search

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

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

open floor plan

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.

open floor plan

open floor plan

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.

open floor plan

open floor plan

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.

open floor plan

open floor plan


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. 

open floor plan

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.

open floor plan

open floor plan

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.

open floor plan


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

open floor plan


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.

open floor plan

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.

open floor plan

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.

open floor plan

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.

open floor plan

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

For Similar Project>>> A Climate Responsive Courtyard House In Kerala With An Earthy Palette And Natural Materials

This House Incorporates Persian Design with Minimal Luxury | Rajkumar Architects

The house incorporates elements of Persian design while adhering to a minimalist luxury motif.  The concept is a deep journey with luxury as its language, seclusion as its promise, and functionality as its cornerstone. Known as the princess of Jaipur, it pirouettes in response to outside visual cues such as curves and smooth edges. A modern […]

Read More

This Urban Residence Pairs Clean Lines with a Minimalist House Design Interior | Studio Rudrang

The house showcases a modern three-story residence exemplifying contemporary architectural design through its clean lines, geometric volumes, and a balanced interplay of materials. The facade skillfully combines textured tile cladding, smooth plaster, and contrasting color blocks in neutral shades of gray, black, and earthy rust, adding visual depth and dynamism. Expansive glass panels framed in […]

Read More

House of Silhouettes Reflects Contemporary Modern Architecture | Shaunak Singh and Associates

House of Silhouettes is located in Navratan, Udaipur. The plot is a corner one facing north and west 60’x40′ with a built-up area of 6500 sq.ft., designed in contemporary modern architecture as an independent house at three levels, including terrace. House of Silhouettes Reflects Contemporary Modern Architecture | Shaunak Singh and Associates This contemporary residence […]

Read More

Visamo is An Expression of Luxury Modern Bungalow Design | Prashant Parmar Architect | Shayona Consultants

Nestled in the upscale neighborhood of Naranpura, Ahmedabad, Visamo is a south-facing NRI bungalow that redefines luxury modern bungalow design through a seamless blend of contemporary architecture and biophilic design. Spanning a 7,330 sq. ft. plot with 10,000 sq. ft. of built-up area, this residence is a heartfelt homecoming for a young couple returning to […]

Read More

This Contemporary Home Style Blends Timelessness with Adaptability | Studio A+D

The client envisioned a quiet contemporary residence within the dense urban fabric—a contemporary home style that balances modern aesthetics with a lived-in warmth. Functionality, spatial fluidity, and a strong connection with nature were prioritized. The home was to accommodate a multigenerational family, enabling both communal and private moments without compromising on light, ventilation, or spatial […]

Read More

Farmhouse Designs in India: 15 Inspiring Styles To Know

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 […]

Read More

This Tropical Home Design Features A Striking Sloped Terracotta Roof In Kerala | Vriksha Architects

Aangan is a modern residence that seamlessly integrates with the lush environment of Kerala, showcasing a tropical home design. Designed to embrace the region’s warm climate, the house features a striking sloped terracotta roof at varying levels, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and functional efficiency. The structure is enveloped in a vibrant tropical landscape, adorned […]

Read More

50 Indian Door Design For Main Door To Enhance the Curb Appeal

The door design for main door is a defining feature of any Indian home, embodying both style and cultural significance. In a country rich with diverse architectural traditions, the entrance to your home reflects not only personal taste but also cultural heritage. Whether you’re drawn to the intricate carvings of traditional Indian door designs or […]

Read More

50 Best Pillar Design Ideas And Inspirations For Indian Spaces

Pillar design is a cornerstone of architectural elegance, seamlessly blending structural support with aesthetic appeal. Our blog, “50 Best Pillar Design Inspirations,” celebrates this essential element, showcasing a variety of styles from classical Doric and Ionic to contemporary and avant-garde innovations. Whether you’re an architect, interior designer, or a design enthusiast, these pillar design inspirations […]

Read More

This Simple Farmhouse Design Responds To The Climate And Site | Dipen Gada & Associates

This simple farmhouse design is a humble residence that responds to the climate and site. It is a fun fact that the house is both an inward and outward looking house at the same time. One of the USPs of the simple farmhouse design project would be that it connects well with the most playful […]

Read More
  • The Tints and Hues of Grey Embrace this House in Mumbai | Conceptual Design Studio

    Innovations in Modern Mailboxes: Enhancing Security and Convenience