Architect Name:

Muhammed Jiyad CP, Ahmed Thaneem Abdul Majeed & Muhammed Naseem M

Project Name:

THE SLAB

Company Name:

3dor Concepts

Project Location:

Thaliparamba, Kannur, Kerala, India

Project Description:

Situated in the hilly region of Taliparamba, The Slab is a unique architectural project that began with the client's vision to capitalize on the area's distinctive topography. The barren hilltop plot, initially characterized by minimal vegetation, was transformed by planting additional trees for shade and privacy while retaining the existing flora. "Three things were decided in the initial visit," explained 3dor Concepts. "Utilise the magnificent views, build a properly shaded house from the heat of the sun and cover the house with layers of vegetation that will in turn bring down the temperature inside." Clients- The Slab, designed to fulfill the vision of client Noushad, a civil contractor and real estate entrepreneur, and his family of six. The client sought to maximize the magnificent views, incorporate wooden elements, create open, interactive space for his three children to play. An open plan with a single cantilevered roof was introduced, offering panoramic views, ensuring a spacious compound for privacy. The cantilevered structure also provides shade for outdoor play. Additionally, a separate service corridor for the kitchen was included to meet functional needs. The functional brief for The Slab was straightforward yet ambitious. The client, Noushad, wanted to maximize the breathtaking views from the hilltop site, incorporating sunrise and sunset points into the design. The client desired a house that makes a striking first impression without compromising on functionality. They envisioned a home that is open and inviting yet offers ample privacy. He also required a separate corridor for the kitchen to demarcate this area distinctly. Additionally, Noushad sought a home that provided privacy while maintaining open, interactive spaces for his three children to play. Balancing these requirements posed both challenges and opportunities for the project. One of the primary challenges was integrating the open, airy feel of the home with the need for privacy. The design had to ensure that private areas, such as bedrooms, were shielded from view while maintaining a seamless connection with the outdoors. Achieving this balance required careful planning and innovative design solutions. Another challenge was creating a separate service corridor for the kitchen without disrupting the flow of the home. This required a strategic layout that kept the kitchen functional yet discreet, ensuring it served its purpose without intruding on the living spaces. The hilltop location itself presented a unique challenge. The steep topography required meticulous planning to ensure the structure was stable and harmonized with the natural landscape. Enhancing the barren plot with additional vegetation for shade and privacy while retaining the existing flora added another layer of complexity to the project. Despite these challenges, the project presented numerous opportunities. The hilltop location offered unobstructed panoramic views, a feature that could be leveraged to create stunning vistas from various points within the home. By incorporating large windows and open spaces, the design maximized these views, bringing the beauty of the surroundings into the living areas. The cantilevered roof was a key design element that addressed multiple requirements. It provided shade for outdoor play areas, enhanced the visual appeal of the home, and created a sense of openness. This innovative feature also helped to integrate the concept of floating elements throughout the design, influencing the furnishings and overall aesthetic. Additionally, the requirement for a separate kitchen corridor allowed for creative spatial planning. This corridor was designed to function as a service area, ensuring the kitchen remained an efficient workspace without intruding on the main living areas. It also provided an opportunity to incorporate additional storage and utility spaces, enhancing the functionality of the home. "The distinctive and long reinforced concrete roof slab is the main design component along with large brown wooden louvred doors covering the entire front facade of the house," explained the studio. The long RCC roof slab and large wooden louvered doors create a colossal yet minimalist facade that enhances wind flow and aesthetics. The balcony extension doubles as a porch, providing shade and unobstructed views to the west. A distinctive feature of The Slab is its low plinth height of only 20 cm. This design choice creates a seamless transition from the verandah or sit-out area to the lawn, allowing the spaces to flow naturally into one another and enhancing the integration with the surrounding landscape. Organised across two storeys, The Slab is wrapped by a ground-floor veranda and a balcony on the first floor, both sheltered beneath the overhang of the home's concrete roof. On the ground floor, a double-height living and dining area can be opened up to the garden via sliding glass doors, with a wall of wooden shutters providing additional shading to the south. Also on the home's southern side is a grey-metal frame, designed to be overgrown with