Located close to the historically-rich South Indian city of Mysuru, Solum embodies the endeavour towards living simply and close to nature. The client hails from a business background and yet harbours a fondness for the modesty and simplicity of an agrarian lifestyle. The young entrepreneur had always dreamt of developing a full-fledged farm self-sufficient in terms of electricity and water requirement on a two-acre plot he had purchased close to his primary home. This would serve as a living example of what such a lifestyle entailed for his children. The COVID19 pandemic served as a catalyst for this dream, when the need for such a getaway became crucial and relevant.
Simple Living Amidst A Modest And Simple Home Is The Highlight Of This House | Thomas Parambil Architects
Having worked on his city home in Mysuru and thus enjoying a comfortable working relationship with Thomas Parambil Architects, he presented his brief of ‘a second home that would connect people to the farm setting’ to us for the new project as well.
Because of our previous connection, we already knew the client’s grounded personality well, which essentially guided how we articulated the second home. From the very beginning, we aimed to create an architectural presence that naturally took root in the coconut and Areca palm-studded lush landscape, rather than appearing artificially placed or planted.
The plot occupies the lowest point within the overall topography, making it a natural catchment area for rainwater. We turned the site’s challenge into an advantage by channeling water into a canal that flows into a large tank.
A desire for place connection and earth-friendly living shaped the design, with a light, porous envelope blurring the line between built form and nature.
The layout fosters togetherness with east-facing common areas and expansive glazing, while slim columns support shaded, rain-sheltered overhangs.
A singular volume unifies the spaces, while curated decor defines them and a corridor leads to sun-shielded west-facing bedrooms.
Sourced locally to adhere to a sustainable approach, materials are basic, honest, and celebrate imperfections and rootedness. Concrete blocks and terracotta roof tiles have been procured from manufacturing units located close to the site.
The former are topped with rough plaster and painted over to maintain a natural texture. Black natural stone, also a local product, sets a gleaming stage for the visual narrative. Completing the eco friendly strategies are solar panels installed across the site that generate enough electricity for running various activities.
Solum celebrates a nature filled lifestyle. Every invigorating moment feels amplified by the gentle touch with the earth.
Fact File
Designed by: Thomas Parambil Architects
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Solum
Location: Mysuru, Karnataka, India
Project Size: 4034 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Thomas Parambil
Photograph Courtesy: Justin Sebastian
Firm’s Website Link: Thomas Parambil Architects
Firm’s Instagram Link: Thomas Parambil Architects
For Similar Project >>> This Tropical Home Design Features A Striking Sloped Terracotta Roof In Kerala
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 […]