Project Credits & Specs:
- Architects: 3dor Concepts
- Photographs: Prasanth Mohan (Running Studios)
- Location: Thamarassery, Kerala, India
- Area: 270 m2
- Year: 2022
Project Description
‘Live in the lap of nature’.
Every human mind wishes for it. We, architects at 3dor concepts were shown a site literally in nature’s lap, in the foothills of lush Western Ghats in north Kerala. The site was also close to the famous hill station Wayanad. The young client Binil Thomas wanted a single-story four-bed house. He is a professional manager working mostly in big Indian cities and demands a peaceful space in the same land where he spent his childhood living with his parents and siblings. His father was a successful farmer and they had already planted different kinds of plants already in the site.
Hence the design should be more justified to the site. In both ways, the building should respect the site as much as the ambiance of the site should be exploited in the interiors. Since we stick to this approach, we kept the form as much as simple yet gave a unique feature, which we call a signature. The building texture is generally dark which matches the tonality of the entire setting. Two asymmetric c shapes mirror each other with reference to a tree as a focal point. This focal point is positioned where the walkway to the site meets the building.
The entire residence is planned around an open courtyard and eight feet wide sit-out surrounding the rooms on three sides and acts as a perfect transition between indoors and outdoors. Transparency is kept at a maximum level for semi-private spaces where as all four bedrooms are in moderate transparency considering privacy.
Rubble masonry, dark textured concrete, grey floor tile and glass windows with wooden frames are the key materials in the palette. Rubble stones were widely available in quarries around.
Interior design is also kept minimal yet essential elements such as furniture are thoughtfully designed. Ceiling cement plaster is exposed in interiors. It matches well with the grey textured tile flooring. Living rooms have three sides of glass walls to appreciate the panoramic view of lush greenery around the space. A holy cross-shaped light is integrated into the window frame opposite the main entrance. A thin metal bench inspired by elevation design is the main attraction here. In the dining room, a dining table is built in wood contrasting floor and ceiling textures. An artistic wall rack and an engraved painting on the wall are the two art pieces here. bedrooms are simple with minor detailing in furniture.
About the Architects:
3dor concepts is an interdisciplinary, architecture and design firm started in 2013 by three enthusiastic young Architects, graduates from the department of architecture-CET Trivandrum. Founded on the belief that design has the power to transform lives and enhance communities. They have expertise in residential, commercial, interior, and landscape designs and also in mobility, product, and graphic designs. They aim to build beautiful, progressive buildings and environments that should be excellent in terms of design functionality, and comfort.
