Houzz Tours
Thrissur Houzz: A Union of Brick Walls, Metal Screens & Mangalore Tiles
Tales of Design crafts a vernacular home with a modern twist
Houzz at a Glance:
Who lives here: A young couple
Location: Thrissur, Kerala
Year built: 2020
Size: 201 square metres (2165 square feet); 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms
Architect: Shammi A. Shareef of Tales of Design
Photograph courtesy: Turtle Arts Photography
The task at hand for Shammi A. Shareef of Tales of Design was to build a 4-BHK house on a contracted plot of land, complete with a terrace, home office and “small green niches inside the house where sunlight can reach”. The clients also requested for “the built form to be inspired from aesthetics of old vernacular structures of the city”, Shareef says.
This translated to a home rich in architectural elements such as a Mangalore-tile roof, a brick façade, louvred wooden windows and, last but not the least, geometric patterns in the flooring as a nod to the city’s grand palaces. The home’s mixed materials palette imparts a sense of warmth and contrast, a juxtaposition of the traditional with the modern.
Who lives here: A young couple
Location: Thrissur, Kerala
Year built: 2020
Size: 201 square metres (2165 square feet); 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms
Architect: Shammi A. Shareef of Tales of Design
Photograph courtesy: Turtle Arts Photography
The task at hand for Shammi A. Shareef of Tales of Design was to build a 4-BHK house on a contracted plot of land, complete with a terrace, home office and “small green niches inside the house where sunlight can reach”. The clients also requested for “the built form to be inspired from aesthetics of old vernacular structures of the city”, Shareef says.
This translated to a home rich in architectural elements such as a Mangalore-tile roof, a brick façade, louvred wooden windows and, last but not the least, geometric patterns in the flooring as a nod to the city’s grand palaces. The home’s mixed materials palette imparts a sense of warmth and contrast, a juxtaposition of the traditional with the modern.
The exterior is a mix of modern and rustic materials. Perforated Corten steel (CS), exposed brick walls and a projecting balcony with mild steel (MS) railings give the house a distinctive yet harmonious façade.
Look up these images for more ideas on exterior designs
Look up these images for more ideas on exterior designs
“The placement of the CS perforations at ceiling level ensures air circulation by stack effect, thus creating a cooler and low-pressure interior environment,” Shareef says. At night the steel-lattice façade shimmers with the indoor lighting shining through the apertures, giving a twinkling, Christmas-tree impression to the house.
The entrance corridor leads to an indoor mini courtyard that shows off a small koi pond and a patch of greenery. A guest bedroom lies to the right just before the pond.
The corridor acts as the central axis of the house.
It ends in a little patio filled with verdure at the rear of the house, adorned by a statue of Buddha presiding over yet another tiny waterbody.
All the spaces are arranged around this central area. To the left lie the living room, staircase, dining area and a bedroom. The kitchen is located just beyond the central court on the right.
The living room has not one but two accent walls. The built-in seating in the corner is against the backdrop of an exposed brick wall accessorised with a modern acrylic art piece and illuminated by a skylight above, while the sliver of bright orange wall gives the room a bold and lively touch.
The double-height dining area is the heart of the house; enveloped in brick walls, with customised lighting, it imparts a homely warmth. The furniture sports a wooden finish; the wood and brick here define a colour palette that is consistent throughout the house.
See how exposed bricks makes these homes shine
See how exposed bricks makes these homes shine
A natural stone basin rests on a wooden counter set within an alcove of brick walls, creating a clever contrast in the hand wash area.
The kitchen sports sleek white cabinets against a grey backsplash. The subtle hues get a shot in the arm via floor tiles laid out in a bold geometric pattern.
Find tile and countertop manufacturers and suppliers in our Houzz directory
Find tile and countertop manufacturers and suppliers in our Houzz directory
The first bedroom is located at the right of the entrance. Each bedroom is characterised by a certain colour. In this one, sea-green accents perk up the room considerably. The style of windows is traditional with metal grilles and wooden shutters that open separately in the top and bottom halves.
“The bay window was tilted away from the front gate of the plot to retain a certain degree of privacy,” says Shareef.
The second bedroom, also on the ground floor, is a vibrant space with touches of bright yellow that stand out against the exposed brick wall and wooden finishes. Subtle Kota stone is used for the floor.
Shareef says, “The staircase is made of palm-wood panels on a metal framework, and acts as a partition between the living and dining areas.” It leads to the other two bedrooms, a family area, the home office and an open terrace on the first floor.
A bridge with railings in steel mesh, running directly over the corridor below, serves to connect all the aforementioned areas. A well-placed skylight illuminates the open-plan areas upstairs, mainly the family living space and the home office. “The CS façade and perforated MS sheets used for skylights and railings allow daylight to slip into the interiors and change constantly, following the path of the sun throughout the year,” Shareef says.
The master bedroom on the first floor sports a lime-green palette and a chessboard floor made up of Kota and white nano stone tiles. One can see the perforated metal screen that makes up the top half of the façade of the house; it’s decorative but also serves to ventilate and light up the room.
The bedroom extends to a shaded balcony that overlooks the approach road. Enclosed in metal railings, the space is a favourite spot to read and enjoy the sunrise.
Opposite the master bedroom is a multipurpose space that combines the roles of a family living room, library and a spot for video conferencing. The wooden dado and the warm yellow of the floor give the small space a cosy feel.
The guest bedroom that lies on the other end of the bridge is painted mustard, complemented by chequered flooring of Kota and Jaisalmer stone.
The home office opposite the guest bedroom continues with the same palette. A simple wooden ledge and a colourful chair looking out of the window makes for a pleasant spot to take in some work.
Floor plan
Front elevation
Read more:
Kerala Houzz: Corten Steel & Greenery Define This Home’s Design
Houzz Tour: Earthy Materials Define This Bangalore Bungalow
Tell us:
What did you like the most about this house? Do tell us in the Comments section below.
Read more:
Kerala Houzz: Corten Steel & Greenery Define This Home’s Design
Houzz Tour: Earthy Materials Define This Bangalore Bungalow
Tell us:
What did you like the most about this house? Do tell us in the Comments section below.
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