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
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, […]
SapanoUday is a contemporary residence that balances material rawness with layered textures and crafted detail, aligning modern living with cultural and spatial sensibilities. Designed by Hundreddesigns, the home responds closely to the client’s routines and artistic inclinations while thoughtfully integrating Vastu principles. HundredDesigns The designers defined the architecture through a minimal palette, using exposed concrete […]
KRIPA is a residence that reflects the personality and lifestyle of its homeowner — calm, open, and rooted in nature. The project focuses on creating light-filled, green spaces with minimal private zones, encouraging openness and connection. In a time when spaces are shrinking but expectations are rising, architecture becomes the medium to bridge this gap […]
The Sculpted Sanctuary is a masterclass in modern minimalist design. The project focuses on “Quiet Luxury”. It is the idea that a space doesn’t need bright colors or flashy decor to feel expensive. Instead, it uses raw natural materials, rich textures, and sharp architectural lines. This Home Is A Masterclass In Modern Minimalist Design | […]
SIDHARTHA, is a four-bedroom modern house which is functional and aesthetic driven by the specific needs of the client. The location of the site is in a dense neighbourhood in Bengaluru, India. The contemporary urban dwelling frequently negotiates competing demands. It balances generous daylight and visual connection to the street with privacy, dust control, and […]
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 […]
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. […]