How a mother and son regained lost happiness after shifting to a compact house

After his father’s demise, Kiran Ravindran decided to move from his 5000 sqft mansion to a 2500 sqft compact home, to keep his family closer. His mother began to feel aloof and depressed in the huge house that boasted of all the modern amenities. Kiran was sure that their accommodation needed a ‘downsizing’ to feel the warmth of love and closeness. He then entrusted architect Rikhina to design a beautiful abode at their 12 cents plot in Kannur.

The family’s close relatives and friends live nearby. So, Kiran wanted a comfortable space outside the house for his mother and her friends to enjoy hearty conversations. However, it wasn’t possible to build such a permanent structure in a narrow plot like this. So, a portable car porch and an adjacent courtyard have been built to accommodate the interests of the family members. This portable porch built in GI frame could be dismantled in case they want to expand.

The spaces are smartly arranged to easily grab a view of the courtyard. A sliding door opens to the courtyard from the interiors.

The front yard, meanwhile, has been paved with Bangalore stones. The lush lawns beside the drive way is truly a refreshing sight. The GI porch could be used as a vertical garden too. Moreover, the glass ceiling effectively blocks the harsh sun rays. The walls are done in concrete finish. The groove design on the walls were etched when the plastering works were done, making it an interesting design feature. The readymade furniture and the light fittings perfectly suit the ambience of the interiors. The flooring, meanwhile, has been done using white and wooden colour themed vitrified tiles.

The ground floor is ‘ruled’ by the mother while the son dwells in the upper floor. There is a living area, dining space, kitchen with a work area and two bedrooms in the ground floor. The interiors are designed in the open style to make them look vaster. Meanwhile, there is a spacious living area, a bedroom and a working space in the upper floor.

The kitchen opens to the dining area. High chairs are arranged on one side of the counter to separate a quaint breakfast space.

Kiran says that he indeed feels happy after moving into a smaller house. His mother too enjoys the quaint spaces and compact areas. The mother – son duo prefers living in a house that gives them joy and satisfaction rather than staying in a luxurious mansion.

Project Facts
Location – Kannur
Plot – 12 cents
Area – 2400 SqFt
Owner – Kiran Ravindran
Design – Rikhina Akhil
Rikhina Akhil Architects, Kannur
Mob - 9847864594