This concrete house design is amidst coconut plantations and other native vegetation belonging to a typical northern Kerala landscape. It is a very quiet and tranquil setting that doesn’t invite any kind of intrusions. Altering this and bringing about any kind of change called for a respectful approach.
Editor’s Note: “With white walls, intricate screening and symmetrical geometry this residence in Kerala merges with the landscape setting a tranquil aura. The monolithic form of the residence with subtle interiors of grey and wooden accents evokes a sense of minimalism. The verdant plantations, terrace planters, and expansive bay windows elevate the living experience, creating a seamless blend of nature and refined simplicity.” ~Simran Khare
This Concrete House Design Is Set In A Site Covered In Coconut Plantations | Zero Studio
Thus, this concrete house design assigns its external facade the duty of ‘screening’ the built from the unbuilt. They further do this to place the volume in the most subtle way, avoiding stark contrast with the context.
The ‘screen’ or envelope of the house lines itself with a layer of landscape in the inner periphery, acting as a filtering member for the light and noise from the outside. It also enables a play of light inside during the day.
Moreover, it brings in fresh and humid air from the surroundings, filters it, and spreads it to different corners of the house. The facade metaphorically represents a ‘lantern’ where the external envelope shields and glorifies the beauty of the inner core – the light or the function; literally witnessed during the night.
The design features a clean, straightforward elevation where windows and doors wrap inside without revealing their identity. This further produces a monolithic form.
Once you enter the house, you are welcomed to a larger volume. This is where an elongated water body by the entrance dynamically knits all the common spaces into one.
We intentionally keep the walls minimal to provide unfettered access to the landscape in the periphery while ensuring the required privacy for bedrooms. While the screen and the subsequent landscape layer control the view towards the inner areas, the users are able to have a filtered view towards the outside through the same.
This more or less thins the idea of having an opaque boundary to the volume. It also serves its purpose of providing security going with an absolutely open planning. The palette for finishes in the interiors is mostly neutral to original shades without compromising this uncluttered appeal.
It is designed for a family of four – husband, wife, and their two kids who currently reside in the UK and come down during their annual holidays. They wanted their home to be set in their ancestral land. It enables them to be around their loved ones and host memorable gatherings while they were here.
The process behind delivering personalized and intimate spaces for each of the users from a common volume was very intense. Some delightful elements include the living area floating deck that opens into the garden, reading space in the stair landing. It also has a private balcony of the first-floor bedroom overlooking the plantation, the terrace planters, the bay windows and the prayer/ meditation room in the ground floor with a perforated wall that brings in interesting patterns of daylight. These are spaces that emote varying moods where these users can celebrate the wholesome experience of ‘homecoming.’
Fact File
Designed by: Zero Studio
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Screen-The Lantern House
Location: Tirur, Kerala
Year Built: 2022
Built Up Area: 5200 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Hafeef Pk, Hamid Mm (Late)
Photograph Courtesy: Ar. Hamid MM
Manufacturers: Saint-Gobain, Crabtree, EBCO, Faber, General, Hafele, Jaquar, Kapital Plywood, LG Hausys
Landscape Contractors: Land Systems / Structural Contractors: Cubix Ultra Builders / Structural Consultants: A & N Consultants / Design Team: Shabna K, Nidhinraj Kj / Plumber: Ansar Electrician: Mirshad / Industrial Work: Sareesh / Mep & Hvac Consultants: Elmek Solutions
Source: ArchDaily
Firm’s Instagram Link: Zero Studio
Firm’s Facebook Link: Zero Studio
For Similar Project>>> A Climate Responsive Courtyard House In Kerala With An Earthy Palette And Natural Materials
Conceived as a dialogue between architecture and landscape in Alibag, CASAVIVA transforms the house into a sequence of spaces where nature becomes an integral part of everyday life. This Home In Alibag Is Conceived As A Dialogue Between Architecture & Landscape | SHROFFLEoN Design Brief Designed for a family seeking a calm and timeless residence, […]
Some homes begin with a drawing, and The Saffron Verandah began with an orchard. In the mango-growing landscapes of Shoolagiri, a quiet hamlet in northern Tamil Nadu, the land has settled into its own rhythm over generations. Rows of mature mango trees stretch across nearly three-quarters of an acre, their broad canopies tempering the southern […]
The house is conceived as a metaphor for the valley it inhabits. The design borrows the language of a bustling street skyline, stretching the home along a corner site so it frames the valley and its lake. Three linear bays, offset vertically and linked by corridors, open the plan to filtered western light and cross […]
The site is located in Ahilyanagar town of Maharashtra, with a design brief of 7,000 sq feet, while the house had to be designed for the hot and dry climate, which responds carefully to extreme temperatures, intense sunlight, and low humidity. The design focuses on reducing heat gain, improving natural ventilation, and creating comfortable indoor spaces with […]
“Pravah” — A House That Breathes is envisioned as the main concept of this home revolves around a fluid, light-filled home where architecture becomes a continuous experience of movement, air, and connection. Located in Pal Gamtal, Surat, the project is a residential redevelopment on a 1,850 sq.ft. plot within a dense urban fabric. The site, […]
Editor’s Note: There’s a quiet clarity in homes that are shaped by real, everyday needs. Alcove feels like a thoughtful response to just that, balancing openness with comfort in a setting rooted in tradition. Moving away from a dense, older home, this residence embraces light, air, and simplicity while still holding on to its Kerala […]
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 […]
Plants for home garden, apart from making houses look more beautiful and inviting, add health and calmness to them. Having any kind of indoor plant, a herb plant or a flowering plant adds some value to your decor and the quality of the space. Always choose plants that will flourish in your space and climate. […]