search
  • This Traditional Kerala Home is Rooted in Simplicity and Modern Elegance | Vaktra Architects

    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.

    Editor’s Note: “Guided by Kerala’s climate patterns and inspired by its traditional architecture, this home illuminates an old soul with modern elegance. Built around an old mango tree, the home adores simplicity and minimalistic design approach. With walls moulded in earthy laterite, roof sculpted with mangalore tiles, and furniture carved from wood, this home is a testament to contemporary ethos with simplicity interwoven in it.” ~Rajvi Dedakiya

    This Traditional Kerala Home is Rooted in Simplicity and Modern Elegance | Vaktra Architects

    traditional kerala home

    “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.

    traditional kerala home

    traditional kerala home

    Design Philosophy: Harmony with Nature

    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.

    traditional kerala home

    traditional kerala home

    Design Choreography

    A clean, minimalist aesthetic. Functional outdoor spaces: a front yard, backyard, and landscaped courtyard. Climate-responsive design with modern sensibilities.

    traditional kerala home

    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.

    traditional kerala home

    traditional kerala home

    The home is thoughtfully divided into three zones:

    Formal Zone

    Sit-out & Living Room: A welcoming space with clean lines and soaring ceilings, anchored by Jaisalmer marble flooring that glows in natural light.

    traditional kerala home

    Informal Zone

    Family Living, Dining & Kitchen: The heart of the home, where daily life unfolds. A patio extends from the family area, merging indoors with outdoors.

    traditional kerala home

    traditional kerala home

    A sculptural wooden staircase becomes a focal point, while a built-in bay window in the dining area invites family gatherings.

    traditional kerala home

    Private Zone

    Bedrooms: Each features cozy bay windows designed for reading or quiet conversations. Soft light filters through, blending privacy with nature’s embrace.

    Material Poetry: Earthy & Elegant

    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.

    Interior Palette

    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.

    A Modern Homage to Kerala’s Legacy

    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



    This 4000 sq ft House Design Unfolds Calm Lifestyle | Avani Mudra Design

    “Viraam,” a 4000 sq ft house design that embodies its literal translation: “a pause.” The vision is to create a sanctuary for relaxation, introspection, and to escape from the constant demands of daily life – an urban void for personal retreat. This 4000 sq ft House Design Unfolds Calm Lifestyle | Avani Mudra Design Reimagining […]

    Read More

    This Indian Contemporary House Design is a Tranquil Retreat | DESIGNEX

    The facade of this Indian contemporary house design strikes a careful balance between solids and voids, with sculpted forms that reveal the inner workings of the space. The design plays with light and shadow, creating visual depth and intrigue from the exterior. The form resembles a cuboid that has been scooped out, while the outer […]

    Read More

    This 5 Storey Building Takes Inspiration From Haveli | SJK Architects 

    This 5 storey building takes inspiration from ancient haveli architecture. “Hailing from north India, the family held deep nostalgia for haveli, large residences with communal courtyards called chowks, projecting balconies called jharokhas and intricate brick or stone lattice screens called jaalis, vernacular to many western and northern regions of India,” said SJK Architects partner Vaishali […]

    Read More

    This Residence Embraces Tradition with Stone Clad Walls | Gaurav Deore Architects

    Set in the serene landscape of Nashik, the Dabholkar Residence by GDA is a home, embracing stone clad walls. Here, tradition and contemporary design exist in harmony. Designed to reflect the family’s deep connection to tradition and art while embracing the style of contemporary living, it is a space where architectural details, heritage furniture, artwork […]

    Read More

    This Load-Bearing House Embeds Original Integrity with Contemporary Design | Studio Kosha

    This remodelling project aimed to revitalise a load-bearing house while respecting its original integrity and adapting it to contemporary needs. The design approach prioritised minimal structural intervention, allowing the existing framework to guide spatial reconfiguration. Careful consideration was given to preserving the load-bearing walls, which formed the backbone of the original construction. Openings were strategically […]

    Read More

    This Modern Approach Redefines Indian Temple Architecture | Karan Darda Architects

    Redefining Indian temple architecture, the relocation of the existing shrine due to a new residential project presented an opportunity to design a space that seamlessly integrates tradition with contemporary needs. The given 400 sq. ft. site was envisioned not merely as a shrine to Lord Datta, a local deity, but as a vibrant community space, […]

    Read More

    This Compact House Design is Rooted in Tradition | Design Matters

    Nestled within a 30×40 ft plot is the compact house design in Banashankari 6th Stage, Bengaluru. This residence for the Ellappans, reimagines traditional Indian living in a contemporary, spatially dynamic form. Designed for a family of three- Mr. Ellappan, his wife, and their teenage son- the house expresses a deep connection to vernacular roots while […]

    Read More

    This Multi Generational Home Blends Aesthetics & Functionality | Design Consortium

    This multi generational home is a testament to the ability of the design practice to blend aesthetic appeal with practical functionality. Keeping environmental sustainability and the welfare of the community at the forefront, Bhowal designed a home that was truly ahead of its time. His visionary approach and the Design Consortium’s expertise in providing a […]

    Read More

    Farmhouse Designs in India: 15 Inspiring Styles To Know

    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 […]

    Read More

    50 Best Pillar Design Ideas And Inspirations For Indian Spaces

    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 […]

    Read More
  • This UNO Business Park Office is a Harmony of Legacy and Modern Design | Studio Pushp

    The Artistic Interior Designs Thrive on Subtle Contrasts and Visual Richness | Apeksha & Dishank Studio