The House Flaunts Vernacular Style With Eco-Friendly Aspects | Studio 3twentyone
The design Intent:
Navapatra was a vision to revamp an existing house to amalgamate the quality outdoor space with the life indoors. Enveloped in the tropical greens, the house flaunts vernacular style with cutting edge eco-friendly aspects. Adhering to the principles of sustainable architecture, we followed a realistic and pragmatic design approach in retaining the existing structural and spatial core.
Visit: Studio 3twentyone
The extensions were carefully crafted so that it merged naturally with the original structure and it formed an integral part of the edifice. It is designed to allow filtered views enriched with the foliage across the house, further pushing the barriers of indoors and outdoors. Reflecting the essence of Kerala Vernacular Architecture, the courtyard improves the lighting and air quality of the rooms around it like that in a “Nalukettu”.
The patio extends into the flora around holding delightful sights. Conscious use of tones and textures of teak wood and greenery against the white plastered backdrop, which is enriched with the use of warm lights creating an enchanting indoor experience. The existing contours are complemented with the terraced landscaping without compromising on the dramatic natural setting. The abode wrapped and nourished in the scenery makes the picturesque house, just like a new leaf!
The challenges (while designing):
We were asked to reinterpret the existing 25 years old home situated atop the contour terrains of Kottayam. Amidst the tropical greens, the original built form with strong Kerala vernacular characters was sited. We decided to incorporate new life into the existing structure, retaining most of the structural core instead of demolishing it.
On the exteriors, natural contoured terrain was retained but was seldom used. So we made the existing contour lines advantageous to terraced landscapes. The landscape profile was made bold to highlight using warm lighting and natural stones that were inherited from the old house.
The courtyard was placed in the core of the house, with few enclosures. This was modified to enhance the natural illumination in the indoors by increasing the perforations.
Kitchen block, the outdoor bar and the toilets were added to the original structure maintaining the design language so as to blend with the existing house. Furthermore the spaces were reworked to increase the area and workability within the original periphery. The Fig tree on the south side was found a huge opportunity to capture the view of the foliage and drove us to create the cantilevered open bar extension. This space provides a well-lit and ventilated space meanwhile shaded from south to avoid the solar radiations, making it usable round the clock hours!
The stunning indoor landscaping enriched with the warm lights helped with the serene ambience. To keep up the Vernacular style with all the modern-day amenities, without making the blend of the 2 styles contradicting. Reusing spaces to ensure better daylighting and natural ventilation and reducing the load on the energy consumption.
The material palette: Stone, Teak, greenery and white plaster
FACT FILE:
Architecture Firm: Studio 3twentyone
Project Name: Navapatra ~ the new leaf
Client: Sajan Varghese, Mangalam Media
Category: Residential
Location: Kottayam
Floor area: 4800 sqft
Project Completion: June 2020
Principal Architects: Ar. Anupa Kurian
Design Team: Ar. Elizabeth Eapen, Ar. Ashwika George
Photo courtesy: Ar. Prashanth Mohan (Running studios)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studio.3twentyone/
Brick houses have been a cornerstone of architecture for centuries, celebrated for their durability, aesthetic versatility, and timeless appeal. In modern design, architects continue to explore innovative ways to incorporate brick into residential spaces, blending traditional materials with contemporary needs. While the design of each brick house is unique, there are several ways to incorporate […]
Nestled in the serene embrace of a quiet residential colony, Charcoal Charm stands as a testament to modern architecture home innovation, seamlessly blending with its surroundings. Designed for a prominent businessman’s family, this 4BHK residence not only caters to the family’s need for privacy and comfort but also provides a rejuvenating retreat from the bustling […]
Plants for home garden, apart from making houses look more beautiful and inviting, add health and calmness to them. Having any kind of indoor plant, a herb plant or a flowering plant adds some value to your decor and the quality of the space. Always choose plants that will flourish in your space and climate. […]
The initial impression of this contemporary residence design is one of striking visual interplay, where bold architectural gestures redefine conventional aesthetics. A diagonally laid brick veil, its textured surface meticulously arranged to capture the shifting light throughout the day, becomes a dynamic façade element, casting ever-changing shadows that animate the exterior. Editor’s Note: “The yellow […]
Namana is an east-facing home situated on a compact 60’x50’ plot beside a serene vineyard. Designed for a family of three, the single-story residence emphasizes spatial fluidity, natural illumination, and a tactile material palette that evokes warmth and simplicity. Editor’s Note: “Namana, a quiet dialogue between light, material, and space, is a home that listens […]
“We want a modern oasis to retire to with our little boys on the weekends” was a brief given to us by our clients who are busy medical professionals with a very hectic life in the city. Inspired by the essence of prairie-style homes, the couple wished to cherish and recreate their favourite moments from […]
AADHYA is a thoughtfully designed three-bedroom home for a family of three, blending introverted and extroverted spaces in harmony. This modern tropical house design goes beyond mere functionality to become a sanctuary where design elements tell personal stories. With reclaimed terracotta roofing, exposed cement, and brick walls, the residence fosters a tactile connection to its […]
Nestled between the bustling residential and industrial edges of Bengaluru, Ihita stands as a bold architectural statement, embodying a harmonious blend of traditional Indian house design and modernity. The home challenges conventional urban residential design by prioritizing openness, natural light, and a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Through the strategic use of large […]
Architecture is a field that is wider than the construction of a single building; it represents culture, history, and human aspirations. From the ancient wonderlands of Bhutan to contemporary ones like Morphogenesis, architecture narrates tales of innovation, perseverance, and change. Whether you are a practicing architect, a student, or an enthusiast in quest of inspiration, […]
This rustic farmhouse for a family aims at re-defining tradition to blend in modern thought. Make it contemporary but traditional, was a brief given to the Architect by the client to redesign and build a century-old farmhouse sprawling across 3500 square feet on a 3-acre site in Morbe, Panvel. Editor’s Note: The redesigning of this […]