Excerpt: ‘AANANDHAM – The house of bliss’ by Urbane Ivy is a residence featuring earthy tones and natural textures complemented by a verdant landscape. This tropical luxury house is designed to enhance the living experience, celebrating interconnectedness and unconfined spaces. Its semi-open layout and wide-angle views encourage private moments and social interactions, reflecting the family’s spirit.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] Nestled amidst the natural contours of its landscape, ‘Aanandham’ exudes an aura of tranquility and joy, where every corner whispers grandeur and comfort. Located near Greenfield Stadium, Kazhakootam,the emerging extension of the capital city of Kerala, has a unique elevation, rising from the steep road below. Situated on a wide plot, the welcoming façade with lush greenery intertwined with the stone façade offers a haven of unbounded delight!
Created for a politician-businessman and his family of four children, this 4700 sq.ft residence spanning two floors has 4 bedrooms, 2 living rooms, one large dining area, kitchen, study room, gym and a bar area.
The user context was derived from clients’ three main requirements. Firstly, considering the business background of the client, the house was made to seamlessly integrate spaces, transitioning between guest-friendly areas and zones with gathering spaces conducive to both formal and informal meetings. Secondly, the layout was specifically designed to accommodate family functions and gatherings for their extended family, ensuring that the home feels like one large, harmonious domain. Thirdly, to ensure the safety of the little explorers within, an unrestricted view from any corner with no hidden spaces was considered, with ample room to play as well.
Every facet of ‘Aanandham’ has been crafted to enhance the living experience. The design philosophy is steeped in the celebration of interconnectedness and unconfined spaces, mirroring the dynamism of the family’s spirit. The semi-open layout and wide-angle views of the surroundings in this house capture the essence of tropical luxury and encourage private moments as well as social interactions.
The series of interconnected spaces, which all lead to the central living cum dining area, invites maximum ventilation and light from all angles. Every room and nook opens out to the front yard, allowing for an effortless transition between indoor and outdoor settings. Owing to its plot shape, the two blocks of the residence are oriented in different directions, facing the gate and central courtyard.
The facade, with areas of stone and plants, blends into nature, giving it an organic allure. Large wooden openings are placed throughout, with multi-level balconies offering different levels and views inside and outside the house. Compiling style and utility, a bespoke bar on the first floor was designed in an exclusive setting. The foldable metal shutters in the façade makes the bar and gym spaces flexible for different purposes.
Materials like stone and teakwood enhance the tropical outlook of the whole design, while the metallic elements in the façade provide an elegant appeal. The lush green landscape, which complements the earthy tones and natural textures of the house, holds an important role in the overall design. Aanandham- the house of bliss, here, is not just a name but a way of life, curated with care and precision, making every day within its walls a celebration of life’s most precious moments!
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