Creating a dialogue between nature and the house, the Zen Den was designed in the spirit of modern tropical architecture to meet the client’s requirements for an airy, skylit abode for his parents. The open plan used in this design does complete justice to the concept of well-ventilated and well-lit spaces with no space for clutter. The white walls, the concrete floor, and the wooden accents add to the feel of the house. The borrowed landscape views and the existing flora of the site are the main backdrops for each space of the Zen house.
Editor’s Note: “Zoned by trees and woven with air and light, the Zen Den is a meditative experience of tropical minimalism. Gentle materials, soft colours, and lush landscapes offer a dwelling that doesn’t sit on the land – it grows from the land. Here, calmness flourishes in openness, and architecture gracefully succumbs to nature’s cadence.” ~ Anusha Sridhar
The Zen Den Is A Reflection Of Modern Tropical Architecture | Nufail Shabana Architects
The ZEN DEN, designed in the tropical vibe with a minimal interior, has an open plan designed to meet the clients social vibe and an equally appealing exterior that merges with the extremely open and vivacious interior. Minimal colors and little use of veneer add to the royal finish of the material palette inside.
Seamless concrete flooring and subtle patterns and colors used inside add to the rich vibe of the interior. Open plans and high ceilings. A wide open plan arrangement is another characteristic of the zen den.
The house has the following features to blend into the nature around it: lots of connecting spaces and decks to borrow the nature and huge windows for visual connectivity. The massive central hall space with dining , living, and the upper living leaves no room for any clutter or nonsense, and roof overhangs give ample space for the buffer to direct sunlight.
Flat roofs give a linear and compact look to the structure, adding to the excellent protection they have. Timber screens, maximum ventilation, and light. Blending natural materials with a minimal aesthetic. A blend of neutral and bold shades.
Blending the clean aesthetic of modern architecture with the functionality of tropical architecture to create a stunning high-performance home.
ZEN DEN is planned to suit the natural flora and trees available on site. Every reclaimed tree has a story to tell, and the landscape surrounds the story.
The client contacted us with a bare minimum list of requirements for a simple and airy house for his family. The 2 beds on the ground and the 3 beds on the top floor were among his minimal requirements. Minimalistic furniture and mellow colors. Strategically set plans and sleek geometric lines are the top features of the house.
No tropical house is complete without dark furniture and upholstery; the same concept has been used here. Light hues and wood accents also add to the list. Plain white interiors often incorporate warm wooden tones and stone textures.
Natural ventilation is a crucial part of a tropical modern house. Open plans and high ceilings are a feature of the ZEN DEN that creates a volume of space in each frame of the house.
Tall trees were maintained for the lush landscape design on site. A wide-open plan arrangement is another characteristic of this tropical modern home. Blending natural materials with minimal aesthetics. Plain white interiors often incorporate warm wooden tones and stone textures.
Natural ventilation is a crucial part of this house design through ample huge windows and green courtyard patches interweaving almost every space.
Fact File
Designed by: Nufail Shabana Architects
Project Type: Residential Architecture & Interior Design
Project Name: Zen Den
Location: Kadavatur, Mahe, Kerala
Year Built: Dec 2023
Duration of the project: 3 Years
Project Size: 5000 Sq.ft
Project Cost: 3.5 Crore
Principal Architects: Ar. Shabana Rasheed & Ar. Nufail
Photograph Courtesy: Turtle art photography
Products / Materials / Vendors: Wallcovering / Cladding – natural rubble / Construction Materials –laterite and random rubble / Lighting – Carlee lighting / Doors and Partitions – flush doors / Furniture –Homework living / Flooring – Epoxy flooring / Kitchen – Lira kitchen / Paint – stucco texture
Consultants for the Project: Civil – Dayan and manoj associates / Interior Designers – nufailshabana architects / Landscape Architects – Ar. Clara / MEP & HVAC Consultants – Epsilon / Structure Engineers –Faizal associates
Firm’s Website Link: Nufail Shabana Architects
The Firm’s Instagram Link: Nufail Shabana Architects
Firm’s Facebook Link: Nufail Shabana Architects
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