Viraam Residence | Silhouette Architects and Designers | Pune
Viraam residence is set amidst the solitude of the Tata Motors Senior Officer’s Colony in Pune. It is creatively ornated by Silhouette Architects and Designerswith the opportunities to take a pause or a VIRAAM to experience and enjoy the little gifts of nature as the sun peeps in, the shadows play, the rain drops, the birds chirp and the surrounding trees reflect on the shimmering water.
The Principal Architect Ar. Shebanti Chakraborty shares that the project place is known for its well-grown trees and chirping of birds, where the woods are dotted with varieties of Champas, the paths rendered yellow by the falling Peltoforums and where the pink Tabubeas beckon the onset of spring. The client’s collection of some beautiful old pieces of furniture, and artefacts has found prominent places amidst the new. Tribal artworks, cane lamps, and traditional weaves of fabric complete the larger canvas that speaks of the context and also about what the clients like.
The built form is punctuated by several pauses or transitions that form a narrative, harmonious with the surrounding environment. The design embraces an earthy material palette, borrowing vernacular design elements and adopting a minimalistic approach with elementary details to characterise this peaceful home. The right orientation of openings ensures cross ventilation of breeze that ultimately rises to escape through the interesting composition of punctures at the uppermost level, keeping indoors comfortable and cool.
The Veranda in front is about a dialogue with the well-grown Peltoforum trees all along just outside the front compound wall, through their reflections on the water body and the patterns they create on the green lawn as the sun dapples through their leaves.
The courtyard is another major pause that communicates with the sky and surrounding trees, bringing in patterns of sunrays and shadows on its double-height walls, right up to the Family space on the second floor that overlooks this courtyard. The high wall at the upper level becomes a screen dotted with square punctures to hide the neighbour’s home, yet allow a view of the greenery beyond. The existing Neem tree’s study nook at the mid-landing level also overlooks this courtyard through a Jharokha. All these elements together team up, to enhance the experience of these spaces through their interrelation with each other and ultimately with the outside.
The Living Area
The living area is about a continuous dialogue with the surroundings, as space flows fluidly between the various volumes. Interior spaces are characterised by a restrained material palette, where textures in subtle grey and white act as a backdrop to complement the predominant red of the bricks and the warm brown of Teak for furniture. Cane is used as an accent which creates eye-catching elements in this double-height living area. The selection of lighting fixtures for the living area is complemented by pleasant furnishings for furniture and curtains.
The modern powder room is placed below the mid-landing with an eye-pleasant décor. The stylish cladding wall and brick pattern flooring complement each other in this area. While wooden partial screening panel and modern staircase add allure to the décor with a modern washbasin section. Selected artefacts and planters highlight this space elegantly.
Kitchen Area
With an open kitchen plan that was conspicuous conceptualize it to create a fully immersive modern-classic experience. By chose striking mosaic tiles for this kitchen with a grey base tone and interweaved them with a soft white platform accentuating each other. Further added black accents in the white cabinets and lighting fixtures add charm to the décor in this modular kitchen. While grey colour for flooring and curtains adds elegance to the kitchen décor.
Devghar
The Devghar is a haven of peace and solitude, perfect for one to connect with their spiritual self. With a calming dual-toned colour scheme and a very minimal aesthetic, it is as calming as it is beautiful. The various elements of the room amalgamate to create a room that is the epitome of mindfulness with marble and wooden decor.
Master Bedroom
The rust and grey colour palette transition from the living area’s elegant decor seamlessly flows into this bedroom, merging through skillfully arranged textures, textiles, and artworks. The wooden batten panel with grey cushion headrest is accentuated with a classic lighting fixture. The wooden ceiling design and modern lighting element add allure to the décor.
The classic wooden sofa and modern wooden working desk add elegance to the Master bedroom interior. The attached modern master washroom is well-ornated with cladding walls and white sanitary fittings accentuated with planters and a globe lighting fixture.
Elder Son’s Bedroom
The son’s bedroom features cooler shades of hand-woven textiles, characterized by a subtle grey texture. Painted green ropes, bamboo hanging lamps made at the site and the Gond artwork on the wall behind the bed are elements that highlight this bedroom decor. Plywood has been creatively used to make an interesting composition of bookshelves on the grey wall. The classic collection of furniture and artefacts adds charm to the bedroom interior space.
Younger Son’s Bedroom
The second son’s bedroom is well ornated in a contemporary theme with grey and wooden furniture which is also complemented by rattan cane work for doors. The grey headboard for a modern bed is well accentuated with warm lighting fixtures and Gond artwork on the wall. The modern study area with grey backsplash adds charm through modern white shelves with black metal framing and warm lighting fixtures.
Guest Bedroom
The Guest Bedroom is decorated in grey and warm tones which are characterized by hand-woven textiles, and wallpaper graphics composed by the studio team and experiments with a small classic interesting touch for the curtain rod. The platform-style modern bed and Indian seating create a good ambience with selected furnishings. Whereas, the modern wooden ceiling design with elegant warm lighting adds a dramatic effect to the bedroom décor.
Overall, with its exterior appearance, construction is pursued in harmony with the natural surroundings which speaks of its innovative construction techniques and modern artistic decorative features. Interestingly the interiors of this home exhibit a comprehensively warm and unpretentious environment, enabling a sense of closure with elements like bricks, rustic textures, wooden battens, flooring, and soft furnishings. This transition of perception of rustic and earthy has evolved over the course from something unfinished and needed to be concealed into something righteous that’s pleasantly comforting.
The design firm Silhouette Architects and Designersled by Ar. Shebanti Chakraborty has a strategy of using its collective skills and understanding of design to develop a unique value proposition for clients. The firm’s work shows experience, innovation, and association with exceptional people with a differentiated approach to delivering integrated solutions, withstanding the diversity and complexity of an exponentially changing environment. With the most punctual team, they are doing different works of residential architecture, interiors, as well as corporate interiors. Effective space planning, clutter-free designs, and precision in time management are the prominent features of each project for the studio.
FACT FILE
Project Name : Viraam Residence
Design Firm : Silhouette Architects and Designers
Principal Architect : Ar. Shebanti Chakraborty
Design Team : Aniket, Aditya, Kunal, Shilpa
Project Location : Pune
Photography Credits : Atul Kanetkar
Elaborated Editorial Writeup : Team Interior Lover
