search
  • Open Plan of Residence Born Out of Adjacency to The Sea, Coupled With the Humid Climatic Conditions of The Region | The Design Room

    The 15-cent site with an existing house, a warehouse bounded by numerous fruit trees, is located only a kilometre away from Kollam beach, Kerala. Nested in a quiet neighbourhood with lush green landscape the client desired to have a house that seamlessly blends with the surroundings.

    Open Plan of Residence Born Out of Adjacency to The Sea, Coupled With the Humid Climatic Conditions of The Region | The Design Room

    Visit : The Design Room

    Adjacency to the sea, coupled with the humid climatic conditions of the region, encouraged us to adhere to an open plan. The vision was to design an energy-efficient house that would benefit from natural phenomena like cross ventilation, passive cooling and day lighting. Thereby, the plan and volume of the spaces were carefully worked out in order to improve the efficiency of the built spaces.

    A conscious study was undertaken to locate the built space without hampering the existing vegetation within the site. The idea of a large central courtyard emerged as a design solution to retain adult trees in the heart of the site. Subsequently, the proceeding-built spaces evolved around this central courtyard which served as the foci, thus enabling uninterrupted flow of fresh-air and a visual continuity to every other space within the house. Large openings and cross ventilation ensured comfortable indoor environment. Appropriate details like perforated false walls and double volumes were incorporated on the south and west side of the house in order to craft thermally efficient and cooler interior spaces. 

    The interior layout of the rooms was meticulously designed for effective circulation and movement through the house. The design also compliments the openness in plan and has a minimalistic style. Materials were carefully considered and selected based on local availability and its thermal effect on interior spaces. Laterite bricks from Kannur were used extensively with precise construction details, as a substitute for cladding on the exterior walls. The laterite blocks offer an interesting texture to the façade while the innate porosity of the material reduced heat transfer. 

    Parasol roofs inclined at 12 degrees, were incorporated to bolster passive cooling of the interiors and as a structure that can conceal the solar panels installed on them. Aaron’s courtyard today runs entirely on sustainable energy generated from these roofs.

    The landscape scheme for the residence acknowledges the existing vegetation and attempts to blur the boundaries of the built structure. The idea was to craft evocative niches which sit almost unseen and blend modestly with its immediate adjacencies. The plant list was consciously compiled in response to the growing conditions and the aesthetic requirements of the client. The transitory and seasonal variation in the landscape imparts enthusiasm and comfort to the built spaces.

    A good design, in our thinking, is one that is socially relevant, environmentally conscious, emotionally resonant, and aesthetically pleasing. Aaron’s courtyard is a genuine attempt to inculcate design elements from a climate-responsive perspective and amalgamate quintessential regional techniques and local craftsmanship.

    FACT FILE

    Designed by : The Design Room

    Project Type : Residence

    Project Name : Aaron’s Courtyard

    Location : : Trivandrum , Kollam, Kerala, India

    Principal Architect :  Ar. Nanga Kishor, Ar. Sebastian K John, Ar. Vivin Shankar

    Photography Courtesy : Out of Focus

    Firm’s Instagram Link :  The Design Room

    Firm’s Facebook Link :  The Design Room

    This 4000 sq ft House Design Unfolds Calm Lifestyle | Avani Mudra Design

    “Viraam,” a 4000 sq ft house design that embodies its literal translation: “a pause.” The vision is to create a sanctuary for relaxation, introspection, and to escape from the constant demands of daily life – an urban void for personal retreat. This 4000 sq ft House Design Unfolds Calm Lifestyle | Avani Mudra Design Reimagining […]

    Read More

    This Indian Contemporary House Design is a Tranquil Retreat | DESIGNEX

    The facade of this Indian contemporary house design strikes a careful balance between solids and voids, with sculpted forms that reveal the inner workings of the space. The design plays with light and shadow, creating visual depth and intrigue from the exterior. The form resembles a cuboid that has been scooped out, while the outer […]

    Read More

    This 5 Storey Building Takes Inspiration From Haveli | SJK Architects 

    This 5 storey building takes inspiration from ancient haveli architecture. “Hailing from north India, the family held deep nostalgia for haveli, large residences with communal courtyards called chowks, projecting balconies called jharokhas and intricate brick or stone lattice screens called jaalis, vernacular to many western and northern regions of India,” said SJK Architects partner Vaishali […]

    Read More

    This Residence Embraces Tradition with Stone Clad Walls | Gaurav Deore Architects

    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 […]

    Read More

    This Load-Bearing House Embeds Original Integrity with Contemporary Design | Studio Kosha

    This remodelling project aimed to revitalise a load-bearing house while respecting its original integrity and adapting it to contemporary needs. The design approach prioritised minimal structural intervention, allowing the existing framework to guide spatial reconfiguration. Careful consideration was given to preserving the load-bearing walls, which formed the backbone of the original construction. Openings were strategically […]

    Read More

    This Modern Approach Redefines Indian Temple Architecture | Karan Darda Architects

    Redefining Indian temple architecture, the relocation of the existing shrine due to a new residential project presented an opportunity to design a space that seamlessly integrates tradition with contemporary needs. The given 400 sq. ft. site was envisioned not merely as a shrine to Lord Datta, a local deity, but as a vibrant community space, […]

    Read More

    This Compact House Design is Rooted in Tradition | Design Matters

    Nestled within a 30×40 ft plot is the compact house design in Banashankari 6th Stage, Bengaluru. This residence for the Ellappans, reimagines traditional Indian living in a contemporary, spatially dynamic form. Designed for a family of three- Mr. Ellappan, his wife, and their teenage son- the house expresses a deep connection to vernacular roots while […]

    Read More

    This Multi Generational Home Blends Aesthetics & Functionality | Design Consortium

    This multi generational home is a testament to the ability of the design practice to blend aesthetic appeal with practical functionality. Keeping environmental sustainability and the welfare of the community at the forefront, Bhowal designed a home that was truly ahead of its time. His visionary approach and the Design Consortium’s expertise in providing a […]

    Read More

    Farmhouse Designs in India: 15 Inspiring Styles To Know

    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 […]

    Read More

    50 Best Pillar Design Ideas And Inspirations For Indian Spaces

    Pillar design is a cornerstone of architectural elegance, seamlessly blending structural support with aesthetic appeal. Our blog, “50 Best Pillar Design Inspirations,” celebrates this essential element, showcasing a variety of styles from classical Doric and Ionic to contemporary and avant-garde innovations. Whether you’re an architect, interior designer, or a design enthusiast, these pillar design inspirations […]

    Read More
  • Reasons why you should trust professional Plumber

    Prefabricated homes and Why?