Businessman Binu Alex and his family, hailing from Kannur, have made Thiruvananthapuram their home since years. The family that runs a successful textile business own two showrooms in the city. Binu had been in the pursuit of a suitable plot to build his dream home, preferably closer to his showrooms.
Finally, a 2.9 cents plot in Pangode had caught his eye. This irregular plot, which didn’t have any proper shape, had been rejected by many before Binu saw it. Binu, who liked the plot, however, decided to purchase the plot despite the spatial challenges. He entrusted architect Alex, who is also his close friend, to design his dream dwelling. The talented architect made sure to come up with a spectacular plan that utilizes every inch of the plot in the smartest way.
The interiors are sure to surprise you as it hardly looks like it has been arranged in less than 3 cents. The car porch which can comfortably accommodate two cars and a scooter has been beautifully separated in the front. The ground floor has a sit-out, living and dining areas, a kitchen with a work area and a bedroom. Meanwhile, there are two bedrooms, an upper living area and a balcony on the upper floor. Besides, a multi-utility room too has been arranged here.
Transparent wire mesh fencing takes the place of the regular compound wall that is usually made with bricks and mortar. The sliding gate, meanwhile, is a smart addition that saves space. The structure has been built by leaving the legal setback. Besides, an open-to-sky courtyard has been built by building the compound wall closer to the structure. Binu says they had sought the neighbor’s permission before including this in the plan. The walls here are highlighted with laterite stone cladding. Moreover, this area is adorned with a refreshing plant that adds a hint of greenery.
The living–dining areas and the kitchen are arranged as part of the open hall. Interestingly, the dining table isn’t separately arranged here. Instead, a serving counter of the kitchen has been turned into a quaint dining space. The high chairs grant a chic look to this area. The flooring done using ceramic matte finished tiles really complements the general theme of the house. Meanwhile, the custom-made furniture blends well with the spaces and the decor.
As the house stands on a smaller plot, the interiors have been designed giving prime importance to natural lighting and ventilation. The wall on the upper floor is lined with glass windows to bring in oodles of sunshine. Huge windows could be seen in the ground floor too, to ensure amazing ventilation.
The bay windows in the bedrooms are stylish and are extremely functional too. The open-to-sky bathrooms, meanwhile, are a unique feature. So, there is no need to switch on the lights during the daytime. Moreover, the owner is happy that he saves a significant amount of money on the electricity bills. The family is proud that they could build such a fabulous abode in a smaller plot that was denounced by many.
Project Facts
Location – Pangode, Trivandrum
Plot – 2.9 cents
Area – 1800 SFT
Owners – Binu Alex and Shani
Designer – Alex Nalinan
Casa Design Concepts, Trivandrum
Mob – 9895393626
Year of completion – January 2021
