Set in the endless green backdrop, the ‘Box House’ is located in a calm suburban area of Thrissur, outside the hustle and bustle of city. The single family residence offers a secure sense of home to the family by creating for them a world within itself.
Editor’s Note: The contemporary compact home explores the mesmerising vantage points while also experimenting with light and shadow from perforations within spaces. The grey facade that frames all fenestrations in teal has the surprise element of a terracotta jali wall. The interior courtyard has a minimalist design with spaces that encourage an informal gathering. Every corner, especially the area under the staircase, is given importance and function. – Gopika Pramod
Box House has a serene atmosphere inside-out | Vardhaan Architecture Studio
This 1600 sq ft. residence is designed in a two layered site topography, exploring all the advantages of the adjoining paddy field .The site with its downward layered topography posed several challenges that one could imagine. The clients requirements were solid, three bedroom house with a sense of privacy from neighboring plots. The two storey building from the outside is a strategically designed house with multiple levels that flows down gently into a slope. By respecting and responding to the context in which it sits, the ‘Box House‘ reflects the lifestyle of the house owners in every way.
The site slopes down from the road towards east. Instead of altering the slope, the functions of the house have been organized in two levels. The house is stacked with layers of semi open spaces and cutouts that peel away as one traverses from the entry to the core of the house.
The upper level accommodates a small entrance, living room and stair. The lower level accommodates the dining space, kitchen and bedroom. The two levels centers around the two storey high courtyard.
Bedrooms, dining space, kitchen and formal living overlook the courtyard creating a soothing visual experience for the user.
With jali walls and long windows on one side and light wells on the roofs, the courtyard creates a play of light on the floor that is paved with natural stone and lined with tropical plants. The courtyard transforms into an activity zone and comes alive during household gatherings.
The formal livings and bedrooms are illuminated by large windows and jali walls which produce a constantly shifting show of light and shadow. Changing floor levels and raised ceilings enhance the visual transparency inside the house.
Spaces here were conceived to allow a natural flow and interaction within, wrapped in the most stimulating elements of nature, light and water.
The material palette is a combination of exposed concrete and terracotta which helps in creating a natural atmosphere blending with lush green exterior. With emerald blue windows, Grey colored flooring and ceiling and white walls the interior follows a primary color scheme.
The project as a whole sits in harmony with the calm and lush green scenery, yet offers all modern functional facilities without compromising on the planning and zoning concepts.
Fact File
Designed by: Vardhaan Architecture Studio
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Box House
Location: Thrissur, Kerala
Year Built: 2022
Plot area: 5.4 Cents
Project Size: 1600 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Amrutha Anilkumar
Photograph Courtesy: ashiltchandran
Video Credits: Sanjay jayadeep
Firm’s Instagram Link: Vardhaan Architecture Studio
Firm’s Facebook Link: Vardhaan Architecture Studio
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