Navajeevanam is a dreamy independent home designed for a family of three, gracefully perched above their parents’ residence. It strikes a thoughtful balance—honoring the warmth and connectivity of a joint family while preserving the intimacy and independence of a private sanctuary. Rooted in deep devotion to Sri Sri Muralidharan Swamiji, the home weaves together tradition and contemporary elegance with seamless grace.
Project Name: Navajeevanam
Studio Name: Vedic Homes by Ar. Shashi
Location: Adyar, Chennai
With a name that means “new life,” Navajeevanam is more than just a residence—it is a spiritual and emotional renewal expressed through architectural form. An expansive terrace garden offers a lush escape in the heart of the city, while thoughtfully composed interiors ensure abundant natural light and cross ventilation, aligning the home with both climatic comfort and philosophical clarity.
A highlight of the home is its dreamy family lounge, where an elegant traditional swing floats effortlessly above the floor. Flanked by inviting window seating, it becomes a serene corner—ideal for quiet reflection, moments of togetherness, or simply soaking in the view.
Architectural Language & Spatial Composition
The architectural language of Navajeevanam is driven by empathy, creativity, and clarity—hallmarks of the all-women architecture team behind its design. With thoughtful sensitivity, they approached the spatial planning not just as a technical challenge, but as a lived experience shaped by light, memory, and emotion.
Clean lines, well-framed vistas, and axial spatial flow create a rhythm that invites exploration while preserving calm. This is a house that embraces light as its own architecture—carefully orchestrated to animate surfaces and soften volumes throughout the day.
Despite its modest footprint, the space feels expansive, thanks to deliberate zoning, vertical layering, and framed voids. Thresholds and transitions are treated as moments of pause—guiding the occupant from open, sociable areas into pockets of quiet and introspection.
The exterior wears a contemporary minimalist silhouette, while the interiors unfold into a fusion of traditional Indian elements with modern design clarity—creating a home that feels both grounded and forward-looking.
Materiality & Craftsmanship
Navajeevanam speaks through honest materials and precise craftsmanship. The architects curated a tactile palette of natural stone, warm timber, and lime-washed surfaces, allowing each material to age gracefully and resonate with the home’s emotional core.
Wood appears in key touchpoints—swing beams, window frames, bespoke furniture—offering timeless comfort and grounding the interiors with a sense of familiarity. Stone and concrete surfaces, on the other hand, provide a sense of permanence, juxtaposing warmth with solidity.
The all-women team brought a quiet attention to detail and elevated everyday elements with a sense of handcrafted care—where every joint, finish, and fixture reflects thoughtful deliberation rather than excess.
