This 8216Floating Parasol House8217 in Kerala brings the skies indoors
Designed by LIJO.RENY.architects for Mr. Basheer and family, the project, titled 'Floating House Parasol', features strategically placed courtyards, skylights and volumetrically interconnected spaces. Photo Courtesy: Praveen Mohandas

This ‘Floating Parasol House’ in Kerala brings the skies indoors

Reny Lijo and Lijo Jos of LIJO.RENY.architects design a 4,600-square-foot abode in Thirur, Kerala that's equal parts minimal and majestic.

Set in a semi urbanised strip that borders a busy road in the otherwise sleepy suburb of Tirur, ‘The Floating Parasol House' sits on a linear plot with its shorter side abutting the street.

Photo Courtesy: Praveen Mohandas

Built for a privacy conscious family, the house was tucked towards the rear to accommodate a garden in the front, enclosed by means of a secondary landscape wall, that shield the house from the cacophony of the vehicular traffic and the commotions on the street.

Photo Courtesy: Praveen Mohandas

房子占地基于“增大化现实”技术ea of 4,600 square feet and consists of three main blocks separated by open-to-sky courts. The first block contains the sit-out, foyer and the formal living quarter.

The second section houses the family living room on both the floors, dining, kitchen, utility, etc. The third block has two bedrooms and restrooms on each floor.

Photo Courtesy: Suneesh Suresh

The car porch, which is separated from the main building, is in a restrained scale so as to relate to the street. The massing of the house was also carefully planned to progress gently towards the rear and avoid an imposing street side presence.

A path, reflecting the linearity of the site, stretches from the pedestrian gate to the master bedroom and forms a strong circulation spine that dictates the sequential flow of spaces.

Photo Courtesy: Praveen Mohandas

Teak wood, nano white slabs, lapato/flamed steel grey granite, mirrors and glass constitute the main material palette used in the interiors. A selection of accessories and curios in silver sheen along with custom designed wall art, in cnc-cut stainless steel sheet and lacquered glass, finishes the interiors in minimalist simplicity.

Photo Courtesy: Praveen Mohandas

The large glass and aluminium sliding doors blur the interior-exterior divide and also help the internal spaces flow into each other.

Photo Courtesy: Praveen Mohandas

The roof slabs, independent of the walls below, are supported on circular rcc columns making them seem like they are floating.

Photo Courtesy: Praveen Mohandas

The glazed gap between these floating roofs and the walls bring in diffused light during the day and emit internal light at night while accentuating its floating feel. These roofs also shade the mass below from the harsh tropical sun.

Photo Courtesy: Praveen Mohandas

All spaces are naturally cross ventilated. Moreover, the combination of strategically placed courtyards, skylights and volumetrically interconnected spaces, help keep the internal temperature at a minimum, without resorting to any artificial ventilation, making the house comfortable throughout the year.

Photo Courtesy: Praveen Mohandas

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