neogenesis+studi0261 creates immersive brick & concrete spaces for 'jungalow 2' house in india

The project "Heirlooms in Concrete," designed by Greyscale Design Studio, addresses the evolving residential landscape of Bangalore, India. This residence, completed in 2024 and spanning 5000 square feet, blends traditional and modern architectural elements to accommodate changing family dynamics and spatial constraints. The design aims to foster continuity while embracing contemporary living. The project is situated in Bengaluru, India, and was photographed by Anand Jaju. The architectural team was led by Girish Mysore, Magesh Manohar, and Ninu Ahluwalia, with Rutvik Rustampur as the lead team member. Structural engineering was provided by Civitech Design, and civil engineering by Pro Constructions. The project's narrative was penned by Megala Gurumurthi. The integration of modern design with traditional values is a central theme, reflecting the balance required in rapidly urbanizing areas. The exterior of the residence, as seen in the dusk photograph, showcases a modern facade with subtle design features. The interior photography highlights the use of wood and natural light, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Key spaces, such as the kitchen, living room, and dining area, are designed to be functional yet aesthetically pleasing. The double-height dining area, for instance, emphasizes openness and connectivity within the home. The design incorporates courtyards, enhancing natural ventilation and light, and providing green spaces within the urban dwelling. The residence features elements like a pantry leading to a terrace, indicating a focus on indoor-outdoor living and functional extensions of living spaces. The staircase designs, some incorporating green oxide finishes, serve as prominent architectural features, connecting different levels of the house. Bay windows in the kids' bedroom overlook courtyards, further reinforcing the connection to nature and thoughtful space planning. The use of wood throughout the interiors, including in furniture and structural elements, contributes to a cohesive design language. Various floor plans (ground, first, second, third, and fourth) are provided, illustrating the spatial organization across multiple levels. These plans suggest a layered approach to living, where distinct zones are created for different family activities while maintaining an overall sense of unity. Elevations and sections offer insights into the building's structural integrity and aesthetic proportions, revealing a commitment to both form and function. The design also emphasizes accessibility and flow, with clear pathways and interconnected spaces. Materials used prominently in the construction include wood and concrete. These choices contribute to the home's aesthetic character and durability, aligning with both traditional and modern construction practices. The combination of these materials allows for a rich textural palette while ensuring structural soundness. The project aims to create a home that is not only visually appealing but also adaptable to the evolving needs of its inhabitants, embodying a sense of heritage through its enduring materials and thoughtful design. #ResidentialArchitecture #GreyscaleDesignStudio #Bengaluru #India #ModernDesign #TraditionalElements #ConcreteArchitecture #WoodInteriors #UrbanHousing

Sanjay Puri Architects introduces "Zen Spaces," a 27,000 square foot, four-level residential property in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, designed to seamlessly integrate with its natural surroundings. The project, conceived for a growing multi-generational family, is situated on the northern end of a large plot, preserving the existing garden and surrounding trees, while bordering roads on three sides. The architectural composition consists of cuboid volumes intersected by an open courtyard, ensuring that each space within the house receives filtered light and dynamic shadows throughout the day. The layout accommodates the needs of three generations. The subterranean level features a large lounge, a gym, and service areas, all naturally illuminated by a sunken courtyard. The ground and first floors are dedicated to living, dining spaces, and three bedrooms on each level, alongside a small lounge. A multipurpose room on the second floor opens onto a spacious north-facing terrace, providing additional communal space. Circulation within the house is designed around the central courtyard, maintaining a visual connection to the landscaped areas. This design strategy ensures that all interior spaces are naturally lit with diffused, indirect sunlight. Given Jaipur's climate, which includes eight months of summer with temperatures exceeding 35°C and four months of winter ranging from 12-21°C, the house incorporates both a winter deck on the south side, facing the garden, and a linear summer deck on the north, adjacent to the main living and dining areas. These decks offer sheltered outdoor seating suitable for year-round use. Each room also features its own private outdoor deck, balcony, or terrace, providing individual open spaces for residents. These private outdoor areas act as effective buffers against the intense summer heat, helping to keep the interior cooler. The summer decks overlook the main garden, while the winter deck faces large trees, and individual room decks are complemented by bamboo and other plantings. To mitigate heat gain during the summer and provide privacy and noise reduction from the arterial road, the east, west, and south facades are clad with GFRC screens. These screens draw inspiration from traditional Jaipur architecture and the region's stone screens. The construction utilizes a simple reinforced concrete (RCC) frame with walls made from fly ash bricks, incorporating sustainable practices such as water recycling, rainwater harvesting, and solar water heating. The project employed local contract labor and materials sourced within a 100 km radius, supporting regional craftsmanship and reducing environmental impact. Natural ventilation is a key feature, with the courtyard playing a crucial role in passive cooling. The interior design employs a predominantly neutral grey palette, accented by art and custom-made furniture crafted from Indowud, an eco-friendly rice husk wood substitute, by local carpenters. Walls are finished with lime plaster, minimizing cement usage, and ceilings in many areas feature exposed concrete. A small 'pooja room,' a traditional Indian prayer space, is strategically placed along the circulation spine, adorned with concentric bells that echo traditional temple domes, symbolizing a temple within the home. The design promotes a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces, with varying degrees of transparency that enhance spatial experience while maintaining privacy. At night, the house transforms into a sculptural composition of illuminated solid and perforated volumes. This thoughtful design, incorporating a courtyard, screens, indirect natural light, and comprehensive natural ventilation, ensures the house is highly energy-efficient and contextually responsive to its environment, offering diverse experiences interwoven with nature. #SanjayPuriArchitects #ZenSpaces #SustainableHousing #IndianArchitecture #JaipurDesign #EcoFriendlyMaterials #PassiveCooling #MultiGenerationalHome #ArchitecturalDesign

