Residence for Dr. Jeffy Cherry at Kunnamkulam

Location	Kunnamkulam, Thrissur, Kerala
Year of Completion	2019
Built-up Area	1,950 Sq.Ft.
Plot Area	4 Cents / 162 Sq.Mt. / 1744 Sq.Ft.

A house designed for a small family of a mother and a son in 4 cents (162 Sq.Mt.) of land. Here the challenge was to fulfill the requirements of three bedrooms and amenities and also retaining the existing well in the small plot.

Mother being a retired school teacher from the nearby school was expecting the house to retain the social connect without compromising on the privacy.

THE SLIT

Apart from small plot with the well, the biggest challenge was to deal with the adjacent buildings on three sides. These existing structures were too close to provide necessary light and ventilation along with privacy. The west side was open but exposed to extreme sunlight. To overcome these challenges, a slit was introduced in the center of the building running from the front to the back. The outer skin of the building along the slit was treated with covered pergolas for light & ventilation, Balcony in front, window openings and door openings. The internal space in the slit incorporated a sleek metal staircase allowing the benefits of the slit to both the floors. Rest of the spaces were planned around the slit and the staircase inside and thus the name "Slit House".

Illustration of Site and it's surroundings.

4 CENTS OF LAND WITH ROAD ON WEST.

SURROUNDED BY BUILDINGS ON THREE SIDES.

Illustration of permissible building footprint.

PERMISIBLE BUILDING FOOTPRINT.

LACK OF OPENSPACE BETWEEN ADJACENT BUILDINGS.

Illustration of Solar radiation from west.

EXTREME SOLAR RADIATION ON WEST FASCADE.

Illustration of slit through the building

PROVIDED A SLIT THROUGH THE BUILDING FOR NECESSARY LIGHT AND VENTILATION.

THE SLIT IS TREATED WITH COVERED PARGOLA, BALCONY, DOOR OPENINGS AND WINDOW OPENING.

AND THUS THE NAME
"SLIT HOUSE"

Ground Floor Plan

First Floor Plan

There are two entries to the plot. One for vehicular access and a small wicket gate for walking in through the plantscape. The Sitout is just meant for a person to sit and read newspaper or wait till the door opens. It leads to a hall occupying one side of the central slit having living and dining arranged one after the other. The end of the hall is opening into a yard envisaged to have a small garden. The central slit is having the flight of stairs at one end and the well is at another. The other side of the slit is having the mother's bedroom, the toilet attached to it, common was area, kitchen and a small work area. The mid landing opens to a balcony facing the road which is specially in use by the relatives and family members during the festivals to watch the procession from the church which passes through the front of the house. The first floor have a study space and a lounge area and two bedrooms with attached bathrooms. The top terrace can be accessed easily through a stairway from first floor and use it as a party area whenever needed.