A matter of perspective

So that’s what he did, not just with grounding materials such as wood, stone and water, but also through the considered use of highlight and shadow. Ask him what his vision was and he doesn’t take a moment’s pause. “To seamlessly integrate the indoor and outdoor areas and create a serene and cohesive living environment that is both spiritually resonant and naturally enriching,” he notes. He segregated the spaces into functional realms, reserving the ground floor for the living and dining areas and designating the eight bedrooms to the upper level, although as he explains, the distinction between upstairs and downstairs is but a matter of perspective. Maybe it is, if the foyer is anything to go by. The arrival experience draws you at once inward and upward, by way of a wondrous wooden ceiling that holds a mirror to the exterior. But what lies beyond is a double-height volume that serves as the home’s centrepiece that Abin considers the real tour de force. It is an informal gathering area as well as an interlude between the upper and lower levels, while also beautifully echoing, in scale and signature, the terrace garden beyond.

It’s like a shapeshifting chequerboard, the sun — it’s here but not there — present one moment and absent the next. By no coincidence, mind you. “The deliberate use of highlights and shadows in the design was a crucial aspect of our vision,” Abin explains. Muting the interior didn’t mean minimising it. If anything, it meant making room for the things that mattered — sculptural furniture, otherworldly artworks and sumptuous rugs. The approach was echoed along the facade, where Abin incorporated three different types of sandstone —ribbed cladding along the top storeys, narrower fluting at the base, and smooth horizontal slabs on the balconies — to weave in layers of visual interest and coalesce the home into the landscape. “By harnessing the interaction between the sunlight and the sandstone facade, we created a dynamic experience that evolves with the passage of time and changing seasons,” he says.

If there’s anything the home has in spades, it is its spirit of asymmetry. Skewed furniture. Oddly placed sculptures. Paintings that feel simultaneously in and out of order. “The deliberate sense of asymmetry in the interior design contrasts with the symmetry of the architecture, creating a visually stimulating living environment,” reflects Abin. “While the architectural layout maintains balance and order, the asymmetrical design brings a bit of drama.” What he did with asymmetry, he undid with colour. He counterbalanced the outré flourishes with muted colours and minimalist forms, to create an expansive oasis of light.

For the many things that went right, there were some things that didn’t. Minor constraints, as Abin calls them. “Designing the home near a bustling thoroughfare presented inherent challenges. The plot was small, and the requirements many,” he shares. “However, in the face of these obstacles, our objective remained resolute: to craft a layout that optimally utilised space, brought in natural light, and ensured privacy.” It’s a vision he admits exceeding. “The essence of our design philosophy was to create a retreat from the urban clamour, allowing residents to enjoy tranquillity while remaining connected to the surrounding environment. The resulting abode stands as a peaceful haven, blending serenity with the vibrancy of urban living,” he signs off.

Read more: The art of restraint finds meaning inside this home in Kolkata by MORPHLAB