Sanjay Puri Architects designed Zen Spaces, a 27,000-square-foot, four-story residence in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. The project aimed to accommodate a growing family on a large plot that already contained an existing house to the south. The new structure is strategically positioned at the northern end of the garden, bordered by roads on three sides, allowing the majority of the original garden to serve as a shared amenity for both residences. The design prioritized the preservation of existing trees, integrating the new construction within the available space. The architectural concept for Zen Spaces features a series of cuboid volumes interconnected by an open courtyard, facilitating multi-generational living across its four levels. The first and second floors house living and dining areas, along with three bedrooms and a compact lounge on each. The second floor also includes a versatile room that opens onto a spacious north-facing terrace. The exterior design incorporates a winter deck on the south side, offering views of the expansive garden, and a summer deck on the north, extending along the main living and dining spaces. GFRC (Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete) screens adorn the east, west, and south facades, while the north facade remains more open. This screening system serves multiple functional purposes, including mitigating heat gain during the summer months, enhancing privacy, and reducing noise levels from the adjacent main road. The screens draw inspiration from traditional stone screens prevalent in Jaipur and Rajasthani architecture, blending modern design with local heritage. The construction utilized a straightforward RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete) frame, with walls built from fly ash bricks. The residence is equipped with sustainable features such as a solar water heating system, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling mechanisms. Local contract workers carried out the construction, and the majority of materials were sourced within a 100 km radius of the site, underscoring a commitment to local resources and labor. The project was initiated in May 2020 and completed in November 2023, with Arch. Sanjay Puri as the lead architect, supported by Arch. Madhavi Belsare and Arch. Ishveen Bhasin, and a design team including Arjun Gupta and Vibha Alat. #ZenSpaces #SanjayPuriArchitects #JaipurArchitecture #RajasthanDesign #CuboidVolumes #OpenCourtyard #GFRCScreens #SustainableArchitecture #MultiGenerationalHome

Sanjay Puri Architects has completed Zen Spaces, a 27,000 sqft four-level residence in Jaipur, India, designed for a multi-generational family. The house occupies a corner plot and is characterized by a series of cuboid volumes intersected by an open courtyard, carefully placed to preserve existing mature trees. A key architectural feature is the intricate screening facade, which allows for dynamic interplay of shadow and light throughout the interiors while maintaining visual connections to the surrounding landscape. The layout of Zen Spaces is meticulously planned to cater to various living requirements across its different levels. The subterranean floor houses a lounge, gym, and service areas, all naturally illuminated by a sunken courtyard. The ground and first floors are dedicated to living and dining spaces, alongside three bedrooms and a small lounge on each level. The uppermost floor includes a versatile multipurpose room that opens onto a spacious north-facing terrace. Considering Jaipur's climate, which experiences extended hot summers and mild winters, the design integrates elements to enhance comfort and mitigate heat gain. Winter and summer decks extend from the main structure, providing shaded outdoor spaces for family gatherings and offering relief from extreme temperatures. Each room benefits from strategically positioned decks, balconies, and terraces, functioning as private outdoor retreats that are shielded from direct sun exposure. These outdoor areas offer views of the expansive garden and lush trees, creating tranquil environments for residents. Sustainability is a core principle of Zen Spaces, evident in its construction and material choices. The house features a simple RCC structural framework combined with walls made from fly ash bricks. It incorporates a range of sustainable practices, including water recycling, rainwater harvesting, and a solar water heating system. The construction process utilized local contract labor and materials predominantly sourced within a 100-kilometer radius, promoting both environmental responsibility and support for the local economy. The facade is adorned with GFRC (Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete) screens, drawing inspiration from the traditional stone screens found in Jaipur and Rajasthan architecture. These screens serve a dual purpose: they regulate sunlight and reduce noise from the adjacent road, thereby enhancing privacy and contributing to the house's energy efficiency. Internally, Zen Spaces radiates a calming atmosphere with a neutral color palette dominated by shades of grey. Custom furniture, crafted by local artisans using eco-friendly materials like Indowud, complements the aesthetic. The use of lime plaster on walls and exposed concrete ceilings further reinforces the sustainable design ethos by minimizing cement usage. All spaces within Zen Spaces are designed for natural ventilation, encouraging passive cooling and reducing reliance on mechanical air conditioning. A circulation spine features a small 'pooja room' (prayer room), incorporating traditional Indian elements such as bells arranged in a dome-like formation, reminiscent of a temple. At night, the residence transforms into an illuminated sculptural form, with light playing across its solid and perforated surfaces, creating a distinctive visual spectacle. #SanjayPuriArchitects #ZenSpaces #JaipurArchitecture #IndianResidentialArchitecture #SustainableDesign #ScreeningFacade #IndirectLight #ClimateResponsiveDesign #MultiGenerationalHome

The Bengaluru residence of Namratha and Raveen Shastry, co-founder of Myntra, represents their seventh move in 17 years, designed to be their 'forever' home. The couple, dedicated climate activists, prioritized natural materials and a minimal carbon footprint. Their previous 6,000-square-foot home was deemed too large, leading them to opt for a smaller, more intimate space for their daughter, Sthuthi, and their Shitzu, Sky. Architects Aatira Zacharias and Bhyrav B.R. of 1LeapingFrog Studio, whose design philosophy aligns with the Shastrys' sustainable vision, were commissioned for the project. The building incorporates passive cooling mechanisms that effectively negate the need for air conditioning, even in Bengaluru's 40-degree Celsius heat, showcasing a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. The design approach was further shaped by the clients' support for local craftsmanship. Departing from contemporary trends of 'cement finishes' and 'oxide-feel' paints, the Shastrys sought authenticity. They collaborated with a Kerala expert to implement genuine oxide finishes in various colors across selected walls and floors, including bathrooms. This traditional technique is complemented by extensive use of ochre Jaisalmer stone flooring, which serves a practical purpose for puja rituals, as it resists turmeric stains. Waste tiles were repurposed to create intricate china mosaic patterns, adding unique decorative accents throughout the home. The penthouse, originally a three-bedroom unit, was reconfigured to include an additional luxurious master bedroom suite on the terrace level, providing privacy and serene views. The terrace also offers an open-to-sky space ideal for relaxation. The living, dining, and kitchen areas are seamlessly integrated, creating an expansive feel. Natural light floods the living room, which opens onto a shaded balcony, while a skylight in the dining area introduces dynamic lighting throughout the day. A sculptural granite staircase with a double-height design serves as a focal point, enhancing the spatial volume, and is illuminated by pendant lights from Purple Turtles. Each bedroom is distinguished by a unique oxide color. The master suite's unconventional bathroom is a significant feature, providing Raveen Shastry with a space for creative reflection. All built-in furnishings, including vanities and wardrobes, were custom-designed by 1LeapingFrog Studio. Loose furniture and lighting were sourced from local stores like Tusker Katha, Freedom Tree, and Olie, ensuring consistency with the home's aesthetic and ethos. The kitchen was supplied by Panasonic, while carpets came from Jaipur Rugs and Hatsu, and fabrics from Drapes Avenue, Fabindia, and Wishing Chair. The artwork displayed is either personal to the clients or collected during their travels. The project avoided hazardous paints, creating a healthier environment free from noxious chemical odors, which was appreciated by the construction workers. This Bengaluru home exemplifies a successful integration of traditional materials, sustainable practices, and modern design, reflecting the clients' unique vision and commitment to environmentally responsible living. #BengaluruHomes #ClimateResponsiveDesign #SustainableArchitecture #JaisalmerStone #OxideFinishes #LocalCraftsmanship #EcoFriendlyHome #PenthouseDesign #IndianAesthetic

The NR House, located in Hyderabad's upscale Jubilee Hills, is a sprawling 9,023-square-foot residence that exemplifies a seamless blend of luxury and sustainability. Designed and owned by Niroop Kumar Reddy, principal architect of NA Architects, the home reflects the personalities and lifestyles of its inhabitants through its thoughtfully conceptualized design. From the outset, the home makes a stunning impression with its expansive scale, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and abundant natural light that define its facade. A key design philosophy behind NR House is sustainability, evident in the natural material palette and the incorporation of semiprecious and natural stone accents throughout. The architect emphasizes the use of renewable elements such as stone, wood, organic fabrics, metal, and brass, juxtaposed to create harmonious interiors. The project aimed to demonstrate that sustainable living can coexist with luxury, allowing for experimental design choices due to it being the architect's personal residence. Sustainable features are integrated throughout the property, including a terrace utilized for organic vegetation and solar panels that supply electricity. Notably, natural stone found on the site has been repurposed as a design element, both within the interior and in the landscape. Exposed concrete ceilings with various embedded designs add intriguing textures, while marble, brass inlays, and metallic accents contribute to the overall sophistication of the spaces. The design prioritizes maximizing the perception of space. Cavity doors blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor areas, facilitating air circulation. Strategically placed clerestory windows allow natural light to flood the interiors, and frameless windows and apertures offer uninterrupted views of the surrounding courtyards, further expanding the visual space. The grand entrance features a 20-foot-high main door and a monolithic stone-clad wall, creating a dramatic welcome. The family living room, an extension of the formal double-height living room, incorporates a rustic stone-clad wall as a backdrop for the sofa, with a fireplace integrated into the TV unit. Unique boulder-shaped steps lead to the lobby, adding a touch of natural artistry. The living room seamlessly opens onto a lap pool that spans the entire length of the ground floor, visually connecting all lower-level spaces. The ground floor is designed for both indoor and outdoor entertainment, offering picturesque views of the pool deck and lush foliage. The dining room provides a tranquil setting with neutral tones and views of the east garden, complemented by an exposed concrete ceiling and a distinctive tubular glass light fixture. The master bedroom maintains an elegant, minimalistic ambiance with neutral tones and a striking graffiti wall behind the bed. A highlight of this private sanctuary is the terrace, complete with a garden, outdoor jacuzzi, and expansive city views. The son's room is a split-level design, featuring a lounge and study area on the lower level and a sleeping area with a bathroom on the upper level. The daughter's room exudes feminine elegance with a modern classical white theme, adorned with handmade porcelain flowers and a playful artwork. The semi-basement houses a bar, with an original 1920 Lambretta scooter ingeniously repurposed as the bar counter, serving as a focal point for relaxation and entertainment. Finally, the home theatre, characterized by black-clad walls and a rippled concrete ceiling, provides an authentic movie-viewing experience, further enhanced by a fabric-embroidered zebra artwork. #HyderabadHome #SustainableLuxury #NAArchitects #ModernArchitecture #EcoFriendlyDesign #NaturalMaterials #InteriorDesign #LuxuryLiving #GreenBuilding

Idam Design Studio designed a bungalow in Thamarakulam, Kerala, for Jishnu Vijay and his family, drawing inspiration from their 70-year-old ancestral home located nearby. The primary design objective was to create a dwelling that offered a stark contrast to the old house, which was characterized by dark rooms and narrow corridors. The new bungalow emphasizes luminous, open, and airy spaces, incorporating tall ceilings, open layouts, minimal internal walls, abundant ventilation, and natural sunlight. The family, with a background in farming, desired a home that harmonized with the surrounding landscape. Architects Prijith Vijayan and Govind Mohan focused on designing a structure where natural elements could seamlessly flow through. The design facilitates connection among family members, unlike the old home's layout that encouraged separation. The structural elements, particularly the few internal walls, are designed to emulate trees, standing tall and rooted while allowing for natural airflow. A notable feature includes two double-height brick jalis, which are four meters high and contribute to cooling the home in warm weather. The stability of these jalis was a concern, addressed by interlocking standard bricks with jali bricks to reinforce their width. To ensure nature remained the focal point, the living room features a calming cement finish. In contrast, the reading area is invigorated with red oxide and a jali-inlay floor, distinguishing it from the tiled flooring in other parts of the house. One bedroom incorporates a Prussian blue accent wall, reminiscent of the sea, while the exterior is finished in muted grey. The interior decor integrates historical and repurposed elements, such as traditional terracotta pots and an old 'arippetti' (a rice storage box) salvaged from the ancestral home and repurposed as a coffee table. Mangalore tiles from the old cowshed were reused for the garden's retaining walls, further demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and honoring the property's history. Initially, the unconventional design presented a challenge for the owners, Vijayan and Beena, who had to adjust to a home that departed from traditional norms. However, local masons, carpenters, and contractors, despite their unfamiliarity with such modern designs, collaborated effectively, showcasing trust and courage. The final outcome has garnered significant admiration, with the family expressing pride in their unique home. The design successfully integrates views of greenery from every window without necessitating the removal of many trees. The bungalow has become a local point of interest, attracting visitors who wish to see or photograph it, confirming the success of its innovative and nature-inspired architecture. #KeralaHomes #BungalowDesign #IdamDesignStudio #OpenLayout #SustainableDesign #BiophilicDesign #ArchitecturalInnovation #IndianArchitecture #HomeRenovation

