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Architecture

2024

The outer world becomes quiet and unknown as you go deeper and deeper into the ocean. Mr. Roshith, a marine engineer who visits his birthplace for a half-yearly vacation, longed for this feeling of freedom. Kaloor Residence, a four-bedroom house in Feroke, Calicut, with carefully placed courtyards and verandas, reflects his desire to live a calm and peaceful life away from the stresses of the rapidly changing modern world. There was no need to create a unique microclimate because the traditional structures that surrounded the site had the same appearance.

Planning for the project began when it was decided to preserve the plot's existing trees. Protecting the existing trees resulted in three courtyards, two of which were the main ones. The rest of the spaces was designed by keeping the courtyards as the focal point. The client's need for peaceful, quiet spaces within the house is met by the presence of several courtyards, a balcony, corridors, verandas that blend the nature outside with the indoor areas, and an elevated platform with fixed wooden jalis. These areas allow one to be oneself and enjoy their time in their own way while also being surrounded by the eagerly flowing nature outside through the semi-open spaces and wooden jalis. In contrast to private rooms, which were designed solely to fulfill the purpose of their space, the majority of the facilities are available for the common areas, which enhance the interaction among the family members.

Kozhikode,Kerala,India

Architects	:	VSP Architects
Area	:	3600 sq. ft.
Year	:	2024
Website	:	https://www.instagram.com/vsparchitects/

Exterior view of Kaloor Residence by VSP Architects

Entrance of Kaloor Residence by VSP Architects

The entry is at east through the traditional padippura, which greets you and guides you inside with a little curiosity and serenity. Since there is just one way to enter the house through the padippura, the client chose an adjacent site for the cars to park.

The cowbarn, which is situated in the property's front yard, is the next unexpected feature that awaits guests.It was the client's desire to see the cow barn as soon as he woke up, and this was made possible by situating it in the front yard, which was also visible from the sitout, and by giving him a view from the balcony.

The living room provides a beautiful view of the continuous flow of light and shadow through the fixed wooden jali kind bay window. The living room leads to the first courtyard, around which all spaces are carefully positioned. Located close to the pooja room, this courtyard is primarily utilized for traditional and cultural rituals. It also serves as a location for cultural activities and family get-togethers throughout the festival season. The dining area, which stands between the two courtyards, feels larger and blends in with the surroundings despite the roof. The second courtyard serves as the primary location for family get-togethers.

Entrance of Kaloor Residence by VSP Architects

Entry Porch of Kaloor Residence by VSP Architects

Most of the windows, doors, and wooden furnishings were reused from the old house. The majority of the common gathering spaces in the project include built-in furniture, which is another unique aspect. The project's scale is a crucial component, as is traditional in older Keralan homes, where people should bend to cross doors because the openings' height would be slightly lower than usual.

When the project's traditional elements are combined with the surrounding environment and scenery, the modern features enhance daily activities and fit in with modern lifestyles without sacrificing the overall idea and place Kaloor House in the tropical modern category.

Entry Porch of Kaloor Residence by VSP Architects

Courtyard of Kaloor Residence by VSP Architects

One excellent illustration of how contemporary elements may accentuate the elegance of a traditional design and concept is the folding glass doors that are available at the balcony and dining area which opens up to veranda. With their simple opening and closing mechanism, help to weave the outside nature with indoor space carefully and seamlessly. The most exciting feature of these openings is that, with touch, the boundary can be made visible or not according to the client's desire.

Courtyard of Kaloor Residence by VSP Architects

Dining of Kaloor Residence by VSP Architects

Corridor of Kaloor Residence by VSP Architects

Staircase of Kaloor Residence by VSP Architects

Upper floor living with balcony of Kaloor Residence by VSP Architects

The surrounding landscape, which is allowed its own time, space, and freedom to change as it pleases without doing it forcefully, is another element of the project where the landscape blends in its own way with the context around it and proves the concept of the project about dissolving into a space by its own characteristics, such as here the wooden furniture, verandas, corridors, courtyards, wooden jali windows, the plain white walls, and the kotta stones all have their own features which enhance the overall concept.

The client's primary objective of producing a traditional pool look and feel was achieved through the placement and design of a small swimming pool. The scenery, materials, and straightforward architecture all showcase the project's minimalist design, which allows the house to blend in with the serene surroundings.