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Making a statement

Kunaal Kyhaan Seolekar
Architect and Founder, studioHAUS and KOY Store, Pune www.studioHAUS.in, www.koy.store
In a quiet residential lane in a gated estate in Pune lies a home called parkHAUS. Spread over 7,000 sq ft, it is nestled in a lush, dense garden akin to an exotic forest. It is a villa designed for a young couple that loves to entertain. So, while it is built to match their taste, it is customised to fit and fulfill everyday needs. It is an experiment in design, exploration and fantasy. The open-plan three-bedroom villa is designed with a contemporary vision. Bespoke luxury takes on a whole new meaning, expressed in every detail from concept to construction.Understanding the architecture
The architectural statement is simple and elegant; a white box floats over walls of etched granite. The stark exterior almost masks the sensory experience of texture, space and wonder within. The approach is an arc that curls around the rectangular structure framing extreme perspectives. A glazed walkway allows a peep into the basement lounge.
With a rectangular floor plate and full length glazing on either side, the living spaces are undivided allowing for the possibilities of expansion and entertainment. The lush, tropical landscape is brought within the house allowing a panoramic view of the greenery and the monsoon, true delights in Pune.
The flooring stands out

Customised spaces
One of the most interesting spaces in the home is the open kitchen that moves into the dining and a living space. A graphic, matched marble backdrop resembling cured meats frames the theatrical custom designed island kitchen that combines steel, natural wood and acrylic. The dining table is a gravity defying, custom designed metal cone that spins on its axis under floating glass bubbles. This sculptural piece of furniture (retailed under KOY) creates a bold dialogue between the white walls and a bejewelled seamless terrazzo floor. Blown glass lights are suspended above the dining table. A curved curtain of pine batons opens into a cabinet for storing an eclectic collection of crockery. As for the living space adjoining it, a modular seating system that can be moved around for a conversational evening adds charm.
Divided into levels
A 100-year-old seasoned teak salvaged from a family bungalow provides a vertical passage up from the kitchen-cum-dining to the private living room. Oversized green pillows provide a calm environment. The two bedrooms are hidden within colossal concrete chocolate slab doors.

The furniture tells a story
Besides sculptural furniture pieces in this villa you will also find several stunning "live edge" wood pieces. Their crevices are filled with hand poured high quality transparent resin. The furniture has been customised to match the taste of the home owners; each piece tells a story of its own. The console has been hand carved and a mirror beneath reflects details to passerbys. The cone dining table has been crafted in metal with a marble top resembling cured meats.

Let there be light
The basement happens to be my favourite section in this property. The space gets bathed in natural light through a skylight and an LED edge lit ceiling suspended in the air, forms a perfect visual feast. Graphic handmade dhurries and colourful armchairs complement the strawberry coffee tables. Overall the space is a material journey that combines all the senses, tactile, visual and ultimately spatial. This home is truly a celebration of design.