It’s hard to deny the beauty of a minimalistic home rooted in traditional design. Entering this multilevel property in East Bengaluru is like stepping into a traditional home in Kerala, albeit in a modern setting. “The clients hail from Kerala and wanted to have hints of the traditional woodwork and tropical architecture of their hometown interpreted in a modern context. The white walls and wooden doors are a direct translation of the houses in Kerala,” explains Gayathri Padmam H., Principal Architect, Aanai Design Studio.
The house is located in a gated community, and is spread over multiple levels. The ground level is designed as an open space with a living room, dining space and a kitchen. “Since there was not enough space to carve a bedroom on this floor and the family needed an additional room in case of visiting older guests, we created a separate space using sliding fluted glass and wood partitions. This space can do double duty as an additional bedroom, as well as a TV room for the kids. A sofa bed was introduced for ease and practicality,” says Padmam.
A gorgeously carved jaali wall adds character and a sense of personality to the space, while also artistically separating the dining area from the rest of the home. Morning light that filters through this jaali washes the room with a soft glow while creating striking patterns on the walls.
The L shaped kitchen walled by a sculptural stand is striking in its simplicity. The rich black storage cabinets here provide great textural contrast to the otherwise woody affair. The idle space under the staircase has been used to build storage.
The warm wood and rattan furniture is both a celebration of Tusker Katha’s (Aanai Design Studio’s furniture wing) craftsmanship, as well as a stage for traditional Kerala designs. Colour is explored in the form of art and potted greens.
Moving upward, level one of the home is a private zone with three bedrooms and a dedicated workstation. The main bedroom is a breezy, light-filled space that balances calming, earthy textures with strategic bursts of colour and pattern. Beautifully designed veneer and rattan wardrobes bring the Kerala aesthetics to the fore. A study nook is fitted into the room to accommodate the current situation of work-from-home. Walls and tables used as a perch for art and knick-knacks add richness and warmth to the room.
The other two bedrooms are similarly accented with traditional furniture that bear clever wood detailing and sumptuous upholstery. Strategically placed slit windows filter a copious amount of sunlight into the rooms. Further up are the lounge, bar and a private home theatre.
The minimalistic and sleek bar takes advantage of the available wall space. It also features floating wooden shelves that work well to store glassware and bottles. Throughout the home, Padmam has left the walls white and untreated to highlight the richness of the woodwork. The furniture is minimal and sculptural in keeping with the space’s strong geometry. Clearly this home is a place that preserves cherished craftsmanship while glancing imaginatively at the future.
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