Hidden House by Aslam Sham Architects in Kozhikode, India

Hidden House. These words describe a secret house, hidden from view, but in reality, it's not quite so. For this house, the architects Aslam Karadan and Sham Salim from Aslam Sham Architects based in Kozhikode say, 'The house doesn't try to fit in; it wants to stand out among others, attract attention and spark curiosity from passersby.' They explain the 'hidden' part of the name comes from the hidden scale of the house: a three-level home creating an illusion of a smaller two-story building.

The functional brief was quite standard and simple: they wanted a 5 BHK house with an additional room used as a cinema hall, pool and other standard amenities. The aesthetic challenge was something we found very appealing yet also posed certain difficulties. As mentioned, the client is a self-made successful entrepreneur who wanted to build a house that would immediately catch the eye but without compromising functionality. We were given the task of creating something new yet not fully experimental. This challenge combined with a highly contoured plot that has a steep slope from the front to the back led to the unique form and facade of the building and its name — Hidden House. The scale of the house remains hidden from passersby, but at the same time it stands out with its unconventional shape and invites curiosity about what lies behind this unusual facade.

Regarding spatial configuration, the main zoning was done based on proximity to a road running along the front boundary of the plot. The first zone is public, visible from the street and includes a front terrace courtyard and formal living room intended primarily for visitors. The next zone is semi-public, which serves as the central active space of the house and we call it the soul of the home, around which all main active zones are arranged — family area, dining room and kitchen.

The next zone is private, housing the bedrooms, cinema hall and pool located at the rear of the plot and completely detached from the outside world. Regarding spatial configuration, it's important to understand that this is not a flat plot but one with strong contours. Thus we achieved zone differences through levels. However, the main bedroom opens onto a balcony leading to the front of the house, which was a requirement from the client—he wanted to see the main entrance to the plot from the master bedroom. The plot is L-shaped, with one part extending outward at the back and used for garage placement. Access roads and garage are organized through architectural elements, while the front courtyard is decorated with greenery.

The most challenging (and simultaneously interesting) part of this project was transforming a highly contoured plot into a multi-level house while minimizing the number of stairs for everyday use. This was achieved by dividing different zones across multiple levels. The main entrance to the house is into a public zone located one level below street level, between massive granite walls at the front that play with scale perception for visitors. This level houses the formal living room and prayer room, primarily intended for guests.

The secondary entrance is an arched entrance from the side, mainly used by the family as it provides access to the main active space of the house in just one step down. Only a single step is required to enter the semi-public zone, where the Koi pond, family area, dining room and kitchen are located. From this level, access is provided to the bedroom blocks situated on three levels. Thus, from the main level, only a half-storey rise and descent are needed to reach two levels housing two bedrooms each. The main bedroom and cinema hall sit on the highest level, with a reading room and terrace for service positioned midway between these levels. The entire house is divided into 6–7 levels to fulfill all spatial requirements of the client without significantly altering the original plot levels.

There is also a tertiary entrance to the house from the lower level, aligning with the pool's level. The access road reaches the rear of the plot and from here one can enter the house via a terrace. Two bedrooms are also located on this level. This level is accessible by ramp, and two floors here allow vehicle access for easy mobility for elderly people and those with disabilities. A lift is already included in the project, so there's always an option to install one later for comfortable access to all levels.

Materials and color palette were chosen to give the house a simple yet refined character. Besides white tones, natural textures such as random rubble masonry, wood and various textured natural stone floors like granite, Kota stone, wooden terraces etc., were selected to give each space its character without losing the sense of openness. Green accents in the house and potted plants create a cozy and warm feeling for users. We love showcasing the true character of materials rather than imitating them. Therefore, concrete roof tiles and enclosing walls have a concrete texture, although smoother finishes are used for interiors while rougher textures are applied to facades.

Lighting strategy is a fundamental part of all our projects. We design for maximum possible natural light during the day, which we consider important for user psychological well-being. Ideally, artificial lighting should only be used after sunset. Strong eastern and western light is blocked to prevent direct sunlight from entering the house, instead diffused through external blinds. In evenings, ambient lighting is provided inside for optimal user comfort. For exterior lighting, more dramatic illumination is used to make the house stand out on the street — this was a client request.

To be honest, we couldn't find a more supportive client than these two: they were completely inspired by the concept we offered them and required almost no changes, except for minor interior adjustments. This project is one of the ideal examples of how a product can be improved when architects and clients are in agreement. It felt more like a dream we all shared together. It would be hard to pick one favorite spot, but if forced — it's the main active center of the house where all common zones are arranged around a light-filled Koi pond.

The terrace with the dining area that overlooks the pool below is another favorite part. As mentioned, the client is an entrepreneur who spends most of his time at home since his work is online. He tells us he loves spending time in this house and continues to discover new places and feelings in each space as days pass, so even when he has to travel for business meetings, it’s a pleasure. Much of the furniture was custom-made, tailored to fit the design of the house, except for a few free-standing pieces and decorative elements selected by the client and architects after numerous visits to exhibitions.

-Aslam Sham Architects