Living Large

P&D Associates bring their notable contemporary aesthetics to a luxurious Bharuch house that glimmers with rich ornamentation.

Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Photographix India; courtesy P&D Associates

The site

The Glass House project designed by P&D Associates is a standalone villa bungalow located in Bharuch. When Devang Patel and Pratik Siddhpura, principal designers, P&D Associates first visited the site, they found some valuable vegetation including coconut, mango and ashoka trees, banana plantains and shrubs. A conscious decision was made to retain these trees, and the house was planned around them.

The design intent

The driving philosophy behind the design was a careful concoction of modern neoclassical interiors using luxurious fabrics, pastel shades, customised furniture and playful artworks. “This project is an embodiment of us as designers and a triumph of turning our imagination into reality. In the end, all the elements juxtapose together to exude an endless and timeless panache,” explains Devang. “It was lot of fun playing around with these huge canvases, it feels like every artwork in this house belongs to the rightful space,” says Pratik.

The design approach

To meet the client’s brief of creating airy and open spaces, concrete walls were replaced with full height sliding glass doors. These double-height windows and doors provide larger connectivity and openness to the interior space with the landscape outside. The open house concept allows fluidity in the living, kitchen and semi-formal space.

The exterior design

A pronounced use of concrete, wood, aluminium and glass marks the exterior of the house. Slender wooden-finish aluminium sections takes over the projecting facade as a second layer, while the exposed concrete have been cast using wooden strips, achieving a rough, distinctive texture. Expansive glass panes puncture these walls, allowing plenty of sunlight and air to flow in.

The design and material details

The entrance porch is dominated by a neoclassical double door with modern golden handles. Adjacent to it is a full height plate glass French window overlooking a classic renaissance rigor painting from Salustiano Gracia Cruz. Entering through the double door a floating staircase in Italian marble comes into view, and to its right is the informal living space. The living area is linked with a deck space that runs along the outside profile connecting the outdoor landscapes. Abstract artwork and a patterned rug in the formal living space lightens up the room, while the greens and browns of the seating add the necessary pop of colour. The most striking feature is how organically the interior extends into the lush, green exteriors, truly creating a haven of peace and calm.

The office space is strategically placed on the ground level — it creates a screen between the semi-formal and formal spaces of the house. In the semi-formal living area the eye-catching sofa features a combination of fine materials and sophisticated details. Across the couch is a clean lined wooden table with a flat screen television that can flip around and face the dining space whenever required. The background for the dining setting is a beautiful illustration of Karl Martens’ finest work… articulated on a wooden screen. All the furniture pieces and most of the accessories have been created in-house. Custom artwork adoring each space creates tasteful backdrops.

The bedrooms gets their opulence from the lush fabrics, furniture and sparkling decor accessories. Sleek lines and geometric forms constrain the aesthetic, creating spaces that are both classic and contemporary, filled with eye-catching details. The use of glass, marbles and rich woven textiles leave a bold impact; as minute ornamental details add to the maximalist narrative that unfolds inside. On the upper level is a huge balcony which serves as a gathering space. Here, a massive illustration of Jantar Mantra in red adds character. Handpicked artwork, bespoke furniture, shimmering accessories and sophisticated chandeliers remains the highlight of the Glass House.

FACT FILE

Project: Glass House
Client: Sunil Patel
Location: Bharuch, Gujarat
Area: 8,780 sq ft (plot) and 6,512 sq ft (built-up)
Principal designers: Devang Patel and Pratik Siddhpura
Design team: Krina Modi and Nishi Mamlatdarna