As cities continue to grow and evolve, there is a growing desire to incorporate elements of rural living into urban design. By embracing rural living principles, cities can create more eco-friendly and sustainable spaces. Rural living is not just about wide-open spaces and rolling hills. It’s also about community, sustainability, and a connection to nature. This contemporary tropical house promotes well-being, social connection, and environmental sustainability.
Editor’s Note: “Set in the quiet rhythm of rural Ernakulam, ‘The Linear Loft’ is a soulful interplay of nostalgia and nuance. In every detail, it reclaims the essence of the past through slow mornings, whispered conversations, and sunlit stillness. Here, minimalism has a meaning, and tropical textures breathe life.” ~ Anusha Sridhar
This Contemporary Tropical House Design Captures The Essence Of Rural Charm | Urban Hive
Despite being located in Ernakulam, this home is in a rural city area, far from the chaos. The Linear Loft might be in a rural context, but sure, it isn’t trying to blend in; rather, it stands out, for all good reasons.
Designed by Ar. Ragima Ramachandran of URBAN HIVE, the four-bedroom home is a lesson in clean & minimal design. The design philosophy that runs throughout all our projects is to get the cues and advantages from the site and utilize them to enhance the quality of the space.
The residents were clear with their brief – “Living in a traditional rural house for years, they sought a fresh look while preserving their lifestyle. Due to the longevity of the site, the house is perceived as an entity that embodies linearity in design – “The Linear Loft”.
Walking into the home, one is sure to experience an energizing boost due to with a sudden exposure to greenery inside the house.
Upon entering, one might assume conventionality. In the blink of an eye, you encounter plants and greenery instead of welcomed by a usual living room.
We can all agree to one thing- the house defies norms. Windows, bays, verandas and the great hall capture different scales of the near and distant landscapes.
From audacious abstract elements of traditionality embracing modernity to indoor greenery, surely the sight leaves a lasting impression.
The home embodies maximalist vernacularism with traditional details and accessories against a backdrop of modernist contrast. In simple words, the home takes traditional elements and views them through a modern perspective. It confidently incorporates traditional assets, used them to frame their old memories, grounding to roots.
The remnants from the site were used for crafting accessories like lights, lanterns, teapoy, seats and artworks, enhancing the interior by managing the budget effectively. The most enjoyable part of the design was creating a chandelier out of handrail remains.
The living room, secluded from the entrance at the opposite end of the courtyard, is a perfect blend of informal and formal space. As the crowd gets bigger during gatherings, the courtyard turns out to be an informal seating area, making the space bigger.
The large veranda in the entrance opens wide to a landscape encompassing an informal sitting space for casual chats with the neighbourhood. The semi-transparent plant fence, reminiscent of rural houses, serves as a medium for the residents to see their neighbours fostering casual conversations on the veranda.
The laterite highlight wall divides the living-dining area, being a feature in itself, creating more privacy for the dining yet connected to other spaces.
The living-dining area faces the road- East side of the plot, inviting the morning sun, hides the bed spaces, giving them more privacy. The double heights act as a hot air vent, creating a sense of spaciousness.
‘The tummy needs to be small, ’ they say, and thus it becomes imperative to bring out the best with the small space in terms of design. A small, simple layout embracing a contemporary look. A space that transitions to the dining area as the function demands.
This home is a balanced contrast of textures, color & emotion. A design that is both contemporary yet traditional in its soul.
Fact File
Designed by: Urban Hive
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: The Linear Loft
Location: Karumaloor, Ernakulam, Kerala
Year Built: 2024
Duration of the project: 3 Years
Project Size: 2400 Sq.ft
Project Cost: 74 Lakhs
Principal Architect: Ar. Ragima Ramachandran
Design Credits: Darsana Ajayakumar
Photograph Courtesy: Running Studios
Products / Materials / Vendors: CUBOARD WORKS – URBAN HIVE / FLOORING – CHAITHANYA CURTAINS – ROOT COTTONS / FURNITURE – ROOM GEAR / Furniture – TEAK, PLY with mica laminate for beds / Kitchen – laminated WPC boards / Paint – Asian paints / Cladding – laterite Cladding
Firm’s Instagram Link: Urban Hive
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