Oak House by Studio Poche: A Japandi masterpiece tucked in the bylanes of Ahmedabad

Have you ever envisioned a unique cultural fusion that combines the best of both worlds – Japanese minimalism with Scandinavian functionality? Let us introduce you to Japandi, a contemporary design trend born at the crux of simplicity, clean lines, and a connection to all things natural. If you value practical minimalism, this one is for you.

Tucked in the bylanes of Ahmedabad lies one such unique Japandi haven – possibly the city’s most interesting property aptly named ‘Oak House.’ Designed by Studio Poche the vision was to infuse pragmatic comfort with muted elements quintessential to Japan and Scandinavia. 

This 2,500 sq ft apartment has an open layout, allowing light to seep in from every direction. The entire space is intricately designed to be cohesive throughout, the monotone palette tailored to radiate zen.

The genesis of the design

As you walk in, you are instantly hit with lime-washed walls, travertine marble flooring and boucle fabric upholstery in the living room. What stands out is the branch-like wooden console table, complimented by the curved bean sofas and a dome lamp from the iconic Atelier Lumys. 

The lounge features a baggy sofa with a detachable backrest. The dining area boasts a dark tabletop with jute-wrapped chairs, illuminated by cane lamps to add a rustic touch. The granite bar table and pendant cork lamps tie in the space.

A unique play on minimalism

Taking the minimal conversation forward, the bedrooms use metal bed frames, polished black wood and cane webs with velvet cushion backrests to mix and match varied textures to add some fun. The subtlety of the space might easily be perceived as boring, but whimsical accents like dome and trapeze side tables and handmade lamps break the uniformity. 

“By emphasising elements with personal significance to the client, our design achieves a harmonious blend of aesthetics and functionality,” explains Larsen Christian and Keithy Gandhi, the co-founders of Studio Poche.

The power of an open layout

Major structural changes were made to introduce a kitchen island and create a cantilever study desk by removing a guest room partition wall. The north-facing openings ensure ample natural light seeps in throughout the day. These modifications were crucial to anchor the apartment to its Japandi ethos, optimizing for every inch of space.

“Blending Japanese minimalism with Scandinavian elegance, this tranquil retreat reflects our client’s personality through simple, clean spaces best characterised by tidy lines and minimal use of materials, colours, and textures – all meticulously executed throughout the home.” adds the duo.

Maintaining consistency with its neutral colour palette of soft, muted tones like whites, greys, and earthy hues, Oak House does the impossible – establishes a serene oasis bang in the middle of one of the city’s busiest roads. Its focus on creating functional spaces with minimal clutter is Japandi at its finest, while the use of natural materials such as wood, stone, and rattan to add warmth and texture adds character. 

Oak House is proof that simplicity should never be boring.

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