A Warm Weave

This home in Surat designed by Studio Lagom represents successful weaving of client aspiration with design elements to create a warm, nuanced environment.

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

Cool and composed, the contemporary living room gets a sudden shot of tradition through the wooden louvres that separate it from the dining room.

The brief

The family had indicated their preference for a modern environment with contemporary materials and slick finishes, elements with reduced upkeep. Storage was another important point on the requirement list. And, of course, the design expression would have to convey luxury as well. While the design direction respected this wish list, architect Hardik Shah of Studio Lagom also wove in a little bit of warmth with wooden accents and Indian nuances.

The design intent

Spaces are shaped for and by users — and nowhere does this become more crucial than a home. This project was driven by that thought.

With wicker furniture, the balcony takes on a rustic look. The vertical garden fulfils biophilia, and the urge to stay rooted to earth.

The spatial flow

The 2,290-square-foot apartment is located on the 11th floor of a riverside condominium complex. The spatial programme features the living room in the centre, flanked by two ‘wings’: one with three bedrooms (master, son’s and guest) on one side and the other with the dining, kitchen and the parents’ bedroom. 

The aesthetic direction

Within the large neutral shell, tasteful groupings of hard and soft furnishings create homely comfort. While storage was a client requirement, it has been merged with the overall envelope to reduce visual bulk. Bedrooms are crafted to suit individual personalities. While the master bedroom uses mirrors, art and premium soft furnishings to create sophistication, the son’s room is young and upbeat with blue Duco-painted wardrobes, concrete-finish walls and vibrant abstract art. The parents’ bedroom is predominantly finished in Corian to aid maintenance.

An erstwhile balcony has been converted into a casual lounge.

The material palette

Materials contribute towards both, ease of maintenance and a sense of luxury. Corian, glass and leather are woven with wood and brass in the aesthetic tapestry, the latter deliberately chosen to communicate an upscale-ness. Wood has been used sparingly, yet in an impactful manner. 

The highlights

The balcony near the dining area, which affords beautiful views of the Tapi, was converted into a wood-wrapped box (using reclaimed teak) with floor seating — a laid-back, casual lounge for morning cuppas and sundowners. The other wooden element is the screen between living and dining areas. The partitioning element, also rendered in reclaimed teak, features a series of oblong, richly carved, panels housed within brass rims. Both, the wood and metal elements are individually pivoted to give greater control over the desired screening effect. These two materials and their ornamentation are subtle markers of affluence, taking inspiration from traditional family homes whose decoration (densely or sparsely carved) and material usage (brass vs iron) communicated their position within the society.

A shot of blue — in the form of a Duco-painted wardrobe — energises the son’s bedroom.

Fact file

Project: Eclectic Elegance
Location: Surat
Area: 2,290 sq ft
Principal architect: Hardik Shah
Project architects: Krishna Kapadia, Madhavi Gumasana and Arpita Joshi
Design team: Kruti Patel, Mukesh Jangid and Disha Gupta