The Cliff House by Khosla Associates
Khosla Associates have designed the Cliff House in Chowara, a fishing village in Kerala, India.
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The Cliff House by Khosla Associates
Perched 200 ft. above an expansive stretch of green along the Arabian Sea coast, at the edge of a cliff, its most prominent feature is an asymmetrical sloping roof set against the fronds of a coconut plantation. Opening its embrace to the warm sea breezes, the home covers an area of 1397 sqm. A skewed 45m long sheer concrete wall supporting the single lightweight triangulated canopy roof lunges out towards the view. The external and internal finishes are polished cement, concrete and rough slate juxtaposed against warm slatted timber and natural local kota stone. Furniture and accessories are kept to a minimal, so that the focus doesn’t stray from the natural environment
The client lives in London and commissioned the house as a holiday home to enjoy the Kerala sun, the views, and requested for a large outdoor pool, several decks and meditation areas. He was keen to use local artisans and material and his empathy towards the active fishing community in Chowara prompted his decision to buy a plot of land that had some distance from the beach.
Architects Sandeep Khosla and Amaresh Anand of Khosla Associates designed the home keeping the180 degree panorama of the sea constantly in mind. The response to the site was a bold and emotional one as the designers imagined the dramatic wall and roof bringing the sea, air and the sky in without barriers. True to the first contextual response, only half of the 1,400 sqm of built area is actually defined by four walls. The rest is kept open and intelligently permeable to the elements.
In the interest of keeping the view foremost and the ambience pleasant in Kerala’s tropical heat, large openings were essential to all spaces, thereby allowing the penetration of seasonal winds. Ample overhangs were provided specially on the main roof to protect against the fierce western sun and monsoon rain. Since large expanses of glass would trap the heat in this environment, the Architects devised a system of louvered wooden sliding and folding shutters for the doors and windows. These slatted shutters can be modulated and allow for un-interrupted air circulation.
The entrance faces northeast and the entry walkway is made of a straight line of monolithic stone steps flanked on either side by lush tropical water bodies. The concrete wall to the right and mysterious louvered wood screen wall deliberately conceal what lies beyond.
On entering the house, the open plan voluminous foyer not only separates the private and public spaces but also extends all the way from the front entrance to the rear deck, where you can wade straight into the 420 sqm. infinity pool. The double height foyer separates the two wings and separates public and private spaces. Guest bedrooms and shaded decks lie to either side of the outdoor pool whose prominent position and expanse compensate for the missing beach access. Additional guest rooms and master bedroom connect to each other on the upper level via a walkway and terrace.
The client lives in London and commissioned the house as a holiday home to enjoy the Kerala sun, the views, and requested for a large outdoor pool, several decks and meditation areas. He was keen to use local artisans and material and his empathy towards the active fishing community in Chowara prompted his decision to buy a plot of land that had some distance from the beach.
The house is climate sensitive and allows for light, air and the breeze to flow right through. All bathrooms have tropical open-to sky courts that are integrated visually with the bedrooms and several open courts and water features punctuate and soften the scale of the foyer. The overriding canopy roof is clad on the underside entirely with eco-friendly timber that offsets with warmth the large expanses of kota flooring, concrete and polished cement.
Project Credits:
Architects : Khosla Associates
Project Team: Sandeep Khosla, Amaresh Anand and Praveena A.
Client: Mike Manwaring
Location: Chowara, Kerala, India
Site Area: 4,046 sq m.
Built up Area: 1,397 sq m.
Structural Engineering: Manjunath & Co.
Landscaping: Hariyalee Consultants
Interior Design: Khosla Associates
Photography: Bharath Ramamrutham (photos, courtesy Khosla Associates)
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Michael McTigue on 07 Jul 2010 at 9:17 am #
Stunning, sexy, modern and respectful of tradition and location.
AND THAT POOL!!!
F-J on 07 Jul 2010 at 12:02 pm #
Beautiful; a calming environment. Love the fig shaped lamp and wall.
The checker effect tiles fight with the serenity of the design.
Jimw on 07 Jul 2010 at 3:47 pm #
In terms of design alone, there is a wonderful austere refinement with the material composition. The detailing, material selection and furnishings are exemplary. However, I find this this design confusing; as a single residence (with a substantial servants component) it comes across as more of a corporate resort than a personal retreat. I find the concrete structural element supporting the roof totally incongruous with the sense of “get away”. Scale and material of that element itself is disarming if not intrusive. I’m not sure if it is serving the ego of the client or that of the architect.
Rudy on 07 Jul 2010 at 10:11 pm #
A beautiful home in terms of materials and layout. Minimal design at it’s best. Unfortunately the triangular shape of the roof doesn’t blend well with the other volumes. Especially the concrete support recalls mid-century restaurant or gas station designs.
Cristina on 08 Jul 2010 at 1:58 am #
I like the views, the minimalist decor, the many openings towards the outdoors, and the use of timber louvred shutters and local materials. All that concrete bothers me though.
Petri on 08 Jul 2010 at 6:12 am #
I wonder what would be the estimated cost to build such a house in India?
TW on 08 Jul 2010 at 9:35 pm #
I agree with JimW – this feels like a showpiece in the manner of a 5 star balinese resort.
There is an extravagence in volumes and structure (that winged roof is too much)that takes it a little too far over the edge.
And to Petri – sadly, the cost to build this in India would be about the same price as a small renovation in the US I suspect.
nick on 18 Jul 2010 at 5:21 pm #
the couch in imagee 070710_17 doesnt make sense. why is it in the crapper???
Major on 09 Aug 2010 at 10:53 pm #
Anyone who’s been to Kerala can attest that this design is so ludicrous and at odds with the beautiful indigenous Kerala architecture that can be found all around. Why on earth would you go to a beautiful place like Kerala and build something that is square/boxy/concrete/sharp angles??? For heavens sake, just borrow ideas from the locals and you will come up with the most beautiful structures ever!
Arpita on 13 Feb 2011 at 6:54 am #
The interiors are stunning and fit well in the area, not so sure about the outside, looks like a white cement block whose roof got blown off?? there are gorgeous old structures in Kerala and they could ahve incorporated some of that. That said, still would love to live there!