A moderate-budget house in Thrissur built to live with nature

Binu and his wife have never shied away from expressing their passion for farming. They wanted a simple house at Kunnamkulam, Thrissur in Kerala to be built on a moderate budget that suits their lifestyle based on farming and agriculture. Looking at the premises of this house, one can easily understand how dedicated this couple is in making their abode a haven of organic farming. The house is surrounded by vines and trellis where various kinds of vegetables are grown. There is a cowshed on one side where local, Vechoor and Kasargod dwarf breeds are bred. Besides, there is a fish pond too in this plot. Architect Sanitilal, who is well known for building eco-friendly homes, deserves credit for designing such a spectacular abode that blends amazingly with nature.

The roof is designed in varying heights. The GI truss roof has been paved with unique Basel Mission roofing tiles that were extremely popular in the olden times. These exclusive tiles that are more than a century old grant an old world charm to this spectacular dwelling. Meanwhile, the structure has been built using locally sourced laterite stones.

The ceilings of the bedrooms are built using the filler slab technology that involves concrete proofing and paving tiles. Interestingly, the mud plastering on the walls is done using the mud from the plot itself. Only the kitchen walls have been painted in this house. The mud plastering method has helped in saving a significant amount of money as cement and emulsions aren’t required. Moreover, this makes the interiors extremely cool and comfortable.

Designed in 2800 sqft, this splendid abode has a sit out, living and dining areas, courtyard, kitchen with a work area and three bedrooms. The car porch is built separately from the structure. The porch is a miniature of the house and the room adjacent to the porch is an old pathayam or granary.

As the interiors are designed in the open style, the house looks and feels vaster. The most amazing fact about this smartly conceptualized house is that many items have been reused here. Not just the roofing tiles, but the ceiling and the furniture were collected when an old house was dismantled. Scrap furniture too were collected to artistically redesign them into attractive pieces of furniture in this house. The couple has a fascination for Chettinad style flooring. So, exquisite Athamkudi tiles were brought to be paved on the floor.

The mesmerizing courtyard is truly the soul of the house. The spaces are arranged around the courtyard. The open ceiling has been secured with grilles. Natural sun shine, rain showers and cool breeze come into the house through this courtyard. Karimbana timber paneling has been done on concrete walls here. These are so stunning that they look like expensive wooden paneling at a glance. A swinging cot too is arranged beside the courtyard.

A wooden partition is what separates the dining area. Interestingly, the sliding screen here turns this area into a cozy home theater.

The bedrooms are simple and have attached bathrooms and wardrobes. The kitchen cupboards, meanwhile, are done by installing glass and panels on ferro cement slabs.

The couple grows most of the vegetables that are required in the kitchen in their yard itself. They vouch for the incredible ambience of this beautiful house that is in perfect sync with the nature.

Project Facts

Location – Kunnamkulam, Thrissur

Area – 2800 SFT

Plot – 35 cents

Owner – Binu

Designer – Santhilal

Costford, Thriprayar

Mob – 9747538500