Greenery surrounds this Kerala home inside-out

The Void designed by i2a Architects Studio blurs the boundaries between the exteriors and the interiors, thereby creating a calming oasis for its residents to reside in.

Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Prasanth Mohan; courtesy i2a Architects Studio

The site

Designed by i2a Architects Studio for Sajeevan Thriprayar and his family, The Void is a residence set in a lush green 34 cent site at Thrissur in Kerala. The planning concerts with the site, explicitly protecting maximum trees within this green landscape. This east-facing house is heavily shaded with trees and holds courtyards within to facilitate the free flow of air across the site. Porosity is maintained at all sides to ensure easy flow into the residence. The Void derives its name from this porosity.

The design intent

The design, from planning to interiors, insists on a single idea of blurring the boundaries between interiors and exteriors, fostering a reciprocal relationship with the landscape it accommodates.

The spatial configuration

One is welcomed into a well-lit living area with courtyards abutting it on the southern as well as the northern side of the house. These niches of courtyards are engaged for leisure during the morning or evening hours by the residents and guarantees cross-ventilation across the public areas like living area, double-height dining and kitchen area, wash and circulation cores along with two bedrooms. The pooja is placed at the centre of the house to catch the eye of an onlooker while entering. The point of convergence from all angles of the ground floor, this space is positioned within a sky-lit internal courtyard, which allows light to flood throughout the building. The sense of divine lighting in conjunction with the courtyards at both ends of the residence creates a tranquil setting.

Separated from the central area, the family living is located at the south western end of the house, adjacent to a linear double-height courtyard with patterned jaalis. Apart from the living area, the parents’ bedroom also has views of the garden, while the master bedroom has access to the double-height courtyard via sliding windows.

The staircase is positioned central to the plan along with a green mass within its core allowing for a soothing visual transition from lush green views of the ground floor to the first floor. The courtyard void between the mass of the building allows a harmonious visual and acoustical connectivity between the two floors. The upper floor comprises a library alongside the double-height courtyard and two bedrooms. One of the bedrooms has access to the linear courtyard, ensuring the presence of nature at every corner while the other has views into the southern courtyard.

The material and colour palette

The house maintains a simple yet vibrant colour as well as material palette consisting of wood, concrete, and natural stone. The shadows perpetuated by the jaalis vigorously change throughout the day with varying intensities and colours of light streaming in. This reposeful experience is unlike any other and accentuates modern minimalistic architecture.

The sustainable features

A welcoming elevation reflecting tropical modernism seamlessly blends into the landscape, creating a sense of curiosity in the observer as to what lies beyond while maintaining the privacy of residents. Brick jaalis and water bodies at the entrance set a calm and soothing mood.

Light permeates through the patterned jaalis of the house idling through. Dynamic shadows adorn the interiors with their patterning. As the hot air escapes easily through the jaalis on the first floor, the constant flow of cool air is abundant. The single slope of the house further reduces the overall temperature within interiors. This approach maximises air circulation and minimises the use of artificial lighting and air conditioning, making it the most ideal and ecologically sensitive abode.