Excerpt: The Abode of Arch, a contemporary residence by Tales of Design studio, reinterprets Fort Kochi’s colonial architectural heritage through a modern lens. Centered around intersecting vaulted forms and a recurring arch motif, the design blends tradition with minimalism, using light, volume, and material to create a sculptural yet functional home rooted in its historic context.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] Fort Kochi, a historic enclave in Kerala, is a vibrant tapestry of cultures and architectural influences, shaped by centuries of colonial presence. Its narrow streets and meandering alleyways are dotted with colonial buildings, art cafes, antique shops, and spice traders, creating a unique socio-cultural setup. Nestled within this dynamic backdrop is the Abode of Arch, a house that thoughtfully blends the region’s rich architectural heritage with contemporary design sensibilities.
Situated on a compact 1260 sqft plot with an undulating profile, the Abode of Arch is located in a cluttered residential neighbourhood in Fort Kochi. Bordered by housing developments on three sides and accessed via a southwestern road, the site posed several challenges. Clients envisioned a functional three-bedroom home that captured the essence of Fort Kochi while ensuring privacy and comfort. Their specific request for a predominantly white structure guided the design approach.
The house’s primary form emerges from the intersection of two perpendicular vaulted volumes, establishing strong anchor points and lending the structure a sculptural quality. Colonial arches, vaulted roofs, and grain-rich teak joinery dominate the design language, echoing Fort Kochi’s architectural history.
The recurring theme of semicircular arches influences every design element—from joinery and roofs to flooring patterns, lighting, and furniture. This unifying motif inspired the house’s name, Abode of Arch.
The house’s spatial planning integrates functionality and aesthetics seamlessly. The use of skylights and strategically placed windows allows ample natural light to penetrate the interior spaces, improving air quality and brightening the home in its dense residential setting.
The structure’s off-white exterior is softened by landscaped features, including a lush front garden, a koi pond, and a concrete bench with a custom-designed reading lamp. The entrance portico showcases a textured ground cover created from circular concrete slabs, Bangalore stones, and cobblestones, adding a tactile charm.
While the house maintains a predominantly white theme, thoughtful accents in shades of peach, purple, and grey provide contrast and visual interest in select areas. The interiors incorporate geometric patterns in flooring, achieved using a mix of Sadarali granite, leather-finished Laporte, terrazzo, and vitrified tiles. Leftover granite is repurposed for countertops and tabletop inlays, reducing material waste and enhancing sustainability.
The furniture and joinery use solid teak wood, including a French balconette and a front door inspired by colonial warehouse designs, further rooting the house in its context.
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