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The mindful renovation of a 100-year-old residence in Kottayam
A 100-year-old residence in Kottayam, Kerala needing conservation has undergone mindful renovation, making it a standout example of sustainability and environmentally conscious design. Designed by architect Anupa Kurian, the project, Pullolickel Veedu, stands on an expanse of 3,000 square feet, with a courtyard and greenery spreading out around it.
Upon entering, one is greeted by a lavish dining area, made through repurposing two smaller rooms, with a connected kitchen. A library, which acts as a portrait of the family living there, stands next to it, with a large collection of books ranging from maths and medicine to architecture. “The library room was retained as is, but I added more space to sit and read, with the windows opening out into greenery,” says Kurian.
Where possible, Kurian has reused old materials in different ways, infusing a different personality and life into them. “I was always interested in doing environmental, responsible design,” she says. For instance, the old wooden kitchen door has been used to shade the veranda seating, and the old dining table has been converted into seating inside the bedroom. The waste material left over after the carpenters had done their work was repurposed into artwork, bordering mirrors for instance, and placed throughout the house. The bricks and other material leftover after demolishing the garage were also used elsewhere in the house. “Besides being sustainable, this also considerably lowered the cost of making the house,” says Kurian about the project that cost a total of INR 25 lakhs.
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Because the house is in a north-south orientation, most of the doors were in line. Wherever Kurian replanned walls, or added or removed doors and windows, she made sure these lines weren’t hampered. When there were additions, like the veranda, she ensured they followed the original grid of the house, keeping its symmetry in mind at all times. “I wanted to blend as much as possible with the existing design,” she says. This layout also allows for better ventilation and reduces living costs in terms of artificial cooling.
She has also retained the house’s old mosaic floors, although there was some resistance to the idea, since it’s not a current trend. “I found that as the most highlighted factor. I felt like it had to be preserved.” She got the floor cleaned and polished, giving it a shine that made it look brand new. The white, brown, and green chips are, Kurian says, not as easily available anymore. Given the white and wooden colour palette of the house, the floor also serves as an important focal point, offering a refreshing and playful energy.
Another important feature of the house is the way it responds to Kerala’s humid climate. It used to face issues like heating up too much because of the harsh sun. “The rooms weren’t cool during the day.” To cool the public areas like the dining room and library room, which are the first areas one sees upon entering, Kurian added a veranda. Besides sitting comfortably with the house’s aesthetic language, it also shades the wall behind it. As a result, the rooms in front were naturally cooled down because of the shade. “The main aim was to bring down the heat of the building,” she says. The other issue, of water-logging, was taken care of with the sloping roof, which allows the rainwater to be collected in the gutters for harvesting, and also works to recharge groundwater.
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Outside, earlier, a garage with an Ambassador in it stood to the right of the house. “But this structure blocked all the greenery behind it.” The area was also generally unused and neglected. This garage was opened up by Kurian and converted into a breezy pavilion, with a table and seating placed inside. As birds chirp and soft winds blow, one can observe the sunset through a frame of fruit trees placed strategically for aesthetic appeal, allowing the residents to sip tea in a leisurely and peaceful atmosphere. The trees also feed and offer shelter to the local bird population who regularly set the mood with their singing.
This area uses black and white athangudi tiles, which are made from a mixture of cement and sand. Besides promoting local craftsmanship and breathing life into the local economy, these tiles are durable and environmentally friendly, further reducing the home’s carbon footprint. The monochrome choice, a striking visual, also adds depth to the space. “These tiles are easy to maintain and can withstand wear and tear, making them an excellent choice for the house’s conservation.”
Overall, this residence in Kottayam stands as a proud example of retaining the salient features of a traditionally built home, while ingeniously adding enough modernity that it can keep abreast with the times and offer residents the best of both worlds.
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