Nestled within the established residential fabric of Karve Nagar, Pune, this project involves the transformative retrofit of a 2000s-era bungalow. Originally characterized by a distinct lack of indoor-outdoor synergy, the 5,000-square-foot site possessed a lush, albeit underutilized, canopy of mature trees. The architectural intervention sought to dissolve these rigid boundaries, evolving a conventional 3BHK layout into a 4BHK functional sanctuary tailored for a multi-generational family.
The design brief was anchored by a dual commitment: honoring the clients’ ancestral roots through strict adherence to Vaastu Shastra while working within the definitive structural constraints of the original build. The resulting spatial configuration is a calibrated "fusion of heritage and contemporary," where the existing skeleton was repurposed to support a more fluid, expansive program.
Ideation stages dealt with analyzing structural constraints of the existing bungalow and underlying primary functions and spatial strategies. Interior spaces were primary configured keeping the clients’ requirements in premise, blending the old with the new, utilizing design elements, artforms and craftsmanship to create a fusion of heritage and contemporary.
The transition from the private realm to the landscape is mediated through a series of liminal threshold spaces. By introducing strategically positioned decks, gazebos, and meandering pathways, the project establishes a seamless continuity between the built form and its verdant context. These elements act as architectural "narratives”, blurring the envelope and inviting the site’s existing flora to become an active participant in the daily domestic experience.
Concept Note:
Contextually “Alankar” refers to Ornamentation and embellishments to enhance the expressiveness in art forms. Through spatial strategies and design interventions, the residence is envisioned to coherently blend the architecture and interiors infusing ‘Indian modernism’, weaving traditional design elements and contemporary material explorations.
Drawing inspiration from Pune’s profound cultural legacy - specifically the rhythmic nuances of Indian Classical music and the dramatic vernacular of Marathi theater - the interior narrative is one of "spatial warmth." The design team curated a palette that celebrates local craftsmanship and traditional art forms, recontextualizing them within an existing architectural framework. The design approach functions as a narrative, inviting users to relish the synergies of nature, art, and architecture through a lens of contemporary Indian living.
Spatial configurations | Design elements | User experiences
Approach and Thresholds: To facilitate the arrival experience, vehicular and pedestrian circulation is intentionally bifurcated. This segregation guides users through a curated, meandering landscape, revealing nuanced visual corridors, nodes of social engagement, and zones of respite. A semi-permeable pavilion, coupled with an extended canopy, defines the primary threshold. This intervention serves as the project’s initial spatial interface, effectively anchoring the longitudinal north-south axis of the site. Grounding the architecture in its regional context, locally sourced 'Bhura Grey' stone is deployed across three distinct tactile finishes to articulate the hardscape and deck spaces. Overhead, a custom-fabricated pergola spans the transitional zones, meticulously modulating light and shadow while gracefully integrating a mature, existing tree into the built fabric. Complementing the structure, the verdant softscape and preserved foliage offer vital spatial relief, functioning as a biophilic sanctuary and a fluid programmatic extension for the inhabitants."
Exteriors: The project exemplifies a sensitive adaptive reuse approach, where the original structural framework is preserved and revitalized through a tectonic facade retrofit. Permeable terracotta screens are introduced to elegantly mask the service elevators, paired with shaded pergolas that facilitate a fluid spatial continuum between the indoors and the landscape. The fenestration layout and structural alignments were prioritized to dictate the facade's visual rhythm and geometric proportion. To achieve distinct volumetric articulation, the projecting bay windows are clad in High-Pressure Laminates (HPL). This dialogue of materials extends to the site's periphery, where the compound walls are detailed with indigenous Stone devali elements, HPL accents, and custom-fabricated sliding-folding metal gates, successfully merging traditional craftsmanship with modern materiality.
Interiors: The interior discourse is defined by a nuanced dialogue between indigenous heritage and contemporary material application. A curated palette of bespoke timber elements imbues the residence with tactile warmth, while the rhythmic integration of artisanal Indian textiles against a backdrop of neutral, earth-toned finishes establishes a sense of timelessness. By preserving the original Kota stone flooring, the design honors the structure's historical soul while elevating its inherent spatial volume. From a performance standpoint, the placement and redesign of fenestrations optimize natural light harvesting and promotes robust cross-ventilation. This ensures that the habitable areas remain well-lit and thermally optimized for the majority of daylight hours. The use of natural wood veneers acts as a unifying aesthetic denominator, subtly transitioning between spaces and harmonizing with the raw, natural finishes to create a cohesive, balanced environment.
Elements: Staircase
Located on the western cardinal axis, the staircase transcends its functional brief to become a choreographed experience of ascent. By blurring the lines between circulation and program, the design introduces tiered seating plinths that allow the space to double as a performance alcove. The intervention is a study in material contrast and memory. The juxtaposition of fluted veneer against the cool grain of Italian marble heightens the vertical transition, while the retention of the original forest green marble at the upper levels acts as a visual anchor to the building’s heritage. The volume is articulated through a play of light and texture—where the ethereal glow of a custom lighting installation meets the haptic, organic finish of lime-wash surfaces, enhancing the overall volumetric grandeur.
Elements: Family room
Borrowing from the rhythmic spatiality of traditional Wada architecture, the Diwankhana is reimagined as a multi-functional stage for social and cultural exchange. The design leverages volumetric play to create a sense of grandeur, balanced by the intimacy of low-heightened seating and artisanal embroidery. There is a deliberate choreography of elements - where carved wood and soft upholstery converge to induce a state of 'divine synergy' and meditative stillness.
Elements: Public areas (Living room | Kitchen and Dining)
Guided by programmatic sensitivity, the living area is conceived as the residence’s pivotal social and circulatory nexus. Beyond its primary utility as a communal sanctum, the volume is architecturally calibrated to facilitate spatial permeability, enabling seamless transitions across both horizontal and vertical planes. This central node functions as the "heart" of the home, mediating the flow between private retreats and shared environments. In-situ craftsmanship of brick lined walls, teakwood veneers column and cornices, limewash finishes and Indian embroidered fabrics enhance the spatial warmth of the public areas. The living volume physically extends its footprint into a natural stone deck articulated as a liminal threshold for repose and outdoor engagement. This intervention blurs the distinction between the conditioned interior and the verdant surroundings, expanding the visual envelope of the house. Internally the staircase establishes a direct visual and functional connection with the kitchen and dining areas, effectively aligning the home’s primary functions along a disciplined longitudinal east-west quadrant. This strategic orientation not only adheres to Vaastu principles but also optimizes the play of light and ventilation across the residence's core.
