A nature lover NRI chose to have a close-to-heart holiday home named athachi farmhouse. Nestled in the famous farmland of Kerala, on the flatlands of Palakkad Pass flanked by the Western Ghats on either side, lead to the conceptualization of a holiday home that can hold his family together during his vacations back in his homeland. The limited time frame gave birth to the idea of using steel structures for 80% of the built area.
Adorning the sight of Western Ghats on the Periphery is Athachi Farmhouse | Alchemy
Visit: Alchemy
Design Context – The design approach began with the idea to utilize the expansive views created by the on-site 3-acre natural water body overlooking the Ghats. The functional requirements created two primary zones, a residential zone, and a party gathering zone. The primary idea is to place the rooms where the host and the guests stay to overlook the water body and the Ghats, by providing larger longer windows without blocking the views, keeping the longest span in north-south orientations.
The gathering zone with the party hall is placed at the end of the sequence, giving an interconnecting dining, for it to use the centrally formed decks and the amphitheater at the back with the larger volume of openings that suggests infinite visual connection throughout for their congregations. The party hall can hold 100 Pax inside with a 24-seater dining area that has a cast in site dining table spanning 24ft “The Cantilevered Monolith” placed centrally connecting the sprawling decks in and out giving infinite partying areas in the front deck and amphitheater at the back.
The residential unit has 6 suite rooms placed linearly with wide verandahs screened by the pinhole brick protecting it from the southern heat and glare. A 3 bedded studio sits on the second floor for the host with wide overhanging decks overlooking the Ghats on either side. All exercised by the custom-made cast in furniture and few handpicked ones to be in harmony.
Material Specification – The material used in the project can be defined as raw and basic, minimalism that flaunts bare materials and structural elements with bare minimum or no decorative elements with modern materials and antique elements that are revamped. The pinhole brick in the facade, dressed stone walls, polished unpainted cement walls, and polished concrete floors with handmade cement tiles are supported by muted and earthy tones to go hand in hand with the context. The walls are all alternated by the larger volume of openings to bring in more ventilation and light.
Fact File
Designed by: Alchemy
Project Size: 35000 Sq.ft
Project Name: Athachi Farmhouse
Year Built: 2022
Location: Palakkad, Kerela
Principal Architect: Subeesh Madhavan
Team Design Credits: Anjala Sulthana, Minhaj Mansoor, Sheheen, Vinod
Photograph Courtesy: Shamanth Patil J
Consultants of the Project
Site Engineers: Pranav Mohandas, Raihan Haneef
Products & Materials: D’Décor, Kohler, Aludecor, Asian Paints, Creanza, Fenesta, Kanchi Designs, Lioness Tile, Mitsubishi, Simpolo
Firm’s Facebook Link: Alchemy
For Similar Projects>>>Subtle Elegance of a Minimal Palette and Welcoming Interiors
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 […]