House Pamoja emerged from an observation rather than a conventional brief: a family had outgrown the home they inhabited – not simply in area, but in its ability to accommodate changing patterns of living. Designed for a three-generation family in Muhamma, Kerala, the project reconsiders domestic life through spatial continuity, sectional generosity, and everyday interaction. Rather than expanding the footprint alone, the design creates spaces that strengthen connections between generations while preserving individual privacy.
Project 51 A (h)
The house occupies a 15-cent site near the edge of Vembanad Lake, lying below road level and susceptible to seasonal waterlogging. These conditions, together with the site’s soil characteristics, informed both the structural strategy and the spatial organization of the house. Instead of resisting the landscape, the architecture evolves from it.
Arrival is from the east through a foyer screened by a perforated jaali wall. Rather than forming a solid barrier, the screen filters the threshold, maintaining privacy while admitting daylight and natural ventilation. Beyond it, a double-height central spine extends through the living room to the staircase, becoming the social and environmental heart of the house.
This shared volume organizes movement, establishes visual continuity between floors, and draws light and air deep into the plan. A north-facing courtyard adjoining the living room reinforces this central space, introducing diffused daylight and promoting cross-ventilation.
The plan is organized around this spine, with bedrooms arranged along one edge and the living, dining, and kitchen spaces along the other. This arrangement encourages interaction while maintaining a clear distinction between communal and private domains. Alongside the formal entrance, a secondary entrance adjacent to the dining and kitchen serves as the family’s everyday point of access, responding naturally to daily routines.
Section became the primary architectural tool in shaping the experience of the house. Floor-to-floor heights extend to eleven feet, while eight-foot doors enhance the sense of openness. The foyer and living room occupy a continuous double-height volume that immediately expands the perception of space upon entry.
Above, a bridge spans the void, connecting the bedrooms while maintaining visual continuity with the shared spaces below. Each bedroom is defined by a sixteen-foot vaulted ceiling, establishing its own spatial identity. Rather than repeating uniform proportions, every room was proportioned according to its function, creating a sequence of spaces varied in scale, light, and character.
Finished in a restrained Milan Red, the house settles quietly into its surroundings. The resulting architecture balances shared living with individual privacy, creating a home that can evolve with its occupants while giving spatial expression to the idea of Pamoja—together.
Fact File
Designed by: Project 51 A (h)
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Pamoja House
Location: Kerala
Year Built: 2024
Built-up Area: 288 sqft
Manufacturers: Orientbell , Trojan
Principal Architects: Ar. Nandagopal B & Ar. Shrilakshmi K
Photograph Courtesy: Prasoon Suresh
Design Team: Anil Prasad Leela
Engineering & Consulting > Civil: Skeltek
Source: Archdaily
Firm’s Instagram Link: Project 51 A (h)
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