Temple Town's New House embraces the traditional 'Nalukettu' architecture of Kerala

Temple Town conceived by Meera Pyarelal is an Indian interior design practice focused on creating colonial furniture, with a pivotal focus on preserving traditional Indian craftsmanship. Based in Thrissur, Kerala, the studio offers fully customisable handmade furniture, textiles, lighting, art pieces, and home decor made from responsibly sourced and recycled Indian teak, as well as reimagined antiques with a modern Indian perspective. Pyarelal brings her homegrown expertise to her latest project—a house seeped in nostalgia and folklore designed for a NRI client who wanted to relive her childhood.

Kerala, known for its rich cultural heritage and distinctive Hindu temple architecture, is also distinguished for a traditional style of courtyard dwelling called Nalukettu— ‘Nalu’ means four and ‘kettu’ means halls. Drawing from this seemingly disappearing architectural typology that once served large families, this 5000 sqft building in Thrissur embodies the downright simplicity of Kerala architecture. Built according to the ancient principles of Thachu Sastra, the treatise of carpentry in the architecture of Kerela, this home pays homage to the local ancestral practices of designing homes that embrace the tropical climate while providing a sense of community and family togetherness. Featuring long steep roofs, gabled windows, and imposing pillars engineered to withstand the heavy monsoon rains, the residential architecture involves the use of stone, wood, and clay in eclectic applications.

The residence has been designed to accommodate three generations of a family of five: the client, her husband, their son, and her elderly parents. Situated in the Kuttumukku neighbourhood near a local temple, the house sports winding verandas, a living room, a dining area, four bedrooms, a kitchen, a workspace, laundry, a prayer room, a media room, and a library. The central courtyard, or nadumuttom serves as a core as well as a common ground between the different sections of the home.

Upon arrival at the main entrance, also known as the Padippura, which is a roofed gateway leading to the main section of the house, the path veers towards a lively courtyard that features a small garden adorned with ayurvedic plants and flowers that are native to the area. The courtyard and the prayer room hold a special place in the hearts of the inhabitants as an eye-catching mural of Indian deities and mother-son duo Yashoda and Krishna, is displayed, symbolising the loving relationship between the client and her son.

The dining room reveals a burst of colours, right from the emerald green brocade fabric on the bench to the canary yellow block-printed dining seats. A green sideboard in the dining area showcases a collection of old keys, mirrors, and old lithographs, adding to the rustic charm of the space. Similarly, a stunning brass thali (plate) setting is placed with iconic Kerala fabric napkins, while vintage ceramic plates adorn the walls. An old wooden cooking utensil has been creatively transformed into a centrepiece that holds a garland of tulsi and pink Aralipoo, from the aforementioned garden, known for their spiritual symbolism as offerings to the god.

The guest bedroom boasts a handsome headrest with vintage tiles custom-made at Temple Town. Similarly, unique artworks adorn the son's room which includes a beautiful painting in the pichwai style beside a four-poster bed with carved spindles. Meanwhile, in the master bedroom, muted shades and maroon accents create a soothing ambiance. Against the backdrop of a handmade colonial bed, a vintage jewellery box that transforms into a side table and an oil painting of late Indian Carnatic classical vocalist MS Subbulakshmi add a touch of artistry, while the antique windows that have been sourced from Karaikudi city of Tamil Nadu are over 200-years-old. Coincidentally, Pyarelal came upon a copy of the Malayalam language version of the Sanskrit epic Ramayana, "Adhyatma Ramayanam Kilipatu" written by Indian devotional poet Thunchathu Ezhuthachan, and added it to the room, making it a fitting addition to the client's personal space as a tribute to her roots. "Being an NRI having spent more than a quarter of a century abroad, the client is someone who is deep-rooted to her culture, traditions, and beliefs. Her aim was to recreate the traditional Kerala home she grew up in with her parents—now in their early eighties—and a home for her to settle in whenever she chooses to come back,” Pyarelal tells STIR. "The house is named ' New House' to symbolise a fresh start for Sandhya (the client) and her family, embracing their heritage and creating cherished memories in their ancestral land."

Every corner of this residence is intricately designed and has taken two and a half years to complete, consisting of meticulous planning and continuous attention to detail. The Kerela-based designer tells STIR, "The integration of antique elements like windows, doors, and columns collected by the client showcases her love for heritage aesthetics and plays a significant role in personalizing the built form."

( Text by Aatmi Chitalia, Intern at STIR)