Design

Architect Karan Desai envisions a coastal cave residence with Saint-Gobain glass

JAN 11, 2024 | By Team ELLE DECOR India
Image courtesy of Karan Desai for Saint-Gobain
Image courtesy of Karan Desai for Saint-Gobain
Image courtesy of Karan Desai for Saint-Gobain

In the bustling city of Mumbai, architect Karan Desai envisions a living space that engulfs the beauty of a seaside cave. The concept revolves around utilising glass to shape a unique habitat that merges with the surrounding environment.

Saint-Gobain
Image courtesy of Karan Desai for Saint-Gobain

 

Image courtesy of Karan Desai for Saint-Gobain

The living room, a central hub of the envisioned space, is bathed in natural light through a strategically placed skylight. Here, Karan orchestrates a play of matte and glossy finishes on a colour blast glass screen. The furniture is thoughtfully arranged under the skylight, merging the comforts of contemporary living with an awe-inspiring backdrop of the oceanic cave.

Saint-Gobain
Image courtesy of Karan Desai for Saint-Gobain

 

Image courtesy of Karan Desai for Saint-Gobain

Transitioning to the bedroom, the architect prioritises privacy. Within a vast underground expanse, Karan carves out an intimate bed chamber enclosed in a glass cuboid. The choice of lacquered, tinted glasses and mirrors infuses the space with character, transforming the bedroom into a comfortable space while maintaining functionality.

Saint-Gobain
Image courtesy of Karan Desai for Saint-Gobain

 

Saint-Gobain
Image courtesy of Karan Desai for Saint-Gobain

A connecting passage between the bedroom and a deck is an art in itself. Karan reimagines the skylight, converting it into a bright colour block with different tinted glass panels. The flooring undergoes a metamorphosis with a combination of lacquered glass, clear glass and frosted finishes. This unconventional fusion of natural aesthetics and artificial glass elements adds depth and intrigue to the passage.

Image courtesy of Karan Desai for Saint-Gobain

 

Saint-Gobain
Image courtesy of Karan Desai for Saint-Gobain

Karan’s innovative use of glass extends beyond conventional applications. While lacquered glass often finds its place as tabletops or wardrobe surfaces, the architect challenges norms. By incorporating these materials into partitions, he introduces privacy, colour and depth in one space. Drawing inspiration from architectural luminary Zaha Hadid, Karan utilises the philosophy of questioning the expected, ensuring that each project harbours an element of delightful surprise.

Image courtesy of Karan Desai for Saint-Gobain

In essence, Karan Desai’s vision outshines the ordinary. It is where the unexpected meets the natural, inspiring fellow designers to get on a creative journey that has no bounds.

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