"Swapna: A Private Realm for a Public Voice" is a luxurious multi-level residence designed for a respected political figure seeking balance between public duty and personal retreat. The design responds to the need for security, privacy, and dignity, articulated through a vertical program that elevates quietude above everyday movement. Anchored by a ground level hosting formal and service spaces, the home gently transitions upward into zones of openness, light, and leisure. A standout feature is the open-to-sky terrace attached to the living room—sheltered on the sides, yet exposed above to allow rain and natural light to animate the space. Clad in natural materials and outfitted with elegant detailing like bamboo-slice sandwich glass and imported finishes, Swapna is a reflection of authority wrapped in serenity.
The client sought a home that could handle the duality of public interactions and private comfort. The brief called for a 4-bedroom residence with an office, and formal areas on the lower floors, and wellness and leisure spaces on the upper levels. Material richness, long-term durability, and subtle elegance were essential.
Designed for a renowned politician, the client sought a grand yet grounded residence that would reflect stature without excess. A clear functional hierarchy was essential—spaces for entertaining, working, and unwinding had to coexist without interference.
The design orients itself around the idea of layered living—vertical zoning allows the client to ascend from the formal, grounded realm of civic life into quiet domesticity and reflective leisure. The highlight is the semi-enclosed, open-to-sky terrace attached to the living room, a poetic gesture that welcomes seasonal rains and light. An elevator weaves the floors together for ease of movement, while crafted elements like bamboo-inset sandwich glass offer visual delicacy to the solid front form.
New construction from the ground up allowed full freedom in spatial sequencing and façade expression. Key challenges addressed included balancing openness with security, integrating natural light across levels, and ensuring acoustic separation between private and more active zones.
Swapna is vertically layered for clarity and ease. The ground floor hosts parking, a formal foyer, a working office, servant quarters, and an outdoor seating court. The first floor unfolds into a living room that spills onto a semi-open terrace, a dining space, kitchen, and guest bedroom. Three bedrooms occupy the second floor, providing privacy and quiet. The terrace level offers a gym, Jacuzzi, Home theatre and gazebo for leisure, while the service terrace sits above. A home elevator ensures smooth transition through all floors.
Creating openness while maintaining security was a primary challenge, especially in a high-profile residence. Integrating natural elements like rain within the built form without compromising on structural integrity demanded precision. Achieving luxury within a tight urban site through vertical programming was also key.
Swapna reinforced the power of vertical zoning in urban homes, especially when privacy, formality, and comfort must co-exist. The project taught us how a bold yet silent architectural expression can support a life lived in the public eye.
Team:
Design firm: Archipoint.
Principal : Dharmesh Shah
Design team: Ashish Mohite, Birju Shukla, Payal Chaudhary, Jay Bhandari, Bhavik Sukani, Savan Mistry.
Client: Prabhu bhai Vasava
Photography : Ishita Sitwala
Materials Used:
Front Elevation : Stones, Texture, Sandwich glass with Bamboo slices in between
Living-Kitchen-Dining : Italian stone kitchen, Marble flooring,, UPVC Windows, Veneer.
Bedroom: Italian marble flooring, Veneer, UPVC Windows.
Washroom: Italian Marble with CNC Cutting details.
