Beedi Mane is a century-old stone house in rural Bangalore that has been renovated and extended through a process of repair, reuse, and incremental transformation. Typical of the region, the existing stone structure had deteriorated over time due to failing mud infill and piecemeal repairs. Rather than demolishing the house, the project focused on stabilising and strengthening the existing fabric while retaining its spatial character.

The stone walls were consolidated through the careful replacement of deteriorated mud infill with brick, allowing the structure to be assessed and reinforced without dismantling it. Salvaged stone from the house and its surroundings was reused for walls and flooring, while locally handmade bricks, lime mortar, and earth plasters were produced and tested on site with local masons. Construction progressed incrementally, with material decisions developed through on-site making.

A circular courtyard mediates between the existing house and a new extension, reorganising domestic space around a shared, semi-public threshold. A shaded verandah opens directly onto the street, avoiding enclosure as a default condition and supporting everyday interaction to shape the interface between the house and the street. 

Developed through hands-on construction and informal collaboration with local masons, the project responds to village spatial arrangements shaped by social hierarchy, without reinforcing them.

Photos by TealFeatherProductions and Archana.