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Architecture

2022

Photographer : Shahul Shibili, Turtle arts photography

The design of inward house started evolving with a planning ideology that directs the user to the inner common space which acts as the heart of the house. All other habitable spaces are well connected and placed around this central core which follows an open planning concept thereby helps to overcome the space constrains of the site. This planning gift the users a wide, open, naturally well-lit and ventilated central area which makes them spend and enjoy the home in this heart space itself. The massing of the house takes inspirations from the traditional sloping roofs of the sub-tropical architecture which helps the house to attain climate responsiveness and contextuality.

The site is located at Thrissur, Kerala, India, which has a sub-tropical climate characteristic. This along with the clients requirement to make a home that holds traditional as well as modern elements, transformed to a tropical modern home. The roof profile blends sloping roofs and flat roofs. From the frontage to the rear side the house gradually transforms from a lower roof height to higher roof levels. Between each of these roof levels a large linear ventilators which takes major role in the passive cooling of the house.

Larger open able windows are given on all sides of the central common space which not only visually connects the indoors to the nature but also brings in the breeze. Even if the plan shows an inward approach, each habitable space has achieved the outer walls to fetch cross ventilation.

Thrissur,Kerala,India

Architects	:	Archstation Architecture
Area	:	2100 sq.ft.
Year	:	2022
Website	:	https://www.instagram.com/archstation/?hl=en

Exterior view of Inward House by Archstation Architecture

The courtyard with lush green plants gives the family living a part of nature feeling. The seating provision provided along with the stairs located within the courtyard allows the users to sit and feel the courtyard. The formal living extends to a green pocket which is achieved by combining the side yard to the house .Double-height voids and sectional play bring additional natural light in the heart of the house.. The master bedroom also finds room for a green space which enhances the space quality and user experience of the clients who loves the plants. The small open terrace facing the frontage also acts as a green space with creepers and fruit trees. Green pockets helps to naturally light and ventilate the dwelling, creating a sequence of open-air, planted spaces that connect all the interior areas and provide meaningful contact with nature while living in the house. Altogether these green pockets achieved in the design overcomes the site constrain for outdoor plantscaping.

Living of Inward House by Archstation Architecture

Lobby view from staircase of Inward House by Archstation Architecture

Dining of Inward House by Archstation Architecture

The slabs of the house are casted with filler slab technique using Mangalore tiles as the filler material. It helps to reduce the heat gain through the roof and the consumption of concrete in the slab is reduced. Double wall construction is adopted to create an air volume inside the wall and helps in reducing the heat gain through the wall.

Dining of Inward House by Archstation Architecture

The used Mangalore roof tiles are available in plenty in Kerala. The sloped roofs of the house are covered with these reused Mangalore tiles. It makes the roof weather proof in the monsoon rains and the hot summers. The clay roof tile layer above the slab also creates an air gap between the concrete slab and the roof tile layer which further reduces the heat gain through the roof.

Kitchen of Inward House by Archstation Architecture

Pooja room of Inward House by Archstation Architecture

Family living of Inward House by Archstation Architecture

The interior takes inspiration from the traditional and cultural characters of the region. The furniture is designed with traditional carpentry details from the tropical homes of yesterday without losing the modern-day comfort aspects. The wall decors include the Kerala mural artworks and the souvenirs collected from various places in India while the Clients travelled. From the chairs to the door handles are carefully designed and crafted by local carpentry team with preserving the regional attire.

Family living of Inward House by Archstation Architecture

Bedroom of Inward House by Archstation Architecture

Inward house expresses seasonal moods, as it always breaths in cool breeze. Monsoon rain gives everything a darker shade, the stone claddings, the Mangalore roof tiles creating a familiar regional palette of red, black and greens. The small water body in the entrance always live with fish gets greener with monsoon creating its own ecosystem.

The formal living space with its extended lap to nature always set hearts feels the monsoon at its fullest. This house provides seating in nature where the rains caress you with its drops like the step extensions of the staircase.