House XO / 3dor Concepts

Architects: 3dor Concepts
Area: 2200 ft²
Year: 2024
Photographs: Studio IKSHA
Lead Architects: Ahmad Thaneem Abdul Majeed, Muhammed Jiyad, Muhammed Naseem
City: Tanur
Country: India

House XO, designed by 3dor Concepts in Tanur, Kerala, merges industrial aesthetics with natural surroundings through an exposed steel grid structure. Created for a client in the steel industry, the house features high ceilings, full-height windows, and an open-plan layout to maximize space and connection to nature. The facade incorporates a large white X and O within the steel grid, along with a carved ash-brick wall, adding a distinctive visual identity. The home’s northeastern corner houses an open living, dining, and kitchen area with sliding glass walls, while the first floor includes a secondary living space and two en-suite bedrooms sheltered by metal grids. Sustainability guided material selection, with I-section and C-section steel beams reducing construction time and fly ash bricks enhancing efficiency. A durable deck-sheet roof improves thermal insulation, and minimal white interiors emphasize openness, with wooden grids referencing the home’s exterior.

House XO in Kerala, India, designed by local architecture studio 3dor Concepts, features an exposed structural steel grid to evoke a sense of “industrial elegance.” The 205-square-meter residence was created for a client with a background in the steel industry and is situated in the coastal town of Tanur, surrounded by large mango trees.

3dor Concepts sought to merge “natural beauty with industrial design elements” in the home’s design, incorporating an oversized steel frame to create loft-style spaces with high ceilings and full-height windows that open to the surrounding garden. The facade features a large white metal X and O embedded within the steel grid, resembling a game of tic-tac-toe, while a section of ash-brick wall above has been carved with a grid and letters.

3dor Concepts explained that the compact site required careful space planning to accommodate parking, privacy, and functionality while maintaining a strong connection to nature through expansive windows and an open layout that integrates the outdoors. The design incorporates clean lines, minimalist furnishings, and industrial elements such as exposed steel beams and large glass windows, achieving a balance between striking aesthetics and functionality while blending seamlessly with the tropical surroundings. Positioned back from the front of the site, the layout allows space for a driveway and a covered porch. The living, dining, and kitchen areas are arranged in a long, narrow space in the northeastern corner, featuring fully glazed walls that can be opened. On the smaller first floor, an additional living area overlooks the ground floor and connects to two en-suite bedrooms, each with full-height windows shielded by metal grids on the exterior.

The studio stated that material selection prioritized sustainability and efficiency, incorporating I-section and C-section steel beams to shorten construction time while enhancing the industrial aesthetic. Concrete walls were minimized, and lightweight fly ash bricks, made from recycled materials, were used throughout the house to improve environmental performance. A durable deck-sheet roof was implemented to provide thermal insulation, reinforcing the modern industrial design while optimizing energy efficiency.

The interior finishes were designed to be minimal and predominantly white, providing a neutral backdrop that highlights the natural surroundings while enhancing the sense of “openness and airiness.” Wooden grids on the walls were incorporated as a visual reference to the home’s facade.