Indian architecture practice Srijit Srinivas - ARCHITECTS has built a brick family house with perforated and angled triangular façade in Kerala, India. 

The project, named The Kenz House, was designed for a four-member family, whose owner was a doctor.

Built on a 40-cent land set beside the National Highway 66, the project was commissioned with a simple yet demanding brief; "the client wanted something special, something new!”.

Due to the site’s close proximity to the highway, and the family’s requirement for a peaceful nature-filled abode formed the overall architecture language of project and its interiors.

Srijit Srinivas - ARCHITECTS stated that the project addresses the requirements for privacy and the need for open free-flowing interiors entwined with nature.

To meet the brief, the studio decided to tread the unconventional route with the architecture of the building by designing an iconic structure. 

The programme of the house is scattered in two floors, highlighting the juxtaposition of two simple platonic form. On one side, an angled triangular portion appears to be added adjacent to a skewed rectangular form.

"This unusual futuristic building was given a traditional twist by realising it entirely in a versatile material, burnt bricks," said the studio. 

"The exposed bricks were laid painstakingly on top of each with lattice-like perforations at intervals to ventilate and light up the interiors, and to create a beautiful play of light and shadow within." 

"The slanting roof emphasises the climate-friendly architecture further, as it reduces heat and drains water swiftly during the heavy monsoon months," the studio added.

The 8,000 square-foot (743-square-metre) house is spread across the ground and first floors. The aim of the project is to bring nature - read air, light and greenery - inside with the use of two architectural features. 

The first key features are a detailed skylights and latticework which define breezeways to facilitate natural cooling of the interiors. The second element is a clever distribution of internal courtyards, filled with greenery, and pools. 

The dining area forms the heart of the house on the ground floor which opens out to a landscaped pool courtyard and connects this area with the outdoors. 

Another element is the staircase, which connects the two floors seems to float, and has a concrete handrail which acts as an accent point for the house.

The functional circulation is decided to flows to the family room on the ground floor and the living rooms - arranged on the ground and first floors and the bedroom suites one each on both these floors. 

The bedroom suites enjoy their private landscaped courts which are enveloped by brick louvers that usher cool breezes, whilst forming a privacy screen from the surroundings. 

On the first floor, a spa is also designed with an internal courtyard alongside, to take the bright skylight adding to its comforting and natural charm. A touch of green also wraps the bathing area in the son’s bathroom, which fits a trough filled with plants. 

"We also built an outhouse - for the staff - behind The Kenz; a service entry from the rear end; and a special route which connects this house to the client’s parents’ residence," said Srijit Srinivas, founder of Srijit Srinivas - ARCHITECTS. 

"Even the visually engaging terrace is carefully planned to support the services of the house." 

"The landscape design, which forms the nucleus of the project, was carefully curated for its texture, foliage and to offer a rich uncluttered look, both inside and outside; and to complement the warmth and rusticity of the brick facade." 

"From an energy consumption perspective, this climate-friendly home is a ‘net zero’ entity," Srinivas added.

Inside, the studio used bold and brave material palette that complements the exterior of the building harmoniously. 

While the rustic brick converses beautifully with the warm teak wood - used on the doors, windows, wardrobes, shelves and bespoke furniture pieces, the elegant Italian marble floors, the plush hand-picked rugs and upholstery fabrics, and the raw cement-finished ceilings add to the sensory dynamism of the space. 

The walls of the house are dressed with the artworks which were meticulously sourced. The landscaped courtyards with lush greenery further impart colour and freshness into the comfortable and balmy interiors.  

"The Kenz is an Arabic word, which means translates to The Treasure, in English - is a wonderful example of a luxury house done in exposed brick," said the studio. 

"The house addresses the aspirational requirements of its clients to deliver a restrained architectural result which is visually arresting, functionally efficient, and an organic addition to the local milieu." 

Perhaps the finest affirmation comes from the client himself, "The rumbling of the water in the pond, the greenery we see all around, the sounds of rain when it hits the pool in the courtyard, the simulation of walking through a park while moving from one area of the house to another, or the silences and utmost security we feel inside the master bedroom… are most satisfying experiences of our lives, thanks to The Kenz House." 

"We can only concede that The Kenz House, as named by the client, is their prized treasure!."

Ground floor plan

First floor plan

Sections

Srijit Srinivas - ARCHITECTS completed a resort with dispersed villas in the hills of Panchalimedu in Idukki district in India. The firm also designed Narrow Brick House, a two-storey house was designed for a couple in Thiruvanthapuram, Kerala.

Project facts

Project name: The Kenz House

Architects: Srijit Srinivas - ARCHITECTS

Location: Kerala, India

Size: 745m2

Completion year: 2023

Lead architect: Srijit Srinivas

Design team: Srijit Srinivas, Remya Raveendran, Sriya S., Deepika

Clients: Dr. Biji Basheer, Mrs. Meenu Biji, Muhammed Zahin, Muhammed Farzeen

Design coordinator: Remya Raveendran

Civil contractor: Kumaraswami A.

Interior Execution Team: Fairview Decors

Site Support: Sreelakshmi, Rahul A., Suchithra O.S. & Sreeja V.S.

Text: Deepa Nair

Landscape Execution: Jacob Klavara

Air Conditioning: Glacier Systems India Pvt. Ltd.

All images © Justin Sebastian.

All drawings © Srijit Srinivas - ARCHITECTS.

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