flowing brick guest house by art & architecture spirals like a cactus under the indian sun

Art & Architecture unveils sculptural brick residence in india

House of Dancing Cactus by Chennai-based studio Art & Architecture stands out as a bold architectural statement in Pondicherry, India. Covering 112 square meters, this guest house puts a fresh spin on traditional brick construction with a flowing facade that mimics the movement of ocean waves. The exposed brickwork balances solid and open sections, creating shifting shadows that help keep the space cool while shaping a distinctive silhouette—one that resembles a cactus under the sun.

all images by Kaptured Studios

House of Dancing Cactus unfolds in two levels

Art & Architecture studio, led by Chamraj Suresh Babu and Spandana Bhagwat builds this two-story home with locally sourced bricks. Inside, the residence features a mix of grey, pink, and cyan tones, with rattan furniture adding a laid-back, bohemian feel. Plenty of daylight, natural ventilation, and earthy textures create a relaxed coastal atmosphere.

The ground floor has an open layout, with a stepped living and dining area leading into a compact kitchen. A curved archway connects to a bedroom, creating a sense of movement throughout the space. An Oxford blue door stands out against the earthy brick tones, mirroring the color of the plunge pool nearby. The pool, accessible via a French door, is wrapped in a curved brick wall that offers privacy. Perforated brick screens allow natural light to filter in, casting intricate patterns that shift throughout the day.

A staircase in the double-height living area leads to the first floor, where a second bedroom and a north-facing terrace offer views of the surrounding greenery. The bathrooms feature open-to-sky spaces, bringing in fresh air and a semi-outdoor bathing experience. One of the most striking features of the House of Dancing Cactus is its curving garden wall, designed to support a variety of cacti while using materials efficiently. Its wavy form adds stability while also retaining heat, creating a suitable microclimate for the plants.

House of Dancing Cactus stands out as a bold architectural statement

a distinctive silhouette—one that resembles a cactus under the sun

this guest house puts a fresh spin on traditional brick construction

the flowing facade mimics the movement of ocean waves

creating shifting shadows that help keep the space cool

the exposed brickwork balances solid and open sections

inside, the residence features a mix of grey, pink, and cyan tones

rattan furniture adds a laid-back, bohemian feel

Oxford blue tones stand out against the earthy brick tones

this two-story home is built locally sourced bricks

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ground floor plan by Art & Architecture

first floor plan by Art & Architecture

elevation A by Art & Architecture

elevation B by Art & Architecture

section AA' by Art & Architecture

section BB' by Art & Architecture

brick pattern plan by Art & Architecture

brick pattern plan by Art & Architecture

designed to support a variety of cacti

using materials efficiently

the wavy form adds stability

retaining heat and creating a suitable microclimate for the plants

the pool is accessible via a French door

perforated brick screens allow natural light to filter in

casting intricate patterns that shift throughout the day

a staircase in the double-height living area leads to the first floor

a curved archway connects to a bedroom

a stepped living and dining area lead into a compact kitchen

the ground floor has an open layout

creating a sense of movement throughout the space

a second bedroom and a north-facing terrace offer views of the surrounding greenery

the bathrooms feature open-to-sky spaces

project info:

name: House of Dancing Cactus

architect: Art & Architecture | @artandarchitecture.chennai

location: Pondicherry, India

area: 112 square meters

lead architects: Chamraj Suresh Babu, Spandana Bhagwat

photographer: Kaptured Studios | @kaptured_studios