Atharva Bungalow

“We are from here, we belong here, we celebrate here” The Brief was to design a home in customized one of its kind manner that reflected the family’s life style and aesthetic sense. The resulting design was a modern home that show-cased Indian culture and ethnicity in a contemporary back drop. A perfect amalgamation of conservative traditions and cosmopolitan trends that says “We are from here, we belong here, we celebrate here”. A living breathing space of what luxury truly signifies. The interiors of the existing house was gutted down to a bare shell and then planned around the rigid construction elements that offered very little leeway in terms of structural change. The house is divided into 6 levels for a family of 4. The house comprises of one level suite respectively for the couple, the son and the daughter. The balance 3 levels house the formal living space, dining space, entertainment & relaxation zones with an open to the sky deck at the terrace level. A warm welcoming wooden main door with brass inlay, complemented with both the brass “Kalpavriksha” tree (which is considered as a wish fulfilling tree in traditional Indian culture and the “Deep Samai”-the traditional Indian brass oil lamp, is the first impression of house whose opulence it conceals. The ground level is the formal living space that is dominated by huge wooden paneled glass window that seamlessly allows natural light and nature into the living space. The palette is grey, white, black and brass. The handwork of Indian artisans is evident in the ancient tradition of the detailed, delicate “Mother of pearl” inlay work in the marble flooring. The son occupies the suite of rooms at the 1st level. His desire was to have a “no fuss” space that was both modern & minimalistic. The exposed brick wall which serves as the headboard is an apt backdrop for the room that was conceptualized to have Indian vintage era look. The daughter resides at the 2nd level. A neutral light grey terrazzo floor peppered with a customized hand spun carpet is the perfect setting for the quintessential royal poster bed. The delicately carved wooden headboard enhances to lavishness of the room. The subtle white and ivory accents keep the room warm & cozy. The 3rd level is the master’s suite which is inspired by the royal havelis and the brilliant blue of the Indian peacock feather. The hand crafted wooden door by Indian artists in shades of royal blue embellished with a bespoke brass motif handle is a befitting entry to this suite of rooms. Leveraging of Indian rich handicraft is reflected in blue lapis inlay on the marble flooring. The handcrafted zari Banarasi silk headboard is the perfect centerpiece for the gold Lotus flower motif wall, which enhances the richness of this room. The 4th level houses the family room, the dining & kitchen zone. The beige marble flooring acts as canvas for the brass inlayed wooden panels decorating the wall. The lavishness is evident in the brass screen which doubles as an art D’ Décor whilst separating the dining and family space. This brass screen is distinct, slender, jail which is shaped like the leaf of the ‘Ashoka Tree’ – which is considered scared in all Indian traditions. The warm yellow and orange earthy palette reflects the Indian sunsets. The 5th floor is the entertainment & relaxation floor. The entertainment space has a mega screen and play zone which is separated by an operable wall. The relaxation zone includes a spa which has walls carefully detailed in hand crafted, customized marble relief work by Indian artisan creating an excellent ambiance for peace & tranquility. This open to sky deck area is on the terrace level which has a vertical garden and break out spaces. This house symbolizes the narrative of ancient Indian design roots where traditional craftsmanship meets contemporary design brilliance.