Malhar is a weekend home set amidst a lush 6-acre farmland in Payyannur, Kannur, North Kerala. Designed as a retreat for Anoop and Swapna, the residence, with its L-shaped home design, embodies their deep-rooted love for music and agriculture. Initially planned as a weekend home, Malhar will eventually transition into their permanent residence once they return from Bangalore. The house is envisioned as a welcoming space for guests and friends who share a passion for music, nature, and folk arts.
Editor’s Note: “Malhar completely emerges from the red earth, a place where built and unbuilt compose a living. This L-shaped nest sings the quietest music of all, those of life, of footsteps on laterite, of the rain on tiles, of laughter carried in the air by wind. Every wall and void echoes of stillness, of seasons, and soul, where nature and nostalgia meet.” ~ Anusha Sridhar
This L-shaped Home Design Is A Blend Of Retreat Tradition And Melody | Deearth Architects
The site is rich with Arecanut trees and features a seasonal canal running through its centre, with the terrain sloping towards it from all sides.
Only a quarter of the total land was designated for development, ensuring minimal disturbance to the natural landscape.
The design responds to the owners’ desire to live amidst lush greenery, where they can enjoy the rhythm of rain and the sounds of music in harmony with nature.
Payyannur’s tropical wet climate, characterized by heavy monsoons, high humidity, and dry summers, necessitated a climate-responsive architectural approach.
The home is designed to maximize cross-ventilation and natural cooling, reducing dependence on artificial climate control.
The roof, walls, windows, and overhangs actively shape a comfortable indoor environment through their carefully considered structure. The sloping Mangalore-pattern tile roof complements the topography while allowing for effective rainwater drainage.
The design creates a multisensory spatial experience, guiding visitors through thresholds, across varying levels, and along a rich material palette. The house follows the natural contours of the site, rising organically from the land as if it belongs there.
Exposed laterite walls, crafted from locally sourced stone, seamlessly connect built and unbuilt spaces. A carefully choreographed journey leads visitors through a series of laterite steps and green pockets, enhancing the tactile experience of movement through the site.
The entrance foyer and sit-out act as a visual frame, capturing the surrounding landscape. The design of the transition into the home evokes a sense of wonder and blurs the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces.
The foyer opens to a large courtyard, an infinity pool, and a music gazebo set against the backdrop of Arecanut trees.
The home’s L-shaped layout ensures openness, allowing light and ventilation to flow uninterrupted while maintaining strong visual connections to the landscape.
The minimal use of concrete makes the structure appear light and grounded, reinforcing its organic connection to the site. Steel lintels and roofing with Mangalore tiles ensure structural efficiency while maintaining a delicate aesthetic.
Grey tones dominate the material palette, while Kota stone creates a calm, neutral backdrop that lets the changing seasons, music, and human presence animate the space.
Malhar is not just a home; it is an evolving dialogue between architecture, music, and nature, an invitation to experience life through the rhythm of the environment.
Fact File
Designed by: Deearth Architects
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Malhar Weekend Home
Location: Kannur, North Kerala
Year Built: 2023
Built Up Area: 4391.68 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Ar. Vivek PP & Ar. Nishan M.
Design Team: Sakshi, Jamsheed, Naveen
Photograph Courtesy: Yadu Pradeep
Engineering & Consulting > Structural: T Dac Structural
Lighting: Kiara Lighting
Engineering & Consulting > Other: Kiara Lighting
Source: ArchDaily
Firm’s Website Link: Deearth Architects
Firm’s Instagram Link: Deearth Architects
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