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India Houzz Tour: Vernacular Architecture Comes Alive in Nature
How architects created a serene, nature-inspired escape that combats monsoons, humidity and harsh sun with style
The owners of this home in Kerala, India wanted a holiday home where they could relax and experience nature when they visited from Dubai. Inspired by the lush greenery of Kerala, Humming Tree’s co-founders and principal designers, Mohammed Afnan and Arun Shekar, used environmentally friendly materials including stone, mud, terracotta and reclaimed timber throughout the house. To top it off, they reinforced a traditional touch in the decor with local art and artifacts.
As one enters the home, the double-height foyer ushers a feeling of grandeur and expansiveness. Antique and heritage accents, such as the teak doors, add charm and character to the area. The doors and artifacts were purchased by the homeowner from an old manor house near Mattancheri, the art hub of Kerala in India.
The living room is awash with indirect light entering via the verandah. A wooden divan, flanked by a pair of tall three-legged stools, faces the coffee table: a polished, brass-bound timber chest that evokes generations past.
“High ceilings and courtyards ease cross-ventilation. We used natural stones and terracotta roof tiles to give a cooling effect,” says Shekar.
Find an architect near you on Houzz to help design your dream home
“High ceilings and courtyards ease cross-ventilation. We used natural stones and terracotta roof tiles to give a cooling effect,” says Shekar.
Find an architect near you on Houzz to help design your dream home
“We decorated the space with a wabi-sabi style rustic pot, an acid-finish glass vase and a vintage Mughal painting. The cement flooring ties the look cohesively,” he says.
Local and traditional elements are dotted throughout the house and add to an old-world charm. A restored custom chair, ceramic preserving jars and recycled vintage fabric art accentuate the ambience.
For the architects, the family living room is the most interesting spot in the house. A vintage slatted wooden daybed takes centre stage here and serves as a cosy reading nook. An indoor tree, a painting by a local artist and a rug create an inviting space.
“Rather than using air-conditioning, we opted for hung windows to let the hot hair pass out and create natural ventilation,” says Shekar.
“Rather than using air-conditioning, we opted for hung windows to let the hot hair pass out and create natural ventilation,” says Shekar.
“In the dining room, the dining table and the hanging clay pendants were designed in-house. These are paired with a bench and three-legged chairs, which we sourced from Mattancheri,” says Afnan of the Indian locale.
Wide windows bring the outdoors inside and give the best views of the lush green landscape from the dining area.
Contemporary earthenware displayed on the dining table complements the hanging pendant lamps.
“The kitchen has an open layout and overlooks the dining and the living area. Plenty of daylight floods in all through the day to keep it naturally lit,” says Afnan. “The earthy tones of the brick cladding in the kitchen island are offset with a cool, black granite benchtop.”
Browse more kitchen islands with flair
Browse more kitchen islands with flair
Like the rest of the house, the master bedroom has high ceilings that offer an interplay of patterns. The vintage four-poster bed and bedside table are in keeping with the decor of the home.
The two other rooms in the house continue the architectural style and decor of the master bedroom and the entire home.
“Laterite stone, bricks and mud were used on the exteriors to tackle the heavy monsoons and harsh sun,” says Afnan.
Drawing inspiration from traditional Kerala homes, the architects also positioned courtyards across the floor plan to help the house stay cool throughout the day.
Your turn
What is your favourite part of this tropical holiday home? Tell us in Comments below. And while you’re at it, like this story, save the images for inspiration and join the conversation.
More
Love Indian design? Get another dose here with this India Houzz Tour: How a Nature-Inspired Palette Defined a Home
Drawing inspiration from traditional Kerala homes, the architects also positioned courtyards across the floor plan to help the house stay cool throughout the day.
Your turn
What is your favourite part of this tropical holiday home? Tell us in Comments below. And while you’re at it, like this story, save the images for inspiration and join the conversation.
More
Love Indian design? Get another dose here with this India Houzz Tour: How a Nature-Inspired Palette Defined a Home
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Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of three
Location: Kerala, India
Year built: 2020
Size: 350 square metres with three bedrooms and three bathrooms
Architecture: Humming Tree
“The homeowners wanted a comforting holiday home that hinged on the aesthetics of tropical modernism,” says Afnan. Based on this, the architects designed a house that celebrates the natural landscape and climate of Kerala.
The Humming Tree team focused on vernacular architecture, with colonnaded verandahs, courtyards, high ceilings and breezy folding doors – features that helped the home and its residents live with the humidity.
“Sloped roofs are always a better bet as they prevent ponding of rainwater,” says Shekar.