Tucked upon the lofty hills of Carmel, Hesed, which alludes to kindness, is an contemporary architecture vision located in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India. The vision originated from the owner’s wish to embrace the natural terrain and at the same time offer modern comforts to his joint family. The client’s family consists of 8 members. So, the design was focused on providing enough space for all purposes.
Earthy Sophistication with Whimsical Color Palette redefines Contemporary Architecture | Saleek Ahmed Architecture
Visit: Saleek Ahmed Architecture
Built upon 1213.8 sqm of verdant terrain, this house was placed over an existing plateau in the highest point of the lot, to make best of the views over the hills.
The house is divided into two levels, a double height living room is designed along with a semi open courtyard in the dining area given for a feel of openness and for augmenting natural cross ventilation on all sides.
With an uneven contour, it was a challenge to develop the site without making any major changes to the topography and nature.
Hanging plants suspend a green curtain over the front entrance of the house and protect the main entrance from heat and dust.
A round window in the living room pulls in nature’s beauty into the house. Hesed encompasses the modern fabrications and furnishings needed to maintain a contemporary lifestyle, at the same time keeping in frame the traditional stance in which the family grew up.
Conforming to the natural contours of the terrain, the outside landscaping provides a cool siesta area around a lotus pond. Hesed also promotes a sustainable lifestyle with a dedicated 5KW hybrid solar system, biogas from kitchen waste, cultivation of vegetables and fruits on-site and the reuse of harvested rainwater for sanitary and irrigation using a 30,000-litre capacity of underground tank.
The lower level has three bedrooms, office, living and dining; and the first level has two bedrooms and a reading space. A steel-wood combo staircase and simple wireframe furniture is selected to maintain a sense of lightness.
The open book compartments in aquamarine color with two comfy sofas gives the calm and quiet space for the reading.
The kids room has a built-in bunk bed with cabinets to utilize storage spaces. Leading off from the first-floor bedroom is the balcony ensuring a panoramic view beyond the misty hills.
Natural brick cladding provided on the exterior wall prevents direct sunlight on the wall and thus minimizes heat transfer inside the house. The red brickwork also contrasts with nature’s greenery and gives a rustic living vibe. A sloped roof on top of the concrete slab with louvers in the front and back was constructed for heat reduction. The louvers exhale out the hot air through the air passages.
Natural stones from ‘Kota’ and ‘Kadapa’ have been used in the flooring to provide cooling and slip resistance. The terracotta lattice in the living and dining rooms aid in good cross ventilation, making use of nature’s air, which is so essential in the warm humid tropical context in which the house is located.
Fact File
Designed By: Saleek Ahmed Architecture
Project Type : Residence Architecture Design
Project Name: Hesed
Year Built : 2021
Location: Pathanamthitta, Kerala
Duration of project : 15 Months
Built up : 4300 Sq.ft
Project Cost : 3000/Sq ft
Principal Architect : Saleek Ahmed
Photograph Courtesy : Turtlearts Photography
Products & Materials : Finishes: Rustic & Modern / Wallcovering: Brick, Laterite & Natural Stone / Construction Materials: Solid brick / Lighting: Dtale Décor / Doors and Partitions: Nilambur Teak Wood / Sanitaryware: Grohe, Kohler, Jaquar, Bathx / Facade Systems: Terracotta Vietnam Camp Jallis, Custom Diamond Concrete Jallis / Windows: Lesso EITI uPVC with Saint-Gobain Toughened Glass / Furniture: Nilambur Teak wood & Steel / Flooring: Interior- Kota, Kadapa, Vitrified tiles / Exterior: Tandur Stones & Cobble Stones / Kitchen: Plywood, PVC Mica / Walls: Imported Tiles / Flooring: Mirror polished Kota Stones / Paint: Berger Paints / Artefacts: Custom design by Architect, Instyle Creation The Purple Turtles / Hardware: Local & Imported Tiles / Carpet & Rugs: The Rug Republic / Bedding: D’décor, Instyle Creation
Consultants for the Project
Civil: Platinum Constructions
Landscape Architects: Saleek Ahmed
Structure Engineers: Platinum Constructions
Contractors: Platinum Constructions
Project Managers: Niyas M
Firm’s Website Link : Saleek Ahmed Architecture
Firm’s Instagram Link : Saleek Ahmed Architecture
Firm’s Facebook Link : Saleek Ahmed Architecture
For Similar Project>>Impactful Context and Dominance of Contemporary Architecture
Paati-veedu in the Tamil language means grandmother’s home. The client wanted a traditional courtyard house after having lived in a multilevel home with limited light, ventilation, and disjointed spaces. The site is on a 40×60 ft (2400 sq. ft.) property with the north side facing the street. Editor’s Note: “Rooted in nostalgia yet modern in […]
Coloured glass is incorporated into the east facing elevation of the house with a plan designed to interact beautifully with morning sunlight. As the sun rises, light filters through the coloured glass, casting vibrant, colourful rays throughout the interior and creating a dynamic, uplifting atmosphere. Each piece transforms into a radiant, gem-like feature when struck […]
Tiles for walls are more than just practical elements of your home interiors—they are design statements that bring both beauty and functionality to your spaces. Have you ever wondered how a simple change in wall tiles can transform an entire room? With endless options in materials, textures, and designs, tiles can enhance any room, from […]
The vision for this Kerala traditional house project was to provide the client with luxurious space and finishes. The client wanted a fusion of traditional elements with all the functionalities of a modern house that can accommodate their extended family members too. Elements of traditional Kerala architecture like the shaded veranda and the multi-levelled sloping […]
The Punjab home design is an oasis of solitude, where the structure itself turns inward, embracing the idea of seclusion. Strategic use of barriers like landscaping, walls, and enclosed courtyards ensures privacy without sacrificing the connection to the natural environment. Large windows and skylights are utilized selectively, allowing for natural light to flood into the […]
Ar. Sahiba Madan, founder of Insitu and KalakaariHaath, shares her journey that goes beyond trends, to timeless design. Her inspiration from Indian culture, art, and artists is reflected throughout her journey. After pursuing architecture as a core, Sahiba established her home decor and furnishing and an interior design studio in 2014 and 2018 respectively. She […]
Given a marble’s beauty and timelessness, the variety and types of marble are extensive and boundless in the modern world. Different types exhibit different colors, patterns, and textures based on their origin. That being said, selecting the right type and variety that suits your space is crucial to justify the beauty of marble. Regardless of […]
Marble bathroom designs transform your bathroom interiors to a great extent, considering marble’s purity, shine, and grace. With bold veining, rich texture, and different colorations, marble can transform an ordinary bathroom into a different level of refined relaxation. From sleek, minimalistic designs to strong statement pieces, marble suits your styles, rendered to be equally complimentary […]
The east facing house is part of a dense residential neighbourhood in Udaipur. The client brief required us to design a multiple-generation home with multiple purposes. The architecture intent was to carve out volumes and intersperse the client’s requirements with spatial voids, gardens, and terraces. This House Facing East is in a Dense Residential Neighborhood […]
When you walk into a room, what’s the first thing you notice in the interiors? The furniture, the walls, or the ceiling? Often overlooked, the ceiling plays a significant role in defining the ambiance of a room. If you’re looking to add some flair, sophistication, or a modern touch to your living room, false ceiling […]