Toasted in Calicut

Location : Calicut
Area : 3000 sq.ft
Type : Residential

In the heart of the Malabar coast (Calicut) where your senses are at a peak as soon as you breathe in the air, filled with spices, lies this cocooned space. For The client whose ancestral home is in Calicut but is now settled in Dubai, this 3000 sq ft. home is a space where walking into it is like a warm embrace, from the relatives, the culture and the food and everything that makes a person feel nostalgic and miss their home.
The apartment design arose from this idea of a cocoon, where, even though they are only going to be back occasionally, sometimes even as few times as 3 times a year, the space needed to be something that hugs them, both in the poetic sense.
The space needed to be something they enjoy with their big family, who will all be coming over whenever they are back. So this home had to accommodate at least 10-15 people at a time, a communal space had to be the centre of this. The act of dining being the centre to this ritual where one eats, shares and creates memories.
(Something about communal spaces and eating together becomes the central aspect of this home which is rooted in Malabari culture) Eating together is the foundation of the cultural identity and continuity of communities throughout the Mediterranean basin. It is a moment of social exchange and communication, an affirmation and renewal of family, group or community identity.
A Feast for the Senses: The Home as a Shared Meal
In the heart of this home, a story unfolds—one of family, heritage, and a celebration of togetherness. Imagine stepping into a space that is as inviting as a warm loaf of freshly baked bread, its aroma welcoming you like an old friend. This is not just a house; it is a place where food, family, and love are not just shared—they are the very foundation of its design.
Inspired by the communal dining rituals of Mediterranean culture, this home, built for a family of five who call Dubai home but whose roots lie deep in the vibrant lands of Malabar (Calicut), is designed to host. To share. To feast. In this home, every room, every corner, and every surface exists to bring people together around the same large platter, offering a seat at the table not just for the family, but for all who enter. It’s a short stay home, yes, but it is built with the intention of gathering—of breaking bread, of creating memories, and of wrapping everyone in a collective embrace.
A Place to Gather: The Table as the Heart of the Home
At the center of this home lies its heart—a 14-seater dining table. A table that invites you to pull up a chair, break bread, and share a meal. Its design is not merely about function, but about connection, about the space it creates for people to come together. When the folding sliding door opens, the table expands into the outdoors, blending the boundaries of interior and exterior, transforming the space into a seamless flow of conversation, laughter, and shared stories. The breeze carries the scent of tropical flora—coconut trees, mangoes, and the salt air of the nearby shore—into the home, and the table becomes a part of this natural rhythm. But close the door, and the table becomes intimate again, divided into an indoor five-seater and an outdoor five-seater. In each configuration, the spirit of hospitality is served in abundance, like a feast set before you.
The Warmth of a Whipped Honey Embrace: Texture and Form
Step inside, and you are greeted by a sense of comfort, of being enveloped in something soft and nurturing. The design of this home, with its curved edges and smooth lines, is like the tender embrace of a family member—a hug you never want to leave. The palette of the walls, like whipped honey, beckons you to touch, to feel. The tactile experience of the space is as much a part of the journey as the visual. It’s a warmth that wraps itself around you, as inviting as a bowl of soft, honeyed butter melting on warm bread. The curves, the textures, the soft finishes—everything is designed to cocoon you, to make you feel at home in a way that transcends the physical. Here, you are not just a guest; you are part of the family. Every corner, every nook, every surface exists to comfort you, to offer you peace.
Sculptural Spaces: Art, Light, and Character
Like a feast that is carefully plated with artistry, the space is filled with art, sculptures, and lighting elements that add depth, movement, and life to every room. These carefully curated pieces are not just decorations; they are the seasoning, the garnishes that elevate the experience of being in the home. Each sculpture, each art piece, is like a touch of salt—a dash of flavor that draws you deeper into the story of the space. And as the light shifts through the day, it plays with these elements, casting shadows, revealing details, and making the home come alive in a dance of form and texture.
The Deck: A Tropical Feast of Space
Step outside onto the deck, and you are enveloped in a scene that feels both Mediterranean and tropical. The air smells of coconut, mango, and the earthiness of the flora that surrounds this home. It is a place that balances the cool, crisp edge of the Mediterranean with the lush, sensual warmth of the tropics. The deck is more than just an outdoor space; it is a stage for the senses. The colors of the sky, the warmth of the sun, and the softness of the surrounding greenery combine to create a space that feels like a tropical fruit drizzled with whipped honey butter—sweet, indulgent, and entirely satisfying. It’s a place where the lines between inside and outside blur, and where every moment spent here feels like a snack for the soul.
A Sustainable and Sensory Grounding: The Flooring
The flooring, made from offcut marble inlays on terrazzo, creates a seamless flow that guides you through the home. Just as a well-crafted dish relies on the subtlety of its ingredients, the flooring is designed with a careful attention to detail, bringing the entire space together. The terrazzo is not just a surface—it is the canvas, the base upon which everything else is built. Each marble piece is like a morsel of flavor, carefully chosen, arranged, and ground into the foundation of the home. And just as a skilled baker creates a perfect cake by layering ingredients with care, so too has the flooring been crafted by local masons, part-time bakers themselves, whose hands have kneaded and molded the terrazzo into something both beautiful and purposeful. This, too, is a part of the story: sustainability, community, and the joy of craftsmanship.
Bedrooms: The Whipped Honey Retreat
The bedrooms, too, share in this cocooning embrace. Soft, warm, and welcoming, they feel like being wrapped in a blanket of whipped honey butter. The textures are rich and smooth, the colors calming, like the mellow sweetness of a favorite dessert that lingers on the tongue. Here, rest is not just a function—it is a pleasure. A delicious indulgence, like the last bite of a perfect meal. Every surface, every pillow, every sheet, is designed to give you that same feeling of satisfaction, of being nourished, of being at peace.
In Conclusion: A Home is a Meal, and You Are the Guest
This home is more than just a collection of walls and ceilings. It is a shared meal, a place of nourishment, a space where people come together to break bread and share in the fullness of life. It is a home where the act of dining, of gathering, of embracing, is not just an event—it is a ritual, a celebration. From the large, inviting table to the comforting textures and the artistic details, every element has been carefully crafted to make you feel welcome, at ease, and most of all, fed.
Just as the Mediterranean feast brings people to the table, this home invites one to stay, to share, to experience.