A home (and a garden) of your own

This penthouse duplex in Mumbai by FUSIONstudio proves you can have it all

20 Aug 2025

A penthouse, a duplex and a kitchen garden, all in one? Perched high atop Mumbai, this 10,171 sq ft home by FUSIONstudio embodies the cosmopolitan dream to a tee. And yet, it makes space for the smaller luxuries those outside Maximum City often take for granted: space to breathe, live and be. And oh, did we mention the kitchen garden on the terrace yet?

Yes, the terrace. In dense concrete jungles, space is often the biggest luxury of it all. Principal Architects Nicola Gerber and Tiran Driver, in recognition of this fundamental fact, built the penthouse with plenty of spatial variety to choose from. The list? The sprawling rooftop, granting residents an eagle eye view of Mumbai’s skyscraper-dotted skyline (and the opportunity to grow their own produce). Alfresco areas, smushed between the southwest facade and delicate bamboo slats: forming what the architects call the home’s “second skin.”

An uber-contemporary rendition of the traditional house and garden concept, the residence proves that you can have the best of both worlds: big city dreams, with small city benefits!

The home pairs neutrals with statement lights and plush seating, lit by windows by Schueco; Photography by Bajirao Pawar

Spacing it out

More than an aesthetic choice, the home’s unique architecture and design bridges two cons most often associated with penthouses: excess heat and wind. But it also revels in its pros. A generous, light-filled atrium maximises on the plethora of natural light streaming in. The sprawling terrace and interiors remain faithful to light neutrals, making the home appear larger, airier. Both intentional planning and materiality play a vital role in achieving these effects. Alongside Nicola and Tiran, the home has been shaped by Chirag Chidrawar, Ameya Madankar, Siddharth Yadav, Poonam Mohape and Radhika Mantri.

Apart from the design team, two spiritual forces had a say in the layout, too: Vaastu and Feng Shui! A quick consultation helped fill in a few parts right at the inception. What fell under its gambit? Right from the positioning of doors to the staircase, these minute yet complex requirements have been taken into account within the home, as per the resident’s wishes.

All curtains and upholstery is by Bharat Furnishings, with furniture from Calia Italia and Kettal; Photography by Bajirao Pawar

Natural stone by Nitco pairs beautifully with the fluted wood veneers by Jalaram Timber; Photography by Bajirao Pawar

Guided by the light

Reminiscent of a New York address you’re likely to see in Sex and the City, the home embraces penthouse living with an armful of whites and contemporary silhouettes. A conjoined living and dining space rest at its heart, lit up by the generously sized atrium and skylight filtering in light from above. Fluted panels, wooden accents and the slightest pops of colour add texture and character to the interiors. But the true piece de resistance? A floating staircase curves in the middle, helping one navigate the space from one floor to the other. The penthouses’ verticality is further enhanced owing to these design interventions.

The terrace may leave you breathless for more reasons than taking the stairs. Appearing as if it were a third space disjunct from the home, this sprawling space is home to lush flowering beds, a fountain and a catering area for those who wish to pair their entrees with Mumbai’s revitalising sea breeze. Smaller seating zones allow you to perch and take in the view from multiple angles. It is here where the vertical composite bamboo slats, the home’s “second skin”, appear most prominently. Affixed to a stainless steel frame, their long, linear lines create a shaded dining and lounge area that is privy to slants of the sun coming through at all times, almost appearing to move to the rhythm of the sun. An added bonus? The vertical slats help reduce the amount of heat that enters the home. A true win-win!

The home houses decorative light fixtures from Louis Poulsen, Foscarini, Luceplan, Davide Groppi, Ingo Maurer, Gubi, Vibia, Artemide, And Tradition and Bolia; Photography by Bajirao Pawar

The terrace features al fresco areas and open seating, separated by bamboo slats; Photography by Bajirao Pawar

A common con of residing on the top floor is the sun (particularly vicious in Mumbai summers) beating down in the walls. The exteriors of the concrete structure, in response, have been insulated to tone down this greenhouse-life effect. Making lemonade out of lemons, solar panels installed in the home’s roof help turn this con into a clever energy-saving measure.

Taking environmental factors, the residing family’s needs and the unique typology into account, FUSIONstudio creates a residence that ticks all the boxes. Can you truly have it all in Mumbai? In this penthouse, you can indeed.