PRINCIPALS: LIJO JOS AND RENY LIJO LOCATION: THRISSUR There is a little bit of art in every kind of architecture. In the case of decade-old firm Lijo.Reny.architects, it's the interest in art that keeps the principals inspired while designing spaces. Lijo Jos and Reny Lijo, “self-taught” artists who are also known for their site-specific installations, founded the firm in 2005. The studio has transformed the contemporary architectural language in Kerala, staying away from the mainstream to evolve insightful structures. The design for the Walls and Vaults House in Kanjirappally, Kerala bears out the firm's relentless pursuit to achieve novelty within fixed parameters and a modern framework. The opacity of carefully chosen materials—stone on the walls and floors, and exposed concrete and teak wood—is lightened with courtyards. One is flanked by the two linear bays that host the living areas, and two more courtyards run along their exterior walls. The facade uses granite sourced from the region and has been fashioned using local techniques. The result is a home that seamlessly merges with the outdoors. lijorenyarchitects.com
PHOTO: PRAVEEN MOHANDAS
