How to select wood while building a house
First remove the thought that if it is
wood then it should be teak. Though the main quality of teak is that it
can stop termites, such treatment can be done on other wood too. Teak
will cost at least 4,000 rupees per square feet.
At the same time, neem, which is plentiful in Tamil Nadu and other places, is available at 200 rupees per square feet. Since it has medicinal qualities, there is no need to fear termites or other harmful creatures. But neem is not suitable for thin planks. Other local trees like irul, irumbakam and venga have not proven their worth in terms of price, quality and strength.
Another important thing is to avoid splurging on wood. Sticking wood on walls and floors in the name of panelling will reduce light in the room. Build homes avoiding such extravaganzas. Wooden flooring on the ground floor is another thing that should be avoided because in the course of time it could absorb moisture and raise the chances of a termite attack.
A bedroom with wooden flooring. Photo: Veedu/Manorama
Another intelligent move would be to reuse old wood. Because
they contain little moisture, attack by termites will be less. Old
planks of wood are ideal to make furniture. It is an open secret that
many pieces of furniture bought from markets today are made of stained
acacia and gliricidia. Such wood will turn bad quickly. To escape such
pitfalls, it is better to buy old wood and make furniture. Also, cement
structures can be coloured to make them look like wood.
Furniture at a low price
Only if attention is paid from selecting wood onwards, furniture can be made without much cost and with strength. It is not necessary that the wood must be teak. If teak is used, use the plantation teak that has been specially grown for these purposes. To make furniture, wood without problems like cracks, bends and pest bites should be selected.
A room with wooden staircase. Photo: Veedu/Manorama
Plywood made by compressing layers of 2.5 mm thick veneer is
comparatively low-priced. Furniture made after reducing the wood’s
moisture content to 10-12 per cent will be more durable. There are
special kilns for this purpose. When a piece of wood is sliced, special
attention must be paid to ensure that the plank has the same thickness
throughout. The ways of compressing and reducing moisture of each type
of wood are different.
If the design is minimalist, it will be easier to clean and to cut cost. Care should be taken to prevent cracks while slicing wood. If there is less wastage, the cost will also come down naturally. The best way to join planks together is using the traditional mortise and tenon method.
Efforts should be made to join planks at precisely 90 degrees. Special attention must be paid to the adhesive. If furniture is made using teak, adhesives containing polyvinyl acetic acid should not be used. In the end, the polish should not exceed 80 microns. If it does, changes will occur in the wood’s natural stain. If a glossy finish is needed, instead of using a more glossy polish, use one that does not exceed 20 per cent gloss.
At the same time, neem, which is plentiful in Tamil Nadu and other places, is available at 200 rupees per square feet. Since it has medicinal qualities, there is no need to fear termites or other harmful creatures. But neem is not suitable for thin planks. Other local trees like irul, irumbakam and venga have not proven their worth in terms of price, quality and strength.
Another important thing is to avoid splurging on wood. Sticking wood on walls and floors in the name of panelling will reduce light in the room. Build homes avoiding such extravaganzas. Wooden flooring on the ground floor is another thing that should be avoided because in the course of time it could absorb moisture and raise the chances of a termite attack.
Furniture at a low price
Only if attention is paid from selecting wood onwards, furniture can be made without much cost and with strength. It is not necessary that the wood must be teak. If teak is used, use the plantation teak that has been specially grown for these purposes. To make furniture, wood without problems like cracks, bends and pest bites should be selected.
If the design is minimalist, it will be easier to clean and to cut cost. Care should be taken to prevent cracks while slicing wood. If there is less wastage, the cost will also come down naturally. The best way to join planks together is using the traditional mortise and tenon method.
Efforts should be made to join planks at precisely 90 degrees. Special attention must be paid to the adhesive. If furniture is made using teak, adhesives containing polyvinyl acetic acid should not be used. In the end, the polish should not exceed 80 microns. If it does, changes will occur in the wood’s natural stain. If a glossy finish is needed, instead of using a more glossy polish, use one that does not exceed 20 per cent gloss.
