Villa by the Backwaters / Studio TAB

Design Essentia Magazine — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 18:57:35 +0000

Tucked between a dense cover of palm trees and the backwaters of Varapuzha, here time seems to pause and takes one back to an era gone by.

Project Name : Villa by the Backwaters
Project Location : Kochi, India
Architect/Interior Designer : Studio TAB

Text description by the architects;

Never before had a pocket sized plot felt so larger than life. Tucked between a dense cover of palm trees and the backwaters of Varapuzha, here time seems to pause and takes one back to an era gone by. Local fishermen sail by in their wooden canoes selling their fresh catch from the sea, the summer breeze coaxing a gentle psithurism that lulls one into a nap and the seagulls squawking as they glide over the backwaters all day long. This seemed like a different world the very first time we visited the site and each time thereafter.

For a family who has lived over six decades of their lives in metropolitan cities across India and abroad and who always wishfully yearned to have a place of their own in their native land; they probably couldn’t have chosen a more idyllic site.

The project commissioned to us had layers of expectations. From that of a holiday home for the globetrotting client to a home where his septuagenarian parents could have an enriched retired life. With a brief so clear and a context so strong, ideating a design concept couldn’t ever have been easier.

All throughout the project timeline, we ensured that we respected the context where we are building. This involved a detailed climatic study to reduce the dependency on artificial thermal comfort, studying and working with local materials, engaging local craftsmen to build and create using traditional techniques and ensuring the project is an honest effort in giving shape to the client’s idea of home. The concept was always going to be a contextually driven one. Of all things natural and local. The space had to be a getaway from the urban jungle living. A home where aesthetics meet sustainability, where form and function come together to create a space that dreams are made of. A home that’s non pretentious and rooted to the nature.

We put in 4 months of time before actual site work to study the local materials, understand the local craftsmanship and scan the by lanes of the ancient Mattancherry market. Our objective was to go back in time to create a design that remains timeless.

We involved local artisans and craftsmen in shaping the laterite blocks, creating age old practice of lime plastered walls, recreating ancestral furniture with comfort specific interventions, custom designed handmade tiles and other designs as a contemporary ode to the bygone era. We also visited dilapidated houses in and around Kochi and sourced out old woodwork from there so as to salvage and restore them within this project.

Project Name : Villa by the Backwaters
Project Location : Kochi, India
Architect/Interior Designer : Studio TAB

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A Sterling Affair / Studio TAB

Design Essentia Magazine — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 11:42:16 +0000

Designed as a confluence of English design with modern urban undertones, this home is harmonious composition of subtle luxury with elegant patterns.

Project Name : A Sterling Affair
Project Location : Mumbai, India
Architect/Interior Designer : Studio TAB
Principal Architects : Rahul Das Menon & Ojas Chaudhari

Photographer: Yadnyesh Joshi

Text Description by the Architects:

A bespoke residence for an entrepreneurial couple who desired a home that reflects their fine taste of life. Designed as a confluence of English design with modern urban undertones, the home is harmonious composition of subtle luxury with elegant patterns.

The first glance of the house reveals its eclectic character. A composition of soft salmon pink with elegant crème balances the intricate European mouldings that have been used on the main door. A classic black and white checkered floor accentuates the sharp contrast used to create emphasis in design. A custom brass circular nameplate adds some bling as well as bridges the classical and contemporary styles to create a seamless stitich.

As you enter the house, a white fluted shoe rack sits elegantly to the left, leaving the foyer clear for access. Its sleek black legs compliment its curved form. Paired with the shoe rack is a statement teal accent chair, playfully moulded with the unit. The strategic placement of an elegant console unit, right opposite to the entrance gives a definition to thefoyer. The console wall acts as a highlight element, welcoming people into the house apart from creating a visual pause point- with the use of 3d panels colored in soft pastel blue juxtaposed between crème vertical panels with molding details. Teal and brass wall lamps balance the crème and soft blue panels. A grey marble floor with black strip inlay detail adds to the richness of the entrance.

The heart of the house – its living room is a calm space designed using soft hues of crème textured paint with nouveau mouldings as a backdrop to vibrant teal sofas. The grey marble floor with black strip inlay continues into the living room from the foyer, unifying the spaces effortlessly. A radial black and brass center table compliments the black strips in the floor and brass accents used in the composition. A modern abstract black and white rug defines the formal seating space, whilst a white lounge chair sits at the brink of the seating zone and bar. The circular bar unit is designed as a piece of art- with playful perpendicular openable shutters, keeping the space functional yet stylish.

The living room transitions into the dining area, with the bar unit acting as a visual buffer between the two. A custom organic shaped dining table with a grey marble top and 3 brass cylindrical supports sits diagonal to the formal seating area, keeping the spaces connected yet distinct. Tan leather upholstered chairs with brass legs break the starkness of the grey marble top of the table and flooring and match the modern geometrical brass chandelier that hangs above the dining unit. Right behind the dining table, lies an opulent crockery unit with brass strip detail. The subtleness of the space is maintained by the use of crème fluted panels and a soft white wallpaper on the wall.

The kitchen is designed as a sober and functional space; with a sleek and minimal black and white design. A black marble backsplash with brown grains compliments the island counter for two, made using the same material. Teal high stools add a dash of colour to the space. The brass sanitary ware maintains the sophistication in design. The drawers and shutters are kept white, with curved profile handles. Above the counter, lies a modular grid storage with framed glass shutters. A crockery unit designed using the same language of black frames and glass is placed opposite to the overhead storage, thus stitching the overall design with repetition and controlled contrast of elements. (above)

The guest room is designed keeping the concept of frames intact. A pastel green wall accentuated by white strip frames makes for an interesting backdrop for the bed. The frames transcend into contrasting pastel pink box niches on the adjacent wall, adding functionality and storage. A teal leather upholstered bed back gives a good break to the subtle hues of pastel pink and green. The pink niches are complimented by a pink side table. A brass accent wall lamp above the side table creates an opulent play of metal against pale walls. (below right)

The study area has a Marooned- brown framed wall that acts as a highlight element, giving a balanced contrast to the subtle white niche library unit with brass fascia detailing that is placed across. At the brink of the coloured wall and library unit, sits a custom designed study table made in black and teal glass. Its conical brass legs compliment the larger-than-life brass floor lamp kept against the coloured wall. A wooden flooring balances the composition well, adding some warmth to the space. (above left)

This room too, is designed keeping the soft play of colours in mind. A subtle crème textured paint on the wall is well balanced by a brown leather quilted bed back. Curved ivory side tables are placed on either side of the bed. A fluted glass wardrobe with brass frame acts as a highlight element in this muted room.

The master bedroom has a play of black, white, teal and brass elements. A back painted white glass backdrop, with brass strips creates a nice backdrop for the bed. A curved teal suede bed back acts as the focal point of this composition, as it continues to the floor and envelopes the bed and the side tables in its curve completely. Brass accents used in combination with teal suede upholstery compliment the reflective brass strips on the wall and the radial pendant lights that hang above the side tables. A statement white chair, and a coffee table complete the space.

The dresser of the master bedroom is a sober space with wooden flooring, white dressing unit and a soft teal stool. An oval mirror and white radial chandelier balance the square design of the space.