This house at Tirur in Malappuram district of Kerala is a gift of love from an architect to his parents. Not surprisingly, the house reflects his affection towards them as well as pragmatism in design.
Ramesh and his wife Rathnam lived in the town area of Tirur while working, but wished to shift to a quiet area to lead their retired lives. With this plan in mind, the couple had purchased a 12-cent plot some distance away from the town. It is on this piece of land that their son Rohit, an architect, has built a house that seamlessly blends the warmth of tradition and the convenience of modernity.
Simplicity is the most striking feature of the house at first glance. GI truss work is done on the roof over which tiles have been laid. Underneath, ceiling tiles also have been fixed, which brings down the room temperature considerably. In some parts of the house, a concrete ceiling is retained as such and wooden grid work is done to give it an attractive appearance.
Entry to the house is through a ‘padipura’ (traditional Kerala-style arched gateway). All four walls of the sit-out are open and the area has a tiled roof, which keeps away heat. Moreover, the entire interior of the house is kept spacious to enable children to play.
The ground floor of the house has a sit-out, living space, dining area, courtyard, kitchen, work area, two bedrooms and bathrooms. There is a media room on the first floor along with a bedroom and the total area of the house is 2300 square feet.
A shady and green courtyard is the biggest highlight of the house and it has a mango tree and fish pond. Moreover, a Buddha statue provides serenity to the area. Interestingly, the courtyard could be enjoyed from the sit-out itself.
The gurgling in the fish pond provides a cozy feeling while occupying the sit-out, living area, dining space, and kitchen. In fact, the house is designed to provide a view of the courtyard from almost all areas on the ground floor. For instance, the view from the corner window while passing from the sit-out to the foyer is also that of the courtyard.
Yet another feature of the house keeping the interiors cool is the floor of Kota stone. As the living, dining and kitchen have an open design, the residents can avoid feeling lonely while working in the kitchen. A door leads from the living room to the patio.
Ramesh and Rathnam are now leading a quiet retirement life in a house immersed in greenery and the love of their son.
Project facts:
Owners - Ramesh and Rathnam
Location – Tirur
Area – 2300 sq ft
Architect – Rohit Roy
