Nadhi is a simple home design that questions and reimagines the aspects of habitation and living in simplicity. With a limited budget and limitless possibilities, Nadhi is an exploration of how emotional circuits with humans, spaces and nature could be achieved.
Live like the river flows, carried by the surprises of its own unfolding. Located on a quiet 20 cents of land, surrounded by lush greens of paddy fields is the abode of Mr. Sooryan Nair and his family. The clients wanted a home that reflected their simple ways of living.
Editor’s Note: “Inspired by the traditional Nalukettu style of home in Kerala, this residence is located within lush green fields and a narrow stream flowing nearby. The pitched roof with an internal courtyard and skylight evokes a sense of tranquillity. Inside, a captivating interplay of shades and shadows breathes life into the space, infusing the dwelling with vitality and charm.” ~Simran Khare
Simple Home Design That Reimagines The Aspects Of Habitation | ARK Architecture Studio
The site is located in Venjaramood, Trivandrum, within lush green fields. A narrow stream flows very nearby, which is a delightful sight indeed. Moreover, the design intent was to bring in the peace and tranquility the site offers within the home.
Nadhi is a modern-day adaptation or reimagination of a Nalukettu home in Kerala. The basic zoning of Nadhi is inspired by the concept of a flowing river. A main axis with terracotta flooring runs centrally, connecting the ends of the house like a linear river stream with spaces and areas placed along the banks.
While the sunlight comes in through the skylight and large openings. This narrates the spaces and their stories during the day. The core area of Nadhi is the living-dining-courtyard volume that breathes life into this home.
The designer placed the courtyard as a spill-out space between the living and dining areas. While treating it with the same volume as the rest of the living-dining space.
Without the usual double height volume, the courtyard resembles Nalukettu with very simple and minimal elements of landscape, as well as a highlight wall with a flowing brick pattern depicting the concept.
Different levels of seating areas are provided on the perimeter of the living and dining area facing the courtyard for different kinds of sitting postures, which was in turn a conscious decision so that the inhabitants don’t get confined to the spaces assigned for such activities.
All in all, the impression of Nadhi or the welcoming sight as we enter, is the courtyard with a tangible yet transparent plane separating the sitout and courtyard.
Nadhi is naturally lit during the day with sunlight and moonlit during the night, with light flowing seamlessly throughout the grand overhead opening in the courtyard.
Overall, the residence sits towards the rear end of the site, offering a lot of space outdoors for the family to spend their time. The upper floor bears a long passage naturally lit by the jaali screen, with a reading area overlooking the core space of Nadhi as well as the river.
The designer chose Majenta – yellow color theme, for the interiors to infuse the unique positivity, that the color holds. Majenta stands for harmony and emotional balance while yellow stands for positivity.
The elevation of Nadhi is a simple structure, following the simplicity of this home. The aesthetics of a first image of what a house should look like during our childhood was the key driving factor of the form of Nadhi.
Fact File
Designed by: ARK Architecture Studio
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Nadhi
Location: Venjaramood, Trivandrum, Kerala
Year Built: 2023
Project Size: 2052 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Ar. Rahul Kumar & Ar. Malavika Mahesh
Photograph Courtesy: 148 south
Firm’s Website Link: ARK Architecture Studio
Firm’s Instagram Link: ARK Architecture Studio
Firm’s Facebook Link: ARK Architecture Studio
For Similar Project >>> A Striking Brick House with Hints of Traditional Design and Essence of Reformed Living
“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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]