Anhaya by Design Caves | De' Caves

'Anhaya'- The Clothing Atelier, a recent Interior Designing project, by 'De'Caves by Chitte Architects' is located in Tarabai Park-Kolhapur, Maharashtra. The word, 'Anhaya', means 'independent and fearless' and so the client's requirement was to make this store 'idiosyncratic' than the usual ones and also should stand-out discretely.

This first flagship store's interior is inspired from the old traditional houses of Kerala called as "Nalukettu." Inspired from the Keralian Architecture, the material and colour selection are kept sleek, minimal and subtle by majorly using 'Teak Wood' and 'Walnut' varnished veneer. The gables made from wood and thatched with 'warm grey' shingles were designed traditionally and, also supported by steel columns and rafters. Conventional flooring material such as Kota Stone, Black Kadapa and Terrazzo were used, while the walls were burnished with 'Lime Mortar' and cladded with 'Red Laterite Stone' for the contrasting effect. There has been a maximum use of locally available materials and craftsmen which can be henceforth, visible in the overall arena. The openings have been particularly handpicked and further restored from recently demolished heritage 'WADA' structures of Kolhapur. Unlike the traditional methods of door joineries, the heritage door has been placed in a glass frame, thereby modernizing it and giving the elevation of the store a light-exquisite traditional look.

A 'symmetrical' geometry principle has been adapted while planning and designing of the build form. The façade is kept minimal with a repetition of gable roof on both the sides of courtyard. The central courtyard breaks the linearity while the double heighted space breaks the overall monotony of the massing. The supporting details such as the 'Rustic Bohemian' doors and windows, 'Large Verandah ' reinforced on pillars, a 'Rose-Petalled' mosaic tiled central pond, Double heighted 'Stained Glass' Rose Window, makes it glorious and enthralling.