Minimalism in the 21st century transcends the mere absence of ornamentation; it reflects an evolved human pursuit of calm, clarity, and balance as a way of life. The reflection of this philosophy is realised in a 875 sq ft Pune home that lends an ear to the needs and wishes of its residents.
Project Name: Buwa Residence
Studio Name: THINK
Location of the Project: Wakad, Pune, Maharashtra
Date of Completion: 2025
Built Area: 875 sq.ft
Photographer: Ar. Abhishek Chavhan
A deliberate shift from the city’s bustling spirit coupled with the client’s affinity towards clean lines, minimal details and an embedded, clutter-free functionality led them to entrust the Pune-based studio THINK when it came to designing the residence.
Conceptualised for a close-knit family of five, the project gracefully accommodates a grounded lifestyle within a modern setting, compact footprint and restrained budget. The layout is free-flowing: the two bedrooms alongside the communal domains like the living, dining, and kitchen are connected by a recurring geometry manifested on walls, ceilings, and sculpted niches. “Working with curves in the false ceiling demanded precision in both design and execution, and it was executed very well,” says architect Shubham Gandhi of THINK, proudly. Along with curves, the home also features some excellent design decisions like display units parlayed as partitions and cosy built-in seating, making everyday spaces exciting and purposeful.
The functionality is articulated right from the entrance, where a shoe rack is integrated into the foyer with open shelves. In continuation to maintaining the minimalist vocabulary, the living room features an arched unit that discreetly shrouds a mandir behind a curtain imbued with motifs from the Madhubani paintings. Above which is a curved ceiling that embraces the living room, delineating its boundaries while imparting a sense of spatial fluidity, and its white hues complement the room’s neutral palette. “We decided to play minimally with the TV unit, panelling with vertical fluting that adds definition to the wall, while keeping the overall space coherent,” explains interior designer lead Harshal Mutha.
The visual continuity between the living and dining areas extends to the master bedroom,
demarcated only by a sleek wood-and-steel unit that doubles as a partition. While the kitchen peeks playfully through an arched opening, its salmon-pink cabinets add a soft hue of peace and poise. In the dining space, wood and steel accents shine through sleek chairs and wooden tabletops reinforcing the home’s overall mood. Here too, the wall has arches with circles in between them to add a panel look and continue with the curves in the living space, while a frame on the wall adds a pop of colour.
The bed dominates the master bedroom, punctuated by details like finely crafted wooden side tables and round wardrobe handles. This neutral tableau soaks in natural light cascading through the window, highlighting the striking blue headboard as a flamboyant chromatic accent. Beyond, a second bedroom unfolds with a palette dipped in warm blush and is anchored by a wooden bed and headboard, which integrate a study nook and a sleek display unit with an inset mirror. The wardrobe shutters, layered with printed wallpaper and sleek open storage, assume an artistic facade, transforming a typical storage into a statement that softens the room’s geometry. This room subtly echoes the home’s affinity for curves, with corners softened by arched ceilings and a sculpted niche on the focus wall.
Throughout the house, the material palette composes texture, tone, and hues in a perfect
succession. With light grey tiles unifying the floors, warm wooden and beige hues shaping the furniture, and arched motifs coupled with circular detailing, the living quarter becomes a masterclass in how clean finishes, muted tones, and subtle highlights of form and geometry can make a great commentary on its inhabitants.
