The project is situated in a riverine area at Aluva in the state of Kerala, where an industrial home design has been envisioned for a Non-Residential-Indian family that visits their homeland annually. The location of the site holds special meaning to our client, who grew up in a riverfront house at the banks of Periyar. The location is reminiscent of his childhood memories.
Editor’s Note: Rooted in memory and crafted for reunion, this riverine retreat blends industrial poise with heartfelt warmth. Sunlit courtyards and flowing spaces echo a life once lived and now lovingly reimagined. A home where nostalgia meets modern ease inviting moments of pause and quiet celebration. ~Isha Bora
This Industrial Home Design Is Inspired By Riverfront Childhood Memories | DesignLoom Architects
The project earned the nickname ‘Transformer House’ owing to its semi-pre-fab nature of construction. It blends sharp industrial features with soft, free-flowing spaces. As a result, the home offers a thoughtful combination of voluminous and intimate areas for the client.
They envisioned their house to entertain and host the many relatives and friends who visit. This meant a spacious living, dining and kitchen.
The living space opens up to a private outdoor patio where the family holds barbecue parties. The dining space opens up to a semi-open courtyard, with a glass ceiling and vertical perforations.
The occupants often enjoy a quiet morning and evening tea in this sunlit space. A sliding window visibly connects the courtyard to the kitchen.
The voluminous space with a high ceiling, clerestory windows, and skylights contrast the more private, cosy, intimate spaces.
This three-bedroom residence has a multipurpose upper living that is used as a TV room, workout space and can also be converted to bedroom space by using the convertible sofa.
Ample storage spaces were an essential aspect of the design brief. The colour palette used includes warm tones of terracotta, with cool tones of cement finish grey, steel and glass against a neutral white. The black granite and kadappa stone finish provides a balancing contrast to the cool tones.
The design incorporates clay jali walls, double heights, and perforated sky-lit courtyards to achieve uninterrupted airflow and ample natural light, responding to Kerala’s coastal humidity and rising temperatures.
The staircase acts as the core of light and ventilation by providing additional air movement by discharging the rising hot air through a wind-powered industrial revolving ventilator.
The design carefully places these openings and perforations on the east side, allowing morning rays to fill the building. These aspects have reduced the need for electric lights during the day and any need for air conditioning.
The use of prefabricated 12 x 3-meter glass fibre reinforced gypsum panels (GFRG) for the walls, with its vertical ribs filled with concrete, insulates the interior space from the heat outside.
The gypsum used in the manufacturing of the panels is an industrial by-product that otherwise ended up in landfills polluting the environment.
These innovative panels are a better insulator to heat than conventional wall materials like brick and concrete blocks. the smooth and straight wall surface achieved by GFRG panels allowed for avoiding plastering of walls.
Using the GFRG panels for walls, the superstructure was completed in 100 days, saving time and cost. Collectively, the design vocabulary and construction material ensure considerable temperature reduction inside the building and adequate lighting and ventilation throughout.
Fact File
Designed by: DesignLoom Architects
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Transformer house
Location: Aluva, Kerala. India
Year Built: 2022
Duration of the project: 2 Years
Built-up Area: 3000 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Ar. Mithun O Raghavan & Ar. Meghna Anilkumar
Photograph Courtesy: Running Studios
Contractors: Shellarc / GFRG constructions
Products / Materials / Vendors: Wallcovering / Cladding – cement texture, stone finish walls. Construction Materials – Column Footing & Frame Structure + GFRG panels / Sanitaryware – CERA Windows – Teak,, Anjili Wood, Aluminium windows / Furniture – various, handmade / Flooring – Johnson / Kajaria / Kitchen – Hettich / Trojan Ply /Merino Lam / Paint – Asian Paints / Artefacts – various / Wallpaper – various Hardware – various
Firm’s Website Link: DesignLoom Architects
Firm’s Instagram Link: DesignLoom Architects
For Similar Project>>>This Classy Modern Bungalow Design is in Thane
The thought was to create a space which would act as a formal real estate workspace in the daytime and a family retreat in the evening. By its name, as it is, ‘Leveled. This office with a garden is defined using levels, in terms of volumes, surfaces as well as edges. These levels are rationalized […]
Nirmay (निर्मय) reflects purity and holistic well-being. Envisioned as a quiet sanctuary amidst the noise of urban life, these courtyard villas offer a way of living that is calm, conscious, and deeply connected to the land. Rooted in sustainability and ecological harmony, the design responds to both nature and the everyday rhythms of its inhabitants. […]
Winterfell is a work of camouflaged design, an organic house that melds seamlessly with the terrain, rolling into the vibrant green landscape and naturally positioned boulders. Set in the scenic village of Shoolagiri within the Sanctity Ferme community in Tamil Nadu, Winterfell offers an idyllic retreat from urban life—a place to live close to nature. […]
The design concept of Tipu Villa embodies a harmonious balance of boldness and sophistication, crafting spaces that exude refinement and elegance, resulting in a true heritage home. Key design elements include exclusive use of Indian-sourced materials, including Indian teak wood, veneer, natural Kota lime stone, and yellow lime stone, promoting cultural charm and heritage. Tipu […]
Office spaces are often defined by uninspired, industrial aesthetics—endless rows of cubicles, glaring fluorescent lights and austere décor. It’s easy to become desensitized to the potential for beauty in these environments where we spend so much of our time. And with the demands for extended work hours becoming an accepted norm, the line between work […]
Nestled amidst the serene outskirts of Bangalore, this 1.25-acre modern farm house embodies a seamless fusion of traditional craftsmanship and modern design sensibilities. Every detail of the property reflects an unwavering commitment to creating a space that harmonizes with its natural surroundings while honoring heritage. This Modern Farm House Reflects Harmony with Nature and Heritage […]
The client envisioned a home that embodies openness and fluidity through interior contemporary design. He is drawn to expansive volumes and dramatic spatial experiences, including double-height ceilings and multiple floors. Each family member should have a distinct, personal space, yet all areas must remain visually and spatially connected to foster a strong sense of togetherness. […]
The Brahmaputra riverfront rejuvenates a natural water lily pond, creates a new river edge, and seamlessly connects the site to the adjacent heritage museum, fostering public interaction. Editor’s Note: “A combination of contours and current, the design of the Brahmaputra riverfront unfolds like a living memory. Quietly celebrating time and terrain, every curve echoes the […]
Located in the coastal village of Pererenan, Bali, House Terra is a contemporary response to tropical living, designed by Biombo Architects as a family retreat. The project balances built space and landscape, creating a strong connection between architecture and nature while offering shelter from the island’s monsoon climate. Editor’s Note: “House Terra, more than a […]
Located on a 15′ x 95′ ancestral plot in a pal village, Surat, India, this residence is designed for a multi-generational family of seven. This minimal home interior design solves light and space challenges within a narrow plot. The family wanted to stay connected with their community and preserve their cultural roots. The site has […]