Designed by Archaic Design Studio, this 1300 sq.ft., 3BHK
residential apartment is located in the suburban area of Ahmedabad. The
apartment had been conceptualized as an amalgamation of opulence and serenity.
The intent was to groom the space into a home that is both functional and
elegant, while evoking a sense of place by contemplating the owners’ own
expressions of it.
The feature wall beside the main entrance, bearing the name of the
house, is finished in a teal blue shade to make the built form more inviting.
One is greeted into the house through a discreet foyer space. It subtly
transcends into the living area that beholds a gratifying palette of white,
grey and browns, outlining the whole design scheme to blend with the mood of
the dwellers. The materiality of the house is further deepened by the fusion of
a muted granite flooring, timber clad ceilings and grey matt finished
furniture. These are juxtaposed with strong colours in the upholstery and
textiles like charcoal grey, walnut brown and mint green. A dimension of
sumptuousness is added to the room by the mellow ceiling lights highlighting
art pieces and the veins of the marble panels. The balcony acts as a spillover
space to the living. The efficient use of a monolithic glass railing inculcates
a sense of continuity and connection to the wider world as it allows for the
user to capture seamless views of the surroundings. An inclination towards a
subtle introduction of a biophilic theme with addition of plants accentuates
the look and feel of the space while improving wellbeing, health and productivity.
The circulation from one space to another - of colour, of light and of people -
is what makes the design work.
Introducing geometric patterns in design details, the temple has
been adapted as a design element serving as a separator between the living and
dining area to capture the spiritual essence of the space. The dining at the
core functions as a buffer, interconnecting the living and kitchen to the
private spaces into the apartment. The dining table with a pale grey granite
countertop, converges ubiquitously with the ceiling and the floor. The
chandelier that hangs from the ceiling draws undivided attention. It strikes
the correct balance of light and shade and ignites a vigor to the rest of the
space including the artwork mounted on the wall as it can be viewed from
different vantage points. A venture as simple as adding mirror panels at the
back of the dining area, paints an exaggerated expression of the compact space.
The layout implies the kitchen to be a linear extension of the dining, divided by
a breakfast bar. Its face is completed in stone cladding with a wooden facia.
The breakfast bar serves as an informal seating and also doubles as a bar
counter during gatherings. Its affinity to dining makes it multifunctional and
fit for the new lifestyles.
The residence also accommodates three bedrooms including the
guests’ bedroom, master bedroom and children’s bedroom. All three bedrooms have
a homogeneous theme. The master bedroom's soothing colours like sage brown,
regent grey and white paired makes it easy to settle in. The room's aesthetic
is accentuated with a bold white ceiling complimented by the matt finished grey
storage shutters along with pastel brown-coloured fabric used in the headboard.
The monolithic granite panel on the back wall fits the bill perfectly without
being overpowering in any way. An asymmetrical design on either side of the bed
was actualized to fit a fluted wooden panel to endure from the language of the
rest of the apartment. To the right was a mirror with a dresser and a couple of
slick ceiling lamps adorned the other side - making this room perfect for one.
The parent’s bedroom has the same concept with a shade of white and leather
paneling complementing the bed and a wardrobe on its opposite side. The
curtains of all the rooms are retained in a neutral shade to complement the
rest of the interiors. The kids’ bedroom is an acquiescence of different grey
hues - regent grey in the back wall and dove grey sheets, set together with
pastel brown cushioned back panel of the bed, to style a space that creates a
sense of fun and excitement.
The overall aura of the house is thus charged with positivity,
thanks to the rightly positioned sources of light, a dynamic interaction of
textures and a colour scheme echoing the clients’ wishes and the firm’s
philosophy.