The Garden House marks the beginning of a new series of residences aiming to redefine prototypical thinking for single-family homes in Kerala. Acknowledging the evolving family structures and the trend of homes becoming showcase sculptures, this project shifts the focus towards creating hopeful spaces that open out to expansive, secured gardens within the home. The central design feature revolves around vegetation, seamlessly incorporating it into the house with minimal barriers. In our tropical climate, the abundant growth of plants and trees without extensive maintenance contributes to the concept of "nature as an image maker."
Nestled amidst lush greenery on a spacious family property, the house deliberately avoids boundaries within the plot. An informal exterior garden with diverse fruit trees greets visitors, extending to the sit-out area, fostering a close connection to nature. The car porch is strategically detached, providing a vehicular-free frontage with a walkway to the home.
The double-height living/dining space serves as the focal point, featuring a pebble court on one side and an expansive secured garden on the other. Pivot windows and folding sliding doors blur the boundaries between the house and gardens, creating an inclusive garden living area secured with a steel trellis. The four bedrooms, two on each floor, maintain a grid pattern, with the upper bedrooms designed to fully open towards terrace gardens.
Lighting and ventilation take precedence in the design, ensuring a well-lit and ventilated interior. Recycled wood is extensively used throughout the home, contributing to a rustic ambiance. Galvanized iron sections support the upper living deck, while GI box sections form the roof structure. Metal sheets clad the cantilever steps, adding a touch of rustic charm to the interiors. Vitrified tiles and ethnic printed tiles further enhance the aesthetic.
This garden-centric design embraces an open concept, aligning with the client's desire to remain connected to the immediate environment and the nearby family home. The thoughtful planning, including landscape integration within the living area and a spacious sit-out, welcomes guests while addressing the hot and humid climatic conditions with effective ventilation, minimizing the need for artificial air conditioning during the summer months.