At a time when construction costs are skyrocketing, is it possible to build a quality house on a relatively small budget? Unni's house in Neeleshwaram, Kasaragod, Kerala, underlines that possibility.
The highlight is that a 1770-square-foot two-storey house was completed for just Rs 25 lakh. There was an irregular 8-cent plot with a paddy field nearby. The openings in the house were arranged in such a way that the breeze from the field reached indoors.
The elevation is done in a contemporary box shape. They have opted for light hues on the interiors as well as the exteriors. That automatically added a lot of space to the interiors.
On the ground floor, there is a sitting, living, dining, kitchen, workshop, and one bedroom with an attached bath while there are two attached bathrooms and a balcony on the first floor.
Interestingly, this is a house that doesn’t require the use of fan or light during the day as there is abundant supply of breeze from the nearby field as well as plenty of natural light.
There is a compact kitchen with easy access to everything as well as a breakfast counter with high chairs. They are provided at the entrance to the kitchen. You can’t miss those multi-wood cabinets and quartz that are laid on the counter.
Considering the current rates, you require Rs 45 lakh to finish a fully furnished 1700 square feet house. And to think that this was finished in just 25 lakh is mind-boggling.
Factors that aided in cost-cutting:
» Reducing the use of wood in furnishing. That turned out to be crucial.
» The gypsum fall ceiling was avoided
» They did gypsum plastering over walls. That helped in reducing painting costs.
» The furniture was made in a GI Square Tube frame. And they made inbuilt cots.
» Wardrobes and cardboard were made of ferrocement.
Project facts
Location- Nileswaram, Kasargod
Plot- 8 cents
Area- 1770 Sq.ft
Owner- Unni, Vijisha
Architect- Nandakishor
Erayam Architecture Studio, Nileswaram