A place where the mind can build nests
A house with spaces where the mind can
build nests every season... There should be spaces to sit together and
to be alone. Not only light but also shadows and darkness should
scribble on its walls. These are the lines with which the homeowners
described the house in their mind to the architect. They never said they
needed so many rooms. They shared their memories, lifestyle and hopes
and only said they needed a house that matched them.
The heat and sweat of life
The house is full of lively sights like a long veranda that touches nature, a courtyard where the sun and the rain fall, walls on which shadows come to life, and imaginative corridors. Each space spells out the difference between a home and a building. A special feature of this house, which has been named Indeevaram, is that it converses not only with its residents but also with its surroundings actively. The house is near the famous Paliam Palace in Chendamangalam, North Paravur.
Verandas on both sides, pillars of wood, stepped roof paved with tiles... the Kerala style’s greatness can be seen in the house at first sight. However, it is in the inner spaces that the architect has hidden the wonders. The inner spaces have been designed smartly by merging many specialities of contemporary style such as open spaces and an interior that needs less maintenance.
Indeevaram. Photo: Veedu/Manorama
Lustre of minimalism
There is no decoration in this house for embellishment. Still, the sights of the interior are sumptuous. Every inch of the house is well thought out, and its beauty is in its perfection. Architects Rajasekharan and Kanchan Garg remember that it was a challenge to create a minimalist interior for a house built in Kerala style. “India is not the place for minimalism. Go for maximum... that’s our style. Art, music... everything proves that. For us, attaining perfection is minimalism.”
The architects came to a decision to reinterpret minimalist style in an Indian context by precisely reading the mind of the homeowners who love Kathakali and classical music and who are sympathetic to modern ideas. The residents of Indeevaram are K.B. Unnikrishnan, a development officer in the LIC, Revathy and their daughter Krishnapriya.
Indeevaram. Photo: Veedu/Manorama
There’s privacy, but not loneliness
There is no need to look for other examples of the architects’ ability to design, because the house’s open design itself is proof of that. Only three bedrooms in this house can be considered as rooms. Everything else is only space. There is a lot of privacy, but that will not feel like loneliness.
The veranda at the front leads to a corridor. In front of that, there is a drawing room. Next to it is a courtyard. If you look at the inner courtyard, where creepers climb up, you will never think that you are stuck inside the four walls of the house. Another interesting thing is that it was the space between the house and the surrounding wall that was converted into the courtyard. Its security has been ensured by fixing steel grills from the top of the outer wall to the wall of the house.
From the drawing room, the corridor stretches to the left and the right. On the right side are the dining room, the kitchen and the master bedroom, and on the left side are the prayer room and the guest room. There is a door to go to the guest room from the veranda on the left side of the house. Since the house is near the Paliam Palace, this arrangement has been made to make it possible to offer home stay in the future. Very close to the house is a car porch, from where there is a walkway to the veranda.
Indeevaram. Photo: Veedu/Manorama
In addition to the one in the drawing room, there is a
courtyard in the dining space, which makes that place more active. The
staircase is next to the dining space. Its steps do not have railings,
making them the perfect place for the residents to sit and chat, read
books and watch TV. On the upper floor are a family living space, a
bedroom and a library.
Loving the land
Most of the construction materials used here are close to nature. Instead of laying pavement tiles in the front courtyard, planks of wood were arranged to make a walkway. The veranda was paved with light green Kota stone. The steps were laid with Lapotra Finish granite and wooden pillars were added. The simplicity of the veranda gives a hint about the house.
Indeevaram. Photo: Veedu/Manorama
Except the kitchen, all rooms are paved with floor tiles. Only
the roofs of the bedrooms and the dining room have been concreted. All
other places were covered with truss roof and tiles. The roof was made
by fixing batten after three-inch gaps at the top and at the bottom of
steel rafters and then paving them with roof tiles on top and ceiling
tiles at the bottom. The sides were closed with perforated sheets. The
empty space between the two layers of the roof helps to considerably
reduce heat in the house. Fans have not been fixed in most places,
including the drawing room. In the words of its owners, the 3,500-square
foot place under this roof is the most pleasant place in the world.
