The Golden Hue Mansion is a 55,000 square feet, grand palatial bungalow built on a 6 Acre property abutting the coastal region of Trivandrum city, Kerala. The site is a roughly rectangular plot that sits on its shorter end abutting the coastal road parallel to the Indian Ocean. The result was a West facing building oriented along the East West axis with a large percentage of its surfaces and openings facing the North and the South. The main access to the Bungalow is through the shorter front side which is thoroughly pedestrian. The pedestrian access is from a grand circular plaza which serves as the drop off point. Vehicular access into the house is provided through a side road that leads to the basement which has ample parking space.
Project Name: Golden Hue
Studio Name: S Squared Architects Pvt. Ltd
The project was handed over to S Squared Architects after the structure was partially complete. The scope of the project extends to redesigning the initial layout to incorporate additional client requirements, restyling the form and character of the building, climatic adaptations, interior design and landscape design. New walls created as part of the rework were made using light weight porotherm clay bricks.
The clients, a well-travelled couple, highly influenced and inspired by the grandeur and charm of Mediterranean and European classical buildings that they came across during their travels, dreamt of similar spaces. However, the architects advised against a blind endorsement of the same and emphasized on the importance of adapting it to the local climate of the region, the materials and construction techniques. The result was a work of art largely influenced by Victoria Classicism in its demeanour and an ‘eclectic’ melting pot of various classical ideologies.
The Palladian symmetry is one of the striking features of this classic residence. The front facade is accentuated by a pedimented porch supported on columns with a colossal Romanesque arched window above it with return cornices and supporting corbels on either side. The deep set verandah that runs along the front façade protects the inner living spaces from the West sun besides providing spectacular views to the front yard gardens as well as the coastline beyond. Arched dormer windows punctuate the massive shingled sloping roof. The heavy cornice work at the edge of the sloping roof functions to conceal the rainwater gutter and minimise impact of rainwater on the walls.
The Bungalow consists of a semi basement, the ground floor, second floor and a high roof attic floor. The semi basement houses all the service needs of the house including the electrical rooms, parking spaces etc. Raising the basement partially from the ground level makes it possible to flood it with light from all sides through rectangular windows. The semi basement also adds to the aesthetic value of the building giving it a monumental scale. Raising the level of the habited rooms and verandah makes it possible to enjoy better views of the coastline.
A skin wall was added to the exterior walls that were used to nest the arched windows thereby protecting it from repeated cycles of the rain and sun. The double wall also provided a thermal barrier to stabilise the temperature of the living spaces from the hot summer sun and thereby reduce the ac load. The Jaisalmer teak sandstone cladding on the skin wall gives an opulent glow to the building during the sunshine hours and slightly changes colour during the monsoon creating a dynamic skin tone that hints at the changing seasons.
The interiors are an amalgamation of design styles that can be classified into three distinct genres rooted in European classicism. The ground and first floor living spaces follow a later version of Victorian classical elements where order and symmetry are the guiding principles, creating a visual balance around a focal element. In the case of the drawing room, the faux decorative fire place made of teak sandstone is the focal element of the room. In the dining room we have the lift flanked by angel lights on either sides mounted on white pebble clad walls framed with white decorative trims and panel. The grandeur of the spiral stair is indeed awe inspiring with a fiery 15 foot “Chihuly” blown glass chandelier suspended from the third floor that heads down its central atrium crowning a mini gazebo on the ground floor where the deity is seated. The colour palatte used on these two floors are mainly muted, with white for the decorative millwork in contrast to the earthly brown for the walls.
The third floor, which is also the attic floor, is exclusively an entertainment zone with free flowing space dotted with indoor play equipments like the billiards table, chess and cards table and gaming stations. There is also a small pantry located at a corner in case one needs a coffee break. The scale of this space is immense and is rustic and nautical in character. The wooden floor and the wooden clad beams are up cycled from the wood waste at site. The ceiling makes for a grand canvas, hand painted with a majestic vintage map adding an old world charm to this space. All the walls on this floor are cladded with white pebble cladding.
The indoor swimming pool of this house is an oasis of peace and relaxation to its inhabitants and creates a dramatic escape from the mundane busy life. It is directly connected to the dining room and the ground floor family living through a series of arched doors that help in framing views of this stunning space from the indoors. The upper family living and the master bedroom have also got exclusive views of the pool from the first floor. The pool is naturally lit with a skylight that allows the morning light to filter in bestowing upon it a magical sunkissed aura that defines the start of the day.
The landscape around the house plays a pivotal role in transforming the property into a picturesque iconic destination home. An assortment of pristine lawns, native flora and fauna, tropical flowering trees interweaved with pedestrian paths and punctuated with seating areas create a dynamic and delightful outdoor experience.
A formal layout was followed in the front yard design while a more informal and organic planning was adopted for the rest of the property. A 6m driveway lined with trees on either side creates a long visual axis to a grand welcoming plaza that serves as a drop off point for guests. This further gently curves down between two existing trees, through the side of the building into the basement where there is ample space for parking. The roads are laid with grass jointed paving of natural stone that allows for percolation of rain water and minimises run off. The semi basement of the house has been camouflaged using a gently sloping mound of lush green lawn and graceful curved masses of mixed planting which creates a stunning contrast to the honey coloured walls.
Curved steps from the central plaza leads to a grand open lawn edged with winding playful paths and vibrant colourful flowering shrubs. The grand lawn serves as gathering and unwinding space for the family. The gazebo, a garden feature inspired from the dreamy English gardens, stands at the edge of the grand lawn providing a focal lookout point. The gazebo is made of exquisite caryatid stone columns and floral metal dome adding elegance and luxury to the landscape.
A sweeping dry lake feature with islands of lush green lawn and a bridge across it adds aesthetic value to the landscape besides serving as a sandpit for outdoor play. Random outcrops of rock formation alternating with vibrant pops of orange and red flowering shrubs create a playful and dynamic stage of sorts for life to unfold. The planting palette used is largely native and tropical, curated for its texture, form and colour combinations.
An integrated approach to the architecture, landscape and interiors has bestowed upon this house a cohesive and powerful identity of its own.
