This Kochi home features an impressive courtyard

Tales of Design Studio marries the warmth of traditional Kerala architecture with the practicalities of a modern lifestyle at the Roshan Villa.  

Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Spiritwall Studio; courtesy Tales of Design Studio

The site

Roshan Villa, designed by Tales of Design Studio, is located in the growing suburban residential community of Puthencruz, Kochi. The villa sits on a 2,250 square foot rectangular corner plot, with south and west facing roads creating two frontages; and residential buildings on the other two sides. Considering the sloping profile of the southern plot boundary, and to enable back to back parking, the entrance to the site is kept from the western end.

The brief

The clients were keen on having large common areas that encourage interactions. Thus, common areas of the house were given more detailing and bedrooms were kept minimal, yet functional. This integration of ‘selective detailing’ renders necessary contrast and harmony in varying degrees throughout the villa.

The design intent

Roshan Villa sees the symbiotic integration of traditional Kerala architecture, along with the needs and demands of a modern lifestyle.

The architecture

The structure is a culmination of linear blocks in succession with gabbled sloping roofs. The grid layout ensures spatial efficiency, privacy and openness in its interiors. Large and small openings are strategically placed to bring in cross-ventilation and natural light. The double-height inner courtyard and stairwell with skylights connect the floor plates creating visual connections between the floors. These sciagraphies seen through the day adds a playful charm to the interiors.

The spatial configuration

Roshan Villa has an L-shaped floating verandah that leads to the entrance foyer. The common areas of the villa — a formal living room with an attached indoor courtyard, a dining and kitchen — have an open plan. The courtyard is a sun-kissed space which feature bricks, water and lush greenery. The inspiration for the inner courtyard wall and west side compound wall came from ‘Kasavu’ (the zari detailing seen in Kerala sarees). A sequence of concrete balusters and Porotherm jaalis on the courtyard wall enable air passage due to the stack effect, thus regulating indoor temperature. The private spaces are arranged in a grid, around these common areas, to reduce circulation area and to keep a compact home.

The material and colour palette

The major materials of construction were rubble, solid cement blocks and concrete; while discarded Mangalore roofing tiles were utilised for topping slopped roofs, and in the construction of the west side compound wall. The doors and windows are a mix of polished wood and powder coated GI frames. Flooring patterns are created using granite, and matte and glossy vitrified tiles. The off-white colour which dominates the villa is offset by splashes of grey and highlights of blue. The bedrooms don pastel hues.

Fact file

Project: Roshan Villa
Client: Roshan A
Location: Kochi
Area: 2,250 sq ft
Principal architect: Shammi A Shareef
Design team: Fawas CK, Sreejith CP, Akshay M and Sujinlal P