“Less is a bore!”

Text: Courtesy the designers

Photography: Ashish Bhonde; courtesy the designers

Read Time: 2 mins

.

As hotels become homely, and homes offer the luxuries of hotels, it is no longer a matter of form over function. Architects at Cluster One illustrate this premise…

At the edge of this design intersection, 400kms from Pune, stands the 6000sq.ft. Balaji Fertilizer guest-house in Nanded city. Influenced by the post-modernist style of design, this eclectic palette strongly stays away from a single train of thought through the various zones of the house. 

.

.

.

Primarily designed as a social hub for small to large gatherings, the interior is peppered with a series of effortlessly connected, vivifying informal areas and transitional spaces. Of these, the sit-out tucked in at the landing area, provides a vantage point. From here, one can look down into the living area, at the little lawn below, and the adjacent rooms, while still maintaining privacy. 

.

.

.

The balcony and terrace are designed to stay natural and are easily some of the favourite areas of the house at any given point of time in the day or night.  A home theatre adds to the relaxation quotient. Interestingly, a small area is devoted to a temple, its strategically placed jali wall choreographing an interplay of light and shadows in an interesting manner during the different times of the day.

    

.

.

Add caption

Stimulating pieces in the décor, lighting fixtures and furniture, add to the luxuries, while the upholstery and material choices maintain the warmth of home. The presence of glass and geometric forms of the structure add on to the prevalent sense of inter-connectedness. Accents of colour (through planters and more); use of all-glass panels, wooden windows and marble flooring, pastel undertones, and expanses of light through large windows or doors produce niche spaces with independent identities, yet conducive to generic tastes.

 

.

In the country of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’, the house weaves natural and man-made, luxury and comfort, extravagance and warmth into its basic fabric. After all, in the words of architect Robert Venturi, “Less is a bore!”

.

Fact File:

Client: Balaji Fertilisers Pvt. Ltd.

Design Firm: Cluster One Creative Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

Principal Designer/Architect: Parag Ainchwar / Parag Sen

Built-up Area of project: 6000 sq. ft.

Carpet Area of project: 5000 sq. ft.

Location: Nanded