A minimally designed timeless residence in Chennai

House Of Lines designs a clean and minimal home for a family of four, one which would stand the test of time and not succumb to the rapidly changing design trends.

Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Yash R Jain; courtesy House Of Lines

The brief

House Of Lines was approached by a family of four in Chennai to design a residence which has a clean and minimal aesthetic. The owners also wanted their home to be equipped with the latest in technology with respect to security surveillance. To put it simply, they wanted the design to be timeless, sophisticated, neat… and one that focuses on conscious luxury.

The site

Though the residential plot was located in a private lane in one of the prime residential localities of Chennai, it was sandwiched by walls on all three sides. Hence, civil interventions were made to usher in sunlight and wind into the house by breaking down walls and introducing balconies. “The existing site was a very deep north facing one which allowed indirect lighting throughout the day, but it wasn’t sufficient for the house. The south walls were broken down and balconies were added to bring in natural light into the house and promote cross ventilation,” says architect Anshuk Punmia, the founder of House Of Lines.

The spatial configuration

The ground floor has a parking area, a foyer with a water body, the client’s office and the servant’s quarter. On the first floor, the living room was placed at the centre, and the kitchen, dining and two bedrooms was arranged around it. The second floor comprises of two bedrooms, a home theatre and an informal living area. The overall feel of the house is very comforting, which is achieved through a balance of used and open spaces.

The design intent

The interior design of this 6,000-square-foot house was focused on intricate craftsmanship and detailing of elements. Handcrafted fluted teakwood panels which feature throughout the house were designed and executed in house. The bathrooms, a highlight of the house, feature marble in all its glory.

The design and material details

Only two materials have been extensively used in this house – teak wood and marble. Teak wood planks have been fluted by hand and grains of all the panels have been matched to look like a continuous piece of wood. All the bedrooms have a neatly designed panel (with a distinct colour) behind the bed which renders a different mood in each room.

The handcrafted marble bathroom is a unique and exquisite space that showcases the skill and creativity of master artisans. The walls of the bathroom are covered in hand-cut marble slabs with fluting on feature walls. Another highlight are the matching grains which run throughout the space. The walk-ins of the bathrooms are a work of art, with a custom-designed handle-less wardrobes. Lighting fixtures have been tailor-made to showcase the unique features of the space.