A Soulful Blend

Under Design Studio’s creative helming, a traditional heart meets modern sensibilities in this Visakhapatnam duplex.  

Curated by: Rupali Sebastian
Photographs: Photographix India; courtesy Design Studio

The brief

The site was an old house belonging to and occupied by the clients for many years. The family decided to demolish it and tasked Design Studio to re-imagine it completely from scratch. The brief was multi-layered as each family member had their own take on how their home would be. While the lady of the house sought a rustic environment (“No white walls and straight lines in my house!”), and her husband wanted just the opposite (“White and classy and luxury finishes”), their son voted for something “super modern and minimal”. Apart from this, the design team enjoyed a carte blanche while designing the new home.

The design intent

Hibiscus, the pooja flower associated with Lord Ganesha was chosen as the focal theme in deference to the lady’s spiritual inclinations and preference for Indian traditions. Thus, ‘Hibiscus House’ was envisioned as a luxurious and artistic narrative with a strong infusion of vernacular aesthetics.

The new programme

The old home was pulled down to make way for a five-storied structure: the first three floors comprising a service apartment (with 22 rooms, a separate lift and staircase), topped by two floors of the duplex home with a separate access. The 4,000-sq-ft home comprises three bedrooms, a living and dining area, a bar and a sit out.

The visual vocabulary

The design pivots around reimagining tradition with a contemporary interpretation. The entry to the Hibiscus House is marked with pillars (sourced locally from Visakhapatnam) enriched with real gold leaf detailing. These are complemented by the flooring in Techlam sheets bearing a weathered copper look and wainscoting with the carved border on top to set the tone for the overall artistic and contemporary vibe.

The double-height wall opposite the main door is ornamented with brass inlay in the form of an abstracted hibiscus bloom. The colours of the showy tropical bloom — red and green — inform the chromatic direction of this space, which features red marble flooring and green stained doors. Every piece of furniture (made in and sourced from India) has been painstakingly chosen for the project. 

The kitchen is a clever fusion of warmth and grace with a customized flooring pattern reminiscent of mosaic patterns of yesteryears. It bears the colours of ‘haldi’ and ‘kumkum’, referring to the central idea of Indianness that binds every space in this design. Pairing this combination with pastel green was an experiment — which has paid off beautifully. Other elements, such as the embossed design of the shutters and the floral antique-brass handles further amplify the Indian concept.

The sit-out overlooking the sea was finished in pacific blue terrazzo flooring cast onsite with brass inlays in the joints. A cane-finished ceiling adds a wonderful rustic touch to the semi-outdoor area. The bar and lounge have automated sofas, vintage wooden flooring, and an arrangement of multiple tables (with inlay design) in the center, creating decor with nuanced layering. The detailed finishing of the pooja room, where the deities repose on a stunning metal lotus, aligns it with the rest of the design. The bedroom designs revolve around the personality of the occupants with the intention to create comfort with splendour.  

The Hibiscus House evokes memories of traditional living, yet possesses a modern outlook. The design establishes an aesthetic that is removed from the ordinary. All elements have been either made or sourced in India with Indian raw materials — making every square inch of this home truly exclusive.

Fact file

Project: Hibiscus House
Location: Visakhapatnam
Area: 4,000 sq ft
Principal designer: Ameet Mirpuri
Creative director: Kshitija Kanwar
Design team: Parimala Patnala and Dinesh Kumar