A gentle blend of contemporary aesthetics, accentuated at points of interest through relics of the bygone time, the hills of Montana estates look even more elegant with the Stepped house staking its claim in its landscape that spans acres.
Project Name: Hummock Montana Estates
Studio Name: Design Ashram Consultants
Location: Kozhikode, Kerala, India
Total area in square feet: Plinth Area – 1092.21, Floor Area – 797.12, Carpet Area – 623.52
Photographer credits: Ar. Ishita Sitwala
The terrain’s ominously stepped contours make up for some interesting natural features in its slopes and the views across the horizon. The residence has swooped in inconspicuously and garnered the features of its bounty to strike a balance between the ethereal harmony and the bare naturality of the hills located in the eastern part of Calicut.
In the rolling hills of Montana Estates, a subtle pas de deux between the timeless and the contemporary unfolds, elevating the very essence of this picturesque landscape. Here, the Stepped House emerges as a testament to architectural finesse, weaving together elements of modernity with poignant relics of yesteryears.
As one traverses the estate’s undulating topography, marked by its intriguingly sloping contours, a symphony of nature’s wonders and human ingenuity unfolds. The views that stretch across the horizon, like a canvas painted by the hand of the divine, are nothing short of captivating. It is within this enchanting setting that the Stepped House makes its unassuming entrance, a harmonious marriage between discreet presence and unassuming grandeur.
With meticulous precision, the site is thoughtfully divided into distinct zones, each possessing its unique spatial occupancy. It all begins at the basement parking level, a majestic entrance nestled gracefully along the sloped access road.
As one ascends this inclining path, a sense of order unfolds, culminating in a captivating entrance, mellowed down by the use of plants and the waterbody wherein, as if levitating, stands an antique bull cart. The avante gard strikes a balance between the scale of the volume and the composition of its elements.
These artifacts, scattered throughout the space, offer a novel perspective on artistry, where the principal architects, architect Brijesh Shaijal and Nimisha Hakkim have skillfully transmuted the mundane echoes of the past into resplendent showcases of the present. It is a transformation that transcends the ordinary, a testament to the power of design to resurrect history and weave it into the tapestry of contemporary allure.
From the very first glimpse, the structure demands attention, its facade a striking composition of steel frames artfully embracing intricate wooden patterns. The use of “Karnataka Irul” wood imbues the exterior with a harmonious and earthy allure, resonating with the innate beauty of nature itself. This artistry extends to the compound walls, meticulously finished with oxide shades, adding depth and nuance to the building’s overall expression. It is a testament to the designer’s unwavering commitment to harmonizing the built environment with the timeless elegance of the natural world.
The interiors are nothing short of extravaganze. During a time when minimal, nudist, and pale color palettes have swooped in offering simplicity, this 5 bedroom residence doesn’t hold back in its expression of colors.
The thorough sequence of blacks blends with all other hues of the spectrum, from the natural brown tones of the furniture to the ones painted.
One would not miss out on the carved-out wooden pillars that frame the courtyard as one enters the living area. It captivates the user into reminiscing the heritage of the vernacular architecture while spiking one’s intrigue at the copper plates that drop down from the metal frames above. Even though the space, if looked at separately, might be an art curation on its own, it makes absolute sense to draw itself within the plants and water body being the centerpiece. What also makes artworks like these pop out in the design of the residence is the canvas it provides with its shades of contrasting colors that set a background.
From the traditional pillars framed in 3 dimensions with grids of metal bars that act as room dividers to the mirror that holds remnants of vintage furniture, every nook and corner of the design is articulately crafted with curated showpieces.
While the formal living room exuberates with life and pompous artwork, the family living room forms the private space along with the bedrooms adjacent to it on the other side of the courtyard.
The kitchen, simplistic in its planning and design embraces the black hues with a contrasting lighter tone. A different approach can be noticed in all the bedrooms, each having its design template. A theme for each room brings alive different hues of upholstery and strikes a balance with the natural wooden furniture and walls and floors that do not shy away from attention. Apart from the material language that flows throughout the spaces with its reluctant interference, a key feature found in all the rooms are large openings, including balconies that take in the immense bounty of vista, the hills of Montana provide.
To sum it up, the design of the residence takes on the contemporary nuances of shaping spaces, possibly exploiting all forms of modern aesthetics, and forging a new path for its own. A path that excites the eye as well as the mind at every juncture, one that breathes life throughout its volume, merely being a speck of a designed volume in the hill’s natural habitat.
The house, with a masterful touch, embraces the estate’s innate character, drawing inspiration from its abundant offerings. It stands as a living testament to the delicate equilibrium between ethereal beauty and the raw authenticity of nature itself.
All the way from the first glance of the building, its surely hard not to notice its façade, boldy framed in steel and encapsulating neat patterns in wood. The “Karnataka Irul “wooden façade gives it a natural and earthy finish to its outside, while the oxide finished shades of the compound walls also compliment its expression.
