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R. Manjil masha.

Asikkadu House: A Chettinad House To Remember

A five-hour drive from Chennai got us to the green lush area of Asikkadu. I was excited to go to the Chettinad house from the office, which was nearing completion. Having seen the house in only photographs and renders in the office, I have to say that the photographs do not do justice to the real thing. One glance at the Chettinad building, and I was able to get a glimpse into the depths of the effort put into making it all possible.


Chettinad House
Exterior View of the Asikkad House
A View of the Grounds
A View of the Grounds
Font porch  design
The Entrance Porch With Stone Columns and Sloping Roof
Chettinad House
A View of the Entrance to a Cottage

Chettinad Architecture


A cobble-stoned driveway led us to the main cottage. The complex housed the main cottage, four smaller cottages and a service block. Landscaping and lighting have been planned for the whole site; bamboo plants were already part of the complex.


Chettinad House
A Subsidiary Cottage
Chettinad House
Intricately Carved Timber Columns Can Be Seen Throughout the Chettinad House

The scale of the space and the elements were perfect, making it comfortable and at the same time maintaining its grandeur. I also got a chance to have a look at the remarkable craftsmanship and ingenious detailing done in the building. Sustainable building materials have been used in their almost true form.


Chettinad House
A Verandah Lined With Stone Columns

Interior Design


The interior has been detailed tastefully to go with the Chettinad architecture of the house. A Traditional sloping roof with Mangalore tiles has been done throughout.


Chettinad House
A Traditional Sloping Roof With Mangalore Tiles

Beautifully crafted timber columns decorated the verandahs and the courtyard. Large timber windows were treated with a beautiful athangudi tile border and protected by a traditional tiled sunshade. Spacious rooms with a distinctive palette of colours have been used.


Chettinad House
Chettinad House
Stone and Timber Columns Frame the Verandahs in the House

Traditional light fixtures, ceiling fixtures and antique furniture were added to the Chettinad house interior. The furniture was put together on-site and located accordingly in the house. Niches decorated some of the walls.


Chettinad House
Chettinad House
Traditional Lighting Fixtures
Traditional Furniture
Chettinad house living room
Traditional Lighting Fixtures With Antique Furniture Elevate the Charm of the House
Courtyard in Chettinad house
A View of the Courtyard

It is a pity that we do not see much of such authentic Chettinad houses nowadays. I was truly inspired when I went from this site visit, knowing that this building is going to stand majestically amidst the landscaped surroundings, once it is completed.


-R. Manjil Masha.


Click to visit the project- Asikkadu House

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