The Kalarigram House is located on the outskirts of Auroville, within a site that houses a Kalari school of martial arts and a treatment center. This traditional house design was for the Kalari master, his family, and guests attending various treatments and workshops. The client’s requirements emphasized creating a versatile multifunctional space. It integrates rich traditional elements and local vernacular with modern living standards.
Editor’s Note: “Cocooned in the warm, rustic embrace of brick, the residence in Auroville evokes a timeless charm, seamlessly blending traditional living with modern comforts. The grand central courtyard, pitched roof, and open spaces enhance natural ventilation and elevate the allure of the home. Classic brick jaalis bestow a unique character upon the dwelling, infusing it with a touch of traditional elegance.” ~Simran Khare
This Traditional House Design in Auroville was Designed for the Kalari Master | Badoloka
Given the active environment surrounding the house, including the Kalari school and clinic, the primary design goal was to enhance privacy by inwardly orienting the building. This approach led to the establishment of a central courtyard, which serves as the house’s focal point.
Surrounding open spaces adjacent to the courtyard was adaptable for informal living areas, private art and music performances, workshops, and other activities. The courtyard also plays a crucial role in providing natural light and regulating the microclimate within the house.
The design allocated formal, enclosed spaces only for the eight bedrooms. Meanwhile, areas like the living room, dining area, and kitchenette have an open arrangement around the courtyard.
This layout fosters a sense of openness, connectivity, and social interaction among residents and guests. Main cooking activities are centralized within a larger kitchen block outside the house; hence, a smaller kitchenette is provided here for lighter cooking tasks.
The bedrooms feature large bay windows screened with brick jalis on the exterior. These ensure privacy from the activities around the house, facilitate natural ventilation and cooling during the summer, and cast intricate patterns of light that enhance the aesthetic appeal of the spaces while shielding them against the intense summer sun. These brick jalis give the house a distinctive character as its exterior skin. They add a traditional yet elegant touch, often blending cultural heritage with modern aesthetics.
This attic space serves multiple functions, primarily acting as a versatile area for workshops and gatherings. Additionally, it serves as a barrier against rainwater leakage and excessive heat from the sun, thereby protecting the bedrooms below.
An informal open terrace for evening parties, accessed through the house and also independently from the outside by a spiral staircase, leads to the top floor of the house, which includes an attic space with clay tile roofing.
The architectural framework surrounding the courtyard was experimental, blending traditional stone pillars with a robust foundation of concrete and beams to support the slabs. The rest of the house utilizes locally sourced bricks for load-bearing purposes, which is initially a manufacturing defect, distinguished by their surface pattern.
This unique feature of the exposed brick surface was embraced to impart a distinctive character to the residence, complemented by exposed cement plaster, cast iron, and wood finishes throughout, achieving the raw aesthetic and timeless quality envisioned from the inception of this project.
Fact File
Designed by: Badoloka
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Kalarigram House
Location: Auroville, Tamil Nadu
Year Built: 2022
Built-up Area: 5000 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Praveen Ram
Photograph Courtesy: Studio Frameify
Firm’s Instagram Link: Badoloka
Firm’s Facebook Link: Badoloka
For Similar Project>>> This Aesthetic Courtyard House With Lush Landscape Design Offers A Calm Aura To The Users
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 […]
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 […]
AADHYA is a thoughtfully designed three-bedroom home for a family of three, blending introverted and extroverted spaces in harmony. This modern tropical house design goes beyond mere functionality to become a sanctuary where design elements tell personal stories. With reclaimed terracotta roofing, exposed cement, and brick walls, the residence fosters a tactile connection to its […]
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 […]
Architecture is a field that is wider than the construction of a single building; it represents culture, history, and human aspirations. From the ancient wonderlands of Bhutan to contemporary ones like Morphogenesis, architecture narrates tales of innovation, perseverance, and change. Whether you are a practicing architect, a student, or an enthusiast in quest of inspiration, […]
This rustic farmhouse for a family aims at re-defining tradition to blend in modern thought. Make it contemporary but traditional, was a brief given to the Architect by the client to redesign and build a century-old farmhouse sprawling across 3500 square feet on a 3-acre site in Morbe, Panvel. Editor’s Note: The redesigning of this […]