A Kerala home to live with birds, butterflies and splendid architecture

The owners of a serene and beautiful house in Ariyannoor, near Guruvayur share details of their beautiful structure amidst the greenery:
We didn't give much importance to the exterior of the house. The house is hidden within the greenery. From the outside, it looks like a single-storey house, but it's actually a two-storey building. The 14-cent plot has many fruit trees. The house is built in a way that it blends seamlessly with them. Even during the midday sun, the courtyard remains pleasantly cool. The coolness extends indoors as well. Fruit trees are planted in drums on the open terrace above the porch.

Downstairs, there's a car porch, sit-out, living room, dining room, kitchen, work area, and three bedrooms with attached bathrooms. Upstairs, there's a bedroom, living room, and a balcony. The house is 2900 square feet. We designed the interiors ourselves, leveraging our experience in interior design.

The house is built with fly ash bricks, which offer many advantages. Its excellent heat resistance maintains a comfortable indoor climate. Its high compressive strength allows for quick wall construction. The flooring is Jaisalmer stone from Rajasthan, adding a unique touch to the interiors. Some windows and doors are made of UPVC and glass.

The dining table is teak finished. The staircase is built with a mahogany plank laid on an MS frame. From the dining area, one can descend into a lush patio. A GI grill provides added security. Clay jaalis (lattice screens) and numerous plants are the highlights here. Many orchids and other indoor plants add to the greenery.

The interior layout is zoned into common and private areas. A long corridor connects the spaces. The beauty of the Jaisalmer flooring enhances these corridors. Besides the patio, there's a double-height skylight space, allowing ample natural light. This eliminates the need for daytime lighting.

The kitchen cabinets are finished with marine ply and laminate. The counter is topped with quartz. The open terrace also features numerous flowering plants in pots and small fruit trees in drums. Butterflies, birds, and squirrels come to feed on the nectar. Their cheerful sounds liven up the evenings.

Project Facts:
Location: Guruvayur
Plot: 15 cents
Area: 2900 Sq ft
Owner: Muhammed Nazeer
Architect: Farzana Mumthaz, Architects Workshop, Thrissur
Year of Completion: 2024