Mohammed Afnan & Arun Shekar - HUMMING TREE

Project by

Mohammed Afnan & Arun Shekar

HUMMING TREE

Humming Tree, co-founded by Afnan and Arun in Calicut, Kerala, is an architecture and design practice rooted in collaboration and contextual sensitivity. The studio explores form, material, and user needs to create thoughtful, time-responsive spaces, seamlessly blending new interventions with existing environments to enrich everyday life.

About HUMMING TREE

Earths home

Design Team: Dhilna Parveen

Site Area: 4000 sq. ft.

Completion of Project: Aug-2025

Client Name: Mr & Mrs Jacob

Mohammed Afnan & Arun Shekar - HUMMING TREE
Image Credit - Turtle arts photography

Concept Note

Conceived as an expression of ornamental minimalism, this Thrissur home blends classic proportions with thoughtful craftsmanship. A restrained palette, curated art, and rich material textures create calm, livable spaces where minimalism feels warm, layered, and enduring, allowing subtle detail and character to quietly define the architecture.
Mohammed Afnan & Arun Shekar - HUMMING TREE

This home in Thrissur, Kerala is an expression of ornamental minimalism—a balanced composition where purity of form is gently enriched by thoughtfully curated detail. Rooted in classic proportions, the residence is envisioned as a calm and livable environment shaped by the studio’s enduring emphasis on craftsmanship. Rather than relying on overt gestures, the design unfolds gradually, revealing layers of texture, materiality, and character that lend the spaces quiet depth and lasting presence.

Art collected over many years gives the home its distinct identity and acts as a guiding force throughout the interiors. Deep black wooden flooring runs consistently across the house, creating a soft contrast against eggshell white walls. This restrained palette allows sculpted stone accents and carefully crafted furniture to emerge with understated elegance. Each piece feels intentional, contributing to an atmosphere that is composed yet warm.

In the living room, timeless seating forms are paired with a custom travertine table and a graceful chandelier, creating a setting that feels both refined and inviting. The colour palette remains grounded in natural tints—tobacco-toned floors, muted whites, soft greens, and gentle greys—forming a serene canvas that allows art and materials to take precedence without visual clutter.

The kitchen continues this narrative of refined warmth. Distinctive stone surfaces, wooden flooring, and a dining table carved from a single piece of timber come together to create a tactile and grounded space, one that encourages everyday rituals while maintaining a sense of quiet sophistication. Function and craftsmanship coexist seamlessly here.

Fabric and material choices throughout the home are deliberate and measured. Each element carries its own expression while remaining in dialogue with the overall design language. In the master bedroom, bespoke upholstered furniture, wooden flooring, layered textiles, and a custom rug introduce softness and comfort, reinforcing the home’s emphasis on rest and ease.

White walls remain consistent across the residence, allowing light, art, and intricate detailing to take prominence. When meaningful collectables and architectural character are already abundant, the design requires little embellishment. This Thrissur home stands as a study in subtle richness—where minimalism feels warm rather than stark, ornamentation is thoughtful rather than excessive, and every detail contributes to an atmosphere of harmony, comfort, and timeless beauty.

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