Breathing House

Project Brief

Project Overview:
The house was conceived for a hardware trader and his family of 2 kids and wife in the village of Puthoor in Kottarakkara, Kerala. There was an old house in the site which was demolished to construct the new one. All trees within the site were left as it is, as part of the landscape. The north facing frontage of the plot had beautiful shade offering trees, some of which lean over the house and pool offering maximum shade from the relentless summer sun. Eventhough the property has its longer side facing the east-west direction, the building is designed so that the longer side faces the North and South with its major openings facing the waterbody screened by a wooden slats wall on the northern side and a large garden and swimming pool on the southern side. The main access road on the north side ramps up to the west from the east where the property level is at par with the road. Fenestrations on the south-western side of the building lets in cool breeze throughout the day keeping the building well ventilated.The timber reapers on the north facade provides discreteness to the home from the street, which is at a higher level towards the western side yet letting in diffused light and air through it.

The requirements were quite simple- 4 bedrooms, living/dining, formal living, kitchen, work area, gym, home theatre, garrage for 2 cars. The layout of this home is articulated in such a way that each room with specific functions gets a view towards a water pool in the north or a large garden in the south. The core of the home is the double height family living/dining which extents out to the water pool in the north and garden in the south. Abundance of natural light and cross ventilation is harnessed in this area though the use of large sliding and pivot operable glass shutters with timber frames on either sides respectively. The perched up wooden passage in this area enables the connection between various activities on the above floor. The ground level is occupied with 2 bedrooms which includes the master bedroom with attached toilets, formal living, family living/dining, kitchen, work area and garrage. The first floor level consists of remaining 2 bedrooms, gym and the home theatre.

The clever use of natural materials and plentiful amounts of cross ventilation along with landscaped roofs keeps the temperature within the house cooler than that of outside. Materials used are quite simple and conventional- country burnt brick&mortar, natural stone, timber and glass. The floor is layered with black warangal leather with an inlay of nano glass white marble in between. Portions of wood are also thrown in certain areas. The deliberate creation of nature which encloses this home ensures an active interaction between other nature’s beings and members of the family. During the summer numerous species of birds visit the house for a dip and drink in the water pool in front making it a joyful experience. Also the garden bed over the timber reapers in north is a safe haven for many nestled beings throughout the year creating this a home within nature.