IHA Residence designed by Wallmakers, The Client Mrs. Tara Pillai and Mr. Sreekumar, based in Delhi wanted an eco-friendly abode that also retains the peace and quiet in the busy city of Trivandrum.

The residence depicts an atmosphere that is an oxymoron in nature – Serene and warm, with minimalistic decors, at the same time adventurous and wild in design.

The site was on a low-lying terrain with issues of water-logging, which was the primary obstacle we had to tackle. The primary idea was to ensure that the building wasn?t creating a hindrance in the flow of water. Being in a state like Kerala, where rains are frequent, we had to ensure that the water percolates into the ground and that it could be harvested. We had to come up with an alternative and sustainable solution which could also enhance the spatial quality- a pond in the lowest point of the site so that water is retained in the site as well as, adding to the artistic vibe of the residence.
Using bamboo for the façade had a downside to it ? which is that it is precarious and cannot support an entire edifice of enormous size. This is the barrier that was demolished and proved wrong by dint of this project. The bamboo façade is created and conserved in a stable position by reinforcing the bamboo with steel rods. The continuous string of bamboos hands you the front elevation to the residence supporting the staircase that hangs from it, also creating a semi-open place for your quiet thoughts.

The distinctiv...