Editor’s Note: Urvi, the house of grounded ideals shows us the durability and effective spell earthy materials can have on us. The team of Niya Ann Sharon Architects has conspired spaces that rejoice in their own world while making the occupants feel a dire part of it. The tropical drape of plants, natural materials, and colors has an indigenous spark that is quite unbeatable. ~ Nishal Sevak(Co-Editor)
The house is approached through a grey limestone-laid front yard. The gate and latticed compound wall are designed to allow light and wind in. They offer almost complete visibility toward the outside while offering privacy. Urvi, a tropical home is made of local materials and fluidic spaces with lush landscapes adorning the parking area on either side. This continues into a landscaped court. The main door transitions into a semi-open living space overlooking the landscaped court. The flooring in this area almost seems like a fluid perpetuation of the outdoor limestone.
Urvi, a Tropical Home is Made of Local Materials and Fluidic Spaces with Lush Landscapes | Niya Ann Sharon Architects
Visit: Niya Ann Sharon Architects
The living area is separated from the other areas of the house with a folding door. The dining area has large windows on one end and a staircase on the other. Air from the windows is drawn into the house and moves out through the jaalis in the stairwell.
The Jaali screen not only adorns the facade but is in a central position; it aids in adequate cross ventilation and keeps the inside lit naturally. Ventilation efficiency is maximized by strategically positioning the vertical jaali wall and a landscaped garden buffer on the opposite side.
The orientation of each jaali block of the porous wall also provides shade and prevents rainwater from entering.
The wash area wall is clad with laterite. The art in this area complements the earthen hues of the room. A simple material palette was adopted, and the colors and textures of the surfaces blended into each other. The ground floor also accommodates one bedroom and a kitchen.
The ceiling is left with the crude finish of cement plastering. The cement board shutters of the wardrobe and cabinet shutters also brace this raw grey texture.
The first floor includes the common study and library space, two bedrooms, and an open terrace. The open terrace is designed as a leisure space for the family. It is semi-open and enclosed within the lattice walls of the facade and offers privacy, just like the main gate.
The outside of the eastern wall is covered with vernonia creepers that cascade down from the terrace area. The terrace area is also covered with bamboo curtains for privacy. Thus, the entire façade is a collage of materials that not only serves different functions but also, when combined, gives life to the name ‘Urvi.’
Fact File
Designed by: Niya Ann Sharon Architects
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Urvi
Location: Trivandrum, Kerala
Year Built: 2020
Duration of the project: 1 Year 6 Months
Plot Area: 3.6 Cents
Project Area: 1300 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Ar. Niya Ann Sharon
Photograph Courtesy: Tims Jose Kunnath
Artists: Ashik Purushotham & Abhijith M Janardhanan
Products / Materials / Vendors: Wallcovering / Cladding – Laterite, Kotta Stone / Doors and Partitions – Teak wood / Facade Systems – Nuvocotto Terracotta Jaali / Windows – Aluminium / Furniture – Refurbished wood / Flooring – Kotta Stone / Kitchen – Wood, Cement board, Granite.
Firm’s Instagram Link: Niya Ann Sharon Architects
Firm’s Facebook Link: Niya Ann Sharon Architects
For Similar Project >>> An Impressive 6800 sqm. Bungalow is the Definition of Blurring Boundaries Between Indoor and Outdoor Expanses
In a landscape where aspiration quietly waits, Granthalay emerges as a circular building and sanctuary for learning—gathering people, knowledge, and place into a shared civic moment. Granthalay is conceived as a civic institution that extends beyond the conventional idea of a library, responding to the acute lack of educational and community infrastructure in the district […]
A dilapidated old manor house in Jaffna peninsula, with warped roof beams, warped door windows and many structural defects were presented to the architects for refurbishment- by clients- to be refurbished as a retirement home for themselves who were returning to Sri Lanka after escaping to overseas due to the 25 years old North East […]
This residence is a sincere exploration of how architecture can remain simple, climate sensitive, cost-effective, and emotionally grounded, without compromising on spatial quality or design intent. Conceived as a 3BHK modest home for a small family, the project stands as a testament to what is possible when thoughtful planning, craft-oriented construction, and material intelligence come […]
Design, when it emerges as a living tapestry, turns the experience of living into a vibrant everyday narrative. Baldota House in Alandi, Pune by ARCHOS accommodates three generations under a single roof in the area spanning 7500 Sq. Ft. Spearheaded by the family’s desire for a generous space and a theatrical essence along with balanced […]
Few homes are celebrated for their iconic interiors, while some are celebrated for their open layouts. True to its unique context and subtleties, this home with a monochromatic palette, designed by Ar. Saumya Khanna & Ar. Sudhir Ambawata Co – founders & principle architects of SSDA Architects brings the essence of volumetric design and a […]
Adopting sustainable living today, both in design and daily life, is crucial for reducing our environmental footprint and preserving resources for future generations. In the design of this bamboo pavilion, this means using eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient technologies, and creating spaces that harmonize with natural surroundings. In daily living, sustainability involves mindful consumption, reducing waste, conserving […]
Tucked into the lush landscape of Thiruvananthapuram, Aashiyana is a residence that balances context, climate, and craft. Designed by architect Srijit Srinivas, this bungalow is conceived as more than a tropical retreat-it is a spatial journey where bold colour, filtered light, and thoughtful materials orchestrate a distinctive atmosphere. Nestled Amidst Lush Landscape Aashiyana Balances Craft […]
Situated on a compact 1200 sft south-west corner plot, this residence was conceived as an inward-looking sanctuary for a family of four — a home that balances privacy and openness, light and enclosure, within the dense urban fabric. This Residence Was Conceived As An Inward-Looking Sanctuary For A Family Of Four | The Insideout Studio […]
Project 1374 is located in one of the plotted developments in the north of Bangalore, characterized by well-demarcated plots, open spaces, spacious roads, and organized infrastructure. Trees flank the wide streets, dividing the plots with dense canopies offering shaded avenues. Abutting the plot stood a cluster of trees- a quiet presence. We borrowed these trees […]
‘Roots’ was an experiment to build sustainably but not confer to the design language typically associated with sustainable buildings. This residential project re-considers the expression of sustainable architecture through a minimalist and materially grounded lens. Located on a 4,000 sq.ft. plot, the designers conceived the house for a family of three and their pet, organizing […]