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    reD Architects envision a little bit of Spain in Alibaug with graceful arched openings, timeless wood furniture and ceramic details

    NOV 30, 2020 | By Mrudul Pathak Kundu and rED Architects
    (L-R) reD Architects created an inward-looking home with an expansive courtyard; The entrance of this Spanish hacienda-inspired villa; On the upper level is a machan with an in-situ cast bench where the family congregates for tea and conversations; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri
    The living room is characterised by arched and panelled doors, custom and upholstered seaters, hardwood and metal tables, and a rug from Good Earth; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri

    The owners are a fun-loving, spirited couple with two adorable kids. The husband, who’s quite involved in the conceptualisation, wished for a “Spanish hacienda in the woods” inspired by a recent trip to the European country.

    We knew that it had to be an open house with many interconnecting spaces, nestled within trees; so we placed it at the rear end of this approximately 65,000 sq ft site. A long approach road lined with thick foliage on one side and a lawn on the other was designed.

    The pool with an outdoor deck abuts the compound wall in the far corner, giving it the privacy required and also space for a vegetable garden on the other side of the villa adjoining the kitchen.

    Burma teak table and chairs are placed on warm limestone flooring from Stone Source. The pendants are from Viya Home and the tableware from Good Earth; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri

    We developed a 10,000 sq ft structure that’s inward-looking. It has a central courtyard that’s open to the sky, which forms the focus of the villa. On the ground floor, the living and dining rooms are imagined as open verandahs on either side of this courtyard, linked to each other by covered walkways.

    Handmade ceramic tiles like these in the kitchen alcove are used across the home; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri

    The areas’ wooden and glass panelled doors are usually kept open to make the most of the cool breeze that makes its way through the house all times of the year. This is helped by the layered treatment of open, semi-open and closed spaces and also because of how the bungalow is positioned (keeping in mind the wind and sun direction). Nearby, on this same level, are two guest rooms.

    This verandah near the living room is accessed by the limestone stairway with ceramic hand-painted risers; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri

    A flight of stairs leads to the mezzanine, where a cosy library is complete with a black-and-white chequered floor strewn with beanbags. The first floor houses the master boudoir, kids’ room and another guest area. Overlooking the courtyard, an open balcony connects these spaces and leads to a machaan setup with a unique coir rope roof.

    Bespoke, Burma teak four-poster bed and side tables are paired with an heirloom Persian carpet, furnishings from Good Earth and the mirror (on the rug) by The Great Eastern Home; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri

    To enhance the hacienda look, we used earthy elements like exposed bricks for side tables and vaults, arched gateways in the verandahs, coloured cement floors in the bathrooms, ornamental wrought iron railings and hand-painted ceramic tiles.

    The kids’ room is decorated with cane chairs, and a floor bed with linen and cushions from Good Earth; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri

    Some beds were built on-site out of stone, cement and brick, appearing as though these emerged from the ground, further emphasising the rustic nature of the abode.

    Scroll for more images of this charming holiday home by reD Architects…

    The verandah connecting the rooms on the upper level has a barrel vaulted brick roof and limestone flooring; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri

     

    Hand-painted ceramic tiles, wood finishes and pristine basins from Hindware in the master bathroom are placed alongside circular mirrors, a rug and vintage suspended lights from Chor Bazaar; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri

     

    The ivory facade with arched openings is in keeping with the Spanish theme; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri