A 4BHK apartment — designed by Studio SixSense — where clean lines, subtle intricacies, and a muted, neutral palette create a soulful sanctuary for a young couple.
Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Archit Jain; courtesy Studio SixSense
The brief
Project Serene Shades, the latest work from Studio SixSense, is located in a 22-storied apartment building at Rajkot. The client, a young couple, had a clear idea about their requirements — a low-maintenance European-style home with neutral tones using few materials. Simplicity was to be the reigning concept that tied together all the rooms of the apartment. Overall, the home was to have a calming effect on its users.
The design intent
To create an environment soothing to the senses, architects Yash Patel and Khushbu Mehta, the founders of Studio SixSense, envisioned a space united by the same family of colours. However, colour pops were avoided; and variations through wall textures and subtle accents were used to add an element of interest. The use of Caffe Latte’s furniture adds a touch of luxury and elegance to the space while maintaining an understated, minimalistic aesthetic. The muted beige-and-cream palette also serves to highlight the homeowners’ art and decor collection.
The spatial configuration
The entrance to the home echoes European architectural styles. A doorway leads from a narrow foyer into an airy living area. The living area flows into the dining room. The spaces are visually partitioned by a low cabinet, which functions as a sofa backdrop in the living room and a storage unit in the dining room. Opposite the dining room is the kitchen. While the daughter’s bedroom is positioned across the living room; the guest bedroom lies opposite the master bedroom and next to the grandparent’s room.
The design and material details
Upon entering the apartment, one is welcomed by a serene and minimalist aesthetic. The laminate walls and POP ceilings are painted a soft shade of white sourced from Asian Paints, which creates a calming atmosphere and allows the furniture to stand out. Wooden flooring and vitrified tiles with a marble finish from LV Granito make up the expanse of the apartment. Large couches with suede fabrics from D’Décor and a coffee table adorned with accents from Studio 21 against a simple white canvas embody the concept of the space. In the evening, lighting from Wipro and Ami lighting bathes the spaces in a soft glow. Throughout, the palette is restrained and unassuming, and creates a harmonious flow. Each room is furnished with inviting fabrics in various neutral tones, with splashes of colour — like the Areca palms and golden lampshades in the bedrooms, to a large antique wall clock in the living room — breaking monotony.
Stylistically, the direction is a mix of the Japandi and wabi-sabi styles but with generous amounts of modern elements. Colour plays a significant role in instilling the desired “stillness” as well as seamlessness in the narrative. A mixture of beige with hints of grey and brown forms an all-pervasive chromatic foundation, with little contrast to distract from the sense of singularity. “Tiles and wooden flooring, fabric… all the surfaces are finished in a non-reflective manner. Once the colours start blending, the textures start getting noticed and felt,” explains Yash Patel, principal architect, Studio SixSense.
The challenges
“The main challenge was a creating a home solely in neutral beige shades. Nevertheless, we seek inspiration from our clients and aspire to create spaces that reveals their personalities,” shares Khushbu Mehta, principal architect, Studio SixSense.
Fact file
Project: Serene Shades
Client: Meet Patel
Location: Rajkot
Area: 1,800 sq ft
Principal architects: Yash Patel and Khushbu Mehta
Design team: Nidhi Pithwa and Darsh Sakdecha
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