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)
For Similar Projects >> A Mumbai Apartment that Aims to Create a Visually Stunning and Inviting Space
Editor’s Note: Some places feel rooted because they belong to their surroundings rather than trying to stand apart from them. Coffee Sangam in Andhra Pradesh takes this approach through a raw, tactile palette of brick, stone, teak, and mild steel. The random rubble compound wall extends the landscape into the architecture, while the Corten steel […]
Envisioned as a contemporary home rooted in Indian sensibilities, this residence sits on a south-facing urban plot. The design accommodates the evolving lifestyle of a multi-generational family. The project integrates architecture and interiors to create functional, climate-responsive, and emotionally connected spaces. Each level balances privacy with interaction. The design also allows flexibility for changing family […]
Editorial Note: Some homes are shaped by the memories, objects, and stories their residents carry with them. Ungana in Chennai, meaning “merge” in Swahili, brings together a well-travelled family’s collection of antiques and everyday rituals within a narrow urban plot. A double-height living space becomes the heart of the home, connecting the kitchen and dining […]
House of the Framed Atrium explores how a contemporary home can revolve around light, connection, and shared experiences. The design follows the ideas of a Living Atrium, Living with Nature, Framed Volumes, Vertical Living, and Timeless Materiality. The residence connects a sequence of interconnected spaces around a dramatic triple-height atrium. The atrium forms the heart […]
A Mock-up That Became a Home – For an architecture practice, a mock-up often helps test an idea before the team translates it into a larger project. It allows architects to work at full scale, examine materials and construction techniques, and understand their limitations. The process also gives them room to test different brick bonds and […]
The house began not with a formal brief, but with a conversation about the kind of life the clients hoped to build within it. Set between the denser urban fabric of Kannur and the quieter residential landscapes of North Kerala, the project responds to a desire for openness and connection. At the same time, the […]
“Pravah” — A House That Breathes is envisioned as the main concept of this home revolves around a fluid, light-filled home where architecture becomes a continuous experience of movement, air, and connection. Located in Pal Gamtal, Surat, the project is a residential redevelopment on a 1,850 sq.ft. plot within a dense urban fabric. The site, […]
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 […]