This is a house that can serve as a model for people who consider building a home as some herculean task. Dr. Anita Babu's house in Mathara near Pantheerankavu, Kozhikode was constructed as a space to treat her patients and it cost a mere 6 lakhs including painting work. The house is made of low-cost interlocking bricks. The exterior of the house is in two colours. The roof and walls are given a shade of gray and white as borders. The foundation was made of belt finish concrete with raised granite as it was a watertight area.
They had followed the lintel and beam construction method, which means that cement was required only on the wall. The roof was made of GI pipes. The anti-fungus, which costs Rs 40, is spread on concrete. The two-and-a-half-cent house is 435 square feet.
For construction, they have used interlocking mud blocks which are cheaper than regular bricks. It is also larger in size than bricks. That way one can reduce the use of cement and sand. 2X2 vitrified tile is applied in the seating area and inside the house. The interior has a gray color that matches the exterior color.
The steps leading to the sit-out area are made of gripping tiles. The seats are paved with granite. The door and windowsills are made of inexpensive steel. Wood was used for the main door and window. The rest of the windows are made of aluminum. The consultation is in the living area as it is arranged as a clinic. Seating is also available in the dining area.
Blinds instead of curtains
The interiors are done with gypsum false ceilings and LED lighting. Due to its simple design and false ceiling, it does not look like a roofed house.
The house is done in gypsum plastering which costs Rs 30 per square foot. In fact, gypsum plastering is less expensive than cement plastering. Gypsum plastering also helps in keeping the house cool and airy. The bedroom door is made of UPVC material. A door including a frame costs only Rs 7,000. It is available in the market in many designs. This house has only one bedroom.
This bedroom has shelves made of aluminum fabrication to reduce the cost. The space that is currently the consulting room is a design that can be converted into a home if converted into a living-cum-dining area. If you want to add one more bedroom, you just need to add 100 square feet. It may cost an extra Rs 1.5 lakh.
