Excerpt: Alibhai’s House designed by Eleventh Floor Architects is a residential project that blends the traditional charm of Kerala architecture with a contemporary twist. The overall design is an attempt to create modern living with a gray monochromatic interior without sacrificing traditional elements. The interior palette is kept subtle to provide a more calming experience for the user.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] Embracing Tropical Modern Living in Kerala: Alibhais House is a 2400 sq. ft. tropical modern house nestled in the lush green landscape of Malappuram, Kerala. The client’s vision was to blend the traditional charm of Kerala architecture with a modern twist. The result was a stunning fusion of timeless elegance and contemporary comfort.
The Site: The east-facing site has a busy road frontage and a large mango tree in the northeast part of the plot. The south side of the plot shares a boundary with the client’s ancestral home, where they tend to cultivate some vernacular plantations, which were later incorporated into the overall landscape.
Planning: A welcoming sitout, directly accessible from the main road, facilitates entry. The mango tree was left untouched to maintain visual balance and create a sense of home upon reaching the sitout. The main door opens to a foyer leading to the heart of the residence, a double-height living area with a sloped ceiling on one side, culminating in a larger opening. The staircase and courtyard are clearly visible from the foyer.
On the right side of the foyer, a smaller stepped reading corner is provided, which can access the kitchen through a pivot window. Two bedrooms are tucked into the southeast and southwest corners of the plot. From the living area, a separate hallway leads to the dining area and, ultimately, to the kitchen.
The double-height courtyard features a wash counter, accessible via stepping stones. The staircase leads to a corridor ending in a passage overlooking the living area and the courtyard below, further leading to the other two bedrooms. The southeast bedroom on the first floor has a spacious balcony that overlooks the main road.
Design: An attempt to create modern living with a gray monochromatic interior without sacrificing traditional elements. Two sloped roofs in the elevation harmonize well with the mango tree on the front side. The extended balcony serves as a shading device for the bedroom window and adds modern characteristics. The concept was to create a space between two green areas, and the passage on the first floor enhances the space for communication.
Larger openings with louvered windows allow air to flow freely, creating a stack effect that reduces the temperature inside. The interior palette is kept subtle to provide a more calming experience for the user.
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