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 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 […]