Originally built in 1984, the client brought to us a 37-year-old villa in Kottayam, Kerala, India, to be transformed to his new requirements. The client inherited the property and lived in the house for several years and later in 2020, he approached us for redesigning the house. His requirements were very specific. He wanted the house to be modern yet traditional in Kerala style. He wanted the transition to be very evident yet subtle. He wanted minimal demolition yet complete façade change. So, having a clear brief to make a budget renovation, the challenge for us was to use the right materials and to bring the right design with minimal impact on the site and existing structure.
The House of Transitions is a single-family residence built to showcase the essence of time through architecture. We focused to bring in plenty of natural light and ventilation within the spaces while maintaining privacy. The detailed market
study on the usage of specific materials helped to achieve comfortable, affordable, healthy & sustainable living spaces with a focus on energy efficiency.
Modernism in the tropical climate was deeply researched to develop a form that satisfies the Kerala climatic factors, especially the rain, humidity, sun, and wind direction. The front façade features a carefully designed sloping roof that aesthetically resembles Kerala traditional roofs yet transforms the old façade into a modern design. Natural ceramic flat roofing tiles were deliberately used to be durable considering the development of moss due to the humidity. The usage of hurudees bricks for the lattice wall on both sides of the house helps in passive cooling and also reduces the dependence on electricity and thereby is excellent in energy efficiency.
The spatial planning follows an open concept with a central living room connecting two bedrooms on either side of the house. The dining room is separated from the living room to have privacy and is connected to the kitchen and master bedroom. The kitchen has an adjacent servant room and is connected to a second kitchen and a work area and an exit. The wash area adjacent to the dining room is designed aesthetically besides the stairs on the already existing structure of the old house which leads to the first-floor lattice walls that provide visual transparency in the design.
The interior of living-room is detailed in teak finish ceiling work giving it a dynamic impression. The same design was detailed in the book shelf and prayer area. Special focus was given to lighting and custom lights were made using the same jaalis from the lattice wall, thus a continued design detail was maintained that engages the users connecting them through each space showcasing the concept of transitions.
The material palette is a combination of Kota stone, hurudees wall, texture walls, and terracotta which helps in creating a natural and pleasant atmosphere. The screen in the façade is designed as an art work that beautifully reminiscent the landscape yet functionally protects the west facing bedroom and also provides privacy to the pool area.
It is absolutely stunning to see the play of shadows through passage of time in the façade of building. One would find it difficult to see the old structure after the new design yet would feel the new building stood here all along. The House of Transition offers a unique experience of tranquility and harmony, thanks to its location among the teak trees and the greenery. The atmosphere is indescribable, as it invites anyone to relax and reconnect with themselves and nature.