The Kenz House

The Kenz House, designed for a family of four, is built on a 1618 sq.m. land beside the National Highway 66. The owner's (doctor) brief was a house that is very simple, down to earth, comfortable and nature friendly but something new with good privacy!” The site’s proximity to the highway and requirement for a peaceful nature-filled abode formed the framework for architecture. The plan addresses the requirements for privacy and need for open free-flowing interiors entwined with nature. The studio treaded the unconventional route by designing an iconic structure-a juxtaposition of two simple platonic forms-an angled triangular portion added to a skewed rectangular form. This unusual futuristic building given a traditional twist by realising it in a versatile material, burnt bricks, making it a Load Bearing Exposed Brick house. Slanting roof emphasises climate-friendly architecture, reducing heat, draining rainwater swiftly. The 745 square-metre house with ground, first floors brings nature inside with contextually detailed skylights and lattice work which define breezeways facilitating natural cooling inside (important in hot humid climate) & clever distribution of internal courtyards and pools. Dining opens to landscaped pool courtyard connecting with outdoors. Staircase seems afloat, concrete handrail is an accent point. Bedroom suites enjoy their private landscaped courts enveloped by brick louvers bringing cool breezes, whilst forming privacy screen. Spa designed with internal courtyard alongside, with skylight adding to its comforting natural charm. Touch of green also wraps the bathing area in son’s bathroom with plant trough. An outhouse behind the house, service entry from the rear end and a special route which connects this house to client’s parents’ residence. The visually engaging terrace is carefully planned to support the services of the house. The landscape carefully curated for its texture, foliage offer a rich uncluttered look inside and outside complementing the warmth and rusticity of the brick facade. From an energy consumption perspective, this climate-friendly home is a ‘net zero’ entity. The material and colour palette devised for the interiors is in perfect sync with the architecture. The rustic brick converses beautifully with the warm teak wood, the elegant Italian marble floors, the plush hand-picked rugs and upholstery fabrics, and the raw cement-finished ceilings and adds to the sensory dynamism of the space. The artworks were meticulously sourced. The landscaped green courtyards impart colour and freshness to interiors. The Kenz, meaning Treasure- a wonderful example of a luxury house done in exposed brick addresses the aspirational requirements of its clients to deliver a restrained architectural result which is visually arresting, functionally efficient, and an organic addition to the local milieu. The finest affirmation comes from the client himself, “The rumbling of the water in the pond, the greenery we see all around, the sounds of rain when it hits the pool in the courtyard, the simulation of walking through a park while moving from one area of the house to another, or the silences and utmost security we feel inside the master bedroom... are most satisfying experiences of our lives, thanks to The Kenz.”.