Sameer and Shilpa Balvally’s Studio Osmosis took on a rather unique challenge in designing this 3600 sq ft four-bedroom apartment in Bandra Kurla Complex. True to their philosophy of client collaboration and intricate aesthetic detail, the Studio ensured that the home (found after an arduous search by the client for a space where cardinal directions aligned with the vastu requirements and also facilitated filtered sunlight and good cross ventilation) was immaculately fashioned. “We had to work backwards and work the finer details first and then look at the larger picture collectively. Our endeavour was that as a person moves from one room to the other, he/ she is immersed in areas which have a story to tell; a story of their existence in the cosmic whole,” explained the studio. Scroll down to read their complete account of the project.
Combining the sun path and cosmic references with the room’s function and occupant, moods and tones were decided. The entrance is from the East, with a minimal lobby. The powder room is smartly concealed with archi-concrete texture paint by Asian paints. The ceiling of the entrance is lowered, with a grey veneer panelling functionally concealing the AC units and aesthetically lowering the scale of the space. The walls feature artwork by Suresh Parihar and a fabric artwork by Shivani Shroff.
The entrance and the living room belong to the space realm (as per the vastu principles) and hence earthy colours with strong textures have been used. A floor metal lamp by At-tin (Aziz Kachwala) creates an interesting starry semblance on the wall, while the archi-concrete textures on the faceted wall panel is synonymous with the textures of planets in the cosmic system, giving it a rough texture. The highlight of the living room is the kinetic art wall sculpture which we collaborated with Zarwan Elavia.
The living room opens into a prominent balcony with lush greenery and outdoor furniture by Retyrement Plan. The dining area has starry light pendant lights. The room also has wood wallpaper with an exquisite fabric wall art by Shivani Shroff. The furniture in the living room is a combination of concrete finished shelves which are held together with thin metal framework, almost lending a sense of weightlessness—a characteristic of being in space.
The master bedroom belongs to the earth or stone realm and hence warranted dark grey colours. A dominant four poster bed stands tall amongst grey panelled walls with an interesting leather carpet by Merge carpets. The art required to follow the principles of Vastu needed to have triangular/ mountain impressions reflecting an upward rise or success. An intricate artwork by Kailash Rane was commissioned which symbolises the metal found in the earth along with an abstract scenery by Sunil Kale.
The working professional young adults room belongs to the moving water realm. Blue was the dominant colour chosen. A papier-mâché artwork by Shruti Jhaveri symbolising ripples in water adorns the bed back—the highlight of the room. A fluid screen along the study table resembles the movement of water.
The guest room needed to be as light and cheerful as the first morning rays. A custom designed bed with triangular headrest and bespoke bedside lights features in this light yellow room. Finally, the kitchen belonged to the fire and hence a custom designed Alno modular kitchen was accentuated by triangular pieces of red backsplash tiles which responded to the upward rise of the flames.
Image caption, harmoniously combine two usually distinct indulgences
The link between the two main areas, the one closest to the entryway with the bar counter and lounge and the one at the rear reserved for aesthetic treatments, is a decorative feature with a great scenic impact: a series of deep blue glass portals guides the gaze towards the beauty area, giving the space perspective depth and a theatrical feel. This liminal space also houses the boutique and the facial bar, functions that will cater for a passing public and have faster times than the more complex treatments, as well as delineating the perimeter of the two lounges. “The management of flows and technical spaces,” the architects tell us, “was especially complex. The brief for both Ballard & Fant’s identities were quite specific and binding, so the phases of the choice of space and the layouts of the areas were the most challenging points in the whole project.” cts tell us, “was especially complex. The brief for both Ballard & Fant’s identities were quite specific and binding, so the phases of the choice of space and the layouts of the areas were the most challenging points in the whole project.”The link between the two main areas, the one closest to the entryway with the bar counter and lounge and the one at the rear reserved for aesthetic treatments, is a decorative feature with a great scenic impact: a series of deep blue glass portals guides the gaze towards the beauty area, giving the space perspective depth and a theatrical feel. This liminal space also houses the boutique and the facial bar, functions that will cater for a passing public and have faster times than the more complex treatments, as well as delineating the perimeter of the two lounges. “The management of flows and technical spaces,” the architects tell us, “was especially complex. The brief for both Ballard & Fant’s identities were quite specific and binding, so the phases of the choice of space and the layouts of the areas were the most challenging points in the whole project.” cts tell us, “was especially complex. The brief for both Ballard & Fant’s identities were quite specific and binding, so the phases of the choice of space and the layouts of the areas were the most challenging points in the whole project.”
The link between the two main areas, the one closest to the entryway with the bar counter and lounge and the one at the rear reserved for aesthetic treatments, is a decorative feature with a great scenic impact: a series of deep blue glass portals guides the gaze towards the beauty area, giving the space perspective depth and a theatrical feel. This liminal space also houses the boutique and the facial bar, functions that will cater for a passing public and have faster times than the more complex treatments, as well as delineating the perimeter of the two lounges. “The management of flows and technical spaces,” the architects tell us, “was especially complex. The brief for both Ballard & Fant’s identities were quite specific and binding, so the phases of the choice of space and the layouts of the areas were the most challenging points in the whole project.” cts tell us, “was especially complex. The brief for both Ballard & Fant’s identities were quite specific and binding, so the phases of the choice of space and the layouts of the areas were the most challenging points in the whole project.”
Image caption, harmoniously combine two usually distinct indulgences
The choice of materials and finishes was in keeping with this chromatic landscape. “Through the moodboard we visualized the allure of the space,” explains Pennesi. “An interplay of alternations between more or less tactile surface textures, contrasting colors and opaque and translucent finishes that create intriguing peep-through effects.”
This led to the choice of stoneware tiles by Ceramica Sant’Agostino, which deck the floors and bar counter with their dense and uniform speckled pattern and bind together the different areas into which the space is divided, wth laminates from Arpa Industriale and Kaindl, used respectively for the support surfaces and the structures of the bespoke furnishings.
“We chose these materials for both aesthetic and functional reasons. Aesthetic because this type of semi-finished product has color ranges that enabled us to make choices consistent with the palette we created; and practical because they are wearproof materials and ensure easy sanitization. In particular, Fenix, a special laminate we used to coat the counter top, with a surface that has a non-porous outer layer, makes the material easy to clean and suitable for contact with food as well as fingerprint-proof and pleasant to the touch.”
Even the lighting was curated in detail, helping create a pleasant and richly detailed environment. Bellhop cordless table lamps designed by Barber & Osgerby for Flos, illuminate the tables with their discreet light. Suspended above the bar counter is a spectacular suspension composition created with a series of “leaves” in Diphy polycarbonate. Designed by Mirco Crosatto for Stilnovo, it was inspired by a fascinating Japanese plant, whose flowers turn as transparent as crystal in contact with water.
