Kerala house design: Different types of traditional houses in Kerala

[ecis2016.org] Traditional Kerala-style houses have an appeal of their own. They are designed on the architectural principles of the Thatchu Shastra (the science of carpentry) and Vaastu Shastra. Here are some special features of the Kerala traditional houses.

Kerala house architecture

Traditional houses of Kerala are still relevant. People have preserved their homes and the concepts of vernacular architectural designs. The land surrounding the houses has ample growth of fruits, vegetables and coconut trees. Houses are constructed as per Vaastu Shastra, which suggests the east and north direction for the entry of a house. Besides aesthetics and comfort, the houses are planned to deal with climatic conditions. Kerala’s traditional houses are built to withstand heavy rain and heat. The traditional architecture of Kerala is known for its use of natural materials and comfortable, well-ventilated interiors. Granaries, cattle sheds, kitchens, dining halls, bathrooms, bedrooms, puja rooms, and a well or pond are part of a well-designed traditional house called nalukettu.

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Types of houses in Kerala: Nalukettu

The traditional architectural style of the houses in Kerala is called nalukettu. Nalu means four and kettu means blocks. A nalukettu refers to a rectangular structure where four blocks are linked by an open courtyard. Nalukettu is largely single-storeyed and made with wood. They can be two-storeyed or three-storeyed and have laterite-and-clay mixture walls. The blocks denote directions – vadakkini (northern block), padinjattini (western block), kizhakkini (eastern block) and thekkini (southern block). Kizhakkini is the puja room, thekkini is for keeping wealth and family rooms, padinjattini is for storage (grains in old days), and vadakkini is for the kitchen. The outer verandas along the four sides of the nalukettu are enclosed differently. The west and east verandas are kept open while the north and south verandas are enclosed or semi-enclosed. A traditional Kerala house can be nalukkettu (4-block structures), ettukkettu (8-block structure) or pathinarukkettu (16-block structure), depending on the size of the plot. This style of architecture is adopted by both traditional wealthy families, and modern well-to-do families. A nalukkettu that has belonged to a particular family for generations is known as tharavad (ancestral home).

Traditional houses in Kerala: Features

Traditional style houses in Kerala were usually constructed facing the east or north as per the principles of Vastu Shastra. Trees were also planted on each side of the house. Sloping roofs, porches, verandah and parapet-style seating were all features of the traditional Kerala house. The traditional Kerala house design ensured ample light and cross-ventilation.

Here we have listed the prominent features of the Kerala style house.

Traditional houses in Kerala: Materials used in construction

The traditional houses in Kerala are usually designed with clay, timber wood, palm leaves, and locally-sourced stone and wood, and are in harmony with nature. Laterite is the local building block that Keralites use for construction. Timber has also been an important construction material in Kerala. Usually, teak wood, mahogany, sandalwood, and the wood from the jackfruit tree is used for house constructions. Skilled craftsmen showcase their talent through accurate joinery and assembly, and ornate carving on wooden columns, walls and roofs, which are unique to Kerala architecture. Wood is also used for the gables and the roof that are thatched with coconut palm leaves or tiles, and supported by wooden columns and rafters. Traditional homes are known for large verandas. Clay is extensively used for walls, filling the timber floors, and making bricks and tiles.

Kerala house design: Distinct, sloping roofs

The most noticeable feature of the traditional houses in Kerala are the red and brown sloping roofs. As Kerala receives heavy monsoon, homes are designed with sloped roofs covered in terracotta tiles that help in water drainage and keep the interiors cool during humid weather. Gabled windows at the top of a nalukettu ensure cross-ventilation and allow entry of light into the attic.

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Kerala style house entrance

A padippura is a peculiar feature on top of a nalukettu gate that comprises an elaborate, temple-like gopuram. This arched entrance begins with the fencing of the house and has an impressively designed door with a tiled roof.

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Kerala house design: Courtyards in traditional houses in Kerala

Courtyards are an integral feature of every Kerala house with most family functions taking place in this part of the house. The courtyard is called the nadumuttom and is the prime centre of a Kerala house. It is usually square and is located in the exact centre of the house. As per Vaastu Shastra, it is a column-free space. The tiled roof slopes of the nadumuttom protect the veranda and inner spaces from heat and rain. In the nalukettu design, all the rooms are open into a common courtyard that aids natural ventilation adequate lighting for the house.

Traditional houses in Kerala had two verandahs – internal and external verandah. The external verandah helped to reduce direct exposure to sunlight. The internal verandah allows light to enter the house via a courtyard. Also, it was used for drying rice and as recreational and open space for children to play. A tulsi plant was placed in the centre of the courtyard of Kerala style house and was worshipped.

