The primary challenge was to retain an existing house on the site and build a complete new structure over it while retaining the basic functionality of the original structure. The new building was designed on a completely distinct set of circular columns which were placed strategically to avoid the existing walls and foundations. The new structure, aligned at an angle, floats over the lower structure. Roof of the existing structure was demolished and the space between the new and old structure was sealed with continuous frameless glass panes, maintaining the individuality of the two structures. The old structure was stripped off its plaster and the original large laterite stones revealed.
Other participants (eg. collaborators, clients, consultants, etc): Basil Thomas (Structural Engineer), Rajeev (Project Manager), Karan Gajjar, Aman Amin, Albert Rajkumar, Abhirami Murali, Dennis Peter
Gross Built Area (square meters or square foot): 4,000 sqft
A grand private residence in Kerala, India needed interior design for its dining room, living room and courtyard. Strong use of gold was asked for to create a classy look in the living room. Also in the starting stage, theme colors of onion, cream and gold were selected for the design.
From the architect.It was difficult to know if it was day or night or for that matter rain or sunshine, while inside the client’s previous dingy home that stood on this site and they craved for a new lease of life!
The house is located in Chowara, a fishing village, 30 minutes from Thiruvananthapuram, in Kerala, South India.
Perched 200 ft. above an expansive stretch of green along the Arabian Sea coast, at the edge of a cliff, its most prominent feature is an asymmetrical sloping roof set against the fronds of a coconut plantation. Opening its embrace to the warm sea breezes, the home covers an area of 1397 sqm. A skewed 45m long sheer concrete wall supporting the single lightweight triangulated canopy roof lunges out towards the view. The external and internal finishes are polished cement, concrete and rough slate juxtaposed against warm slatted timber and naturallocal kotastone. Furniture and accessories are kept to a minimal, so that the focus doesn’t stray from the natural environment.
“I don’t want my house to be seen from the road”, “I don’t want a typical Malayali NRI house” These two important suggestions from the client, directed the architects to design a house with a sweeping green roof hiding the otherwise visible form of the house from the road. If at all anyone got a glimpse of the house they would keep guessing as to what it was, an approach as such towards residential design is new to this place, where most designers fail (read avoid) to think beyond their visual architectural history, let alone a layman.
The compound wall is a simple contemporary design, which breaks at two points, on either side of the site, to form horizontal openings that give a glimpse of the serene landscape within. The compound wall was designed in this fashion so that it compliments the building within it. It accommodates two entries to the site, a vehicular gate & a wicket gate. The wicket gate stands under a gateway that which is totally contemporary and a very good example of how traditional elements can be used in a modern context. The gateway connects the compound wall to the house visually, a point that is missed in most of the houses today.
Residence at Punkunnam (Image Courtesy LIJO RENY architects)
Space Specific Installations recently displayed their exhibition of “Space Specific Installations” in the Kerla Lalithakala Akademi Art Gallery of Kerala, India. The architects filled the gallery with figures that intruded upon the space occupied by visitors and forced interactions between the work and the users of the space using a wide range of materials. The exhibition ran from May4th-10th so if you missed it be sure to look through the gallery for images of Lijo Jos and Reny Lijo’s work after the break!
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