Back to the Past

Ar. Vinod Kumar MM & his studio dd Architects have given life to the 200year-old Paravoor Residence in Kerala belonging to retired naval captain Rajeev and his partner Anupama Rajeev.

- Ar. Vinod Kumar

Some homes are paradise on earth. One such paradise is Paravoor Residence in Kerala, owned by retired naval captain Rajeev and his partner Anupama Rajeev. Ar. Vinod Kumar MM & his studio dd Architects built it for the lovely couple. It has the old-world charm intact and takes you into the glorious past.

The owners had spent quite some time living in different cantonments and shifted multiple homes all over India. They wanted to live a more peaceful life in the calmness away from the city. Thus, they restored the 200-year-old bungalow situated in Paravoor.

"They had to breathe life back into the property, as the house felt like a true sanctuary surrounded by nature, notably the river Periyar which runs next to the site. To accommodate a family of three generations, a new block, sharing a wall with the old structure had to be integrated and availed with new facilities. However, the additional block is designed to meld with the original structure. It lends to a harmonious look to the exterior, "mentions Ar. Vinod.

The built volumes get seen in the floor levels upon entering. They have spatial harmony creating a cosy atmosphere. Ar. Vinod reveals, "The first floor, presumed to be an office space in the past, is now transformed into the master bedroom, with the attic being restored as a resting area. The new block accommodates other practical needs.