“i float”
Shaji & Sheeba Residence | Trivandrum
The site is approached from a tight urban neighbourhood, back dropped by open parcels of residential land waiting to be developed in the heart of Trivandrum city. School teachers in UK, the clients brief was for a serene and relaxing home for their vacations and after retirement. The positioning of the house is based on the parameters of capitalising the strong breeze flowing throughout the day and to create open spaces for gathering of friends. The existing coconut trees on the periphery of the site was the major inspiration for the soul of the design. We envisioned a mass that dissipates into the greenery creating , in the exteriors a feel of floating planes among the coconut trees and in the interiors transcendent spaces mirroring the nature outside. The construction detailing emphasises this theme. The combination of steel support frames and concrete beams in the car porch are examples. The openings in the facade is also done to accentuate the design harmony.
As one steps into the cool interiors from the strong glare of the tropical Kerala sun, the effect is instantaneously relaxing. The openings are so arranged to create “pause spaces” with a view to the green pockets in the urban neighbourhood. The dark shallow fish pond with ferns recreate the lush green ambience of the Kerala tropics. Louvered windows set along the water pond have been aligned in the breeze ways with openings in the opposite side so to enhance cross ventilation and thermal cooling. This would also help to reduce heat gain if any, from the large openings.
The ground floor houses the formal living room, dining room Kitchen, work area , store and the guest bedroom with toilet. The clients wanted a living zone with a TV viewing space , kitchen , dining and a reading corner, but with the ability to transform into a spacious party space with appropriate ambience.
The living area in the upper floor is spread over 3 finely demarcated spaces. Each room or living zone has been carefully designed to experience nature unique at the particular point – each offering a special feel – such as the green foliaged tree house feel in the upper living room with a unhindered view of the coconut tree tops. The view has been set in such a way that the nearby residences cannot be seen. The first floor bedroom overlooking the brook giggling away nearby. The Master bedroom has been planned with the lounge and the sleeping space at different levels. Spaces have been designed to encourage the awareness of transition from experience to experience. Each transition evokes fresh and varied experience offering wide range of relaxation points.