This refurbishment scheme roped in natural stone detailing, sustainable features and lots of traditional Indian art works to create a contemporary look for an old abode.
This 50-year-old residence in New Delhi was ready for a facelift, and the demand was that the original structure be kept absolutely intact. So the challenge in fact was in finding, and creating, method in the midst of pre-existing chaos. The original layout stood at an angle of 45-degrees at the rectangular, 17,000 sq. ft. area. With all the structural beams and columns tilting at that angle, the biggest task came down to recreating a more symmetrical space.
Two other major requirements of the project – lots of natural light, and the use of a neutral colour palette. With these conditions in mind, the garden-facing rooms were opened up and the staircase ceiling designed at such an angle that sunlight streams in generously throughout the bright hours.
The focal point of the living room is a massive 2’x1’ column that stands at an angle and is clad in solid wood rounded members. Attached here is a long, cantilevered structure that houses the fireplace, which is finished in micro-concrete.
An antique temple door from Kerala was sourced for the puja room and combined with a fabric-sandwiched glass and a beaten brass handle. The neutral colour palette was achieved by using white Makrana marble; leather finish and honed granite; and limestones like Bidasar Green, Kadappa, Andhra Grey, Kota and Kharera Grey.
Art and craft works typical of many parts from across the country were included in the interior scheme, keeping close to the heart the client’s unique creative tastes. “Traditional Pichwai, Gond art, and Marquetry and Peitra Dura tables from our ‘Revival’ series were just a few pieces that were put in,” states the team.
The landscaping was planned to suit the client’s consummate love for nature. A 15 ft. high exposed concrete wall was created to incorporate a spout that would feed an adjacent water-body, home to a family of colourful Koi fish. The adjacent garden can be accessed through a bridge. The terrace houses a green, grassy patch and features plants collected during the client’s many travels all across the country.
A VRV air-conditioning system solidifies the home’s energy-efficiency. All the glazing in the structure is double-layered for maximum insulation benefits. The lighting scheme is reliant on cost-cutting LED lights. All the south-facing windows are double-glazed in aluminum. High-performance aluminum windows are able to meet or exceed conventional energy-efficiency standards. “When it comes to heat-gain and heat-loss, aluminum windows and doors can easily achieve improvements over regular windows to the tune of 60%, thus rivalling more expensive timber and uPVC equivalents,” explains the team. Aluminum frames thus reduce a home’s carbon footprint and are also significantly less expensive than other framing options. Also, their strength is legendary.
Everything fell into place in this project not by accident, but by very careful design. The contemporary look and feel created by the design team is complemented by the art works and the heirloom artefacts dotted around the rooms.
