Alankar Residence for Mr. Shahabudeen is one of the recently completed projects by our firm. It is located within 4kms of the Changanassery town-center, in a residential neighborhood. Situated on a 4400 sq.ft. property, with an average site elevation of 1.2 m., the total building area surmounts to 4900 sq.ft aiming to redefine Indian architecture.
Visit: Roy Antony Architects
A State of Calm and Closure, this Residence redefining Indian Architecture in Kerala | Roy Antony Architects
The client approached us with a simple request that the house should have 5 bedrooms, thereby in effect, giving us freedom to conceive the building and choose its architectural form and vocabulary. What we have attempted in Alankar Residence is a harmonious reconciliation of the diverse set of design factors that are part of any architectural project, in a process that is conceived as akin to “knitting“. In this way, Alankar Residence satisfies the needs and interests of the client as well as speaks to the contemporary Kerala socio-cultural and urban reality.
The settlement pattern of the location also plays an important factor in the design. Individual residences set in enclosed compounds, with compound walls segregating one plot from another is a typical pattern that we see throughout Kerala. It is neither “urban” nor “rural” in the full sense of these terms. For Alankar, we sought to redefine and better articulate the conventional compound wall and entrance. For this, we made use of the elevation of the site from the street to create a 3 m. tall boundary wall. The boundary wall also has a solid-void interplay by means of a garage, offset from the street, a covered pedestrian entrance, and some apertures. Thus, there is visual continuity between the street, front-yard and façade.
The main entrance to the building is axial to the pedestrian entrance from the street. On either side of the entrance pathway are the graveled front-yard and the roof of the garage which is to be transformed into a landscaped terrace. The façade is constituted by double-height columns and solid brick-clad walls.
The form of the building plays with spatial volumes to create areas for living, work and leisure. Given the desire of the client-family to be somewhat reclusive, these spaces are predominantly introverted, focusing around an internal open-to-sky pool. Already, the pool and the reflection of light on the water together effect a play of chiaroscuro (light and shadow/darkness) in the covered spaces around, which is further accentuated by a system of diverse fenestration: louvers, grills and glass-wood shuttered windows.
The careful use of diverse finishes for walls and floors such as cement plastering, un-plastered brick cladding, wood, glazed cement tiles with geometric pattern and brushed granite also extends the visual effect of light-darkness interplay into the tactile sphere. This offers the inhabitants a rich sensorial experience of the building.
The inverted-sloped tiled-roof pavilion that covers the terrace, a dominant element in the architectural composition deriving from the tropical-monsoon climatic conditions of Kerala, has not yet been constructed. Still, the building, as it stands presently, is “complete” in a sense; once the client constructs this pavilion one day, it will render the building as “more complete”, so to speak.
What we have attempted in Alankar Residence is a retrospective and speculative exploration of the notion of dwelling and Indian architecture: looking back at the traditional practice of Kerala which is rich in craft and symbolic significance, retrieving its valid lessons, redefining its constitutive elements, and bringing them to bear concretely in the present by integrating them in the project. Through such an exploration, the work aspires to manifest the noble ideas that inspire and sustain architecture, while at the same time offers a sensorial rich ambiance and setting for life to unfold for its inhabitants.
Designed By: Roy Antony Architects
Project Name: Alankar Residence
Year of Completion: 2019
Area: 4400 sq.ft
Principal Architects: Roy Antony Illampallil
City: Changanassery, Kerala
Photography: Syam Sreesylam
Source: Archdaily
Firm’s Website Link: Roy Antony Architects
Firm’s Facebook Link: Roy Antony Architects
Firm’s Instagram Link: Roy Antony Architects
For Similar Projects>> A Testament to Modern Indian Architecture Through the Safdarjung Residence
“Viraam,” a 4000 sq ft house design that embodies its literal translation: “a pause.” The vision is to create a sanctuary for relaxation, introspection, and to escape from the constant demands of daily life – an urban void for personal retreat. Editor’s Note: “Viraam is not just a house, it’s a pause. A place to […]
The facade of this Indian contemporary house design strikes a careful balance between solids and voids, with sculpted forms that reveal the inner workings of the space. The design plays with light and shadow, creating visual depth and intrigue from the exterior. The form resembles a cuboid that has been scooped out, while the outer […]
This 5 storey building takes inspiration from ancient haveli architecture. “Hailing from north India, the family held deep nostalgia for haveli, large residences with communal courtyards called chowks, projecting balconies called jharokhas and intricate brick or stone lattice screens called jaalis, vernacular to many western and northern regions of India,” said SJK Architects partner Vaishali […]
Set in the serene landscape of Nashik, the Dabholkar Residence by GDA is a home, embracing stone clad walls. Here, tradition and contemporary design exist in harmony. Designed to reflect the family’s deep connection to tradition and art while embracing the style of contemporary living, it is a space where architectural details, heritage furniture, artwork […]
This remodelling project aimed to revitalise a load-bearing house while respecting its original integrity and adapting it to contemporary needs. The design approach prioritised minimal structural intervention, allowing the existing framework to guide spatial reconfiguration. Careful consideration was given to preserving the load-bearing walls, which formed the backbone of the original construction. Openings were strategically […]
Redefining Indian temple architecture, the relocation of the existing shrine due to a new residential project presented an opportunity to design a space that seamlessly integrates tradition with contemporary needs. The given 400 sq. ft. site was envisioned not merely as a shrine to Lord Datta, a local deity, but as a vibrant community space, […]
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 […]
This multi generational home is a testament to the ability of the design practice to blend aesthetic appeal with practical functionality. Keeping environmental sustainability and the welfare of the community at the forefront, Bhowal designed a home that was truly ahead of its time. His visionary approach and the Design Consortium’s expertise in providing a […]
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 […]
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 […]