A Kozhikode home besieged by nature

Nestcraft Architecture designs The Stately Abode, a fusion of traditional Kerala architecture and modern elements.

Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Turtle Arts Photography; courtesy Nestcraft Architecture

The site

When architect Rohit Palakkal, founder of Nestcraft Architecture, visited the large linear site on which The Stately Abode is now built, he instantly decided to create a bold stance for the new structure — with wide openings in the east to allow sunlight to flood in. Located in Kozhikode, the house stands on a 30 cent land and is spread across 4,400 sq ft. The interesting character of the site is its privacy… there are other structures which surround it. This privilege allowed the architect to incorporate a badminton court and a private garden in the backyard of the house.

The architecture

The architectural form tends to flow freely, wrapping the four sides of the house in straight planes, and is intercepted boldly and carefully by external courtyards and patios. Sitting snugly amidst a well-manicured garden that perfectly complements the architectural vocabulary of the home; the structure exudes an aura of stateliness hinting at holding a lot within its august confines.

The spatial configuration

The five bedroom home is strictly planned according to vastu and keeps the sit-out, living, dining and the private courtyard (in the backyard) as a single connected space. The most interesting corner in the house is the external courtyard which is placed at the back of the house and can be accessed via the dining space. This area delivers a private environment in the presence of curated landscape elements where one can read, meditate, play or party.

“Making the space functional is key. We don’t encourage the client to have that extra square feet of space which doesn’t have any function. Thus, we’ve kept the rooms and its bonding closer, without any space wastage. This will in turn make the owners experience and use all the spaces of the house on a day to day basis — which automatically get maintained too,” explains Rohit.

The material palette

Nestcraft Architecture likes to engage with building materials which are natural and try to use them in its raw format. The Stately Abode incorporates rubble and fire burnt bricks on walls, and pine wood planks on ceiling. Along with this palette Italian marble is used for flooring and teak wood was the material choice for the furniture, doors and windows. Every single art piece, soft furnishings and micro furnishings are handpicked; while the plants in the garden and the party area are specially chosen for their low-maintenance qualities.

“Finding the balance between sustainable building materials and the latest industrial products was a challenge. Our interaction with the clients to understand their requirements did provide us the freedom to create a list which was accepted by the owners immediately. This way all the textures, colours and artefacts chosen is loved and cared for,” says Rohit.

Fact file

Project: The Stately Abode
Clients: Rajeev MP and Rekha Rajeev
Location: Kozhikode, Kerala
Area: 4,400 sq ft
Principal architect: Rohit Palakkal
Design team: Niveditha M and Vaishnavya KT