As per an alarming news report that caught everyone’s attention recently, around 1.03 million houses in Kerala remain vacant, without any permanent residents. Most of these houses are huge double-storey mansions that were constructed on extravagant budgets. Youngsters prefer migrating to foreign lands for higher education or seeking better job opportunities. So, the parents, or just two persons live in many big houses. The bedrooms that were built for every child in the family remain vacant. This is a huge waste of not just the area in square feet but the expenses that were spent for the building materials and the construction costs too. So, considering the current sociological trend in Kerala, the demand for single-storey homes or small houses has gradually been rising.
This quaint house in Mankamkuzhi near Mavellikkara owned by Prem is a perfect abode for those who wish for a beautiful house with all the facilities built on an affordable budget. The contemporary box-style elevation of this house that stands in a 15-cent rectangular plot perfectly complements the size of the structure.
The house which is compact yet charming boasts of all the facilities that are required for a small family. Designed in 1564 sqft, this fabulous abode has a sit-out, living and dining areas, courtyard, kitchen with an adjacent work area and two bath attached bedrooms.
The compound wall has been built using GI mesh in order to offer perfect views of the chic elevation. The family plans to turn this into a ‘green’ wall in the future by growing vines. The walkway is paved with natural stones and artificial grass. Meanwhile, the rest of the landscape has been turned into verdant peal grass lawns.
In order to make the sit-out appear spacious, the stairs are paved with wide leather-finished granite. However, the highlight here is the brick-clad wall. Interestingly, this designer element could be seen at many spots inside the house too.
The entrance door crafted in exquisite teak wood opens to an elegantly furnished living area. Meanwhile, the adjacent green courtyard fills the interiors with positive vibes. The bamboo plants and the pebble-paved floor add a rustic charm to this area. Most of the furniture pieces are custom-made in GI frames. A TV unit too has been installed here. Grey-hued matte-finished tiles have been used for flooring in the common areas.
There is a six-seater dining table, a courtyard, a wash area, and a common bathroom in the dining area. The dining table in the GI frame has a glass top accompanied by six wooden chairs. Meanwhile, the sliding window made with UPVC opens to the front yard. The family may turn this area too into a tiny spot of ‘greenery’ in the future.
The staircase is designed by paving wooden planks on GI frame. Meanwhile, the area beneath the staircase has been turned into a library, making the interiors extremely space efficient.
Bay windows have been arranged in both bedrooms. These glass windows bring in oodles of natural light as well the beautiful views of the landscape. A workspace too has been arranged in the bedroom for the couple who work in the IT field.
The kitchen designed in the pistachio green colour theme has lots of cabinets done in plywood and laminate finish. The countertop, meanwhile, is paved with granite and has double sinks. An adjacent work area and a store room complete the kitchen area.
The construction of this amazing abode, including the structure and landscaping, was completed on a budget of Rs 45 lakh. The building of the structure cost Rs 36 lakh while Rs 6 lakh was spent for designing the interiors. An additional Rs 3 lakh was spent on filling and raising the plot.
Project Facts
Location – Mankamkuzhy, Mavellikkara
Plot – 15 cents
Area – 1564 SFT
Owner – Prem
Design – Anil Prasad and Unnikrishnan
Better Design Studio, Adoor
Budget – Rs 45 lakh
Year of completion - 2024
