After spending years toiling hard in a foreign land, Hussain chose to settle down at his native village of Kottakkal in Malappuram, Kerala. All he wanted was a cute cottage home where he couldn’t compromise luxury. A house that suits his taste was thus born, tucked next to his ancestral home where the NRI could spend his retired life.
The elevation facing east is a blend of contemporary and colonial styles. Hussain had a special reason to make the exterior in black and white theme. The black Bangalore tiles on the outer wall adjoining the bedrooms team up to serve as a perfect shield to thwart the strong heat of the sunshine in the evening. Further cooling is guaranteed by the perforated terracotta walls adorned with tiles from Portugal which are an added feature of the facade. They add to the passive cooling of the interiors where heat waves from outside cool down as it pass through the holes of the terracotta screen.
The 2500sqft house has a sit-out, a living area, dining room, kitchen, work-area and four bedrooms; all compactly arranged to give adequate passage of light and air.
The house focuses on open space strategy that has helped to articulate the boundaries of corridors.
A customised L-shaped sofa fits cosily inside the formal living space, modeled on Scandenavian lines, with blue-textured walls. Each area inside the house is decked with varying and sophisticated colours of wall papers.
Italian tiles have been used in the flooring of common area, while silk-finished vitrified tiles adorn the bedroom floors.
Powder-coated GI balusters give a classy touch to the staircase. The entire space beneath the stairs has been devoted for windows that make way for air to gush into the rooms. Adjoining the windows and beneath the flight of stairs a small family living area has been set up with the help of a small deck.
Acrylic sheets are used in kitchen cabinets while granites for countertops.
There are two bedrooms each on two floors with attached bathrooms and wardrobes.
Drifting away from the beaten track of laying interlocked tiles, the front yard has taken the environment-friendly way. Baby metal has been laid evenly in the courtyard to allow rainwater seep into the earth. On the whole, Hussain and his family are now happy to have a cute, comfortable and luxurious holiday home.
Project Facts
Location: Kottakkal, Malappuram
Plot: 20 cents
Area: 2,500 sqft
Owner: Hussain
Designer: Afsal Babu, D&E Architects, Kottakal
Mobile: 9656176666
YC: December, 2020
