Solum: Designing Simplicity and Self-Sufficiency

The endeavour, right from the outset, was to create an architectural presence that seemed to have taken root naturally in the coconut and Areca palm-studded lushness, rather than being something artificially placed or planted,” explains Thomas Parambil the Principal Architect behind the design of Solum, a striking 375-square metre single-storey family home in deep sympathy with the surrounding landscape. Solum is the realisation of one client’s dream to create a rural escape and a “living example” of an agricultural way of life for his children. “The COVID-19 pandemic served as a catalyst for this dream, when the need for such a getaway became crucial and relevant,” elaborates Parambil.

Solum embodies a new approach to traditional farmhouse living. The expansive property is characterised by a bold modernist aesthetic featuring extensive glazing, clean lines and an open structure. A dramatic angled roof acts as a visual nucleus as well as a practical canopy, sheltering the main deck and swimming pool. The roof makes, in Parambil’s words, “a bold visual and functional statement” and is one of the architect’s favourite aspects of the property. In many ways, this feature is symbolic of the project as a whole. Solum’s overall visual design is one of bold simplicity, with practicality and functionality at its heart. The large, open volumes and floor-to-ceiling windows are intended to create a porous framework that softens the boundaries between the house and its surroundings. This structure creates a space that is filled with light and air. The large windows frame picturesque and uninterrupted views, “making mornings especially beautiful”, according to Parambil. The deep overhangs and canopies supported by slim columns provide shade and shelter from tropical rainstorms. 

Sustainability is central to Solum’s design, and the family home is entirely self-sufficient. Solar panels have been installed across the property to generate electricity, and the site contains a system for collecting and storing its own water supply. The design team worked to maximise the site’s natural topography, building Solum on the lowermost point of the plot in order to create a natural catchment for rainwater. As Parambil explains, “We turned this challenging site constraint into an advantage by channelling water inlets from different parts of the plot into a canal which then flowed into a large tank.” In addition to the site’s energy efficiency, sustainability informed the choice of materials throughout the property. Locally obtained concrete blocks, terracotta and black stone are celebrated for their integrity and natural texture. “Sourced locally to adhere to this sustainable approach, materials are basic, honest and celebrate imperfections and rootedness,” Parambil explains. The spatial configuration of Solum emphasises communal areas, thereby promoting togetherness and interaction. For example, the continuous east-facing public zone comprises a pool deck, kitchen and living area. There is a focus on communing, both with nature and between inhabitants. Solum answers what Parambil describes as “the desire for a connection to place and an Earth-sensitive lifestyle.” The client’s fondness for the modesty and simplicity of a rural way of life has informed the design at every level, from the functionality of the built form to the natural colour palette and respectfully sourced materials.

Solum represents a new outlook. As Parambil concludes, “This sustainable farmhouse symbolises a significant shift in how we perceive vernacular architecture, providing a progressive approach to embracing eco-friendly activities. It embodies a new age of farmhouse living that is both environmentally responsible and aesthetically appealing.”

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