Interior design

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

history
Thatchu Shasthra, or the Science of Carpentry and Traditional Vasthu, was the governing science in this architectural form. This branch of knowledge was well developed in the traditional architecture of Kerala and has created its own branch of literature known under the names of Tantrasamuchaya, Vastuvidya, ManushyalayaChandrika, and Silparatna.

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

history
Perumthachan also spelled as "Perunthachan" meaning (the master carpenter or the master craftsman) is an honorific title that is used to refer to an ancient legendary carpenter(Asari), architect, woodcarver and sculptor from Kerala, India. However Perumthachan is an important figure in the folklore of Kerala and many a wondrous structure and architecture that still stand are attributed to him.

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

Padippura
-structure containing a door forming part of Compound wall -tiled roof on top -formal entry to the compound with the house - At present the door is not there as car will have to enter the house through the entry

-traditional type lamp below the roof

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

Poomukham
Entrance of the house - climbing up steps in the front slope tiled roof with pillars supporting roof. Sides are open

In the earlier days, the Head of the family called Karanavar used to sit here in a reclining chair
This chair will have long rails on either side where the Karanavar will keep his legs raised for comfortable rest

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

Chuttu verandah
From the Poomukham you can walk through Chuttu verandah to either side in front of the house through open passage called Chuttu Verandah. Chuttu verandah will have hanging lights in equal distance hanging from its slope roof

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

Charupady
By the side of Chuttu verandah and Poomukham, woodden benches with carved decorative resting woodden pieces for resting the back are provided. the family members or visitors used to sit on these Charupady to talk

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

Ambal Kulam (Pond)

At the end of Chuttu verandah -a small pond built with rubble on sides

water living tree called Thamara or Ambal used to be planted which will have beautiful flowers

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

Nadumuttom
Nadumuttom or central open court yard The enclosed courtyard or 'ankanam' is usually sunk and therefore called 'Kuzhi (pit) Ankanam'. The protruding roofs of the 'salas' formed shady verandas and protected the rooms from direct sunlight, keeping them cool even on the hottest of days.

The inner verandah around the 'ankanam' is open

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

Chitra thoonukal
Pillars in wood or rubble with carvings or decorative works used to add elegance to the Hall portion Pictures are carved into such pillars of Rubble

In the case of wood pillars generally it is plain round pillars with polished surface

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

Mural paintings
paintings used to adorn old Kerala building walls. Generally these paintings depict stories from epics of India. Present houses have these paintings as decorative piece of art and not used extensively covering all walls as in old houses

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

Pooja room
preferably be in the North East corner of the house.

Idols placed facing East and the person praying faces west
woodden paneling is done on Pooja room walls a standard design for Pooja room

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

Aattu Kattil
-a swinging piece of wood, wide and long enough for two or three persons to sit. -Four corners of this wooden piece will be firmly fixed with thick coir to the roof. -in large living rooms

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

Kindy
-a brass utensil filled with water -kept at the steps of Poomukham for cleaning feet of those who enter the house - one side opening just like a tap so that a person can easily use it to clean his feet before entering the house In present day houses, probably you can see this as an antique item displayed

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

Flooring
clay tiles used for floor of the Kerala House Wooden flooring different type of wood in small to slightly big pieces arranged neatly to give good appearance with good polishing which last longer is available for flooring.

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

Interior wood work with carvings

interior wood work done with wood carvings by skilled artisans. In the earlier days house was built with wood, brick and clay tiles.

Content of wood was very high as the cost was not high.
Arappura, Pathayam, Machu (sealing between tiled roof and Room space) were all done by wood and mostly teak wood.

Verandahs and living halls were having round pillars in woodof rosewood or teak with decorative carvings on top and bottom

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

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TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE