Plastic has managed to snake its way into almost every aspect of our daily lives, including 90% of the world’s toys ,which is a far cry from the old Indian childhoods of outdoor play and wooden toys.
When a project came up in Vadakara, North Kerala where the consumption of toys is the most in the state, the idea was to have a circular home accessible from every side with a verandah supported by toys and old Mangalore tiles.
The central courtyard and the composite CSEB- Toy Jaali wall ( Compressed Stabilised Earth blocks made from soil from the site ) acts like a perforated external skin that allows for constant cross ventilation and better insulation.
The residence is conceived with the idea of a “House within a house” where the large living space will always be frequented by neighbours and members of the community , but the Japanese-style inspired shoji screens become translucent partitions providing light and visual connectivity for the private half.