Noesis Architecture & Design has completed KDH2, a two-story residence situated on the periphery of Okayama city, Japan. This project, conceived for an architect and his family, delves into the intricate relationship between internal living areas and the surrounding urban environment. The architectural approach is heavily influenced by the Japanese concept of ‘Ma’, emphasizing the dynamic interplay of space and time. The house is meticulously designed to facilitate a smooth transition between private family zones and the more public aspects of the neighborhood. The design incorporates strategically placed apertures that serve multiple functions. These openings allow for the ingress of indirect natural light, illuminating the interior spaces with a soft, diffused glow. Concurrently, they frame carefully curated views of the adjacent neighborhood and the distant city, thereby strengthening the occupants' sensory and perceptual connection to their external environment. These visual connections also provide subtle glimpses of the family's daily life to the outside world, fostering a sense of community and enhancing human interaction with the surroundings. The KDH2 residence features an open, continuous spatial arrangement that seamlessly links the upper and lower floors. A distinctive element of the second floor is its undulating wooden ceiling, which not only draws the eye towards panoramic views of the city but also instills a feeling of stability and enclosure within the primary family activity area. Through subtle architectural cues rather than physical barriers like doors, various zones within the house are differentiated. This design choice allows family members to maintain an awareness of each other's presence through auditory cues, such as voices and ambient sounds, reinforcing a sense of togetherness within the open layout. An L-shaped floor plan is central to the home's design, ensuring that every room benefits from a direct connection to the garden. This configuration further blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor living, creating a harmonious and integrated living experience. Noesis Architecture & Design has opted for a palette of simple, enduring materials, including natural wood and stucco. These materials are chosen for their timeless aesthetic and their ability to age gracefully, developing a rich patina over time that symbolizes the accumulation of family memories and experiences within the home. This intentional material selection contributes to the house's organic integration into its environment and its capacity to evolve aesthetically with its inhabitants. #JapaneseArchitecture #ResidentialDesign #FluidSpaces #UndulatingCeiling #IndoorOutdoorLiving #OkayamaHouse #ModernArchitecture #WoodAndStucco

The 'Play' House, situated in Bumi Serpong Damai, Tangerang, Indonesia, is a two-story residence designed by Indonesian architects Aboday. It is part of a new gated housing cluster comprising 120 residences. The project involved integrating an existing 120-square-meter house with a new building on an adjacent 200-square-meter empty plot. Due to corner setback restrictions, the combined structure occupies 150 square meters of the total 320-square-meter land. The exterior of the house features a straightforward design that mimics the sloping roofs of neighboring houses. Exposed concrete is the dominant material, punctuated by small glass incisions and openings towards the main road. The overall appearance is inward-oriented, with vertical green walls that aim to soften the otherwise stark concrete aesthetic. The house is intended for a multi-generational family of three, with a particular focus on the needs of a five-year-old boy, which influenced the playful design elements. One of the distinctive features is a sculptural concrete slide, tucked into the corner between two main building masses. This slide serves as an alternative 'transportation mode' for the child, connecting his second-floor bedroom to the dining room on the first floor. It also functions as a private play area, occasionally covered with plastic and clothes to create a secret cave. In contrast, a standard open staircase is located between a small library and the living area. Inside, the house largely consists of open-plan spaces, with the exception of three enclosed bedrooms. The interior palette is dominated by white and grey, featuring exposed concrete walls and ceilings. Inherent flaws from the concrete pouring process have been left visible, contributing to the natural ornamentation of the house. Concrete was chosen for its dual qualities of structural strength and flexibility, which allows for interesting spatial tensions. Addressing the challenge of heat retention in a tropical climate, given the extensive use of concrete, the architects implemented several strategies. These include an exceptionally high ceiling of ten meters, a special heat-resistant membrane coating on the external roof surface, and the incorporation of numerous climbing plants on the external walls that are expected to grow to the roof, providing natural shading. The design emphasizes natural ventilation and lighting; open spaces are not air-conditioned and rely on strategic openings and incisions between walls, windows, and the roof. A series of ceiling fans, suspended by metal rods, further aids air circulation. To create a continuous flow of air, certain walls are built with a 40-centimeter gap, housing horizontal glass louvres that act as 'rain' windows. Large trees strategically planted in the garden provide essential shade to areas with floor-to-ceiling glass windows. These 'low-tech' solutions aim to mitigate common problems associated with concrete construction in hot climates, creating a comfortable living environment. #AbodayArchitects #IndonesianArchitecture #ConcreteHouse #PlayfulDesign #SustainableArchitecture #TropicalClimateDesign #ResidentialArchitecture #GreenWalls #NaturalVentilation

