Unique and dreamlike, a colonial style house in Alappuzha | Lifestyle Decor
Koshy and Roshni’s brand new house at Kozhuvallur near Venmani in Alappuzha district, Kerala, has become a head-turner in the locality for its splendid designer features and modern amenities. The design of this house has been inspired by the iconic house of noted architect G Sankar. Interestingly, the Habitat Group has designed and built this house.
The new house has been constructed just behind the couple’s ancestral home. The plot is a bit sloped from the road level. The structure is built by retaining the natural layout of the plot. This grand colonial structure that stands on a vast plot on the roadside easily attracts attention. Interestingly, the structure has unique looks on four sides, making it a design marvel.
The vast and elaborately designed landscape is the highlight of the exteriors. The long driveway is paved with tandoor stones and grass in alternate layers. A beautiful garden with shading trees and shiny pebbles is being readied on the two sides.
The structure has been built using interlocking bricks. Meanwhile, mud plastering is done in the interiors. The outer walls are painted using mud-textured paint that adds to the overall look of the house. The slanting roof on the front side has been paved with shingles. The rest of the roof is done in the filler slab technology where mud has been used for plastering. As this area receives amazing airflow, there are three more doors in this house that open to the interiors, besides the main door. The fabulous views of the garden and the landscape too could be enjoyed if these doors are opened.
Formal and family living areas, courtyard, dining, kitchen, three bedrooms and an upper living area have been arranged in this splendid abode. Unlike regular homes, a sit-out hasn’t been built as part of the elevation. The double-height courtyard that is decorated with warm-toned lights, attractive wall mirrors and customised furniture pieces is the highlight of the interiors. The interior spaces are designed in an open style to ensure amazing communication between the areas. Besides making the interiors look and feel vaster, this feature ensures cross ventilation too.
The inbuilt sitting spaces near the windows in the formal and family living areas is an interesting addition. The concealed storage spaces beneath these sitting areas are a fine example of a smart and space-efficient design. Meanwhile, the beautiful glassworks on the wall is an eye-catching feature. The Jaisalmer and Kota stones that are paved on the floor add to the rustic charm of the interiors.
The dining table set is minimal as the expatriate family is home only during the holidays. The simple marble tabletop has four chairs on one side and a bench on the other. There are doors in the dining area that opens to the yard. This brings lots of cool air and natural light into the interiors.
Roshni is an architect. So, she wanted a compact kitchen where everything could be arranged within the hand’s reach. A separate work area isn’t built as part of the kitchen to make maintenance easier.
The stairway leads to a living cum study area. A spectacular wall painting is the highlight of this area. From the upper floor, one could enjoy the mind-blowing views of the vast landscape. There are doors here that connect this floor to the terrace in the front and the area where the water tank has been installed in the back.
The lockdown was announced when the construction was progressing at an impressive pace. As a result, the works got stalled due to the unavailability of workers. Meanwhile, Koshy and Roshni oversaw the construction through video calls and messages. Their fathers often visited the site and kept them updated about the works.
The house looks like a classy resort that stands in the middle of greenery. The family is happy and proud that their brand-new house has become the talk of the town.
Project Facts
Location – Kozhuvalloor, Alappuzha
Owners – Koshy P Cherian, Roshni Mary
Plan and construction – Habitat Group
Year of construction – 2021