Minimalistic Mansion
Villa 279, Aamby Valley, Lonavala E- Design Architects, Nashik
The brief given to the architects by the client was pretty simple, “Our farmhouse should be very minimalistic, fully functional and maintenance- free. It should last for 100 years.” The client is a passionate art collector and automobile enthusiast. He owns various vintage bikes and cars. His taste for decor is more towards antique/ traditional style, whereas his wife loves modern decor. So to create a fusion to
match the taste of the couple was a challenging task, and the architects tried their best to meet up with their expectations.
A walk or drive through the quiet roads of the valley unfolds a group of English- style houses. The unassumingly mansion is one among these many villas that holds the attention in sway. The villa is designed in 1/ 4th acre area, English- style with sloping roof with shingles. The villa looks out
to the stunning views of the valley ( Sahyadri). The outdoor landscape is designed in a simple way so as to enhance the beauty of the structure.
The porch at the entrance greets one while entering inside the house. The living room is designed in a simple but lavish way. With exquisite antique teakwood furniture in formal and informal seating and dining area with the Italian marble flooring, there is visual connectivity in the living and dining areas.
Informal and dining areas consist of teakwood ceiling; informal seating is connected with the courtyard. Both of these spaces are draped with large openings which promotes natural light and ventilation as well as connectivity with outside view. Cladding is used as a backdrop for TV unit in the living area. The kitchen area has been spruced up with the addition of a modular kitchen complete with auburn coloured cabinets and drawers which makes it orderly neat. The kitchen consists of Italian marble flooring and teakwood ceiling.
Parent’s bedroom is located in the
south- west corner on the ground floor of the villa. Entering the room gives a feeling of soothe. Antique style furniture and marble floor gives an elegant look to the room.
The master bedroom is located in the southwest corner on the first floor of the villa. It is a piece of art in itself. The king size antique wooden bed with side tables, wardrobe and Italian marble flooring and antique style lights by the side of the bed adds on the opulent feeling.
The ceiling is designed hand- in- hand with the sloping roof with wooden rafters and lights adding beauty. Windows in the room provides ample light and ventilation. A clerestory window in the bedroom provides ample natural light.
The guest bedroom is located in the south- east corner on the first floor of the villa. The bedroom
has minimal furniture with large openings and a clerestory window which again provides natural light and ventilation.
Open- well staircase with double height structural glazing towards the external facade helps to pass natural light in the basement area.
Fixed glass is added above the lintel level of both the bedroom doors on the first floor. It helps to visually connect the entire ceiling area on the first floor with wooden rafters enhancing/ highlighting the roof profile and aesthetics.
Factfile
Client: Mrs. Dimple and Mr. Dnyanesh Samant
Design Team: Ar Pravin Lomate, Ar Poonam Lomate, Sonali
Gawale, Disha Jagtap, Zoheb Baig, Akshay Tajanpure
Structural Design: Ramesh Wagh
Contractors: Laxmi Buildcon, Kaya Enterprises
Structural design: Mr Ramesh Wagh
Built up area: 3000sq ft
Year of completion: 2017