The clients needed to convert an old car service shed into a corporate office for a new business venture. The original shed had a lot of salvagable material, which then became the leitmotif of the renovation. Utmost care was taken to dismantle, store and reuse most of it. Construction waste such as flooring discards were detailed into bathroom finishes. Exposed concrete, bricks and metal became the material pallette. New furniture was fashioned out of old structural steel.

This project won a nomination in the World Architecture Forum, 2010.

In 2008, CNN made a film on some of the entries shortlisted for a prize at the World Architecture Forum in Barcelona.

Our project - "The environmentally conscious restoration of a shed in Tardeo, Mumbai" - was presented at Barcelona, and featured in this film.

We enjoy exploring materials. Understanding the true nature of the material and bringing some new innovation to its use is very often the starting point of our thoughts. Making trips to quarries, sitting with consultants/contractors to fine tune our specifications, making 3D models to convey accuracies, all this and more is part of our daily routine.

Set in a beautiful verdant 40 acre property in Alibaug, within a mature mango orchard, this project was a joy to implement. The brief entailed renovating an old home, adding amenities such as a pool, guest rooms and creating landscape elements so as to entice the younger generation to the pleasure of living in the countryside. Water conservation was advised and check damns and water reservoirs were constructed.

Mature Umbar and Mango trees dot the site. The house needed to weave its way around, sidestepping the multiple lush trees. The expanse of the house is not seen or felt from the entrance, and from the inside, the outdoors opens up. Moving from room to room, there is always another tree to pass or another mountain view to marvel at. Beautifully curated everyday objects fill this gentle house, creating a warm, positive environ.

Besides the footprint of the house, the site and its topography were to be left untouched. The site itself was steeply contoured. Both these challenges led to a meticulously planned execution. 180 degrees panoramic views were achieved by wrapping the living and dining spaces around the service core. The seemingly haphazard folded ceiling has a strict geometry and the form finish concrete shuttering was carefully detailed to allow construction lines to follow a desired pattern.

We spend a lot of time in the office thinking details. This can mean getting into the nitty gritty with clients about their specific requirements. It can also mean getting conceptually inspired and then detailing a working model for lighting, hardware, staircases, libraries, etc. More often than not, the personality of the client and their thinking leads us to our inspiration.

A substantial paddy field plot allowed a free hand in planning a generous home, with large in-between spaces. True Brick Jack arches make the lower ceiling system, while RCC vaults make the roof design. The clients requirements of both an intimate family home and a comfortable house for large gatherings was given great thought. Ultimately, shaded outdoor spaces with easy access to all facilities became the planning tool. Brick lined corridors overlooking the lush garden adds warmth and grace. A large polypond with water harvested in the monsoon is part of the landscape.

We believe budgets are precious and like a ‘laxman rekha’. We follow a strict policy of detailed quantification, with mid project previews. Clients are given excel format bills of quantities, are encouraged to negotiate with vendors and contractors, and advised to have their own staff present at bill checking. We do not equate value with price. Budgets and timelines can dictate the design language.

The vast 4 acre property, demanded a home that would allow the gregarious family to do what they love doing most - be with their friends. The house is expansive and open, contained only by the composite stone walls - chosen after several visits to quarries in Gadag, Karnataka - and the concrete, parabolic, cantilevered roof. Three meter high doors add to the openness, as does the floating circular staircase, leading to the private spaces above.

A small, sloping, site with some grown trees and some not so good looking neighbours. The house nestles comfortably within the contours and trees, allowing both private and family spaces to overlook the quiet lake. The lower bedrooms disappear under the lawned terrace - a device used to make the house look smaller than it really is, allowing both the architecture and the landscape equal opportunity.

This Alibaug home was conceptualized 30 years ago with water harvesting as its central design theme- a concept valid then, and even more so now. A recent extension and renovation gave us a chance to revisit some of the old details. There is tremendous joy in acknowledging that the design lends its self easily to new demands as families expand and requirements change. Being a continual part of the design team is a joyful validation.

We build lasting relationships. We consider our clients, contractors and vendors as partners in the project. Each project is a learning experience for all 3, as we explore concepts, structure and materials together.

Design is a process, not merely a product. Appointing us is about service equally as it is about the design. The experience of working with a client, coming to know the person and the personality and merging the aspirations of both client and ourselves gives us true satisfaction. Both have to grow and learn through this interaction.

A project for the likeminded to live together, in a vineyard setting. The houses are true farm house sizes, yet expansive in nature, reinforcing the idea of the garden home. 6.5 acres of vineyard are seen from every window, with each house overlooking a lake. The houses were laid out in the 12 acre property, without disturbing the natural contours, such that each house has a unique view. Since all homes face the east, spectacular sunrises become part of the architectural experience on a daily basis.

