The ‘essence is inside’ seems to be the underlying mantra of this house in Mavelikkara. The aesthetically done house sits on an eight-cent plot which is slightly low on width. For optimal space utilisation, the building has been given a box-type elevation. The external view binds a terracotta ‘Jali wall’ (which looks like a knitted lattice) and a grill-in balcony.
The 3350-sq ft house has three levels. The ground level incorporates the porch and sit-out, living, dining, kitchen, and work areas. There is also a bedroom and a bathroom. The first level has three bedrooms and a living balcony. The second floor includes a home theatre and party space.
The interior is well-appointed and aesthetics is the high point of it. The interiors are awash with natural light and wood is used in the interior furnishings. The doors are made of steel and the windows are in unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (UPVC).
Across the length of the living room runs a UPVC-windowed side courtyard. In the living room, the TV unit, cushioned furniture, and wall decorations are neatly organised. The dining and kitchen areas are in semi-open format and there are translucent partitions that can be drawn if privacy is needed.
The stairs are in teak finish and there are sensor-operated lights. There is a compact, see-through lift that can carry two people at a time. Architects and builders say such lifts will be a feature of our homes soon.
The open-concept kitchen endures a pista green and white combination and houses a breakfast table at the centre. There is ample storage space within and there is an ante-working kitchen, too.
A problem that almost all households face is waste disposal. Here, there is an incinerator to burn waste, making waste management issues minimal. To see more about this house, see the video: