An urban monochromatic Pune home with a traditional soul

Designed by Mind Manifestation Design LLP, this modern apartment rooted in tradition employs local materials and artisans to create a tranquil and serene atmosphere for its users.

Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Hemant Patil; courtesy Mind Manifestation Design LLP

Project Urban Cave captures the raw beauty of a cave — composed of weathered rocks and natural light — in a 1,200-square-foot 3BHK apartment. Home to the founder of Pune-based design firm, Mind Manifestation Design LLP, Anand Deshmukh and his family, the spatial quality of this cavernous space is carved out to create a sober yet joyous atmosphere. The design team’s conscious decision to wrap the entire space in smooth cement plaster (on walls) and dark pigmented in-situ (floor) enhances the charm of the structural skeleton of the apartment. “The vision was to create unfiltered, unhindered and unbiased spaces with a transitive approach towards elemental design,” explains Chetan Lahoti, co-founder of Mind Manifestation Design LLP.

“Home is a place where generations co-exist, drawing wisdom from shared experiences. Along with the fulfillment of routine activities it should encourage inter-generational interaction and develop good habits. Every home should also be reflective of the resident’s principals, and a place for users to be reminded of their rudimentary beliefs. Thus, Urban Cave attempts to recreate the primary appeal of the native house. The idea is to create a bucolic refuge in the midst of a bustling city. We took a functional approach by treating the spaces in a minimalist way with a monochromatic palette of greys and black, to connect with the adjoining hill,” adds Anand.

The subtle interpretation of (diminishing) details from local traditional architecture can be seen throughout the apartment, albeit in a contemporary garb. The few specimens portraying this traditional and modern blend are the decorative recesses or niches along the walls and furniture, and a visible column in the passageway to the bedroom. Open barrier-free layout in the common areas — living-dining attached to the balcony, and the kitchen — promotes interaction between individuals using different spaces. With built-in furniture in the living, the side tables along with the sturdy armrest of the sofa, a hierarchy in seating is achieved. Both the aforementioned qualities of the space allow users to move converse freely, halting at their chosen intervention (read seating).

Local basalt and marble are used in the house for varied details: small chips in cement floor, tile form for flooring, and large slabs for partitions and countertops. Artwork on stone by hand tooling artists at strategic locations helps to set the context right. The change in character of bedrooms is not visible prominently but can be experienced through subtle variation in flooring typology.