In Mumbai’s Worli, JJ Poonawala’s Casa Rustico transforms two linear apartments into a 3,000 sq ft sea-facing home where art, light, and form speak in quiet dialogue.
Curated by: Rupali Sebastian
Photographs: Jacob Nedumchira I Phx India
The project
Casa Rustico is a 3,000 sq ft residence designed as a serene, art-infused home that bridges sculptural form with soft emotion. Every space unfolds as a dialogue between geometry, materiality, and the human spirit—a reflection of modern India with a timeless soul.
The site
Located in Indiabulls Blu, Worli, the apartment was received as two disconnected units with generous natural light and sweeping sea views. The challenge lay in reimagining its linear volume to foster intimacy, rhythm, and flow without losing the openness that defined it.
The brief
The clients—a young, art-loving family of four and a grandmother—wanted a home that felt refined yet expressive, blending contemporary minimalism with warmth and soul. Functionally, they sought well-zoned areas for work, leisure, and family life, with each corner carrying a distinct visual and emotional narrative.
The design intent
Led by principal architect Jehan-Ara Poonawala, the design aimed to create a poetic flow of spaces that feel personal, layered, and reflective. “We wanted structure to become sculpture,” says Poonawala. Arched forms, curved walls, and niches were introduced to soften boundaries and evoke calm continuity, while art and craftsmanship were woven into the architecture itself.
The civil intervention
A complete spatial reworking transformed the twin units into one fluid home. Walls were reshaped into arcs to promote visual connection; niches were added for depth; and circulation paths were redefined to feel like pauses in a narrative rather than rigid transitions.
The spatial flow
The home unfolds like a journey. The entry vestibule, framed by sculptural columns, opens into a living-dining zone enveloped by a hand-painted mural—a contemporary ode to Picasso. The bedrooms exude serenity through soft textures and hushed palettes, while the study, cocooned in rich wood tones, balances focus with beauty. Each space is a chapter within the larger story of movement and repose.
The material palette
Marble flooring anchors the home in quiet luxury. Lime-plastered and suede-textured walls add tactility, while wood veneers, brushed metals, and bespoke art panels create layered richness. Upholstered headboards, linen drapes, and muted metallic accents lend the bedrooms an air of hushed refinement. In contrast, bold gestures—such as red Agra and white marble columns flanking a custom light installation—bring sculptural intensity without disrupting calm.
The challenges
Balancing art with restraint became the central challenge. Every expressive gesture, from the curved walls to the mural, had to complement rather than compete. Executing intricate finishes within a tight timeline also required precision and coordination across teams.
The highlights
The living room mural—a hand-rendered contemporary tribute to Picasso—acts as the emotional anchor of the home. The arched entry vestibule, with its sculptural glass partition and inlaid flooring, creates a meditative sense of arrival. The study showcases craftsmanship through patterned glass, textured veneer, and warm lighting. Meanwhile, the marble columns framing the indoor green space lend rhythm and gravitas.
The takeaway
Casa Rustico reaffirmed that the power of design lies not in scale but in soul. It reminded the designers that beauty often resides in restraint—in the curve of a wall, the grain of wood, or the quiet fall of light across textured plaster.
Fact file
Project: Casa Rustico
Location: Mumbai
Area: 3,000 sq ft
Design firm: JJ Poonawala
Principal architect: Jehan-Ara Poonawala
Design team: Usama Khokar and Rashid Khan
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