Fact File
Location: Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu
Size: 630 sq m
Principal Architects: Karthikeyan, Malli Saravanan, Madhumitha, Padmakshi, Sangeetha, Satish, Sudersan, Udhayarajan, and Yogesh
Photography by: Karthikeyan. N, Phx2917

The TUT House by WeBe Design Lab in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, is an amalgamation of tradition and contemporary design featuring abundant natural light and greenery. TUT—The house in Tuticorin’s heart has a very deciduous character, which can be felt as one moves from the rustic exteriors to the sleek finished interiors. The site’s layout is purposefully designed to distinguish between the inside and outside. The built space is broken down into three courtyard spaces—the front, centre, and backcourt. The use of these courts throughout the day is an effortless symphony. The mornings are occupied and served in the front court with the daily dose of news and tea. The afternoons and evenings are split among the levels of the centre court, with music, chatter, and laughter amidst the sounds of nature and water. The backcourt is private and is overlooked by the sleeping spaces.

The striking signature of the house is in the materials that have been used: the contrast of concrete, copper, brass, and wood. The outdoors are characterised by the raw look of concrete, stone, and wood with varying textures that layer to be in harmony. The landscapes are kept to a minimum but are enough to accentuate the raw textures of the materials used. The interiors personify a subtle richness with the use of copper and wood against the background of white marble. The textures are sleek and smooth, almost making you miss the rustic exteriors. The interiors are designed with a neutral palette and are susceptible to redecoration, whereas the exterior is rustic and raw and will age gracefully with time. The perforated custom wall and ceiling in the central court make way for light and shade that move with the sun, giving a feeling of transience in the space. The spaces in the house are layered to overlook these open areas, creating a unique feeling of “inside-outside.” TUT House builds a coherent flow of visual appeal, which lends richness and a warm tone to a family dwelling. It is a celebration of the seamless juxtaposition of materials, textures, and colours.