Overlooking a rubber plantation in the Malappuram district of Kerala (India), a modern tropical house is camouflaging itself from plain view.

Spread over an acre of land is the house by Thought Parallels that has succeeded to mix traditional architecture with a contemporary flair. The design of the house utilises the extents of the plot exceedingly well by having a spread out planning. It accommodates the brief of the family which was to create distinctive guest and family spaces. This clearly leads to the formation of two blocks a guest and family

Connected with each other by a semi-private living. The guest block offers a living space, a prayer room and a bedroom arranged in a linear form. The presence of the prayer room prompted the architect to align the block along the traditional direction of pray, thus creating a tilt and breaking the initial parallel axis between the two blocks, hence deriving the name “The Skew House”.

Views of the minimalistic horticulture combining both hard and soft paving around the house from every room is another dimension added to the design. Rooms are well lit and aerated with large open spaces around. The subtle slope of the traditional styled Mangalore tile roof makes the entrance veranda and inner spaces well proportioned in terms of height. The connecting semi-private living is a cosy space with doorways leading into the landscape on either side.

On entering the family block through the connecting semi-private living, one is welcomed by a large living and dining. The linear arrangement of spaces continues with the placing of the staircase followed by two bedrooms on one side and a kitchen and other utility spaces on the opposite end. The linearity in the arrangement of spaces brings in natural illumination and ventilation.

Wooden, steel, and exposed concrete, open riser staircase leads upwards to the first floor. An element by itself, the staircase has a steel railing with a traditional wood-carving pattern cut into it which is a subtle but impactful addition. Located on the first floor are two bedrooms and a linear pool.

The south-facing facade of the bedroom and corridor leading to the bedrooms have been adorned by louvered openable shutters to keep out the harsh glare and heat from the south but creating a dramatic play of light all along the corridor and bedroom floor and walls.

The use of traditional Mangalore roof tile roof along with an inner lining of plywood helps in insulating the rooms from the harsh summer heat. The material pallet has been kept very minimal with steel, wood and exposed concrete as the primary materials. Few elements such as exposed clay brick walls and natural mosaic marble flooring add value to the quality of spaces.