When the owner ventured to design his dream abode in Punalur

dream abode in Punalur
The beautiful roof tiles play a pivotal role in granting that traditional elegance to the exteriors.

Expatriate businessman Firos Thampi Ravuthar’s mega-mansion at Adukkalamoola in Punalur, Kerala, is quite special for a handful of reasons. Interestingly, this luxury house stands away from the main road, on a hilly terrain that is difficult to access. Moreover, the owner has left his unique signature in every corner of this fabulous mansion. From the drawing of the plans to purchasing the building materials and construction, Firos made sure that he was involved in everything. Those who see the house now can’t help but gape in wonder at this spectacular abode and applaud Firos’s determination.

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Firos wanted a house that looked traditional but boasted of all the modern amenities. Though he had entrusted the construction to an architect, in the beginning, the duo had differences of opinions once the plan was ready and the construction began. That is when Firos decided to oversee the construction himself. Despite busy running a successful business abroad, Firos was determined to fulfill his dream of owning a beautiful house in his hometown. He struggled hard and had dedicated two years from his busy schedule to seeing his dream abode take shape. Meanwhile, Firos made a few alterations in the plan. A consultancy was brought in to oversee the construction when he wasn’t in Kerala. However, he terminated their service after the structure was completed.

The house might look like a single storey structure from the outside. However, the incredibly vast interiors and the most modern amenities are going to sweep you off the feet once you enter the house. Sprawled in 6000 sqft, this luxury mansion has two car porches, sit out, formal and family living areas, dining space, kitchen with work area, servant’s kitchen, five bedrooms, office room, roof party area and a driver’s cabin too. Firos is someone who nurtures friendships and keeps a close bond with all his friends and relatives. He says he didn’t build his house only for himself; instead it is a favorite hang gout spot where his friends and family enjoy some amazing moments. The spaces in the house are designed to host large gatherings and get together. There are special areas for the guests who come from afar and for their drivers to relax and rest.

The credit for the mesmerizing interior design goes to Firos alone. He was particular that even the most intricate detailing should exude classiness and perfection. The quality of perfection could be seen in the furnishing too. The owner wasn’t hesitant to travel to any destination just to buy the objects that he had in his mind. His quest for high-quality roofing tiles that effectively reduces heat inside the house ended at Kozhikode. These beautiful tiles play a pivotal role in granting that traditional elegance to the exteriors. The special stone pillars in the front, that grab instant attention, were specially brought from Myladi. Meanwhile, the stones that are paved in the front yard were purchased from Manimala. The enchanting elegance of single-stoned pillars could be seen on the well too. The wooden paneling that adorns the ceiling of the car porch and the long sit-out is quite eye-catching. Like many of the designer elements in the house, Firos got the idea for these designs too during one of his trips.

The opulent chandelier that is the highlight of the interiors was specially imported from Kuwait. It was quite a task transporting the grand chandelier that is at least 370 kilo grams heavy. A handful of workers had worked round the clock to assemble this stunning piece. Hooks that can hold up to 780 kilograms have been used to fix this colossal chandelier on the ceiling.

A model of the iconic sailing ship of Malabar is a unique piece of decoration that adorns the courtyard below the chandelier. This stunning model was custom made by the ‘Baramis’ or the traditional ship builders in Beypore, Kozhikode.

Punalur is relatively hotter and the temperature levels may rise up to unbearable levels. Lots of windows have been installed to bring cool air into the house. As the house stands on a raised terrain, these windows catch the pleasant breeze that flows in from all directions. The windows and the doors follow similar patterns to ensure continuity of designs. Granite is paved on the floor in the sit out while white Indian marble has been used for flooring in the rest of the house.

The formal living area is arranged just beside the entrance door, ensuring enough privacy. A TV unit too has been arranged in this area. From here, one could enter the spacious hall where the family living area, dining space and the stairway have been arranged. The family living area too has a TV unit.

A mini courtyard has been separated just beside the stair area that has a double-height ceiling. The hanging cot here is a spectacular addition that grants regal charm to the area. The custom-made hanging cot perfectly matches the general theme of the house. Interestingly, the furniture inside the house follows a rectangular pattern, in tune with the design of the interiors. This pattern could be seen even on the chains of the hanging cot. Firos says he had roamed around quite a bit just to find this item.

There are three bedrooms in the ground floor while two are in the upper storey. All the bedrooms follow similar designs and patterns. The bath attached bedrooms have wardrobes and separate dressing units.

The kitchen boasts of all the modern facilities. The cabinets done in acrylic finish look spectacular. The countertop, meanwhile, has been paved with nano white. There is a work area and a storeroom adjacent to the kitchen space. Besides, there is a servant’s kitchen outside the main kitchen. This kitchen would get busy, preparing delicious dishes, whenever the family hosts parties or gatherings. Moreover, the open terrace has a party and barbeque area. This space would be filled with laughter and mirth when Firos’s friends gather here. The terrace is also the perfect spot to enjoy the soothing evening breeze.

This smart house is fully automated. The motorized gate and the CCTV cameras ensure additional safety. Firos says he didn’t let his family know the hardships and struggles of the construction of their dream dwelling. They had seen their house just once or twice while under construction. The family who was living abroad during that time was overjoyed to see their completed house when they arrived for the housewarming ritual.

“It is true that some of my friends and relatives had tried to dissuade me from overseeing the construction after I had fallen out with the architect in the beginning. However, I was adamant to complete the construction of my dream home. There have been some minor problems including overshooting of budget. But, I and most importantly my family is really happy that our home turned out far better than what we had imagined,” says Firos.

Project Facts

Location – Adukkalamoola, Punalur

Area – 6000 SFT

Plot – 27 cents

Owner and Design – Firoz Thampi Ravuthar

Mob – 9526733888

Structure Plan – Home Tech, Thiruvananthapuram

Year of completion – 2019 July

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