Most certainly, every architect would prefer to design a bungalow from the ground up. Being handed a fait accompli means having to correct or disguise what may be perceived to be drawbacks in the original design and layout. “This is what happened when we were commissioned to design the interior of this three-level bungalow in Kozhikode, Kerala. It appeared that solar studies may not have been carried out adequately, to calculate the exposure of the building to the sun at different times of the day and year,” says Fairoos VK, principal architect of Zen Studio Architects.
“Designing interiors for a home that reaches us post-construction requires a meticulous and thoughtful approach. At the core of our process is a dedication to enhancing what already exists, introducing subtle yet impactful adjustments that improve functionality, optimize circulation, and bring a renewed sense of openness to the space,” says Fairoos.
Working with the small footprint and structural limitations was a challenge. “Detailing would have simply added clutter, so we restricted ourselves to clean lines,” says Fairoos. Fluted surfaces contribute to detailing; the colour palette is a neutral one with Italian marble flooring and wood, repeatedly uplifted by a peaceful green in the laminates and soft furnishings. The wood is Kumizh — Kerala’s answer to teak, except that its tone resembles ash wood. Artwork is abstract, neutral in colour, putty-based and almost recedes into the background. There are no pops of colour. Furniture has largely been made by local carpenters. “The hybrid of Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics makes for a muted, timeless design,” says Fairoos.
Located on a small plot in a dense neighbourhood and surrounded by tall structures on three sides with minimum setbacks, an important part of the exercise was to either re-position windows or alter their sizes. The ground floor houses the ladies living room, dining, kitchen, parents’ room and guest room. The small dining area and kitchen were made to appear larger by simply pulling down the wall dividing them. “The strategic refinement redefined the space and unlocked the potential of making the living room, dining area and kitchen a central hub,” explains Fairoos. Since the kitchen doesn’t have a window, this served the additional purpose of inviting natural light into the space. The utility area behind the kitchen is where all the heavy-duty cooking takes place. The dining table has a rounded edge which is safer to negotiate in the tight space. A bench on one side with no backrest makes it convenient to push the table up against the wall when it’s not in use, so as to free up much-needed floor space in the congested area.
Throughout, beige curtains endow the light filtering through with a honeyed warmth. In the parents’ room, twin beds have a shared headboard which runs the length of the wall. In the son’s bedroom, the window in the centre of a wall was blocked off and replaced with two windows above the side tables flanking the bed.
The floor above has the family living room, main bedroom as well as that of the daughter. A charming window in an internal wall of the double-height main bedroom looks down towards the floor below, enabling communication with the foyer area. Inside, a stand-alone mirror in a wooden frame recalls a bygone era but has been reinterpreted in a contemporary silhouette.
The topmost floor has a terrace, garden and barbecue, making it a favoured spot for the family to spend time together. “The client envisioned an inviting outdoor retreat that could serve as a multi-functional space for dining, cooking, and relaxation with the family. We designed a sleek dining table, built-in seating and a functional cooking station together with a cozy swing set in a corner to add a playful yet relaxing touch, perfect for unwinding after a long day,” says Fairoos. An abundance of greenery adds freshness and life to the space. This terrace has become the heart of the home, a favourite spot for the family to gather, connect, and enjoy the outdoors in comfort.
With interventions which have improved the quality of the spaces, the design of this bungalow in Kozhikode ekes out the fullest potential possible. Without a heady mix of periods and aesthetics, this quietly contemporary home goes about its business of creating a comfortable, timeless ambience for the family it houses.
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