Strategic Halos

By Savitha Hira

Photography: Sebastian Zachariah; courtesy adnd

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Light, says Ar. Shobhan Kothari of adnd architects, is critical to interior design and decor; and hence his design of a recently completed residence elucidates the shift of perception and aesthetic sensibilities of the designer and the homemakers.

At first glance, almost every well-designed home appears plush. But the details that are integral to the final look and appeal are revealed piece-meal by the designer, who takes the ordinary eye through to the finer nuances of the project; an exercise - nothing short of a work of art.

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Says Shobhan, “Our projects are architecturally characterised by strong spatial organization and interior-wise, by material sensitivity”.   Here too, the overall palette is understated; the ambience comes alive with a strong sense of design and colour through select paintings, furniture pieces, and decorative lighting. Often, we observe a gradual melding of just two-three materials or tonal duality, no more; that bring out the essence and ethos of the designed ambience.

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So we have an apartment accentuated by an entrance foyer highlighted by a feature wall, a large living-dining area, back-lit bar and powder toilet niched between the guest/ entertainment room and children's room, a master suite with a seamless walk-in wardrobe and bath and a shared open deck – carefully organized to maximise space and open up the home to outside views.

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With careful concentration on lighting as the most significant element of design, different pendulums and chandeliers are selected from brand Foscarini to add that elusive imaginative touch throughout the apartment. Straight lines and subtle curves in the arrangement and design of furniture and products, an uncluttered configuration despite an onus on art and artefacts, further add to the project.

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In a metro like Mumbai, where high-rise culture is so standard that it allows little or no flexibility in layout along with a stumped ceiling height, this apartment enjoys both – a well-addressed high ceiling and a flexible layout plan that has contributed to spatial clarity.