A family home in Uran with design influences of a haveli

Reflections Designs marries the old and the new to create a nostalgia-filled home amidst nature for a family of four.  

Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Anuja Kambli; courtesy Reflections Designs

The site

Nehmat, which means “from god’s abundance” (in Arabic) is a project located in one of the villages at Uran in Maharashthra. The client bought the property in the hope of creating a luxurious home, away from the city and amidst nature — to give his children and grandchildren an experience of his good old days, when he lived in a namesake haveli that belonged to his ancestors.

When Reflections Designs was approached by the client to design this project, they walked into a bungalow with a bare shell. The front had a barren open space and in the back the bedroom balcony overlooked a lake and a dense green landscape. The tall ceilings and double-height in the living area was the highlight of the structure.

The brief

The clients wanted a relaxing family home for a four which is flooded with sunlight, and where they could indulge in their hobbies and spend quality time with each other. They also wanted the design of the bungalow to have influences of a traditional haveli, and to be open and airy as their childhood homes. They also wanted the bungalow to have hassle-free maintenance, hence the choice of materials was very crucial.

The design intent

The design concept had a strong influence of some elements and furniture pieces that were repurposed from the old haveli. “With the influence of furniture over a century the clients didn’t want the space to look too traditional. Each furniture piece was from a different era, hence the design team decided to approach each space with its own individual concept. Simply put, the idea was to serve entrées, mains and desserts with a fusion cuisine,” explains Husein Harianawala, principal architect, Reflections Designs.

The civil intervention

To address the client’s brief, there were some major altercations done to the structure. The planter bed outside the living room was broken and replaced with steps that gave direct access to the lawn outside, giving it a more indoor-outdoor feel. The guest bedroom wall was pushed further to widen the kitchen, as the clients entertained frequently and were well staffed. The bungalow came with metal railings on the staircase, which was replaced by glass to unblock the view of the living area, and to achieve far spread views of the lake and greenscapes. Most crucially, one of the three bedrooms on the first floor was opened up to create an extended living area which is attached to a reading area.

The spatial configuration

The free-flowing living and dining areas, kitchen and the son’s bedroom are placed on the ground level. An extended living space which is attached to the library, and the master and daughter’s bedrooms are accommodated on the first floor. On the second level one is welcomed to the common courtyard which is also an extension of the prayer room. The space is a perfect nook for a reading corner with natural light seeping throughout the day. On the second floor which extends to a terrace, a small home office has also been created.

The material details

On the ground floor and all the common passages polished kota flooring with jaisalmer skirting have been used. The dark cherry burnt walnut veneer used in the common areas was to accentuate the bleak beige of the walls which is always reflected by intense sunlight from the east-west windows. The kitchen has colourful dado tiles.

The son’s room uses some beautiful rattan patterns contrasted with hues of grey that gives it an India modern look. The master bedroom borrows its inspiration from the French mouldings that are a contrast and a refreshing change from the rest of the house. The use of the four poster bed in the daughter’s room and a breezy coastal look gives it a unique character.

Fact file

Project: Nehmat
Location: Uran, Raigad, Maharashtra
Area: 5,000 sq ft
Principal architect: Husein Harianawala
Design team: Devi Thakker
Stylist: Sunanda Pandey