Mixed-use Building (Studio apartments + commercial units)
Mulanthuruthy, Ernakulam, Kerala.

This project is a combination of residential apartments and commercial/ retail units, spread across three floors, with the apartments on the upper floors.

The site has paddy fields in close proximity to the rear boundary, and the views towards these were fully utilised in the design of the apartments, with continuous tall sliding windows framing wonderful views from within the units.

Balconies are provided wherever possible to further connect with the greens outside— private outdoor spaces that can serve an array of functions.

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The balconies also have external shading through wooden slats on the outer periphery, reducing the heat-gain within the interiors— a passive design strategy that greatly reduces the need for air-conditioning. Reduced maintenance costs are always a good thing!

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The outer periphery of the building is lined with greenery via planters that provide shade, privacy and a ‘connect’ with the natural surroundings.

Additionally the building is proposed to generate most of is required electricity through solar power, and the terrace area is utilised to this effect.

The terrace also houses a penthouse apartment, along with a workout space and common swimming pool for the residents.

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Visualised as a ‘garden house’, the penthouse is provided with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and windows opening out to private landscaped spaces with small trees strategically planted in soil beds providing ample shade.

The green terrace also adds to the passive cooling of the lower floors, the earth layer acting as natural insulation for the concrete slab below.

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Area

12,000 sq.ft. 

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Status

Ongoing