House of Kerala

Kerala in early times had independent homesteads spread all over the state. There was no cluster of houses, in a village system. Nalukettu was the conventional pattern of houses built to suit the needs of joint families. This was replaced later by terraced or tiled bungalows. Modern buildings are designed to house small families. Weaker sections put up buildings of mud walls, with thatched roof. Only affluent people build houses made of brick and wood.

Spectacular changes came over the design and architecture of buildings in Kerala in recent times. Concrete houses are coming up everywhere. A state effort is also made to offer its assistance to individuals in construction. The Housing Board has done excellent service in this direction, in important cities. Where density of population is very high, the flat system is becoming popular. A German architect, L.W. Baker has revolutionised the house construction technology in recent time. He employes intermediate technology in the construction of buildings. It is called the Baker Model, in which the traditional architectural style is combined with easily available local materials. In his new technology, he uses bricks and tiles, both locally available. This system minimises the use of cement and steel. The practical advantages resulting from such models, are simplicity of design and appreciable cut in expenditure.

The house of hill tribes was deplorable earlier. Under the facilities offered by the government , the hill tribes are also fast changing over to healthy accommodations.

Furniture
A modern house in Kerala usually contains chair, tables, benches, cots, shelves, tea poys, dressing tables, settees, chest of drawers, coat stand, radio or TV stand and other sundries. These pieces of furniture are made either of costly timber like teak, rose-wood, mahagony or steel. It is customary to use coir mates and door steps. Embroidered cushions, window curtains, art and painting collections ensure beauty of modern houses. Electric lights have replaced oil lamps, the traditional counterpart. Stainless steel utensils and ceramics have taken the place of brass and copper vessels. However, the poor still remain satisfied with earthernware vessels.