Editor’s Note: A home that is just the embodiment of its owner’s zest for leading a disciplined and ethical life. Self-sufficient and independent of nat outside support, the Skin and Bone residence is a complete body of effective, lasting, breathing and restored function. The integrated technology and natural materials show the immaculate effort behind its inception. ~ Nishal Sevak
Embracing the journey of a headmaster, the skin and bone residence resonates with a story of life and ethics. The client, Kodakkad Narayanan, currently a retired headmaster, was honored with a national teacher’s award and many more for his revolutionary contribution to educating school kids. His approach to engaging kids with outdoor teaching, helping them relate to the environment, and encouraging them to grow and nurture plants are a few insights into his outlook on teaching and life. The client, having a family of 4, envisioned a residence to suit his persona and chose to use architecture to voice out the change in society. A man with such character becomes the main focus of inspiration for his own residence.
The Skin and Bone Residence Resonates With a Story of Life and Ethics | A Line Studio
Visit: A Line Studio
Beginning with an intent to relate and portray the client as a mere image of his own residence, the design demanded characters of simplicity and elegance. Considering these factors, the thought evolves from a typical house to that of one that breaks conventional symptoms.
The design inculcates a calculated and innovative use of versatile materials that one can come across in their day-to-day life, such as coconut shells, broken floor tiles, bamboo stem residuals, jute products, exhaust fans, etc.
These materials come together in different applications only to enhance the living experience of space, making it interesting and interactive.
The core of the house consists of a living (airy double-height space), dining (partially intimate zone looking into the internal garden), and yoga platform (personalized recreational space under the double height, looking into the garden), segregated by the three internal courtyards from the private zones, bedrooms, and kitchen (intimate zones).
The difference in volumes of spaces enhanced by a double-height entry to the living adds worldly dynamics to the house.
The existing mango trees that are retained along with vegetation form a part of the green stretch that incorporates the feeling of nature within the house; this stretch of internal landscape helps connect and naturally light up the fragmented central core with its visual charm of the garden.
The front yard with pockets of greens celebrates the concept of farm-to-table cooking and enriches the harmonious interaction between outdoor and indoor spaces.
Externally, the structure stands as an example of reuse and recycle with grace and style, keeping in close resemblance to the character of the client; the front double-height facade and its identical counterpart are held together with a frontage of exhaust fans which spin and interact with changing wind flow making the structure visually capitative, the main door is tucked hidden within the opening of the front double height facade, giving an impression as to one disappearing into the unknown. Overall, the structure narrates the story of one’s life and engulfs feelings of zestful behavior in space in an attempt to have a deeper impact on one’s feelings and senses through sustainable architecture.
Fact File
Designed by: A Line Studio
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Skin and Bone Residence
Location: Karivellur, Kerala
Year Built: 2022
Project Size: 2700 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Sachin Raj & Anand P. Suresh
Photograph Courtesy: Sarath Karicheri
Source: Archdaily
Firm’s Website Link: A Line Studio
Firm’s Instagram Link: A Line Studio
For Similar Project >>> A Striking Brick House with Hints of Traditional Design and Essence of Reformed Living
Situated on a compact 1200 sft south-west corner plot, this residence was conceived as an inward-looking sanctuary for a family of four — a home that balances privacy and openness, light and enclosure, within the dense urban fabric. This Residence Was Conceived As An Inward-Looking Sanctuary For A Family Of Four | The Insideout Studio […]
‘Roots’ was an experiment to build sustainably but not confer to the design language typically associated with sustainable buildings. This residential project re-considers the expression of sustainable architecture through a minimalist and materially grounded lens. Located on a 4,000 sq.ft. plot, the designers conceived the house for a family of three and their pet, organizing […]
This project was planned in between lockdown when the client realized the importance of open space close to nature, aligning with a greenery house design that was required by the client’s aging parents and his young kids. Editor’s Note: Rooted in stillness and shaped by togetherness, this home flows gently between the indoors and nature […]
The Sanctum in Amritsar, designed by Renesa Architecture Design Interiors Studio, stands as a rare architectural experiment in India. It is an attempt to reinvent the domestic typology through geometry, material, and spatial narrative. Spread over 12,000 sq ft on a generous 3 acres plot, the house positions itself as a contemporary meditation on permanence and […]
Mishti’s House by KD ASSOCIATE is a striking example of contemporary residential architecture that blends modern aesthetics with mindful design. The facade features a harmonious mix of exposed red brick, smooth white plaster, and wooden-toned vertical fins, creating depth and visual balance. A unique geometric lattice screen with a Buddha motif serves as both a […]
Located in HMT Layout, Bangalore, Isha_Srinidhi Nilaya stands as a multi-generational home designed on a compact 60×40 ft (2400 sq. ft) East facing plot, with a total built-up area of 8000 sq. ft. East Facing a lush public park, the residence responds to its urban setting through a layered design that balances privacy with a […]
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 […]
Aangan is a modern residence that seamlessly integrates with the lush environment of Kerala, showcasing a tropical home design. Designed to embrace the region’s warm climate, the house features a striking sloped terracotta roof at varying levels, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and functional efficiency. The structure is enveloped in a vibrant tropical landscape, adorned […]