Editor’s Note: Urvi, the house of grounded ideals shows us the durability and effective spell earthy materials can have on us. The team of Niya Ann Sharon Architects has conspired spaces that rejoice in their own world while making the occupants feel a dire part of it. The tropical drape of plants, natural materials, and colors has an indigenous spark that is quite unbeatable. ~ Nishal Sevak(Co-Editor)
The house is approached through a grey limestone-laid front yard. The gate and latticed compound wall are designed to allow light and wind in. They offer almost complete visibility toward the outside while offering privacy. Urvi, a tropical home is made of local materials and fluidic spaces with lush landscapes adorning the parking area on either side. This continues into a landscaped court. The main door transitions into a semi-open living space overlooking the landscaped court. The flooring in this area almost seems like a fluid perpetuation of the outdoor limestone.
Urvi, a Tropical Home is Made of Local Materials and Fluidic Spaces with Lush Landscapes | Niya Ann Sharon Architects
Visit: Niya Ann Sharon Architects
The living area is separated from the other areas of the house with a folding door. The dining area has large windows on one end and a staircase on the other. Air from the windows is drawn into the house and moves out through the jaalis in the stairwell.
The Jaali screen not only adorns the facade but is in a central position; it aids in adequate cross ventilation and keeps the inside lit naturally. Ventilation efficiency is maximized by strategically positioning the vertical jaali wall and a landscaped garden buffer on the opposite side.
The orientation of each jaali block of the porous wall also provides shade and prevents rainwater from entering.
The wash area wall is clad with laterite. The art in this area complements the earthen hues of the room. A simple material palette was adopted, and the colors and textures of the surfaces blended into each other. The ground floor also accommodates one bedroom and a kitchen.
The ceiling is left with the crude finish of cement plastering. The cement board shutters of the wardrobe and cabinet shutters also brace this raw grey texture.
The first floor includes the common study and library space, two bedrooms, and an open terrace. The open terrace is designed as a leisure space for the family. It is semi-open and enclosed within the lattice walls of the facade and offers privacy, just like the main gate.
The outside of the eastern wall is covered with vernonia creepers that cascade down from the terrace area. The terrace area is also covered with bamboo curtains for privacy. Thus, the entire façade is a collage of materials that not only serves different functions but also, when combined, gives life to the name ‘Urvi.’
Fact File
Designed by: Niya Ann Sharon Architects
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Urvi
Location: Trivandrum, Kerala
Year Built: 2020
Duration of the project: 1 Year 6 Months
Plot Area: 3.6 Cents
Project Area: 1300 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Ar. Niya Ann Sharon
Photograph Courtesy: Tims Jose Kunnath
Artists: Ashik Purushotham & Abhijith M Janardhanan
Products / Materials / Vendors: Wallcovering / Cladding – Laterite, Kotta Stone / Doors and Partitions – Teak wood / Facade Systems – Nuvocotto Terracotta Jaali / Windows – Aluminium / Furniture – Refurbished wood / Flooring – Kotta Stone / Kitchen – Wood, Cement board, Granite.
Firm’s Instagram Link: Niya Ann Sharon Architects
Firm’s Facebook Link: Niya Ann Sharon Architects
For Similar Project >>> An Impressive 6800 sqm. Bungalow is the Definition of Blurring Boundaries Between Indoor and Outdoor Expanses
Conceived as a dialogue between architecture and landscape in Alibag, CASAVIVA transforms the house into a sequence of spaces where nature becomes an integral part of everyday life. This Home In Alibag Is Conceived As A Dialogue Between Architecture & Landscape | SHROFFLEoN Design Brief Designed for a family seeking a calm and timeless residence, […]
Some homes begin with a drawing, and The Saffron Verandah began with an orchard. In the mango-growing landscapes of Shoolagiri, a quiet hamlet in northern Tamil Nadu, the land has settled into its own rhythm over generations. Rows of mature mango trees stretch across nearly three-quarters of an acre, their broad canopies tempering the southern […]
The house is conceived as a metaphor for the valley it inhabits. The design borrows the language of a bustling street skyline, stretching the home along a corner site so it frames the valley and its lake. Three linear bays, offset vertically and linked by corridors, open the plan to filtered western light and cross […]
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, […]
Editor’s Note: There’s a quiet clarity in homes that are shaped by real, everyday needs. Alcove feels like a thoughtful response to just that, balancing openness with comfort in a setting rooted in tradition. Moving away from a dense, older home, this residence embraces light, air, and simplicity while still holding on to its Kerala […]
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 […]
Architecture font choices go beyond style—they shape how your work is perceived. From portfolios to presentations, the right architecture font instantly communicates clarity, precision, and personality. As architects, we design not just with space but with every detail, including typography. Selecting a strong architecture font shows your commitment to visual storytelling and design consistency. In […]
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. […]