Moving from a joint family to a nuclear set up can be a daunting task for those who are unaccustomed to it. A comfortable and inviting house can facilitate an easier transition for the members in such a situation.
Hyderabad-based architect Vishnu Vandana of VANZSCAPE Architects & Associates was entrusted with the responsibility of creating such a home for the owners. This 6000 sft house is a part of a gated community in Hyderabad and is spread over two floors. Vandana worked on the architecture, interiors as well as landscaping of the project.
“The family wanted their home to be very spacious since their earlier residence was smaller,” says Vandana.
Being a part of a gated community meant that there were restrictions regarding the facade and exterior architecture, which posed a design challenge for the architect. Thus, the focus was on making the interiors as appealing as possible while the exterior was not tampered with.
The living room is an amalgamation of dark furniture pieces contrasting with the white Italian marble flooring. An entire wall has been covered with white travertine in the formal seating area. A semi-private area created by placing a glass partition is a unique design element infused by the architect.
Vandana adds, “I also requested the owner’s wife to create a special a mural for this partition wall.”
Provisions were made to incorporate indirect lighting in the home. Swarovski crystals have been used on the ceiling of the living area to add a sense of drama. Steel has been extensively used for the railings of the staircase while mural paintings form a backdrop in the living area as well as the master bedroom.
The house has four bedrooms, living area and kitchen apart from a specially created artist’s room for displaying artworks.
The entrance leads to a formal living room for the guests. An informal living room is specially created on one end by using a glass wall that demarcates the living into two different areas. The formal living leads to a prayer room as well as a study created for the two sons of the owners.
The staircase leads to the first floor where the master bedroom is located along with the children’s’ bedroom. The second floor has a home theatre system, Jacuzzi and another bedroom.
Polished material along with warm toned tiles give a warmer appeal to the staircase area. Natural stone has been varnished and used throughout the entire length of this wall. A showpiece in wood modeled along the shape of a tree trunk is attached to the staircase wall while the steel railings make the space stand out amidst the white decor of the house.
The master bedroom is a vibrant area that is adorned with minimal accessories. The wall behind the master bed is designed in a way that it camouflages the entrance to a large walk in closet.
“I have used wood to create a foldable pattern on the wall in the bedroom and given it a melamine finish,” says Vandana. A large balcony is attached to the bedrooms on this floor and looks out to a stretch of greenery. The architect has created a coffee zone and placed specially sourced antique furniture here along with a traditional swing. The decor is subtle with hints of vibrant colors. The flooring is a combination of stone and polished wood. As per the architect, the furniture was first sourced by the owners, the interior design came later.
“This is the reason why a lot of white is used,” says Vandana. White walls and flooring also enhanced the sense of spaciousness that the owners desired.
The balcony on the first floor faces an open green expanse. The architect has created a family zone using local antique furniture.
Architect/Designer: C V Vandana; Shilpa Architects Associations: Council Of Architecture (COA) Cladding: Travertine
Window/Door: Teak wood
Flooring: Italian Marble
Lighting: Blow Light, Seating World Furniture: Seating World, imported from China Cabinets: Spice Kitchens
Benchtops: Asian Marbito
Taps: Jaguar
Paving: White granite
Story by Disha Shatty
Photography by lndrajit Sathe
