Some homes impress with sheer size. Others leave a mark through proportion, balance, and thoughtful planning. This 1933 square feet mixed roof residence belongs firmly to the latter category—a house that understands scale, climate, and contemporary lifestyle without overcomplicating its architecture.
Spread across 180 square meters (215 square yards), the design is intelligently divided into 1443 sq.ft. on the ground floor and 490 sq.ft. on the first floor. The distribution is not accidental; it reflects a family-centric layout where daily life unfolds primarily on the ground level, while the upper floor remains more private and compact.
A Mixed Roof That Defines the Character
The architectural identity of this house is shaped by its mixed roof composition. The sloping roof volume gives the elevation warmth and a sense of familiarity, especially suited to tropical contexts where heavy rainfall demands practical solutions. The pitched roof is not merely decorative—it plays a functional role in climate responsiveness, aiding water runoff and reducing heat retention.
Complementing this are the flat roof elements that extend horizontally across the façade. These slab projections—particularly over the sit-out and car porch—introduce a clean, contemporary edge. The balance between slope and slab prevents the elevation from feeling either overly traditional or aggressively modern. Instead, it rests confidently between the two.
The exposed brick cladding on the gable wall adds texture and depth. Against the lighter plastered surfaces, the brick introduces warmth and tactility. Grey-toned base panels ground the structure visually, while the tall vertical glazing along the sloped section enhances both scale and daylight penetration. It’s a façade that has been composed, not assembled.
Facilities
Ground Floor – Designed for Daily Living
- Sit out
- Living Area
- Dining Area
- 2 Bedroom (2 attached)
- Stair Area
- Courtyard
- Kitchen
- Work area
With 1443 sq.ft., the ground floor carries the functional heart of the home. The entry sit-out offers a sheltered transition between outdoors and indoors—an essential element in tropical residential architecture. It creates a pause before entry, while also serving as a welcoming threshold.
Inside, the living area opens with a sense of spatial clarity. The tall glazing on the façade suggests the presence of generous daylight, and possibly a double-height visual connection that adds volume without excess built-up area. The living and dining areas are positioned for fluid interaction, encouraging an open yet defined layout.
The inclusion of a courtyard is particularly noteworthy. In modern homes, courtyards are often sacrificed for floor area, but here it becomes a climatic and spatial device. It allows cross-ventilation, introduces natural light into the core of the house, and creates a quiet internal focal point. A well-placed courtyard transforms circulation into experience.
Two bedrooms are located on the ground floor, each with attached bathrooms. This arrangement is practical and forward-thinking—ideal for elders, guests, or even long-term accessibility planning. It ensures that essential living functions remain at grade level without dependence on stairs.
The kitchen is efficiently positioned adjacent to the dining area, reinforcing ease of movement. A dedicated work area further enhances functionality, keeping utility tasks separate from the main kitchen space. This layered planning speaks of lived experience rather than abstract design.
The staircase is carefully integrated rather than imposed. It likely acts as both a vertical connector and an architectural feature, tying the lower and upper volumes together visually.
First Floor – Private and Compact
- 1 Bedroom ( 2attached)
The first floor, measuring 490 sq.ft., is intentionally restrained. It accommodates one bedroom with attached facilities, offering privacy away from the primary living zones below. This space could serve as a master suite, a guest retreat, or even a semi-independent zone for a family member.
The reduced footprint on the upper level also allows the ground floor roofscape to breathe, maintaining the architectural integrity of the mixed roof concept. Instead of maximizing built-up area, the design respects proportion and form.
A Three-Bedroom Home That Feels Larger Than It Is
With three bedrooms in total—two on the ground floor and one upstairs—the home comfortably supports a medium-sized family. The planning ensures that circulation remains efficient, rooms are well-lit, and privacy gradients are maintained.
What stands out is how the house avoids unnecessary complexity. There are no exaggerated projections or forced design gestures. The massing is deliberate. The materials are honest. The color palette—neutral walls, warm brick, grey accents, and wooden door finishes—creates a timeless exterior that will age gracefully.
Built for Climate and Comfort
Beyond aesthetics, the house responds intelligently to its environment. The sloped roof addresses rainfall, the sun-shading elements protect glazing, and the courtyard enhances ventilation. The sit-out and overhangs reduce direct solar gain, while the mix of vertical and horizontal openings encourages air movement.
This is not architecture driven by trends; it is architecture shaped by climate and everyday life.
In Summary
This 1933 sq.ft. mixed roof house demonstrates how careful planning can elevate a modest footprint into a well-balanced family home. The 1443 sq.ft. ground floor ensures convenience and inclusivity, while the 490 sq.ft. upper level adds privacy without disturbing proportion. With three bedrooms, attached bathrooms, a courtyard, functional kitchen layout, and a composed architectural language, the house achieves what many larger homes fail to do—it feels complete.
It is a residence that respects context, embraces practicality, and carries architectural confidence without excess. A home designed not just to be seen, but to be lived in comfortably for years to come.
For more info about this home, contact
Sreejith Pattazhy (House design Kollam)
Kollam, Kerala
PH:+91 9846459527
Email : jithu.pulimoottil@gmail.com
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