
demolition was broken by hand, remixed with lime, soil, and cement, and then sundried on-site. This
process was not just about recycling; it was about scientific optimization. Lab tests revealed that these
custom blocks surpassed the structural strength of typical concrete blocks commonly used in local
construction.
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[Link] Debris Block House | CollectiveProject

Conclusion
Debris Block House is a celebration of design and space-making. It manages to be both a sanctuary
for a young family and a bold statement on urban ecology. Through the alchemical transformation
of rubble into refined masonry, the home honors the memory of the 50-year-old house that came
before it. It stands as a beacon of what is possible when architects combine scientific rigor with a
deep respect for the environment. Bengaluru’s landscape may be changing rapidly, but the Debris
Block House suggests a way forward that is sustainable, historical, and undeniably beautiful.

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[Link] Debris Block House | CollectiveProject

Material Palette

Mud Concrete Debris Block Indian Coffee Brown Granite

Engineered Wood Flooring

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[Link] Debris Block House | CollectiveProject

Product Specifications
Granite Stone Flooring Kaladhar Granites

Windows Vitrum from Gubbins

Pivot Door Hardware Hettich

Wooden Flooring Trysquare

Sanitaryware, Bath Fittings & Flooring Roca

Furniture Phantom Hands

Sunday Design

Wardrobe & Modular Kitchen Oaktree

Decorative Lighting Louis Paulsen

Flos
Phantom Hands

Switches Norysis

Carpets Jaipur Rugs

Hatsu

Elevator Thyssenkrupp

Documentation Credits
Photography Benjamin Hosking

Drawings and Graphics CollectiveProject

eBook Curation Ar. Guruprasath R G

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[Link] Debris Block House | CollectiveProject

©Skyboard, 2026. No part of this eBook

may be reproduced or transmitted in
any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying,
recording or by any information
storage and retrieval system, without
written permission from the company.
48 49