Editor’s Note: Perched among the swathe of palm trees, lies Mozhi. With an inviting exterior of materials that define its soil, the spaces are meditative and earthy in every which way. The effortlessly soulful courtyard makes you want to sit and admire the brick patterned wall and the plantations against it. The motif tiles, cane furniture, artful nooks and shades of brown and green over the wall signify that Mozhi is the home of the Earth. ~ Nishal Sevak(Co-Editor)
The concept of the residence is an attempted derivative of the site context and the user behavioral patterns, Mozhi: a home made out of earth, soul, interactions and spatial elements. The site, bearing an introverted character, is located within a very extroverted stretch with rich brahmin cultural background and has a close proximity to Padmanabhaswamy temple, Trivandrum. The built has incorporated the elements from the said context ranging from spatial elements like thinnais (abutting the road) to design elements like arched doorways, without disturbing the urban fabric.
Mozhi: A Home Made Out of Earth, Soul, Interactions and Spatial Elements | ARK Architecture Studio
Visit : ARK Architecture Studio
Understanding and studying the users, the design approach was derived, which was followed throughout the planning. Their behavioral patterns indicated their extroverted nature and loud communications within.
Giving importance to conversations, the residence was designed aiming to sync in with their lifestyle patterns, providing spaces where their conversations are intact, and interactions are possible throughout seamlessly.
The spatial planning of the house evolved from the basic idea of looping the public and private area while keeping the main idea and concept intact. The major axis is defined by a corridor path with green pockets punctured in between.
Following the client brief, required spaces were provided which were compact and sufficient. Vertical spatial voids were inserted to alter the thermal quality as well as the intangible connectivity of the interiors via stack effect.
The earthy and warm material palette complemented by intricate patterns of athangudi tiles are used throughout the interiors of this abode. Terracotta elements and darker wooden tones blended on to the warm white shades further accentuates the beauty within.
The kitchen and dining spaces were combined to form a compact and efficient space, as an articulation of combining two user activities which revolved around their love for cooking and food in general. This integrated space was where the inhabitants spent most of their time in the residence.
A visual axis is provided towards the entrance way, following the client brief, while also keeping the privacy of the space due to its position at the rear end.
The four bedrooms of this residence share the same view to the courtyard which provides a tropical image from the interiors of the rooms. The common study space is set on a mezzanine level, again in sync with the concept of conversations.
The study space is cantilevered into the double height courtyard space. A perforated jaali screen is provided on one side of the courtyard which enables the movement of cold breeze within the courtyard space and interiors of the residence.
The interior palette of the whole residence reflects a tropical bohemian style which is also a modern adaptation of the Tamil style interiors. A mezzanine floor is curated as a reading area, at a different level between the private spaces. , placed in a position from where there is a good view towards the green courtyard .
The mezzanine floor is placed in the wind flow path from the perforated jaali screen in the courtyard. The open space thus created also enables for more interactions and seamless conversations within the interiors.
The upper floor has two bedrooms and a home theatre space following the client brief. Both the bedrooms are provided with large windows towards the courtyard space and to the mezzanine space.
The elevation was designed to bring about a blend of traditional and tropical style. As the residence was south-west facing, perforated screen using terracota jaalies was introduced to channel the wind flow within the house. A similar screen was also used on the wall facing the courtyard for the same. Only necessary elements were placed in the elevation. The balcony area and outside veranda/ thinnai space was treated with a sloping roof which turned into one of the core elements of the front façade. The different treatment was chosen for the front compound wall. The brick jaali placed in the backdrop of green plants further accentuated the whole look of the residence.
Fact File
Designed by: ARK Architecture Studio
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: MOZHI – The house of conversations
Location: Sreevaraham, Trivandrum, Kerala
Year Built: 2022
Duration of the project: 1 Year
Plot Area: 2395.58 Sq.ft
Project Size: 2200 Sq.ft
Project Cost: 75 Lakhs
Principal Architects: Ar. Rahul Kumar & Ar. Malavika Mahesh
Photograph Courtesy: Nathan
Products / Materials / Vendors: Finishes – Asian Paints / Wallcovering / Cladding – Nuvocotto jaalies and wall cladding / Lighting – Claymango hanging lights / Sanitaryware – Jaguar / Furniture – Studio Itbits.
Firm’s Website Link: ARK Architecture Studio
Firm’s Instagram Link: ARK Architecture Studio
Firm’s Facebook Link: ARK Architecture Studio
For Similar Projects >> A Contemporary Sustainable House that Connects to a Well-Landscaped Outdoors
Editor’s Note: Some places feel rooted because they belong to their surroundings rather than trying to stand apart from them. Coffee Sangam in Andhra Pradesh takes this approach through a raw, tactile palette of brick, stone, teak, and mild steel. The random rubble compound wall extends the landscape into the architecture, while the Corten steel […]
Envisioned as a contemporary home rooted in Indian sensibilities, this residence sits on a south-facing urban plot. The design accommodates the evolving lifestyle of a multi-generational family. The project integrates architecture and interiors to create functional, climate-responsive, and emotionally connected spaces. Each level balances privacy with interaction. The design also allows flexibility for changing family […]
Editorial Note: Some homes are shaped by the memories, objects, and stories their residents carry with them. Ungana in Chennai, meaning “merge” in Swahili, brings together a well-travelled family’s collection of antiques and everyday rituals within a narrow urban plot. A double-height living space becomes the heart of the home, connecting the kitchen and dining […]
House of the Framed Atrium explores how a contemporary home can revolve around light, connection, and shared experiences. The design follows the ideas of a Living Atrium, Living with Nature, Framed Volumes, Vertical Living, and Timeless Materiality. The residence connects a sequence of interconnected spaces around a dramatic triple-height atrium. The atrium forms the heart […]
A Mock-up That Became a Home – For an architecture practice, a mock-up often helps test an idea before the team translates it into a larger project. It allows architects to work at full scale, examine materials and construction techniques, and understand their limitations. The process also gives them room to test different brick bonds and […]
The house began not with a formal brief, but with a conversation about the kind of life the clients hoped to build within it. Set between the denser urban fabric of Kannur and the quieter residential landscapes of North Kerala, the project responds to a desire for openness and connection. At the same time, the […]
“Pravah” — A House That Breathes is envisioned as the main concept of this home revolves around a fluid, light-filled home where architecture becomes a continuous experience of movement, air, and connection. Located in Pal Gamtal, Surat, the project is a residential redevelopment on a 1,850 sq.ft. plot within a dense urban fabric. The site, […]
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 […]
Architecture font choices go beyond style—they shape how your work is perceived. From portfolios to presentations, the right architecture font instantly communicates clarity, precision, and personality. As architects, we design not just with space but with every detail, including typography. Selecting a strong architecture font shows your commitment to visual storytelling and design consistency. In […]
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 […]