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Akkarai Residence Design- Grandeur Personified

  • Janki & Ariya
  • Jul 17, 2014
  • 3 min read

Updated: Apr 13, 2023

It was an exciting affair to visit Akkarai Residence because I was new to the office and its atmosphere, had never gone on a site visit and had heard about the project a couple of times from almost everyone in the office. Deviating a little away from the heart of the city and moving on towards a calmer and greener site in close proximity to the sea, along the east coast road, our thoughts were filled with the much-anticipated project which had undergone a tremendous makeover for the past five years.


As the car turned towards the road and moved further, the tiled sloping roof structure, which was under construction, was visible between the skyline and the few trees surrounding it. Opening the white timber gate, one could see the most classic facades ever created. A quick view of the front elevation design would absolutely make any person fall in love with it, and the chancellor arched windows give boldness to it. Open-mouthed at the typical but marvellous Benny Kuriakose design, looking up to us as a piece of perfectionist wonder, we moved inside to explore the interior surprises.


Front elevation design
View of the Front Elevation Design of Akkarai Residence

From the large welcoming swimming pool, we moved on to the sit-out, through which we reached the living room. Timber eave boards were running all around the ceiling of the room. Large timber windows adorn the room, opening out to the lush green patches, the blue patch of sky, and a punch of sea breeze. I made a mental note on how the creation of beautiful views was important, which was a cakewalk concerning Benny Kuriakose's designs.


Timber Windows
Large Timber Windows That Provide Sweeping Views of the Grounds
A View of the Sea From the House
A View of the Sea From the House

Everywhere marvellous timber works were adorning the white walls. The foyer connected to the sit-out gave me an instant thought of how the inhabitants will enjoy their evenings with a cup of tea underneath the traditional timber eaves overlooking the patches of surroundings. To the right side of the foyer is the dining area, which opens out to a courtyard as well as an open area. The large timber shelf is the centre point of attraction of the space. The foyer also hosts the timber staircase that leads to the upper floors. The staircase is another marvel in artistic creation and a major contributor in giving the residence the traditional grandeur.


Grand Timber Staircase
An Elaborate Timber Frame and the Grand Timber Staircase
The Timber Shelf in the Dining Area
The Timber Shelf in the Dining Area

The kitchen is yet another space that gives the residence the feeling of a luxurious holiday cottage. The large centre table clubbed with modular accessories makes it the picture-perfect kitchen that one can see in high profile architecture magazines. The scale of the bedrooms matches the overall size of the building, making it cosy, yet retaining the grandness. At all points of the house, large French windows open out to the beautiful views, along with providing ample natural light and ventilation, another important style in which Benny Kuriakose designs are credible.


Main Door
View of the Main Door
The Metal Grill Work for the Main Door
The Metal Grill Work for the Main Door

Timber work being the major attraction of the residence is seen all around the house including the doors, windows and roof, where intricate carvings are done on the eaves, slope silhouette, and almost everywhere. I thought the time the carpenters took to carve out these masterpieces was worth it, and it give the house its identity that anybody would yearn to own.


Wooden carving
Wooden carving
Wooden carving
The Intricate Timber Carving Seen All Over the House in Eaves, Slope Silhouettes, Etc.

While the visit proved to be enlightening, in terms of detailing in construction aspects, it also threw light on something which we never thought about, the strenuous task of completing a project without compromising on quality and perfection. From the point of view of the client as well as the architect, the difficulties faced are uncountable. Coordinating the works, getting it done on time, checking upon minute details with utmost perfection are some things that require patience and commendable memory power, which is something that comes naturally with Benny Kuriakose. Although there is an air of tension within the crew of clients, contractors and the architect, everybody is sure that the project would surely be a grand success once completed.


- Janki & Ariya


Visit the following links for more such residence designs:

7 Comments


thomasdarborough
Jun 20

This resonated with me so strongly that I had to comment. I write about similar themes on my blog, and it's encouraging to see someone tackle the subject with such clarity. You've articulated something I've struggled to put into words for months. The way you broke down each step felt both practical and generous. I'll be revisiting this whenever I need a clear reference point. Reading work like this makes me want to raise my own standards. Thank you for sharing it.

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thomasdarborough
Jun 18

What a helpful and well-rounded article this turned out to be. I went in with a few vague questions and came out with clear answers to almost all of them. The structure made the information easy to navigate, and nothing felt rushed. I genuinely think anyone interested in the topic should read this before forming an opinion. It cuts through a lot of the noise you usually find online. Thank you for taking the time to explain things so clearly. This is bookmarked for sure.

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thomasdarborough
Jun 16

This is the sort of article blog readers actively hunt for and rarely find.Strategized natural phrase embedding across multiple comment variationsStrategized natural phrase embedding across multiple comment variationsThis is the sort of article blog readers actively hunt for and rarely find. You've taken a subject that could easily turn dry and made it genuinely engaging from the first line to the last. I appreciate how every claim is backed up with a clear example rather than left hanging. It's obvious you respect the people who read your work, and that comes through in the careful structure. I finished it feeling like I'd actually learned something useful. Thanks for the effort you clearly poured into this.

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Online Bitlife
Online Bitlife
Jun 16

This was an engaging look at a beautifully designed residence, with impressive details on architecture, craftsmanship, and traditional timber work. After reading inspiring design articles like this, I often play bitlife which is a life simulation game where every choice creates a different life story and experience.

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thomasdarborough
Jun 13

I appreciated how practical this was without losing the inspiration. You explained the logic behind each configuration instead of just showing it. These kitchen layout ideas helped me see possibilities I'd completely overlooked. You clearly know how people actually move through a space. Saved and shared already. Great work.

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© Benny Kuriakose & Associates 2021

Architectural Designers & Conservation Consultants

Flat F, Third Floor, Springwood Apartments, No.6, Ranjith Road Kotturpuram, Chennai 600085.

Ph: +91 9092115815 / +91 91764 57328

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