Sidra, meaning ‘tree in heaven’, is a quintessential tropical modern house nestled in the rich landscape of the coastal city of Calicut. In this abode, nature and architecture come together to weave a symphony of tropical living experiences.
Editor’s Note: “This tropical modern house is embraced by the lush green landscape of Calicut weaves a harmonious symphony of nature and architecture. The etched grey stone and Sri Lankan mud plaster of the facade strike the chord of minimalism. The aesthetically pleasing interiors with a soft colour palette romanticize the tropical modern theme with utmost grace.” ~Simran Khare
A Quintessential Tropical Modern House Nestled In The Coastal City Of Calicut | STUDIO D’TAIL
The legendary architect Geoffrey Bawa has said, “architecture cannot be totally explained but must be experienced.” With those words, architect Shahbas Tasim Ahamed of Studio Dtail steered his concepts to envision this scintillating tropical modern house. Drawing inspiration from the master of tropical modernism, the design studio has crafted this 6200 sq. ft residence. It innovatively orchestrates a sensorial scape of interwoven spatial harmonies.
As you enter the subtly framed gateway, the longitudinal monumentality of the handsome rustic exterior strikes a chord of minimalism. It is etched in grey stone veneer and Sri Lankan mud plaster.
The jutted-out balcony, fanned-out car porch and projected out fins enrich the contemporary Kerala-style architecture. It also includes the minimalistic mullions and a gabled roof. The climate-sensitive architectural style of this tropical modern house entwines green foliage in every province, hemming the spaces with a dramatic quality.
A ‘poomukham’ (verandah) and a water court on either side of the front sit-out unveil an inviting sequential entry, offering a sneak peek through latticed screens. A large wooden door with thin timber slats opens into an A-framed double-height interior space. Graced by green foliage, the space linearly extends into an expansive, gorgeous grey living room.
As evocative as it is functional, a pergola-style skylight splashes natural light into the volume and suspended bulbous lanterns on the wooden ceiling warm up a cosy ambience. Sleek geometric glass frames slide open to a semi-shaded raised water court that casts an alluring aura and acts as a passive cooling feature.
Entangled in romantic associations with the exotic tropical theme, the aesthetically pleasing interiors with a soft colour palette weave a sanctum of furnished elegance that manifests into the soul of Sidra home.
Browns, greys, whites, beiges and a dash of gentle blues, yellows and greens – pigment the patterned fabrics, artefacts, custom furniture, feature walls, floors, artistic paintings, elaborate lights and dynamic decor. The calibrated grammar of design fosters a spirited kinship with each element.
The living room leads to a staircase crafted with thin rails and wooden treads on a concrete finish. A nook below the stairs becomes a perfect work desk, an ode to the careful curation of nulling negative spaces in the home. From here, the ground floor widens as two wings.
A well-portioned, delectable dining, cheered by ample light through full-length windows, abuts the northern wing, with a wash and a powder room in-between.
Seamless spatial layouts, nature-rich transitional zones, strategic openings, wide patios, nourished nooks, double-height volumes, and purpose-driven courtyards are some of the prime architectural vocabulary. From an irregular-shaped site to tackling its wetland by binding its foundation, the design team drafted a colloquy of staggered floor plans that pursue the shape of the land.
The wooden-themed kitchen is presented as a homemaker’s dream, baked as a modular C-shaped workspace with an appetizing breakfast table, finished in grey and wooden counters. From the kitchen, it leads to a linear work area and a servant room.
Each bedroom with walk-ins, work desks and ensuite bathrooms follows a distinct theme with mood lighting, exhibiting a signature glam.
Tucked alongside the dining is a compact bedroom with elementary wood finishes and a hexagon-patterned feature wall.
On the other side of the stairway is a ladies living lounge with a personal courtyard. An ell beyond is the luxurious master suite, accessed via a slim foyer into a spacious and comfy bed space.
Artfully modern with beige drapery, leaf motifs and lean wooden beams, the bedroom accommodates exceptional walk-ins for his and her and a premier bathroom.
The bedroom extends to an outdoor deck that beckons you to come out and sit with the surrounding nature.
Flanking the first floor, as you ascend the stairs, is a theatrical balcony overlooking the palatial living. This floor features a second ladies living and three stunning bedrooms.
Edging the stairs is a classic grey-panelled bedroom adorned in rattan and hazelnut finishes, which leads to an outdoor open terrace. Illustrated in textured stone tiles and fluted panels is a fourth bedroom that borders the northern province.
An open terraced garden court, shaded by a tree with a ‘thinnai’ (bench) around it, sits atop the car porch in magnificent poise.
The primary bedroom on this floor, in shades of cool greys and wooden flutes, is nourished along with a personal trellis balcony.
