Karai

80kms away from Chennai towards Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry, lies a small coastal town called Kuvathur. 350m from the sea, lies an architectural anomaly - a plot with dense landscapes which stands out against the contrasting barren lands. There sits a weekend home lovingly named Karai (Tamil for seashore). Contrary to its concealed placement from the outside, the home emerges wholly from the surrounding environment. 70% of the home is open, and transitional spaces become the primary essence instead of conventional urban layouts. This resulted in an integration of elements from the site as well as nature. This film takes you inside Karai and brings the experience of the built environment to you. A project that represents a habitat more than a home. Karai was the rewarding result of hands-on work involving every stakeholder in the design process rather than a contractor-controlled project. The clients and architects spent hours on site experimenting with on-site design ideas, repurposed materials, site elements and limited labour. This journey adds charm to this project.