Traditional Tharavadu House Designs
Traditional Tharavadu House Designs are a remarkable display of aesthetic beauty, architectural integrity, and style combined. This style dates back many centuries and has been passed down through the centuries. Historically, it was very prevalent in south India, and many of the existing structures that survive today are authentic Tharavadu houses. The primary focus of Tharavadu house designs is the orientation of the house in relation to the external environment.
The central living space is often designed to take advantage of the prevailing winds and sun, to create a pleasant atmosphere. Large courtyards, verdant greenery, and generous balconies that feature evening sunsets, provide a sense of wellbeing and security. Interiors are kept cool with fan-shaped roofs and tall ceilings, while the solid masonry walls and wooden roofs protect the interiors from the hot tropical sun.
Traditional Tharavadu houses also feature intricately carved sculptures on the walls and ceilings, unique window designs, and large, airy porches. The floors and fixtures are also special to this style of house, as they employ the use of natural stones like granite or stone cobbles to create aesthetically pleasing surfaces.
Kerala Nalukettu House Designs
Kerala Nalukettu House Designs are classified as traditional Tharavadu buildings, which reference the traditional Hindu temple architecture. The distinguishing factor of the Nalukettu is its four wings, each of which contain courtyards that focus the orientation of each wing to the environment. This style originated in Kerala, and is very popular across India and throughout the world. As a type of house design, the Nalukettu is based on a traditional Hindu village home, which provides a great sense of security and wellbeing to the people living inside.
Kerala Nalukettu are designed to feature floor-level windows and slits in the walls that allow for the perfect natural ventilation and a cool interior. The spaces are designed to receive maximum natural sunlight throughout the year so that residents can experience the outdoors while still having their own private interior space. Additionally, each wing of the house is built to provide a semi-circular arch with a spectacular balcony that receives evening sunsets.
Kerala-style Nalukettu typically feature finely carved ornate structures, intricately carved sculptures, and distinct sits atop each wing. Floors may contain stone cobbles or marbles, walls may have intricate carvings, and even central courtyards have paintings adorning them. Interiors feature grand doorways and corridors, and intricate ceilings and archways to complete the look.
Attached Garage Kerala House Designs
Attached Garage Kerala House Designs are the perfect way to extend the functionality of a traditional Tharavadu house and make it feel even more spacious. This style dates back many centuries and has been passed down through the centuries. The most important feature of Attached Garage Kerala house designs is the orientation of the house in relation to the external environment. The carport, which is attached to the main house, provides the convenience of a safe and secure garage, while also allowing an extension of the living space.
The Attached Garage Kerala house designs usually include plenty of open spaces, with verdant gardens and courtyards to create a sense of freedom and connectivity between the outdoors and indoors. The exterior walls of the house usually feature intricate carvings, with a choice of stone or brickwork for added effect. Windows and doors are arranged to create an organic flow of air and light, and many interior spaces feature additional touches like carvings and murals for added appeal.
Flooring usually consists of either stone slabs or stone cobbles, while sitting areas feature tiled floors for additional comfort. Attached Garage Kerala houses also feature balconies and verandas that take advantage of views and sunsets. As with traditional Tharavadu houses, interior walls have rich carvings, and ceilings feature detailed details.
Modern Tharavadu Houses Designs
Modern Tharavadu Houses Designs have taken a twist on traditional Tharavadu house designs to marry them with the aesthetic and modernity of today’s lifestyle. It combines the traditional charm of a Tharavadu house with modern amenities like skylights, open terraces, and modern fixtures. The design puts a great emphasis on the interplay of light and shadows and creates a contemporary atmosphere.
Modern Tharavadu houses have expansive living spaces with plenty of natural light, which creates a sense of openness. Large windows and French doors make the rooms feel spacious and inviting. Stone floors, woodwork, and sleek furniture pieces create an air of sophistication and luxury. The interiors often feature low hanging lights, detailed fixtures, and high ceilings that emphasize the grandeur of the building.
Screens, louvered shutters, and plenty of greenery provide coolness in the hot summer months. Modern Tharavadu houses also feature skylights, large porches, and terraces that are surrounded by lush gardens. This gives the houses a unique blend of style and practicality, while highlighting the connective nature of this architectural style.
Contemporary Kerala Tharavadu House Designs
Contemporary Kerala Tharavadu House Designs are a unique blend of traditional style and modern sensibilities. This style marries the timeless look of traditional Tharavadu houses with modern materials and amenities. The large, floor-to-ceiling windows offer ample natural light and ventilation, and the interiors often feature detailed sculptures, carvings, and patterns.
The most common feature of Contemporary Kerala Tharavadu house designs is the openness of the interiors. Floor plans often feature L-shaped or U-shaped layouts, which allow for greater open space and more sunlight. The look of the houses depends on the materials used. Typically, stone cobbles are used for the floors, and organic surfaces like wood and rock are featured for the walls. Low-hanging lights, intricate fixtures, and vaulted ceilings also help to further accentuate the grandeur of the house.
Outdoor areas are often covered in lush greenery, and terraces provide a peaceful pause from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Modern technologies, such as solar panels, are also commonly integrated into Contemporary Kerala Tharavadu houses, offering an eco-friendly solution to energy consumption.
