LIJO. RENY. Architects

Architecture, at its very best, celebrates life. It is a measure of joy in living, brought out through spaces which are evocative, spaces which are never static, constantly reflecting the inherent flux in nature. It is often a quest for simplicity and serendipity, qualities which are rare to articulate, qualities which then are overlooked for brash, loud interpretations and complexities. The ‘Skewed House’ by LIJO.RENY.architects is a true reflection of the power of architecture to create spaces which transcends mundane notions and trivialities to elevate and celebrate the sense of being.

A skewed plot, set in a tight residential fabric in Palakkad, which is known for the blistering dry heat all year round and the powerful winds blowing across the opening in the Western Ghats, was the physical context which had to be addressed. The spatial manifestation of this evolved as a volumetric composition of spaces set against the alluring backdrop of the distant mountain range. This abstraction of the mountains when combined with the skewed nature of the plot, helped in deriving a vocabulary which was unapologetically contemporary in essence, yet, one which respected the immediate context and also one which was a reflection of the attitudes of the busy doctor couple and their two kids for whom the house was designed.

Strong lines and forms are juxtaposed on a visual plane, which perceptually evolves as one move forward. The approach is carefully orchestrated – the angular forms are very subtle at a distance, merging into the residential fabric of the by-lane almost un-perceptibly. These gradually rise up and reveal themselves as one move further towards the house, where, at a particular point the 3 dimensional abstractions of volumes are revealed perfectly against the mountainous backdrop. Scale then comes into play, there is a perceived sense of monumentality which is resolved into a more intimate scale by the careful juxtaposition of elements – it is at once monumental and yet, welcoming.