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Architecture

2019

Photographer : Sabari Sivaram

The brief given to the architects was to bring alive an ancestral property with a century-old structure which could no longer be used. The migration of the family members to bigger cities for education and jobs left the place unattended for nearly a couple of decades.

But the then-village, now being a buzzing semi-urban outskirt of a fast-growing city, sure brought back the family to its base; having settled well in their lives. The house had to be a home; not just for the six-member family who were the clients, but also for the entire extended family. For this was a place to gather, to celebrate and to be!

Except for the bedrooms, no visual barriers were to be given, to any of the common areas. This was achieved by connecting the formal living, dining, family living and the breakfast nook- all connected volume-wise and to an extent, visually. These connections are direct, indirect or restricted. The courtyard acts as a physical barrier along with a perforated, paneled sliding folding screen, between the formal living and the rest of the house. Yet, on opening the screen, the entire common area of the house is just one single volume.

Ernakulam,Kerala,India

Architects	:	N&RD
Area	:	3000 sq. ft.
Year	:	2019
Website	:	https://instagram.com/n_and_rd_kochi

Exterior view of Amballoor Residence by N&RD

Courtyard of Amballoor Residence by N&RD

The Site being west-facing, openings towards the west are completely avoided except for the main door, which is guarded from the harsh evening sun by the buffer of a low-ceiling sit-out in the front. Three of the four bedrooms are given on the Northern side for the same reason, as to avoid the soaring mid-day temperatures. Openings on the South are restricted to the ground floor. The central courtyard with grills on its South and skylight above keeps the insides cool.

View from living room of Amballoor Residence by N&RD

Living of Amballoor Residence by N&RD

Dining of Amballoor Residence by N&RD

Kitchen of Amballoor Residence by N&RD

Family living of Amballoor Residence by N&RD

Bedroom of Amballoor Residence by N&RD

Parking area of Amballoor Residence by N&RD

Entrance of Amballoor Residence by N&RD

The available volume of the facade is subdivided to achieve an interesting flow of gaze to the structure, which could otherwise have been a mundane two-floor elevation. The form comprises of interlocking blocks of different masses, which can be termed as three ‘tubes’. One opens to the front, welcoming inside. The next one opens sideways relating to the surroundings. The third one opens upwards above the first floor, acting as a lighting -and even as a ventilating- shaft.