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Architecture

29-10-2025

Text provided by Tanvee Abhyankar

‘Swar’ An Architectural Reverie

A soft sun warms the morning, as wisps of dhoop smoke mingle with rays streaming through the skylight. Somewhere in the stillness, Rupak Taal gently hums through the house

Named Swar, meaning melody, this 4850 sq ft bungalow in Pune’s fast-growing suburb is designed to echo a sense of harmony — in its spaces, proportions, and materials. Created by architects Jinesh Dhumavat and Shekhar Nahar of Studio Arcon for a family of five, the home centres around skylit courtyards that quietly shape how the house is lived in and felt. At the heart of Swar is a simple goal: to create a home that feels open yet connected. The plan, therefore, draws on climate responsiveness, a strong spatial flow, and principles of Vastu Shastra — all priorities for the clients.

From the facade inward, the pared-back palette of beige and grey sets the tone for the shifting volumes within. Inside, the courtyards offer a stage for natural light to filter through the day, casting patterns and shadows that animate the interiors. “One of the first ideas was to place courtyards to the north and east — not just for light and ventilation, but to bring a sense of openness, lightness, and calm. The courtyard, in fact, inspired the name Swar,” says Jinesh.

Nature sets the tune; the architects hold the melody and give it form. The home begins at the parking level, where a light-filled, dog-legged staircase leads to the main entrance. “We were certain to make the house minimal, earthy, and natural — with no extra elements or visual noise. Much of the design centred on decluttering, both physically and visually,” notes Shekhar. This approach guides both layout and material choices: the plan steps gently across levels, with courtyards, glass bridges, and open volumes binding the spaces together. A humble material and colour palette combines stone flooring with colours drawn from nature, and its consistency reinforces a quiet rhythm.

Pune,Maharashtra,India

Architects	:	Studio Arcon
Area	:	4850 sq. ft.
Year of Completion	:	2025
Website	:	https://www.instagram.com/studioarcon/

Exterior view of Swar by Studio Arcon

Aerial view of Swar by Studio Arcon

Courtyard to living room view of Swar by Studio Arcon

Courtyard of Swar by Studio Arcon

The home opens into a lobby that leads directly to a sunlit L-shaped courtyard, its edge defined in black granite. Beyond it, the living room unfolds in a column-free expanse — made possible by a composite structural system of mild steel sections. A swing — almost punctuating the space — is accompanied by Umbrella Trees and Peace Lily plants, while a standing window from the floor above looks down into the courtyard, extending the connection vertically. To the east is a minimal puja space across a waterbody, where the family’s Tirthankar idol stands within a wood-lined enclosure. The holy Navkar Mantra is etched on the backdrop, while grey micro concrete walls and rust orange floor inserts complete the sense of sanctity.

Just above the living room sits a large multipurpose room; it connects across the double-height volume to the son’s bedroom on one side and opens out to a generous terrace on the other, while the daughter’s bedroom lies right opposite.

Courtyard of Swar by Studio Arcon

Living room of Swar by Studio Arcon

Skylight of Swar by Studio Arcon

Pooja Mandir of Swar by Studio Arcon

Living, Dining & Pooja Mandir of Swar by Studio Arcon

Dining of Swar by Studio Arcon

Every piece of furniture, soft furnishing, and design detail was custom-designed and built on site, “We didn’t want to style the house later with separate pieces. We wanted the architecture and furniture to feel like one continuous story,” says Jinesh. Except for the outdoor seating, everything was conceived and crafted for this home.

It’s a house that doesn’t try too hard, yet says a great deal through its quiet clarity — in its vertical connections, column-free spaces, and pared-back materiality. Nature is welcomed and simplicity is embraced; Swar is less about what is added and more about what is allowed to simply be — a home that feels open, natural, and whole.