“An ode to simple living, ‘Thendral’ is designed with great affection and care. The metal motif design is a repeated affair around the house. The house is fulfilled with respectable details, enhancing the interiors.”- Nishal Sevak(Co-Editor)
Chapter “Thendral”, where there is uninterrupted air flow throughout the year and the name suggests it too. Thendrali is a story of a niche individual residence in Chennai, Tamilnadu. This residence takes a very minimal direction both in terms of spatial planning and materiality creating a subtle romance between the two. This four bedroom, 2450 Sq.ft home for a family of four sits on a 2400 Sq.ft piece of land. The client’s requirement for a simple, well-lit and well-ventilated layout, to complement their simple lifestyle and their love for rootedness is a start for this design. Thendral, a classic residence with a unique mesh jali façade creates a play of light and shadows. This modern Chennai home with roots sunk deep into the traditions, proves to be the testament of a “dream house” for the clients.
Thendral, A Classic Residence With A Unique Mesh Jali Façade Creates A Play Of Light And Shadows | House of Design Stories
Visit : House of Design Stories
Planning parameters involved careful understanding of the context to resolve site constraints. The site being located in a congested locality had concerns on privacy and ventilation.
Metal screens are one of the main aspect and feature of the residence that spans the entire stretch of the front façade wrapping the balcony acting as a security feature. Since the bedrooms have been planned with large openings, they also create a visual barrier from the road.
This was planned to help solve Mr. Veeramani’s concern on security as a young father as both of his kids’ bedrooms were planned on the first floor connected to the balcony.
The pattern on the screen is iterated in a way to screen the private levels denser to cut off direct heat and the rest are left more porous with a defined transition. The other facias are kept white, which plays a major role in giving the metal screen a visual lift up.
The house adapts a simple spatial layout with free flow of spaces and is well planned with two outdoor courts. The front court, a landscaped parcel combines as an entrance giving it a pleasant inviting look to the house. It is a semi private space overlooking the road.
The second court is intimately planned to flow from the dining room and is also guarded with metal framework for more security. All the spaces have been planned in a way such that they open into either one of the courts.
During the day the metal screens cast beautiful shadows in the balcony and inside the bedrooms as well.
The material pallete has been kept simple to reflect the lifestyle of our client Mr. Veeramani and his family. The pallete includes white with grey accents, metal works, Solid wood and aathangudi tiles. Metal framework and meshwork are planned as a translucent partition to bind spaces.
To give the house a touch of tradition Ghana teakwood, a low budget solution for solid teak is used for the shutters and furniture pieces. The built in furniture pieces are tastefully crafted in solid wood and also in combination with metal in certain areas.
The windows and doors are made of solid wood which is carefully designed thus maintaining the minimalism as well as retaining the essence of tradition while ensuring security and durability.
Aathangudi tiles for the flooring were homemade and the colours were derived mathematically and theoretically to achieve the pastel tones we envisioned. The moulds and colour pigments were custom made with respect to our design and to compliment the other elements of the house in a holistic approach.
The mould is taken as a replica of the metal screen. The rest of the flooring were done with Kota stone to compliment the aathangudi. Our design philosophy stands by understanding the clients as a whole to reflect their character and qualities in the design to make it more personalized for them.
We work collaboratively with the client to achieve a personalized and customized design that truly reflects their character and qualities. Likewise, in Thendral, we were all ears to Mr. Veeramani and his family to craft their dream residence holding on to their personal sensibilities and likability to create an environment that reflected their character and personality.
Our ultimate goal of creating a space that our client will enjoy and cherish for the years to come, came true with our personal favorite “Thendral”.
Fact File
Designed by : House of Design Stories
Project Type : Residential Architecture Design
Project Name : Thendral
Location : Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
Year Built : 2022
Duration of the project : 1.5 Years
Plot Area : 2400 Sq.ft
Built-up Area : 2450 Sq.ft
Project Cost : 65 Lakhs
Principal Architects : Ar. Arul Maniyan & Ar. Anu Krithika
Photograph Courtesy : kausik Srestaluri
Products / Materials / Vendors : Lighting – Philips / Paint – Asian Paints / Hardware – GJ hardwares
Firm’s Website Link : House of Design Stories
Firm’s Instagram Link : House of Design Stories
For Similar Projects >> A Residence With Clean Contemporary Lines, Asian-Influenced Design Elements, And Modernist Look
Given the compact footprint of the residence, designed on a 140 sq. m. plot, the idea behind this simple home interior design was to open each space into an outdoor verandah or balcony to make the space look spacious and have an ample amount of sunlight, but still want to maintain the privacy in each […]
Studio Lotus proposes a unique archetype for retail design with the new brand experience center for luxury jewelry label Sunita Shekhawat. The art of Meenakari, or enamel work, is an age-old technique renowned for its vibrant and intricate designs on metal surfaces. While enamel work originated in Persia, it has flourished in India, particularly in Rajasthan, where […]
The Silhouette House’s design philosophy revolves around creating a harmonious balance between functionality, aesthetics, and emotional connection. Inspired by the client’s diverse lifestyles—a merchant navy officer’s quest for serenity, a PR officer’s need for warmth, and the joy of nurturing young children—the home, with its sloping roof design, is designed as a sanctuary that blends […]
This exquisite villa is located amidst lush greenery in Bangalore. This house design offers a perfect blend of modern architectural design and traditional South Indian aesthetics. Thoughtfully crafted to reflect the cultural heritage of its residents, the villa features sleek contemporary lines complemented by classic South Indian furniture and decor. South Indian House Design Offers […]
House of Heights: How design shapes relationships and well-being? “A house can transform its people. The living room, the tallest space in my home, is where we socialize, express our feelings, and spend the most time—an open arena for life’s conversations. The impact of front elevation design on home and harmony further emphasizes how thoughtful design […]
Spacious, inviting, and intimate, courtyards have an integral place in the vernacular architecture across India. Beyond their climatic purposes, courtyards assume the role of a social space, a space for contemplation, and a space where something happens. Their presence in various forms, proportions, and sizes has been a ubiquitous feature in Indian vernacular architecture. The […]
When you walk into a room, what’s the first thing you notice in the interiors? The furniture, the walls, or the ceiling? Often overlooked, the ceiling plays a significant role in defining the ambiance of a room. If you’re looking to add some flair, sophistication, or a modern touch to your living room, false ceiling […]
SASWATHA, the residential architecture project by GVQ Design Studio, is located in Thrissur, Kerala. This thoughtfully designed home caters to a joint family consisting of two brothers, their families, and their parents. Spanning approximately 2,700 sq. ft on a 15-cent plot, the residential architecture is meticulously crafted to meet the diverse needs of a multi-generational […]
This simple farmhouse design is a humble residence that responds to the climate and site. It is a fun fact that the house is both an inward and outward looking house at the same time. One of the USPs of the simple farmhouse design project would be that it connects well with the most playful […]
Indie Tales, a 2 story house design in Pondicherry stays true to its identity stands apart with its unparalleled charm amidst a narrow conservative neighborhood. This abode embraces a quiet reflection of modern lifestyle and traditional nuances within a limited budget for an intimate family of 5 across 3 generations. The residence evolves as an […]