A spirited, vernacular home in Kurnool by Aishwarya Somisetty boasts fine artistic flair

Located in the historic city of Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, this 3000 square foot, three-storey family home is designed with meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of the client’s preferences. Crafted by architect Aishwarya Somisetty as her first independent project, she has seamlessly incorporated local materials and techniques into the home’s contemporary style. 

As older clients’, a primary requirement was for the house to be Vaastu-compliant. Spread across a 30×40 feet plot, the three-bedroom home boasts a thoughtfully designed layout that prioritises functionality and aesthetic appeal. Upon entering, one is greeted by a double-height living area serenaded by soft cotton curtains that gently sway with the wind. Traditionally referred to as a brahmasthana, this definitive heart of the home dictates the flow of positive Vaastu energy.  To the left, a spacious kitchen, dining, and puja room provide a perfect space for family gatherings and spiritual rituals. On the right, the master bedroom suite offers an intimate retreat. Two additional bedrooms on the upper level provide ample space for guests. Conceptually, the home swings between vernacular and contemporary design and strives to find that perfect balance between the two styles. “The clients’ nostalgic longings for their childhood home and their desire to rebuild them again in this century was the starting point for this home, a unique blend of traditional materials, a contemporary design approach, and a pinch of local artistry thrown into the mix, “says Aishwarya, the lead architect. 

Local tandoor stone was utilised for the floors, and grey oxide for the primary wall finish, resulting in interiors with an attractive rustic quality. Specialised labour from Auroville constructed the distinctive feature walls with wire-cut bricks, specifically sourced from Kerala. The floors are elevated by sparkling brass inlay, as per the client’s request for flooring details reminiscent of his family home. Terracotta, a popular local material, was used in the jaali partition on the first level, as a clever substitute for window grill as well as in the decorative pots of the memorable filler slab in the living volume. The brick complements the overall earthy tone and elements of white, with its warm texture, weaving familiarity throughout the home.

Brick is also used extensively in the impressive façade which limits harsh sunlight into the building. The client’s wife desired to incorporate feminine touches into the screen’s design, and the architect felt that the play of arches brought in the perfect amount of fluidity to an otherwise rigid element. “It was a difficult aspect for me to get right, using bricks to create a curved form for the first time,” explains Aishwarya, who was ecstatic with the final result. The arch is also seen in the door frames of the upper level, intentionally brought in to aid in stress reduction, as research suggests curvilinear forms are more pleasant.  

Perhaps the most unique features of the home are its artistic touches. From specifically commissioned paintings of Lord Krishna and vintage doors from Jodhpur at the staircase landing, to the antique-style brass switch plates, the home is dotted with endearing decorative elements. The client’s wife spent a lot of time in the kitchen as a child, sometimes even scribbling on the walls. This memory is playfully translated into the painted floor cabinets of the kitchen here, in vivid contrast to the practical modern cabinets above.  Even the knobs of the teak wood wardrobes were specially created by local artisans. Kuteeram, or cottage is an appropriate term for this adequate home that reimagines vernacular style in a current setting, allowing its residents to be impacted by the past with the comforts of the present.

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