3dor Concepts evokes stacked Tetris blocks in the 'House of Ayoob' in Kerala, India

Kerala-based firm 3dor Concepts has completed a two-storey residential design project featuring a bold, geometric façade inspired by Tetris blocks in the municipality of Taliparamba within the district of Kannur along the southwestern coast of India. Born of a desire to create an aesthetically pleasing home exuding tranquility and airiness, the House of Ayoob is an enchanting play of form and texture imbued with sprinklings of minimalistic and contemporary sensibilities. Through its front edifice, composed of pure white forms in brick and concrete that weave in and around one another in fluid lines to frame vast openings, the residential design immediately catches the eye, standing out within its blissful tropical context in 'God’s own country'.

As per the architects, a key objective of the project was to ensure privacy and security for its inhabitants, within a form that would introduce something new to the locality. With this in mind, the team at 3dor Concepts shares in an official statement, "We designed a white canvas like structure with rounded edges that resembles stadium blocks stacked one above the other in a Tetris game.'' The rounded edges of the forms channel a unique fluidity and modern aesthetic that is seldom seen within the region, where traditional architectural norms generally dominate - despite the advent of innovative new practices within the state, who are challenging norms and paving the way for more adventurous experimentation in the architectural domain.

Assembled with the aid of cast concrete and laterite masonry, the larger of the two east-facing rectangular volumes looks into the double-height space of the living area, while its smaller counterpart frames views from the landing of the home’s main staircase. Beneath the latter mass, a swooping canopy curves towards the earth to define the enclosure of a parking garage.

With regards to privacy and safety, the architects addressed these concerns by placing a series of huge louvred wooden panels in the pair of rectangular voids composing the façade. The panels can rotate about their position to regulate the amount of sunlight entering the house through the vast windows that line the internal faces of the voids. Landscape design along the concrete driveway and steps injects colour into the predominantly monochrome façade, leading up to the wood-finished front door.

"The house radiates calmness with a smooth white interior finish along the walls as furnishings follow the same design language as the exterior form,” add the architects. Beyond the threshold, the home’s living area rests within a double-height space flowing into the dining space, followed by the kitchen and study arranged along the western edge of the plot. Lucidity and understated elegance typify the theme of the interior design, which incorporates custom wooden furniture - exhibiting a strong geometric design language, complemented by store bought pieces from IKEA. A sculptural chandelier ushers in an element of classical charm in the double-height space above the dining area. Finally, soft-textured marble flooring and exposed concrete ceilings in the living space complete the bright and breezy environment within the communal spaces of the residence.

To the northern end of the site are a pair of bedrooms while a sculptural steel staircase rests at the centre of the plan. 3dor Concepts mentions that the process of generating the curved forms of this staircase was one of the most challenging aspects of the design and construction process, particularly due to its importance as the focal point of the ground floor layout. The looping steel treads echo the geometries of the facade design - framed by slender railings whose proportions mimic the louvred shading system outside.

On the first floor, most of the space is dedicated to two bedrooms, which are supplemented by a private family living room as well as a utility room opening into an open terrace towards the southwestern corner of the site. The atmosphere in these spaces is an extension of the communal spaces and exterior, with earthy finishes, pastel tones, and a theme that is free of excessive embellishments or flashiness - prioritising comfort and simplicity over all.

An engaging spectacle that successfully embodies 3dor Concepts' objective to create an 'out of the box' residence, the House of Ayoob merges a minimalist-tinged exterior with light and earthy interiors, as a lively new addition to the residential neighbourhood it is situated in.

Project Details

Name: House of Ayoob
Location: Taliparamba, Kannur, Kerala, India
Site Area: 7830 sq ft
Built-Up Area: 4600 sq ft
Year of Completion: 2021
Architect: 3dor Concepts
Principal Architects: Ahmad Thaneem, Muhammed Jiyad, Muhammed Naseem
Structure: Deframez