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    • Homes

    This 4,900 sq ft Mumbai apartment is the epitome of luxury living in a crowded city

    JUN 28, 2018 | By Annkur Khosla
    (L-R) Shades of blue dominate the dining nook. To lend an added dimension to this space, Annkur designed a buffet table metal divider that suspends from the ceiling and separates the living and dining areas. The main table with a concrete finish is from MDF Italia, while the chairs are a product of Hans J Wegner. The cone lights that hang above have been picked up from Apparatus in Milan. A collection of decorative plates, of various shapes and sizes, by French artist Faiencerie Georges adorn the sliding panel which conceals a crockery cabinet;In the corner of the living room: Chair from Global Views upholstered in fabric from Christian Lacroix, Bell Table from ClassiCon designed by Sebastian Herkner and cork side table from Utopia & Utility. The ombre curtains are from Designers Guild;The apartment opens out to a landscaped garden with plenty of greenery. Bright blue chairs from Kettal padded with pillows from Pierre Frey, deck the outdoors. Making up the spacious living room are floral patterned rolling tubs from Kenzo, cement table from McGuire, vintage print lacquered centre tables from Baxter and pillows in Ming vase ginger jars toile fabric from Pierre Frey. The sofa custom designed by Annkur Khosla Design Studio is covered with fabric from Designers Guild. Ombre curtains and a grid meshed pattern enhance the cool blue tones. Photography by Deepshikha Jain;The furniture and lights in the living room were sourced from international brands including B&B Italia, Baxter and Moroso;The furniture and lights in the living room were sourced from international brands including B&B Italia, Baxter and Moroso.

    I believe the relationship between the client and the architect is a unique one. Mystically the client and I met at various intervals in life – reinstating a karmic connection which eventually culminated into a working project. The house was designed to accommodate the needs of a growing family and the youthfulness of the couple contributed to the contemporary culture of the house. The entire space is approximately 4,900 sq ft, including the gardens and terraces, and is located in a new complex close to the mill area of new urbane Mumbai, where apartment living abounds.

    The nature of the project, having three split levels with a small garden attached and overlooking vast landscaped areas, set the base for bungalow living in the heart of urbanity. The concept was to create a well integrated home where the connection between spaces was fluid yet defined through custom designed screens. Transitions were defining points of the project – they act as apertures or windows in different shapes and sizes.

    My skills in architectural ingenuity were put to test while devising the structural integration between the split levels as each cutout between the slabs was different. The staircase design had to negotiate between climbing distances and working head room heights using minimum area to traverse. The project had several other challenges on the way due to its unique nature.
    The furniture and lights were sourced from Italian and American companies like Moroso, Baxter, B&B Italia, McGuire, etc. Artworks were also juxtaposed in the most unique locations within the apartment, adding to the visual language of the space – from Dilip Chobisa’s work of art in the living room that lends a third dimension to the area, to Samantha Batra’s “wooden shoe protectors” that spark your imagination while climbing the stairs. The staircase is the focal point in the apartment as various activities and spaces are planned around it.
    Each level has its own unique identity offering both transparency and disconnect. Indians are known for their loquaciousness and joy in constant interaction – it’s this human aspect that has been addressed in the project