With russet brick tones blending harmoniously with the lush tropical greenery, On the Brooks expresses a unique architectural style that is an amalgamation of the traditional and contemporary architectural styles of Kerala. It is a juxtaposition of rectilinear and curved forms that combines the traditional and contemporary architectural styles of Kerala.
The monsoon was vital in shaping the vernacular architectural style of Kerala. Our focus was on creating a home that embraced the seasonal rains wholeheartedly and from which one can enjoy the monsoon. The gentle streams flowing over the land upon the onset of the monsoon led to the ideation of a house atop these brooks. Water channels were designed such that the rainwater falling on the building is channeled through the home, allowing one to experience the rain from within. The large parasol roof, with an angular profile, effectively directs the rainwater into the channels, where it flows around and through the house, creating varied experiences of the rain. Bay windows are placed overlooking the channel as it fills up during the rainy season. Further, each of the channels is capped by glass panels in the living space, with one right by the puja entrance and the other directly below the wooden swing placed in the dining room.
During the rain, the glass panels display the flowing water below, allowing one to walk over the stream. The channels run along the main visual axis connecting the foyer, living space, and courtyard. The terminus of the flow is at the lush courtyard enclosed by a glass panel and patterned brick walls. The twin circular windows overlooking the orchard are placed in line with the channels, with the flowing stream creating a sense of continuity. The water then finally reaches the rainwater harvesting tank, with the excess flow spilling over to the rear garden.
Incorporating aspects of the rain was vital to the architectural design. This is expressed in the form as well, with a dominant curved wall emulating the rippling surface of the brook. This brick wall is composed of 3 intersecting semi-circular arches and creates a dynamic frame with a predominantly horizontal form. Exploration of various building materials with the aim of upcycling was another important aspect of the design process. Brick is utilised as more than just a building material, but is rather conceived as an artistic expression. The various patterned brick walls used across the porch and courtyard highlight the materiality of the project. Locally sourced cane reeds have been used in the canopy of the porch. With each hand-cut reed placed within the steel grid individually on site, the canopy showcases local craftsmanship. The criss-cross arrangement of the reeds in the canopy also casts interesting shadows across the porch throughout the day, creating a dynamic entrance into the home. The exposed character of the materials along with their repeated use throughout the home is based on the firm’s important tenets such as frugality and a down-to-earth approach toward architecture.
The house is in touch with the vernacular architecture style of Kerala and opts to reinterpret it to create a style unique to the project. Important spaces of Kerala’s vernacular architecture such as the padippura (entranceway), thinnai ( verandah), and courtyard have been prominently featured in the design, but with a contemporary flair. The entranceway into the home, with its projecting concrete frame and patterned door, holds a sense of grandness and stands out from the rest of the home, thus capturing the essence of the traditional padippura. While the ornate design elements seen in vernacular styles are not suited for the minimal, rustic design approach, the same attention to detail can be implemented. The front door becomes a testament to this with an intricate design composed of 500 individual pieces of veneer of varying patterns stuck together.
The single-storey home is also planned with the intention of creating functional and interesting spaces that connect seamlessly. The bedrooms open up into a central space containing the living and dining spaces with the courtyard at its heart. The strip windows by the roof slab let in ample light during the day. They further create the illusion of a floating roof from within the home, adding interest to the interiors. With ample light and breeze coming in through the various windows and openings, accompanied by the gentle sounds of the rain and flowing water, On the Brooks captures the essence of Kerala’s monsoon.
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