A family of five embarked on a journey envisioning a home with an open floor plan harmonizing space and connection. The guidelines provided by the client were ‘an open, light-filled house with 4-bedrooms’. In response, Float-en-Fold House was born as a celebration of transparency, weaving together the realms of indoors and outdoors, where natural light and ventilation dance effortlessly throughout. This personal abode is located amidst the picturesque charm of Punnayurkulam, Trissur district, Kerala.

Editor’s Note: “An open, light-filled residence with a playful combination of volumes and planes embraces the ‘Form Follows Function’ concept. With skylights, double-height foyers and courtyards, the residence celebrates transparency whilst maintaining privacy. A neutral colour palette of white, brown and beige creates a soothing aura for the users.” ~Simran Khare

A Home With An Open Floor Plan Harmonizing Space And Connection | architecture.SEED

The plot is south-facing, spanning 27.70 cents and situated between two houses owned by brothers.
The trapped nature of the site presented a major challenge, as a significant portion had been allocated to the approach road from the main road in the west.

The team also innovatively solved the problem by removing the compound wall and implementing a shared access path shaded by a large tree. Further, it gives a welcoming atmosphere and gradually reveals the house as one approaches.

The origin of the basic concept of the house evolved from the 3-axes at three entry points, framing sneak-peeks that generate the anticipation of ‘what lies beyond’. The car porch offers a framed glimpse of the landscape, which eventually unfolds from the internal spaces.

We further planned the spaces by analyzing the sun and wind directions. By integrating a water body in the north-eastern quadrant, we completely opened up the area to tropical landscapes and meticulously placed a courtyard in the north. This helps pull the cool breeze in while pushing out the hot air with the help of well-placed openings. 

The design emerges with a 4-bay plan: An extroverted sit-out; the living area, foyer, and guestroom as semi-public spaces. While the dining, ladies sitting and kids play area are semi-private; the bedrooms and kitchen are private spaces.

Despite the whole house is open and interconnected with different levels, the design ensures privacy that each space demands.

The house is reputed for its uneven volumes and playful stripes of lights and shadows all over. Uneven volumes became a playful design experiment that now fits perfectly with the home’s aesthetics while respecting the humid environment it sits in.

Upon stepping through the front door, the ground floor dedicates its space to a master bedroom, guest bedroom, living spaces, dining area, and kitchen.

The low-height pavilion sit-out and skylight courts immediately welcome visitors with a double-height sky-lit foyer. This further leads to a skylight courtyard, positioned as a focal point, which can be viewed and experienced from every angle of the house. This serves as a perfect example for different volumes, with play of lights and shadows.

Varied sections across the spaces gives unique living experiences. The open floor plan ideally connects all the spaces with private outdoor landscape area. Moreover, The inside looking windows maintains a sense of proximity and accessibility.

The dining space is followed by double height volumes on either side. It links with the kids play area and ladies sitting with a sight of courtyard.  The staircase is partially concealed, and it helps to create the split level notion within the space.

Split levels and double heights contribute to the seamless interaction and visual connection, no matter where one is standing. The staircase further connects to the second floating level of a family area and a small study where double heights still play the game of volumes. Two bedrooms with balconies are also encompassed in this level.

Selection of the materials played a key role in the development of this project. Majorly the flooring is done in beige which is mixed with both leathered and flamed black granites. Thus eventually, making the flooring highlights the entire space.

The clubbing of white walls with teak wooden frames and panels, along with grey walls binds throughout.

Apparently, the alternative arrangement of white walls with stone cladded walls gives a layered sensation. Externally, grey tandoor stone was casted for approach road with in-between greening.

To derive the form of the building climatic adaptations were included by incorporating a detached floating pavilion, sit-out and a car porch with tropical plants and screens to cut down on harsh light from the South.

While strategically placed court in the master bedroom, toilets and storage help to reduce heat from the West.

Significantly, polished and rough Eta gold stone wall cladding without openings aesthetically attracts the views by wrapping in and around the house, meanwhile repelling the heat. Large overhangs also protect the house from heat and rain.

Following the quote: ‘Form Follows Function’, this house is a conscious construct to blend the nature and climate together with functional spatial arrangements. The integrated floating and enfolding elements create a serene atmosphere.

Hence, Float-en-Fold house, a union of planes and floating cubes; took its name from the ideal notion of a contemporary house embodying the perfect blend of form and function.

Fact File

Designed by: architecture.SEED

Project Type: Residential Architecture Design

Project Name: Float-en-Fold house

Location: Kerala

Year Built: 2023

Built-up Area: 3661.23 Sq.ft

Principal Architect: Fazil Moidunny

Photograph Courtesy: Running Studios & LINK studio

Clients: Abinavas & Afshin

Civil contractor: Mohandas

Landscape Contractor: Green Planet

Structural Engineer: MIGCS

Firm’s Instagram Link: architecture.SEED

Firm’s Facebook Link: architecture.SEED

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