A Gurgaon Home Inspired by Corbusier and Jeanneret
Design elements impart a Zen meets mid-century modern vibe in this apartment by FADD Studio
Nadezna Siganporia
15 February 2019
Houzz India Contributor. Nine years ago, I jumped into the world of freelance writing. It combines my love for this art form and the ability to carve my own path. I have extensive experience in content development and creative writing predominantly in the fields of design, décor, interiors, architecture, travel, food, lifestyle, art and culture. My work has been published in Lifestyle Asia India, Houzz India, Elle India, Elle Decor India, India Design ID, Lonely Planet Magazine India, Conde Nast Traveller India, Square Inch by Ogaan Media and Beautiful Homes, among others.
Follow me on @nadezna_s (Instagram/Twitter).
Houzz India Contributor. Nine years ago, I jumped into the world of freelance writing.... More
The clients, a family of four, wanted this double-height, 5000-square-foot abode in Gurgaon to have a modern and minimalist look. The design team, led by interior designers Farah Ahmed Mathias and Dhaval Shellugar of FADD Studio, drew inspiration from the works of Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret – the deep-sienna passage of their Villa La Roche project in Paris, their Chandigarh series and the polychromatic feel of some of their other creations.
“The purist canvases of Corbusier led us to a path of sombre colours. The unusual palette of the cement-finished grey, sienna and sage set the stage for a sophisticated and refined shell, which also had a Zen-like calmness and stillness to it,” says Ahmed.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of four
Location: Gurgaon, Haryana
Size: 464 square metres (5000 square feet); 4 bedrooms; a family room and study
Interior design: Farah Ahmed Mathias and Dhaval Shellugar, principal designers of Fadd Studio with project designer Dheeraj Dhamu
Photos by Gokul Rao Kadam
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of four
Location: Gurgaon, Haryana
Size: 464 square metres (5000 square feet); 4 bedrooms; a family room and study
Interior design: Farah Ahmed Mathias and Dhaval Shellugar, principal designers of Fadd Studio with project designer Dheeraj Dhamu
Photos by Gokul Rao Kadam
A focal point of the entrance is the copper main door, which is complemented by the sienna hue of the cement flooring. “We created a simple disc light in wood to emulate an eclipse just above the Pierre Jeanneret Chandigarh bench. This meeting of materials – wood, cane, cement and metal – gave the foyer a burst of life,” she explains.
The main entrance opens out into a double-height living and dining area. The entire shell has been given a matte cement texture. The team accentuated this canvas with bold silhouettes, glossy finishes and metallic details. The two elements that really stand out are a tall custom-made artwork made on wooden planks and the central chandelier. “We needed something imposing that didn’t distract from the overall textural quality. This Vibia chandelier not only fills the volume, but its simple construction and elegant black outline shows out against the grey,” says Shellugar.
Here’s how to have an inviting entrance
Here’s how to have an inviting entrance
“The natural colours and materials of the furniture pieces stand out vibrantly against the textured grey walls of the house, giving the otherwise serious shell a dash of drama,” Shellugar continues. Blending different materials, a tan leather sofa by Sarita Handa is paired with woven chairs from Saba Italia and black metal chairs from Baxter. Wood, marble and metallic details are brought in through side and coffee tables. A geometric area rug adds a sense of cohesion to the entire seating area, while visually separating this zone from the rest of the room.
The dining area of the open-plan room also uses a material palette of wood, metal and leather. The team sculpted a simple mid-century modern composition with two open-shelved sideboards placed together, a circular dining table and green leather chairs. “A similar minimal approach was taken for the dining room light. A black wire begins at the wall, hinges on to the ceiling and drops a simple black shade to softly illuminate the table,” says Ahmed.
The lower floor also houses two bedrooms. In this guest bedroom, the neutral colour scheme is accentuated with elements such as a simple striped headboard flanked by conical wooden slatted pendant lights from Secto Designs. The wardrobe displays a minimal design in a sage-coloured laminate with a wood-lined niche cut out in the centre, and no handles to distract from its visual appeal.
In a daughter’s bedroom on the lower floor, the team continued the minimal theme by bringing in furniture with simple lines. However, they infused the space with colours that have a calming effect. The wall behind the tall winged headboard displays a bold geometric pattern in a palette of grey, blue, purple and rose, highlighted by copper drop lights from Bo Concept.
Coming back to the living area, the team highlighted the staircase with colour. “We wanted the materiality of the walls, the ceiling and the floor to be harmoniously matte, only to differ in colour. In the grey shell with the rust floor, we made the connecting passage a refreshing leaf green to create a colour block akin to Villa La Roche,” says Shellugar.
Here’s how to energise your home with colour
Here’s how to energise your home with colour
On the upper floor, the family room is done up in shades of grey, brown and blue, complemented by wood finishes, rough textures and sleek metals. The sofa from Gervasoni imparts a softness to the space, which pairs well with the angular lines of the coffee table and the metal clock that serves as an accent piece. Tall cane floor lamps, also from Gervasoni, light up the corner and add visual interest.
In the study, the dark wood of the open shelves and mid-century modern study tables creates a striking visual against a sage-green wall. The team adorned the opposite end of the room with colour-block leather chairs in green and mustard. Low hanging pendant lights from Louis Poulson and sheer blinds complete the vignette.
These study rooms will make you want to work all day
These study rooms will make you want to work all day
“To accent and highlight the space, we used metal details,” explains Ahmed. “All the bedroom doors feature one part wood, two parts olive, separated by a copper band – a perfect blend against the rust floor.”
Two elements draw attention in the master bedroom. Set against a grooved cement wall is a winged headboard that looks like a cane-and-wood screen. The other element is a fiery red antique chest at the foot of the bed, which the team brought in to contrast with the earthy palette. “We also used stone and paper table lights to stand out against the headboard,” she says.
In the corner, the team sculpted a comfortable reading nook illuminated by a cement-finish floor lamp from The Purple Turtles. The plushness of the velvet upholstery pairs well with the cane and wood detailing of the chair framework.
In the other daughter’s bedroom on the upper floor, the team used a palette of rust, grey and olive, highlighted by a large floral feature wall and copper details. With the rest of the furniture simple, the headboard draws the attention. Upholstered in rust velvet panels, the tall winged piece encompasses sleek bedside tables within its framework. Low-hanging drop lights with paper shades add a touch of softness.
Read more:
Houzz Tour: Powder-Puff Colours Make This a Dreamlike Home
Mumbai Houzz Before & After: Warm Tones, Clean Lines Transform a Flat
Tell us:
What did you like most about this house? Tell us in Comments below.
Read more:
Houzz Tour: Powder-Puff Colours Make This a Dreamlike Home
Mumbai Houzz Before & After: Warm Tones, Clean Lines Transform a Flat
Tell us:
What did you like most about this house? Tell us in Comments below.
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fine use of colour
Love the colours used...
it doesnt looks like le corbusier style