Symmetry and balance: A Mumbai home by kaviar:collaborative portrays the beauty of simplicity

The clangour of the coastal road construction. The clangour of the metro construction. The noises of the many cars honking. All of it melts away in the air, once you step inside this apartment in Dadar, Mumbai, which is a sanctuary away from the clamour of Mumbai. The 1,800 sq ft home designed by Kasturi Wagh and Vineet Hingorani, Partners + Principal Architects of kaviar:collaborative, exudes a sense of calm. Comprising a living, dining, kitchen, 3 bedrooms and balconies, the home is functional and closely follows Japanese and Scandinavian design styles.  

Kanso kingdom

A true Japanese design principle, Kanso, means simplicity and purity. The young firm have taken this philosophy to heights within the walls of this home. They have captured the emotion of serenity and balance of the mind within the hustle and bustle of the city. The home finds the common ground between the ideologies of simplicity, craftsmanship and functionality within an Indian family home. Soft minimalism comes through the striking combination of birch wood, metal and marble. 

Seamless simplicity

Owing to the fact that the homeowners run a family business in the timber and wood industry, Kasturi and Vineet took the opportunity to experiment with veneers and wood. “We really wanted to explore the design and details that would celebrate the material,” explains the duo. 

Right from the entry, the signs of minimalism paired with an appreciation for materials can be seen. The main door made of solid wood features a mural created with simple shapes, setting the tone for the rest of the home. Upon entering the home, one notices the natural light flooding in, and reflecting through mirrors, making the volume seem larger. As one enters the living room, one sees the similar patterns from the front door, done in concrete as a wall mural. Storage was of utmost importance to the family, and so each space was maximised. The TV wall in the living room was minimally designed with hidden shutters and drawers. A low marble ledge adds texture to the space while also doubling up as storage for the television accessories.

In order to have the spaces flow seamlessly, the kitchen walls were knocked down and instead beautiful birch and glass sliding doors were installed. “Functionally, the kitchen can be closed off when required, and aesthetically, the doors and its working mechanism becomes a design highlight,” explain Kasturi and Vineet. 

Following the theme are the three bedrooms. The primary bedroom is highlighted by a fluted wall and slatted birch wood bed. Two brothers, both young adults, inhabit the other two bedrooms. Both the bedrooms have a similar look and feel, yet, are vastly different. Spurts of black veneer, grey concrete and black metal tie up with the birch wood in the other bedrooms to create a sense of cosiness.

While maintaining a sense of ‘balance’ and ‘tranquillity’ in the design scheme was the primary focus, imparting a sense of character to the apartment was equally important.

Harmony unveiled

kaviar:collaborative has seamlessly layered materials, details, decor and functionality to create a soothing ambiance, where each element suggests a thought – from the design of the main door to the mural in the living room, from the use of modern hardware in the kitchen to the hidden lighting fixtures. “In essence, this home is an embodiment of a space built on the design ideologies of Japanese and Scandinavian cultures with the focus on a calm, tranquil and embracing space for a family of four,” conclude Kasturi and Vineet. 

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