An exotic architectural design in Kochi that exudes traditional charm

Those who plan to build a house in Kochi city and its suburbs often face the challenge of space constraints. Moreover, even a small piece of land could cost a bomb, making house construction an extremely expensive affair. So, the most practical way is to build space-efficient homes, no matter how small the plot is. Arun and Hima’s brand new house named ‘Punarjani’ stands in a mere 4 cents plot in Eloor.

The exposed brick wall, jali walls and the roof paved with old mud tiles grant a rustic charm to the elevation. The sliding gate made with corten steel helps in saving considerable space in the front.

The house designed in 2400 sqft has spaces arranged in three floors. The sit-out, living and dining areas, courtyard, kitchen and master bedroom are on the ground floor. Meanwhile, the first floor has two bedrooms, a living area and a balcony. A utility room and another balcony too are arranged on the uppermost floor.

Lack of cross ventilation and extreme heat inside the house are two major challenges faced by people living in such homes that are built on smaller plots. However, many smart ideas have been executed here to ensure cross ventilation and a pleasant ambience inside the house. The roof has been built using the filler slab technology which helps in reducing the heat. Besides, the windows are installed after carefully analysing the direction of the wind in this area.

Interestingly, the living area dons a colourful ambience. The sliding glass door opens to the beautiful green courtyard. Meanwhile, the terracotta jali wall here lets in golden sunshine.

A compact and space-saving pre-fabricated metal staircase is what connects the floors. The hand railings are made in solid steel to ensure sturdiness. A quaint indoor garden has been arranged beneath this staircase to add a hint of greenery inside the house.

The bedrooms are designed to receive ample amounts of natural air and light. The coloured glass works add a classy touch to the bedrooms. The bath-attached bedrooms have wardrobes for storage.

The modern kitchen boasts of all the modern facilities. The cabinets, meanwhile, are done in plywood with a laminate finish. The black splash pasted with beautiful Moroccan tiles grants a clean look to the kitchen.

Interestingly, this amazing dwelling has been built based on the concept of a growing house. Moreover, it is an excellent model for those who are planning to build homes in smaller plots.

Project Facts

Location – Eroor, Ernakulam

Plot – 4 cents

Area – 2400 SFT

Owner – Arun S

Architect – Akhil Chandran and Midhun Kumar

SO Studio, Vazhakulam

Email – sostudioemail@gmail.com

Year of completion - 2022