Casa Minima Residence, Mumbai

A lavish residence rendered with dramatic volume transitions, flexible spaces and adorned in minimalism

Encompassing the luxe of Napean sea road in Mumbai, this novel residence for an endearing young couple in bustling city sets a standard for modern minimalism in India. Drawing inspiration from their New York homes and lifestyle, it is a charming abode weaved together from flexible spaces. Delicately washed in an elegant monochromatic palette of grey, the bespoke design reflects the flamboyant personalities of the clients.

The two-bedroom apartment is envisaged as a vast open plan to curate a fluid pattern of spatial functions. The design overcame the conundrum of privacy in the open plan, through foldable flush doors that divide spaces desirably. The living room flows into the kitchen with an enclosed powder room in the corner and contemporary breakfast island concurrent to the living room, crafting a leveled volume. The pre-existent bedrooms have been opened up to form a suite with a lounge that experiments with transitional spaces while the lounge room can be turned into a guest room and used independently. In an endeavour to encompass functionality in every inch of space available, the walls are realigned between the living room and bedroom to curate extra space for a walk-in closet, customized for the lady of the house. Browsing pockets formed as a result of this realignment, create a defined lobby for each bedroom giving an unobstructed access, whilst the bedrooms are separated by the folding door.

The interiors elaborate the lore of design as hues of deep grey palette resonating peace and luxe, parading over the entire volume. The minimalist cues of design are generated through furniture that is defined in classic geometry, while being distinguished by material.  The skeletal structure is extolled by keeping it exposed to maintain the natural volumes. The wall behind the square-fluted wooden television unit is composed of a grey grid that engulfs the main door, providing an unobstructed view of the frame. The storage units coalesce into the walls, engraving seamless planes.

Material composition is another asset of the design; its robust involvement communicates the design language. The hand-troweled grey textured paint on the wall behind the living room seating, camouflages the two doors that open into bedroom, thus maintaining the fluidity of planes. The grey hues of kitchen’s veneer add elegance to the monochrome of interiors. The lustrous bronze Armani flooring amidst the variant palette of furniture builds a distinct character of living room. The black glass panelling of the sliding door at the transition between living room and kitchen, multiplies the scale of space encompassing freedom in the user experience.

Subsequently, the mirrored storage bordering the lobby leading to lounge room expands the volume, therefore avoiding congestion. The walk-in closet at the entrance of the bedroom wrapped in fluted solid wood cladding stands unique curating a dramatic entrance into the bedroom and hiding the doors of walk in closet and bathroom. The dark wood flooring renders the ambiance of the suite and the lounge, adding warmth to them.

Bespoke furniture that coalesces into the unique design vocabulary is a special facet. The colour palette and contemporary art narrate the enthusiastic journey of design. The abstract paintings channeling life into each space radiate the essence of dark palettes in home. Adding to the minimal accents, photo albums accentuate the subtle palette of lounge while inserting the memories of the clients into the design.

The space resonates with inherent simplicity forming a humble haven with multi-functional spaces flowing through minimal grey toned enclosures. The designers intelligently assort a narrative of honest spatial expression to deliver a whimsical experience in this urban residence.   

Fact File:

Typology: Residence                     

Name of Project:  Casa Minima Residence

Location: Napean Sea Road Mumbai                      

Name of Client: Mr. Auchitya and Namira                                             

Principal Architect:  Pooja Ashley             

Site Area (sqft&sq m):   1050sq ft

Built-Up Area (sqft&sq m): 1200sq ft

Start Date: 2016

Completion Date:  2017