Paati-veedu in the Tamil language means grandmother’s home. The client wanted a traditional courtyard house after having lived in a multilevel home with limited light, ventilation, and disjointed spaces. The site is on a 40×60 ft (2400 sq. ft.) property with the north side facing the street.
Editor’s Note: “Rooted in nostalgia yet modern in spirit, this home reflects the essence of a traditional Tamil courtyard house. Blending old-world charm with contemporary sensibilities, it reimagines spaces with natural light, ventilation, and social warmth, creating a sanctuary that feels open yet intimate—a seamless blend of heritage and modernity.” ~Simran Khare
This House With a Traditional Courtyard Fuses Nostalgia with Modernism | Art & Architecture
Our brief required a humble, traditionally inspired, and secure home with natural light and ventilation, along with visual and physical connections between family spaces.
We designed a home that is open, secure and feels private. Trying not to impose the presence of this building, the horizontal grill lines on the façade alongside the extended floor slabs make the house appear floating and speak airy and light.
Inspired by traditional courtyard house from the region, we consolidated nostalgia with modernism. The Thinnai (in Tamil verandah looking to the street) was intentionally made to look inward to the courtyard for privacy and to function as a social space exclusively for the family.
Locally sourced kiln bricks were used for a screen wall that separates the parking lot and courtyard. A weave pattern was devised to let in the northeastern sunlight whilst providing privacy and security from the street.
The spaces were designed for their visiting grandchildren to socialise and bring in elements of nature physically or abstractly.
In Paati-veedu, we used abstract representations of the five elements. The brick arrangement on the east courtyard wall forms a rising sun to depict fire. Meanwhile, the blue oxide staircase symbolises water, and the red accents represent the earth. Open, flowing spaces with visual connections between the indoors and outdoors express space and air.
We restored four newel from a colonial-era staircase. Additionally, we also connected them to resemble twin columns, placing them on rubble rocks uncovered during excavation.
They work as handy support while climbing steps and deceive as a Chettinad column supporting the beam of the verandah’s clay-tiled sloping roof.
We piled rocks in the open corners to protect the exposed black I-section columns from corrosion caused by surface water runoff. This arrangement gives the illusion that the rocks support the living room and dining passage floors when viewed from outside.
From the inside, the courtyard is visible through the aluminium sliding glass windows in the kitchen, dining, and passage areas. The experience of natural light and shadow, its contrast, not only helps the courtyard serve air circulation and good views, but it also establishes a visual connection between spaces.
The Living room ceiling is left exposed, with north and east walls full-height glass sliding windows highlighting no visible roof beams. Moreover, they also contrast and balance with no opening south and west walls that shield from the afternoon sun.
With different levels of ceilings distinguishing the spaces, the filler slab ceiling using terracotta pots in the passage and stairwell breaks the monotony of space and cools the low-height ceiling.
The design intends blending natural elements with practical and economical ideologies that tastefully resonates within a space called home.
Fact File
Designed by: Art & Architecture
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Paati-Veedu
Location: Chennai
Year Built: 2023
Duration of the project: 9 Months
Project Size: 1806 Sq.ft
Project Cost: 65 Lakhs
Principal Architect: Chamraj Suresh Babu
Team Design Credits: Mukilan & Bagavathi Sree
Photograph Courtesy: Kaptured Studios
Products / Materials / Vendors: Finishes – Exposed concrete / Wallcovering / Cladding – Brick Construction Materials – Zuari Cement , ARS steel / Lighting – Havells / Sanitaryware – Parryware Windows – Jindal / Flooring – KAG tiles / Kitchen – Vijayam Creative Design Studio / Paint – Asian Paints Hardware – Ebco
Consultants for the Project: Civil – Vitham constructions Pvt. Ltd. / MEP & HVAC Consultants – Vitham constructions Pvt. Ltd. / Structure Engineers – Kannimar Consultants / Project Managers – Karthikeyan
Firm’s Website Link: Art & Architecture
Firm’s Instagram Link: Art & Architecture
For Similar Projects >> Baag-E-Fursat, A Place Of Tranquility & Peace And An Escape From The City’s Hustle Bustle
Modular houses are prefabricated structures built in modules manufactured and assembled on-site. They are built under controlled plant conditions, using the same materials, and designed to the same codes and standards as conventionally built facilities but in about half the time. As a result, this reduces the construction cost to 30% to 50% less than […]
Brick houses have been a cornerstone of architecture for centuries, celebrated for their durability, aesthetic versatility, and timeless appeal. In modern design, architects continue to explore innovative ways to incorporate brick into residential spaces, blending traditional materials with contemporary needs. While the design of each brick house is unique, there are several ways to incorporate […]
Architecture is not just a profession, it is an evolving journey of discovery, adaptation, and growth. At Elev8 2025, Architect Hiren Patel takes us on a journey into the design philosophy of Monkey Forest Villa. He explores the architectural elements that contribute to the home’s artistry. He also offers insight into the story of his design […]
Nestled in the serene embrace of a quiet residential colony, Charcoal Charm stands as a testament to modern architecture home innovation, seamlessly blending with its surroundings. Designed for a prominent businessman’s family, this 4BHK residence not only caters to the family’s need for privacy and comfort but also provides a rejuvenating retreat from the bustling […]
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. […]
The initial impression of this contemporary residence design is one of striking visual interplay, where bold architectural gestures redefine conventional aesthetics. A diagonally laid brick veil, its textured surface meticulously arranged to capture the shifting light throughout the day, becomes a dynamic façade element, casting ever-changing shadows that animate the exterior. Editor’s Note: “The yellow […]
Namana is an east-facing home situated on a compact 60’x50’ plot beside a serene vineyard. Designed for a family of three, the single-story residence emphasizes spatial fluidity, natural illumination, and a tactile material palette that evokes warmth and simplicity. Editor’s Note: “Namana, a quiet dialogue between light, material, and space, is a home that listens […]
“We want a modern oasis to retire to with our little boys on the weekends” was a brief given to us by our clients who are busy medical professionals with a very hectic life in the city. Inspired by the essence of prairie-style homes, the couple wished to cherish and recreate their favourite moments from […]
Nestled between the bustling residential and industrial edges of Bengaluru, Ihita stands as a bold architectural statement, embodying a harmonious blend of traditional Indian house design and modernity. The home challenges conventional urban residential design by prioritizing openness, natural light, and a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Through the strategic use of large […]
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 […]