When the family realised that it was getting practically difficult to live in their 40-year-old family home on Pezhakkapilli near Muvattupuzha, they decided to modernize it. Since the house was very close to their heart, they were reluctant to demolish it. So they opted for renovation.
The old house was always dark inside, with no scope of light streaming in. It wasn’t windy also. There were also space constraints. There were six bedrooms on both the floors. Besides, the staircase to the upper floor was also from the outside.
Here, a two-story house has been converted into a single-story house. The house which was 4800 square feet was reduced to 2400 square feet. Instead, the ground floor was expanded by adding more rooms.
The house belongs to an NRI. It has been reduced to one floor to make maintenance easier.
The architects admit that it was very challenging to expand the interiors while maintaining the basic structure of the old house since the owners were emotionally attached to it. The old roof was completely demolished, and new roofing was erected. They built new spaces with cut stones.
The space limitation was solved by demolishing the unnecessary corridors on the ground floor and redeploying the spaces. With the addition of more windows and skylights, light began to flood the interiors. The slanted roof above the porch and sitting area gave a new look to the elevation. It is GI trussed and shingled. The wall adjacent to the sitting area is highlighted with black cladding exteriors.
The living room is done in a simple elegant theme. A TV unit separates the living-dining area. The ceiling height in the dining room has been increased and the glass panelling brings the light inside.
There is a courtyard adjacent to the dining space. This is also where the wash area is. The wall is highlighted with natural stone cladding. A coffee table is also included here, spread with a mixture of natural stone and grass.
Adjacent spaces were put together to enlarge the bedrooms which had attached bathrooms. Built-in wardrobes were added for storage. With the addition of more windows, natural lights provided more brightness and cheer to the atmosphere. The kid's bedroom is equipped with a bunk bed, study space, and a dressing area.
A lot of changes have been implemented in the kitchen as well. Currently, they have a modern kitchen in the island model. A breakfast counter was also set up here for cooking while supervising the children's studies.
In short, all those familiar with the old ancestral house are now surprised to see the new house. Is this the same old house? People are asking them. The family is doubly happy to have achieved a house with a contemporary look and feel and amenities while retaining the traditional feel of the house.
Project facts
Location - Pezhakapilly, Muvattupuzha
Plot - 35 cent
Area - 2500 Sq.ft
Owner - Abhilash & Sunaina
Architects - Yaseen Muhammed, Jalwa Lathief
Studio - NUCTA
Mob - 9961073634, 8089837747
Y.C - 2022.
