Polaris House takes its name from the North Star, a symbol of guidance and balance, and embodies duality through a harmonious interplay of old and new, permanence and transformation. Drawing inspiration from the ideas of yin-yang, the design celebrates the coexistence of opposing forces like the new and old, heritage and modernity to create a unified and meaningful whole.
Project Name: Polaris House
Studio Name: The Bakery Builds
Project Location: Maradu, Kochi, Kerala
Project completion year: 2024
Gross Built-up area: 341 sqm / 3670 sqft
Lead Architect: Rahul Ciby
Photo Credits: Nathan Photos
The idea behind the project stemmed from the opportunity to integrate the tension between the tradition and innovation in a residence that was originally built over 20 years ago as a single storey structure with a repurposed terrace.
The Polaris House was meticulously crafted for a Kerala family with divergent preferences, presenting an intriguing challenge and opportunity to harmonize contrasting visions. The design aimed to weave contemporary sensibilities with the existing traditional character, ensuring that the transformation respected the home’s original essence. With the family favouring minimalism, the approach needed a fine balance between simplicity and depth. Originally built in 2001, the house was among the first at its neighbourhood in Maradu, celebrated for its openness and lush garden.
The journey to the house begins even before stepping inside, with the garden offering a seamless continuation of the context and an introduction to the residence’s character and essence. A coffee-brown gate, railings, and roof tiles harmonize with the lush greenery, complemented by stone accents on a canvas of pristine white painted walls, creating an inviting vista. Approaching the entrance, traditional arched grid windows line the pathway, guiding the way to the main door.
Upon entry, the smooth matte Merbau wood flooring exudes warmth, comforting one’s mood in the space. The living room is light and airy, enhanced by the textured walls, carefully curated furniture, and refined fluted panelling that come together as a whole. The colour palette of beige and brown on pearl white lends the room a cozy, sophisticated ambiance. A wood-framed portal leads to the next space, a grand dining area illuminated by elegant illumination and natural lighting from a glass double door overlooking the outdoor garden space. The open layout integrates an open kitchen concept, with a high breakfast table serving as a subtle divider, maintaining the sense of spaciousness.
Access to the upper storey is from outside, via a widened staircase framed by a double-story metal structure entwined with plants, creating a ceremonial approach. The upper level is marked by a grand hall with a high sloped roof featuring exposed trusses, clay roof tiles, and skylights that flood the space with natural light.
The focal point of this hall is an artistic wall crafted from repurposed teak cupboard shutters, arranged with a blend of precision and spontaneity. This feature pairs beautifully with terrazzo flooring, traditional furniture, and a swing, creating a space rich in history and ambiance. The upper floor accommodates two rooms, a lounge area with a theatre and bar counter, and an additional bedroom with skylights present in the spacious bathroom as well. Both rooms extend to balconies designed with wall textures and materials that tie into the overall aesthetic, such as Corten steel railings, which lend an industrial touch while blending with the greys and greenery. Corten steel is also thoughtfully integrated into design elements such as the gate, gate lights, water spouts, and the house name board drawing an attention to detail using a unified material choice.
The age of the building structure brought notable challenges. Over time, structural issues such as a persistent slope running through the house caused by uneven weight distribution emerged as critical concerns. Situated on complex terrain, the house needed to be balanced with the loads to its foundation to ensure safety and this had to be stabilised without intervening with the existing ground floor. The use of metal structures paired with light weight building materials along with the heavier conventional materials were strategically integrated to achieve structural balance.
Polaris House embodies a seamless dialogue between past and present, preserving its heritage while embracing contemporary elegance. Every element, from its thoughtful spatial planning to its nuanced material palette to the finer details, reflects a sensitivity to both functionality and timeless design, a story of harmony and thoughtful craftsmanship.