DTALE Decor, a Kochi-based interior design firm, designed “Sarovar Haveli,” an 8,000-square-foot, three-story home in Bengaluru. The project aims to create a contemporary Indian aesthetic, characterized by a blend of traditional vernacular details reinterpreted for modern living, raw textures contrasted with metallic accents, and an ongoing connection between interior and exterior spaces. The firm curated furniture and decor from its own online platform, DTALE Modern, to achieve a masterful integration of visual motifs and natural materials, reflecting both Indian design principles and the client's individual preferences. Sreejith Pathangalil, the head interior designer, conceptualized the project with a vision of understated luxury. The design approach involved extensive experimentation with textures, finishes, upholstery, and various materials to define distinct and memorable areas within the home. The main living and dining area, a large rectilinear space, is cleverly divided into separate zones through strategic furniture placement and textural variations. This area features floor-to-ceiling windows that offer views of an outdoor water feature, allowing the natural environment to seamlessly merge with the interior. The design incorporates a biophilic palette, utilizing teak wood furniture, earthy tones, and neutral fabrics, which are subtly punctuated by brass accents. Art plays a central role in anchoring the aesthetic of each space. The clients possess an extensive art collection, cultivated over two decades, which includes works by notable artists such as Bhaskar Rao, C.F. John, Chandra Bhattacharjee, Nagesh Ghodke, and Ashok Bhowmick. These artworks are thoughtfully integrated into the design; for instance, biophilic patterns on the dining chairs echo a tree painting by Bhaskar Rao, while the color tones of a Chandra Bhattacharjee piece in the living room are mirrored in the upholstery. This careful curation ensures that each piece of art enhances the overall design narrative. Textures are strategically employed to create intimate and tactile moments within the visual landscape, complementing the tonal palette of various spaces. Fluted wall paneling, made from veneer ply and cement board, breaks up large, unadorned walls. Ceiling-to-floor curtains crafted from sheer fabrics softly filter natural sunlight, contributing to a gentle ambiance. Patterned floor tiles in the dining area visually distinguish it from the larger open-plan space, maintaining its unique identity. These design elements, impactful in their simplicity, introduce both surprising details and moments of thoughtful contemplation. The "Sarovar Haveli" exemplifies a delicate balance between tradition and modernity, maintaining a consistent connection to the natural world. It beautifully represents the complex yet harmonious contradictions inherent in contemporary Indian home design. #BengaluruHomes #IndianDesign #DTALEDecor #UnderstatedLuxury #NaturalMaterials #ArtIntegration #BiophilicDesign #TexturePlay #ModernIndianHome

Perched on the 20th floor of a luxurious housing society in Gurugram, a 2,800-square-foot home draws inspiration from the global travels of its homeowners. The clients commissioned architects Rohan Gera and Nishtha Duggal, co-founders of The Concrete Story, to craft a space that integrated the urban raw aesthetic of the cityscape while avoiding the typical decor often found in luxury apartments. In response to this brief, the architects conceived a home that pays homage to the imagery of sand dunes and deserts. The residence serves as a canvas for a sophisticated interplay of materials, encompassing two bedrooms, a study lounge, four bathrooms, and a household staff's quarter. To achieve the desired raw desert ambiance, natural sand-based plasters were extensively used. Lime wash was applied to all walls, contributing to the cooling effect characteristic of desert homes. Another textured paint, known as _ghibli_, was incorporated into the main bedroom. Teak wood was utilized as a foundational material throughout the house, forming a robust structural element. Local artisans were instrumental in achieving the rustic finishes and in weaving the brutalist aesthetic of the desert into the overall design language. Upon entering, a private lift lobby leads to the main door, which is elegantly adorned with fabric sourced from Sarita Handa. The living room is bathed in natural light streaming from the balcony, which beautifully highlights the textured lime-washed walls and the wicker detail sofa. A prominent teak table, with its matte surface, provides a striking contrast against the diverse textures present in the space. Adjacent to the living area, and overlooking the meticulously designed balcony, is the dining table. Woven blinds and a subtly elegant chandelier complement the sandy textures that define the design scheme. The study lounge, conceived as a tribute to readers, features a Sabyasachi wallpaper as its focal point, showcasing a harmonious blend of patterns. The opposing wall is finished in white plaster with minimal depth, offering a clean counterpoint. A bespoke bookshelf, crafted on-site and finished in French yellow, introduces a touch of delicacy to the otherwise bold space. The study chair and settee were custom-designed by the architectural team. The main bedroom exudes a sense of understated luxury and adheres to a minimalist design philosophy. Crinkled curtains add visual interest, and a daybed by the window offers a serene spot for relaxation. The guest bedroom draws inspiration from India's rich architectural and design heritage, featuring a timeless teak bed and a refreshing green color palette. Intricately carved side tables enhance the room's elegance, while wardrobes, inspired by Parsi-style almirahs, are fitted with starched cotton fabric that emits a soft glow when illuminated at night. The entire home skillfully merges various textures, patterns, and materials to evoke the serene yet rugged beauty of a desert landscape, providing a unique and personalized living experience for its globetrotting inhabitants. #GurugramHome #LuxuryDesign #SandDunesInspired #TheConcreteStory #InteriorArchitecture #NaturalMaterials #ArtisanCraftsmanship #DesertVibe

