Pune Houzz: A Contemporary Take on Rajasthani Influences
The design narrative of this home by Studio Hinge is inspired by its well-travelled homeowners and their Jaipur lineage
“The homeowners were keen to incorporate the vibrant culture of Rajasthan into their house, and our challenge was to do it in a contemporary manner. They have also lived in Norway, France and the UK, so we set out to tell their story, seeking a balance between the disparate influences from these distant locales,” says Pravir Sethi, principal architect and founder of Studio Hinge.
The living room has an earthy colour palette with mid-century modern furniture and terrazzo flooring. The rugged texture of the sandstone walls and ceiling are reminiscent of Rajasthan’s havelis (traditional mansions).
Illumination from the recessed grazing lights on the ceiling draws the eye upwards. Grazing lights are placed close to the surface to be lit up so as to intensify highlights, shadows and textures, amplifying the architectural character of the feature.
Living room sofas: Iqrup + Ritz
Illumination from the recessed grazing lights on the ceiling draws the eye upwards. Grazing lights are placed close to the surface to be lit up so as to intensify highlights, shadows and textures, amplifying the architectural character of the feature.
Living room sofas: Iqrup + Ritz
Folding glass doors provide a seamless connection to the balcony and imbue a sense of expanse.
Next to the formal living room is the study, which connects to the terrace. A slatted ceiling is the focal point of this room.
Sandstone walls and terrazzo flooring give design continuity to the space.
Look for flooring options on Houzz
Sandstone walls and terrazzo flooring give design continuity to the space.
Look for flooring options on Houzz
Woody accents in the ceiling and cabinetry exude a Nordic vibe in the kitchen.
Browse through kitchen design ideas on Houzz photos
Browse through kitchen design ideas on Houzz photos
“The flexible use of spaces is integral to our design philosophy and comes across in various aspects of this home,” says Sethi.
A louvred shutter swings open to reveal a large window between the kitchen and dining zones, connecting the two when needed. An entire section of the kitchen counter can then be wheeled out into the dining area, transforming from a wood-and-stone wall into a bar counter equipped with a hot plate for informal cooking.
The designer broke down the existing masonry wall between the dining and family spaces, replacing it with a unique digitally fabricated wall. “Individual sheets of Siberian birch ply were cut to custom shapes and stacked over one another to create an overall sinuous form. The undulating planes of ply reminds one of ripples in the sand dunes of the desert. They are punctuated by what seem to be traditional jali cutouts, which are integrated into the facade of this 30-inch-thick partition. Into each of the cutouts is inserted a resin block,” says Sethi. “An oxidised steel bracket projects out to hold a diya or tea light, which illuminates the resin inserts.”
A louvred shutter swings open to reveal a large window between the kitchen and dining zones, connecting the two when needed. An entire section of the kitchen counter can then be wheeled out into the dining area, transforming from a wood-and-stone wall into a bar counter equipped with a hot plate for informal cooking.
The designer broke down the existing masonry wall between the dining and family spaces, replacing it with a unique digitally fabricated wall. “Individual sheets of Siberian birch ply were cut to custom shapes and stacked over one another to create an overall sinuous form. The undulating planes of ply reminds one of ripples in the sand dunes of the desert. They are punctuated by what seem to be traditional jali cutouts, which are integrated into the facade of this 30-inch-thick partition. Into each of the cutouts is inserted a resin block,” says Sethi. “An oxidised steel bracket projects out to hold a diya or tea light, which illuminates the resin inserts.”
“This wall captures the essence of Rajasthan and serves as a memento for the homeowners,” says Sethi.
Interestingly, the homeowners were against replacing the existing wall – which is why the designer calls it ‘The Great Wall of Gupta’. However, now the wall is almost like a shrine to family history and they asked Studio Hinge to incorporate their family deity’s mandir within it as well.
