Luxury Home in Kolkata, West Bengal | Home Tour

Summary

This interior design project transforms an 8,000 square foot house in Kolkata, India into a modern, stylish and functional home for a family of five. It features a double-height central living area with marble floors, wood paneling and concrete accents highlighting the textures. A key statement piece is the intricate wooden staircase with built-in seating. Other spaces include a veranda terrace, open plan kitchen/dining with mirrored wall to enlarge the space, formal and informal living rooms opening to the terrace, an upper level master suite and bedrooms for the three teens. Throughout the architects aimed to create understated luxury with subtle colors, interest through varied textures and forms, and an overall design promoting the lifestyle and views of the occupants.

Takeaways

• 😊 The house has a height of 22 feet below the false ceiling in the central living area, allowing an open and airy feel
• 👷‍♂️ The staircase demonstrates fine craftsmanship, with an MS frame clad in wood panels and other finishes
• 🚪 The layout includes a central core with kitchen, dining room, living area, bedrooms and veranda
• ☀️ The site faces east, allowing sunlight throughout the day, especially in the north-facing kitchen and dining
• 🏠 It's a 8,000 sq ft house for a family of 5 with 3 teenage children
• ⚖️ The brief focused on subtle, understated luxury with functionality
• 🖼️ Materials include wood, concrete and marble in a limited color palette, relying on textures
• 📐 The design aims to properly position site, rooms and furniture to address sustainability
• 😀 The clients and architects are happy with balancing aesthetics, technicals and function
• 🌇 It provides open views and connects internal spaces to the surrounding external areas

Q & A

What are some of the main design elements and materials used in the home?

The main design elements and materials include wood paneling and flooring, marble floors, concrete accents, large windows and balconies, custom metalwork like the staircase, and strategic use of lighting.

What was the overall design brief and goal for the home?

The brief was for an understated yet stylish home with subtle luxury that would enhance the lifestyle of the 5 family members, with a focus on functionality.

How does the home maximize natural light?

It has an open floor plan oriented to the north and east to maximize sunlight throughout the day. Large windows, mirrors, and reflective surfaces also help reflect and distribute light.

What are some unique architectural details?

Unique details include the 22-foot double height ceiling, the custom metalwork on the staircase, the large concrete architrave, and the way the second floor is designed around the central open space.

How was sustainability incorporated into the design?

Factors like site orientation, room positioning, window placement, and material selection were optimized for sustainability regarding sunlight, ventilation, climate control etc.

What are the main areas and rooms of the home?

The main areas include the entryway, central core with kitchen and dining, living areas, guest rooms, master suite, kids' bedrooms, outdoor balcony/terrace space.

What was the inspiration behind the staircase sculpture?

The sculpture depicts a man singing with people gathered around listening, meant to represent people gathering on the stairs and evoke a feeling of community.

How does the design balance aesthetic, functional and technical considerations?

The aesthetics were focused on materiality and revealing the textures, with selective color use. Functionality and layout were strategized based on the family's needs. Technical aspects like structure and lighting were also incorporated.

What are some of the views and sightlines created by the design?

The open plan, balconies and strategic window placement frame views of the outdoors, surrounding area, sunlight and horizon that emphasize a connection to nature.

How large is the home and what are some of the stats?

The home is around 8,000 square feet total over two floors. It has features like a 22-foot ceiling, extensive marble and wood finishes, and customized metalwork, stairs and lighting.