A three-level Chennai home designed around different modes of living
In dense and fast-paced cities, the idea of a home is one of a pause, a temporary disconnect. People seek a space they can unwind in and one that echoes their personalities. In the bustling city of Chennai, Feel and Bari approach this idea, but at a much larger scale. The practice led by Sunny Akber brings together three floors of a building to create one private penthouse, Rio Residence, for a family of three. With the sea in the backdrop, different spaces of the 11,000-square-foot house serve different modes of living, from private and formal areas to entertainment zones and an open-air terrace overlooking the sea.
The client, who had acquired the 16th, 17th and 18th floors of the residential building, wished to create an expansive, luxury residence. Their brief established the requirement for internal vertical connectivity between floors so the occupants do not need to step out to access other spaces. The studio, therefore, were introduced with the project’s biggest challenge: replanning the house and its internal walls almost entirely. Following strategic core-cutting through the slabs to introduce a staircase and private lift, the new layout was developed around the client’s desire for generous, sophisticated spaces, rather than a greater number of rooms.
The three levels are treated as facets of one cohesive home, each given a distinct role. The 16th floor, serving as a private setting for everyday life, accommodates the formal living areas, the kitchen, the son’s suite, and the guest bedroom. Moving up to the 17th floor, a more social environment takes over. An expansive living room, dining area and dry pantry are designed to greet larger gatherings. The 18th floor completes the experience with areas for outdoor leisure. Here, an open-air jacuzzi, home theatre, landscaped areas and a barbecue deck form an open-air entertainment zone.
The planning allows the bedrooms to function as private suites, with the two principal bedrooms each spanning close to 1,000 square feet and incorporating a bedroom, walk-in wardrobe and bathroom. Across the upper levels, the sea is a recurring backdrop to the interiors, acting as the focal point in the 17th-floor living area and the open terrace above. The designers open the spaces towards these views, allowing the landscape to mirror the sense of retreat the home pursues.
Technology is integrated throughout the residence to support its different modes of use, with automated smart home controls for lighting, curtains, climate-control, entry access and other functions. Programmable lighting scenes are used to adapt the atmosphere across the home, from the softer private settings to the more immersive entertainment environments.
The material palette is a combination of marble, travertine, walnut veneer, leather, brass, mother-of-pearl and mirrored surfaces, with neutral tones allowing the sea and changing daylight to remain visually prominent. Richer accents, such as the backlit pink onyx bar and mother-of-pearl wall in the master suite, add depth without overwhelming the spaces. The furniture was largely custom-designed and imported, including a Bentley-inspired bed in the son's suite, while integrated joinery and concealed storage maintain a cohesive visual language across the home.
Across three levels, the residence by Feel & Bari brings together spaces for everyday living, entertaining and retreat, while maintaining a strong connection with the sea. Each floor, with its distinct purpose, allows the occupants the flexibility to move fluidly between their rhythms. Generous volumes, personalised details and views of the coast create a luxury, hotel-like retreat that responds to the family's lifestyle while remaining connected to its setting in Chennai.
