Apartment at Plutus – Hygge | Shreya Krishnan Design Office (SKDO) | Chennai
This second-floor apartment with a private terrace in a high-rise in South Chennai is a retirement home for a couple who moved back to India after having spent the majority of their working lives abroad. This was an opportunity to reconstruct the idea of “home” for them as they begin a new chapter in their lives. Thus, the design philosophy marries the Scandinavian concept of ‘Hygge,’ loosely translated into English as ‘coziness and conviviality’ with a distinctive South Indian tropical modernist sensibility inspired by the context and the client’s cultural grounding.
The living-cum dining space has been divided into three unique character zones without any explicit partitioning of the space: the living den, an inviting den-like formal sitting area (characterised by a sumptuous Chesterfield sofa), which flows into the dining space with a brass screen separation (which also acts as a frame for a booth-style dining table), which in turn flows into an informal covered balcony overlooking the private terrace and then into the private terrace.
The study-cum-puja room, adjoining the living room, is designed to be flexible, accommodating multiple uses while remaining spacious and acting as a tranquil study space for remote work. The clients harbored a wish for a best-in-class kitchen, and a welcoming guest room for family and friends, both of which adjoin the dining space. The master bedroom, with fiery tropical and woody accents, overlooks the private terrace. In the private terrace, the periphery has been designated as a landscaping zone with raised built-in planters with integrated seating.
Local, naturally sourced materials and traditional building crafts are integrated through sensitive detailing. The entrance porch adds a pop of colour with traditional red oxide and a hand painted mural to frame the opening. The grey oxide feature wall spanning the living and dining area acts as a focal point and anchor. A Banswara marble-clad console and coffee table in the living area act as a counterpoint to the existing brown and white-veined Italian marble flooring. Brass and teak add a South Indian touch to transition spaces, and oak veneer and birch ply cabinetry bring in an element of fusion with an international aesthetic.
When it comes to sourcing, we worked with small design houses and craftsmen who make unique pieces. A red carpet from Samarkand ties the living room furniture together. Discreet brass accents in the form of sleek, minimalist cabinetry handles add a touch of luxury throughout. A recycled silk carpet creates a fitting backdrop for the view of the private terrace. The private terrace is paved with rough local kadapa stone and a rust-red corten steel planter act as a centrepiece.
The landscape design uses naturalised tropical flowers and grasses offering a diverse array of textures and colours while screening the private terrace from outside view.
Offering a perfect backdrop for contemporary living, this project is conceptualized to not only visually captivate, promote well-being and comfort, but also authentically connect to its surroundings.
Interior Lover team’s view on the project
Designed by Shreya Krishnan Design Office (SKDO) led and founded by Shreya Krishnan who blends the Scandinavian idea of ‘Hygge’—cosiness and warmth—with a South Indian tropical modernist touch. The interior theme of the Apartment at Plutus / Hygge in South Chennai, spanning 2500 sq. ft., perfectly combines modern elegance with cultural charm. Rich materials like brass and teak, along with oak veneer and birch ply cabinetry, add a sophisticated feel. Local craftsmanship and natural materials create a strong connection to the surroundings. Subtle brass accents and recycled silk carpets enhance the luxurious vibe, while tropical flowers and grasses bring nature indoors.
The thoughtful combination of high-end finishes, local craftsmanship, and modern design elements fosters a warm, inviting atmosphere. The apartment exudes an understated elegance, promoting well-being and comfort while staying true to the cultural roots of its inhabitants. This design not only captivates visually but also provides a serene, functional, and comfortable living space that authentically connects to its surroundings.
FACT FILE
Project Name : Apartment at Plutus – Hygge
Design Firm : Shreya Krishnan Design Office (SKDO)
Principal Architect : Shreya Krishnan
Design Team : Bindhu Manohar, Aishwarya Venkatesh, Lavanya Murugaiyan
Project Typology : Interiors
Project Location : Chennai
Name of Client : Lalitha and Gopal Swaminathan
Built-Up Area : 2500 sq ft
Project Duration : January 2023 – June 2023
Photography Credits : Yash Jain
PRODUCTS / VENDORS | CONSULTANTS | CONTRACTORS
Furniture : Design Source
Lighting : LED Lum
Paint : Asian Paints
Artist | Artefacts : The Calcuttan
Landscape : Sorrel Nursery
Electrica l: VK Electricals
Carpentry : Design Source, Kaizen
Civil : A. Boobathy
Landscape : Sorrel Nursery, Srinithi Engineering Works
Plumbing : Vijay Plumbers
Shreya Krishnan Design Office (SKDO), New Delhi & Chennai
Shreya Krishnan Design Office (SKDO) is a multi-disciplinary firm in architecture, design, and planning based in New Delhi and Chennai. Founded by Shreya Krishnan in 2016, the firm’s expertise extends to residential architecture and interiors, institutional, hospitality, landscape, and master planning.
SKDO is an award-winning design consistently working towards building spaces that contribute to a resilient built environment and combat climate risks by transitioning to a sustainable economy. The firm has successfully delivered over 30 projects to date across the country. SKDO creates architecture that is climate-sensitive, handcrafted, and user-centric, by placing both social and environmental sustainability at the heart of all their projects. The practice is engaged with heritage, craft, and participatory design, encouraging the preservation of local skills and the use of indigenous materials. Deeply rooted in research, the practice is dedicated to innovating, impactful, and meaningful designs.
SKDO works with a simple motto of putting people at the heart of their design process, to create responsive and user-centric design solutions.
Shreya Krishnan Design Office (SKDO)
Website : www.skdo.in
Instagram : @shreyakrishnan.designoffice
Face Book : @shreyakrishnandesignoffice
LinkedIn : @shreya-krishnan-design-office
