“Khayaal” is a romantic poetry that allows freedom of expression, which is exactly how the design grew to fruition. Humble yet headstrong, Khayaal stands proud amidst lush green landscape, much like a poem waiting to be read. It lends itself to a tropical contemporary style of architecture, imparting more livable spaces with ample natural light and ventilation. Khayaal becomes coherent with site through adaptive design, paying utmost respect to its context and climate.
Editor’s Note: The tropical dwelling by 7th Hue Architecture Studio reflects a warm radiance using earth-derived materials like fired bricks, clay tiles, and rubble. The sloping roof and the sunshade protect the home from direct sunlight, thus keeping it cool throughout the day. The interiors also adhere to the earthy colour theme with hints of green, which takes inspiration from nature. – Gopika Pramod
Khayaal Becomes Coherent With Site Through Adaptive Design | 7th Hue Architecture Studio
An ideology that the form follows in almost all of its projects is that the materials used become the interior design elements in itself, without much else added for ornamentation.
Khayaal is located in a typical residential area, featuring lush landscapes, humid tropical climate and abundant seasonal rainfall brought about by the monsoons.
This concept has been religiously executed in Khayaal too. Most of the materials used are earth-derived and left bare viz., fired bricks and rubble for walls, clay tiles for roofing, natural kota stone for flooring and terracotta hurudees are used to show separation.
Although glass has been extensively used on facades, they are well-shaded which ensures only filtered sunlight falls inside.
Re-interpretation of Vernacular Kerala typology: The design began as a direct response to the prevailing climatic and geographic conditions. This in turn translated as a re-interpretation of the nalukettu typology, where instead of a courtyard at the centre, two courtyards adjoin the central core formed by living-dining spaces.
The use of diverse natural materials, and its uniqueness in physical and decorative features, leads Khayaal to stand out while adapting to nature.
These, along with adaptations of Vernacular Kerala architecture concepts such as sloping roofs, courtyards with lush tropical greens, and water bodies have helped in regulating the internal climate within the building to a great extent.
Floating slab: Roofing for the front facade is a floating concrete slab, the load of which is carried by seven I sections. Glass panels are given in between the slab and the top of the wall to give the impression of the slab floating over the brickwork.
Visual connectivity: Khayaal has been so designed as to attain strong visual connectivity throughout, but at the same time keeping the public space viz., the formal living, at bay. Being a single-family dwelling for a small loving family of three, transparency in the semi-public spaces is rather a boon than a concern
Fact FileDesigned by: 7th Hue Architecture Studio
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Khayaal
Location: Mavelikkara, Kerala
Year Built: December 2022
Duration of the project: 2 Years
Plot Area: 27 Cents
Built-up Area: 2920 Sq.ft
Project Cost: 1.2 Crore
Principal Architects: Ar. Shyamraj Chandroth & Ar. Liliya Paul
Photograph Courtesy: The Running Studio
Consultants for the Project: Civil – Nature’s own studio / Structure Engineers – V. Nandahari / Contractors – Akhil Raj
Firm’s Instagram Link : 7th Hue Architecture Studio
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