climbing plants to offer an additional layer of climate protection and shading. Two bedrooms, a utility space and the kitchen are housed on the more enclosed northeastern side of the ground floor, with an additional two bedrooms on the first floor alongside a lounge space. The interiors of The Slab have been finished predominantly with dark wood, with custom pieces of furniture created to fit around the structure's slender concrete columns. "Interiors are designed in a way that it unifies the whole structure, and the custom yet minimal furniture outrivals the interiors," said 3dor Concepts. "A floating table fixed to pillars is a conspicuous feature in the dining area, an artistic piece in the living area symbolises the residence and its surroundings, and a custom single-flight stair becomes a welcoming treat," said the architects. The public zone encompasses areas visible from the street, fostering a sense of arrival and welcome. The sit-out, for instance, falls under this category. However, privacy remains a priority. A strategically designed high compound wall ensures the public zone offers a warm welcome while maintaining the family's privacy. The transitioning inwards, the semi-public zone forms the heart of the home. This expansive area combines the living and dining areas, creating a double-height space with an open plan concept. Here, the absence of walls fosters a sense of spaciousness and connection. This zone seamlessly blends together areas for family gatherings and entertaining guests, without compromising on a feeling of openness. Dedicated to personal space and tranquillity, the private zone encompasses the bedrooms. The kitchen, adhering to the client's requirement for a separate space, is also included in this zone. To ensure a seamless flow without sacrificing privacy, the kitchen incorporates a designated service corridor, effectively creating a distinct area. This project is highly energy-efficient due to the use of louvered windows in the facade, allowing ample natural light and ventilation, which reduces the reliance on artificial lighting and cooling. In this project, we have used TOSTEM WE 70 and WE Plus series. On the west side, which is exposed to harsh sunlight, high wind loads, and heavy rainfall, TOSTEM performance glass is utilized to help reduce heat ingress, provides UV Protection and is energy efficient by reducing the need for artificial lighting and cooling. TOSTEM aluminum sliding windows are also installed due to their strength and ability to withstand various climatic conditions. This project ensures a high level of comfort, durability, and energy efficiency, particularly on the challenging west side of the building. Additionally, the wood used for the interiors is sourced from sustainable tree plantations specifically grown for this purpose, ensuring an eco-friendly approach. Overall, the project combines durability, energy efficiency, and sustainability through thoughtful material selection and design. The double-height living and dining area reduces heat gain and promotes visual continuity, offering alluring views along the verandah. Balconies on the west side offer stunning sunset views, while bedrooms on the east capture morning sunlight. The furniture in The Slab is designed by 3DOR Concepts, with each piece being custom-made to fit the home's unique aesthetic. The wooden elements, crafted by experienced carpenter Kalthap, add warmth and character to the space, reflecting a blend of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design. The interiors feature custom, minimal furniture, with a floating table fixed to pillars and an artistic piece symbolizing the residence and its surroundings. The material palette bridges tradition and contemporary design with laterite walls finished in concrete, complemented by wooden and aluminium windows framing the landscape. The careful selection of materials and design elements emphasizes functionality, visual continuity, and a deep connection with the natural surroundings, making The Slab a harmonious and tranquil home for Noushad and his family. 5. Concise design concept – Firstly, the design acknowledges the plot's lack of existing vegetation. To combat this, the initial step involves incorporating new plant life, strategically placed to provide shade and privacy as the home matures. Existing trees are carefully preserved, adding to the established character of the land. Secondly, the concept capitalizes on the site's panoramic vistas. Open spaces are incorporated throughout the design, ensuring the breathtaking views are a constant presence within the home. However, these open areas are cleverly designed to maintain privacy for the residents. Finally, the design embraces a sense of weightlessness. Cantilevered structures are a recurring motif, creating a visual impression of floating elements throughout the house. This focus on lightness complements the openness of the space, fostering a connection between the home and its surroundings. By weaving together these elements, The Slab by 3dor Concepts promises a unique living experience that celebrates nature, embraces the views, and offers a sense of weightless serenity for Noushad and his family. 6. Tostem Product Series – WE Plus, WE 70 7. Product Color – Shine Grey

Product:

WE PLUS, WE 70