Indian houses

Havelis, handicrafts, and heritage cuisine

As a home that has been in her family for years, this restoration by furniture designer Ariane Thakore Ginwala, in collaboration with architecture firm Field Atelier, is a heartfelt labour of love.

Meera Pyarelal of the Thrissur-based studio reimagines the interiors of an ancestral home drawing cues from a seemingly disappearing architectural style of Kerala.

Japanese reflecting pond

We take a brief look at four projects where Athangudi Tiles fit seamlessly into the décor, enhancing the aesthetics of the space.

Often spotted outside South Indian homes, the thinnai is the raised platform that acts as a covered verandah for the family to gather and enjoy a board game or a hot cup of coffee while they chit chat. Maison Perumal is a 130-year-old family mansion that sports the thinnai where you can sit and unwind with your family. #MeAndCGHEarth #MaisonPerumal #Tamilarchitecture #FrancoTamil #Pondicherry #LocalTradition #TamilQuarter

Lovely house in Thrissur Kerala - Traditional Kerala architecture plus the modern aspects, a wonderful meld of old-style living with vivid and contemporary nuances.

As interior courtyards make a bit of a return, let’s take a look at where they came from and why they’re such a popular architectural feature.

We call this the Minimal Indian House - ‘Minimal’, as there is no ostentation or decoration of any kind. Minimalist house design with traditional Indian elements, where the building elements like walls, floors, roof reveals, themselves as it is - walls are in stabilised mud blocks (Smb). Floor is natural Kota and the ceiling are filler slab roofing and the staircase treads are in Fossil Jaisalmer.