The Mala House / Thomas Parambil Architects

“Nostalgia” embodies that innate human need to stay connected to nature. The setting is commensurate with this desire: it sits ensconced within the tropical lushness of a rural area in Kerala’s Thrissur district, drawing its energy from the green milieu and the crisp, unpolluted air. The site on which a road on the south binds the 2700-square-foot home stands. From here, the land gradually slopes towards the north. Mala takes advantage of this gradient, sitting gently on the incline such that only the roof and some part of the fenestration are visible from the road. This reduces the visual scale of the built-form, helping it meld with the rustic surroundings.