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Architecture

2021

Photographer : Akshay A G

Tribin and Anna approached us with a small rectangular plot o 10 cents/404 m²located in Kozhikode,Kerala,India. Being a Navy officer, they wanted a home away from busy city life, open to nature and compact in volume.

The site is a rectangular plot in a terraced layout with approach road on the West and South, a residence on the East and a drop of 6 meters to the North with a panoramic view of Western Ghat mountain ranges. Since the residence on the North was below eye level and owned by the client’s brother, the site naturally opened up towards the Mountain ranges. So the building block was placed towards the south east corner of the plot with parking spaces on west and an open courtyard to north.

The design brief was approached, keeping in mind the extroverted and party loving nature of the couple along with capturing the beautiful views outside. This resulted in an open planning of Living, Dining and Kitchen. The whole living and dining opens up towards Northern courtyard. Two bedrooms were tucked towards East with private gardens abutted by retaining wall. Upper floor is characterized by an open bar and a living area adjacent to a long balcony framing the views from the height. The master bedroom has a standing balcony with the views to northern courtyard and the Western Ghat Mountains.

Responding to tropical warm climatic zone, openings are minimized on South & West to reduce solar heat gain. The building is opened up to East & North for morning light and reflected natural light. Louvered openings are placed in the West to enable airflow in West-East axis along with minimizing heat gain.

The finishes were kept minimal and rustic to bring focus on to the surrounding landscape. Exposed plastering on large volumes add to the brutalist approach. A pattern of polished and river washed Kota stones create a surreal reflection on the floors. Leather details on metal furniture add a sense of comfort to living and bedspaces.