Dining chairs: Red Blue & Yellow
Interestingly, the homeowners were against replacing the existing wall – which is why the designer calls it ‘The Great Wall of Gupta’. However, now the wall is almost like a shrine to family history and they asked Studio Hinge to incorporate their family deity’s mandir within it as well.
Dining chairs: Red Blue & Yellow
On the other side of the wall is the family area, which is the heart of the home. This room was earlier disconnected from the rest of the house and had poor light quality. Replacing the masonry wall with this wall helped bring in an airy and spacious feel while retaining privacy.
The pod-like vestibules connect the family room to all the bedrooms of the house. A sandstone wall, traditional print cushions and a harmonium on the floor underpin the ethnic design narrative.
Give Your Home an Ethnic Edge With Indian-inspired Prints
Give Your Home an Ethnic Edge With Indian-inspired Prints
Next to the family room is the master bedroom with an unconventional four-poster bed and red flooring with motifs.
“We enlarged openings between the bedroom and bathroom, and used sliding doors to open these up into each other,” says Sethi.
See more images of inspiring bedrooms on Houzz
“We enlarged openings between the bedroom and bathroom, and used sliding doors to open these up into each other,” says Sethi.
See more images of inspiring bedrooms on Houzz
Arched doorways lead towards the bathroom.
The row of jali-type piercings in the yellow wall above the arched doorway reiterate the underlying theme of vernacular architecture, while also functioning as a customised AC grille.
Which Tiles Are Perfect for Indian Floors?
Which Tiles Are Perfect for Indian Floors?
Next to the master bedroom is the younger daughter’s bedroom with a chevron-pattern floor.
Like the master bedroom, this room too has an arched doorway that opens into the bathroom.
Paint: Asian Paints
Paint: Asian Paints
The pink arches and walls are evocative of the dominant colour scheme of buildings in Jaipur.
Adjacent to the younger daughter’s bedroom is that of the older daughter, where a nook serves as a cosy reading spot. A timber trellis has been designed for the plants to grow over it and screen the sleeping area.
The older daughter’s bathroom embraces industrial decor with track light fixtures and a black-framed glass door.
10 Stylish Ways to Bring in Glass Partitions
The older daughter’s bathroom embraces industrial decor with track light fixtures and a black-framed glass door.
10 Stylish Ways to Bring in Glass Partitions
A vestibule from the family room leads to the guest bedroom.
Dual-coloured accent walls give a Scandinavian touch and offset the earthiness of the yellow flooring, while the yellow and white upholstery of the little rocking chair ties them together.
Read more:
Mumbai Houzz: A Modern, Skyscraper Home With Earthy Roots
Jaipur Houzz: A City Bungalow Dazzles With Rajasthani Accents
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Mumbai Houzz: A Modern, Skyscraper Home With Earthy Roots
Jaipur Houzz: A City Bungalow Dazzles With Rajasthani Accents
Tell us:
What did you like most about this home? Tell us in Comments below.
Who lives here: A family of four
Location: Pune, Maharashtra
Year built: 2019
Size: 470 square metres (5060 square feet); 4 bedrooms; 4 bathrooms; study; powder room
Architect and design firm: Pravir Sethi, Studio Hinge.
Photos by Ishita Sitwala
Located on the sixth floor, this sprawling apartment in Pune’s trendy Koregaon Park embraces the conveniences of contemporary design while being rooted in its Rajasthani ancestry. The layout is planned in a way that common spaces open out into each other without compromising on privacy.
A traditional brass urli greets visitors at the entrance. Behind it are two of the ‘pods’ that are installed at different areas in the home; they guard the transition from one space to another. “The slits cut into the sides of the pods and are reminiscent of the narrow windows in the turrets of forts, but unlike the thick stone walls of old, these turrets are formed of 2-millimetre-thick mild steel bent to shape,” says Sethi. “Copper strips inlaid into the precast terrazzo flooring in the family area form patterns like of the Mughal charbagh garden. The nine squares of inlay on the flooring recall the city plan of Jaipur.”
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