The tale of a Wayanad home that is the 'photo copy' of a viral house in Malappuram

The regular readers of the Homestyle feature in Manorama Online may easily recognise this classy house from an article that was published a few years ago. The video report of the house owned and designed by Malappuram-based architect Hidayath had become quite viral then. It was watched by more than 18 lakh people. Hidayath’s house had inspired many to build pocket-friendly houses without compromising on the looks.

Meanwhile, this is the tale of a brand new house in Wayanad owned by Dickens who works as a nurse in Israel. Dickens read the article and watched the video report of Hidayath’s house when he was in Israel. He was so impressed by the simple yet classy features of the house that he decided to recreate it at his hometown.

Dickens contacted Hidayath on the phone and requested whether the designer could build a ‘photo copy’ of his house at Mananthavady in Wayanad. Mananthavady is around three and a half hours away from Malappuram. So, Hidayath was a bit hesitant in the beginning. However, he said ‘yes’ as he realised that Dickens was really earnest about it.

The house stands on a 10 cents plot in Mananthavady. Interestingly, the client had completely trusted the designer while preparing the plan and during the construction period too. The construction was completed in just ten months, overcoming the difficulties during the lockdown period. Dickens oversaw the construction mostly through video calls and messages. The owner saw his house for the first time when he flew down to Kerala to celebrate the house warming ritual of his brand new house.

Not just the looks of the elevation or the interior spaces, both the houses have similar amenities and facilities too. Designed in 1500 sqft, this amazing abode has a sit-out, formal and family living areas, dining space, kitchen with a work area and two bedrooms.

The serene charm of the white hue was the highlight of Hidayath’s house. The same colour palate is followed in this house too. White coloured marbonite has been paved on the floor here. Meanwhile, wooden finished tiles have been used for separating the areas.

Walls painted in terracotta highlighter shades had been an eye-catching feature of Hidayath’s house. Dickens has repeated the same in his house too. Custom-made furniture built as per the measurements perfectly suit the general theme of the house. The dining table design with benches on both sides could be seen in both houses.

The construction of Dickens’ house, including the structure and furnishing, was completed on a reasonable budget of Rs 26 lakh. The family celebrated the house warming ritual on the last week of October and moved into their dream dwelling. Dickens and his family are thrilled that their house is just as they had imagined. There have been instances of copying the designs of the exteriors of other houses. However, it indeed is rare to recreate not just the interior or exterior designs, but even the designs of the furniture too.

Among the many factors that helped in keeping a check on the expenses, limiting the use of timber for furnishing played a vital role. Only the front and the back doors have been made in wood. The rest of the doors in the house are ready-made. Instead of wooden doors and window frames, aluminium fabrication has been done. The house looks as if it has been perfectly painted using expensive emulsions. However, just a coat of primer has been used on both the exterior and interior walls.

Project Facts

Location – Mananthavady, Wayanad

Plot – 10 cents

Area – 1500 SFT

Owners – Dickens and Josmi Jose

Designer – Hidayath Bin Ali

Design Arch Architecture Studio, Calicut and Malappuram

Mob – 98460 45109

Year of completion – 2021 November

Pictures – Akhin Komachy