Sachidanandan decided to replace his ancestral home, which is more than five decades old, in the countryside of Thathamangalam in Palakkad, with a brand new abode, when the old one no longer suited a modern lifestyle.
However, he was reluctant to pull down the house that was built by his beloved father. So, the family decided to give a modern makeover to it by retaining the structure. The owner roped in noted architect Najeeb after he was impressed by a house, designed by the latter, that was featured in the Manorama Online Homestyle section.
The façade of the old house was completely changed. Now, it hardly looks like the structure is fifty years old. The house in 2400 sqft has a long sit-out, living area, dining space, kitchen with a work area and three bedrooms.
The ancestral home had concrete ceiling as well as mud tile paved roofing. But, the mud-tiled parts were in a dilapidated condition. So, these have been replaced with concrete ceiling and a GI truss roof paved with tiles. Interestingly, the attic space between the ceiling and the roof could be used as a multi-purpose area. Meanwhile, the glass ceiling here brings natural sunshine into the courtyard, and is secured with a grille.
When the structure was inspected by an expert team, most parts were found to be still sturdy. So, most of the walls have been retained. The interiors were renovated by rearranging the spaces to suit the needs and interests of the family. It must be noted that only 300 sqft of area has been newly added during the renovation.
The dining table with planilaque glass paved on GI frame is quite attractive.
Sachidanandan runs a business while his wife is a teacher. But, the family are traditionally farmers. So, the spacious concrete floor that was built in the front yard to dry the paddy grains have been retained. Meanwhile, the old granary too got a wash of new colour to match the house.
The old timber from the ancestral house has been reused in many places. Meanwhile, the old red oxide flooring got replaced with brand-new vitrified tiles. The custom-made furniture pieces matches the modern look of the house.
The courtyard with the skylight ceiling is the highlight of the interiors. A weeping fig plant has been planted here to add a hint of greenery. Meanwhile, wooden planks have been paved on a metal frame to build the staircase. There is a huge glass window on the upper floor which plays a major role in illuminating the interiors with golden sunshine.
The kitchen cabinets are done in plywood with a laminate finish. The countertop has been paved with granite.
The bedrooms are spacious and have attached bathrooms and wardrobes for storage. The head side walls are decorated with textured paint.
The family is happy that they could achieve a modern house even while retaining the old structure to which they are emotionally attached to.
Project Facts
Location – Thathamangalam, Palakkad
Area – 2400 SFT
Owner – Sachidanandan and Vinitha
Designer – Najeeb and Sajna
Nexus Architecture and Interiors
Budget – Rs 63 lakh
Year of completion – 2023
Pictures – Jenseer Ahamad
