Making a Statement
How is this for visual opulence? Bespoke, semi-precious stone flooring, a graphic marble backdrop resembling cured meats, and sculptural furniture. This three bedroom villa in Pune by studioHAUS occupies the space between fantasy and experimentation.
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
This villa shines with bespoke terrazzo flooring that comprises individually placed, sliced
semi-precious stones like quartz, agates, aventurines and jaspers. Each semi-precious stone placed in the white cement floor represents an energy associated with it and cosmically charges different zones of the house. Earthy toned red and peach aventurine, red jasper and delicate rose and crystal quartz bring in positivity, compassion and harmony in the communal spaces of the house. The terrazzo in the master bedroom is made entirely with rose quartz, agates and crystal quartz and here, the energy of love is at play. In the formal living room the floor is scattered with green aventurine and agates to match the green outside.
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.