House of Dappled shadows: Nestled in the Mango trees | Mudbricks
Set in the semi-urban context of the famed Kodungallur town, this residence was designed for a client based in Dubai whose primary wish was for a simple and beautiful home in his hometown. It took several interactions and detailed discussions to fine-tune the basic needs and arrive at the final requirements.
Visit: Mudbricks
The design evolved considering the site’s location in an urban context and taking into account the client’s interests and need for hosting guests and friends, giving much consideration to the client’s large social interactions with people, The fundamental arrangement of spaces was based on spatial zoning, clearly demarcating public and family and private zones; to have spacious and quality spaces to entertain guests and hold family gatherings all while providing a desired level of privacy to family areas.
After the discussions, it was deemed essential to provide 5 bedrooms in total, one as the master bedroom, two for the two kids, 1 for the older grandmother, and 1 as a guest bedroom.
The site originally consisted of two beautiful and wide foliaged mango trees and a Tulsithara. The way these trees complemented the site beautifully, strengthened the decision to retain them and further designing was based on this motto.
Overlooking the site stands a striking golden shower tree, showering the ground with its beautiful and elegant yellow flowers. The aesthetics that this tree possessed and how it furnished a persona into the site, made it impossible not to integrate such an element into the design, hence inspiring the basic concept of this design. The jaali patterns, which have been incorporated into several elements throughout the residence, have been fairly inspired and derived from the intriguing patterns of the flowers of the golden shower tree.
Amidst the serene landscaping stand the residence with the golden shower tree up front, imprinting a strong visual identity. The frontage was intentionally designed to feel lighter, through the positioning of jali, perforations, and openings along with the usage of lightweight materials, to bring in the aesthetics and ambiance of the mango tree. The interior spaces impart a premium sensory experience to the user, from the calming sounds of water, fresh fragrance of the plants, filtered rays of the sun, patterned shadows falling upon the plain walls, and elegance of the color palette, that give the spaces a strong aura.
Details
Entrance: A water body near the entrance brings about freshness and an element of surprise, creating a welcoming foyer in this residence. The addition of the fountain creates ebbing sounds that have a therapeutic effect on the overall robust nature of the home. Fresh flowers and a screen of creepers and foliage add to the serenity that emanates throughout the house. This healing space opens out into the landscape towards the east, blending harmoniously and contextually. Space is blessed with early morning golden rays, thus combining elements of sun, openness, water, and nature, in this tropical home.
Space stands out by the careful selection of materials, wherein the darker color palette beautifully complements the water and imparts an earthy feel to space. The entry foyer opens into a courtyard consisting of a textured water wall. The courtyard is lined with pebbles and money plants, again forming a combination of green and earthiness.
Private living: The private living area forms the crux of the home. Rather than being a typical room confined by four walls, the open planning of this space creates a connecting zone, linking all the rooms in the home and forming a central binding space.
The open planning and the jaali wall near the stairwell bring in patterned ample sunlight and ventilation into the spacious room ushering a feel of openness and lightness. The living room is minimalistic in design with customized wood furniture and hints of foliage imparting an ecological backdrop.
Bedrooms: The design features five bedrooms, designed following the needs and requirements of the client. With two bedrooms on the ground floor and three on the first, each bedroom showcases its unique individuality in its interior and furniture designs. Each accompanied by a fine and spacious wardrobe area and attached bathroom, the bedrooms have customized furniture tailored to fit the user’s needs while accentuating the aesthetics of the space.
Bathrooms: Just how each bedroom brings out its own individuality, the bathrooms are designed considering not just the functionality but also the quality ambiance that it creates. The bathrooms feature a variety of materials that clearly demarcate the wet and dry zones. Incorporating all high-end technologies and seating space in the shower area, the aesthetics are elevated again with a touch of green by the usage of indoor plants.
Fact File:
Designed by: Mudbricks
Project: House of Dappled shadows: Nestled in the mango trees
Project Type: Residential
Year of completion: 2021
Area: 4809.96 sq. ft.
Location: Kodungallur, Thrissur, Kerala
Project Cost: 1,60,00,000 approx.
Principal Architect: Ar. Surya Prasanth
Photography: Justin Sebastian
About Firm:
Mudbricks is an award-winning design practice with a special focus on the realms of architecture design, conservation and interior design. The practice is headed by Ms. Surya Prasanth, who received her Master’s in Architectural Conservation from the prestigious School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi. Since its inception in 2010, Mudbricks has been a design laboratory of creative ideas which challenge the existing notions of design. The firm has been actively involved in design and coordination for projects of varying scales. The firm’s portfolio includes both privately commissioned green field entities as well as socially relevant architectural conservation projects. Their works have been widely published in both local as well as national media.
Website: http://www.mudbricks.in/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mudbricks/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mudbricks_architects/
“Even within the smallest green lies all the purity and freshness of Eden.” This idea became the seed for Eden Moss, a home nestled in an ecological environment and imagined as a breath of freshness, evoking the scent of mud after rain, and seamlessly intertwined with nature while still embracing comfort and contextual charm. Nestled […]
In Tiruppur’s industrial heartland, where the rhythm of textile mills sets the tone, the layered architecture in this Villa offers a quiet counterpoint. Shaped by stillness, proportion, and cultural memory, the home reflects the clients’ vision for a contemplative retreat. Set on a square plot within a gridded residential layout, the residence embraces architectural restraint […]
Nestled in what was once a coconut orchard, Sanctum serves as a sanctuary for a retired couple. Their daughter & a feline companion join them to offer a tranquil environment for everyday goings-on. The site is a 60’ x 90’ portion of land with six coconut trees. Two teak wood & silver oak trees, each […]
Tucked into the calm, tree-lined lanes of Nagarbhavi in Bangalore, Avani Residence rises as a poetic response to the chaos of the city, a vertical sanctuary where light dances, materials breathe, and space unfolds in gentle rhythms. Designed by Archemist Architects for a family of four, the residence is a nuanced interplay between constraint and […]
The designers envision Asterix Café as a flagship destination that challenges café design conventions. While coffee culture often associates with warm, pastel tones, Asterix dares to be different by embracing darkness as its defining aesthetic. Designed by UrbanNest Design Studio, the bespoke cafe is a bold experiment in creating a multi-functional, community centric space where […]
Adorn, a home filled with earthen design and the laughter of a family of four, nestles in the peaceful neighborhood of Selvapuram, Coimbatore. “On one side, it shares boundaries with cozy family homes; meanwhile, the other side opens to expansive fields dotted with tall trees.” The fresh air scented with greenery sets a calming atmosphere […]
Situated in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Anandvan residence beautifully embodies biophilic design, fostering a deep connection with nature through its thoughtful integration of outdoor and indoor spaces through open courtyards. Open Courtyards And A Biophilic Design Connect The Outdoors With The Indoors | R+R Architects Location The location and surroundings played a significant role in determining the […]
What if the simplest object in your home could turn into a design icon? Tectona Grandis Furniture and The Architects’ Diary come together to introduce the Chair Affair. This is India’s first-of-its-kind furniture design competition that dares architects and designers across India to rethink the most essential piece of furniture – the Chair. Beyond function, […]
In a calm and serene residential area of Mysore, a 10,000 sq. ft. site with mature mango and coconut trees set the stage for Eden Kindergarten school. One half of the land was already occupied by an existing block, while the other half was shaded by the canopy of old trees. Instead of altering this […]
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 […]