A building that is constructed and designed to be environmentally responsible and resource-efficient design is called a green building. Green buildings are designed to maintain or improve the quality of the environment around them. Deep under its stylish mien, with Nature running through the veins of this house of 3732 square feet, is a green building. Team Uru’s journey with their project endearingly calls the dream project of their client Zainuddeen C, “The House beneath a Jackfruit Tree.”
In cultures all over the world, jackfruit trees symbolize prosperity, connectedness, and eternal life. When Team Uru visited the plot situated at Malappuram for the first time, they realized that the old jackfruit tree had a long story to tell. Thus, the house was manifested by Team Uru, in the image of a book that is unfurled with the tales told by the jackfruit tree, right by its soothing shade.
The Design of this Green Building Revolves Around a Jackfruit Tree | Uru Consulting
Uru Consulting, a design, management, and engineering consultancy based in Calicut, was founded by four school friends who became engineering graduates. Led by Safder Machilakath, the principal consultant and designer, the team includes Muhammed Siyad MC, the technical lead; Mohammed Shabeeb P, the operations lead; and Safwan PM, the finance lead. Their strong bond has shaped Uru into a firm dedicated to sustainability, with a focus on integrated design, which is evident in every aspect of the Zainuddeen house project.
The largest area in the green building house design is the dining and living area. To properly display its vastness, the height of the roof also had to stay high. Since the plot is surrounded by other houses, the greatest challenge was maintaining privacy. To address this, we extended the dining area with a curtain wall, finished with Jalli work.
The harmony with nature is not only kept in preserving the tree in the plot but also in the consciously natural finishes of the house. Leaving the textures of the walls raw added an organic feel to the space. Additionally, choice of a neutral tan color palette features earthy browns and soft whites. Furthermore, it enhances the natural elegance of the structure. The browns come mostly from the teak finishes. The cement finish of the walls also adds to the raw texture and highlights the unassuming elegance of the house.
A place of serenity, it not only ended up just an extension of the dining area. It also offers a beautiful patio, a place to unwind and enjoy the outdoors, still preserving the exclusivity of the space.
The vastness of the space is highlighted through another peculiarity in the design. Light has a tremendous role in how enormous a place looks. Team Uru’s linear design for the house makes maximum use of the natural light from the East to enter every pore of the house. It helps to appear larger than the already existing immensity of the space. The roofs over the windows on the south side are given over-projection, to prevent the light from that side.
Mr. Zainuddeen C, the client, speaks in detail about bringing his dream home to reality through the relentless service of Team Uru: “When I approached Uru Consultancy with my dream of building a house that is home to my family, I didn’t have any particular design in my mind.
For a place to be kept large and open while still keeping its sense of privacy is a difficult thing to achieve. According to the vision of the client, Team Uru established the family dining space and living room. They transformed it into the most important and the largest area of the house. That is why Team Uru designed the roof above the area to be double height (even more in some spaces).
From every level of the house, it is structured in a way where people can see and interact. The total space is designed for such warm interactions, perfect for a close-knit family.
Adding to the allure of the upper storey, the stairs and the bedrooms are connected through bridge-like structures.
I just explained my general concept. But I didn’t have any reference point to show them that this was how I wanted my house to be. As I conversed with Mr. Safder and his team, he listened keenly to my vision and picturized designs for my concept.
The most important thing that we are looking for while approaching a consultancy for building our dream home is that we get exceptional expertise and unbounded support from them.
We are aware we are no experts in this field when we entrust them with such an important aspect of our life—our house! Team Uru did the job impeccably, materializing our concept with better design. Additionally, building our dream home, and deeply understanding the pulse of its surroundings.”
When building a house while keeping the surroundings undisturbed and joyful, the house erected also exudes the same sense of calm and happiness, like this House beneath a Jackfruit Tree.
Fact File
Designed by: Uru Consulting
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: House Beneath a Jackfruit Tree
Location: Kondotty, Malappuram,, Kerala, India
Year Built: 2024
Plot Area: 10000 Sq.ft
Project Size: 3700 Sq.ft
Project Cost: 1 Crore
Principal Consultant and Designer: Safder Machilakath
Team Design Credits: Mohammed Siyad MC, Mohamed Shabeeb P & Safwan PM
Photograph Courtesy: Nathan Photography
Products / Materials / Vendors: Finishes: Archiconcrete, Asian Paints / Wallcovering / Cladding: Archiconcrete, Asian Paints / Construction Materials: Laterite, RCC / Lighting: Kiara Light / Sanitary ware: Cera, Geberit / Furniture: classy furniture / Flooring: Simpolo / Kitchen: Vibgyor, Calicut / Paint: Asian Hardware: Hettich / Any others: Write-up:Uma AV
Firm’s Website Link: Uru Consulting
Firm’s Instagram Link: Uru Consulting
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