The House Flaunts Vernacular Style With Eco-Friendly Aspects | Studio 3twentyone
The design Intent:
Navapatra was a vision to revamp an existing house to amalgamate the quality outdoor space with the life indoors. Enveloped in the tropical greens, the house flaunts vernacular style with cutting edge eco-friendly aspects. Adhering to the principles of sustainable architecture, we followed a realistic and pragmatic design approach in retaining the existing structural and spatial core.
Visit: Studio 3twentyone
The extensions were carefully crafted so that it merged naturally with the original structure and it formed an integral part of the edifice. It is designed to allow filtered views enriched with the foliage across the house, further pushing the barriers of indoors and outdoors. Reflecting the essence of Kerala Vernacular Architecture, the courtyard improves the lighting and air quality of the rooms around it like that in a “Nalukettu”.
The patio extends into the flora around holding delightful sights. Conscious use of tones and textures of teak wood and greenery against the white plastered backdrop, which is enriched with the use of warm lights creating an enchanting indoor experience. The existing contours are complemented with the terraced landscaping without compromising on the dramatic natural setting. The abode wrapped and nourished in the scenery makes the picturesque house, just like a new leaf!
The challenges (while designing):
We were asked to reinterpret the existing 25 years old home situated atop the contour terrains of Kottayam. Amidst the tropical greens, the original built form with strong Kerala vernacular characters was sited. We decided to incorporate new life into the existing structure, retaining most of the structural core instead of demolishing it.
On the exteriors, natural contoured terrain was retained but was seldom used. So we made the existing contour lines advantageous to terraced landscapes. The landscape profile was made bold to highlight using warm lighting and natural stones that were inherited from the old house.
The courtyard was placed in the core of the house, with few enclosures. This was modified to enhance the natural illumination in the indoors by increasing the perforations.
Kitchen block, the outdoor bar and the toilets were added to the original structure maintaining the design language so as to blend with the existing house. Furthermore the spaces were reworked to increase the area and workability within the original periphery. The Fig tree on the south side was found a huge opportunity to capture the view of the foliage and drove us to create the cantilevered open bar extension. This space provides a well-lit and ventilated space meanwhile shaded from south to avoid the solar radiations, making it usable round the clock hours!
The stunning indoor landscaping enriched with the warm lights helped with the serene ambience. To keep up the Vernacular style with all the modern-day amenities, without making the blend of the 2 styles contradicting. Reusing spaces to ensure better daylighting and natural ventilation and reducing the load on the energy consumption.
The material palette: Stone, Teak, greenery and white plaster
FACT FILE:
Architecture Firm: Studio 3twentyone
Project Name: Navapatra ~ the new leaf
Client: Sajan Varghese, Mangalam Media
Category: Residential
Location: Kottayam
Floor area: 4800 sqft
Project Completion: June 2020
Principal Architects: Ar. Anupa Kurian
Design Team: Ar. Elizabeth Eapen, Ar. Ashwika George
Photo courtesy: Ar. Prashanth Mohan (Running studios)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studio.3twentyone/
Situated between roads to the south and east, The Shah Residence is ingeniously planned in an L shape corner plot, maximizing exposure to the landscape with the spaces facing east and south. It embodies a meticulous approach to space optimization and enhancing the living experience through seamless integration of built forms and landscapes. The Shah […]
Over time, many types of cladding finds its use in the exterior of the building. Since ancient times, cladding was a a layer of protection from the natural elements and as a layer of look and décor for the structure. Due to this, there are many variations in the materials for different types of cladding. […]
Veranda Design is a versatile area that can be used for various purposes, such as entertaining guests, relaxing, or enjoying the surrounding views. It is a covered outdoor space that is typically attached to a house or building. Veranda design are characterized by their roofed structure and open sides, providing shelter from the elements while […]
Step back into a rustic chic space where calm vibes and familiar materials cease the city hum-drum and embrace you in a peacefully positive aura. A balanced use of color, texture, and accessories assemble here to give birth to an exquisite masterpiece. Celebrating vernacular architecture and designs, this rustic chic house effortlessly takes you back […]
Types of Walls in the dynamic world of architectural design are the essential elements that shape the character and functionality of spaces. In this blog, we’ll embark on a journey through the diverse and captivating realm of exterior and interior walls. From the enduring charm of brick facades to the sleek minimalism of glass partitions, […]
In the vibrant palette of Indian interiors, the choice of wood for construction plays a pivotal role in shaping both aesthetics and functionality. Teak, revered for its natural resilience, stands as a durable and weather-resistant option, though it comes at a higher cost. Shesham, undergoing protective treatment, strikes a balance between sturdiness and elegance, catering […]
A green roof, also known as a living roof or vegetated roof, is a roof that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium. It is a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to roofing that has gained popularity in recent years. Green roof design provides numerous benefits, including improved energy efficiency, stormwater […]
Rooftop design ideas open up an interesting world for your roofs or terraces to be meaningful and beautiful at the same time. In India, rooftop design ideas hold immense potential to address critical challenges and enhance community well-being. By integrating solar energy generation, green spaces, and rainwater harvesting, rooftops can contribute significantly to sustainable urban […]
Louvers design is about an integral element called a “louver,” which is a term derived from the French word “l’ouvert,” meaning “open one.” It is a fundamental architectural and engineering element designed to balance the ingress of air and natural light with the need for privacy, weather protection, and aesthetic considerations. Typically consisting of angled […]
In the realm of architecture, harnessing natural light has become an art form, and different types of skylight play a pivotal role in this pursuit. Skylights are openings in roofs, and their various designs serve both aesthetic and functional purposes. Among the diverse types of skylights, fixed skylights offer a constant influx of sunlight, while […]