The heat and sweat of life
The house is full of lively sights like a long veranda that touches nature, a courtyard where the sun and the rain fall, walls on which shadows come to life, and imaginative corridors. Each space spells out the difference between a home and a building. A special feature of this house, which has been named Indeevaram, is that it converses not only with its residents but also with its surroundings actively. The house is near the famous Paliam Palace in Chendamangalam, North Paravur.
Verandas on both sides, pillars of wood, stepped roof paved with tiles... the Kerala style’s greatness can be seen in the house at first sight. However, it is in the inner spaces that the architect has hidden the wonders. The inner spaces have been designed smartly by merging many specialities of contemporary style such as open spaces and an interior that needs less maintenance.
There is no decoration in this house for embellishment. Still, the sights of the interior are sumptuous. Every inch of the house is well thought out, and its beauty is in its perfection. Architects Rajasekharan and Kanchan Garg remember that it was a challenge to create a minimalist interior for a house built in Kerala style. “India is not the place for minimalism. Go for maximum... that’s our style. Art, music... everything proves that. For us, attaining perfection is minimalism.”
The architects came to a decision to reinterpret minimalist style in an Indian context by precisely reading the mind of the homeowners who love Kathakali and classical music and who are sympathetic to modern ideas. The residents of Indeevaram are K.B. Unnikrishnan, a development officer in the LIC, Revathy and their daughter Krishnapriya.
There is no need to look for other examples of the architects’ ability to design, because the house’s open design itself is proof of that. Only three bedrooms in this house can be considered as rooms. Everything else is only space. There is a lot of privacy, but that will not feel like loneliness.
The veranda at the front leads to a corridor. In front of that, there is a drawing room. Next to it is a courtyard. If you look at the inner courtyard, where creepers climb up, you will never think that you are stuck inside the four walls of the house. Another interesting thing is that it was the space between the house and the surrounding wall that was converted into the courtyard. Its security has been ensured by fixing steel grills from the top of the outer wall to the wall of the house.
From the drawing room, the corridor stretches to the left and the right. On the right side are the dining room, the kitchen and the master bedroom, and on the left side are the prayer room and the guest room. There is a door to go to the guest room from the veranda on the left side of the house. Since the house is near the Paliam Palace, this arrangement has been made to make it possible to offer home stay in the future. Very close to the house is a car porch, from where there is a walkway to the veranda.
Loving the land
Most of the construction materials used here are close to nature. Instead of laying pavement tiles in the front courtyard, planks of wood were arranged to make a walkway. The veranda was paved with light green Kota stone. The steps were laid with Lapotra Finish granite and wooden pillars were added. The simplicity of the veranda gives a hint about the house.
Simple design for natural beauty
There is nothing flashy in the design.
There are no twists and turns to show off. There is only the simplicity
of straight lines. Then there is the colour combination of white and
grey with the shades of teak that gives a cool feeling at first sight.
It’s because of many such reasons that Nihad’s house in Panayikulam in
Aluva stays in the mind of those who see it.
Nihad's House. Photo: Veedu/Manorama
Easy design
The interior of the house has been done by giving box frames and projections and by raising and lowering the height wherever necessary. The exterior view of the house is a reflection of this, ie nothing special has been done for elevation. For example, a projection inside the house became a water tank outside. The TV console in the living room became a projection in elevation. It is the difference in height, which evolved naturally through things like wardrobes in the bedroom and openings in the veranda, which adds quality to the looks of the house.
Nihad's House. Photo: Veedu/Manorama
There is an open space between the car porch and the veranda
where bamboos have been planted. The open space helps to link these two
areas and give a spacious look. There is inbuilt seating on the veranda
below which there is a shoe rack.