This article details the renovation and vertical extension of a bungalow in Hyderabad, designed by Biome Environmental Solutions for architecture and Essajees Atelier for interiors. The project aimed to accommodate the needs of multiple generations while adhering to strict ecological concerns and a restricted footprint. Rather than demolishing the original 1980s bungalow, the architects chose to renovate and extend it vertically, building two new floors on top of the existing ground floor. This decision was driven by the client's emotional attachment to the original home, as well as economic and ecological benefits, avoiding the generation of demolition debris. The design thoughtfully integrates old and new elements. The ground floor's plastered walls stand in stark contrast to the exposed earth block walls of the newly added floors. Material shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic led to an innovative solution for the external walls, which were constructed using alternating courses of 9” and 6” compressed stabilised earth blocks. This technique created an aesthetically unique striated pattern that also offers thermal benefits, self-shading the facade from solar radiation, crucial for Hyderabad's hot climate. Inside, the functional layouts of the ground and first floors were largely maintained but optimized. Excess circulation areas were reduced, and openings were enlarged to create new rooms or improve existing spaces. An elevator shaft was ingeniously carved out of the original foyer to meet modern accessibility requirements. The previous semi-circular concrete staircase was replaced with a more compact metal and wood staircase, creating an open, triple-height volume that connects all floors and serves as a sculptural focal point. A bridge across this void connects different spaces, enhancing the flow and visual appeal. The interiors, though appearing understated, were meticulously planned by Sarah Sham. The aesthetic was largely informed by the eco-sensitive architectural shell and the clients' preference for locally sourced materials, with a conscious effort to obtain materials within a 100 km radius. The living room exudes an old-world charm, featuring cosmetic rafters for ambience and patterned tiles from Bharat Floorings & Tiles that double as an easy-to-clean alternative to rugs. Multicultural elements, such as Sainathji artworks and a traditional jhoola, reflect the homeowner's Gujarati heritage. A small skylight strategically brings in a controlled cone of light, suitable for the local climate. The second floor represents a significant new addition, fulfilling contemporary needs like a children’s bedroom, a home theatre-cum-den with a pantry, and an open-to-sky yoga space, along with a remodeled and expanded main bedroom. The home office on this floor features a contemporary design with natural light from horizontal strip windows. Beyond material and spatial design, the bungalow incorporates a comprehensive water management system. All rainwater is harvested from the terraces, and greywater from baths and wash areas is recycled through a reed bed system on the terrace for flushing and gardening, underscoring the project's deep commitment to sustainability. Furniture was primarily sourced from Intent Made, a Hyderabad-based company, with accessories and art also locally acquired, reinforcing the home’s unpretentious and private character. #SustainableArchitecture #BungalowDesign #HyderabadHomes #GreenBuilding #EcoFriendlyDesign #VerticalExtension #InteriorDesign #LocalMaterials #WaterHarvesting

Architectural Digest India highlights six unique Indian homes that push the boundaries of conventional design, showcasing a blend of creativity and surprise. Each residence presents a distinct narrative, transforming into a canvas for architects and designers. These homes draw inspiration from unexpected sources, ranging from soft pastel hues to intricate chakra vibrations and natural landscapes. The first featured home in Gurugram, a 2,800-square-foot apartment, is conceptualized by Rohan Gera and Nishtha Duggal of The Concreate Story. Inspired by the homeowners' global travels and a desire for urban rawness, the design pays homage to sand dunes and deserts. It incorporates natural sand-based plasters and lime wash for a cooling effect, along with textured paint called 'ghibli' in the main bedroom. Extensive use of teak as a backbone material and rustic finishes, achieved with the help of local artisans, imbue a brutalist desert aesthetic throughout the space, which includes two bedrooms, a study lounge, four bathrooms, and staff quarters. In Bengaluru, a bungalow designed by The Drawing Board takes inspiration from the sport of golf. Principal designers Meera Rajendra and Akhila Kumar incorporated an eight-degree slant in one wall, symbolic of a golfer's stance, aligning with the home's proximity to a golf course and the owner's passion. This slanted shear wall, finished in blue oxide, connects to a parabolic roof. The wall's tilt also serves a functional purpose, providing extra carpet area on the upper floors due to zoning regulations, while strategically placed punctures maintain connectivity between spaces. A minimalist dwelling in Mumbai's Bandra-Kurla Complex, designed by Jesal Lodha of The Little Details, is a sorbet-inspired oasis. Created for a couple with contrasting preferences for colors and neutrals, the design successfully integrates pastel shades like beige, mint green, and ballet slipper pink. Textured consoles, cabinets, and sleek brass frameworks complement the delicate decor, emphasizing understated luxury. Ample storage is achieved through textured cabinet facades and wicker accessories, with Michelangelo marble slabs validating the home's intrinsic beauty. The Petal Villa in Alibaug, designed by Shivjit Sidhu of Apostrophe Architecture + Urban Design, draws formal inspiration from flower petals. Envisioned as a residential retreat for a family to connect with nature, the villa's layout metaphorically unfolds like a petal. Each wing is strategically placed in the landscape to optimize shade and ventilation and create private courtyards, resulting in a free-flowing design that blends seamlessly with the surrounding environment of sea and mountains. In Raipur, a family home by Studio Lotus, led by Sidhartha Talwar, is inspired by old rice granaries. The exterior features two barn-style volumes on a solid stone base with pitched zinc roofs, reflecting the local granaries. The interior, however, is understated, with carefully considered elements based on Vastu principles. The design incorporates a central green space flanked by residential blocks and a blueprint with intersecting axes that divide the house into four functional areas, emphasizing natural elements and privacy. Finally, a luxury penthouse in Nagpur, designed by Sagar and Leena Bhadbhade of Ferroart Interiors, is inspired by chakra and vibration theories. The 3,200-square-foot 3BHK residence consciously integrates the four tenets of energy laws, drawing on Sagar’s training in the law of attraction, theory of vibrations, and saptachakra healing. This approach offers a distinct design philosophy, contrasting with traditional Vastu, to create an oasis of calm that embodies a deeper spiritual connection within the home. #IndianHomes #HomeDesign #ArchitecturalInnovation #InteriorDecor #VastuCompliant #ChakraInspiredDesign #MumbaiHomes #BengaluruHomes #GurugramHomes

