Modern with an intention

From floating mandirs to artisanal chandeliers: Amit Porwal and Icon Projects Inspace craft a villa in Raipur

29 May 2025

From a floating mandir to staircases that rise like sculptural installations, every detail of this home is an invitation to enter a world where design is lived and experienced. It’s a space where every material, every form feels deeply intentional. Which makes us wonder, what if modern luxury could become a living, breathing story, where nature’s touch transforms every corner?

In the heart of this residence in Swarnabhoomi, Raipur, that dream is realised. An 8,000 sq ft villa rises not just in scale, but in spirit. Designed by Icon Projects Inspace Pvt Ltd with Amit Porwal of his eponymous firm at the helm, the villa dances between architectural grandeur and tranquil spirituality. Multiple elements come alive in the home — earth in the raw stone floors and wooden accents, water in serene pools and reflective surfaces, air in open courtyards and breezy layouts and light in skylights and sun-drenched rooms that shift with the day.

Roche Bobois and Vita Moderna furniture anchor the space with bold sophistication. Bombay Paints textures meet the glow of Hybec and Glass Forest lights. Finished with Genuine Marble, intricate inlay by Imran Bhati, sleek P3 glass staircases, and custom screens by Darsh Chandra; Photography by Phx India

Movement of light and luxury

Step through the door and you feel it right away — a softness that welcomes you in. Glass wraps the space like silk, pulling daylight into every corner and turning walls into windows. Rooms flow naturally, not divided by doors but by the movement from one space to the next. Open-plan zones connect with see-through screens and clever visual breaks making the whole house feel alive and airy.

The floors ground you with marble inlays inspired by ornate carpets while resin tops, ombré basin counters and bold acrylic screens play with light and shadow. Wood and metal add warmth and depth throughout. The sculptural dining table takes center stage and bold chandeliers pop against the calming, neutral palette. Earthy neutrals set a peaceful tone, but surprises are tucked in — a burst of citrus on the tabletop, a metallic shimmer in a furniture insert, or a mural that adds a dash of drama. Each bedroom has its own aura, whether it’s the master, the son’s room or the guest suites, but they all share a sense of calm and elegance.

And then there’s the party lounge. With rich veneers, wooden floors and bold wallpaper, it’s a space that oozes energy. Modern, moody and ready for fun, imagine Gatsby meets Vastu with a marble bar that’s ready for anything from gin to jazz.

Natuzzi by Vita Moderna furniture takes center stage, paired with custom pieces by Furniture_React. Warmth flows through Acespace veneer, Hands Carpet rugs, and Genuine Marble accents, while Glass Forest decorative lights, Hybec lighting, and an Anemos fan elevate the ambiance; Photography by Phx India

World of Stone's boundary wall frames the space, while P3 glass opens it up to light. Ambient glow by Hybec and a statement Hands Carpet rug complete the look; Photography by Phx India

A mandir that floats, a staircase that stuns

But the true showstopper? The mandir. Suspended above a tranquil waterbody, it’s clad in Yellow Mango and Crystal Onyx, catching the light like a living jewel. Ethereal, elevated and exquisitely still, it’s like watching a prayer materialise in stone.

By contrast, the staircase and double-height dining area proved the most challenging, both technically and spiritually. To achieve that breathtaking verticality, a cutout was made in the slab and the staircase was completely relocated to align with Vastu’s directional guidelines. Now, the stairs rise like a work of art — marble steps edged in glass, flanked by a stone mural wall that seems to be sculpted by light itself.

The dining area, with its 20-foot glass window and striking chandelier, is pure theatre. It’s where architecture, volume and air come together in perfect harmony creating a moment that leaves you in awe.

The landscape beyond

Even outside, the design deepens. Granite walkways curve through manicured greens. Marble benches invite you to pause. Floor lighting casts delicate shadows that stretch and shift with the evening breeze. The landscape is not an afterthought, but an extension of the home’s emotional geography.

Call it a villa, call it a vision. There’s theatre in its silhouettes, serenity in its stillness and a quiet confidence running through every corridor. It’s a house that floats, flows, glows and fully owns its moment.