(“Text as submitted by architect”)
Ar. V Y Yedukrishnan
Ar. V. Y. Yedukrishnan is the Founder and Principal Architect of Tropical Narratives, an architecture practice focused on contextually and climatically responsive design. An Architect and Urban Designer, his approach is rooted in the belief that every project evolves from its context and is shaped by the needs of its users. Spatial experience, comfort, environmental responsiveness and meaningful interaction form the core of his design philosophy.
Yedukrishnan graduated from TKM College of Engineering, Kollam, in 2015 and completed his Master’s in Urban Design from the College of Engineering Trivandrum in 2017. Since 2015, he has been involved in the design of diverse climate- and context-responsive projects. He was also part of the team that prepared the Urban Design Structure Plan for Kollam as part of the first IUDI National Conference in 2019. His Urban Design thesis was selected among the Top 10 theses at the Council of Architecture’s National Awards for Excellence in Post-Graduate Thesis in Architecture, 2017.
Ar. Amrutha N
Ar. Amrutha N is the Co-founder and Partner of Tropical Narratives, an architectural practice based in Adoor, Kerala. Her design interests encompass residential architecture, interior design, housing and master planning, with a focus on creating functional, comfortable and context-responsive environments.
She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from TKM College of Engineering, Kollam, in 2015, followed by a Master’s degree in Planning from the College of Engineering, Trivandrum, in 2017. She has been engaged in professional practice since 2017 and also contributes to architectural education as an academician at the TKM School of Architecture, Kollam.
At Tropical Narratives, Amrutha is involved in the conceptualisation and development of residential, interior and planning projects. Her approach is centred on understanding the needs of users and translating them into thoughtful spatial experiences, while responding sensitively to the context, climate and character of each site. Through her work, she seeks to create spaces that balance functionality, comfort and meaningful everyday experiences.
Practice Ideology
At Tropical Narratives, we see architecture as a continuous dialogue between people, place, climate and time. Our practice begins with understanding the context of a project—the character of its site, the climate, cultural influences, patterns of living and, most importantly, the aspirations of its users. We believe that architecture becomes meaningful when these influences are allowed to shape the design rather than being imposed upon it.
Our inspiration comes from the spatial intelligence found in everyday environments, particularly the ways in which traditional architecture responds to climate, landscape and social life. Growing up and practising in Kerala, we are influenced by its courtyards, verandahs, shaded thresholds, sloping roofs, natural materials and the seamless relationship between inside and outside. We do not seek to reproduce these elements literally; instead, we explore the principles behind them and reinterpret them for contemporary ways of living.
Spatial experience and human comfort remain central to our approach. We are interested in how architecture is encountered over time—the transition from outside to inside, the changing quality of light, the movement of air, framed views, moments of pause and spaces that bring people together. Climate-responsive design is therefore integrated into the architecture from the beginning, with natural light, ventilation, shading, landscape and materiality contributing to both environmental performance and sensory experience.
Our goal is not to establish a singular architectural language, but to allow each project to develop an identity that is rooted in its context yet relevant to its time. Across our work in residential architecture, interiors and planning, we strive to balance functionality, environmental responsibility, material expression and emotional experience.
Ultimately, we aspire to create architecture that is quietly responsive rather than merely visually expressive—spaces that age with grace, engage with their surroundings and become meaningful through the everyday lives of the people who inhabit them.
