Set amidst the endless green backdrop, the ‘House of Earthy Hues’ is located in a calm suburban area of Aluva, outside the hustle and bustle of Kochi city. The brief was to design a simple tropical house with earthy elements that blends in with the lush green paddy field on the rear side. The building was intended to be a calm and peaceful place for the owners’, ageing parents to spend their retirement life and as well as a playful and engaging space for the owners’ small kids. The design also emphasizes on an open planning with free flowing spaces and internal connectivity providing interactive spaces to overcome the limitations of a linear footprint.
House of Earthy Hues : Adapts not only the Color Palette but the Essence of Earth | Urbane Ivy
Visit : urbane ivy
An attempt to bring in nature, was fulfilled both with the use of contextually detailed skylights and the jaali which is the breezeway that facilitates natural cooling of the interiors, complemented with a distribution of internal gardens and water body which works together to bring in a magical play of light. The house has been designed with 2 bedrooms, a spacious living, dining area including an internal courtyard and pantry space in the ground floor and 2 other bedrooms including master bedroom with a private courtyard, and a family living space with an extended spacious deck area. The kitchen has been planned facing the open paddy field, where ample airflow and natural light is guaranteed, considering kitchen as the most used space in the house.
The massing of the house has been planned differentiating the common and the private areas. Ceiling volumes and textures were used to create zones in the whole structure. The internal connection is increased by connecting floors through all the open areas which is spread around the plan creating the feeling of the whole house as one. The movement pattern of the house starts and ends with open spaces in all directions. The slanted exposed brick wall is designed to stand out from the context but yet giving the tropical touch to the residence.
The combination of exposed brick, concrete and metal has been used proportionately to bring out a unique facade in earthy tones. The boldness of red balances the subtleness of greys and compliments the indoor and outdoor greens in the most natural way. Utilizing the vast field in the rear side was one of the major decisions while designing this house. Along with that, the earthy tones with wood has given the interiors a homely feel. Custom making each furniture marks, the importance in following the theme and to blend all the areas into one.
As the name suggests the ‘House of earthy Hues’ adapts not only the pallet but the whole essence of Earth, making this house much more than a mere building . Spaces created with almost details and delicacy makes each corner a meaningful space. Moreover who can be more satisfied than a cup of coffee alongside the whole wide green paddy and the birds finding home at the dusk.
FACT FILE
Designed by : Urbane Ivy
Project Type : Residential
Project Name : House of Earthy hues
Location : Aluva, Ernakulam Kerala
Year Built : 2020
Area : 2500 sq.ft
Project Cost Appx : 80 lakhs
Principal Architect : Vishnu AR, Nikhil AS, Anand Raveendran, Nancy Mary Ann
Photograph Courtesy : out of focus
Products and Materials : Lighting – Luker | Sanitaryware – Jaquar | Flooring – Kajaria, Somany, Granitogres | Paint – Asian paints | Hardware – Ebco
Firm’s Instagram Link : Urbane Ivy
Firm’s Facebook Link : Urbane Ivy
Editors’ Note – This colonial house in Delhi carries an ambience of grandeur, infused with the elegance of Victorian-style colonialism. Expansive living, dining, and kitchen areas open into light-filled spaces framed by large glazing that connect seamlessly to the surrounding landscape. Inside, tropical interiors with bold geometry add a contemporary layer of comfort. The residence […]
“Hilltop House” is envisioned as a contemporary yet context-sensitive residential project that harmonizes architecture and interior design to create a sanctuary perched on a scenic elevation. The design will respond directly to the topography, climate, and panoramic views, while delivering a highly functional, comfortable, and aesthetically refined living environment. This Hilltop House in Indore Is […]
In the layered urban grain of Manjeri, the Timeless House reimagines a 1970s sloping roof residence through careful transformation. It’s a home that doesn’t shout for attention, but quietly repositions itself within its time and place, a sensitive reinterpretation of memory, material, and movement. Originally built in 1972, the house was structurally sound, featuring load-bearing […]
Editor’s Note: There’s something truly special about homes crafted with thought and care—where every corner and detail speaks to its users, becoming part of their memories. For siblings Akhila and Kaushik, Sona Reddy Studio brought this vision to life in One Summer House, a rustic farmhouse tucked within the vibrant city of Hyderabad. Designed with […]
This southwest-facing bungalow, with golden accents in its interiors, is a refined expression of contextual and climate-responsive modern architecture. The home embraces its orientation with an intelligent façade design that balances aesthetic appeal and environmental performance. With the sun’s harshest rays hitting the structure in the latter half of the day, the architects incorporated a […]
This North Facing villa opens towards the East to always soak in the cool and diffused light. Its orientation is mindful of the adjoining clubhouse and its expansive garden. The planning allows the villa’s private lawn to visually merge with it, creating a larger and cohesive space. With a connection to the open space at […]
An Urban Sanctuary Woven with Craft, Warmth, and Light Explicitly tucked into a quiet residential pocket, this home with a jaali facade is a thoughtfully layered expression of calm, character, and craftsmanship. Every surface and corner is rooted in intention — where light, material, and memory meet. The Jaali Design in this Layered Home Exudes […]
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 […]
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 […]
Aangan is a modern residence that seamlessly integrates with the lush environment of Kerala, showcasing a tropical home design. Designed to embrace the region’s warm climate, the house features a striking sloped terracotta roof at varying levels, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and functional efficiency. The structure is enveloped in a vibrant tropical landscape, adorned […]