The “wonder” of the four-and-a-half-lakh is still to wear off. Though it’s been close to six months since the house was “warmed”, the steady flow of visitors tells a story of how a sit-out, two bedrooms, a hall, a kitchen, a work area and other utilities were completed on a shoestring budget of Rs 4.5 lakh. Hard to believe, yet true.
What strikes you the moment you enter the house is a feeling of awe and serenity. You get the strong vibes of peace and harmony. There are no tell-tale signs of cheapness or die-hard cost-cutting. There has been no compromise on space, the quality of material used and the aesthetics of the 550 sq ft house in Moozhikkara in Thalassery.
Designers and architects P.P. Vivek and M. Nishan are out to dispel the misconception that cost-cutting means compromising on quality. “This house has been our attempt to knock down that misplaced thought,” they say. They are more than willing to give a detailed account of the money spent on each segment and also the structural plan. Funds for construction were provided by the Thalassery-based Kiwis Club and construction was done under the supervision of Prakashan Chamery of Malabar Infostructurals.
The pretty little house has won the prestigious Gold Leaf award for environment-friendly structures instituted by the Kerala Chapter of Indian Institute of Architects. The house came in for the jury’s praise for its structural layout on a sloping stretch of land and for making full use of the land area.
All the construction material was sourced from places nearby. The foundation was laid with laterite stones. The walls too were built of laterite stone. Concreting has been kept to the minimum. The cross ventilation provides for ample light and air circulation inside.
Project facts:
Civil works (foundation, walls, plastering material and labor cost) : Rs 1, 69, 749.00
Doors and windows: Rs 23, 354.00
Flooring: Rs 18, 157.00
Painting: Rs 23, 351.00
Steel truss and tiling: Rs 1, 37, 625.00
Plumbing: Rs 12,000.00
Electrical: Rs 10,000.00
Rest: (furniture, plot clean-up, well clean-up and sundry others): Rs 56,000
Total: Rs 4,50,000.00
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