孟买科拉巴经典装饰艺术建筑内的当代公寓丨Atelier Varun Goyal

A contemporary apartment in Mumbai's Colaba inside a classic Art Deco building

An apartment in Mumbai has been designed by Atelier Varun Goyal in a contemporary yet timeless aesthetic, guided by the Art Deco building it is located in.

In a city which is home to the world’s largest number of

Art Deco

buildings after Miami, a commission came to Atelier Varun Goyal to design a two-bedroom 2,500 square feet apartment in Colaba, the southern-most end of Mumbai. No flashy, soulless skyscraper, the aesthetics of the building quietly proclaimed the dignity of the era it belonged to. “We wanted to create a continued experience from the building's lobby and corridors. Even the staircase had

Art Deco

railings,” says Varun Goyal, principal architect of the eponymous atelier. Clearly, altering the external openings of the building wasn’t an option. Cognisant that his design should respect the feel and look of the structure, Goyal set about providing contemporary comforts for his clients – an intensely private couple, with whom he had five meetings, at most. “To my knowledge, they haven’t even had a house-warming yet,” he says.

“The interior integrates a versatile living area with a balcony, a discreetly concealed pantry, a multi-functional study room, and a luxurious master suite with dressing and bathing areas,” says Goyal. Apart from noting that the clients like wood, he has provided his signature timeless design. “The aim was to create a contemporary, clean, and minimal canvas with ample storage spaces and the flexibility to accommodate future needs as the family grows. The space had to cater to various needs and be able to evolve over time,” he says. The clients specified their key requirements, such as a multipurpose living room connected to the

balcony

, which could be used for entertaining, dining, and relaxation. They also wanted a study with an attached bath that could transform into a guest or future children's bedroom with a sofa-cum-bed. Additionally, they needed a pantry along with a kitchen cum utility area and a main bedroom with an attached dresser and toilets. “The design focuses on flexibility and growth, incorporating ample storage spaces like wardrobes and hidden shelves to maintain a clean and minimal appearance while ensuring practicality and adaptability,” says Goyal.

In the entrance lobby, wood clads the floor, walls as well as ceiling, creating the effect of a warm cocoon. Within, there are no flamboyant gestures, no statement pieces and no punches of colour. In fact, the only colour which does not come from natural materials may be the Manjeet Bawa from the client’s art collection. With a rather

spectacular seascape

unfurling from one end of the living room, “bringing in the outdoors” wasn’t really an issue. The view itself – unusual in the congested city – ensures a premium feel to the space. Consequently, the design focused on aligning the layout to maximise the connection of activities with the breathtaking sea view which stretches to the horizon.

The material palette features Indian marble in the washrooms, reclaimed teak wood for the doors, windows and wardrobes, and Mlime's lime plaster on the walls…keeping sustainability firmly in sight. Brass detailing on the main door and wardrobe shutters adds a bespoke touch. “We wanted to retain the old terrazzo flooring, but soon realised that it had separated from the base. Replacing and finishing it with thick wooden borders and skirtings added a few months to the timeline,” says Goyal. The new flooring is cast-in-situ terrazzo created from marble waste, sitting inside a wooden frame with inlays of white marble strips resembling slow water waves.

There are no false ceilings anywhere in this apartment in Mumbai, except for two corridors. Surface finishes are understated, rather than in-your-face. In the main bathroom, for instance, it requires a second look to realise that every drawer of the large L-shaped vanity is detailed differently. “Exploring simple yet experimental storage features was a gratifying exercise,” says Goyal. Using Indian marble to create the bathtub while maintaining aesthetics was a challenge, though.

The chunky dining chairs are from the client’s previous home. “We decided to retain them, since they matched the aesthetic of this home,” says Goyal. Sliding doors inspired by

Japanese

tatami separate the dining room from the pantry. Lighting is from Taherallys and Maroo Lights, while furniture has been sourced from The Rocking Chair Company by Ravneet Gujral and Atelier Varun Goyal.

The study doubles as a guest room, when required…it could also be the future nursery. Wicker shutters allow the contents to breathe. Further within the room, the wardrobe attains the normal depth required for clothing. A wooden dumb valet adds a vintage touch to the space.

Throughout this apartment in Mumbai, there is a

subtle geometry

which underlies the aesthetic. Thin vertical lines, round handles and lighting carry through the spaces like a leitmotif. There is no grandeur or opulence, no attention-seeking flourishes…just an always-been-there sensibility. “I guarantee my clients that the design will not get outdated,” says Goyal.