Ancestral houses are keepers of memories. They encapsulate comfort, familiarity, and continuity, forming a time-warp cocoon that multiple generations call home. For a Mumbai-based business owner, this cocoon of belonging lies in Palakkad, Kerala, where he spent his childhood visiting his aunt. Following her passing, he chose to honour the space by rebuilding it so that his children and generations to come could enjoy it as much as he once did. He entrusted principal architect Avinash Joshy of Studio Nirvana to reimagine it with a new foundation. And Avinash turned to Japanese Zen philosophy for inspiration.
Avinash's approach to Zen philosophy wasn't arbitrary but was shaped by pure intuition. “There was no specific requirement from the client. It's a vacation home for his family and friends. With full carte blanche, we emphasized on pared back and clean spaces. Japanese garden and minimalism, and meditative style became our guiding principles,” says Avinash. He adds, “We wanted to create a space that would bring clarity and peace of mind to the dwellers. This is achieved through a minimalist design philosophy that eliminates visual clutter, reduces stress, and fosters a sense of mental clarity. The design embraces the principles of Zen philosophy: simplicity, harmony, and connection to nature. Spaces are interconnected to encourage a sense of spaciousness and ease of movement. Natural light is treated as a design material. The material choices are honest, natural, and calming.”
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It’s true that our environments frame our state of mind. Avinash and his team of talented architects at Studio Nirvana were mindful of the region’s verdant topography; hence, they constructed a structure that complements its surroundings without any grandiloquence. He explains, “The structural planning took a toll on us. There were numerous discussions and consultations before we could achieve the design we wanted. The layout was planned around fully grown mango and jackfruit trees, along with other seasonal flora. This thick canopy creates a dynamic play of light and shadow throughout the day and becomes an integral part of the interior atmosphere.”
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The building is a concrete obsession—Brutalism at its peak—anchored by multiple shades of saturated green and deep wood. “The entire project is in a grey tone. It’s achieved by adding grey pigment to lime. We also have exposed shuttered concrete,” he recalls. What's striking are the glazed ribbon windows that commonly adorn most Brutalist and modernist architectural styles. They add an understated elegance to the whole space from the outside, while lending an open-view, skylight-type feel from the inside.
The interiors soften the raw, skeletal disposition of the façade. Studio Nirvana uses wood veneer, sourced from beams of older demolished European houses, for doors and cabinets, while the furniture is made of plantation teak wood. The custom wash counters, bar counter, and cots were designed in collaboration with a Kochi-based design practice, Formave. The lighting eases the senses. Spoon Lighting ensured that the lighting design remains unseen unless switched on, fusing integrated fixtures seamlessly into the space. Lighting by Chinese designer Mario Tsai Studio further brightens the interiors with hanging lights above the dining table, lights and chandeliers in the first-floor gathering area, and floor lamps in the living area. The restrained palette, natural materials, and layered lighting together define the Zen philosophy of the house.
The Zen philosophy shapes silence around this 20,000-square-foot Brutalist house, which also includes a separate outhouse. It features five bedrooms, living areas, a dining space with an adjoining kitchen, a home office, an indoor pool, and a meditation room. The design is intentionally sparse, as Avinash points out. The house serves as a retreat and wellness sanctuary for its owners. It was designed with a vision to create quietude in the minds of visitors and, in turn, evoke clarity and fresh thought.
