A modern house located in a suburb in Alappuzha, Kerala. Achieving an optimum communication between spaces was the main purpose of this project: The idea of keeping people together, yet providing necessary privacy determines the interconnected spaces, including the kitchen.

A strip of water guides one from the entry to the living spaces which in turn continues up as the sculptural staircase - the focal point of the house.

The house was envisioned as ‘a solid block with plenty of shaded glazed openings ‘ maximizing communication with the outdoors ensuring cross ventilation & views to the green areas - a concept of bringing landscape into the building. Vasthu principles guide the positioning of various rooms in the site. The peculiar shape of the plot lead to the creation of a detached 2-car porch, with a steel roofing, spanning across the first segment of the plot. The space extending out from the floating porch, along with the garden is conceived as a multipurpose space – making it a kids play area / space for small gatherings. The entrance courtyard in the second segment of the plot allows vehicles to be brought in close to the house for service / emergency.

The double height living room with the side verandahs modified as semi-open courtyards extending up to the boundary wall (done with the neighbour’s consent) was a key element in creating a home that otherwise would have felt small. The dining spills out into the patio, whereas the living extends out as a sunken courtyard offering informal seating spaces. The usage of natural wood is minimized by the usage of UPVC windows & flush doors. Naturally well-lit spaces, L.E.D lighting & open – inter linked planning reduces electricity consumption as even a few lights give general lighting in the living spaces. The pergola shaded courtyard with plants acts as a buffer space, screening the hot western sun, yet allowing plenty of light & air inside. The sunken courtyard, the water body with the pergola screened skylight, offering a vivid play of light & shadows complete the image of a relaxing contemporary home.