Nihad's House. Photo: Veedu/Manorama
The living room has a high ceiling. This helped to reduce
temperature and to see the living room on the upper floor. The living
room leads to the dining area and a courtyard. This courtyard with a
flowering frangipani is the attraction of the house. The staircase too
lands in this area. Mirrors have been fixed on the walls behind the
courtyard and the staircase to give a magnified look to the area.
Nihad's House. Photo: Veedu/Manorama
The ground floor has two bedrooms and a kitchen. Everywhere
there is only minimal furniture. The living-cum-study room on the upper
floor acts as a bridge to the bedrooms there. There is also a small
balcony where only one person can stand. The open space adjacent to the
car porch can be seen from this balcony. It’s a trick to connect the
house through different views.
A blend of colours
Nihad's House. Photo: Veedu/Manorama
White, grey and teak are the combination everywhere. Usually,
grey colour is not used with teak. There is also a general complaint
that grey does not exude warmth. But architects Lijo and Reni have come
forward to experiment with it. What inspired them is the minimalist
nature of grey colour. The colour of teak placed at intervals gives a
warm look to the house.
Nihad's House. Photo: Veedu/Manorama
The door here changes all preconceived notions about front
doors made of teak. Usually, people try to display the majesty of teak.
However, when white auto-coat paint was applied on some parts of the
door, its look changed completely. The combination of these three
colours is applied everywhere like furniture, fabric and wardrobe.
Nihad's House. Photo: Veedu/Manorama
Different colours have been experimented only on the soft
furnishings in bedrooms. Since it was a villa project that was built as
per the demand of a builder, the architects had no idea who was going to
live in the house. Dark colours were given to soft furnishings in
bedrooms considering people who like even those shades. If they do not
like those colours, they could have their preferred colour by changing
just soft furnishings.
Nihad's House. Photo: Veedu/Manorama
Giving a magnified look to the interior and effectively
dispersing light are elements of contemporary architecture. A lot of
attention has been paid here to that. The design has evolved
effortlessly like a flower. The perceptible peace inside also has the
beauty of a flower.
The interior of the house has been done by giving box frames and projections and by raising and lowering the height wherever necessary. The exterior view of the house is a reflection of this, ie nothing special has been done for elevation. For example, a projection inside the house became a water tank outside. The TV console in the living room became a projection in elevation. It is the difference in height, which evolved naturally through things like wardrobes in the bedroom and openings in the veranda, which adds quality to the looks of the house.
A blend of colours
Don’t demolish that old house just yet!
We can renovate a house the old way and
leave an invisible thread of heritage to connect to the new generation.
At a time, when it is believed that old houses are meant to be
demolished, Sankaramangalam, an ancestral home in Eraviperoor, near
Thiruvalla, is showing that there is no wealth greater than pure
tradition. Here, what the new generation has done is not just renovate
the ancestral home that is 309 years old, but also reclaim the tradition
and memories by adding those parts that were lost in between just like
they were.
Sankaramangalam. Photo: Veedu/Manorama
The house was built by Kunjumman Tharakan in 1704. The house
had three sections and it faced north. At that time, it had seven rooms.
But, in the course of time, one section of the house was lost. The new
generation has seen the house with only a southern section and a western
section. However, the image of the ancestral home was there in the
minds of the senior members of the family.
It cannot be lost
Sankaramangalam. Photo: Veedu/Manorama
Today, the family members are part of the 12th generation of
Kunjumman Tharakan. The family that inherited the ancestral home moved
to the United States 10 years ago. After that, the house had remained
closed. The demand to protect the ancestral home was made by the new
generation, which realised that the house with wooden floors, walls and
roof will be destroyed by termites if it remained closed.
An idea to renovate and protect the house arose after George Kuruvila, who was staying near the house, took the responsibility to look after it. With all members of the family at home and abroad announcing their full support for this, a way was cleared for the house to regain its youth.
Sankaramangalam. Photo: Veedu/Manorama
The first step was to find out how the old house used to look.
All the information that could be sourced from the elders and the
history of family meetings was collected. As per the available
information, it became clear that it was the eastern section of the old
house which was lost.
