The people of Rubáiyát
Rex & Alexander (architects)
Designs from afar.
New York, New York.
New York architect Rex Lalire founded Lalire March Architects (LMA) several decades ago. Today, LMA has an international practice that specializes in retail, workplace, and residential environments. Alexander Lalire joined the firm around 10 years ago, bringing fresh perspectives to their projects.
Alexander and Rex (sitting) with the team at Lalire March Architects in their midtown Manhattan office.
Glittering environments
Over the years, LMA has designed spaces for some of the world’s most exclusive brands, including Gucci, Balenciaga, and Dolce & Gabbana.
LMA designed Barneys flagship store in downtown New York features a three-story monumental staircase.
A different challenge
Rex and Alexander were excited to take on the unconventional Rubaiyat project, eager to tackle the unknowns surrounding the terrain, climate, and building materials. They looked forward to collaborating with owners Ashif and Anjali Panakkat, with whom they had a long-standing relationship.
LMA envisaged a house built in three different sections or pavilions as depicted in this preliminary roof plan set against the steep contours of the site.
Boundary-less spaces
The owners in-turn deeply connected with the open floor plans, exposed structural members, and large openings typically favoured by LMA.
An LMA designed cabin in the Catskills mountains of upstate New York.
New place. New ideas.
Rubaiyat presented the firm with a remarkable opportunity to implement low-energy building techniques, featuring passive ventilation that eliminates the need for air conditioning or heating – made possible by the mild year-round temperatures in Wayanad. The expansive openings removed barriers between interior and exterior spaces, and allowed for panoramic views.
A work-in-progress sketch of the proposed rear elevation helped the owners visualize the exterior aesthetics of Rubaiyat.
A local palette
Rex and Alexander designed Rubaiyat with a locally sourced, low-carbon material palette. They incorporated terracotta roof tiles, laterite blocks for the walls, granite for the pool deck, paving, and benches, as well as rare, insect-resistant teak wood for indoor accents—all crafted by local, highly skilled artisans at affordable rates. They recognized that using this combination of materials and labor in the US would result in significantly higher carbon and financial costs.
An aerial view of the finished building
Preparing for the deluge
Rex and Alexander designed Rubaiyat to manage the heavy downpours typical in Wayanad from June to October. The large roof overhangs direct rainwater onto partially porous stone paving beneath the eaves, which then drains into a system of trenches that follow the site's natural gradient. While they are pleased with the building's aesthetics, Rex and Alexander remain apprehensive about the effectiveness of its drainage system as Rubaiyat prepares to endure its first monsoon season.
Roof overhang at the master bedroom pavilion
Uncertain times
A much greater source of concern is the soil erosion and unpredictable weather patterns caused by climate change. In July 2024, devastating landslides in Wayanad claimed hundreds of lives. As architects, Rex and Alexander are left wondering whether even their best designs can withstand the challenges posed by a warming planet.
Sunset is visible over the roofline of the western pavilion of Rubaiyat.