孟买符合风水的“花园住宅”丨印度丨Studio Grid

A Vastu-compliant ‘garden home’ in Mumbai with a 2,200-square-foot terrace

Studio Grid showcases their skills in integrating nature with the living space, in their design for this home in Mumbai.

Rugved Rane and Rohit Mahadik of Studio Grid are always delighted to get commissions with large outdoor spaces. This three-bedroom 2,800-square-foot home in Mumbai with a 2,200-square-foot terrace certainly qualified. Rugved previously worked at the atelier of Sou Fujimoto in Japan. “The overriding lesson I imbibed there was the connect between nature and architecture,” he says. “Now, these are the kind of projects which somehow gravitate towards us.”

With Vastu calling the shots and dictating the distribution of spaces, Rugved and Rohit had to tear down walls to relocate the kitchen, washrooms, and other areas. “Even the main door was repositioned, for which we had to take permission from the builder,” says Rohit. The moment you enter, the vast garden area unfurls beyond the living room. In fact, the linear layout of this home in Mumbai ensures that all rooms open onto the greenery. It would not be incorrect to say every room in this apartment has only three walls — in place of the fourth, there are simply glass doors, simulating the feel of being one with nature. The proportions of the terrace give the impression that the apartment was tagged on as an afterthought.

With this bounty at their disposal, it was no wonder that the client’s brief specified that the best use be made of the terrace. Consequently, this open-air space is easily the star. “The lush, meticulously designed garden area serves as a central focus and integral part of the living experience,” says Rohit. An outhouse with a bar and a barbecue, a large traditional fountain and a meandering pebbled path which resembles a river, are part of its temptations. The outhouse functions like an extension to the main living area, providing an additional functional space that has been tailored to the residents' needs.

“To partially shield the terrace from objects which may fall from upper floors, we have installed large stainless-steel discs to simulate a canopy. These are within permitted housing norms; they form a barrier, yet are semi-open,” says Rugved. Simultaneously, the discs are like intriguing installations, adding to the complex tableau of the meandering pebbled path at ground level. Visitors may well debate whether they represent elegantly simplistic trees or umbrellas.

“The terrace is easily the favourite space of the owners and their guests alike. The family has all their meals in the outhouse, which has a large skylight and a bar. It’s very unusual to be able to have this kind of experience in a Mumbai apartment. It’s really rather special,” says Rohit. Bold flooring in black-and-white pattered cement tiles adds to the drama. The adjacent open-air barbecue and the easy connectivity to the kitchen makes it really convenient for entertaining, which the owners frequently indulge in. “Even the clients’ dogs enjoy the terrace,” laughs Rohit.

The location of the fountain, the outhouse, even the trees…was all dictated by Vastu. A frangipani finds its way upwards through the gaps in the “tree-umbrellas” over the pebbled “river.” “Much of it ended up making sense,” concedes Rugved. “The direction in which the wind moves over the water, actually cools the home.”

Within, the aesthetic is contemporary English. “There may be wainscoting, but the materials are Indian. Stone from south India, wood, cane, colour lamination, custom furniture and lighting define the spaces. The art was commissioned to fit in specific spaces,” says Rugved. “Vibrant green-painted wooden doors introduce a delightful pop of colour and contrast amidst the neutral tones. An intricately patterned area rug adorns the floor, introducing visual detail and textural richness to the space.”

Some of the furniture is from Bombay Living, the flooring from World of Stones and the pillows and throws from Pottery Barn. “A wooden arched doorway frames the sleeping area of the main bedroom, creating a charming entrance. The wooden flooring has a herringbone pattern, while a chandelier and wall sconces flanking the bed provide illumination,” says Rohit. The seven-year-old daughter’s bedroom takes its magical winter wonderland theme from Disney’s animated musical fantasy film “Frozen.” The icy colour palette is offset by teal accents, with a sculptural, cloud-like light fixture above the bed enhancing the narrative. “However, the décor is not childlike and can easily be tweaked to meet the needs of the occupant as she grows,” says Rohit.

The proximity of the kitchen to the outhouse ensures that food and other supplies can be conveniently transported between the two spaces, enhancing efficiency during daily meals as well as larger parties. “By prioritising the garden as a primary element of the living space, the occupants enjoy the best of both worlds — the accessibility and amenities of urban living, combined with the tranquillity and restorative qualities of a private and nature-infused retreat,” says Rugved.