Located in the heart of an urban sprawl that began as a small town in Kerala, this residence underwent careful planning, curated massing and specific attention paid to its overall architectural composition.
Underlining geometry
Simple design elements such as circles and linear lines can be seen repeated in the building in varying degree of functionality. This design language is evident from the front porch itself. The linear profile of the porch covers almost the entire span of the house with one end opening up into a pebble garden and a green wall. A textured wall with a series of circular fenestrations separates a private courtyard inside from the porch. These circular holes balance the linear form of the porch while providing a peek at the internal courtyard without affecting the privacy of the occupants.
Connecting the living zones
The main door opens up into a spacious open area comprising of the family living and dining spaces. The formal living is accessible from this area via a set of sliding doors. The formal living space comprises of simple furnishings and two sets of large pivot windows that opens up into the internal courtyard. The formal living space and the dining spaces are double height spaces and stands out from the rest of the house with its volume. A polished marble flooring connects the spaces visually while added an element of luxury.
Stepping outside
A sky-lit internal courtyard and a swimming pool stays hidden inside the massing, allowing the occupants to enjoy the areas with uninterrupted privacy. A foldable door opens up the dining area into the internal courtyard which is also an informal seating space as well as the hand wash area for the dining space.
The hand wash unit is custom built on site with a teakwood base and Corian top, along with rose gold fixtures. Three circular mirrors on a backdrop of concrete textured wall adds to the beauty of the setup.
The internal courtyard is filled with lush green vegetation typical to the tropical climate. The hardscape in this area consists of a natural stone pathway and river washed pebbles.
An experience along the staircase
The teakwood staircase is illuminated by a large opening on the wall which continues to the roof in the form of a skylight. The intensity of light is controlled via laser cut wooden screen in front of the skylight, which also creates an interesting play of shadows on the wall.
This strip of patterned wood-and-glass is a striking feature both inside and from the outside, along the elevation, turning this simple journey up the stairs into a beautiful experience in its own right.
Nuanced spatial privacy
The swimming pool is ingeniously positioned in such a way that it has direct views from three different bedrooms in the house, but is not visible from any public areas. This underscores one of the primary requirements of the homeowner – that of privacy. It allows residents to unwind in complete privacy, while presenting them with an experience of lounging outside under the sun.
Tropical plants adorn the periphery of the pool which is marked by a bright yellow wall offering a stark contrast to the sky blue swimming pool.
A tether of minimalism
A restrained palette of pared-back neutrals accented by warm wooden tones graces the home. Due to the focus on stark established geometry, every curated detail meticulously addresses the design brief at large. Partitions composed of a rhythm of lines separate zones while tying them together visually. Contemporary silhouettes of furniture are scattered across the spaces, drawing in the eye but at the same time, not overwhelming the space.
The vast expanses of the room are left largely unfurnished, urging a sense of spaciousness to take over. However, warmth and coziness are perpetually prevalent. Wonderfully furnished and showing off thoughtful design flourishes, all while concealing a brilliant play of public and private, this home follows and elevates the homeowner’s brief to the tee.
Photography credits: TurtleArts Photography
About the design firm:
Cognition Design Studio is a creative workspace enthusiastic in practicing site specific – environmentally sensitive contemporary architecture. Established in the year 2017 by Ar. Mohammed Fazil and Ar. Muhammed Faris, the firm strives to create design that inspires, approaching each project with an understanding that architecture has a unique power to influence lifestyle and society.