Basement at the same place
Sankaramangalam. Photo: Veedu/Manorama
The family approached Kanippayyur Krishnan Namboodiripad to
draw a plan to add the eastern section. He came to see the house and
measured the existing rooms. After that he drew the design and the plan
of the eastern section. When they dug for basement at the place that was
marked by Kanippayyur, after only one foot they found the remains of
the old basement. Kanippayyur had given them a plan that did not deviate
even a bit from the size and shape of the previous eastern section.
Sankaramangalam. Photo: Veedu/Manorama
A kitchen and a dining room were included in the newly added
eastern section. In the model of old ancestral homes and residences of
Brahmins, there was a well near the wall of this house's kitchen too.
The old house's floor, walls and roof were made of rosewood, iron wood
of Malabar and iron wood of Burma. The same type of wood was used for
the construction of the eastern section. They had to struggle a lot to
find wood that was about 300 years old. Like that they collected old
tiles for the roof also.
The verandas and steps of the southern and western sections were made of laterite stone. Many parts of the verandas were in a worn out state after bearing the footsteps of more than 10 generations. In all these places, laterite stones were replaced with granite slabs.
Sankaramangalam. Photo: Veedu/Manorama
The old house had floors paved with wood and tiles. Since floor
tiles in two rooms were damaged, they were replaced with wood. For this
also, old wood was used. The older generation remembers that the rooms
paved with tiles once had floors plastered with cow dung. The walls of
the house that had storage rooms and cellars were made of wood, and they
were protected. They did not bother to change the short doors and
windows. The doors are only four and a half feet high, and people have
to bend their heads to enter and exit the house. The new generation here
would like to see this not as a difficulty, but as a respect for
tradition.
Sankaramangalam. Photo: Veedu/Manorama
As part of the renovation, all furniture made of teak and
rosewood was repaired and polished. Even the newly added rooms have only
old furniture. George Kuruvila arranged them from old furniture markets
in places like Madurai, Karaikudi and Pondicherry. Old lights and
curios too have reached Eraviperoor from these places. Family members
like Dr Titus Sankaramangalam, Thomas Oommen and Prakash Thomas Mathew
were active in supervising the construction.
Sankaramangalam. Photo: Veedu/Manorama
A new gatehouse
They rebuilt the gatehouse that was lost some time ago and brought laterite stones from Kasaragod for the purpose. They renovated the protective wall of the centuries-old well also using laterite stones. Near the well there is a big bucket that is carved from a single piece of stone. This stone bucket was given to a head of the Sankaramangalam family as dowry. The elders of that house recollected this stone bucket when they saw the news and photographs of the renovation of the ancestral home and its dedication in the newspaper.
Sankaramangalam. Photo: Veedu/Manorama
The function dedicating the ancestral home was held on May 25.
In the decorated front courtyard of the house, Pooyam Thirunal Gauri
Parvathibai dedicated it by lighting an oil lamp. Anyone can come here
to know about the artistry of yore. Its gatehouse is never closed.
It cannot be lost
An idea to renovate and protect the house arose after George Kuruvila, who was staying near the house, took the responsibility to look after it. With all members of the family at home and abroad announcing their full support for this, a way was cleared for the house to regain its youth.
Basement at the same place
The verandas and steps of the southern and western sections were made of laterite stone. Many parts of the verandas were in a worn out state after bearing the footsteps of more than 10 generations. In all these places, laterite stones were replaced with granite slabs.
They rebuilt the gatehouse that was lost some time ago and brought laterite stones from Kasaragod for the purpose. They renovated the protective wall of the centuries-old well also using laterite stones. Near the well there is a big bucket that is carved from a single piece of stone. This stone bucket was given to a head of the Sankaramangalam family as dowry. The elders of that house recollected this stone bucket when they saw the news and photographs of the renovation of the ancestral home and its dedication in the newspaper.
A smart house in eight cents
A demand of the owners when they wanted
to build the home was that it should have a modern design,
incorporating essential facilities. They were also particular that the
walls of the home be painted in white. Thus was born the design that
used a combination of white and brown colours.
