Building from Abroad
The client family had been based in Abu Dhabi for 15 years and were building their return home in Thrissur — a city they associate with Pooram festivals, the smell of jackfruit, and a grandmother who still lives in the family compound next door. They had never managed a construction project. We had to earn their total trust remotely.
Our Remote Process
48-hour WhatsApp photo updates. A dedicated project WhatsApp group with the client, site supervisor, and lead carpenter. Weekly video walkthroughs with voiceover narration of every decision made that week. A shared Notion board with procurement receipts, material certifications, and timeline milestones. Every rupee accounted for.
The Design
The brief asked for a home that felt global but never disconnected from Kerala. We responded with a double-height living room that has a contemporary white marble floor but a carved teak ceiling that could have come straight out of a Guruvayur temple. Traditional jaali screens in the stairwell cast intricate shadow patterns throughout the day. The kitchen is pure functionality: a European modular layout with terracotta splashbacks and custom brass fittings made in Thrissur.
The Reveal
The family flew in for the handover. The grandmother walked through every room and didn't say a word for several minutes. Then she said it felt like a home. That was enough.
