Architecture is what brings together human and space but building a house is not enough to create a home. A young family who’s aware of this brought their favorite designers together in order to create a home. Keralan House is the ace of the collaboration of Bijoy Jain, founder of Studio Mumbai, landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith and interior designer Axel Vervoordt. Land of lakes, Kerala is where this beautiful house is located in India.
Each considered detail responds to what the space and owner’s of the house needs. Being connected with nature again was what was the owners’ primary need, so it was also the primary purpose of the design. Aside from the Tom Stuart-Smith’s outstanding garden design which he got help from the locals to choose the right plants, copper mesh screens with wooden frames and reclaimed teak ceiling not only create an interaction between interior and exterior but it let the nature inside. Oak chairs, walnut coffee tables and teak furnishes help them as well. Nicely selected furniture and color pallet distinguish themselves, yet still have the modesty of minimalism and harmonize with the serene atmosphere.
Keralan House is so blended to nature that they became one as it’s been designed in a way considering every detail. It’s still well protected from the disadvantages of being so into nature, like insects or the changes of the river’s water level behind the house but how they respected the nature while designing this house allows nature to take the house inside of it. An opening in the roof of the pool house to accommodate the growing tree or east-facing rooms to salute the day are only some examples of how thoughtful they were. According to them, the secret is not to take things in rush while designing, but doing everything with passion in the course of time. “These homes foster a connection to the earth, while ensuring comfort. They create the impression that you can travel, without ever leaving home.” explains Axel.
