Text provided by Sneha Gandhi  

“A home should only tell part of your story—the memories, desires, and influences that shaped you—leaving some room for exploration. This way, the space evolves with you, rather than consistently defining who you should be,” says Divya Singh, Founder and Principal Architect from her eponymous practice, Divya Singh Designs. This quote perfectly encapsulates the Pune-based studio’s latest project: Sangam, a 3BHK apartment in Mumbai.

When Divya’s cousin first approached her to design his office in 2020, neither anticipated that this collaboration would evolve into something much larger. Fast forward to today, and Divya found herself mapping out their newly acquired adjoining flats in Powai, Mumbai, brainstorming ideas to transform them into an expansive 3BHK.

The couple’s diverse backgrounds—he hails from Delhi, and she is a Keralite—influenced the design significantly. “It was a classic North meets South situation, and I wanted to do justice to both,” Divya recalls. While the couple sought a modern aesthetic, the cultural influences led the design to Indian Modernism as the perfect balance. The idea crystallised during discussions about the mandir, leading to traditional elements like wooden beams and columns, inlay work, and Indian-style upholstery emerging organically.

Describing her approach, Divya chooses three words: spacious, serene, and subjective. Her layouts open up the 1,650 sq ft space, using natural light and muted tones to create a calm atmosphere. The studio’s palette leans towards earthy tones and natural materials like wood, veneer, and stone, grounding the home in understated elegance.

Mumbai,Maharashtra,India

Architects : Divya Singh Designs
Area : 1650 s.q ft.
Year : 2024
Website : https://www.instagram.com/ar.divyasingh/

Living room of Sangam by Divya Singh Designs


Living & Dining of Sangam by Divya Singh Designs

The entrance features a sleek main door with intricate Mother of Pearl inlay work—a nod to traditional Indian craftsmanship. This inlay, inspired by nature, carries through to the mandir, ensuring a sense of continuity. By removing the entrance passage wall, an open study was created to the right.

Straight ahead lies the expansive communal area, featuring wooden beams reminiscent of South Indian architecture. The design takes full advantage of the abundant natural light, with a linear and spacious living area positioned next to the windows and dining space on the opposite side.

At the heart of the home, the mandir serves as the design's anchor. While rooted in tradition, it adopts a minimalist edge—wooden columns stripped of heavy carvings evoke a classic feel. Divya admits to spending weeks finalising the mandir’s design, balancing South Indian temple architecture with the client’s desire for equality among the idols, resulting in arched niches and a restrained inlay pattern. The materials tell their own story: Baroda green marble in leather finish reflects darker South Indian temple stones, paired with white granite for contrast.

A distinctive trait of the studio is their ability to pair materials that might not typically be expected together. In the living room, subtle details reveal this approach: the legs of the side table mirror the green marble used in the mandir, while the centre table legs echo the mandir’s wooden columns. Even the TV console's legs are crafted from leftover pieces of the dining table. Divya describes this process as both purposeful and whimsical, creating a sense of material continuity while remaining eco-conscious. The absence of visual barriers between the living, dining, mandir, and kitchen areas enhances material harmony, with repurposed elements tying the spaces together in unexpected ways.


Dining of Sangam by Divya Singh Designs


Mandir of Sangam by Divya Singh Designs


Kitchen of Sangam by Divya Singh Designs

The kitchen design posed a challenge when the client requested a copper theme. Positioned near the mandir and visible from the living area, the studio balanced this with sleek black laminate cabinets, brushed copper-finished handles, and Calcutta Michelangelo tiles featuring subtle copper veins, all complemented by Indian granite with copper accents.

Divya has a clever approach when it comes to navigating design differences with clients—she starts with the bedroom. “Since it’s a private space, it offers a chance to understand the client’s personal preferences more deeply. Once trust is built and common ground is found here, the discussions around the more public spaces, like the living and dining rooms, tend to flow more smoothly,” she explains.


Kitchen of Sangam by Divya Singh Designs


Master Bedroom of Sangam by Divya Singh Designs

In this project, the journey began in the main bedroom, which was formed by combining two smaller rooms. While the client desired a walk-in wardrobe, the studio proposed a semi walk-in solution to maintain an open flow. This design features expansive floor-to-ceiling wardrobes to accommodate storage needs, paired with a free-standing bed adorned with a darker, moody headboard. Additionally, the headboard features a low-height storage unit, crafted with striking Green Emerald tiles that contrast the wooden laminate wardrobes. Its blocky, asymmetrical design is softened by a curved end, while marble pendant lights add a refined touch to the room’s modern, functional design.

In the attached bathroom, the design optimizes the available space with a full-height storage unit behind the mirror. A slight mishap turned into a happy surprise: when the studio realized there weren’t enough white tiles for the floor, they decided to embrace the surplus of blue Kitkat tiles instead. Originally planned for a feature wall, the blue tiles were then aesthetically incorporated in the flooring as well, enveloping the space in a cosy, unexpected hue. What started as an oversight ended up becoming one of the bathroom’s most delightful features.


Master Bedroom of Sangam by Divya Singh Designs


Master Bedroom of Sangam by Divya Singh Designs


Master Bedroom of Sangam by Divya Singh Designs


Guest Bedroom of Sangam by Divya Singh Designs

Storage was the top priority in this boys' bedroom, which accommodates a tween and a toddler. With floor-to-ceiling wardrobes and vibrant cabinets, every corner is designed to hold ample storage. The platform bed doubles as a sleepover space for friends and cousins while providing a safe area for play—and, yes, more storage.

Divya notes, “I prefer kids’ rooms not to scream ‘children’s space,’ as they evolve so quickly.” In this case, though, the son’s love for Lego and the colour green inspired a slight shift in approach. The Lego panels on the walls celebrate his interests, while a palette of green, blush, and blue maintains a cheerful atmosphere. Recognizing that kids will eventually outgrow their colourful phases, the Lego decor is removable. Furthermore, light wood laminates on the larger surfaces enhance the feeling of spaciousness.

Designed with flexibility in mind, the guest room, which might one day belong to the older son, features a window-side seating ledge with views of the cityscape. The ledge doubles as a single bed, providing both function and comfort. The room embraces a clean, minimal aesthetic, with a soft palette of blue charcoal and wood tones. To add subtle texture, Spanish self-designed matte tiles have been used on the walls.


Guest Bedroom of Sangam by Divya Singh Designs


Kids Bedroom of Sangam by Divya Singh Designs


Kids Bedroom of Sangam by Divya Singh Designs


Master Bathroom of Sangam by Divya Singh Designs


Detailed shot of furniture of Sangam by Divya Singh Designs


TV Unit of Sangam by Divya Singh Designs




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