Open House

The client wished for a complete remodeling and refurbishing of an old apartment into a modern, functional abode. The owners yearned to have an ‘open and large flowing space’ for entertaining guests and at the same time giving the bedrooms its due privacy.

The attempt has been to encompass various diverse forces at work, like the design program, client brief and preferences, our minimalistic approach to design and client’s eclectic but intriguing collection of art, antiques and curios into a harmonious but unique blend that is elegant and timeless.

The main challenge was working with the constraints of an old building and oddly shaped columns to  achieve the openess which the owners wanted.

This apartment building stood at the end of a lane surrounded by huge trees that became the focal point for the design. The main challenge was working with the constraints of an old building where the oddly shaped and placed structural elements had to be dealt with, fitting in all the requirements and still making it spacious. The walls and windows of the living space were removed to create an open pavilion kind of space where the exterior flowed into the interior almost creating the feeling of sitting in a lush garden.

The bedrooms were opened up and large frameless glass windows were introduced. The minimalistic and non-intrusive stainless steel railing design almost blended into the exteriors. False ceilings were avoided in almost all areas to be true to the structure and not truncate the volume of the spaces. All the Utility spaces were tucked away without compromising on its functionality. Corner windows were lengthened to become cosy window seats where one could sit with a book and a cup of coffee.

The TV unit was designed as a display panel flushed with the walls having  white duco finish to blend with the wall colour. A sliding panel with a large painting concealed the TV unit when not in use. The lighting was thoughtfully designed to complement the interiors and not stand out. During the day natural light filled the interior spaces, but with nightfall the light fittings infused a warm and soothing ambience. 

A seamless, poured, self-levelling Pandomo floor formed the principal feature that tied up all the spaces & this treatment even went up the walls and turned into smooth niches for artefacts and even long bathroom counters. A subtle monochromatic palette was employed to create a neutral backdrop that accentuated the carefully placed furniture and handpicked art collectibles from all over the world.

Hidden floor lights, table lamps, accent spots for paintings in the ceiling filled the space in a controlled manner. Selected pendant lights became central highlight pieces in the living, dining spaces and in the bedrooms too. Overall, the design ideology was to play in the background without being loud and jarring and create a chic, aesthetically heightened, comfortable and timeless living space for the discerning clients. 

Location : Pune

Year: 2015-2017

Status: Completed

Carpet Area: 2400 sq. ft

Photography: Hemant Patil

Design Team: Aparna Santhosh, Jui Vijaykumar, Pooja Waghulde