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    Hygge vibes echo across this Gandhinagar home By ST-EM Architecture

    MAY 10, 2024 | By Pooja Prabbhan Srijith
    A healthy contrast of brown and black furniture balances out the grey neutrals. With a strong emphasis on letting nature in, the inclusion of lush indoor plants help establish a harmonious connection with nature — a cornerstone of both Japanese and Scandinavian designs; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi
    A restrained colour palette defines the home’s aesthetic, which is rich in modish decor elements like the black side console from ST-EM Architecture, Kuro terracotta table lamp from Ellementry, ceramic grey vase from IKEA, an artwork from The Hue Odyssey by Amal Jain and the Chandigarh chair from Furniture Homes, promoting a sense of harmony and balance; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi
    The TV unit extends seamlessly to form an inviting archway with curved teak veneers, creating an alcove that exudes the requisite warmth for a space where the entire family gets together; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi
    Ideal for a restful snooze; the ‘salt of earth bedchamber’ features standout additions such as wall arches. The rattan bed is from ST-EM Architecture, while the oatmeal linen slumber solid bed sheet and cushions are from Live linen and the lumbar cushions are from Craft and Kar. The ceramic pots are from IKEA; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi

    When Ved Panchwagh, founder and principal architect of ST-EM Architecture, was tasked with uplifting a 1250 sq ft show flat with a timeless design in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar — not long after designing Hrudhya, Ncon Infra’s luxury residential township, within which the apartment is situated — he took on the challenge with unflinching confidence. 

     “The client’s brief was pretty straight forward. They were looking for a contemporary, efficient and minimalist apartment that would blend in with the neighbourhood,” says Ved, while describing the design philosophies that went into the making of this subdued sanctuary that pays an aesthetic ode to the Japandi ethos. 

    ST-EM Architects
    A restrained colour palette defines the home’s aesthetic, which is rich in modish decor elements like an artwork from The Hue Odyssey by Amal Jain and the Chandigarh chair from Furniture Homes. The ivory boucle sofa and the centre table are bespoke ST-EM Architecture creations. The table runner is from IKEA and the carpet is from Jaipur Rugs. In the backdrop, the blinds are from Ador Asian Paints; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi

    Located on SG Highway, the property opens to scenic vistas overlooking the verdant courtyard. Nouveau decor elements like the Kuro terracotta table lamp, ceramic vases and the black side console inject a chic yet contemporary charm into the interiors of this modern minimalist home, which favours clean lines, geometric shapes and uncluttered spaces, allowing the design to breathe. 

    ST-EM Architects
    Whether it’s cast-in-situ terrazzo flooring or handcrafted furniture, these locally sourced materials not only imbue the apartment with a sense of authenticity and character while contributing to overall sustainability. The tabletop is from Corian illuminated by The Kaleido Store pendant light; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi

    “In our work, this translates into uncluttered spaces characterised by a neutral colour palette, embracing the curves and a careful curation of furnishings and decor. Curve forms introduce a sense of elegance, fluidity and visual interest, which is well evidenced in this apartment,” he says. 

    The living room… a cosy refuge 

    The main door opens into the vestibule of the living area — a tranquil set-up where a sense of calm reverberates across the room — setting the tone for the rest of the home.

    ST-EM Architects
    A healthy contrast of brown and black furniture balances out the grey neutrals. A cornerstone of both Japanese and Scandinavian designs; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi

    A private, den-like comfort fills up this space, which is replete with eye-catching curvaceous placements like an ivory Boucle sofa and oval centre table over a Jaipur Rugs’ jute rug. An independent, curved black console sits on the left end of the sofa. Across is a TV unit in natural and stained teak wood veneer panelling with grooves adding texture to the interiors. Intermediate brass verticals support the floating shelving units jutting out from the TV wall. Its rounded shape — signature of the Japandi theme — provides ample room for storage.

    The ceiling has a fillet running across the space that crafts a sense of continuity as each room seems to seamlessly pour into the next. 

    ST-EM Architects
    Natural light melds beautifully with the varying textures of the wood and the muted lime wash walls, bringing forth a dynamic interplay that evolves throughout the day; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi

    A functional yet tastefully done kitchen zone

    Dusty terracotta lime-washed curved wall highlights the kitchen’s entry, lending an earthy charm to the space. The kitchen boasts cabinets in a light grey duco finish with fluted glass and teak-finished trolleys.

    ST-EM Architects
    This compact yet functional kitchen arrangement bolsters easy cooking. The all-black Kitchen appliances from Carysil lend a modish touch to the area. The dado and counter are from AGL Tiles; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi

     

    ST-EM Architects
    Elements like the quartz kitchen top from AGL Tiles, Terrazzo flooring with brass inlays from Vernacular Flooring, the kitchen trolley shutters from Dress Circle and marble coasters from Fleck exude a streak of elegance to a space that usually has a very functional nature; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi

    The dining area is where the heart is

    “Designing the dining area was a rewarding journey, blending form and function to create a space that embodies the essence of home,” avers Ved, citing that the idea was to create a visually striking ‘centrepiece’ within the apartment that also serves as a transitional space, seamlessly connecting different areas of the apartment and fostering a sense of continuity and flow.

    ST-EM Architects
    Curved teak veneers create an alcove that exudes the requisite warmth for a space where the entire family gets together; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi

    From selecting furniture to crafting lighting schemes, Ved’s eye for detail is well-evidenced in this area of the home. The display cabinet serves as a canvas for personal expression, allowing residents to infuse the spaces with their unique tastes and preferences.

     

    ST-EM Architects
    “Whether it’s through the addition of artwork, tableware, or decorative accents, there’s an inherent sense of creativity and individuality that comes with designing this part of the apartment,” he reveals; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi

    Bedrooms that set the bar high 

    Concealing the structural offsets in the master bedroom presented a notable challenge. Crafting a flow within the apartment required innovative ideas and meticulous strategizing to seamlessly incorporate these structural components into the overall design of the three bedrooms.

    ST-EM Architects
    Ideal for a restful snooze; the ‘salt of earth bedchamber’ features standout additions such as wall arches. The rattan bed is from ST-EM Architecture, while the oatmeal linen slumber solid bed sheet and cushions are from Live linen and the lumbar cushions are from Craft and Kar; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi

    The ‘salt of earth bedchamber’ features a designed series of wall arches all around the rattan bed to minimise the visual impact of structural offsets, which adds to the visual appeal, making it conducive for a siesta as much as it does for a good night’s sleep. 

    ST-EM Architects
    The Retro 80s bedroom exudes a restrained, old-worldly charm with elements like grey lime wash from Limocoat, Rattan bed from ST-EM Architecture, split colour lumbar cushion cover from Craft and Kar. The bedsheets are from Saphed and the lamp from IKEA; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi

     

    ST-EM Architects
    True to its name, the Dusty Rose bedroom is where calm takes a tangible form with noteworthy decor elements like the ceramic pots from Orange Skies and an upholstered bed from ST-EM Architecture. The terracotta linen bed sheets and cushions are from Saphed; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi

    An aura of understated elegance, fluidity and visual appeal envelopes this spanking new address, where tranquillity truly takes a tangible form — embracing the brand’s ethos that suggests how “less is more”. 

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