Text provided by the Architect

What happens when a house needs to bring three generations together while allowing each to live in their own way? House of Experiences, located in Keralapuram, Kerala, explores this question through a contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional nalukettu. The 4,000 sq.ft. residence occupies a 597 sq.m site and replaces a dilapidated ancestral house within a suburban residential setting. Rather than recreating the traditional house as an architectural image, the project seeks to retain its underlying principles of courtyard living, layered thresholds, climatic responsiveness and connection between family and nature.

The brief was shaped by a multigenerational family whose grandparents would live in the house permanently, while their children and grandchildren, residing abroad, would return periodically. The challenge was to provide independence and privacy for different generations without losing the sense of togetherness associated with the ancestral home. The response was to organise the residence as two complementary blocks, rather than one consolidated volume. The front block accommodates the grandparents' living, dining, kitchen, work area, bedrooms and a reading and chess space, while the rear block houses the younger generation, including a children's bedroom, wellness spaces and the master suite.

Kollam,Kerala,India

Architects : Tropical Narratives
Area : 4000 sq. ft.
Year of Completion : 2026
Website : https://www.instagram.com/tropicalnarratives/

Entrance of House of Experiences by Tropical Narratives


Verandah transition of House of Experiences by Tropical Narratives


Courtyard of House of Experiences by Tropical Narratives

At the centre of this arrangement is the courtyard—the element around which the entire house is experienced. A nutmeg tree occupies its centre, while the surrounding spaces open towards it through verandahs and shaded thresholds. An operable glazed roof allows the courtyard to respond to Kerala's warm-humid climate, opening towards the sky, rain and breeze when appropriate and providing protection during the intense monsoon. The courtyard therefore becomes more than a visual focal point; it acts as a social and climatic device that brings daylight, ventilation, landscape and everyday interaction into the heart of the house.


Living room of House of Experiences by Tropical Narratives


Dining room of House of Experiences by Tropical Narratives


Kitchen of House of Experiences by Tropical Narratives


Reading Nook of House of Experiences by Tropical Narratives


Staircase of House of Experiences by Tropical Narratives


Master Bedroom of House of Experiences by Tropical Narratives


The two blocks also develop distinct interior languages. The front block adopts a warmer and more tactile expression through exposed brick, timber, patterned flooring and earthy tones, creating a grounded atmosphere for the grandparents. The rear block takes a more contemporary and refined approach, with cleaner surfaces, stronger contrasts and more dramatic material compositions. This difference is particularly evident in the master suite, where a full-height marble wall conceals the doors to the walk-in wardrobe. The master bathroom introduces further drama through black granite with pronounced white veining, allowing the material itself to become the dominant visual element.

The principal materials include custom-designed country brick cladding, insulated terracotta brick, granite, teak, Spanish clay roof tiles, polished lime-textured walls and concrete jalis. These are combined with shaded verandahs, carefully positioned openings and transitional spaces to improve natural ventilation, daylight and protection from the tropical climate. The construction language balances regional material references with contemporary detailing, allowing the residence to remain rooted in Kerala while developing its own architectural identity.


Bedroom 2 of House of Experiences by Tropical Narratives


Master Toilet of House of Experiences by Tropical Narratives


Courtyard glazed roof of House of Experiences by Tropical Narratives


Dusk light exterior view of House of Experiences by Tropical Narratives


The two blocks also develop distinct interior languages. The front block adopts a warmer and more tactile expression through exposed brick, timber, patterned flooring and earthy tones, creating a grounded atmosphere for the grandparents. The rear block takes a more contemporary and refined approach, with cleaner surfaces, stronger contrasts and more dramatic material compositions. This difference is particularly evident in the master suite, where a full-height marble wall conceals the doors to the walk-in wardrobe. The master bathroom introduces further drama through black granite with pronounced white veining, allowing the material itself to become the dominant visual element.

The principal materials include custom-designed country brick cladding, insulated terracotta brick, granite, teak, Spanish clay roof tiles, polished lime-textured walls and concrete jalis. These are combined with shaded verandahs, carefully positioned openings and transitional spaces to improve natural ventilation, daylight and protection from the tropical climate. The construction language balances regional material references with contemporary detailing, allowing the residence to remain rooted in Kerala while developing its own architectural identity.


Ground Floor Plan of House of Experiences by Tropical Narratives


First Floor Plan of House of Experiences by Tropical Narratives


Sections of House of Experiences by Tropical Narratives




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