Located in Kallada Kadavu, approximately 12 km. away from the main city of Calicut, “Reflections” is the residential project executed by architects Nikhil Mohan and Shabna Nikhil, the founders and principal architects of Thought Parallel. True to its name- "Reflections", the glass facade of this house aptly brings wonderful views of the surroundings to the home througout the day. At its inception, this project was created as a weekend home for an NRI’s family but evolved into a socially-distanced sanctuary after the uncertainty caused by the pandemic. Apart from this, the project beautifully marries contemporary forms with traditional craftsmanship and vernacular architecture. We, at SURFACES REPORTER (SR), have received more information about the project from the team. Have a look:
Also Read: This Abode by Sheily Haroon Architects Is A Confluence of Modern Tropical Design and Traditional Architecture of Kerala
The villa is built on the banks of the Chaliyar river, on a six-acre land parcel with some dilapidated, redundant structures, one of which enabled the design team for rebuilding a skeleton structure, adhering to statutory regulations.
A Green and Peaceful Sanctuary
Designed before the pandemic as a weekend home, the house has become a sanctuary that offers the homeowners both sterile isolation and connectivity to essential resources during the last year’s events.
Further, the site is afforested with mango, bougainvillea, jackfruit, neem, and other indigenous trees to organically offer green fencing as demarcation. “It was a mindful decision to do this rather than opting for a manicured lawn as a sustainable incentive,” said the design team.
The river is on the north-oriented most fenestrations in that direction, but the northern light also cleverly ensures glare-free natural lighting without heat gain. At the same time, the south was cordoned off with a blank striated concrete wall cutting out excess heat and harsh glare.
This wall in turn became a feature wall at the entry, connected to the steeply sloping terrain by a dramatic bridge that ascends to the family rooms on the first storey, while public and house help can access the residence through the main door.
A triangular reservoir was dug into the front lawn that forms a meditative focal point for when one is lounging in the living room.
Also Read: Encasa Archstudio Creates A Tropical Architecture Style Abode in Kerala | CAER
Shape-Shifting Facade and Butterfly-Wing Shaped Inverted Roof
Like a mirror that reflects the play of light and shadow, this glass-and-concrete build aptly gets its name from its ability to catch up to the physicality in the immediate environs: the sky, river, and greenery reflect on the St. Gobain solar-reflective glazing to create a unique ocular experiential: a façade that shapes shifts as day morphs into dusk.
Most interiors offer a panoramic view from the windows gazing outside, whereas here, even the external veneer absorbs the imagery around and transmutes it into surreality.
The lightweight steel-and-wood butterfly wing-shaped inverted roof makes the structure seem as though it would leapfrog anytime.
Interiors Reflect Vernacular Architecture of Kerala
The ambience indoors is spartan but remains true to Kerala’s design vernacular. So, the urban concrete walls complement Kadapa tiling in the living room with terracotta brick inserts, art, and furniture from Heirloom Naga and antique four-poster beds in the two bedrooms.
More than address, this is a safe sanctuary where one can revel in the reflections of the river.
Given today’s uncertainty, isn’t cordoned privacy and access to the outdoors a luxury in itself?
Project Details
Project Name: Reflections
Architecture Firm: Thought Parallels
Location: Calicut
Principal Architects/ Spokespersons for Interview: Nikhil Mohan and Shabna Nikhil
Details of the Space: two-bedroom standalone home
Carpet Area: 2200 sq.ft.
Plot Area: 6 acres
Completion Date: December 2020
Photograph Credits: Ashish Sahi
About the firm:
Founded in 2014 by partners Nikhil Mohan ( Principal Architect ) & Shabna Nikhil ( Creative Director ), Thought parallels is an award-winning architectural design practice based in Calicut, Kerala, India.
Shabna Nikhil and Nikhil Mohan
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