ED tours the Roshans’ brand new vacation home in Khandala designed by Architect Grigoria Oikonomou

Blending heritage family treasures with contemporary architecture and structural engineering, almost seamlessly is the Roshans’ home in Khandala, India. 

Spread across 22,400 sq ft on a five acres plot, the family vacation escapade offers expansive views of the Rajmachi hills. In the quest to understand the psyche and needs of every family member, Architect Grigoria Oikonomou from Sibha Grigoria Private Limited spent ample time with the Roshans. The result of which is a home boasting of expansive outdoor spaces and numerous family areas, exuding effervescent warmth the illustrious film family is known to partake in. 

“The Roshan’s had the following requirements—A vacation home where the entire family can meet. Private areas without televisions and public areas for family get-togethers,” shares the architect. Further adding, “It was a challenge to design the entire home. I had to provide the perfect equilibrium between the existing emotions of each member of the family with the new emotions created by the interference of the present.”

A rough metallic door serves as the main entrance situated in the west elevation on the lower ground level. The door stands out in harmonious contrast with the plain white matte finished floor tiles. As you enter the home a majestic staircase crowned by a forest of hanging lights against a brick wall backdrop straightaway puts you onto a theatrical stage of sorts.

A central stair hall inspired by Belgian architect Victor Horta’s famed stairways in Art Nouveau residences from the 17th century invites us into the home. In true Horta style, laying emphasis on structure—Grigoria shows off a fer forge organic railing on one side of the staircase and the minimalistic touch of a glass railing on the other. Depicting a play between light and shadows, a cluster of lights against a rustic brick wall add to the dramatic promenade.  

Featuring a combination of textures, everything comes together rather symphonically. Reflecting clarity and serenity via flat white coloured walls and flooring an unusual contrast is created with roughly cladded old brick walls. Soft brown doors and partitions tune well with the family antiques and paintings. Further echoed by glass finishings and hundreds of hanging lights that give an effect of a forest of suspended trees into a space driven by nature. 

The heart of the home is characterised by family spaces consisting of a drawing room, dining room and card’s room on the ground floor. Linear architecture shines through natural light from the two courtyards situated between the family areas and the two guest bedrooms on this floor. Offering a visual treat through enormous glass doors are elaborate green spaces surrounding the bungalow. 

A private mystic staircase illuminated by indirect BOCCI lighting takes us from the ground to the first floor. The nucleus of this floor contains a family lounge towards the East and a billiard cum table tennis room towards the West. Six uniquely designed private bedrooms are spread across the floor, each encompassing the needs and personality of every family member.

Set against landscaped hills, a touch of mounts are beautified by multicoloured plantations and artworks. Surrounded by an infinity swimming pool alongside a perpendicular annexe hosting the spa, gym, barbeque and a family lounge. Royal Swastik yellow rough Jaisalmer stone is used in L-shape around the infinity pool flooring in extension to the volume cladded grey rough textured clay tiles consolidated in the main building. 

The home is decorated with a serene combination of restored antiques, gothic artefacts, Indian ethnic art, family portraits and baroque mirrors alongside contemporary furniture by Baxter and Aldorg. Creating a balance between the rationality of the Western culture and the warmth of Eastern emotions. The settled colours throughout the home create a tranquil and calm atmosphere.

Love the melange of the indoors and outdoors in the Roshan’s brand new vacation home? Then you’ll love the dynamic dialogue with nature in this Ahmedabad residence by Arpan Shah of Modo Designs…