Nestled in the tranquil village of Thenipalam, Malappuram, Aman is a 2,800 sq. ft. residence, manifesting its Urdu namesake, meaning peace, sanctuary, and security. Designed by Vaktra Architects, this traditional Kerala home is a testament to simplicity, blending Kerala’s tropical ethos with contemporary elegance.
This Traditional Kerala Home is Rooted in Simplicity and Modern Elegance | Vaktra Architects
“When the clients approached us, they envisioned a home free from over-ornamentation. Simple, modern, yet rooted in Kerala’s climate. Aman became a canvas where minimalism meets warmth” shares Ar. Insaf.
“Every detail, from the preserved mango tree to the natural materials, was intentional” adds Ar. Salwa.
Set on a 16-cent L-shaped plot, the house faces east despite its southern entry—a decision guided by Kerala’s sunlight patterns. A mature mango tree, cherished by the client, shaped the layout, ensuring nature remained at the forefront.
A clean, minimalist aesthetic. Functional outdoor spaces: a front yard, backyard, and landscaped courtyard. Climate-responsive design with modern sensibilities.
To fulfil this, the kitchen was placed on the northeast side, connected to a textured RR masonry screen wall that stretches to the plot’s eastern edge. This wall, clad in earthy laterite, frames the backyard and porch while pivoted wooden shutters offer glimpses of the lush surroundings.
The home is thoughtfully divided into three zones:
Sit-out & Living Room: A welcoming space with clean lines and soaring ceilings, anchored by Jaisalmer marble flooring that glows in natural light.
Family Living, Dining & Kitchen: The heart of the home, where daily life unfolds. A patio extends from the family area, merging indoors with outdoors.
A sculptural wooden staircase becomes a focal point, while a built-in bay window in the dining area invites family gatherings.
Bedrooms: Each features cozy bay windows designed for reading or quiet conversations. Soft light filters through, blending privacy with nature’s embrace.
The design embraced raw, natural textures to amplify the home’s minimalist soul. Floors: Jaisalmer marble (living areas) and rugged Kota stone (kitchen). Walls: RR masonry cladding and laterite stone, celebrating Kerala’s vernacular craft. Wood: Stairs, shutters, and furniture in warm reddish tones add organic warmth.
Walls in white, yellow, and cement grey create a calming backdrop. Floral-patterned fabrics on sofas, chairs, and cushions infuse subtle vibrancy. Handpicked artworks, paintings, and pendant lights echo the home’s understated elegance.
Aman reimagines the traditional Kerala home through a minimalist lens. Courtyards become meditative retreats, while open layouts and natural materials honour the region’s architectural DNA.
“It’s a space for both solitude and social connection—where families gather, monsoons are celebrated, and peace is perpetual,” reflects Ar. Insaf.
Fact File
Designed by: Vaktra Architects
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Aman
Location: Malappuram, Kerala
Year Built: 2024
Duration of the project: 2021-2024
Project Size: 2800 Sq.ft
Project Cost: 85 Lakhs
Principal Architects: Ar. Badarul Insaf & Ar. Salwa
Team Design Credits: Ar. Jasim & Swafwan
Photograph Courtesy: concreto_grapher
Firm’s Instagram Link: Vaktra Architects
For Similar Project >>A Meticulously Designed House that Caters to a Joint Family while Embracing the Principles of Vastu Shastra
The house incorporates elements of Persian design while adhering to a minimalist luxury motif. The concept is a deep journey with luxury as its language, seclusion as its promise, and functionality as its cornerstone. Known as the princess of Jaipur, it pirouettes in response to outside visual cues such as curves and smooth edges. A modern […]
The house showcases a modern three-story residence exemplifying contemporary architectural design through its clean lines, geometric volumes, and a balanced interplay of materials. The facade skillfully combines textured tile cladding, smooth plaster, and contrasting color blocks in neutral shades of gray, black, and earthy rust, adding visual depth and dynamism. Expansive glass panels framed in […]
House of Silhouettes is located in Navratan, Udaipur. The plot is a corner one facing north and west 60’x40′ with a built-up area of 6500 sq.ft., designed in contemporary modern architecture as an independent house at three levels, including terrace. House of Silhouettes Reflects Contemporary Modern Architecture | Shaunak Singh and Associates This contemporary residence […]
Nestled in the upscale neighborhood of Naranpura, Ahmedabad, Visamo is a south-facing NRI bungalow that redefines luxury modern bungalow design through a seamless blend of contemporary architecture and biophilic design. Spanning a 7,330 sq. ft. plot with 10,000 sq. ft. of built-up area, this residence is a heartfelt homecoming for a young couple returning to […]
The client envisioned a quiet contemporary residence within the dense urban fabric—a contemporary home style that balances modern aesthetics with a lived-in warmth. Functionality, spatial fluidity, and a strong connection with nature were prioritized. The home was to accommodate a multigenerational family, enabling both communal and private moments without compromising on light, ventilation, or spatial […]
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 […]
Aangan is a modern residence that seamlessly integrates with the lush environment of Kerala, showcasing a tropical home design. Designed to embrace the region’s warm climate, the house features a striking sloped terracotta roof at varying levels, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and functional efficiency. The structure is enveloped in a vibrant tropical landscape, adorned […]
The door design for main door is a defining feature of any Indian home, embodying both style and cultural significance. In a country rich with diverse architectural traditions, the entrance to your home reflects not only personal taste but also cultural heritage. Whether you’re drawn to the intricate carvings of traditional Indian door designs or […]
Pillar design is a cornerstone of architectural elegance, seamlessly blending structural support with aesthetic appeal. Our blog, “50 Best Pillar Design Inspirations,” celebrates this essential element, showcasing a variety of styles from classical Doric and Ionic to contemporary and avant-garde innovations. Whether you’re an architect, interior designer, or a design enthusiast, these pillar design inspirations […]
This simple farmhouse design is a humble residence that responds to the climate and site. It is a fun fact that the house is both an inward and outward looking house at the same time. One of the USPs of the simple farmhouse design project would be that it connects well with the most playful […]