Khopoli前酒店改造家庭农舍丨MuseLAB

This erstwhile hotel in Khopoli is now a vibrant, convivial family farmhouse

The client's second home, revamped by MuseLAB features a bohemian vibe coupled with sustainable design, a simple material palette and custom furniture

Pallavi Mehra

Sameer Tawde

MuseLAB converted this former hotel in Khopoli into a second home for a Muscat based entrepreneur

A Muscat based entrepreneur approached Huzefa Rangwala, Jasem Pirani and Namrata Tidke of MuseLAB to convert a former hotel into a family farmhouse. This 25,000-square-feet property is located in Khopoli and consists of three structures—a standalone hotel building with 12 rooms and a banquet room, a restaurant with an indoor and outdoor seating area, and a pool with a poolside changing room.

This 25000-square-feet property was originally a hotel

Sustainable Design

“When we visited the site for the first time, it was a derelict resort on the old Bombay-Pune highway. The client wanted to convert it into a farmhouse for his family. So rather than demolishing the structure, we decided to refurbish it. Our vision was clear—we wanted to restore the former glory of this landmark hotel by utilising material and labour that was locally available to create a truly sustainable project by minimising our carbon footprint,” says Rangwala.

Bohemian Aesthetic

The client, a outdoorsy person, wanted his second home to be budget-friendly and one that required minimal maintenance. Keeping these factors in mind, MuseLAB  decided to give the farmhouse a bohemian aesthetic. The property features vernacular elements and contemporary details. Brick screens have been created using patterning with parametric designing. The material palette is also simple—exposed brick, leather finish kadappa and fabricated MS screens, all of which complement the textured white exterior of the main building. Additionally, the entire farmhouse features numerous plants and animal-shaped artefacts.

A Visual Symphony

The use of colours in different forms plays a crucial role in the design of this farmhouse. Throughout the property, neutral tones and pops of colour create a visual symphony that keeps the eye engaged yet relaxed. The corridors and dining area have black and white checkered flooring, whereas the bedrooms and bathrooms feature grey floors. The walls of the bathrooms are in blush pink and deep green with yellow Jaisalmer vanities. The arched doors are in canary yellow with black frames.

“The challenge was to convert the hotel into a home. The structure of the main building could not be altered. Therefore, we focused on working on the vibe of the farmhouse. We gave it a quirky spin with a warm palette of materials. Additionally, landscaping formed an integral part of the scheme. We incorporated a lot of sculptural palms and created a layered landscape to elevate the experience of walking through the site,” adds Rangwala.

An earthy design theme wafts across spaces

Earthy Spaces

The outdoor living area, which is an extension to the main building, is one of the most unique sections of the property. The walls were built of exposed brick and some bricks were eliminated to create gaps. The flooring features a leather finished herringbone pattern. Additionally, all the furniture in the house is custom designed by MuseLAB. The outdoor furniture was primarily made of stained bamboo and cane; the indoors mainly comprise Burma teakwood and cane with Ikat fabrics and faux leather. Three different types of beds were designed for the bedrooms. The master bedroom features a custom, deconstructed four-poster bed.