The cultural heritage of any country is seen best exposed in its architectural monuments. The ways in which the buildings are designed, constructed and decorated speak not only the technical and artistic capabilities of the craftsmen, but also of the aspirations and visions of the perceptors, for whom the construction is only a medium for thematic expression.

The architecture of Kerala is an ensemble of simplicity and elegance, a unique amalgam of external influences that are both foreign and Indian, in origin. The Southeast Asia and the Pacific Rim stretching upto China has the greatest impact on the traditional style of architecture of Kerala.

The manifestation of external influences is evident in Kerala's architecture with its gabled roofs and all wood, coconut-frond thatched constructions.
Traditional houses of Keralities are built in accordance with the principles of 'Thatchushastra', the science of carpentry and 'Vaastushastra' the ancient Indian science of architecture.

The aesthetic appeal of these buildings mainly arise from the simplicity of form and functional perfection

The characteristic regional expression of Kerala architecture results from the geographical, climatic and historic factors.

Geographically Kerala is a narrow strip of land lying in between western seaboard of peninsular India and confined between the towering Western Ghats and the vast Arabian sea. Favoured by plentiful rains and bright sunshines, this land is lush green with vegetation and rich in animal life. In the uneven terrain of this region human habitation is distributed thickly in the fertile low-lands and sparsely towards the hostile highlands

The form of the buildings with low walls, sloping roof and projecting caves was mostly evolved from climatic considerations - for protection from excessive rain and intense solar radiation. The setting of buildings in the open garden plot was again necessitated by the requirement of wind for giving comfort in the humid climate.