Ekam Retreat is a renovation project amidst the scenic terrains of Amboori, Trivandrum, Kerala. The project aimed at breathing new life and nature into an abandoned house. The walls of the house had significant damage and were left to the forces of nature.
Editor’s Note: “The renovation of this residence in Trivandrum is a harmonious blend of modern necessities with traditional style of architecture. Located within a lush landscape the sloping roof with verandah evokes a sense of contemporary living. The interiors bathe in natural light along with a combination of natural materials like terracotta tiles, cane and fabrics wrap the abode in a warm embrace.” ~Simran Khare
The Ekam Retreat Breathes Nature and Life into an Abandoned House | Ark Architecture Studio
The house had undergone changes with due course of time. Located amidst the mountains of Amboori, the site offered breathtaking views towards the lush greenspaces and river flowing nearby. The forest-like ambience elevates the whole look and feel of the site.
The design intent was to restore the home with contemporary living requirements with a traditional twist. The main aim was to bring about openness to the dark interiors and to extend an additional bedroom space without much structural change.
The original house with metal sheet roofing was transformed with minimal changes to bring about a significant change in an aesthetic way. Moreover, a traditional verandah with pillars that support the extended sloping roof was introduced in a minimalistic way.
An open planning approach combined the living, dining, and kitchen areas into a simple, light-filled space with ample natural light and ventilation, transforming the once dark and moody home. Demolishing the existing walls that previously divided the spaces created a unified, open layout.
The home follows a neutral earthy palette with minimal interior treatments. Meanwhile, large openings in every room bring the essence of the surrounding lush greenery inside. Carefully selected wall decor, cushions, and soft furnishings infuse Indian aesthetics into the space.
The design of the kitchen space is open and compact. Thus, featuring parallel counters and a provision for a mini fridge.
In the dining counter also, we have introduced a layer of terracotta jaalis in cyan to accentuate the aesthetic aspect of the space.
However, there are two bedrooms with very minimal interior treatment. Just the required bed space, wardrobe space, and dressing space are provided minimally.
Most of the furniture in the home was carefully refurbished and reused. The landscaping, arranged in multiple layers, is visible from the road, with the terracotta roofing on the fourth level blending seamlessly into the surroundings. Ekam is an attempt at reimagining the concept of restoring life to a once-abandoned home. A home away from home.
Fact File
Designed by: Ark Architecture Studio
Project Type: Renovation Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Ekam Retreat
Location: Amboori , Trivandrum
Year Built: 2023
Project Size : 1080 Sq.ft
Principal Designer: Ar. Rahul Kumar & Ar. Malavika Mahesh
Photograph Courtesy: nathan
Products / Materials / Vendors: Sanitaryware – Jaguar / Flooring – Granitogres / Paint – Asian Paints / Artefacts – Fabindia
The Firm’s Website Link: Ark Architecture Studio
The Firm’s Instagram Link: Ark Architecture Studio
Firm’s Facebook Link: Ark Architecture Studio
For Similar Projects >> This Residence Reflect The Client’s Fond Memories in Colonial Home
This contemporary courtyard house is designed within constraints that often give rise to the most creative solutions. This residence, nestled in a landlocked plot flanked by development on three sides, represents a unique architectural intervention that turns limitation into opportunity. The client’s vision was both unusual and ambitious: to create a twin house under one […]
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 […]
In this modern luxury home, courtyards spill into living spaces, and the lines between inside and outside dissolve into a seamless whole. This 17,800 sq. ft. bungalow in Anand, by Hiren Patel Architects, blurs the boundaries between landscape, architecture, and interiors, creating a home where nature isn’t just the backdrop but an integral part of […]
Nestled in the foothills of the Shivalik range, the Himalayas is our latest project, Ekasham — a private residence refurbishment and redevelopment project, spread across an area of 2177 sqm. The monolithic home, through its volumes, composed of old and new structures, merges into a singular silhouette evoking the presence of a monolith from which […]
Ishaar is rooted in the belief that architecture should not just be seen, but deeply felt. Drawing from brutalist principles and natural tactility, the holiday villa is designed as a sensory retreat, where material, sound, light, and temperature shape the guest’s experience. Set amidst rural farmland, the villa dissolves into its landscape through a choreography […]
“Vishram Vaadi Nu Ghar” means a serene retreat amidst mango and chikoo farms, crafted to reflect the client’s vision in their mother tongue Gujarati. Vishram is a serene ground-touch structure offering breathtaking views of the Purna River and is a thoughtful example of countryside house design. Nestled amidst lush Amba and Chikoo Vaadi, the design […]
This single-story sustainable home in Ezhupunna blends traditional Kerala architecture with tropical, eco-friendly design. Inspired by the “kullakadavu” concept, a central pond encourages family interaction while enhancing the landscape. This Ezhupunna Home is Rooted in Eco-friendly Design | Judson Associates Architects & Interiors Despite being near lakes and beaches, adding a pond improves year-round moisture […]
In the heart of New Anjar, a small town tucked into the arid landscape of Kachchh, Gujarat, sits one of those modest houses designed with a quiet sense of clarity. Built for a Muslim family spanning three generations, the home isn’t trying to make a bold statement from its street-facing façade. Instead, it leans into […]
The house showcases a modern three-story residence exemplifying contemporary architectural design through its clean lines, geometric volumes, and a balanced interplay of materials. The facade skillfully combines textured tile cladding, smooth plaster, and contrasting color blocks in neutral shades of gray, black, and earthy rust, adding visual depth and dynamism. Expansive glass panels framed in […]
House of Silhouettes is located in Navratan, Udaipur. The plot is a corner one facing north and west 60’x40′ with a built-up area of 6500 sq.ft., designed in contemporary modern architecture as an independent house at three levels, including terrace. House of Silhouettes Reflects Contemporary Modern Architecture | Shaunak Singh and Associates This contemporary residence […]