Greenstone Kerala Tharavadu House Designs
Greenstone Kerala Tharavadu House Designs are a contemporary interpretation of the traditional Tharavadu style, but with a special focus on eco-friendly materials and minimalistic designs. Greenstone houses incorporate a wide range of eco-friendly materials such as bamboo, natural stones, and terracotta tiles. This style takes advantage of the traditional building techniques and materials of the Tharavadu style and marries them with more modern features. The design process places an emphasis on preserving the environment and minimising the carbon footprint.
Greenstone Kerala houses usually feature breezy open plans with plenty of natural light and ventilation. The interiors are usually designed to be thermally efficient and safe, with windows placed strategically to optimise air intake and natural light. Woodwork, stone and terracotta tiles are popular flooring materials, and large windows to let in plenty of light, and central patios or atriums are common features of this style of house.
Exteriors featuring woodwork and carefully placed plants are designed to blend the house with the environment, and often feature raised gardens to conserve natural resources. The roofs are often slanted and feature small cupolas that receive the sun’s warmth. Greenstone Kerala houses also feature balconies and porches to take advantage of views and sunsets.
Antoampunkal Tharavadu House Designs
Antoampunkal Tharavadu House Designs are a modern interpretation of the traditional Tharavadu style and borrow heavily from the principality’s culture. Antoampunkal is a small principality in the state of Kerala, and its traditional architecture is based on the principles of the Tharavadu style. This style takes advantage of natural resources and is designed to conserve resources and blend in with the natural environment.
Antoampunkal house designs feature courtyards and gardens that provide the perfect atmosphere to relax in. Fans and large windows provide excellent air circulation. The materials used for the building are predominantly traditional, and wood, bamboo, and stone are the most commonly used. Interiors feature high ceilings, latticework, and intricate carvings combining the traditional with the modern.
The houses take advantage of the sunlight by featuring vast, raised terraces with comfortable seating and plenty of natural greenery. The exteriors feature detailed carvings on the walls and small balconies for added appeal. Floors are made of natural stones or stone cobbles, and raised gardens and fountains bring a sense of calm and wellbeing to the environment.
Vastu Kerala Tharavadu House Designs
Vastu Kerala Tharavadu House Designs follow the principles of the ancient Indian science of living - Vastu Shastra. This style of house focuses on the orientation and balancing of natural energy in all directions for the best possible results. The particularities of Vastu Tharavadu house designs include the orientation of each room, focusing on the cardinal points and taking into account the moon and sun for the correct orientation.
Vastu Kerala houses usually feature traditional materials and building methods. Stone and wood are the preferred materials, and buildings are usually designed following the local architectural style. The houses are usually divided into three portions, which represent the three elements of Vastu - Pawana (air), Agni (fire), and Prithvi (earth). Each room is carefully aligned with the appropriate cardinal points, and both the interior and exterior designs focus on enhancing energy levels and balance.
Vastu Kerala houses feature plenty of natural elements such as gardens and courtyards, and they take advantage of natural lighting and ventilation. Cooling systems such as water features, grilles, and slits are incorporated into the houses, and huge windows along with skylights bring in an abundance of natural light.
Aangan Tharavadu House Designs
Aangan Tharavadu House Designs are found primarily in the southern states of India and are based on the traditional theme. Aangan houses are traditionally designed with a central courtyard, which is the focus of the house and ties the four wings together. These houses typically feature sloping roofs, which serve several purposes, including protection of the interiors from the hot tropical sun.
Aangan houses feature numerous details that make them stand out from other style of houses. For example, intricate sculptures are often carved into the walls and ceilings, with walls made of masonry and stones. These buildings also feature large balconies that receive the evening sunsets and provide ample ventilation throughout the rooms. The roofs are usually made of wooden tiles, and floors are often made with stone cobbles or even clay tiles.
The homes usually feature L-shaped or U-shaped layouts, with large sitting areas and spacious bedrooms and bathrooms. The lights, fixtures, and central patios of Aangan house designs add to the aesthetic appeal, and the large courtyards and gardens create a sense of security and soothing atmosphere for the entire home.
Multilevel Tharavadu House Designs
Multilevel Tharavadu House Designs are a unique interpretation of the traditional Tharavadu style. This style takes advantage of the natural topography of the region to create stunningly beautiful houses that combine the traditional with the modern. Multilevel Tharavadu houses are built on uneven surfaces, and the floors of each level have to be adjusted accordingly.
These houses usually make use of natural materials such as stone, wood, and bamboo, as well as modern fixtures and amenities. The interiors feature high ceilings, latticework, and intricate carvings, while the floors are usually made of either stone cobbles or wooden tiles. Natural ventilation is achieved through the use of windows and fans, and the orientation of the house takes advantage of the natural characteristics of the space.
Multilevel Tharavadu houses feature generously sized balconies and terraces, as well as plants and gardens to bring the outdoors in. They also feature skylights to maximise the natural light received, and grilles and water features to keep the interiors cool in the hot tropical climate.
Multi-Family Tharavadu House Designs
Multi-Family Tharavadu House Designs are the perfect way to accommodate multiple generations under one roof, while still maintaining the traditional look of the Tharavadu style. This style usually features large, open floor plans, with plenty of living areas to facilitate togetherness. It also incorporates large cooking and dining areas to accommodate the whole family, as well as plenty of bedrooms and bathrooms for the convenience of all.
The exteriors of these houses usually feature intricate carvings and detailed features, with a palette of wood, stone, and brick to create an alluring aesthetic. Interiors feature high ceilings, latticework, and detailed fixtures, and large windows let in natural light to create a welcoming atmosphere. Floor plans are designed to create private space for each family, without compromising the sense of connection that comes with living together.