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
This North Facing villa opens towards the East to always soak in the cool and diffused light. Its orientation is mindful of the adjoining clubhouse and its expansive garden. The planning allows the villa’s private lawn to visually merge with it, creating a larger and cohesive space. With a connection to the open space at […]
An Urban Sanctuary Woven with Craft, Warmth, and Light Explicitly tucked into a quiet residential pocket, this home with a jaali facade is a thoughtfully layered expression of calm, character, and craftsmanship. Every surface and corner is rooted in intention — where light, material, and memory meet. The Jaali Design in this Layered Home Exudes […]
The design of the house prioritises connectivity to nature by incorporating green elements like vertical gardens or landscaped courtyards. This is achieved through various means, such as large windows framing scenic views, outdoor living spaces seamlessly merging with the surrounding landscape. The emphasis on connectivity to nature creates a serene and harmonious environment, fostering a […]
“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. Editor’s Note: “Viraam is not just a house, it’s a pause. A place to […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]