Noushad, a professional singer, is incredibly excited to show around his unique house, built on a modest budget of Rs 9 lakh, at his hometown in Tirur, Malappuram, Kerala. It was Noushad himself who designed this house which features some interesting and unique features.
“I have visited many foreign countries for stage programs. I was inspired by the unique designs of the low-cost houses I saw there while planning my own house. I have noticed Keralites, especially in the Malabar region, splurging huge amount of money to build houses. My house, meanwhile, proves that a beautiful house, with all the facilities, could be constructed without spending too much money,” notes Noushad.
The house stands on 8-cent plot, closer to Noushad’s ancestral home. Cement blocks are used to construct the structure. It required less labour force to build the walls. Truss work is installed on the roof and is paved with aluminum roofing sheet. False ceiling is done using V board, about 6 feet below the truss work, to effectively resist heat. This air gap makes sure that the atmosphere inside the house is extremely pleasant and comfortable.
Arrangements are made to harvest the rainwater that falls on the roof. The rainwater is stored in the water body that is built right in front of the house. There is a bridge across this water body which leads to the entrance of the house.
This quaint house, in 930 sq ft area, has a formal living area, dining space, two bath-attached bedrooms and kitchen with an adjacent work area. The small sit-out is designed with a toughened glass roof on square tubes. Tiles in wooden finish are paved on the floor.
The kitchen cupboards are made using ferro cement slabs with marine ply finish. The wardrobes in the bedrooms too are built like this.
The attached bathroom with glass cubicle is the highlight of the master bedroom. “I am a singer, so I didn’t even have any basic knowledge about the ways of constructions. But, I began doing homework about alternative and low cost construction methods when I began building my own house. It took three years to complete the construction of this house. It is spacious enough for a family of four,” says Noushad.
The structure of the house was constructed on a very meager budget of Rs 7 lakhs. Another Rs 2,40,000 was spent for furnishing, wiring, plumbing and ceiling works. This mesmerizing house was thus constructed on a total budget of Rs 9.4 lakh. Noushad says at least 5 families visit their house daily, ever since they have celebrated the house warming function.
Among the many factors that helped keep expenses in check, limiting the use of concrete played a vital role. Cement blocks which cost Rs 29 per piece are used to build the structure. These cement blocks were purchased in bulk from the nearby factory.
Instead of roofing tiles, aluminum trafold sheet with a thickness of 5 mm is used on the roof. This sturdy roofing sheet is sound proof as well, which doesn’t make deafening noise when it rains. Rubber paint is applied on the exterior walls after water proofing it. This isn’t as expensive as the regular paint. Meanwhile, emulsions are used in the interiors.
The limited use of timber for furnishing the interiors too helped in lowering the expenses. Fiber doors are used in the interiors. Furniture is in plywood finish. Wiring is done by looping over the ceiling, without cutting electrical chases on the walls.
Estimate
Structure – Rs 7 lakh
Interior – Rs 2 lakh
Miscellaneous – Rs 40,000
Total expense – Rs 9,40,000
Project Facts
Location – Tirur
Area – 930 SFT
Plot – 8 cents
Owner and designer – Noushad
Mob – 75598 43356
Budget – Rs 9.4 lakh
Year of completion – 2019
