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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination.

Maison Kochi in India by Meister Varma Architects

March 17th, 2019 by Sumit Singhal

Article source: Meister Varma Architects

Built on a tight 170 sqm plot for a family of four Maison Kochi also functions as studio and office in the South Indian city of Kochi. The west facing building is delineated in 2 volumes, the taller south-west block shading the shorter north-east one throughout the day. Living spaces are arranged in the shorter block while staircases and toilets face south or west to buffer the heat. An open plan arrangement and perforated net windows ensure ventilation across rooms. A vent in the roof access hatch cools the house with its chimney effect.

Image Courtesy © Praveen Mohandas, Govind Nair (drone photography)

Architects: Meister Varma Architects
Project: Maison Kochi
Location: Cochin, Kerala, India
Photography: Praveen Mohandas, Govind Nair (drone photography)
Design Team: Krishnan Varma, Vanessa Meister, Sruthi Vijay, Sonia Stephen, Saumya Joseph
Structural Design: Rao & Associates
Built Area: 1700 sft
Completion Year: 2018

Image Courtesy © Praveen Mohandas, Govind Nair (drone photography)

Rainwater channels are integrated in the roof design as are solar panels. Collected water is used to recharge the groundwater through an injection system. Flat roofs are insulated with hollow clay blocks and sloping roofs with polyurethane sandwich panels.

Image Courtesy © Praveen Mohandas, Govind Nair (drone photography)

The building is conceived as a chiaroscuro – a white solid exterior leading to cool interiors finished in polished cement. An open plan arrangement on both floors makes the interior spaces blend into each other seamlessly. Wall to ceiling windows enhance this flow as does the continuous black oxide floor. Windows are designed in steel and doors use bison board panelling. Bathrooms are finished in colourful ferrous oxide with lamps and counters cast in place.

Almost all interior objects and furnishings are custom-made down to the brass switch plates. Furnishings like cushion covers and curtains utilise the minimalist lines of Kerala saris and soften the cement walls. Traditional urban crafts like cane cycle boxes are inspiration for multi-coloured baskets that hold everything from blankets to diapers.

Image Courtesy © Praveen Mohandas, Govind Nair (drone photography)

Image Courtesy © Meister Varma Architects

: Image Courtesy © Praveen Mohandas, Govind Nair (drone photography)

: Image Courtesy © Praveen Mohandas, Govind Nair (drone photography)

: Image Courtesy © Praveen Mohandas, Govind Nair (drone photography)

: Image Courtesy © Praveen Mohandas, Govind Nair (drone photography)

: Image Courtesy © Meister Varma Architects

: Image Courtesy © Meister Varma Architects

: Image Courtesy © Meister Varma Architects

Contact Meister Varma Architects

Tags: India, Kerala

Categories: Apartments, House, Residential

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