Location: Kasargode, Kerala
                                                                                                                                                                    The project is a house for an artist, and his family of three. It is a symbiotic coexistence between the built & the unbuilt, nature & man, and Art and architecture. 
The project had multiple design challenges such as site area constraints, budget restrictions, conserving the existing vegetation & topography. At the same time it opened up opportunities for optimization while crafting.

Placement of waterbody in the courtyard helps in the cooling of the air flowing through the interiors. 
Linear courtyard outside the bedrooms induces stack effect since  cool wind from the valley passes through the bedrooms and moves up through the courtyard. 
Design and placement of multipurpose steps and waterbody in the specific region retains the existing natural slope of the site while minimizing excavation. 
Retaining existing trees in the courtyards, brings in shade, thus aiding in reducing heat gain. 
Providing grills over courtyards aids in securing the house, at the same time removes any direct visual obstruction to the area.
All these, and more such strategies were employed  and the material was carefully chosen and manipulated to attain these goals and to optimize the resources, while also tastefully amalgamating architecture and art.

ARTIST RESIDENCE

"What does a person really need? How can everything be organized to save as much space as possible? How can a comfortable atmosphere be created in such a small space without compromising on quality?" The answers to all these questions is the JOY HOUSE.                                                                                                                                               The plan has been developed considering , minimal living  requirements for different functions. Necessity of walls in dividing spaces has been torn down, the idea of privacy in a single household has been reinterpreted. This also helps in constant ventilation through the house since there are to partitions to act as a barrier. The materials are selected carefully, & sourced locally to help fit in the small budget of 7.5 lakhs while also enhancing the character of the structure. The roof extends to the ground and continues as a landscape feature while also acting as a shading envelope and creating a visual attraction. The versatility & multi use features of a space have been explored by modulating the  space and furniture  in multiple ways. The design focuses in redefining the perception of living spaces from the conventional ideas.

JOY HOME

Location: Karivellur, Kannur, Kerala 

Materials explored: Mud, jute, Coir, Mesh, Bamboo, Terracotta tiles, Coconut shells, Broken tiles, 
Exhaust fans, Terracotta pots 

The client, Kodakkad Narayanan, currently a retired headmaster was honored with national teacher’s award for his revolutionary contribution in educating school kids. His approach in engaging kids with outdoor teaching, helping them relate to the environment, and encouraging them to grow and nurture plants, are a few insights into his outlook on teaching and life. The client having a family of 4, envisioned a residence to suit his persona. The architecture embraces the character, ethics and stories of this man and he becomes the main focus of inspiration for this residence.
The design demanded characters of simplicity and elegance. The design inculcates a calculated and innovative use of versatile materials that one can come across in their day-to-day life, such as coconut shells, broken floor tiles, bamboo stem residuals, jute products, exhaust fans, etc. 
 
The core of the house consists of a living (airy double height space), dining (partially intimate zone looking into the internal garden), and yoga platform (personalised recreational space under the double height, looking into the garden), segregated by the three internal courtyards from the private zones, bedrooms, and kitchen (intimate zones). 

The existing mango trees that are retained along with vegetation, incorporate the feeling of nature within the house. This stretch of internal landscape helps connect and naturally light up the fragmented central core with its visual charm. The front yard with pockets of greens celebrates the concept of farm to table, and enriches the harmonious interaction between outdoor and indoor spaces.
 
Externally the structure stands as an example to reuse and recycle with grace and style  keeping in close resemblance to the character of the client, the front double height façade and its counterpart are held together with a frontage of exhaust fans which spin and interact with changing wind flow making the structure visually captivating. The main door is tucked hidden within the opening of the front façade, giving an impression as to one disappearing into the unknown. Overall, the structure narrates the story of one’s life and engulfs feelings of zestful behavior in space, an attempt to have a deeper impact on one’s feelings and senses through sustainable architecture .

SKIN AND BONE RESIDENCE

Location: Kanhangad                                                                                                

The client came with a blank canvas. The aim was to design a modest residence in the town. The main driving factor of the design was the irregularly shaped small site. Designing for the compact site was not seen as a constraint, but as an opportunity. It was key to design compact yet airy and comfortable spaces. Abundantly available and locally sourced laterite is employed largely in the structure. The properties of laterite and the patterns of jaali (lattice) help in ventilation and  keep the structure airy and cool.  The design successfully fulfils the requirement of a comfortable home while providing the client with pleasant architecture.

JAALI HOUSE

The residence is a getaway for the family of a client, an escape from their everyday lives. The structure is built on an expansive site with captivating views. The aim  was to design a residence that captures and compliments the beauty of the site, while maintaining the solitude and sanctity of the users.  Other than fulfilling the desires of the primary users, the house also acts as a timely respite for the workers of the land. To attain both the requirements, the house features an inverted roof that helps create openness and character  in the façade. A long verandah is designed to give a vision of subtle grandeur  and to open up the structure to the vastness of the site while also serving the purpose of being a mid-day respite for the workers.The structure uses locally abundant materials like laterite and mangalore tiles to create a visual contrast and deliver character to it. Overall the structure is designed in a way that gives it a subtle grandeur yet rooted while also being mindful of the materials being used for the structure.