In Bengaluru’s Bellandur, Space Agency’s contemporary design blends tropical sensibilities, Indian art, and tactile materials to create a home that feels rooted, relaxed, and quietly personal.
Curated by: Rupali Sebastian
Photographs: PHX India I Parth Swaminath; courtesy Space Agency
The project
Sienna & Cane is a 1,200 sq ft apartment in Bellandur, Bengaluru, designed by Space Agency for a young couple who had recently relocated to the city. Conceived as a calm counterpoint to its fast-paced tech-driven surroundings, the home draws from Indian traditional art, nature, and minimal design to create interiors that feel warm, grounded, and lived-in rather than styled.
The site
Located within Bengaluru’s evolving tech corridor, the apartment was received as a standard developer-finished unit. This blank canvas allowed the design team to reimagine the interiors in a way that responded closely to the couple’s lifestyle, prioritising openness, light, and a sense of welcome within a compact urban footprint.
The brief
The clients envisioned a home that felt calm and functional while remaining connected to Indian cultural sensibilities. They sought a space that balanced minimalism with warmth, layering earthy hues, tactile finishes, and subtle traditional references. The brief called for a contemporary tropical home that could support everyday living without visual clutter.
The design intent
The design intent was to create a home that feels natural and emotionally grounding rather than overtly styled. Soft colours, tactile materials, and abundant natural light form the foundation of the interior language, allowing the spaces to feel relaxed and intuitive. The designers approached the project as a contemporary tropical retreat—one that offers a gentle pause from the surrounding urban pace while remaining deeply functional.
The civil intervention
To enhance openness and flow, the kitchen walls were demolished, allowing the space to merge seamlessly with the living and dining areas. Rather than extensive structural changes, the focus remained on refining the existing layout through custom furniture, surface treatments, and integrated storage solutions that maximise usability and spatial clarity.
The spatial flow
The home unfolds through a carefully choreographed sequence. The entrance sets the tone with tropical wallpaper and soft ambient lighting, creating a warm sense of arrival. A compact puja unit crafted in rattan and natural veneer anchors the foyer, introducing a moment of quiet spirituality. From here, the space opens into the living and dining area, conceived as a shared zone that encourages interaction. A terracotta-coloured feature wall visually and spatially unifies these areas, lending warmth and cohesion. The bedrooms are positioned as quieter, more private retreats, with one room designed to double as a lounge and study, allowing flexibility within the home.
The material palette
Materiality is central to the home’s identity. Natural and tactile materials such as rattan, cane, and veneer introduce warmth and texture, while earthy tones like terracotta and sage green add depth without overwhelming the interiors. Brass accents appear subtly in lighting and hardware, bringing refinement to the palette. Sheer drapes, neutral upholstery, and patterned tiles balance simplicity with character, ensuring the home feels layered yet restrained.
The challenges
One of the key challenges was ensuring the home remained light, open, and uncluttered while accommodating multiple functions within a compact layout. This was addressed through careful zoning, integrated storage, and a consistent material language that allows spaces to flow without visual interruption.
The highlights
The terracotta feature wall stands out as a defining element, anchoring the living and dining areas while fostering a sense of togetherness. The living room is bathed in natural light, with neutral-toned furniture and sheer drapes maintaining an airy atmosphere. A traditional Pichwai painting above the sofa introduces cultural depth, while the TV unit—finished in natural wood with rattan panelling—adds understated charm. Together, these elements create a space that feels both personal and enduring.
The takeaway
Sienna & Cane underscores how interiors gain resonance when material, light, and everyday life are thoughtfully aligned. By focusing on warmth, tactility, and restraint, the project demonstrates how contemporary homes can feel deeply personal while remaining timeless.
Fact file
Project: Sienna & Cane
Design firm: Space Agency
Location: Bellandur, Bengaluru
Area: 1,200 sq ft
Principal architect: Sachid Umesh
Design team: Rishika Rajidi, Nidhi Joshi and Khushi Jain
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