These eclectic spaces add another layer to the tropical experience for its residents to cherish together with family and friends. Sidra is truly a home that draws you into its graceful comforts with a triumph of planning!
Fact File
Designed by: STUDIO D’TAIL
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Sidra
Location: Kozhikode, Kerala
Year Built: 2023
Built-up Area: 6200 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Ar. Shahbas Tasim Ahamed
Team Design Credits: Ar. Babin & Er. Ashraf
Client: Dr. Ahammad K K
Photograph Courtesy: Nathan
Products / Materials / Vendors: Finishes: Cements Texture paint, Corten Steel finish , Mud Texture / Wallcovering / Cladding: Stone veneer / Construction Materials: Laterite Brick, Steel , Cement / Lighting: Kepco, Kiara / Electrical: Schneider Electric & R R Kabel / Doors and Partitions: Custom Wooden Doors / Sanitary ware: Rak, Roca, Kohler, Grohe, Hansgrohe, Franke / Windows: Custom Wooden Windows and Tostem Windows / Furniture: Live in Dtail. / Flooring: Granite, Kota stone, tiles / Kitchen: Live in Dtail / Paint: Asian, Suzuka, Imported Mud texture from srilanka / Artifact: Pan emirates / Hardware: Hafele, Blum / Graffiti: Studio Dtail / Security Systems: Hik vision, KEY, Iglu / Steel Fabrication: TATA Steels
TECHNICAL DETAILS: Structural Design: A&N Structural Consultants / Civil Contractor: MAKH Engineering / Interior Design: Studio Dtail / Interior Contractor: Live in Dtail / Landscape Design: Studio Dtail / Landscape Contractor: MAKH Engineering / MEP Consultant: AMPS Solutions / MEP Contractor: MAKH Engineering / HVAC Consultant: Kerala Refrigeration
Firm’s Instagram Link: STUDIO D’TAIL
For Similar Projects >> A Fusion of Minimalism, Muted Tones and Contemporary Aesthetics
Layers don’t just sit here; they breathe, shift, and whisper through light. The Screen, set in the sun-drenched fabric of Solapur, Maharashtra, isn’t trying to scream luxury. It doesn’t need to. It moves quieter than that, more composed, more intentional, like a pause button carved into the chaos of the city. Spread across 4,125 sq. […]
This project is located in Ben Tre, Vietnam, and was completed in 2021. With a total area of 430m2, the project set within concrete vaults includes 3 bedrooms and one living room, each with a view of the nearby river. Concrete Vaults Form The Main Identity Of This Vietnamese Home | VTN Architects The ground […]
We conceive EMA not as a conventional architectural object, but as a living continuum of memory, ecology, and craft. Located in Malappuram, Kerala, the 1,700 sq. ft. residence, designed with thermal comfort draws from vernacular wisdom and the philosophy of the Kaavu—the sacred grove—where humans, nature, and other living beings coexist without hierarchy. Within this […]
Set within the lush landscapes of Bharanikavu in Kollam, Arcade – a single storey residence that blends tropical modern architecture with colonial and traditional elements. Designed for a businessman, his wife (a teacher) and their two daughters, this house showcases a shared interest for elegance rooted in familiarity. This Single Storey Home Sits Amidst Lush […]
Noah’s Ark is a contemporary residence designed as a calm and welcoming home with a clear planning. The client’s brief was to create a home that felt simple, warm, and timeless without becoming overly minimal or impersonal. Noah’s Ark responds by blending clear planning, honest materials, and personal elements, resulting in a house that is […]
Located in HMT Layout, Bangalore, Isha_Srinidhi Nilaya stands as a multi-generational home designed on a compact 60×40 ft (2400 sq. ft) East facing plot, with a total built-up area of 8000 sq. ft. East Facing a lush public park, the residence responds to its urban setting through a layered design that balances privacy with a […]
Nestled within a 30×40 ft plot is the compact house design in Banashankari 6th Stage, Bengaluru. This residence for the Ellappans, reimagines traditional Indian living in a contemporary, spatially dynamic form. Designed for a family of three- Mr. Ellappan, his wife, and their teenage son- the house expresses a deep connection to vernacular roots while […]
Timeless architectural features, such as courtyards, are always associated with bringing the naturally public forms to the world’s heart, building the most peaceful, secluded outdoor areas. These outdoor spaces maximize the living experience with their private space feature, which gives one the option for leisurely relaxation, recreation, or gardening. Furthermore, it has also been a […]
Architecture font choices go beyond style—they shape how your work is perceived. From portfolios to presentations, the right architecture font instantly communicates clarity, precision, and personality. As architects, we design not just with space but with every detail, including typography. Selecting a strong architecture font shows your commitment to visual storytelling and design consistency. In […]
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 […]