This apartment utilises basic components to create a clean ambience

SAS Design creates a restrained, minimal and impactful home keeping functionality in mind.

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

The site

The 2.5 BHK apartment is located in an upscale residential complex in Goregaon, Mumbai, and enjoys plenty of light and ventilation.

The brief

The client desired openness, and an appreciable preference for a particular and peculiar shade of blue.

The design intent

“We endeavoured toward a balance between the colour palette and the amount of furniture used to look acceptable and minimalist while adhering to the concept and keeping the client’s requirements in mind,” says architect Shilpa Sawant, founder, SAS Design.

The civil intervention

The space was organised by removing the kitchen’s wall and door to provide more space. The flooring of the duct here was levelled to match the internal level and the area was transformed into a dry balcony which housed a dryer and dishwasher. Similarly, the AC duct in the master suite was partially transformed into a functional work from home pod. Finally, the entry wall of the child’s bedroom was widened, and a shelf was built by breaching the wall on the room’s outer surface.

The colour and material scheme

“The main concept of the home is to have a simple and neutral colour palette with largely grey matt tiles and white walls throughout the entire home,” elucidates Shilpa. “The crucial component is the blue shade emerging in select spots to offer a dramatic and energetic appearance while contrasting with the minimum design.”

A walkthrough

To make the entrance more inviting, the entry lobby has been turned into a nook with its own function by arranging sit-out, planter and necessary storage. The entryway has been intentionally coloured white to extend a fresh, pleasant welcome to visitors.

The public zone consists of seamlessly unified kitchen, living and dining spaces. The flooring was replaced with non-reflective grey terrazzo tiles, with a grey wall as the focal point. The window was covered with sheer curtains with ruffles to create a subtle look and to highlight some of the loose furniture.

The main idea behind the redesign of the kitchen was to maintain an open feel. To achieve this, a planter shelf was built at the entrance of the kitchen. To ensure maximum functionality, the kitchen platform was designed using the “Kitchen Work Triangle” rule. This not only made the kitchen user-friendly but also gave it an aesthetic appeal.

The task of transforming a kids’ bedroom began with changing the direction of the door to improve the room’s layout and optimise the overall space. Considering that the bedroom was small, it was crucial to design a multifunctional surface that served multiple purposes. One way to achieve this was by converting a flower bed space into a toy storage. Secondly, instead of using a large wardrobe, divided cabinets worked as clothes and other items storages. This approach helped to free up more space in the room, making it more functional. One wall was designated as a feature wall.

The grandparents’ room has been designed with a neutral colour palette, which creates a calming and serene atmosphere. The flower beds have been repurposed into storage, adding to the functionality of the room. A versatile cabinet functions as a dressing table, a puja space and a medical storage unit.

The master bedroom features a similar colour palette keeping its necessary hierarchy. A cement texture tile panelling has been added behind the bed with track lights on the ceiling. The wooden floor renders a feeling of cosiness, while seamless mirrors double up the space and act as a dressing table with accessory storage. The connected work pod was designed in blue to emphasise the character of the room, with a cove light for the table and a custom shelf.

The challenges

“The most difficult aspect of the project was that most of the walls were shear walls, making it impossible to conceal anything,” discloses Shilpa. “The entire home had a spread of air conditioning and drainage piping, which needed to be properly routed without interfering with the design and appearance.”