TRADITION TRANSFORMED

A Kochihome by Workers of Art reflects its traditional roots while introducing afresh, contemporary aesthetic

- VARUNI MOHAN

Deepa, an artist in the making, and Madan, a robotics engineer, spent years in Singapore raising their two daughters. Yet, as time passed, they felt an undeniable pull to return to Kerala the land of their roots.

Now in their 50s, they dreamed of building a home that would honour their heritage while feeling unmistakably present. "We wanted a home filled with memories, but also one where we could create new ones," says Deepa. This vision brought them to Priya Rose and Rahul Mathew of Workers of Art, designers renowned for their ability to weave personal stories into meaningful spaces.

Located on the banks of Kochi's serene backwaters, their 3,000 sq ft, four-bedroom apartment feels both nostalgic and forward-looking. The design borrows elements from the couple's ancestral illam a traditional Keralan homesteadbut reinterprets them for a smaller, modern family. "We couldn't preserve the original home due to inheritance issues, but its spirit guided every choice we made," shares Rahul. Heirloom furniture and the spirit of shared living were thoughtfully reinterpreted to align with the modern sensibilities of a nuclear family.