Inara House

Inara House
© Turtle Arts Photography

Inara House

CLAY COOP Architects

LOCATION
Vaikom, India

CATEGORY
Houses

AREA
295 m²

YEAR
2022

MANUFACTURERS
Cedar Homes, Classic Marbles, Dtale Modern, Jaquar, Kap India, Surabhi Dekor

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Ahmed Afsal, Muhammed Ansif

FURNITURE
Surabhi Dekor, Cedar Homes

LIGHTING
LUMEN Lighting solutions

SENIOR ARCHITECT
Devadathan Manakkal, Shameem Ali K P

PROGRAM / USE / BUILDING FUNCTION
House

Located in the Kottayam District of Kerala, 'INARA' is a single-family residence built to evoke tranquility through architecture. The client wished for us to create a humble abode with plenty of natural light and ventilation within the spaces while maintaining privacy.

Inara House
© Turtle Arts Photography
Inara House
© Turtle Arts Photography

The design also aimed to achieve seamless integration with outdoor to enhance the user experience.

As a response to the tropical climate of the site, the form was developed by stirring traditional Kerala architecture with a modern contemporary outlook. The house is deliberately kept on the far end of the east-facing site to achieve maximum visual potential.

The front facade features two carefully positioned sloping roofs that sit on a triangular wall with a bare concrete finish, reminiscent of traditional Kerala architecture.

Inara House
© Turtle Arts Photography
Inara House
© Turtle Arts Photography
Inara House
© Turtle Arts Photography

The spatial planning follows an open concept with a central passage connecting various spaces within the house. Changing floor levels, raised ceilings, and porous partitions enhance visual transparency inside the house while enabling passive cooling through ventilation and stack effect.

A double-height family living serves as a serene gathering space with natural light and vegetation while connecting the main active zones of the house. The staircase separating the formal and informal living areas was conceived as a minimal element, to preserve visual transparency in the design.

Inara House
© Turtle Arts Photography
Inara House
© Turtle Arts Photography

Bedrooms, dining, and formal living overlook the courtyard near the family living, creating a soothing visual experience for the user.

The family living is illuminated by large windows and strategically placed skylights, which produce a constantly shifting show of light and shadow.

Inara House
© Turtle Arts Photography
Inara House
© Turtle Arts Photography

The interior of family living is further adorned by greenery that drapes from the upper seating area, giving it a dynamic impression. A reading area covered with brick jali is provided above the courtyard with a visual connection to the outdoors and family living.

The material palette is a combination of Kota stone, exposed concrete, and terracotta which helps in creating a natural and pleasant atmosphere.

Inara House
© Turtle Arts Photography
Inara House
© Turtle Arts Photography

With pastel blue windows that blend smoothly with the outside, the interior follows a primary color scheme.

The overall effect of the project is a sense of tranquility, achieved through the use of natural light, earthy materials, soothing colors, and the seamless incorporation of tropical surroundings.

Inara House
© Turtle Arts Photography
Inara House
© Turtle Arts Photography


Inara House
© Turtle Arts Photography
Inara House
© Turtle Arts Photography
Inara House
© Turtle Arts Photography
Inara House
© Turtle Arts Photography


Inara House
Plan - Ground floor
Inara House
Plan - 1st floor


Inara House
Section A-A
Inara House
Section B-B


Inara House
East Elevation
Inara House
South Elevation
Inara House
North Elevation