Jijo Francis, an expatriate, and his wife Suja had chosen the startlingly beautiful orchard of nutmeg trees, closer to their ancestral home in Bharananganam near Pala in Kerala to build their dream abode. Their children Rose, Maria and Joseph are particularly thrilled as they enjoy playing under the cooling shades of the trees. The plot, which is on the banks of the Meenachil River, was raised and levelled, before the construction began, to prevent flooding during the harsh monsoons. This fabulous single storey abode has been designed by noted engineer Sreekanth Pangapad. The owner, who was impressed by Sreekant’s works, had entrusted the latter to design his dream dwelling.
The plot was readied by removing a few nutmeg trees where the structure stands. However, the rest of the trees have been retained here, forming a delightful backdrop to the beautiful house. The view of the house that stands, surrounded by lush greenery, is truly scintillating. The elevation, meanwhile, features a classy blend of traditional and modern architecture.
The spacious sit out, elegantly furnished formal living area with an adjacent foyer, the family living area and the dining hall comprises the common area which has been designed in the shape of ‘T’. This unique design helps the interiors receive the soothing breeze from the Meenachil River. Moreover, it ensures amazing air circulation inside the house, making the spaces extremely cool and comfortable.
There are four spacious bedrooms that boast of all the amazing facilities like attached bathrooms and separate dressing areas. Besides an adjacent work area, a store room too is part of the modern kitchen. A GI truss roof, paved with mud tiles, has been installed over the flat roof. The space between the flat roof and the truss roof could be used as a utility/storage area. A stairway in the dining area is what leads to this utility space. Moreover, a balcony has been built in the truss roof area, on the north side of the house, to enjoy the spectacular view of the river. Interestingly, a quaint sit out is arranged in this side, in the ground floor too.
The spacious car porch where two vehicles could be comfortably parked is built in the south – east side, without blocking the view of the house. The beautiful abode, built in 2900 sqft, could easily be called a utility home that has all the facilities as per the normal housing standards in Kerala.
The guests are awed by the mesmerizing house and the beautiful nature that surrounds it. They shower Jijo and his family with praises for building such a fantastic dwelling, just as they had dreamed.
Project Facts
Location – Bharananganam, Kottayam
Area – 2900 SFT
Owner – Jijo Francis
Engineer – Sreekanth Pangappadu
PG Group of Designs, Kanjirappally
Mob - 9447114080
