Sreehari’s Residence

“In this home… We do second chances. We do real. We do mistakes. We do I’m sorrys. We do loud really well. We do hugs. We do together best of all.”

 The underlying idea is simple; we wanted the house to serve as a modest spectator to a newly married couple's fresh start, watching, learning, and adapting to their needs, for only then, we believe, can it truly be cherished and become their "home."

 Away from the Thiruvananthapuram city center (10 KM), the house is situated amid a green 11-cent plot. The site provided a great opportunity for living in a serene landscape nurtured by cool breezes, the sounds of birds chirping, and the soothing patter of rain, among other natural delights.

e intended to blend the typical design goals of a pleasant and comfortable living environment into an optimistic, flexible, adaptive, and growing environment for them, by creating a place that not only harmonizes with its surroundings but also adds fresh hues to their new beginnings. The landscape surrounding the house has been retained in its original form characterized by grass pavers starting from the public road to the car porch. The sit-out features a glass canopy that aids in seamlessly blending the transition from outside to inside.

 The Moroccan tiled living room and the dining room form a single continuous space connected by a courtyard characterized by a teal-flavored metal hanging staircase from the roof. The roof is transparent which allows the sky to be visible, while the locally sourced flora landscape is enclosed by a brick jalli wall, which facilitates the flow of fresh air into the area. Serving as the focal point of the house, every other space and function is positioned around the courtyard.

The built mass of the private spaces masks the living spaces from the south sun. Living spaces and the courtyard at the west are placed in such a way to make sure the interior is airy and masked from the harsh west sun, by the brick jalli wall.

 The external court space with low walls makes the spillover spaces of dining more personal, turning the outdoor court into an evening chillout space outlined with the lush growth of Calatheas. The outdoor court filled with the scent from the blooms of the eccentrically located evergreen chempaka plant lingers in one’s memory while the plant plays a role in defining a sense of arriving at a place of purity, peace, and happiness keeping the plant as a symbol of deep-rooted connection with traditional Kerala household.

 The multifunctional space on the first floor is one of many spaces that are purposely left blank, with the intention for it to evolve and transform into whatever purpose the couple desires. Whether it becomes a cozy chai spot, a quiet reading room, a playful play space for their future children, or even a neutral, characterless area, the space is meant to adapt to the couple's needs. It is bordered on the south side by a series of 2.4-meter-high vertical pivotable louvers, which can be rotated to let in the right amount of view, light, and air to suit the space’s function.

Its uniquely liveable lightness of being offers views to the front yard while effectively filtering both direct and indirect sunlight. The house’s distinct facade character stems from a large overhanging flat roof that shields the space from the sun and the rain, one of the characteristic features of traditional houses of the topicals, that passively helps in regulating the interior temperature and humidity.

The interior décor palette is composed of photo frames, collectibles, and artworks that are inspired by and sourced from the client's personal collections, imbuing the space with memories and sentimental value.