Brick House Draws Inspiration From Traditional Kerala Architecture | Kamat & Rozario Architecture
Text description provided by the architects. The design developed from the client’s brief, which was to have a modern house inspired by the family’s roots in Kerala, India.
We looked towards traditional palace construction of Kerala for inspiration.
We noticed a few key features that most of these structures portrayed, such as – the verandah that wrapped the living spaces all around, the appearance of a heavy masonry base on the ground floor, with thick arches and carved columns and a first floor which appeared to be lighter in terms of materials and overall treatment.
This became the inspiration for the front façade of the building. Carved columns, which are a prominent element of traditional Kerala architecture, were adopted but with a contemporary twist.
We fashioned them using a metal sheet, cut out to match the silhouette of a traditional column and placed as a cross.
These columns frame the front of the house and sit on a large continuous overhanging balcony. The overhang in the front not only protects the south façade but also allows for ample cross ventilation. The planning has been kept simple.
The open and continuous public and semi-public spaces are on the ground floor along with the guest bedrooms. Individual private spaces for the couple and their children, along with a separate family area are on the first floor.
The main exercise of designing the plan as an outward-looking structure was to take full advantage of views. The front opens up to a quiet street and the rear of a park.
A centrally located skylight over the staircase allows a mild draft of air by ventilating it at the upper level aiding the movement of air.
The two sides of the building show the strong presence of exposed brick masonry.
The earthy terracotta colour makes a direct reference to the materiality of Kerala architecture and stands in sharp contrast to the light metal balconies pushing through in the front and rear. Openings in the masonry are kept minimal in order to accentuate the openness in the front and rear.
The undulating brick masonry is a playful interpretation of a Mangalore tiled roof surface – another element seen extensively in Kerala.
The masonry swells out to allow for openings and is constructed using the Flemish bond. As the brick gradually corbels outwards, its negative imprint is seen on the inner side – almost as an acknowledgement of the drama outside!
The use of materials for the interiors was also inspired by those seen in a traditional Kerala home.
The combination of cane screens with teak wood is an attempt to add that element of nostalgia to an otherwise minimal interior.
The continuous, almost monolithic granite floor helps further accentuate the open ground floor plan. The house is powered by solar panels placed on the roof of the structure.
Architects : Kamat & Rozario Architecture
Location : Bengaluru, India
Design Team : Smruti Kamat-Rozario, Lester Rozario, Divya Joseph
Area : 3650.0 ft2
Photographs : Niveditaa Gupta & Lester Rozario
Project Architect : Divya Joseph
Cost : 15 million INR
source : archdaily
Located in the coastal village of Pererenan, Bali, House Terra is a contemporary response to tropical living, designed by Biombo Architects as a family retreat. The project balances built space and landscape, creating a strong connection between architecture and nature while offering shelter from the island’s monsoon climate. Editor’s Note: “House Terra, more than a […]
Located on a 15′ x 95′ ancestral plot in a pal village, Surat, India, this residence is designed for a multi-generational family of seven. This minimal home interior design solves light and space challenges within a narrow plot. The family wanted to stay connected with their community and preserve their cultural roots. The site has […]
“The sky’s ever-changing canvas, painted with hues of blues at dawn and greys and blacks at dusk, seamlessly weaves itself into the very fabric of this home’s architecture and interior.” Located in a comparatively narrow lane of bungalow plots, this modern exterior house design borrows its modern straight-line form and color from the sky. A […]
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 […]
The residence is sensitively designed and compatible with the neighborhood. Distinct from neighboring structures, the building creates a strong relationship to the streets by virtue of its large windows in facades. While there are dramatic and larger scale elements that define the building, it is also broken down into comprehensible human scale blocks with an […]
This contemporary residence, covering 7500 square feet, combines modern design with timeless elegance to create a peaceful and luxurious retreat within a busy urban environment. The home is built around large frames that open up to nature, blending the interior with its surroundings. The design focuses on craftsmanship and harmony, making the simple contemporary house […]
Imagine walking into a sunlit room with high ceilings, warm wooden floors, and a view of a leafy courtyard. How do you feel? Calm? Inspired? At ease? That’s not just your mood—it’s your brain responding to the space around you. Neuroarchitecture is an evolving domain that merges the understanding of neuroscience, psychology, and architecture to […]
Architecture is more than just the construction of buildings, it is a reflection of our values, art, culture, and society. It is a movement towards new, promising, and philosophical design strategies. One such movement that significantly influenced the architectural landscape is Postmodernism architecture. In this research article, readers will find a comprehensive guide for Postmodernism […]
Mango Tree House is an artfully designed personal residence that seamlessly integrates traditional architectural elements with the comforts of modern living, embodying the essence of traditional modern home design. Some houses are more than just structures; they hold stories, memories, and a deep connection to the land. Mango Tree House is one such space—one that […]
What if the home of the future didn’t have walls? Modern architecture homes aren’t just about aesthetics – it’s a rebellion. A conscious break from tradition. In a world obsessed with innovation, our homes are becoming laboratories of design, sustainability, and radical thought. Modern architecture homes are sharp-edged, glass-wrapped, tech-infused sanctuaries that defy the standard. […]