Residence In Perinthalmanna

Residence In Perinthalmanna
© Prasanth Mohan

RESIDENCE IN PERINTHALMANNA

ZERO STUDIO

ARCHITECTS
Zero Studio

AREA
125 m²

LOCATION
Perinthalmanna, India

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Diseno Structurals, Calicut

YEAR
2016

PHOTOGRAPHS
Prasanth Mohan

LANDSCAPING
Landsystems Landscape, Chathanallur

MANUFACTURERS
Jaquar, LG Hausys, Durashine, MAJOC Elite

METAL FABRICATION
Vinod, Perinthalmanna

ELECTRICAL
S.J Group Electricals

PLUMBING
Shanu, Perinthalmanna

CATEGORY
Houses, Renovation, Houses Interiors

Mechanical And Electrical Engineering
Greenspark, Manjeri

Text description provided by architect.

When approached with two choices one: to design a new home in a vacant plot and to realize the aspirations of the client through a brand new, fresh, home; two: to renovate an existing house and make it meet the requirements put forward by the client and of course making him happy about it; to choose the latter one would be tagged mundane by many.

Residence In Perinthalmanna
© Prasanth Mohan
Residence In Perinthalmanna
© Prasanth Mohan

On hearing the requirements from the client that he wants small home for his family of three (himself a teacher, his wife and a two year old son), which also ‘looks small’, simple but elegant with no ornamental detailing, no massive form but modest by all means, to go with choice number one was too obvious given that the second option presented the architects with a house to be renovated with almost nothing that strikes a chord with the client’s idea of a home.

Residence In Perinthalmanna
© Prasanth Mohan

The belief that unconventional choices sometimes make remarkable outcomes, or in other words ‘thinking out of the box ‘ may ultimately bring you content and satisfaction, led to the making or rather ‘reinvention’ of this home.

Residence In Perinthalmanna
© Prasanth Mohan

The journey was not a jolly ride when you are trapped in the maze of space, of the old home; to get rid of this ghost of the past seemed quite difficult. 

Residence In Perinthalmanna
© Prasanth Mohan
Residence In Perinthalmanna
© Prasanth Mohan
Residence In Perinthalmanna
© Prasanth Mohan
Residence In Perinthalmanna
© Prasanth Mohan

The challenge was to redefine the interior spaces with more fluidity, openness and the exterior with utmost simplicity with no or minimum indication of what is inside out of a structure which was completely contrary to the idea.

The thought that architecture does not always need to be new or the materials and even the spaces could be ‘reused’ with careful analysis of the context and bringing a sustainable output by solving the constraints.

Residence In Perinthalmanna
© Prasanth Mohan
Residence In Perinthalmanna
© Prasanth Mohan
Residence In Perinthalmanna
© Prasanth Mohan
Residence In Perinthalmanna
© Prasanth Mohan
Residence In Perinthalmanna
© Prasanth Mohan

Constraints here involved spaces that were not a match for the client requirements and were to an extent aesthetically unappealing.

Residence In Perinthalmanna
© Prasanth Mohan
Residence In Perinthalmanna
© Prasanth Mohan

The sustainability lies in the reuse of materials, the thermal comfort attained and the overall energy efficiency.

Residence In Perinthalmanna
© Prasanth Mohan
Residence In Perinthalmanna
© Prasanth Mohan

THE HOME

The requirement was for a simple and a graceful home for a small family. The site brought its own challenges, being a small one; there was no provision for an elaborate front yard and was located on the side of a narrow road in a residential area.

Residence In Perinthalmanna
© Prasanth Mohan
Residence In Perinthalmanna
© Prasanth Mohan
Residence In Perinthalmanna
© Prasanth Mohan

Thus breaking the verticality was crucial. The emphasis on horizontal lines and thus camouflaging the height with the site was brought by the addition of a car porch to the right and giving no openings in the form of windows in the façade other than the entrance with a sit - out space giving the minimal idea of what lies inside. .

The rest of the façade remains faithful to the idea of horizontality with a screen of equally spaced metal pipes. The interior spaces have been reinvented with the sophistication involved in getting rid of a maze of space, which included: getting rid of unwanted walls, bringing in natural light and ventilation and thereby making it energy efficient.

The inclusion of a ‘light- well’ and one more by the side of the dining does the key role along with the double layered roof in enhancing the thermal comfort of the home. The interiors remain well lit and ventilated even without many numbers of windows opening to the elevations.

Residence In Perinthalmanna
© Prasanth Mohan
Residence In Perinthalmanna
© Prasanth Mohan

The choice of pallid for walls along with wooden finished flooring is aimed at a subtle blend of colors without much confusion. This is reflected in the choice of furniture and the overall treatment of the interior.

The house has an additional floor added to it to be used as multi functional space but not until one sees the stair to the top realize that it has one. The focus on horizontality made the illusion possible together with the minimal façade and the exterior landscape that merges along with it.

Residence In Perinthalmanna
© Prasanth Mohan
Residence In Perinthalmanna
© Prasanth Mohan

PRELUDE

The driving force behind the project had always been the thought that architecture need not be ‘brand new’ and ‘big’ but can be the simplest possible solution for the given requirement.

Of course, ‘architecture of happiness’ or ‘happiness through architecture’ lies with the unanimity of the design with the client’s hopes and aspirations.

Residence In Perinthalmanna
© Prasanth Mohan
Residence In Perinthalmanna
© Prasanth Mohan
Residence In Perinthalmanna
© Prasanth Mohan


Residence In Perinthalmanna
Ground Floor Plan
Residence In Perinthalmanna
First Floor and Roof Plan


Residence In Perinthalmanna
Elevations
Residence In Perinthalmanna
Sections


Residence In Perinthalmanna
Concept Sketches
Residence In Perinthalmanna
Exploded Axonometric


Residence In Perinthalmanna
Previous Site Photographs