Kerala, at the southern tip of India, is known for its traditional nalukettu courtyard homes. A recently completed project by the architecture firm Taliesyn reinterprets that centuries-old vernacular as an opulent contemporary residence, where nearly every room maintains a physical or visual connection to landscaped green space. 

Spanning roughly 44,000 square feet and known as Kubos (a stylized nod to its interlocking cubic volumes), the home is organized around a soaring central atrium crowned by an operable skylight that releases warm air to help cool the interior naturally. Among its most striking features is a puja mandap—a traditional Hindu prayer shrine—adorned with intricately carved coral-stone columns and a domed ceiling. Nearby, a double-height sitting room flows into a formal dining area anchored by a dramatic two-story wall of bookmatched green onyx.

Elsewhere on the ground floor is a high-gloss kitchen defined by two gray ceramic islands positioned perpendicular to one another. Adjacent to it, an informal dining space was conceived as a modern take on a veranda, with a circular table encircled by walls of glass on three sides. Another standout is the indoor pool, where angular columns and hexagonal floor tiles lend a sculptural quality to the space, which also incorporates a spa and massage suite.

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A freestanding staircase of marble and wood rises to the upper levels, where the family’s private quarters are located. The primary suite includes a sitting area, dual walk-in closets, and a marble-clad bath, while the children’s bedrooms take a more playful approach—one is decorated with island-inspired motifs, the other centered on a bed suspended from a hand-painted ceiling.

Other spaces designed to support both work and relaxation include a children’s study, a dedicated home office, and a lofted family room. A private elevator provides access to a sleek gym, while a home theater with deep-blue walls and bright-orange chairs fitted with built-in tables is ready for movie nights.

Click here to see all the photos of the Kerala residence.