AALAY

Client Profile

Mother 

She is a professional writer and poetess. She is a professor and is fond of cooking too. 

Father

He is chef by profession and likes to experiment with cuisines in the kitchen and loves gardening. 

Child 1

He is an university student. He is also a fitness entusiast, loves swimming and exercising

Child 2

She is a school goer and has an inclination towards music and is fond of playing outdoors. 

Pet dog

She loves to play in water and jump in and around the house. 

1.What was the main design intent of the project? 

The intent of the proposal was to create a builtform which merges with the beautiful setting of Alappuzha backwaters and picturesque quaint houses as its backdrop. The varied spaces provided cater to they daily needs of a family of four members - mom, dad, son and daughter, and their pet dog.

Client's occupations and inclinations were kept in mind while designing which creates a medley of playful and relaxing spaces with a touch of  vernacular style to it.

2. What was the intent behind the organization of elements across various levels? 

The typical vernacular housesyin Kerala, known as Nallukettu. Nalukettu comprises of four blocks, known as'Shalas' and would be divided into a north, south, east and west blocks. These four blocks placed adjacent to each other would open in a open to sky courtyard in the centre.

 Aalay consists of various spaces, placed around a courtyard following the principles of Vastu Shastra and using local building materials makes the builtform in congruence with the traditional structures of the vicinity.

3. How many iterations were trued to arrive at the final outcome? 

The final design is a cumulative outcome of various design ideas and forms put together. Multiple factors such as climate responsiveness, vernacular approach, site, principles of Vastu Shastra (usually followed in Nallukettu), were considered to arrive at this final form. Alongwith these, the client's profile:

An outdoor semiopen seating provides a relaxing space for a poetess to come up with beautiful poems. A spacious kitchen for the chef to experiment with various cuisines. The childrens' room is provided with study desks near huge windows, letting in ample light.

In conjunction with the above spaces hobby related spaces are included in the proposition, which includes the music room dedicated for the the younger child to explore her inner musician. 

4.How were the materials chosen?

The selection of material was based on the on the availability of resources and information about the local builtform. Bricks being one amongst the prominent building material being widely used along the Western coast is been used here. This allows the builtform to merge with the site and creates a panorama of spaces seeming to be emerging from the earth. A sloping timber roof, covered with mangalore tiles has been employed which gives the builtform its vernacular identity and also a part of climate responsive approach.

5.What specific objectives attempted to be met?

After a thorough study of the traditional builtforms around the site and after fabricating a proper client profile, the various ideas of spaces emerged - Central playful courtyard, indoor waterbodies, interior green spaces, non monotonous workspaces. 

The structure is therefore an unification of all these factors which cater to living a leisurely life along the backwaters.