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Pillars in Kerala traditional house

The roof frame in traditional Kerala houses is structurally supported on the pillars on walls erected on a plinth raised from the ground for protection against dampness and insects in the Kerala monsoon. The pillars in the house instead of walls, were a common factor in Kerala’s old house interior design. The pillars were placed on the sitting area on the front porch of traditional Kerala houses. These traditional columns added aesthetic appeal too, as they often had delicate carving.

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Kerala style house design Charupadi (veranda seating)

Traditional houses in Kerala have charupadi, a built-in wooden seat in an extended porch or balcony, called the poomukhom, facing the entrance. This veranda allows one to relax and enjoy the views around the home, the breeze, and the rain. Traditionally, these were made for the family and visitors to sit and socialise.

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Kerala traditional house with Ambal kulam (pond)

Designs of traditional houses in Kerala ensured that homeowners never were away from nature. As per Vastu, water bodies balance the energies of the house. According to Kerala architecture, every traditional house has a pond situated at the end of the chuttu veranda, an open passage. Traditionally, this pond was built with rubble and was used for bathing. The pond also helped the family to unwind and relax in the evening. Today, these ponds add to the beauty of the house with lotus and lilies.

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Types of houses in Kerala: Kerala house interior designs

Traditional houses in Kerala are known for their sturdy wooden furniture and intricate wooden carvings. Even today, traditional handicrafts of Kerala like wooden seating with fewer cushions, oversized chairs, four-poster beds, and recliners made of wood in the dark polish, are popular all over the world. Homes may also have teak or rosewood swings – oonjal – in the veranda or the centre of the living room. The walls are decorated with ethnic art and antiques made from teak, sandalwood and mahogany. Decorative brass items like nettur petti (traditional jewellery box), earthen pots, and dark-toned metal items adorn traditional houses.

In traditional Kerala houses, metal objects were largely seen in home decor. Bell metal crafts products are known for their centuries-old craftsmanship and heritage. This metal is a mix of tin and copper. Decor items, religious artefacts and sculptures are made even today with this age-old crafting technique. Traditional metalwork of Kerala like hanging bells, brass lamps (nilavilakku), and idols of Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi, Nandi bull, and elephant also decorate the interiors. Ornamental brass locks called manichitrathazhu adorn the double-door entrance. Kerala’s mural art made with natural pigments is a significant feature in Kerala homes and portrays stories from Indian mythology. Even traditional coir crafts of Kerala were a part of home décor – doormats, floor mats, wall panelling, mattresses, baskets, etc., were all made of coir.

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Wooden furniture in traditional houses of Kerala

In the traditional homes of Kerala, wooden furniture was widely used. Kerala is well known for its elaborately designed wooden furniture, which showcases its rich cultural heritage. The uniqueness of Kerala’s wooden furniture lies in its intricate craftsmanship. Kerala woods, such as teakwood and rosewood, are known for their strength, durability, comfort and aesthetics. The wood carving process was handmade and carried out with the use of traditional carpenters’ tools. The durable furniture made in Kerala is usually passed on to the next generations. Skilfully crafted doors, with symbols of deities, Rocking chairs, diwan, carved cabinet sofas and floor rested wooden temples, are even now in demand, in modern homes.

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Types of houses in Kerala: Modern houses inspired by traditional Kerala house design

Modern houses in Kerala have incorporated many features of the traditional Kerala homes, especially open architecture and spacious floor plans, and nalukettu style of architecture like the sloping roof, a small veranda supported by tall pillars, and a mini courtyard in the middle. Besides homes, the traditional house design has also inspired hotels, restaurants and spas. The contemporary house designs modify certain features as per the modern lifestyle. Traditional elements such as wooden furniture, pillars and courtyards are part of modern houses in an evolved structural design.

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Advantages of traditional houses of Kerala

There are many advantages of traditional Kerala architecture. Natural and local materials are used that improve durability and encourage a higher level of detail and craftsmanship. These are also more cost-effective. Local materials such as laterite stone, wood, clay, bamboo, and granite are some of the locally available materials that are easily accessible and sustainable. Traditional Kerala houses use granite slabs below the ground to avoid dampness. Thatch and clay tiles on the sloped roofs help keep the house dry. Traditional houses of Kerala are energy efficient and are built in harmony with their natural surroundings. For maximum natural light and air passage, courtyards, walls and internal partitions are designed to induce continuous air movement and cross-ventilation.

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