The Koppan Residence by Cognition Design Studio

Nestled in the outer suburbs of Pattambi in Kerala near the busy Shoranur-Pattambi Highway, this 15 year old house was once a structure admired by the locals for its beauty. However, time and negligence in maintaining took the toll and the beauty of this residence faded away into nothingness. The Client approached the Architect with a very clear requirement - Reclaim the lost glory of the house, but this time with a very fresh design approach.

The architects decided to rethink the architecture of the house. The primary aim was to enhance the ambience in and around the house. The first order of business was to change some of the interior layouts to create a more "open plan" walls were broken down and additional spaces were created. But most importantly, lots of openings were created to connect the interiors with the lush exterior landscaping. This ensured that the exterior landscape was visible from almost all the common areas inside the house and that natural light flooded the interiors. Additional areas such as an outside kitchen and an open "Majlis" became interaction spaces for the interior and the exterior.

The exterior appearance of the house was changed radically. Old elements of the house were stripped and replaced with new volumes which were clean and minimal. Interiors compose of minimal yet luxurious elements that suit the client's stature. Wooden finishes adorn most of the interior spaces, highlighted by carefully designed lighting. Some of the interior elements are inspired by elements from Islamic architecture, reflecting the client's deep connection to the gulf countries.

Landscape design has been given prime importance in this project and the architects ensured that the line between interiors and exteriors were blurred. The sprawling landscape around the house is what gives soul to this entire design.