A kindergarten school, set in a large school campus, in bustling Mumbai. The low budget extension involved adding classrooms, a library, lunch hall and fire escape staircases, besides other utilities. Two large courtyards allow plentiful light into the large foot-printed plan. It gives us great joy to see the open amphitheatre, planned under the cover of mature trees, being used for the many creative endeavors of the children.

The building industry, by its very nature is environmentally damaging. Water conservation, renewable energy, and passive solar techniques have been part of our journey for many years now, and we continue to learn newer, fresher concepts of sustainability. Making all our partners - contractors, clients and vendors - aware and responsible is also part of our overall project goals. We believe “waste is a design flaw” (Kate Krebs) and work hard to reduce, reuse, recycle. Conservation of an old building is as much a delight as designing a brand new one. Finding innovative uses for old but loved furniture makes us happy.

We undertook a detailed study of Mahabaleshwar and its surrounding region with the idea of sharing our thoughts and hopes. We are also pursuing with the concerned authorities, a proposal to relook at the developmental model for Kshetra Mahabaleshwar. We hope this becomes a template for some of our tourist spots.

Mockup by Freepik and rawpixel.com

Constructed over 125 years ago, this stately home needed structural renovation and replanning to suit the needs of the new owners. Restoration of old structures is very special and gives us tremendous joy. The intent is always for minimum intervention and sensitive changes. Furniture plays a very important role too.

Set in a 7 acre forested property, right next to a busy bazaar, this quiet 150 year old heritage group of structures had seen better days. In dire need of structural repairs and sensitive intervention, this neglected Primary Health Centre was propelled into a Regional Hospital, with modern amenities and facilities. The locals were able to see that heritage structures lying in their backyard can be rehabilitated with care into very useable and beautiful buildings. We are always hoping that dilapidated structures are not thoughtlessly destroyed.

This beautiful building had not been visited for 11 years before we started the restoration. It had to be converted into a Boutique homestay, with all the facilities of a resort. Our challenge was to sensitively restore many aspects of the structure, and bring in luxuries of the modern lifestyle without damaging the colonial mood of hill station living. Glenogle is very special to our office.

This project for Aptech was completed over 4 years in floor-wise phases. The idea was to bring modernity in both planning and infrastructure to a 40 year old building, tying in with the rebranding of the organisation that was in process. The small floor plates and large programme required some out of box thinking… the vertical circulation was expanded partly to accommodate the break out zones and flexibility played a large role in blurring the lines between the meeting rooms and recreation areas.

The client’s vast art collection became the fulcrum around which most design and detailing decisions were taken. A relaxed timeline for execution, as well as the very detailed brief for all aspects of the home gave the office an opportunity to respond in a novel way. The entrance screen was a collaborative venture with Artist Sheetal Gattani.

This apartment renovation for a young couple involved planning discreet storage for a growing collection of memorabilia and household items. Detailed with random triangular projections, the storage unit extends into the bedroom walls, panelling and doors, creating a veneered backdrop for the minimalist living room furniture. Paring down the ceiling lighting added to the visual quietness experienced in the apartment.

This large apartment came with a brilliant view and a contemporary apartment architecture. The family, moving from a palatial bungalow in Mumbai, had legacy furniture which needed to be reused. A lot of attention was given to contemporizing this reuse, and adding wabi-sabi elements to the finishes so as to take away from the anonymity of the architecture. The expansive footprint allowed play in the planning.

The studio, in an old building in Fort, with magnificent wrought iron columns and jackarch construction, was like most old buildings, in disrepair. Our mandate was first to make the structure sound, and then to create a quiet, calm office. The artist wanted no colour in his workspace and had some specific requirements for art storage. Waste from the Kota floor was used as a finishing material in the washroom.

ASB approached us to design a Centre in their Kalina Campus to be called ‘The India Sanskriti Centre’.

The intent was to introduce the students, many of them who are International, to all things culturally Indian - crafts, food, textile, performing arts & fine arts.

The space needed flexibility, with an Indian ambience, to convert to any kind of exhibition or performance space with minimum effort. The design solution was collaborative, interactive and vibrant.

This Kalbadevi jewel, built in 1875, needed restoration after 150 years of active use. The stone temple is set in a busy street but is an oasis of calm internally. Matted hair Rishi’s adorn the facade while smiling Pari’s, carved in wood, welcome you inside.

Amenities and utilities were thoughtfully replanned, and structural integrity and waterproofness were attended to. Years of paint were stripped from the beautiful tall wooden Corinthian columns. Excessive use of garish colors was streamlined. All old light fittings and paintings were also restored.

By blending modern functionality with timeless beauty, the temple is a testament to the importance of preserving heritage while embracing the future. The increased footfall to the temple is encouraging, reflecting the success of the restoration.