search
  • Zikr Inculcates Natural Ventilation and Living Among Nature in its Very Being | Barefoot Architects

    Barefoot Architects have included natural ways of traditional planning, like natural ventilation and native landscaping to an heartfelt extent.

    The house, designed with a formal layout centered on a central courtyard, celebrates the traditional planning and arrangement found in Kerala’s historic homes, emphasizing the importance of natural ventilation and daylight.

    Editor’s note: An Another significant addition to the Southern architecture fabric that so intuitively engages us. The central courtyard hosts to make memories for the members and enhances all the spaces attached to it. All the factors necessary for a dialed-down and relaxed dwelling are accommodated and acquainted in amicable terms. ~ Nishal Sevak

    Zikr Inculcates Natural Ventilation and Living Among Nature in its Very Being | Barefoot Architects

    The house is set amidst agricultural land in Alanallur, Palakkad and the site’s naturally elevated setting offer a modest view of the town nearby. The client’s desire to build a home surrounded by the houses of their friends and relatives highly influenced the planning and designing aspects. 

    The site, originally an ancestral property, has an area of approximately 3,600 sq.ft and is a part of their agricultural land. Since the client primarily resides abroad, the house is mostly used by his mother with the assistance of a few workers.

    The house is designed in a way that maximizes the use of natural light and ensures excellent ventilation across all the rooms. The centrally placed courtyard is remarkably impactful in regulating the microclimate of the building and furthermore lets in the natural context into the house. It is designed to ensure barrier-free standards making it accessible to those with mobility difficulties.

    When it comes to planning, the layout skillfully integrates spaces and rooms around a central courtyard, in perfect harmony with the client’s desire to infuse nature into their living space. The courtyard is flanked on both sides by the dining and living areas, both of which open onto an inviting sit-out courtyard, elevating the overall ambiance of the space.

    The adjacent study area not only allows for supervision but also ensures that the courtyard’s essence permeates this part of the home. The lengthy verandahs lend the house the charm and atmosphere of a traditional Kerala tharavadu. 

    The house’s interiors and furniture boast a harmonious blend of traditional and modern finishes. Many of the furnishings are reclaimed from the client’s former residence and have been customized to meet their specific preferences. The use of Rattan cane weaving in the furniture, coupled with the incorporation of modern art and various mud pottery, contributes to a splendid interior ambiance.

    The inclusion of classic architectural details such as woodwork, combined with contemporary features like open floor plans and sleek, minimalist furnishings, imparts a polished and sophisticated feel to the interiors. The choice of materials, including Kota green and Jaisalmer yellow color flooring, pays homage to tradition while celebrating the house’s rich heritage.

    For the purpose of welcoming intermittent rain and breezy winds into the core of the building, a retractable shading system graces the central courtyard. Adorned with terracotta jaalis, meticulously arranged to create a stylish play of shadows, this feature imparts a dynamic quality to the space, offering varying patterns on the floor as daylight transitions.

    The house’s exterior showcases a classic sloped roof supported by steel truss work, adorned with clay tiles. The exterior pavement is crafted from cobblestone, seamlessly blending with the surrounding landscape, which features alocasia plants, coconut trees, and heliconia.

    FACT FILE

    Designed by: Barefoot Architects

    Project Type: Residential

    Project Name: Zikr

    Completion Year: 2023

    Gross Built Area: 3683 sqft

    Project Location: Alanallur, Kerala

    Principal Architects: Basil Kalladi, Nithin Raj

    Photo Credits: Justin Sebastian 

    Firm’s Instagram Link: Barefoot Architects

    In This Rustic Farmhouse in Hyderabad, Time Pauses and Light Dances | Sona Reddy Studio

    Editor’s Note: There’s something truly special about homes crafted with thought and care—where every corner and detail speaks to its users, becoming part of their memories. For siblings Akhila and Kaushik, Sona Reddy Studio brought this vision to life in One Summer House, a rustic farmhouse tucked within the vibrant city of Hyderabad. Designed with […]

    Read More

    Golden Accents Stand Out in the Interiors of This Noida Bungalow | Axiom Design Studio

    This southwest-facing bungalow, with golden accents in its interiors, is a refined expression of contextual and climate-responsive modern architecture. The home embraces its orientation with an intelligent façade design that balances aesthetic appeal and environmental performance. With the sun’s harshest rays hitting the structure in the latter half of the day, the architects incorporated a […]

    Read More

    This North Facing House Exudes Gentle Luxury | VPA Architects

    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 […]

    Read More

    The Jaali Design in this Layered Home Exudes Earthiness | Pranav Patel Design Studio

    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 […]

    Read More

    With Landscaped Courtyards & Expansive Openings, This House Emphasises Nature | 9 Degree Design Studio

    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 […]

    Read More

    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. Editor’s Note: “Viraam is not just a house, it’s a pause. A place to […]

    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

    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

    This Tropical Home Design Features A Striking Sloped Terracotta Roof In Kerala | Vriksha Architects

    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 […]

    Read More

    50 Indian Door Design For Main Door To Enhance the Curb Appeal

    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 […]

    Read More
  • A Branding Office Where Subdued Colors Take Center Stage | Less is MORE-Architects & Interior Designers

    Geometric Patterns Define the Design Outline of this Office Space | Pratinav Chadha Architects