Set against the lush backdrop of Kerala’s greenery, On the Brooks stands out with its linear form and rustic brick facade. The single-story house for three located in Kochi is an amalgamation of the traditional and contemporary with upcycling vernacular materials. The design intent deals with the creation of meaningful experiences within the home.
An Amalgamation Of The Traditional And Contemporary With Upcycling Vernacular Materials | Monsoon Collective
Visit: Monsoon Collective
Concept: The design is based on the concept of a flowing brook, with water channels flowing around and through the building, and the rhythmic movement of the water being expressed in the form. The water flowing through these channels during the monsoon coupled with the vistas created within the space aids in the creation of a multi-sensory experience within the home.
Design Philosophy: The design involves a reinterpretation of traditional Kerala architecture. Modernization of these traditional elements to translate to a more contemporary style goes hand in hand with retaining the value of these spaces as per vastu principles. One such example is the entrance doorway set in a protruding concrete enclosure that is reminiscent of the traditional “padippura” doorway in its imposing scale and meaning. Courtyards and verandahs, a prominent part of Kerala’s vernacular architecture are vital to creating harmonious living spaces in the house. The plan involves the creation of elongated visual corridors, highlighted by the water channels leading toward the courtyard. The courtyard, the terminal of this visual axis is a semi-open garden, enclosed by patterned brick walls with rhythmic voids complimenting the flow of water through the channels. The “thinnai”, a transitional and social space in the region’s older homes, has been transformed into a deck adjoining the space.
Materiality: The building utilizes locally sourced brick, accented by concrete, steel, cane, and glass. The car porch, with its canopy made of locally sourced hand-cut cane reeds arranged in a geometric pattern within a steel frame, is a step towards upcycling a material that is often overlooked. Brick, another locally sourced material is used in the sinuous focus wall, made of combining semi-circular arches, that emulate the flow of water in a brook. The curves juxtapose the linear character of the form. The entire structure is capped by a concrete parasol roof that seems to float over the wall, an illusion created by the provision of slit windows right beneath it.
Sustainability: The protruding angular profile of the parasol roof aids its functionality as a rainwater catchment zone. The rainwater is then directed to the channels running around and into the interiors of the house, finally leading to the courtyard. The water is then discharged into the orchard beyond the house for irrigation purposes.
Though the creation of a well-crafted home is primary, the project strives to create a harmonious collection of spaces that are well-integrated with the context and climate. The house, crafted with humbleness aims to communicate with the common man, with its emphasis on creating sufficient, affordable spaces. Thus, On the Brooks with its refined details reaffirms the value of simplicity in architecture.
Fact File
Designed by: Monsoon Collective
Project Size: 2900 Sq.ft
Built Year: 2022
Location: Angamaly, Kerala
Photograph Courtesy: K. Midhul
Principal Architects: Manoj Madhu, Rafi Shakeer, Dona Jenn George, Anupama B, Afrosa Kamal
Products & Materials: Hybec, Kohler, Schneider
Consultants of the project:
Structural Design: Triangle Design Studio
Construction: Notion Roots
Furniture: Malhar Spaces
Interior Design: Anjali. A.S
Metal Fabrication: Elements Fab
Source: ArchDaily
Firm’s Website Link: Monsoon Collective
Firm’s Instagram Link: Monsoon Collective
For Similar project>>> Renovating This Ancestral Home Resulted In A Beautiful And Meaningful Space
The site is located in Ahilyanagar town of Maharashtra, with a design brief of 7,000 sq feet, while the house had to be designed for the hot and dry climate, which responds carefully to extreme temperatures, intense sunlight, and low humidity. The design focuses on reducing heat gain, improving natural ventilation, and creating comfortable indoor spaces with […]
“Pravah” — A House That Breathes is envisioned as the main concept of this home revolves around a fluid, light-filled home where architecture becomes a continuous experience of movement, air, and connection. Located in Pal Gamtal, Surat, the project is a residential redevelopment on a 1,850 sq.ft. plot within a dense urban fabric. The site, […]
SapanoUday is a contemporary residence that balances material rawness with layered textures and crafted detail, aligning modern living with cultural and spatial sensibilities. Designed by Hundreddesigns, the home responds closely to the client’s routines and artistic inclinations while thoughtfully integrating Vastu principles. HundredDesigns The designers defined the architecture through a minimal palette, using exposed concrete […]
KRIPA is a residence that reflects the personality and lifestyle of its homeowner — calm, open, and rooted in nature. The project focuses on creating light-filled, green spaces with minimal private zones, encouraging openness and connection. In a time when spaces are shrinking but expectations are rising, architecture becomes the medium to bridge this gap […]
The Sculpted Sanctuary is a masterclass in modern minimalist design. The project focuses on “Quiet Luxury”. It is the idea that a space doesn’t need bright colors or flashy decor to feel expensive. Instead, it uses raw natural materials, rich textures, and sharp architectural lines. This Home Is A Masterclass In Modern Minimalist Design | […]
SIDHARTHA, is a four-bedroom modern house which is functional and aesthetic driven by the specific needs of the client. The location of the site is in a dense neighbourhood in Bengaluru, India. The contemporary urban dwelling frequently negotiates competing demands. It balances generous daylight and visual connection to the street with privacy, dust control, and […]
Located in HMT Layout, Bangalore, Isha_Srinidhi Nilaya stands as a multi-generational home designed on a compact 60×40 ft (2400 sq. ft) East facing plot, with a total built-up area of 8000 sq. ft. East Facing a lush public park, the residence responds to its urban setting through a layered design that balances privacy with a […]
Timeless architectural features, such as courtyards, are always associated with bringing the naturally public forms to the world’s heart, building the most peaceful, secluded outdoor areas. These outdoor spaces maximize the living experience with their private space feature, which gives one the option for leisurely relaxation, recreation, or gardening. Furthermore, it has also been a […]
The Indian farmhouse accommodation goes on to capitalize on a mature evolutionary synthesis of ancestral aesthetics and contemporary features. With this, the outside and the inside of farmhouses became places of comfort with nature. In this blog, we delve into 15 incredible farmhouse designs that entail a harmonious blending. While they exhibit different spaces in […]
Plants for home garden, apart from making houses look more beautiful and inviting, add health and calmness to them. Having any kind of indoor plant, a herb plant or a flowering plant adds some value to your decor and the quality of the space. Always choose plants that will flourish in your space and climate. […]