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    • Homes

    Sandeep Khosla and Amaresh Anand fashion a 12,500 sq ft soothing cove in Coimbatore

    AUG 12, 2020 | By Sakshi Rai
    The living room houses furniture designed by Khosla Associates and manufactured by Batliwala, printed Sarita Handa cushions and a contemporary patterned West Elm rug. On the Tom Dixon coffee table lie the Beat floor lamp and Bash brass vases; Photographs by Fabien Charuau
    A custom console holds Crate and Barrel vases and a miniature brass aeroplane. Above it, is a wall mounted abstract canvas by Chennai based artist Gayatri Shantaram, which abuts the way to the kitchen and dining spaces; Photographs by Fabien Charuau
    A skylight bathes the family room on the upper level, which is decorated with plush custom crafted furniture, cane tabletop accessories by Good Earth, a pair of bamboo Sinnerlig pendant lamps by Ilse Crawford for Ikea, an earthy toned rug from West Elm and an artwork by Bhopal based creative Pradeep Ahirwar; Photographs by Fabien Charuau
    The form finished concrete slab acts as a division between the living and dining areas, both of which have skylights allowing natural light in; Photographs by Fabien Charuau
    A set of overhead paintings by artist Palash Paul complements the muted upholstery, ceramic table lamps from Ellementry and West Elm rug in the master bedroom. An Eames Lounge Chair is positioned near the custom crafted bed and ottoman; Photographs by Fabien Charuau

    The historic Race Course Road in Coimbatore hides in its leafy folds an open, interconnected and serene home, built as an ode to the personality of its inhabitants as it basks in the city’s rich textile traditions.

    Principal designers Sandeep Khosla and Amaresh Anand of Bengaluru based Khosla Associates have shaped this two storeyed, 12,500 sq ft abode that’s swamped with frequent green bursts, infusing solid concrete walls with naturally lit spaces. “The emphasis was on adapting a modern tropical theme to the space by blurring the boundaries between the indoors and outdoors,” says Anand.

    A curved installation made using 109 recycled handloom shuttles, designed by Sandeep Khosla and Amaresh Anand and executed by Metro Enterprises, adorns the double heighted wall. It offsets the cement sculptural heads from Artisan Lab atop the wooden console. The dining setup, as well as the console, are conceptualised by Khosla Associates and custom-crafted by Virasp Batliwala; Photographs by Fabien Charuau

    Inhabited by a couple, their two children and pet dogs, the house is designed to be conducive to the free flow of dialogue and lifestyles with formal and entertaining areas occupying the lower level, while more private quarters are upstairs.

    The homeowners, a successful entrepreneur couple, are known to frequently socialise and host family and friends. This knowledge helped lay the foundation for the home’s spatial layout and achieve spaces like the open kitchen, dining area and the bar that spills out onto a verandah.

    The open kitchen by Veneta Cucine and dining area lead to an alfresco court with seating arrangements around a tree. An ombre rug from West Elm covers the Kota stone mirror finished flooring. The light suspended above the kitchen counter is made of brass by Jørn Utzon for &Tradition, while the ones over the bespoke wooden dining table are by Constance Guisset for Petite Friture; Photographs by Fabien Charuau

    The entrance is marked with a lofty pergola made of precast concrete, which serves as a protective screen from the city’s scorching sun. Inside, the space bifurcates into the living room, lounge and bar on the left and an open kitchen and dining section on the right.

    Clad in slatted timber sheets, the kitchen walls are adorned with monochromatic photographs by Shamnath Patil J. Papier-mache fruit bowls from Ellementry lie on the wooden counter; Photographs by Fabien Charuau

    Describing the most iconic element in this residence, Khosla shares, “A double heighted, independent, form finished concrete wall separates the living and culinary zones. It continues right up to the sloping roofs—becoming the most defining interior element and the solitary structural support, eliminating the need for multiple pillars. On either side, strategically positioned skylights create different patterns on the common slab as the day progresses while allowing the interiors to be flooded with ample natural light.”

    The bar on the ground floor overlooks the main garden and features wooden flooring from Living Elements, Louis Poulsen’s lamps, and bespoke bar stools and counter by Khosla Associates and Virasp Batliwala; Photographs by Fabien Charuau

    On one side of the wall is an enormous curved art installation, made using 109 recycled handloom shuttles. It is mounted on a brushed brass base and strung with vibrant fuchsia coloured thread. This central piece of art adds a personalised narrative for the couple, as it arises out of an amalgamation of both their fields of expertise—textile manufacturing and concrete constructions.

    The interiors are a harmonious blend of muted surfaces such as grey Kota stone mirror polished flooring, exposed concrete and ribbed timber walls that offset bespoke furniture designed by Khosla Associates. Accents—in contrasting yet regal palettes of neel blue, petrol, golden ochre, fuchsia and rust—along with abstract and geometric patterned soft furnishings, wool and bamboo silk rugs, and paintings lend an air of refined elegance to the residence.

    A wooden deck, adjoining the living room, overlooks a verdant garden. The space contains customised furniture, outdoor upholstery fabrics by Sunbrella, a large planter from Kanta Cement Crafts, copper detailed rainwater pipes and a ceramic aqua vase from Nicobar; Photographs by Fabien Charuau

    The second floor landing opens into a second family lounge, a master bedroom and the kids’ rooms. An inhouse library and gym on the same level make for quiet recreational spots, as do the two pergola covered terraces with refreshing garden views.

    The sustainable mould and architecture of the house are replete with adequate skylights, overhangs and horizontal pergolas, which power the house with energy and provide natural ventilation, reducing the dependency on artificial sources. To combat summer temperatures the floors are lined with inherently cooling, polished Kota stone.

    Filled with private side courts, verdant lawns and an alfresco seating area, the residence luxuriates in its most intimate and aesthetic design attribute—its effortless connection with nature as every corner of the space enjoys unrestricted access to the outdoors.