English architecture informs but Indian art defines a palatial home in Jalandhar by 23DC Architects

Where there was dramatic impressionism in the late 1800s and youthful pop art in the mid 1900s, minimalism marked the turn for the social media-loyal generation today. The ‘less is more’ era is defined by understated luxury. But every so often, we witness spaces that unabashedly do the opposite — they celebrate and serenade maximalism and drama. This home in Jalandhar is precisely that, designed by Shiv Dada and Mohit Chawla of 23DC Architects. 

Putting the grand in grandeur 

Dubbed Ivory Royale, the home in Punjab spans an impressive 10,500 sq ft and certainly lives up to its name. Adorned and ornate, it is the quintessential poster child for personalised maximalism. The genesis of the home began with the homeowners’ admiration for 23DC Architects’ previous masterpiece, ‘The Grand Alabaster’ home. The discussions centred on recreating a classical space infused with palatial elegance and functional luxury, emphasising intricate detailing and an indoor-outdoor experience.

The home, designed to entertain, has a backyard and an impressive terrace space to host gatherings, along with a home theatre, a gym, and several suites. Serving as a focal point here is a grand staircase that delivers a visual feast right at the entrance, around which the entire house was meticulously crafted. Interconnected routes and corridors were incorporated to add character to the home. With an impressive use of double and triple-height columns and floor-to-ceiling windows, the principal architects skillfully manoeuvred the horizontal size constraint. 

Indian and other influences

The English architecture is what informs the house, but the Indian art is what defines the house. Be it the formal living room’s walls dotted with Raja Ravi Verma’s paintings or the intricate carvings on the furniture. Together it makes the most beautiful combination of an Anglo-Indian aesthetic. “The design is a majestic work of Ivory arches and palm trees which makes the house more regal. Adding to this lavish regality are the Indian paintings lining the walls. Providing an Indian touch to every place we design is always on our mind,” express Shiv and Mohit.

With a patio and a French garden, the landscape of the house also revels in a certain French feeling. For the determination 23DC has for not making the site look like a concrete jungle, an entrance lawn was added to create balance. The backyard garden gives full privacy to the residents with its overgrown hedges. The softness of nature can be enjoyed throughout the home, adding a layer of serenity to the otherwise opulent space. 

The rooms in this house are super deluxe presidential suites. Even after being a combined space, the architects planned the design in a way that everyone still gets their privacy. The primary bedroom is designed so that the sunset is visible right outside the window.

The homeowner, being a lover of divine sunsets, can easily enjoy them from the comfort of the room. “At the end of the day, the whole house is designed in a way that the architecture acts as a gallery for the Indian art displayed throughout,” signs off the duo. 

Now read: Vinita Chaitanya scripts a renewed design story in a Bengaluru home where cross-cultural brevity meets contemporary living