Between Two Realms: A Tiruppur Home That Amalgamates Biophilia, Liminal Spaces And Tropical Modernism

Ensconced in a quiet neighbourhood of Renganatha Puram, Tiruppur, this 8,500 sq. ft. home by Cubism Architects beckons with pristine water bodies, sun-dappled courtyards and soaring double-height volumes. Scripted by architects Prasanna and Roopashree Parvatikar, the design narrative of Pu Vaasal unfolds as a bricolage of vernacular wisdom, tropical modernism and a subtle nod to environmental stewardship. Designed for a family that values tradition while staying attuned to the present, it is a liminal sanctuary where boundaries dissolve, allowing greenery, spatial calm and material honesty to seep in. Rooted in the energy principles of Vaastu, the home becomes a living ecosystem; where daily rhythms slow down, sunlight filters through flowering creepers, and nature takes on the mantle of an ever-present guardian.

“Deriving its name from Tamil, ‘Pu’ meaning flower and ‘Vaasal’ referring to the space before the door, the home sets the tone for a life rooted in cultural rituals and designed for contemporary ease,” explains Ar. Prasanna Parvatikar, Principal Architect at Cubism Architects & Interiors.

The Symbolic Value of a Threshold

One of the earliest memories of anyone who grew up in a typical Tamilian household is how permeable the threshold felt. Whether it was the elevated porch called thinnai or the main doorway (vaasal) that served as a transitional locus where the individual and community realms intersected, the simple act of crossing over carried profound cultural gravitas. At Pu Vaasal, a pedestrian gate ushers visitors under a blooming canopy, marking the passage into a private sanctum.

A profusion of landscaping, foliage-lined courtyards and idyllic bowers gently softens the home’s urban periphery. Views are intentionally shielded from the outside world, street sounds are muffled, and a sense of seclusion is zealously preserved as one meanders past a glimmering koi pond toward the entrance. This threshold offers a tonal shift from the hustle bustle of the outside world to the interiority of a soulful retreat.

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Punctuated by Teak Wood, Marble and Metal 

Composed as a semi-open pavilion, the formal living area assimilates gently into the landscape, with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that blur the inner-outer divide. Within this understated shell, the space is defined by clean lines, low-slung furniture and an earthy, tactile palette. Soft greys and jasmine white marble are offset by teak wood joinery, handcrafted metal jaalis and gleaming brass accents. Light spills in through multiple apertures, casting a chiaroscuro of fleeting shadows across the floor, so that the living room becomes a refuge for languorous daydreaming. 

Double-height and open on two sides to viridescent courtyards, the dining area is where architecture dissolves into atmosphere. Unlike conventional dining rooms tucked into the margins, this one occupies a central, almost ceremonial position. Sunlight pours in through overhead skylights, while a reassuring palette of marble, honed stone walls, and timber-lined ceilings makes the space feel inclusive yet grounded. 

The courtyards play a pivotal role, drawing in light, facilitating cross-ventilation and regulating the micro-climate of this residence. Their carefully calibrated geometry embodies the home’s overarching philosophy in emptiness as an active presence, one that gives form to stillness and meaning to movement.

Balancing Geometry with Flow

The spatial planning of Pu Vaasal unfurls along a central circulation spine, leading from the serene flower-filled entrance to a series of strategically zoned spaces—including formal and informal living areas, a pooja room, kitchen, and multiple bedrooms.

The informal living room emerges as the beating heart of daily life, tucked away just beyond the dining area and partially veiled by a sleek partition crafted from vertical strips of tinted glass. This divide piques visual interest without interrupting the spatial flow, allowing light to journey through while safeguarding an intimate ambience. Flanked by adjoining courtyards, the space is awash in daylight, its mood shapeshifting steadily with the hours. A seamless marble floor continues through this zone, while other muted textures reinforce the home’s vocabulary of elevated minimalism.

A Connection Across Levels

Located in the southwest, in alignment with Vaastu principles, the master suite carries forward the home’s material cohesion, with floors and walls swathed in soft-toned marble. Grooved panels in silver-grey lining marble introduce an incorporeal rhythm, their geometric pattern adding depth without distraction. Enclosed by large windows, the room dialogues with the surrounding greenery, imbibing a freewheeling fluidity. The suite fans out into a capacious walk-in wardrobe, a private storeroom, and a well-appointed bathroom that features both a soaking tub and an adjoining shower; offering moments of luxuriance within a space circumscribed by restraint.

The staircase, hewn in warm-toned wood and glass railings, serves as a striking vertical connector and one of the home’s most memorable design moments. A large gridded glass block window, framed by horizontal slit windows below, bathes the stairwell with abundant light throughout the day. The first-floor is a cosy family area designed as a shared haven for unwinding, comprising two children’s bedrooms, a dedicated home theatre and balconies that overlook the courtyards below; visually tying the upper floor back to the vibrant core of the house.

A House That Breathes With the Earth

In Pu Vaasal, environmental stewardship is not an afterthought but a keystone design principle. As Ar. Prasanna Parvatikar notes, “The design of the house encourages water recycling, incorporates solar panels, and reduces stormwater runoff through vegetation, thereby reducing its requirement for energy through non-renewable resources.” Beyond energy efficiency, the landscape bears fresh produce to nourish both the family and household staff, closing the loop on a self-sustaining lifestyle. 

This is a home steeped in the indigenous architecture of South India, where vernacular traditions such as the auspicious threshold or vaasal are reimagined through the lens of tropical modernism. Every gesture, from the spatial choreography to the climate-responsive palette, reflects a deep-rooted loyalty to context and climate. In doing so, Pu Vaasal emerges as a powerful homage to the Indian ethos, where tradition is not lost in time but blossoming into the present.

To watch the complete home tour, peruse the drawings in detail, and browse additional photographs, visit Buildofy.