STO.M.P (Studio for Modernism & Practical Aesthetics), the architectural firm driven by a strong design narrative and meticulous approach seemed to be perfect for the job—so perfect in fact that the design has won multiple awards including two national awards. Traditional wooden pillars and a cement 'thinnai' … The Chettinad homes were planned around extensive courtyards (at least two) and deeply-shaded verandahs that opened into the rooms and other functional spaces. See more ideas about chettinad house, house design, indian homes. Click on image to read the full feature on Karthik’s Chettinad … The owner of the home wanted a traditional Chettinad home but with modern amenities. This idea translated into using locally-sourced materials and sustainable methods. In the heart of Tamil Nadu, a southern state of India, there exists a semi-arid area of about 1,550 sq Km that is known as the Chettinad region. The fundamental elements entailed accommodating an open plan and a hierarchy of spaces connected through corridors and projected eaves to house indoor-outdoor spaces.” The fundamental elements entailed accommodating an open plan and a hierarchy of spaces connected through corridors and projected eaves to house indoor-outdoor spaces.”. These areas established an excellent inside-outside connect that brought in ample natural light, allowed cross-ventilation and kept the rooms cool against the summer heat. WHATSAPP NO. Vignesh Sekar, Principal Architect, STO.M.P, says, “The clients wished for a modern home steeped in the cultural essence of the glorious Chettinad past. The skylights endow a fleeting and shifting quality to the interiors through time,” describes Sekar. A beautiful turtle pond adds a refreshing element to the front garden. “The intent was perhaps never to mirror heritage or revel in the nostalgia of the past. Adding a beautiful contrast is the addition of the Athangudi tiles. Feb 22, 2016 - A small 'chettinad' type of courtyard on the first floor of the Dr. Ramamuthi house in Chennai. “Two major light-wells, façade jalis and skylights engage the interiors in a constant cavort of light and shadow. For instance, a contemporary house plan might feature a woodsy Craftsman exterior, a modern open layout, and rich outdoor living space. They brought back Burmese teak and European tiles for their mansions, and were inspired by colonial and palace architecture. A clever use of a façade made of terracotta jalis keeps the heat at bay while enabling cross ventilation. A circular perforated entry gate, typical of the Chettinad style leads to the house through the lobby area. The Nattukottai Chettiar traders followed the expansion of the British Empire into Southeast Asia for their business. THE BANGALA, RESERVATIONS, CHENNAI : +91-44-24934543 / 9361175301. Modern house plans proudly present modern architecture, as has already been described. It is currently occupied by about 110,000 Chettiars spread out over two towns and 73 villages. They also incorporated the wealth of wood sculpting and craftsmanship from local craftsmen in their homes. : +91-94431 83021. Steeped in sustainability, the marble plaster on the walls and floors are a mix of natural wood and Jaisalmer, Kota marble and Athangudi tiles. Interestingly, if you were to compare this modern home, side-by-side with a typical Chettiar home, you’d probably find little resemblance—“Not in aesthetics or even the grandeur that the mansions encompassed,” explains Sekar. These Chettiars belong to a … Using this enabled free flow of air and also added a beautiful, aesthetic touch. For instance, the terracotta pots used in filler slabs were made from the soil dug from the construction site. While the idea was also to infuse the Chettinad aesthetic into the home, the primary intent was to procure materials within a 50 km radius of the site. Vignesh Sekar, Principal Architect, STO.M.P, says, “The clients wished for a modern home steeped in the cultural essence of the glorious Chettinad past. They later expanded vertically into two-storeyed structures, and horizontally through the addition of numerous halls and courtyards that could accommodate guests at marriages and other ceremonies. The basic floor plan of a Chettinad house consists of an outside verandah (thinnai) for guests, with a room for conducting business on one or both ends; an interior courtyard to be used in ceremonies, with a raised seating area at one or both ends; a series of small double rooms opening off the main courtyard, for storage, prayer and sleeping and a small courtyard behind for cooking and for the women to socialize. (Usually closed on weekends and public holidays.) The basic floor plan of a Chettinad house consists of an outside verandah (thinnai) for guests, with a room for conducting business on one or both ends; an interior courtyard to be used in ceremonies, with a raised seating area at one or both ends; a series of small double rooms opening off the main courtyard, for storage, prayer and sleeping and a small courtyard behind for cooking and for the women to socialize. The foyer leads to the open plan that consists of the living, dining and kitchen areas. Its gradual deterioration left in its wake a rich cultural legacy—including a rich cuisine, beautiful textiles and a distinctive architectural style. “The basic idea of integrating the kitchen to the living area is to break the hierarchical barrier one may witness in traditional Chettinad architectural planning—wherein the dining and kitchen is located in the farthest part of the house just to keep the women away from the common area,” explains Sekar. Chettinad architecture stands out for its use of large spaces in halls and courtyards, ornate embellishments like Belgian glasswork, intricate woodwork, spectacular ceramic tiles, stone, iron and wooden pillars, together creating an indigenous amalgam of traditional Indian architecture and various European styles. But, the Chettinad architecture lay the seed of an idea and we trailed our journey from thereon,” he further adds. A closer look, however, will reveal that while it may look modern, it truly has a traditional soul. This home in Thiruppathur, Tamil Nadu may appear as a sleek and modern country home. Many Online Booking sites say "SOLD OUT" for The Bangala and direct you to another hotel. One of the highlights of this lobby area is the leaf imprints done out of handpicked leaves from the site. This villa in Tamil Nadu will transport you to the countryside of England, GQ India | VOGUE India | Condé Nast Traveller India, This home was built using local materials to make it climate-responsive, All rights reserved @ Architectural Digest India 2020. Sep 2, 2016 - Explore Prismma — Interior Design Maga's board "Chettinad House Design", followed by 13533 people on Pinterest. THE BANGALA, KARAIKUDI : +91-4565 - 220 221/ 250221. Contemporary house plans, on the other hand, typically present a mixture of architecture that's popular today. The Chettinad houses were usually tile-roofed with a small two-storeyed tower at both ends of the front elevation. The iconic handmade, cement Athangudi tiles, named after the village of their origin are synonymous with Chettinad architecture. EMAIL: thebangala@gmail.com. It has an old world charm to it which I want to retain. A traditional Chettinad frontal deck (thinnai), carved out of available boulders on the site dominates the entrance. Chettinad was once a flourishing region with a thriving community of wealthy merchants who unfortunately couldn’t withstand the ravages of the Great Depression in the 1920s. The house is 1420 sq feet with 2 bedrooms, a kitchen, a dining area, living room and 4 balconies. The master bedroom is dominated by natural hues of the wood reclaimed from the site. If you really are interested in coming to The Bangala, please email us directly. Native frangipani and lemongrass trees are planted in the gardens. In keeping with the idea of sustainability, dead wood from the site was cut and used for the shuttering in the bedroom. Perhaps it was a need to hold on to this relic of the past that created a desire for a Chettiar home amongst its owners.