Interior Design

Designed for both utility and aesthetics, this wardrobe-study combination features a seamless blend of wood and soft-toned wardrobe. A key highlight is the AC cover, designed with wooden slats that discreetly hide the unit while ensuring proper airflow.

The villa spread over a plot of 28,000 Sqft in South Goa was built along with two guest bungalow in the plot. This is when ZERO9 was approached to do the interiors and landscape for the villa with some basic details for the external facade. The space was to be kept simple, elegant and subtle as it was to be lived in daily and not to be treated as second home. Functionality and maintenance free design was expected. The entrance foyer is complimented with a 8’ wide verandah that hosts lazy chairs and plants making it a perfect spot to spend an entire afternoon. The driveway is paved with waste granite stones with a chevron pattern. The living room spreads over an impressive 1500 Sqft of a double height space connected with the staircase, dining area and entertainment zone. The entertainment zone was divided with a interesting grid partition to create a privacy factor as well as a visual highlight. The main seating is designed with subtle elegance with leather backing and wooden edge. The double height wall dons an exotic aged veneer with a bookmatch forms an artwork in itself. The dining zone is in within the open zone accessible the living room and the kitchen as well. The Dining table in white marble creates a non maintenance table top at the same time displays elegance. The Entertainment Room on ground floor is mainly used as a family sit out as it is easily accessible to grandmothers room on the ground floor with a breezy view of the lawn, gazebo and the unending paddy fields. The grand mothers room with a simple pattern of light veneer creates a visual pattern for the bed back as well as the wardrobe. The spacious kitchen with beautiful morning light has the island counter in the centre making it more functional to cater when guests are visiting. The floor floor consists of a foyer which leads to master bedroom, sons bedroom, daughters bedroom and a common terrace which is mainly used as a breakfast and snacks area as well. The master room with the balcony overlooking the paddy field view is treated with cosy wooden flooring and lush veneer with golden panelling. The experience of luxury in abundance of nature is well seen and felt in this room. The master bathroom has a spacious walk in closet with an island unit to hold the accessories. The light wooden flooring in the Sons room is well complimented with veneer and brown mirror on the bed back makes a perfect base to the blue bedding. The cosy sitout corner is a perfect reading corner for this booklover. The sons bedroom also has a walk in closet. The daughters room with a purple fabric panelling compliments the grey tones. The visibility of the banyan tree from this room fills up the space with greenery. The terrace on first floor is well complimented with a angular grid pergola which casts beautiful shadows through the day. The lines create a dramatic angular pattern and cast over the faux lawn. The space is mainly used for grandchildren to hangout while the family catches up on snacks. The second floor is an party room supported with a bar, projector screen and a terrace overlooking the paddy fields and sunset view. This room pops colour in every single frame. The beautiful blend of inside and outside makes this space unique in itself.

"Aram" is a residence meticulously crafted to embody the timeless elegance of traditional Kerala architecture, fused with the regal charm of Chettinad design elements. From a designer’s perspective, the challenge was to seamlessly merge the cultural essence of both regions while ensuring a harmonious, functional living space that speaks to both heritage and modernity. The design incorporates Kerala's distinctive architectural features, with sloping tiled roofs and finely detailed wooden columns, creating a visual connection to the past while adding a sense of grandeur. The use of traditional Kerala materials such as laterite stone and terracotta tiles grounds the house in its cultural context. Yet, the influence of Chettinad craftsmanship characterized by its rich, ornate wooden detailing and grand proportions is subtly woven throughout, offering an elevated touch that speaks of refinement.

Nalukett Elevation and layout The main attraction of this quadrangular design residence is its open-to-sky central courtyard or nadumuttam which lets in a lot of ventilation and light that showcases the harmonious blend of aesthetics, functionality, and climatic suitability. This two-storied five-bedroom home built with Reinforcement Cement Concrete, laterite brick, wood and stones balances the need for privacy along with a sense of community. The chuttu verandah or the hallway around the central courtyard segregates the formal living space, bedrooms, dining area, prayer room, kitchen and stair area. A Puja space located in the east side of the courtyard underlines the spiritual harmony within the home. This functional design preserves and promotes traditional and cultural practices. The north east cornered kitchen is open to the dining area built with teak wood finished veneered marine plywood in a traditional design extended with a vadakkini or a workspace. Unlike traditional houses that adhere to certain design principles, the overall height of joineries and rooms is elevated and the ventilation windows below the roof slab increase air circulation and maintain cool temperatures. It also incorporates contemporary amenities such as home automation, solar electric system, modern equipped bathrooms, rain-water harvesting and proper drainage systems. Home interiors The courtyard with stone tulsi planter and the prayer room holds a special place in the hearts of the inhabitants as eye-catching idols of Indian deities symbolise spiritualism, tradition and beliefs. Lighting, furniture and fabrics are set in traditional themes. Black palm, jackfruit, mahogany and teak wood are mainly used for making furniture and interior panelling works. Terracotta clay floor tiles with epoxy joint fillers and black vitrified tile border are used for flooring, and GI frames with wooden panelling are used on stairs. The rustic charm is endured by painting half of the wall of the common area with an earthen yellow colour and border design. While, chaarupadi or the inclined step in the wall-to courtyard visible from the main door and the traditional wooden swing adds elements to a vintage setting, various antique pieces and mural paintings raises fascination in the spectators. The intricate wooden and stone carvings on the main door, pillars, beams, roof ceilings , sitting bench and front steps make it even more impressive which celebrates the nuances of traditional architecture. The reflection of the artistic legacy of skilled craftsmen is blending within the interior design. The design's adaptability to the tropical climatic conditions and lifestyle needs of Kerala ensures a sustainable living environment. The focus on cross-ventilation, ample windows and natural lighting ensures the stability of indoor temperature in living spaces during the hot seasons. The verandas and corridors help promote air circulation and the roofs of west side bedrooms are designed with an additional layer of sunshade below the actual roof shade acting as double-layer shading elements that control evening sunlight and heat from entering the interior spaces, thereby keeping the bedroom interiors cool and comfortable at night. Roofs Interestingly, rather than typical homes, this grand home is merged with three types of roofs. The roofs of bedrooms are built with Reinforcement Cement Concrete flattened slab layered by terracotta tile providing insulation and protection from the tropical climate's intense heat and heavy rainfall whereas the space between the two layers with GI pipe frames above acts as the attic. Wooden frames with terracotta tiles are used in verandas. They are constructed with proper slope roofs for efficient drainage to withstand heavy monsoons and minimise the risk of water accumulation.