“Art should be an oasis: a refuge from the harshness of life,” remarked Colombian artist and sculptor Fernando Botero. This idea resonated deeply with the Mathur family, who envisioned art as a means to create a serene, soulful refuge within their new home.
Project Name: An Oasis of Art
Studio Name: Alkove-Design
Location: Pune, Maharashtra
Area (in sqft): 3,200 sq ft
Principal Designer/s: Ar Komal Mittal and Ar Ninada Kashyap
Photographer: Pulkit Sehgal
Connoisseurs at heart, the couple wished to have their home curated around art pieces collected over time, and as a part of design processes during the project. During covid and the ensuing lockdown, they realized the need for a bigger space for their family and decided to merge two adjoining 3-bedroom apartments on the floor of an apartment complex into a single expansive 3200 sq. ft. residence for their close-knit family of five, which includes their children and their beloved cocker spaniel, Leo.
Alkove-Design, the architects for this project, chose to blend traditional and contemporary styles within a Tropical Modernist framework, creating a serene backdrop for the art pieces and an ideal environment for the family. One of the primary challenges was integrating the two apartments, which was creatively tackled through design. Komal Mittal, Principal Architect at Alkove, explains, “With the merging of the flats, we had to remove several walls, exposing ceiling beams. The low ceiling height ruled out deep false ceilings, so we used color palettes skillfully to create a sense of spaciousness and highlighted certain wall surfaces with textures to showcase the art.”
The architects crafted a new layout, clearly dividing the space into public and private zones. The public area includes the Living-Dining, Kitchen, and Guest bedroom, while the private section, which can be closed off with a sliding door, houses a spacious Master Suite with two additional bedrooms and a shared walk-in wardrobe for the couple. A unified theme was achieved through lime-washed accent walls that added a rustic sophistication and helped highlight specific areas.
Upon entering the home, the lobby serves as a transitional space leading to either section of the dwelling. Visitors are greeted by a Kalamkari painting of the Tree of Life by Harinath N, set against a facing wall. The entrance to the living area is marked by twin antique wooden columns, crafted from teak and sourced from the antique store Suadades in Goa, which frame an elegant entryway.
“Many of the furniture pieces, which are artworks in themselves, were created by Mr. Shaban Lakadwala, a master craftsman from Mumbai, whose meticulous attention to detail was remarkable. Mrs. Mathur suggested including some of his pieces to enhance the artistry of the home,” recalls Ninada, Principal Architect at Alkove-Design. Mrs. Mathur, an architect and aesthete, had curated a collection of paintings and artifacts throughout the home, each influencing the atmosphere in unique ways. The sofa sets feature vibrant textiles from Nagaland that she personally sourced. The couple had previously acquired timber from an old wada, which now reappears throughout the home, symbolizing the cyclical nature of life, much like the Ship of Theseus.
In the private section of the apartment, a TV room with an adjacent prayer space offers a tranquil transition before reaching the sleeping areas. Mrs. Mathur’s room blends traditional charm with an ornate teak bed and a minimal workspace for her creative projects. Mr. Mathur’s den, with a more formal ambiance, integrates a restful and work area, accented by a beige lime-washed wall. Connected to this room is a spacious walk-in wardrobe for the couple, featuring meticulously designed storage in a dignified dark ebony.
“This project involved balancing substantial civil work with the intricate details of accessories and art procurement. It was a unique chance for us to engage in all aspects of design,” reflects Komal. Ninada adds with enthusiasm, “Mrs. Mathur’s background as an architect made her completely aligned with our creative process, which made the journey especially enjoyable for our team.” By the project’s completion, the once separate apartments seamlessly combined into a unified whole, achieving a harmonious blend of art and design that offers beauty and tranquility even amid life’s challenges.
