Designed by architects Chitra V and Divya Rajesh of The Design Pursuit, this private villa in Kerala embodies a harmonious blend of nostalgia and contemporary living. Conceived for Mr. Jayagopal Kottilil and his wife Sajini, an NRI couple returning to their homeland for retirement, the residence reflects their desire for modern comforts intertwined with deep-rooted connections to their past. Design tries to do justice to the image of a home that has been etched into the clients’ minds during their lifetime of travels, their innate ties to their hometown and ancestral land.
Concept:
Embracing Nostalgia: A home overlooking an old Mango tree
Pivotal to the design is a venerable mango tree, a living relic from Mr. Jayagopal's childhood, which stands tall at the front corner of the plot, guarding the entry, where the wicket gate is positioned. This tree not only serves as a focal point but also symbolizes the family's nostalgic ties to their memories. By positioning the villa towards the rear of the plot, the design ensures a spacious front yard that offers both privacy from the road and uninterrupted views of the cherished tree at a distance.
The villa's layout thoughtfully separates guest and family zones to cater to social gatherings while preserving intimate family spaces:
Guest Zone: Located at the front, this area features a generous sitting room with expansive windows that open to the landscaped garden, a powder room, and a guest bedroom—ideal for hosting visitors and small events.
Private Zone: Beyond the guest area lies the family's living and dining hall, seamlessly connected to the kitchen. A double-height ceiling in this space fosters visual connectivity between the ground floor and the upper-level family lounge. The master bedroom is conveniently situated on the ground floor, while two additional bedrooms and an upper living area occupy the first floor.
Climate-Responsive Design: Light, Ventilation, and Thermal Comfort
Oriented along the East-West axis, the villa employs overhangs and louvers to mitigate heat gain from direct sunlight. To enhance natural illumination and cross-ventilation without excessive heat, substantial windows are strategically shades by buffer areas of greenery that keep the heat at bay.
The house is elevated above road level, a design choice that not only ensures privacy but also offers panoramic views of the sprawling garden in the front yard, and the cherished mango tree from various vantage points within the home.
Architectural Elements: Melding Traditional imagery with modern functionality
The villa's roofing system combines a flat slab with a secondary truss roof, effectively reducing heat radiation and maintaining interior comfort, in addition to providing a shaded terrace where utilities are concealed neatly. Notably, the main living area forgoes a concrete roof in favour of a traditional Kerala-style truss roof, creating a lofty and grand ambiance suitable for family gatherings.
This architectural approach pays homage to vernacular design while integrating modern amenities, reflecting the clients' desire for a home that resonates with their cultural roots and contemporary lifestyle.