Essentials Specs:
Sq.Ft.: 2,700 Place: Court Junction, Mavelikkara House name: Puthepurakkal House
Plot:
The house has been built on a square, 8.5-cent plot lying adjacent to the road. Even though the plot was at the same level as the road, a structural engineer was consulted to advise on the strength of the soil. Sand piling was carried out to strengthen the base before the house was constructed. 32 pillars were used to strengthen the base and when the basement was completed, the owners had already spent close to Rs 6 lakhs.
Sit-out:
The sit-out of the house is located on the right hand side of the car porch and is not an expansive one; it serves the purpose.
Living Room:
Puthepurakkal House. Photo: Veedu/Manorama
Adjacent to the sit-out is the living room and one can enter
the living room from the sit-out. What stands out is the colour
combination that has been used to build the living room. While the floor
is made of off-white vitrified tiles, the windows, doors and furniture
all have been painted brown or are predominantly brown.
Family Living:
From the living room, one can enter the dining space and the family living space. Contemporary furniture styles have been used to adorn the space. The construction was also planned to ensure that costs were kept to the minimum. Walls were plastered with gypsum, the advantage being that plastering did not require the use of costly sand. Exterior walls were plastered using M-sand and manufactured sand. Wood of comparatively low cost was used for the woodwork.
The family living space and the kids area were elegantly adorned with pebbles and indoor plants. The kitchen and work area are located on the right hand side of the family living space.
Staircase:
Puthepurakkal House. Photo: Veedu/Manorama
The staircase is located in the middle of the foyer and the
kitchen. Stainless steel has been used for the railings and the roof was
made of glass bricks, which brings in a lot of light into the house.
Bedrooms:
Puthepurakkal House. Photo: Veedu/Manorama
The house has one bedroom at the base and two bedrooms on the
top floor. The three bedrooms have attached bathrooms and the top rooms
have been set such that they lie on either side of the balcony. They do
not have windows in the front in order to prevent direct sunlight from
entering the rooms.
The materials that were used in the house are:
Structure: Bricks Flooring: Vitrified tiles. Doors and windows: Jack and similar wood. Kitchen cabinet: Marine plywood Counter top: Granite Wardrobe: Engineered wood.
What the owners (Uday Kumar and family) have to say:
Many people say that using M-sand would later lead to cracks on walls. However, in our experience, wetting the plastered walls for at least 10 days after plastering will prevent cracks.
Essentials Specs:
Sq.Ft.: 2,700 Place: Court Junction, Mavelikkara House name: Puthepurakkal House
Plot:
The house has been built on a square, 8.5-cent plot lying adjacent to the road. Even though the plot was at the same level as the road, a structural engineer was consulted to advise on the strength of the soil. Sand piling was carried out to strengthen the base before the house was constructed. 32 pillars were used to strengthen the base and when the basement was completed, the owners had already spent close to Rs 6 lakhs.
Sit-out:
The sit-out of the house is located on the right hand side of the car porch and is not an expansive one; it serves the purpose.
Living Room:
Family Living:
From the living room, one can enter the dining space and the family living space. Contemporary furniture styles have been used to adorn the space. The construction was also planned to ensure that costs were kept to the minimum. Walls were plastered with gypsum, the advantage being that plastering did not require the use of costly sand. Exterior walls were plastered using M-sand and manufactured sand. Wood of comparatively low cost was used for the woodwork.
The family living space and the kids area were elegantly adorned with pebbles and indoor plants. The kitchen and work area are located on the right hand side of the family living space.
Staircase:
Bedrooms:
The materials that were used in the house are:
Structure: Bricks Flooring: Vitrified tiles. Doors and windows: Jack and similar wood. Kitchen cabinet: Marine plywood Counter top: Granite Wardrobe: Engineered wood.
What the owners (Uday Kumar and family) have to say:
Many people say that using M-sand would later lead to cracks on walls. However, in our experience, wetting the plastered walls for at least 10 days after plastering will prevent cracks.
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