Reclaiming The Lost Glory Of House With Fresh Design Approach | Cognition Design Studio

The primary aim was to enhance the ambience in and around the house. The old house was planned in such a way that all the interior spaces were segregated from each other by walls

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Context

Nestled in the outer suburbs of Pattambi in Kerala near the busy Shoranur-Pattambi Highway, this 15-year-old house was once a structure admired by the locals for its beauty. However, time and negligence in maintaining took the toll and the beauty of this residence faded away into nothingness. The Client approached the Architects with a very clear requirement – Reclaim the lost glory of the house, but this time with a very fresh design approach.

Design Concept

The architects decided to rethink the architecture of the house and give an entirely new outlook to the house. The primary aim was to enhance the ambience in and around the house. The old house was planned in such a way that all the interior spaces were segregated from each other by walls.

The first order of business was to change some of the interior layouts to create a more open-plan – walls were broken down and additional spaces were created. The existing staircase which took up a lot of space in the common area was also taken down. But most importantly, lots of large openings were created with the help of steel beams to connect the interiors with the lush exterior landscaping. This ensured that the exterior landscape was visible from almost all the common areas inside the house and that natural light flooded the interiors.

The Exterior

The exterior appearance of the house was changed radically. Old elements of the house were stripped and replaced with new volumes which were clean and minimal. A high compound wall was erected to ensure privacy to the landscaped areas inside – which was a very unique requirement by the client.

The compound wall featured two gateways – one for pedestrian entry and one meant for vehicular entry. The architects took great care to ensure that the compound wall blended well with the overall design of the exterior – adorning it with mutually complementing textures, stone cladding, and profile lighting.

The Interior

Interiors compose of minimal yet luxurious elements that suit the client’s stature. Wooden finishes adorn most of the interior spaces, highlighted by carefully designed lighting. Additional areas such as an outside kitchen and an open ‘Majlis’ became interaction spaces for the interior and the exterior. 

The Majlis in the Koppan Residence is a semi-open area which can be accessed from both the interior and the exterior and acts as an extension of the dining room. The area is adorned with an Islamic Jaali wall made by CNC cutting teak wood panels.

The ‘Majlis’ area is inspired by elements from Islamic architecture, reflecting the client’s deep connection to the gulf countries. ‘Majlis’ in Arabic means ‘place of sitting’, the term is used to describe a place for social gathering. Traditionally it was one of the major facets of social life in the Gulf countries.

Landscape

Landscape design has been given prime importance in this project and the architects ensured that the line between interiors and exteriors were blurred.  The sprawling landscape around the house is what gives the soul to this entire design. The architects were particular about maximizing landscape area around the house – thus a variety of plant species were planted that included creepers, climbers, shrubs and bushes, seasonal flowers, bamboos, fruit trees, roses, and a whole lot of lawn area.

There is a huge landscaped area in front of the compound wall which is filled with Arachis Pinto plant, which covers the ground in a bright green shade spotted with yellow flowers in the mornings. Thus, the house can be viewed from the outside as an elegant structure rising from amidst a sea of green and yellow.

FACT FILE:

Architecture Studio: Cognition Design Studio

Project Title: The Koppan Residence

Category: Renovation (Year – 2020)

Location: Pattambi in Kerala

Architects: Ar. Muhammed Faris and Ar. Mohammed Fazil

Photo Credits: Turtle Arts Photography

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