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  • This House Emphasises the Brutalist Architectural Style | LIJO RENY architects

    This brutalist architectural style house perches along a scenic waterfront. ‘The House that Meets the River’ subtly emerges, blending into its verdant surroundings while gracing what could arguably be Thiruvalla’s most captivating locale. Embracing a brutalist architectural style, yet characterized by the elegance of simplicity in its choice of materials, this residence embodies a profound poetic resonance with its environment.

    Editor’s Note: “Embracing the brutalist architectural style, this home is a statement of simplicity. Designed by the riverside, the design is a fine threshold hovering between built and nature. Moreover, the house crafts a slow, relaxing lifestyle for its inhabitants, intertwining with natural surroundings.” ~Rajvi Dedakiya

     This House Emphasises the Brutalist Architectural Style | LIJO RENY architects

    brutalist architectural style

    brutalist architectural style

    Blending with Nature

    It nurtures an intimate and meaningful connection between its residents and the distinctive, natural surroundings, forging a harmonious bond that transcends the ordinary.

    brutalist architectural style

    brutalist architectural style

    Open & Close Spaces

    This building has two contrasting sides. Its street face is private and concealing, yet towards the back, the house opens to the breathtaking panoramic view of the gentle curve of the Manimalayar River. Further, creating an atmosphere ideal for contemplation and relaxation, reinforcing the idea of slowness.

    brutalist architectural style

    Design Concept

    From the outset, the tranquil ambiance of the home instills a sense of stillness. Departing from conventional design, the sit-out is intentionally disconnected from the main living areas. A thoughtful, multi-layered approach was employed in this project, where circulation is mediated by a spacious central courtyard teeming with tropical vegetation, complemented by smaller internal pockets of vegetation that serve as contemplative spaces, fostering a deeper biophilic connection to daily life within the home.

    brutalist architectural style

    brutalist architectural style

    The tenacious foliage obscures the sharp lines of the built form and will eventually hide the building in the landscape as desired by the owners.

    brutalist architectural style

    brutalist architectural style

    Dialogue Between Built & Nature

    In its poetic interplay of architecture and nature, ‘the house that meets the river’ transcends mere residence, becoming a living symphony of design, environment, and human experience. Every element, from the monsoon-flooded steps to the thoughtfully landscaped courtyards, reinforces a harmonious dialogue between the built and natural worlds.

    Despite being a waterfront building, the river is not revealed from the entrance; instead, the west side of the property, which faces the road, has extensive landscaping to cut down on solar gain from that side.

    brutalist architectural style

    brutalist architectural style

    brutalist architectural style

    Formal Living Area

    The formal living room maintains a sense of separation from the larger part of the house while remaining visually and spatially connected to the central courtyard, creating a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces

    brutalist architectural style

    brutalist architectural style

    A Timeless Design

    This home is not just a shelter but a sanctuary where the rhythms of the river and the whispers of the wind craft an ever-evolving narrative of serenity and resilience. It stands as a testament to the timeless beauty of the Manimalayar River. Further, inviting its residents to live in profound connection with the landscape, forever anchored in its graceful ebb and flow.

    The monsoon’s intensity and rainfall in the upper hills shape the river’s current, creating ever-changing patterns of flow. Its colour also changes constantly, influenced by the tide, seasonal changes, and monsoon intensity, occasionally turning the water still and deep black.

    The house design embraces these dynamic scenarios, harnessing the constant riverside breeze to create spaces that are not only refreshing but also deeply connected to the river’s timeless beauty.

     

    Smart Home features

    A custom-engineered locking system secures them in place during severe weather. These screens effectively filter out harsh sunlight, complemented by the shade of cantilevered slabs, mitigating the sun’s impact and tempering the ferocity of rain, and harmoniously balance climate control, security, and comfort, creating a serene and protected indoor environment.

    The riverfront rooms and patios are bathed in the opulent light of the early sun, casting dynamic shadows and reflections from the river onto the walls and ceiling. However, as the sun climbs higher, the peaceful scene gives way to sweltering heat and high humidity.

    Ground-Floor Layout

    The rest of the house is oriented towards the riverfront, with the ground floor featuring a family space, a dining patio, a kitchen, two bedrooms with attached bathrooms, a lap pool, and connected patios, while the first floor offers a family living area and two additional bedrooms with bathrooms, all thoughtfully designed to maximize the sweeping view of the river.

    Heat Resistance Strategies

    To combat the extremes of intense sun and heavy monsoon rain, the design features strategically integrated perforated metal sliding screens, covering all large openings that do not face courtyards. A custom-engineered locking system secures them in place during severe weather. 

    Dynamic Design

    As it rises, the water gradually covers them, creating the appearance of a seamless transition to the river. This design not only highlights the dynamic relationship between the built environment and natural forces but also offers a visually striking feature that evolves with the changing seasons.

    Stone Masonry

    A series of steps in stone masonry leading to the riverfront yard serve as a striking element in this project. During heavy monsoon rains, the yard along with these steps is expected to flood, enhancing the link between the house and the river.

    Weather-Resilient Materials

    While no flood, including the major deluge of 2018, has ever risen above the ground floor level, meticulous attention has been given to selecting weather-resilient materials for both the exteriors and interiors. The home’s palette is raw, robust, and hardwearing, accentuating the tactile qualities of its materials through texture, pattern, color, and geometry. 

    The envelope predominantly features stone masonry and exposed concrete, designed to weather gracefully over time and blend in with the surroundings. The furniture and decor maintain an understated aesthetic, aligning with the project’s muted color palette. However, artwork on the walls and soft furnishings in select areas introduce splashes of bright colors to offset the monotony.

    Fact File

    Designed by: LIJO RENY architects

    Project Type: Residential Architecture Design

    Project Name: The House That Meets the River

    Location: Thiruvalla, Kerala

    Year Built: 2023

    Built-up Area: 7803 Sq.ft

    Principal Architects: Ar. Reny Lijo & Ar. Lijo Jos

    Team Design Credits:  Keystone Engineers & Er Rosemy George – Keystone Engineers

    Photograph Courtesy: Praveen Mohandas

    Project Team: Dhanayan KS and Ar. Naveen Rajan

    Interiors: LIJO.RENY.architects

    Landscape: Plain Spaces, Plain Spaces and LIJO.RENY.architects

    Structural Design: Keystone Engineers, Er Rosemy George – Keystone Engineers

    Steel Fabrication: Protech Enterprises, Raju Antony – Protech Enterprises

    Flooring: SK Flooring Group, Shamjith Kadirur – SK Flooring Group

    Painting: Vismaya Group, Vimal Das – Vismaya Group

    Art: Lijo Jos, Leah Lijo, Jayakrishnan R J, P G Dinesh and Basanth Peringode

    Civil Engineer: P L Joseph and Co.

    Pool: Moothedan Pools

    Stonework: Saji Eratupetta

    Security Systems: Gadgeon Lifestyle

    Plants: Satyadeva Nursery, Greenzone Nursery

    Planted Trees: Satyadeva Nursery, Greenzone Nursery

    Soft Furnishing: Live Linen

    Glass Supplier And Installation: Crystal India

    Source: Archdaily

    Firm’s Website Link:  LIJO RENY architects

    Firm’s Instagram Link:  LIJO RENY architects

    For Similar Project >>> Residential Architecture Is Meticulously Crafted To Meet The Diverse Needs 

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