| Dr.Pradeep Kumar, ‘Woodnil’, Kakkattambalam, Pavangad, Kozhikode |
Not even a single piece of wood can be seen in the 2311 square feet house built by Dr.Pradeep Kumar, a scientist at Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM), Kozhikode at Kakkattambalam, Pavangad. ‘Woodnil’ is indeed an apt name for the house whose idea came to him while working on a project of Central Environment and Forest Department.
It was love for trees that prompted him to avoid using wood in house construction. Although the construction started in 2002, professional commitments delayed its completion upto 2007. According to him, the effort saved almost half the cost as the 4-bedroom house was constructed with a budget of Rs.9.45 lakhs
Mild steel doors and windows, PVC bathroom doors, concrete frames and aluminium panels for windows etc set the tone of construction. But the surprise is the cot made of brickwork topped with aluminium framework. The hollow space below the mattress can be useful as storage space and the area need not be finished with floor tiles.
Steel furnitures adorn the living and dining rooms. An almarah and two chairs are the only wooden items seen in Woodnil. And these are items got by Dr.Pradeep Kumar from his ancestral home. He plans to phase these out during the purchase of new furniture.
With the cooperation of his wife Rupa, the concretization of the idea into reality proceeded in right direction.
Courtesy:
Rajesh M.Nayar (text), Mathrubhumi, January 31, 2007
Contributed by: Administrator