In the bustling city of Mumbai, a 4,500-square-foot duplex in a unique residential complex offers a sanctuary of calm. Designers Disha Bhavsar and Shivani Ajmera of Quirk Studio were tasked with transforming this 'villa in the sky' into an expansive, uncluttered, and subtly luxurious home for a family of four. The apartment, situated in a development where every unit is a duplex featuring high ceilings, vast openings, and large private terraces, provided an exceptional foundation for the design. The initial inspiration for the design was the 800-square-foot outdoor terrace. The designers focused on creating a seamless flow between the living and dining areas, extending into the terrace, thus integrating the outdoors with the interiors. This lower-level living-dining zone stands out as a dramatic architectural element, with full-height openings that lead to the terrace, enhancing the sense of scale and openness and redefining urban living. The homeowners expressed a preference for open, functional spaces over fragmented, function-specific rooms. This led to a design approach emphasizing flexibility and modularity without compromising aesthetics. A notable example is the multipurpose den, which can be fully enclosed to function as a guest bedroom, showcasing intelligent spatial planning that adapts to varying needs while maintaining a minimal aesthetic. The upper level of the duplex is dedicated to private spaces, including two large bedroom suites, each with an indulgent ensuite bathroom and walk-in wardrobe, along with a study and a mandir. A significant design challenge involved connecting the two levels with both a visually striking staircase and a capsule elevator. The designers ingeniously integrated a sculptural, ribbon-like spiral stairway that gracefully wraps around a transparent elevator. This solution transformed a structural necessity into a central design feature, anchoring the home with its vertical sculptural presence. The design aesthetic is deeply influenced by the homeowners' personalities and lifestyle, prioritizing openness and emotionally resonant spaces over unnecessary excess. Quirk Studio aimed for a design vocabulary that was restrained yet immersive, achieving a sense of 'quiet luxury' through a deliberately minimal palette. Soft grey lime-plastered walls introduce a muted tactile quality, while continuous white marble with subtle grey veining unifies the lower level. Deep wood accents add warmth and gravitas, allowing texture, scale, and detail to create drama rather than overt ornamentation. Vibrant colored accents are strategically introduced in areas like the bathrooms, featuring marbles in rich reds, blues, and ashy greens, providing pops of color against the monochromatic base. Quirk Studio's core philosophy of 'less is more' is evident throughout the project. While adapting to the specific brief of the homeowners, the studio maintained its characteristic language of restraint and precision. The Mumbai duplex exemplifies this philosophy, presenting a home that is simultaneously expansive and warm, meticulously detailed yet uncluttered, and minimalist yet profoundly personal. #MumbaiHomes #DuplexDesign #UrbanLiving #QuirkStudio #LuxuryInteriors #MinimalistDesign #ArchitecturalInnovation #IndoorOutdoorLiving #FlexibleSpaces

This article details the transformation of a rundown two-bedroom, two-bathroom bungalow in Los Angeles's Eagle Rock neighborhood into a two-story, three-bedroom Japandi-inspired home with an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). The project was undertaken by designer Kirsten Blazek of a1000xbetter for developer Waleed Delawari of Pacifica Ventures Group. The original bungalow was in poor condition, characterized by a strange layout and general dilapidation. The renovation involved dismantling the structure down to its front wall to reconstruct a more functional and aesthetically pleasing space, while maximizing usable square footage as requested by the developer. The design approach adopted was Japandi, a fusion of Scandinavian and Japanese aesthetics. This style was deliberately chosen by Blazek to differentiate the project from the prevalent modern farmhouse trend in new constructions. Japandi design emphasizes warm wood tones, clean lines, vertical elements, and an overall organic and warm feel. Blazek prioritizes designing spaces that feel authentic and lived-in, even in new builds, by incorporating natural materials and thoughtful details to avoid a cold or generic ambiance. For the layout, Blazek collaborated with an architect to prevent the long and narrow lot from resulting in a 'railroad-style' house. This was achieved by introducing various layers and zones within the home. For instance, guest bedrooms near the front door were designed with privacy in mind, utilizing a shoji-inspired vertical slat sliding door to close them off. A bathroom was strategically placed between these bedrooms, and a sitting room was added to the right of the front door to provide an additional entertaining area. Throughout the house, wood was extensively incorporated to infuse warmth and a lived-in character. This included open shelving, built-in benches, ceiling details, flooring, and doors. The main living area at the back of the house features large French doors, fostering an open flow into the kitchen and dining area. The dining room also boasts large sliding doors that open to a patio, promoting indoor-outdoor living, a hallmark of contemporary design. The kitchen's central feature is a curved black fluted island, which serves to soften the otherwise angular space by introducing a curvilinear element. This technique of subtle softening was applied throughout the house, evident in circular windows in the front door and dining room, which counteract the prevalent linear forms. The primary bedroom, bathroom, and closet are situated on the second floor. The primary bathroom features a modern concrete tub, balanced by warm brass fixtures to maintain the overall design philosophy. The ADU in the backyard mirrors the main house's design principles, incorporating wood tones and clean lines. The project was highly successful, indicating strong market reception for this elegant and uniquely detailed home. #JapandiStyle #HomeDesign #BungalowRenovation #InteriorDesign #LosAngelesRealEstate #KirstenBlazek #ArchitecturalTransformation #HomeTours

This article explores eight distinct Indian homes, each characterized by their eclectic interior designs, showcasing a fusion of contemporary and vintage elements and a rich tapestry of materials and craftsmanship. Eclectic design, defined by its blend of diverse styles and objects, is a prominent feature in these residences, drawing from India's extensive history of artisanal traditions. The homes are presented as part of a lookbook series, offering visual inspiration from Dezeen's archives, alongside other themed collections focusing on kitchen islands, London basements, and Art Deco interiors. The first featured home is Pennyroyal Tea in Tamil Nadu, designed by Multitude of Sins. This family residence in Chennai exhibits a maximalist approach, incorporating a wide array of materials. Over 200 artisans contributed to its creation, featuring a 400-kilogram chandelier made of wooden beads and a lilac mural designed to evoke draped fabric. Toy Storey, located in Kerala by Wallmakers, demonstrates an innovative use of recycled materials, with approximately 6,200 discarded toys adorning its perforated circular walls. This unusual detail is complemented by Japanese-style shoji screens, glass, and timber accents, promoting light and ventilation through the perforations. Next, the House of Concrete Experiments in Maharashtra, by Samira Rathod Design Atelier, showcases sculptural concrete walls cast from on-site waste in Alibag. The interior blends concrete flooring inlaid with black stones, vibrant furnishings, and distinctive geometric skylights. Also in Alibag, Asmalay by Blurring Boundaries is a curvaceous home designed to integrate with its natural surroundings, wrapping around mango trees. It features natural and recycled materials such as locally sourced bricks, glass bottles, and stone, with benches made from grey rocks and curving blue mosaics on the floor. Hybrid House in Rajasthan, by Sketch Design Studio, is distinguished by its rammed-earth walls in Alwar. The interior walls are coated with lime plaster, complementing an eclectic collection of items gathered by the clients during their travels. Terracotta floors are patterned with kolam, a traditional inlay made from rice flour. The Infinite Rise, another project in Tamil Nadu by Earthscape Studio, is a holiday home near Anaikatti camouflaged with large local rocks suspended within its gabion wall. Inside, these rocks create a constellation effect, set against green oxide-painted floors and custom furniture made from scrap wood. The House of Gond in Maharashtra, by Renesa, is an apartment in Pune designed for a fashion designer with a passion for traditional Kerala crafts. The living room boasts an intricate tiled floor inspired by Chettinad mansions, alongside a curated collection of artworks, including paintings, pots, antique masks, and statues. Finally, Karai in Tamil Nadu, by Rain Studio, is a holiday home in Kuvathur that utilizes clay tiles, earthenware pots, and compressed earth bricks. Its eclectic flooring is made from discarded stone and pre-used Mangalore tiles, harmonizing with timber furniture, colorful artwork, and unique features like a courtyard swing seat. These projects collectively highlight the diverse and innovative approaches to interior design in India, emphasizing the use of local materials, traditional craftsmanship, and a creative blend of styles to create unique and functional living spaces. The article reinforces India's position as a hub for eclectic design, where tradition meets modernity in inspiring ways. #IndianHomes #EclecticDesign #InteriorDesign #ResidentialArchitecture #ArchitecturalInnovation #SustainableMaterials #Craftsmanship #DesignInspiration #ModernIndianInteriors

