In the bustling cityscape of Noida, nestled within the gated community of Jaypee Wishtown, ‘Thalayalam’ stands in quiet distinction—not by its scale or flamboyance, but by the stories etched into its walls, floors, and the spaces in-between them. Crafted by Ant Studio for a multigenerational family with Tamil and Malayali roots, the ancestral house forms a cultural tapestry woven through spatial sensitivity, personal memories, and a commitment to thoughtful design.
This Ancestral House Forms A Cultural Tapestry Of Sensitivity & Memories | Ant Studio
Decades in northern India sparked a longing for a home that fused tradition with modern living. Their treasured collection of heirloom furniture and artworks became the design’s anchor—shaping spatial decisions and inspiring the material palette.
‘Thalayalam,’ coined by Amma, merges “Tamil” and “Malayalam” to honor cultural unity and her lasting legacy.
The heart of this ancestral house is a reimagined nadumuttam—a sunken conversation pit blending nostalgia and modern craft.
The material palette of this ancestral house balances natural tones with refined precision. “Builders use lime plaster—a breathable, antimicrobial, and timeless material—extensively on the walls and ceilings.” “Choone ki taaseer thandi hoti hai” (lime is naturally cool), says designer Swati Goenka. The family chose lime for its energy efficiency, breathability, and toxin-free air quality. Lime-plastered walls, imprinted with leaves, add texture and symbolise nature and tradition, reflecting the client’s identity.
The flooring throughout this ancestral house is inspired by the intricate cultural patterns from Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The detailing found in their homes, as well as the patterns on their sarees—specifically their borders and motifs—carry cultural narratives, and this craftsmanship, in turn, inspired many textures throughout the house. Through meticulous skill, the local craftsmen translated the fluid beauty of fabric into the permanence of stone. Designers chose Green Kota as the base for brass and red stone inlays because of its subtle tones that evoke a sense of grounded calm. They used it to trace delicate lotus blooms and kolam patterns reminiscent of Kerala’s backwaters and temple courtyards. Moreover, materials like teak wood, terracotta, Jaisalmer stone, and lime plaster anchor the home in traditional tactile poise, yet they coexist effortlessly with brass fittings and modular kitchens.
Exposed brick forms the accent of the backyard and terrace, adding both texture and rhythm to the spaces. Developed through computational modelling and refined by on-site experimentation, these walls were built by carefully laying vertical and horizontal bricks in an alternating pattern, hosting a gentle cadence of light and shadow through the day. Towards the center it accentuates as a parabolic arch to house the mandir, the house temple. At the end, the wall turns away and curves inwards to embrace the bar–a sculptural intervention that blurs the line between function and form.
While the master bedroom and guest spaces celebrate understated luxury through a palette of natural stones, handcrafted tiles, and custom hand-painted artworks, the next generation resonates with a more global sensibility.
The son’s space draws from Japanese minimalism, defined by white finishes and clean, restrained lines. The daughter’s room embraces a softer, Victorian-inspired palette of pinks, whites, and off-whites—gently set apart from the rest of the home to mirror her modern, individual expression.
“The project demanded relentless commitment,” says Swati, remembering the initial struggles of trying to merge a multi-cultural narrative while dealing with unforeseen on-site challenges such as misaligned walls and seepage issues.
“One of the project’s most defining characteristics was its adaptive and iterative process.” From civil reconstruction to rethinking design elements mid-process due to site constraints or evolving client needs, what remained unwavering throughout was the team’s resilience and determination to see it through.
The journey stands not just as a celebration of cross-cultural harmony, but also as an exemplary of conscious consumption. The team was careful about order quantity and storage of material to avoid any spoilage. The design elements were carefully crafted to use the ‘left-overs’ from other processes: an old wooden tabletop was converted into a sliding door for the bar, and stone strips of Kota were transformed into striking flooring patterns. And what could not be integrated within found other uses outside, like when old roof tiles were reused in community projects with a local NGO.
Thalayalam is a deeply emotional and cultural response to the idea of ‘home.’ With harmonious interplay of tradition and technology, the house bridges geographies and generations while nurturing their well-being. Holding stories of migration, memory, and rootedness– Thalayalam is the realisation of a deep longing for a place where they belong.
Fact File
Designed by: Ant Studio
Project Type: Residential Interior Design
Project Name: Thalayalam
Location: Noida, Uttar Pradesh
Year Built: 2025
Duration of the project: December 2023 – April 2025
Project Size: 5996 Sq.ft
Principal Designers: Swati Goenka & Ar. Monish Siripurapu
Team Lead: Shivangi Singhal
Design team: Kashish, Ashwin, Nitin & Apurva
Photograph Courtesy: Nakul jain
On-site coordination team: Harsh, Ashwin, Gowri, Mukul, Apurva and Ananya
Mini backend ant force: Ashwyn, Muskaan, Geetanjali, Pranjal, Roshni, Arsh, Kanchan, Puja, Labeeb, Harsh 2.0, Shaliq
Visualization: Kanchan Singh, Muskaan Jain, Shivangi Singhal, Arshdeep Singh
Documentation and Photography team: Nakul Jain, NJDC (Principal Photographer)
Painting artists: Arshdeep Singh
Styling: Charan
Products / Materials / Vendors: Finishes – Lime plaster/Arraish / Lighting – Upteriors / Doors and Partitions – Reused and refurbished / Sanitaryware –Jaquar / Windows – Reused and refurbished Furniture – Reused and refurbished / Flooring – KG tiles, Raju marbles / Kitchen – Ederra kitchen / Paint – Asian paints / Wallpaper – Drapes and Spreads / Hardware – Hettich
Firm’s Website Link: Ant Studio
The Firm’s Instagram Link: Ant Studio
Firm’s Facebook Link: Ant Studio
For Similar Project>>> Barkat House Is A Reflection Of Modern Contemporary Design Blended With Timeless Elegance
When it comes to enhancing the kitchen window over the sink, various design ideas are possible to decorate Indian homes. From rooted in tradition to Western-style modular kitchens offer both functionality and attractive aesthetics. Apart from the sleek profile and raised breakfast counter, the kitchen window over sink is another spot to add appeal and […]
In Indian homes with dynamic spaces, identification of standard interior door dimensions can have a positive impact on space optimization. First impressions matter, right? Beyond spaces inside the homes, doors carry long-time impressions through various panel sizes, intricate details, and more. While most of us remember the material and design, we tend to forget the […]
Pillar design is a cornerstone of architectural elegance, seamlessly blending structural support with aesthetic appeal. Our blog, “50 Best Pillar Design Inspirations,” celebrates this essential element, showcasing a variety of styles from classical Doric and Ionic to contemporary and avant-garde innovations. Whether you’re an architect, interior designer, or a design enthusiast, these pillar design inspirations […]
Embarking on a journey into the realm of interior design, our focus turns to the transformative realm of painting techniques for walls. In this exploration, we delve beyond traditional colour choices, uncovering a diverse palette of methods that redefine living spaces. Going beyond the conventional, these painting techniques redefine walls, introducing depth, texture, and individuality. […]
Throughout history and timeline of periodic styles, we have witnessed numerous Types of Vaults in Architecture. Vaulted ceilings refer to architectural designs where the ceiling is arched or curved, creating a series of arches, domes, or other curved structures. Permutations of various geometries of their upward curvature that depend on the timeline of a typical […]
We have listed the 20 Best Architects and Designers in and around Ahmedabad, Gujarat who has shaped some of the best architectural residences and commercial spaces. Of the many architects in Ahmedabad, these shortlisted few are the ones with an array of award-winning projects done by them that puts them over the edge which will […]