Brick House Draws Inspiration From Traditional Kerala Architecture | Kamat & Rozario Architecture
Text description provided by the architects. The design developed from the client’s brief, which was to have a modern house inspired by the family’s roots in Kerala, India.
We looked towards traditional palace construction of Kerala for inspiration.
We noticed a few key features that most of these structures portrayed, such as – the verandah that wrapped the living spaces all around, the appearance of a heavy masonry base on the ground floor, with thick arches and carved columns and a first floor which appeared to be lighter in terms of materials and overall treatment.
This became the inspiration for the front façade of the building. Carved columns, which are a prominent element of traditional Kerala architecture, were adopted but with a contemporary twist.
We fashioned them using a metal sheet, cut out to match the silhouette of a traditional column and placed as a cross.
These columns frame the front of the house and sit on a large continuous overhanging balcony. The overhang in the front not only protects the south façade but also allows for ample cross ventilation. The planning has been kept simple.
The open and continuous public and semi-public spaces are on the ground floor along with the guest bedrooms. Individual private spaces for the couple and their children, along with a separate family area are on the first floor.
The main exercise of designing the plan as an outward-looking structure was to take full advantage of views. The front opens up to a quiet street and the rear of a park.
A centrally located skylight over the staircase allows a mild draft of air by ventilating it at the upper level aiding the movement of air.
The two sides of the building show the strong presence of exposed brick masonry.
The earthy terracotta colour makes a direct reference to the materiality of Kerala architecture and stands in sharp contrast to the light metal balconies pushing through in the front and rear. Openings in the masonry are kept minimal in order to accentuate the openness in the front and rear.
The undulating brick masonry is a playful interpretation of a Mangalore tiled roof surface – another element seen extensively in Kerala.
The masonry swells out to allow for openings and is constructed using the Flemish bond. As the brick gradually corbels outwards, its negative imprint is seen on the inner side – almost as an acknowledgement of the drama outside!
The use of materials for the interiors was also inspired by those seen in a traditional Kerala home.
The combination of cane screens with teak wood is an attempt to add that element of nostalgia to an otherwise minimal interior.
The continuous, almost monolithic granite floor helps further accentuate the open ground floor plan. The house is powered by solar panels placed on the roof of the structure.
Architects : Kamat & Rozario Architecture
Location : Bengaluru, India
Design Team : Smruti Kamat-Rozario, Lester Rozario, Divya Joseph
Area : 3650.0 ft2
Photographs : Niveditaa Gupta & Lester Rozario
Project Architect : Divya Joseph
Cost : 15 million INR
source : archdaily
The site of this south east facing house is next to an old house of the client’s parents. There are few farmlands and plenty of trees – neem and tamarind trees, surrounding the site area. This South East Facing House Is Next To An Old House Of The Client’s Parents | RP Architects Design Strategy […]
Ar. Anup Murdia and Ar. Sandeep Jain, the founders of Design Inc. share their journey of embarking architecture with the passion for understanding spaces. Design Inc. is an architectural firm situated in Udaipur, founded by Ar. Anup Murdia and Ar. Sandeep Jain in 2011. The firm believes in creating spaces with overall understanding of certainties […]
Ameer Residence is a visionary architectural endeavour melding the elegance of contemporary kerala house design with minimalistic approach and vernacular. With contemporary architecture’s use of large glass facades and skylights, this project redefines the contemporary Kerala house. It infuses with vernacular sophistication and a sense of openness. Situated amidst Kerala’s lush landscape, this glass house […]
An earthen house on a forestry farm in Coimbatore for a client committed to feasible living represents a harmonious marriage of environmental awareness and conventional craftsmanship. An Earthen House On A Forestry Farm In Coimbatore | Bhutha Earthen Architecture Studio The design of this earthen house prioritizes constructing a symmetrical living space that encourages interaction […]
Nestled in the picturesque Rajliya Village, this neoclassical house design in Rajasthan epitomises opulence and functionality. It is located away from the busy city and in the scenic embrace of the beautiful Aravalis and Khejri trees. Additionally, the panoramic sunset from the large open terraces imbues the area with a serene vibe. This Neoclassical House […]
This 7000 square feet house has a fusion style of traditional Kerala architecture with contemporary sustainability principles. Thannal, a stunning architectural marvel crafted by Montimers Architects And Interior Designers, Kochi, Bangalore, stands proudly in the bustling heart of Bangalore city. It creates a harmonious abode that seamlessly blends tradition with modernity. “Thannal” is a Malayalam […]
There are a lot of challenges that one faces while designing the interior of the house. One of which is giving the right choice of the types of ceilings. While looking out for the theme a house sets, the elements through which the theme is directed are also important. One such important element of the […]
The home in Surat stands as a testament to minimal intervention and contemporary design as per the client’s vision, harmonizing architectural and interior elements to craft a serene living space. Nestled on a corner plot, the “Nilkanth” project spans 1400 square feet, its facade meeting the road on one side and embraced by lush greenery […]
The interior of this luxurious 5 Bedroom House is a testament to impeccable design, attention to detail, and an unwavering commitment to luxury living. The design of each space pivots around the purpose of its end use and has been carefully curated after exploring material and design alternatives. A home is not made by the […]
Stilt floor, staggered cutouts and skylights are highlights of this home called the Slender House. It is a private residential project designed for a family of five. The home nestles within a small and slender site measuring 6 meters by 18 meters. The vision for this home was to create a space that not only […]