Contemporary design is explored through the perspectives of four prominent figures in the home industry, as presented by Andersen Windows & Doors. These individuals, characterized as "possibility makers," are recognized for setting trends rather than following them. Brandon Berg, Senior Vice President of Research, Development, and Innovation at Andersen Windows & Doors, highlights that contemporary design balances various styles while pushing creative boundaries, and Andersen aims to collaborate with those bold in design and performance. Justina Blakeney, a designer known for her lifestyle brand Jungalow, champions confidence, creativity, and joy. Her work is inspired by her childhood in Berkeley, California, where she spent time in nature and nurtured her artistic talents. Her parents, both developmental psychologists, encouraged her to follow her heart and explore her passions. After graduating from UCLA, Blakeney lived in Italy for seven years, where she admired the Italian approach to mixing old and new, and bright colors with neutrals. Returning to the West Coast in 2009, she infused her 1920s Los Angeles bungalow with greenery, bold colors, prismatic patterns, and earthy textures, sharing her journey on her blog, Jungalow. She defines contemporary design as an "osmosis of things coming together when we’re feeling our most creative and inspired." Blakeney emphasizes that even small changes can impact how we live, encouraging individuals to consider the activities their home should support and then experiment with colors, patterns, and textures. Her brand is committed to environmental sustainability, planting at least two trees with every order, and offers diverse product lines for home decor. Cavin Costello, an architect and co-founder of The Ranch Mine, moved to Phoenix after earning his master's degree, driven by a pioneering spirit. Alongside Claire Aton, he established a firm dedicated to honoring the past and inspiring the future through architectural design, drawing inspiration from the region's ranching and mining history. Their firm gained recognition for transforming homes with a focus on individual passions. Costello's background includes hands-on experience building his family home with his civil engineer father. He emphasizes that contemporary design should be "free of style" and responsive to people, place, culture, and climate. An example of his work includes a solar-powered home designed for a couple's passions for music, yoga, and sustainability, featuring compact windows that reveal desert vistas during yoga practice. The Ranch Mine also received an HGTV Designer of the Year Award for their Red Rocks project, which reconfigured a 1970s Spanish Colonial Revival to connect with the outdoors and Arizona's natural beauty. Jessica Davis, an interior designer and founder of Nest Studio and Atelier Davis, has been passionate about design since childhood, even sending landscape plans to *Southern Living* magazine at age 12. Her global upbringing in Sydney, Hong Kong, and Dallas, along with degrees from Princeton and the New England School of Art & Design, shaped her perspective. After working in hospitality design, she settled in Atlanta and became known for her creative contemporary vision, blending luxurious and accessible elements. Davis developed this dynamic approach while working on the TV show *Bob Vila’s Home Again*, sourcing furniture and decor. She launched Nest Studio, an award-winning hardware company, which quickly gained traction through her early adoption of blogging and Pinterest. Her collections feature mixed materials and layered dimensions. At Atelier Davis, her team injects personality into spaces that tell the stories of their inhabitants. Davis, a mother, operates both studios as women-owned businesses, supporting work-life balance for talented working mothers. She defines contemporary design as what is "happening now" and responsive to evolving needs, citing her own plans for a home addition with a stronger connection to the outdoors and an open floor plan, incorporating steel frame windows reminiscent of her childhood in Hong Kong. Jeff Sweenor, a builder, founded Sweenor Builders after a background in competitive rowing, which instilled in him a team-oriented mentality. His work ethic was also shaped by growing up in his family's fifth-generation candy business, where he learned carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and refrigeration skills by building and renovating their shop. This entrepreneurial spirit led him to build his first home, learning alongside local professionals. Over 30 years, Sweenor Builders has grown from building spec houses to creating legacy homes along the New England coastline. The company integrates various capabilities, including an in-house millwork and cabinetry shop, providing a seamless client experience. One notable project involved renovating a 1971 residence, transforming its congested floor plan and scattered windows to optimize riverfront views. The renovation maintained coastal character while incorporating sleek, modern materials like black vertical longboard and cypress cladding. The firm optimized overhead space with a low-pitch roof and clerestory windows, enhancing natural light. Sweenor’s dedication extends to community engagement, offering on-the-job opportunities to local students, a practice he sees as building the next generation of skilled professionals. #ContemporaryDesign #HomeIndustry #DesignTrends #Architecture #InteriorDesign #Building #Jungalow #TheRanchMine #AtelierDavis #SweenorBuilders