A Mumbai penthouse infused with stillness and serenity

Elemental Story draws upon wabi-sabi and minimalism to create a seamless space that blurs the boundary between indoor and outdoor living.

Curated by: Rupali Sebastian
Photographs: Kuber Shah; courtesy Elemental Story

Ikigai, Elemental Story’s penthouse project in a suburban Mumbai high-rise responds to external and internal stimuli: breathtaking views and an expansive footprint. The studio’s principal designers Manav Sahu and Sabah Shaikh sought to create a seamless space that would blur the boundary between indoor and outdoor living. “Drawing from the principles of Wabi-sabi, we kept the space light and serene while infusing a touch of gold in the living room for a unique twist,” they say.

Rather than relying on vibrant colours, the duo utilised a variety of textures and materials within the same tone to showcase the spatial variation and enhance the overall aesthetic. The living room spaces were thoughtfully designed to allow for the lower floor to become one open space when desired. An L-shaped sliding folding system separates the guest room, effortlessly opening up to the living area. The multi-functional seating offers flexibility, detachability, and swivel capabilities, allowing for dynamic movement throughout the room. However, the true centrepiece lies in the transformed dome seating — an erstwhile duct that has now been transformed into an intimate niche seating space set within an arch.

Starting with a raw and bare shell, Manav and Sabah transformed the staircase niche into a light and airy space. Shiny sandblasted white marble adorns the three walls up to 23′ in height, concealing a hidden shoe rack on the lower floor. “To create a breezy feel and enhance the sense of space, we designed cantilevered stairs with soft edges,” reveal the designers. “The use of neo cement texture with a neutral finish further contributes to the staircase’s overall aesthetic.”

Ascending to the upper floor, you encounter two distinct rooms: the master bedroom and the son’s bedroom. The master bedroom offers a vast open space of 600 sq ft, connected to a 200-sq-ft balcony on the 44th floor, providing a floating-in-the-clouds sensation. “Embracing minimalism, we utilised subtle greige tones with hints of sage green for this room,” elucidates the duo. The minimal bed is accentuated with wooden posters reclaimed from old timber beams, while micro-cement texture on the floor and walls maintains a seamless flow. The wardrobe and dressing room door are concealed behind a sage green panel that extends up to the bed. The tender green colour is carried into the washroom using sandblasted green marble. A sliding folding window expands the room, merging it with the 200 sq ft balcony with its chequered beige and sage green tiles.

Stepping through the other door reveals a bold and striking son’s bedroom with a raw black and white aesthetic. Sandblasted black marble with white veins and black tinted mirrors line the walls, evoking the intrigue of a dark knight’s lair. This play of black and white extends to the dressing area and bathroom, incorporating captivating patterns.

In essence, Ikigai is a sanctuary of openness, subtlety, calmness, and serenity, meticulously designed to inspire a sense of tranquillity and harmony.