Nano Nest: Redefining Compact Urban Architecture in India

The Nano Nest project, designed by Supreetha S and Sooraj Suresh, UNI, is a pioneering example of sustainable small-space architecture tailored for the challenges of dense metropolitan environments like Bangalore. This innovative home is designed for a multi-generational family of six, offering comfort, adaptability, and connection while responding to the constraints of urban land scarcity.

Context and Design Philosophy

Located in Bangalore, southern India, the Nano Nest addresses the unique demands of a tropical savannah climate and an urban fabric where available plots are often small and surrounded by other buildings. The design reflects cultural traditions and climate-responsive strategies, aiming to maximise natural light, airflow, and shared family spaces while ensuring privacy for each member.

The architects approached the project with a focus on adaptive architecture — designing spaces that can evolve with the family's changing needs. The home is intended to be a peaceful retreat from the city's hustle, allowing family members to bond, relax, and enjoy well-lit, well-ventilated interiors.

User-Centric Spatial Planning

The residence accommodates:

• 2 adults over 50 years (grandparents)
• 2 adults over 25 years (parents)
• 2 children (one under 10 years, one above 10 years)

Spaces are planned with careful consideration of lifestyle patterns:

• Grandparents occupy the lower levels for easy access to living, dining, and kitchen areas.
• Parents reside on the uppermost floor, ensuring privacy.
• Children’s rooms are separated by age and level, providing independence and quiet study zones.
• A double-height kitchen and dining area serves as the heart of the home, encouraging shared meals and conversations.

Climate-Responsive Features

Nano Nest integrates passive design principles to manage Bangalore's climate efficiently:

• Jali walls (perforated brick screens) for light filtration and ventilation while maintaining privacy.
• Pivot louvers to control sunlight and airflow.
• Skylights to illuminate central areas and staircases.
• Light wells to brighten lower floors naturally.
• Solar roof tiles positioned at a 15-degree tilt to optimise energy generation.

These features reduce reliance on artificial lighting and cooling, making the home both eco-friendly and cost-efficient.

Sustainability and Cost Efficiency

The design leverages locally available materials like laterite stone and composite bricks to minimise costs and environmental impact. Internal walls are reduced to essential areas, and sliding panels provide flexibility in space usage. By combining multi-level planning with openable partitions, the architects ensure that the house remains airy, adaptable, and energy-conscious.

Cultural Relevance and Urban Integration

In Bangalore's fast-paced lifestyle, Nano Nest creates a sanctuary where family members can reconnect. The entrance garden acts as a buffer from the street, introducing greenery and reducing noise. The house opens strategically to the south for solar benefits while controlling excess heat, embodying a balance between openness and protection.

The Nano Nest stands as a model for compact sustainable housing in Indian cities, merging architectural innovation with cultural sensibilities. It showcases how thoughtful, climate-responsive design can turn small plots into vibrant, multi-generational homes that are efficient, affordable, and emotionally enriching.