Coastal Corollary

By Pari Syal

Photography: Courtesy Designex

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Architects Anand and Ashish Kulkarni of Kolhapur-based firm Designex, contextually orient a bungalow in the Konkan region...

A sprawling 4500 sq. ft. bungalow located in the Konkan region of Maharashtra at Kankavli, on the Mumbai-Goa highway boasts of an inviting entrance with a facade clad in Shera wood and stone with a S.S finished plate flaunting the nameplate in a bold red colour.

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The ground plus one structure has its entrance located mid-way between the existing floor and the planned first floor. With the site lying adjacent to the highway, its RCC work below highway level, multiple floor levels anoint the bungalow lending it an intriguing feel.

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Enhancing this feature and contextualising it with the proximity of the Konkan coastline, the architects have discerningly landscaped part of the living area and highlighted it with a double height sloping roof with skylights to usher in natural light and foster a willowy, shifting shadow-play throughout the day.

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The home is designed to accommodate a home-office with its private entrance. This and lavish living areas - both, public and private, are configured between the two floors and the spacious feel is nurtured with the use of glass in the flooring, railing, balconies and as partition walls.

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A muted colour palette with a prominent hue or two; straight lines and a trifle overdose of pattern make up the décor quotient. However, a functional appeal prevails as the home is devoid of excess baggage in terms of artefacts, excess furniture and the like. Lighting is well incorporated with cove and ambient lighting setting the tone of the interiors.

Detail

A subtle but commendable element of design is the play of levels between floors and to highlight functional divisions; like the puja area that has no walls, has its floor lifted slightly above the living area, with stark white vitrified flooring. A glass floor with LED light and white polished pebbles below it, at the living area level, visually separates the puja from the living space.

Further, the inside-outside equation with the terraces opening out to a view of coconut palms heightens the coastal feel and renders the home as an all-weather haven.