Editor’s Note: Nothing speaks serenity like residing in a home that is very proud of its origin and doesn’t shy away from showing it. ‘Hridayam’ showcases its unique charisma and is woven with traditional values and practices. The curved yellow pop is a pleasant greeting while incorporating elements that justify its name, roughly translating as ‘the heart.’ ~ Nishal Sevak(Co-Editor)
Located on the outskirts of Thrissur, Hridayam is a 2200-sq.ft. residence nestled among the trees immersed in the traditionally southern practices. The house has been designed keeping in mind the client’s need for a calm and tranquil dwelling, while fusing traditional Kerala architecture style with contemporary elements.
A 2200-sq.ft. Residence Nestled Among the Trees Immersed in the Traditionally Southern Practices | Naked Volume Architecture Studio
Visit: Naked Volume Architecture Studio
The Site
The site, which is linear in shape, was initially accessed from the east through a pocket road. A local road shares the southern boundary of the site. On the southern side of the site is a residential building. Two mature trees that are located along the western perimeter of the site and offer shade are preserved.
A well sits right in the middle of the plot. The site is completely surrounded by fully grown trees in the nearby plots, providing plenty of shade. Boundary walls surround and protect the perimeter on all four sides.
Landscape transformation
By moving the access towards the south, the approach is directed towards Hridayam. Utilizing the area of the initial access, a car porch is made. The site’s main trees were all preserved. Between the old residential structure and Hridayam, there is a lawn.
Planning
One enters the house through the patio towards the largest space in the house. a double-height combination living and dining room, with a staircase connecting to the first floor. This huge hall is flanked by two courtyards on the east and west.
From here, one can enter the open kitchen, which is only separated by a breakfast counter and two bedrooms. The setback space is utilised to shape the western courtyard. enveloping the well, the eastern courtyard sits between the kitchen, the living, and the patio.
The stairways lead to a linear corridor on the first floor, which provides seatable fenestrations on one end. The other end leads to two other bedrooms. The corridor also provides access to a foyer.
Design
Built along contemporary lines while also staying rooted in traditional Kerala architecture, Hridayam showcases the best of both. The house features a patio and a courtyard that are reminiscent of the verandahs and nadumuttam, prominent features of yesteryear’s naalukettu system.
The windows, staircase, and furniture all prominently showcase wood, a celebrated element in the interior design, also inspired by Kerala architecture. Other attributes include a pitched roof laid with terracotta tiles, ideal for tropical climates. But the traditional wooden trusses have been replaced with steel, to decrease expenses and maintenance costs.
The house was designed to reduce heat gain and provide natural air conditioning. The larger rooms and semi open spaces along the south, and bedrooms placed in the north helps achieve passive cooling. The architects preserved the trees in the site to utilize their shade with strategically placed fenestrations, shielded by their canopy, allowing ample light to be filtered through.
The house has contemporary bits such as the integrated living, dining, and kitchen spaces, the double-height spatial attribute, and bay windows. The architect has striven to establish a seamless connection with the surrounding landscape. The emphasis on open spaces and the integration of existing trees into the courtyard all serve to incorporate nature into the design.
Fact File
Designed by: Naked Volume Architecture Studio
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Hridayam
Location: Thrissur, Kerala
Year Built: 2022
Duration of the project: 1.5 Years
Plot Area: 3487 Sq.ft
Built-Up Area: 2200 Sq.ft
Project Cost: 70 Lakhs
Principal Architect: Ar. Arjun Joshy
Photograph Courtesy: Abhimanyu K V
Firm’s Instagram Link: Naked Volume Architecture Studio
For Similar Project >>> A Striking Brick House with Hints of Traditional Design and Essence of Reformed Living
“Even within the smallest green lies all the purity and freshness of Eden.” This idea became the seed for Eden Moss, a home nestled in an ecological environment and imagined as a breath of freshness, evoking the scent of mud after rain, and seamlessly intertwined with nature while still embracing comfort and contextual charm. Nestled […]
In Tiruppur’s industrial heartland, where the rhythm of textile mills sets the tone, the layered architecture in this Villa offers a quiet counterpoint. Shaped by stillness, proportion, and cultural memory, the home reflects the clients’ vision for a contemplative retreat. Set on a square plot within a gridded residential layout, the residence embraces architectural restraint […]
Nestled in what was once a coconut orchard, Sanctum serves as a sanctuary for a retired couple. Their daughter & a feline companion join them to offer a tranquil environment for everyday goings-on. The site is a 60’ x 90’ portion of land with six coconut trees. Two teak wood & silver oak trees, each […]
Tucked into the calm, tree-lined lanes of Nagarbhavi in Bangalore, Avani Residence rises as a poetic response to the chaos of the city, a vertical sanctuary where light dances, materials breathe, and space unfolds in gentle rhythms. Designed by Archemist Architects for a family of four, the residence is a nuanced interplay between constraint and […]
The designers envision Asterix Café as a flagship destination that challenges café design conventions. While coffee culture often associates with warm, pastel tones, Asterix dares to be different by embracing darkness as its defining aesthetic. Designed by UrbanNest Design Studio, the bespoke cafe is a bold experiment in creating a multi-functional, community centric space where […]
Adorn, a home filled with earthen design and the laughter of a family of four, nestles in the peaceful neighborhood of Selvapuram, Coimbatore. “On one side, it shares boundaries with cozy family homes; meanwhile, the other side opens to expansive fields dotted with tall trees.” The fresh air scented with greenery sets a calming atmosphere […]
Situated in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Anandvan residence beautifully embodies biophilic design, fostering a deep connection with nature through its thoughtful integration of outdoor and indoor spaces through open courtyards. Open Courtyards And A Biophilic Design Connect The Outdoors With The Indoors | R+R Architects Location The location and surroundings played a significant role in determining the […]
What if the simplest object in your home could turn into a design icon? Tectona Grandis Furniture and The Architects’ Diary come together to introduce the Chair Affair. This is India’s first-of-its-kind furniture design competition that dares architects and designers across India to rethink the most essential piece of furniture – the Chair. Beyond function, […]
In a calm and serene residential area of Mysore, a 10,000 sq. ft. site with mature mango and coconut trees set the stage for Eden Kindergarten school. One half of the land was already occupied by an existing block, while the other half was shaded by the canopy of old trees. Instead of altering this […]
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 […]