Houzz Tours
Thrissur Houzz: A Home Designed Around Skylights & Courtyards
Mudbricks uses natural materials, large windows, and bright and airy interiors to keep this house connected with nature
“Having achieved their success through years of hard work, the homeowners wanted to settle back in their hometown,“ says Surya Prasanth, principal architect and founder of Mudbricks. “The primary requirement from the homeowners’ side was for a simple, elegant and beautiful home that would cater to their family’s needs.”
“A water body near the entrance brings about freshness and an element of surprise, creating a welcoming foyer in this residence. Fresh flowers, a screen of creepers and planters create a serene ambience that emanates throughout the house. The sound of the water accentuates the therapeutic effect. This healing space opens out into the landscape towards the east, blending harmoniously and contextually,” says Prasanth.
Find an architect on Houzz
Find an architect on Houzz
As one enters the foyer that introduces the home, a decorative jali provides an intentional pause before unveiling the living area. Dappled shadows from this screen create interesting patterns and draw visual interest. Latticework panels in the same pattern as the jali surround the mirror, lending a decorative touch and tying the space together, while also connecting the indoor space with the courtyard outside. The wooden shoe cabinet with seating adds to the functionality of the zone.
The furniture throughout the house is customised and developed at the Mudbricks workshop.
The furniture throughout the house is customised and developed at the Mudbricks workshop.
From the foyer, one enters a semi-open courtyard that brims with natural light. A textured water-wall, pebbles and foliage imbue a tropical vibe to this spot.
Paint: Asian Paints
Paint: Asian Paints
The courtyard opens into an open-plan living and dining area with a clever layout to maintain adequate privacy for each space. Framed in sunshine coming through a skylight, the L-shaped sectional sofa offers seating and demarcates the lounging area from the dining. The double-height ceiling adds to the sense of airy expansiveness.
See photos of living rooms on Houzz
See photos of living rooms on Houzz
The dining room is a fluid extension of the living area. Glistening grey Italian marble flooring offsets the warm woody notes of the furniture. Framed by wooden strips, a faux ceiling with a pendant chandelier draws the eye upward. Window seats offer additional seating.
Chairs: Jackson furniture; dining table: AF Infratech
Chairs: Jackson furniture; dining table: AF Infratech
Next to the dining room is the kitchen where a clean-lined, functional layout and wooden cabinetry provide continuity to the design narrative.
On the left side of the foyer is a sunken private drawing room which is the heart of the home. Instead of walls, expansive glass windows provide an indoor–outdoor connection to this zone, with blinds for privacy. Custom sofas, circular wooden tables and a cluster of hanging pendant lights create a cohesive look thanks to their pale, earthy colours and clean lines that echo the style of the windows and walls.
From the open living area, floating steps lead to the first floor. A skylight floods the space with natural light. Below the staircase is a washbasin subtly partitioned from the room by a framed lattice screen, but the corner is still bright and airy thanks to the skylight and the minimal stair treads.
There are five bedrooms in the house, designed to fit the needs of the homeowners. Two are on the ground floor and three on the first. This one on the ground floor features an intricately carved headboard resonating the jali design from the foyer. Its richness finds counterpoise in the pristine white walls.
The master bedroom is on the first floor, where various patterns of wood anchor the decor and give a layered effect. Horizontal panelling adorns the walls, including behind the bed and above it, creating a distinctive background. Blocks of plain white wall break up the uniform brown, creating an accent feature that adds character to the design of this neutral-toned bedroom.
A palette of greys and browns give a rustic vibe to the bathroom. “The bathroom features a variety of materials that clearly demarcate the wet and dry zones. Incorporating all high-end technologies and a seating space in the shower area, the aesthetics are elevated again with a touch of green by the usage of indoor plants,” says Prasanth.
Read more:
Kanchipuram Houzz: Athangudi Tiles & Oxide Finishes Define This Home
Vadodara Houzz: A Multigenerational Home Reinforces Family Bonds
Tell us:
What did you like most about this home? Tell us in Comments below.
Kanchipuram Houzz: Athangudi Tiles & Oxide Finishes Define This Home
Vadodara Houzz: A Multigenerational Home Reinforces Family Bonds
Tell us:
What did you like most about this home? Tell us in Comments below.
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Who lives here: A family of five
Location: Kodungallur, Kerala
Year built: 2021
Size: 447 square metres (4810 square feet); 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms and a powder room
Architecture and interior design firm: Mudbricks
Photos by Justin Sebastian
Set in a historical coastal town in Thrissur district, this house integrates itself with the defining feature of Kerala: green, abundant nature. A unique feature of the house is how it embraces natural light while creating an interplay of light and shadow. Artificial lighting is kept to a bare minimum, even in areas like the bathroom.
The modern white facade is punctuated with wooden accents to extend a warm welcome. Black steps lead to the porch with a cantilevered roof, which serves as a great spot to enjoy the view outside.