Nestled in the lush green hilly residential area of Kondotty, Kerala is this expansive property filled with natural light and a serene ambience. While turning this inherited home into a modern dwelling, Architect Naseem Pandara of Attiks Architecture decided to introduce fresh ideas into the home while retaining the vintage soul of spaces.
Kerala Bungalow: A New Beginning
The 20-year-old structure that previously stood on this property was completely demolished to give way to a new home. “Since it was a renovation project, a lot of restrictions in planning arose considering the old structure and its stability,” says Pandara.
The contemporary home is a residence for PK Salam and Saleema Salam along with their five children and grandmother and houses a formal living room, a dining area, six bedrooms, a study and various family spaces which reflect the deeply-rooted traditional background of the family. By keeping the space open with minimal walls and split levels, a seamless visual connectivity is established. The open spaces are bathed in sunlight that stream in through skylights and slit windows which also ensure unrestricted natural air circulation within the home, keeping the indoors three to five degrees cooler than the outside.
Kerala Bungalow: Multipurpose Spaces
Ample greenery surrounds the home and the connections between the indoors and outdoors is seamless. A truss roof with Mangalore and terracotta tiles ensures that the indoors remain cooler. Multipurpose rooms, designed strategically ensure that the family has enough space to socialise. Round windows in the dining area bring character to the home, breaking the uniformity of structure. Double-height ceilings and split levels allow one space to overlook the latter. Similarly, the multipurpose space above the former living room overlooks the natural landscape surrounding the home.
Kerala Bungalow: Nature at the Forefront
“Natural materials which blend in with the design were incorporated into the home, with least possible altercation of the site,” avers Pandara. A relaxed ambience is created for the family to enjoy nature within the confines of their home. The ancestral furniture of the previous home was reused and customised. The artwork in the home is by artist Aysha Basmath.
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