Fact File
Location: Kerala
Size: 930 sq m
Principal Architect: Nikhil Mohan
Photography by: Ashik Aseem
Overture House by Thought Parallels is a unique vernacular residence that references traditional Malabar-style architecture or the tharavads (ancestral homes). The 930-square-metre family home is located in Payyoli, Kerala, a state known for its distinct culture, traditions, and varied topography. The client decided to branch off from the city to his native village, where he could live close to his family and relatives. He believes this home will be a part of their extended family environment. The family desired the expression of architects who could read the surrounding landscape and acknowledge the splendour of its essence. The client’s appreciation of the design process and the architect’s realisation of the demands of the place allowed a meaningful dialogue between them. With a biophilic design intent, the house’s distinctive form echoes traditional Malabar-style architecture—partly inspired by the tharavadu (traditional houses of Kerala)—a repository of Indian culture. Westerly breezes are directed over the façade, creating a calm, protected zone on its leeward side. The primary form of the house is created by a series of mild-steel frames expressing a bold structural expression.
The aim was to integrate the environment to create graceful, life-enhancing spaces. Consistently drawing on a littoral lifestyle and referencing ancient architecture creates a serene and coastal ambience. The stylistic analysis of the context is inspired by the classicism of casual modernism. From the outside, the house has a peaceful quality: simple white walls with effortless openings. In many ways, it’s like a person. Though deceivingly modest from the street view, the inside is colossal, as evidenced by the design, which builds into the lush green landscape. Further, it is accentuated by elements such as the courtyards, the segregation of the social and private spaces, and the volumetric play of the interior ceilings, which lend integrity and individuality to each space. The programmatic allocation is simple: five bedrooms, a kitchen, a formal living and dining space, a family living and dining space, and covered parking. Categorized in a single volume, the two courtyards mark the difference between the social and private spaces distributed through a central corridor.
Each internal space is visually connected to the opulent exteriors, an approach that benefits health and well-being. “We want to nurture a family here. The kids should be able to play, and the house should be welcoming for company,” the clients expressed, being particular about the division of social and family spaces. The social spaces have been planned separately from the family area to cater to this requirement. Upon entering the house, the main corridor provides a view of the two smaller courtyards. To visually connect the inside with the outside context, hardwood screens were installed. Further, the design solution focused on the interaction of the family living and dining area with the large courtyard. The limits between interior and exterior spaces overlap. In terms of materiality, the house exhibits elements that integrate it into the imagery of the location, recalling traditional houses with variables that provide a modern touch without radically breaking with the aesthetics sought by the client.
The interior work is mainly explored in search of meaningful integration of shape, colour, texture, and design, while the entire space integrates the different planes and volumes. The overlay of Indian teak wood creates contrast with the Kota stone against a juxtaposition of subtle textures from the ceiling to the walls and floor and visually softens the project as a minimalist, lavish residential space. The seemingly delicate steel structure connects with the coastal environment to create a calm and concordant composition. The residence also includes a variety of renewable energy methods to curb energy consumption. A solar panel system has been incorporated to delve into the concept of sustainability. The landscape design preserves existing native species, aiding both the reduction of water use for irrigation and lowering temperatures with the surrounding vegetation. The ultimate goal is to create luminous living spaces with natural ventilation while simultaneously exploring the possibility of using renewable energy.
