Architects at Work play with materials and patterns to create a high-on-ornamentation albeit functional living environment.
Curated by: Rupali Sebastian
Photographs: Dhrupad Shukla; courtesy Architects at Work
The site
The site was a bare shell with exposed RCC surfaces. The client and the principals at Architects at Work decided to retain the concrete expanses and continue with that idea. “We also tried to take advantage of the natural light available on site to strengthen the interior,” says studio principals Krishna Patel and Shweta Pandya.
The brief
While the client was quite flexible about the approach to design, they highlighted the fact that the apartment was to be home for different age groups. They also sought highly decorated spaces but not at the cost of function.
The design intent
Given the clients’ keenness on decor, surface ornamentation such as murals and decorative touches such as installations become crucial to the output of design deliberations. “When we designed the panelling and wall finishes, we tried to merge functions with those elements. This gave us the freedom to experiment with material use,” disclose the architects.
The civil intervention
The site, thankfully, did not require too much re-tailoring. Resizing the storage space to accommodate the refrigerator and coalescing the living and drawing room volumes for a more luxurious, seamless feel were the minor civil revisions undertaken.
The visual expression
Pleasing interiors are all about right proportions and a good mix of colours and materials. This apartment gives every space individualistic flavour while ensuring that everything comes together cohesively. Italian flooring and exposed RCC are the common denominators between different spaces.
At the entry itself, a Shreenathji mural against a patterned Corian backdrop creates a welcoming touch. Near this, a carved wood and metal piece of furniture is actually a stylish interpretation of the utilitarian shoe rack. The living room is characterised by a neutral colour palette of sofa. An exposed RCC wall adorned with a leaf pattern is the highlight. A wooden cabinet with brass patti detail and a tile-clad TV unit completes the picture.
The dining area is a visual extension of the living room. The furniture ensemble here features a brushed stainless steel-top, wood-legged dining table and cheery yellow chairs. One corner is occupied by a patterned white cabinet, set against a textured wall. The pooja area features a backdrop of a herd of cows, a symbolic association with Krishna. An L-shaped screen-like partition demarcates this space from the overall public zone.
Each bedroom exudes a distinct personality. The master bedroom is defined by the vertical brick cladding on a wall, Italian inlay with brass patti and pops of orange and green. The simple and elegant grandparents’ room features a minimal back-rest for the bed and a bed-back wall rendered in carved MDF. is articulated using grey stone cladding, a minimal backrest and white carved MDF back. The daughters’ room achieves a stylish and serene ambience with colours of their choice. A pair of leg-less, wall-mounted MS framed study tables and a composition of circular pinboards add a playful touch. Circular portraits of the young occupants personalises the space. The fourth bedroom functions as a multi-purpose room. Mustard sofas are teamed with a black cabinet and a blue pinboard to render an upbeat air.
The challenges
“Usually, a designer lists down site constraints as a challenge, but that was not the case here,” the architect duo elucidates. “The client entrusted everything to us, and was very accepting of our suggestions. So the challenge was to give them the best and something suited to their expectation,” they say, adding that they found putting together materials interesting as it allowed them to experiment a lot. “While playing with so many materials, there’s bound to be some apprehension about the outcome. This project taught us to trust our instincts.”
Fact file
Project: Amara
Location: Ahmedabad
Area: 2,800 sq ft
Principal architects: Krishna Patel and Shweta Pandya
Design team: Hanny Patel
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