Ikigai Studio shapes a home in Pune where neutral tones set the foundation, allowing moments of colour, texture, and form to define a space that feels both composed and full of character.
Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Sagar Mandal; courtesy Ikigai Studio
The brief
A young couple beginning their life together approached Ikigai Studio to design their first home in Pune with a clearly defined vision. They wanted a space that felt fresh, energetic, and contemporary, yet rooted in a sense of calm. “Functionally, the home needed to accommodate everyday living, entertaining, and work-from-home requirements. Aesthetically, they were drawn to neutral palettes but wanted moments of bold expression through art, texture, and statement elements,” explains Anuja Marudgan, principal architect, Ikigai Studio.
Located within a modern urban residential development in Pune, the apartment was handed over as a standard builder-finished unit with clearly defined rooms and minimal architectural detailing. While the structure was sound, the space lacked identity and warmth.
The design intent
The intent was to build a composition where bold elements stand out against a restrained base. Neutral surfaces form the foundation, allowing curated wallpapers, sculptural lighting, and expressive stone to create a distinct identity. Clean lines and rounded furniture reflect a youthful sensibility, while classical mouldings and detailed panelling bring structure and continuity. The goal was to create a home that supports everyday life while allowing space for change and personal growth over time.
The civil intervention
Civil interventions were kept minimal, focusing on surface-level architectural detailing such as panel mouldings, arched niches, battens, and customised TV and study walls. Ceiling treatments, integrated lighting, and carefully designed joinery were introduced to redefine volumes and bring structure to the spaces, all without altering the existing framework.
The spatial configuration
The home opens into a composed foyer, where moulded walls and a black console set a clear, restrained tone. From here, the space transitions into the living area, defined by a book-matched marble feature wall that anchors the room. The dining area sits adjacent, functioning as both a visual and social focal point within the plan. Together, these spaces form the public zone of the home, allowing for easy movement and interaction.
Beyond this, the media room offers a more enclosed setting, designed for focused use. The layout then shifts into the private quarters, comprising two master bedrooms and a guest bedroom. Each space carries its own identity, while maintaining a consistent material language that ties the home together.
The design and material details
The material expression of the home unfolds gradually, with each space introducing its own character while staying aligned with the overall visual direction. The foyer features cream-toned walls detailed with subtle panel mouldings. A black console, framed by wall sconces and abstract artwork, establishes a sense of symmetry and order right at the entrance. Moving into the living room, a book-matched marble feature wall becomes the focal point, its dramatic veining balanced by walnut shelving. Curved panels soften the geometry of the space, while custom sofas in boucle and linen upholstery introduce comfort. Underfoot, marble flooring with delicate inlay patterns guides movement through the room.
The dining area continues this language, centred around a white marble tabletop placed beneath cascading sculptural chandeliers. Black accents appear through furniture details, creating a sense of continuity across spaces. Beyond the public areas, the media room—which doubles up as a home office—offers a more enclosed setting. Deep navy panelled walls with vertical grooves define the space, while patterned ceiling wallpaper and detailed cornices bring together classical and contemporary elements. A cognac sofa, brass arc lamp, and timber desk complete the setting.
In the parents’ master bedroom, white moulded walls establish a calm backdrop, while a panelled bedback introduces structure without overwhelming the room. Painted vertical battens add subtle articulation to the surfaces, and arched walnut niches bring in warmth through material contrast. These niches also function as display and storage elements, ensuring that the room remains both practical and visually balanced. A compact study corner is thoughtfully integrated into the layout, allowing the space to support everyday routines.
Referred to as the ‘Ikigai’ master bedroom by the architect, the second bedroom takes on a more expressive identity. Here, cherry blossom wallpaper becomes the defining feature, introducing pattern and a sense of movement to the space. Semi-circular timber shelving is designed to hold personal artefacts and travel mementoes, adding a layer of individuality to the room. The bedback aligns seamlessly with an extended TV and study wall, creating a continuous composition that feels considered and complete. Ribbed pendant lights are introduced as focused lighting elements, adding both function and a refined visual accent.
The guest bedroom is designed to feel warm and welcoming while maintaining the overall design language of the home. A sepia-toned village mural forms the focal point, bringing a sense of narrative and familiarity to the space. Timber wainscoting adds depth to the lower portion of the walls, grounding the room, while neutral upholstery keeps the setting understated. Soft pendant lighting completes the space, creating a gentle ambience suited for rest and comfort.
The challenges
“The primary challenge was achieving vibrancy without overwhelming the neutral base. Balancing bold wallpapers, expressive stone, and classical detailing required careful calibration. Additionally, integrating work-from-home functionality into intimate residential zones without compromising aesthetics demanded precise planning and custom joinery,” explains Anuja.
Fact File
Project: Sakura
Location: Pune, Maharashtra
Area: 2,400 sq ft
Principal architect: Anuja Marudgan
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