A Pleasant Narrative

SML Architects design a contemporary and warm home with bespoke furniture and handpicked art and accessories for a family of four in Mumbai.  

Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Yadnyesh Joshi; courtesy SML Architects

Architect Mahek Lalan

The brief

SML Architects was commissioned by a family of four to design their 645-square-foot apartment in suburban Mumbai. The family consists of two couples, one in their late 20s and the other in their 50s. Therefore, the intent was to design a home that catered to both these generations along with it being contemporary, experiential and practical.

The design intent

“Our work is based on the specific and unique conditions of each project, on its context and on the aspirations of the client,” informs architect Mahek Lalan, principal architect, SML Architects. “In every project, we pursue a calm, protective atmosphere, which we try to achieve with time and passion. The intent is to carve volumes in noble materials to achieve silent, serene and warm spaces, where our clients find shelter,” he adds. For this project, the idea was to develop it with sensitivity, articulating the elements in a simple, humble and intimate way. The home stays true to the idea of minimalism. “Minimalism for us is not about having less, but to have things which matter, which have some value and what is essential,” says Mahek. Further, the architect has stuck to one idea throughout the apartment to maintain a visual continuity by way of materials, colours and textures. By doing this the home seems larger than its actual footprint.

Grey and white are the dominant colours of the minimally-designed living room. The bespoke sofa has a teakwood frame and ivory hued fabric. The comfortable modern single seater and entertainment console was also tailor-made for this home.

The spatial flow

From the entrance door, one notices the dining space straight up. On entering, on the right is the living space of the home. Further ahead is the passage with the kitchen on the right, and the master bedroom with an attached bathroom on the left. After walking further ahead in the passage, a common bathroom lies on the left with the parent’s bedroom on the right.

The dining area is set close to the living area and is marked by custom made four-seater table and chairs. While the dining chairs are made in teak wood, and the seat is finished in black leather; the frame work of the table is made from teak wood, polished black. The table top has an infill of black textured granite. What adds softness to this setting are the grey coloured fluted glass suspended lamps, and the fabric art (hand embroidered by the women of the Jat artisans community from Kutch, sourced from Morii) on the wall.

The material palette

When Mahek first visited the site he noticed beam drops to be of the same depth throughout the home. These beams were coloured in white, and the same white then ‘folds’ back on the ceiling. By doing this the way one perceives the space or volumes is very different. The remainder of the walls were then given a shade of light grey throughout the apartment. This was the architect’s first step in unifying the home. This uniform beam drop throughout the home, and the way the colours were split based on the drop on the walls and ceiling, is why this project is named the Datum House — as it forms a datum (level) at the beam level.

The master bedroom is occupied by the young couple. Made from teak wood, the custom-designed bed features a built-in sidetable which is attached to the headboard and the wardrobe (made from polished plywood and teak wood) next to it. An impressive and engaging element here are the custom frames in custom sizes which has pictures of the couple’s special moments.

The second major move was the introduction of a seamless stonecrete floor across the home which further helped in linking the spaces. The other materials — teak and polished plywood furniture and shutter surfaces, bamboo blinds, linen bed sets, brass handles and textured granite tabletops — used in the project brought in the necessary warmth and tactility. All the materials used in the home does not fight the ageing process but rather, ages gracefully.

Fact file

Project: Datum House
Location: Vileparle, Mumbai
Area: 645 sq ft
Principal architect: Mahek Lalan