A few months ago, an intriguing photograph appeared on my Instagram feed. The image's mood was enigmatic—mostly dark, with a space illuminated by rays of sunlight streaming through cross-shaped openings high in the wall. These openings were carved into arched wooden windows, and the light that filtered through them created an effect that seemed to focus attention on the people within the frame. A nun stood at the centre, facing the camera, while girls in white kurta sets stood behind her, arranged imperfectly. Framing the scene were arched balustrades adorned with additional cross-shaped cutouts, subtly preventing the figures from escaping the photograph’s boundaries. The setting was a church, and the clothing style suggested that this was in Kerala. At first, I thought the photograph might be a set crafted for a cinematographic or artistic purpose. However, upon glancing at the credits—“The Lord’s House designed by Bhoomija Creations and photographed by Prasanth Mohan”—I realised this was a real church, built and functioning in Kollam District of Kerala in India.

This church is unlike any other in Kerala. Christianity in the region traces its roots to Saint Thomas, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus, and consequently, early churches were influenced by Western and Middle Eastern styles. Despite various architectural movements that came and went, religious architecture in Kerala has remained largely unchanged. While a few experimental architects sought to introduce new dialogues in church design, most attempts failed to achieve a balance that satisfied both the architect and the community. It was for this reason that The Lord’s House, designed by the Kerala-based architecture firm Bhoomija Creations, captured my attention.

Serving as a chapel for the Malankara Orthodox Church, the Lord’s House was constructed for the use of a nearby care home and the local community. The design draws heavily from traditional Kerala architecture—featuring a brick structure, a sloping roof with clay tiles, a chuttu verandah (a passageway that runs on the side of the house) and arches that echo the style of Laurie Baker. At first glance, the church appears to be a double-storied structure. However, upon closer inspection, the cross atop the building suggests a smaller scale, and the layout reveals that it departs from the conventional cross-shaped plan with aisle and nave. Instead, it adopts a bold octagonal form—an unusual choice for a church.

"Sacred spaces throughout history, like carved temples, domed mosques and towering church spires, have always carried a deep responsibility: to awaken the human spirit to peace, harmony and enlightenment. When the Malankara Orthodox Church approached us to design this chapel, it was meant to be a sanctuary not only for the girls in the nearby care home but also for the local community. We knew this chapel had to be more than just a building; it had to carry the unspoken hopes and prayers of those it would serve. In the number symbolism of Medieval Europe, eight represented cosmic balance and eternal life. Related to this, the octagon also had deep significance. So, the shape came as a suggestion. Since it’s a small chapel and the shape also gives a compact feel, we chose to go by it,” shares the Indian architecture firm.

For the Indian architects Guruprasad Rane & Manasi Puliyappatta, who together form Bhoomija Creations, the intent behind the design can be distilled into three key concepts—peace, community and sanctuary—qualities central to any sacred space. Bhoomija Creations achieved these through several thoughtful architectural interventions.

The first intervention is scale. The Lord’s House is intimate, its 278 sqm space unfolding and folding within the confines of the octagonal walls. The second intervention is the careful selection of materials. The building features exposed brickwork, a concrete floor and wooden joinery. There are no elaborate artworks, heavenly depictions of biblical scenes or grandiose chandeliers. Instead, the minimalism of materials and workmanship stands as the sole ornamentation. The third and most significant design choice lies in the lighting. Cross-shaped cutouts in the high walls allow natural light to flood the interior, creating a moment of serenity and drama. The altar, too, follows the same design language, with a single cross on an elevated platform and a circular ceiling light.

The Lord’s House is a rare example of regional modernism in the religious architecture of India. “For us, the sacredness of architecture isn’t found in grandeur but in the materials we select, the forms we shape and the way these spaces come alive with meaning,” explains Bhoomija Creations. "With this chapel, we chose what felt closest to the heart—locally sourced materials and the artistry of craftspeople who work with devotion and care. Instead of ornate embellishments, we allowed natural light and shadows to tell their story, weaving a quiet mysticism into every corner of the space.”

The Lord’s House invites a deeper conversation about the strong colonial remains of how we perceive our religious spaces. Can the spiritual and cultural significance of religious architecture truly be captured in such a minimalist approach? Is our visual perception of a church and a place of worship different? Do religious places need to have overt religious iconography or grandiose forms with rich symbolism or are we accustomed to seeing them that way? The Lord’s House challenges the conventions of religious architecture in Kerala and beyond, offering a different perspective on what a modern church architecture can be—but whether its pared-back approach will resonate equally with all worshippers and communities remains to be seen.

Project Details

Name: The Lord’s House
Location: Chathannur, Kollam District, Kerala, India
Typology: Religious Building
Client: Malankara Orthodox Church, Trivandrum
Architect: Bhoomija Creations
Area: 278 Sqm
Year of Completion: 2021