Nadhi is a simple home design that questions and reimagines the aspects of habitation and living in simplicity. With a limited budget and limitless possibilities, Nadhi is an exploration of how emotional circuits with humans, spaces and nature could be achieved.
Live like the river flows, carried by the surprises of its own unfolding. Located on a quiet 20 cents of land, surrounded by lush greens of paddy fields is the abode of Mr. Sooryan Nair and his family. The clients wanted a home that reflected their simple ways of living.
Editor’s Note: “Inspired by the traditional Nalukettu style of home in Kerala, this residence is located within lush green fields and a narrow stream flowing nearby. The pitched roof with an internal courtyard and skylight evokes a sense of tranquillity. Inside, a captivating interplay of shades and shadows breathes life into the space, infusing the dwelling with vitality and charm.” ~Simran Khare
Simple Home Design That Reimagines The Aspects Of Habitation | ARK Architecture Studio
The site is located in Venjaramood, Trivandrum, within lush green fields. A narrow stream flows very nearby, which is a delightful sight indeed. Moreover, the design intent was to bring in the peace and tranquility the site offers within the home.
Nadhi is a modern-day adaptation or reimagination of a Nalukettu home in Kerala. The basic zoning of Nadhi is inspired by the concept of a flowing river. A main axis with terracotta flooring runs centrally, connecting the ends of the house like a linear river stream with spaces and areas placed along the banks.
While the sunlight comes in through the skylight and large openings. This narrates the spaces and their stories during the day. The core area of Nadhi is the living-dining-courtyard volume that breathes life into this home.
The designer placed the courtyard as a spill-out space between the living and dining areas. While treating it with the same volume as the rest of the living-dining space.
Without the usual double height volume, the courtyard resembles Nalukettu with very simple and minimal elements of landscape, as well as a highlight wall with a flowing brick pattern depicting the concept.
Different levels of seating areas are provided on the perimeter of the living and dining area facing the courtyard for different kinds of sitting postures, which was in turn a conscious decision so that the inhabitants don’t get confined to the spaces assigned for such activities.
All in all, the impression of Nadhi or the welcoming sight as we enter, is the courtyard with a tangible yet transparent plane separating the sitout and courtyard.
Nadhi is naturally lit during the day with sunlight and moonlit during the night, with light flowing seamlessly throughout the grand overhead opening in the courtyard.
Overall, the residence sits towards the rear end of the site, offering a lot of space outdoors for the family to spend their time. The upper floor bears a long passage naturally lit by the jaali screen, with a reading area overlooking the core space of Nadhi as well as the river.
The designer chose Majenta – yellow color theme, for the interiors to infuse the unique positivity, that the color holds. Majenta stands for harmony and emotional balance while yellow stands for positivity.
The elevation of Nadhi is a simple structure, following the simplicity of this home. The aesthetics of a first image of what a house should look like during our childhood was the key driving factor of the form of Nadhi.
Fact File
Designed by: ARK Architecture Studio
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Nadhi
Location: Venjaramood, Trivandrum, Kerala
Year Built: 2023
Project Size: 2052 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Ar. Rahul Kumar & Ar. Malavika Mahesh
Photograph Courtesy: 148 south
Firm’s Website Link: ARK Architecture Studio
Firm’s Instagram Link: ARK Architecture Studio
Firm’s Facebook Link: ARK Architecture Studio
For Similar Project >>> A Striking Brick House with Hints of Traditional Design and Essence of Reformed Living
Layers don’t just sit here; they breathe, shift, and whisper through light. The Screen, set in the sun-drenched fabric of Solapur, Maharashtra, isn’t trying to scream luxury. It doesn’t need to. It moves quieter than that, more composed, more intentional, like a pause button carved into the chaos of the city. Spread across 4,125 sq. […]
This project is located in Ben Tre, Vietnam, and was completed in 2021. With a total area of 430m2, the project set within concrete vaults includes 3 bedrooms and one living room, each with a view of the nearby river. Concrete Vaults Form The Main Identity Of This Vietnamese Home | VTN Architects The ground […]
We conceive EMA not as a conventional architectural object, but as a living continuum of memory, ecology, and craft. Located in Malappuram, Kerala, the 1,700 sq. ft. residence, designed with thermal comfort draws from vernacular wisdom and the philosophy of the Kaavu—the sacred grove—where humans, nature, and other living beings coexist without hierarchy. Within this […]
Set within the lush landscapes of Bharanikavu in Kollam, Arcade – a single storey residence that blends tropical modern architecture with colonial and traditional elements. Designed for a businessman, his wife (a teacher) and their two daughters, this house showcases a shared interest for elegance rooted in familiarity. This Single Storey Home Sits Amidst Lush […]
Noah’s Ark is a contemporary residence designed as a calm and welcoming home with a clear planning. The client’s brief was to create a home that felt simple, warm, and timeless without becoming overly minimal or impersonal. Noah’s Ark responds by blending clear planning, honest materials, and personal elements, resulting in a house that is […]
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 […]
Nestled within a 30×40 ft plot is the compact house design in Banashankari 6th Stage, Bengaluru. This residence for the Ellappans, reimagines traditional Indian living in a contemporary, spatially dynamic form. Designed for a family of three- Mr. Ellappan, his wife, and their teenage son- the house expresses a deep connection to vernacular roots while […]
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 […]