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Architecture

2023

Photographer : Justin Sebastian Photography

The house, designed with a formal layout centered on a central courtyard, celebrates the traditional planning and arrangement found in Kerala's historic homes, emphasizing the importance of natural ventilation and daylight. The house is set amidst agricultural land in Alanallur, Palakkad and the site’s naturally elevated setting offer a modest view of the town nearby. The client’s desire to build a home surrounded by the houses of their friends and relatives highly influenced the planning and designing aspects. The site, originally an ancestral property, has an area of approximately 3,600 sq.ft and is a part of their agricultural land. Since the client primarily resides abroad, the house is mostly used by his mother with the assistance of a few workers.

The house is designed in a way that maximizes the use of natural light and ensures excellent ventilation across all the rooms. The centrally placed courtyard is remarkably impactful in regulating the microclimate of the building and furthermore lets in the natural context into the house. It is designed to ensure barrier-free standards making it accessible to those with mobility difficulties.

When it comes to planning, the layout skillfully integrates spaces and rooms around a central courtyard, in perfect harmony with the client's desire to infuse nature into their living space. The courtyard is flanked on both sides by the dining and living areas, both of which open onto an inviting sit-out courtyard, elevating the overall ambiance of the space. The adjacent study area not only allows for supervision but also ensures that the courtyard's essence permeates this part of the home. The lengthy verandahs lend the house the charm and atmosphere of a traditional Kerala tharavadu.

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Architects	:	Barefoot Architects
Area	:	3683 sq. ft.
Year	:	2023
Website	:	https://www.instagram.com/barefoot.architects/

Main entrance of Zikr by Barefoot Architects

Verandah of Zikr by Barefoot Architects

Formal living of Zikr by Barefoot Architects

Courtyard of Zikr by Barefoot Architects

The house's interiors and furniture boast a harmonious blend of traditional and modern finishes. Many of the furnishings are reclaimed from the client's former residence and have been customized to meet their specific preferences. The use of Rattan cane weaving in the furniture, coupled with the incorporation of modern art and various mud pottery, contributes to a splendid interior ambiance. The inclusion of classic architectural details such as woodwork, combined with contemporary features like open floor plans and sleek, minimalist furnishings, imparts a polished and sophisticated feel to the interiors. The choice of materials, including Kota green and Jaisalmer yellow color flooring, pays homage to tradition while celebrating the house's rich heritage.

Family Living area of Zikr by Barefoot Architects

View from family living of Zikr by Barefoot Architects

Dining of Zikr by Barefoot Architects

Kitchen of Zikr by Barefoot Architects

Study area of Zikr by Barefoot Architects

Bedroom of Zikr by Barefoot Architects

Bedroom 2 of Zikr by Barefoot Architects

Bedroom 3 of Zikr by Barefoot Architects

Sitout of Zikr by Barefoot Architects

For the purpose of welcoming intermittent rain and breezy winds into the core of the building, a retractable shading system graces the central courtyard. Adorned with terracotta jaalis, meticulously arranged to create a stylish play of shadows, this feature imparts a dynamic quality to the space, offering varying patterns on the floor as daylight transitions.

The house's exterior showcases a classic sloped roof supported by steel truss work, adorned with clay tiles. The exterior pavement is crafted from cobblestone, seamlessly blending with the surrounding landscape, which features alocasia plants, coconut trees, and heliconia.