78 SOCIETY INTERIORS FEBRUARY 2019

CONTaCT DETaIlSRC DEsign stUDio

33 / 35 Hermes House new Queen’s Road

opera House girgaonMumbai

Maharashtra 400004cherag@rcdesignstudio.in

www.rcdesignstudio.in

Text: swati Balgi Photographs: Courtesy the firm

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rowth, as we all know, is the most natural progression in life. Haven’t we all seen seeds germinating into a huge tree? to draw a parallel, Mumbai-based

R C Design Studio headed by principal Architects Roozmehr and Cherag Bardolivala has seen their firm grow and scale great heights of success. prior to establishing the firm, the couple worked with talati and panthaky for almost 19 years. over the years, they have designed a range of projects from unique architecture and interior spaces to master planning. the design team has not only grown in terms of the scale of work, but simultaneously has refined the skill to work on detailing and operate under tight time frames. “We aim for a good design and the priority is given to the design/planning of the space rather than mere beautification of the same.” says Ar. Cherag Bardolivala.

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Following a very contemporary design language, the firm has emphasized on maximizing space utilization, integrating systems and services into an aesthetically designed concept in order to add sophistication. The firm has a large repertoire of interior spaces from residential, corporate, retail, health club, spas, gyms and hospitality; and we take an overview of the various projects designed by the firm in India and abroad.

We pick a few projects that give an insight into their unique design language…

aPaRTmENT IN CENTRal mumBaIspread over an area of 2,000 sq.ft., this vibrant home designed for a doctor couple resonates with earthy colour accents. the design challenge in this project was to blend the modern and the ethnic styles. the enterprising couple has opted for neutral material palette

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that includes beige and white. they have added subtle hints of colour by aesthetically using stone cladding, fabrics and wallpapers. selective furniture like the neutral sofas are complemented by a centre table and wall frame, which have been sourced from chor bazaar and restored. the interior space has a modern feel, and yet there is strong sense of ethnic indian charm throughout the home.

aPaRTmENT IN mumBaI HIgH RISEthis 3BHk apartment spread over an area of 2,000 sq. ft. was planned and designed for an nRi couple. After a thorough study of client’s lifestyle, who lives in a villa in California, this apartment was planned. the entrance lobby was screened by a bevelled glass partition, which leads to the spacious living and dining room. the French limestone forms an interesting cladding material for the living space, while the furniture and lighting has been customised for the client by the studio. the entire house is controlled by schinder automation system. the warm tones of the red mahogany veneer and the beige marble complement exclusive light fixtures, art and fabrics all resonating the same design ideology. since this apartment is locked most of the times, the designer has been very carefully in keeping it maintenance-friendly as possible, with a deliberate attempt to avoid any soft furnishings in bed backs etc.

SHOw aPaRTmENT-F RESIDENCESthis show apartment for F-residences in Malad, Mumbai is spread over an area of 1,300 sq. ft., conceptualized for fashion TV, and thus the underlying theme was to create a trendy and modern interiors. the colour palette consists of grey, white and black with the soft furnishing adding the requisite colours. the small spaces are enhanced with effective use of mirrors as in the TV room, which is fitted with an Ad notam Mirror tv to enhance the depth of the space. the acoustics of the same is taken care by the deep rust coloured wallpaper by Maya Romanoff. the lighting is customised by Hatsu and the furniture is all customised for the space by the studio with a few accent pieces procurred from furniture houses in Mumbai. the living space is enhanced with subtle mood lighting with automation control. the wall surfaces are highlighted with white statuario marble, which is cut and treated by world of stones to create beautiful wall textures. The master bathroom with its transparent glass walls enhances the space and on the press of a switch turns opaque and offers the much needed privacy for the space.

COmmERCIal OFFICE, mumBaIThis office designed for a very renowned multinational firm spread over an area of 45,000 sq.ft., was planned and conceptualised as a space where the staff could work efficiently and at the same time there would be a strong connect to a clean and structured design palette. the focal point is the state-of-the-art conference room with the table in exclusive burl veneer. The walls are clad in beige travertine marble. All the common areas used for transit are done up in beige Danish cream marble, and the rest of the spaces are carpeted for a refined look. Extensive partitions in glass are designed to draw in as much natural light as possible to enable efficient use of artificial lighting in the work spaces. A large green terrace, which is beautifully landscaped forms a spill out zone for the staff as it is connected to the cafeteria. the requirement was to create meeting rooms, conferencing facilities, cabins and open work spaces with extensive storage planned throughout the space. Interesting prints on canvas are lined on all the walls of the office space along with project images of the company itself, which reflect the work ethos of the firm.

NamE OF PROjECT: vIlla IN auNDH, PuNEthe design team was asked to design this villa that was in a dilapidated condition. Apart from the structural repairs, several planning alterations and additions were made to the design like a gazebo was added to the terrace, an informal seating area in the rear portion of the house and a dining area and powder room were also added.

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the clients had a strong indian aesthetic, which got translated into the design philosophy for this 3,500 sq. ft. project and formed a basis for the choice of materials, fabrics and colours. the palette was enhanced by using earthy colours in all the common areas except for the bedrooms, which were kept neutral. the landscape by swati Dike further

enhanced the look of the villa.

vIlla IN awaS, alIBaugthis villa spread over an area of 8,500 sq.ft is planned as a part of a gated community for a project launched by Aditya Kilachand — L Hermitage luxury gated community. The architecture for this villa is being designed by the firm with clean straight lines for the façade, which creates a modern and contemporary look for the villa. A large reflecting water pools surround the habitable rooms of the villa magnifying the effect of the façade. the villa sits in an acre of verdant lawn and has a large temperature controlled swimming pool too. The inside spaces too flow and resonate with the exterior and the effort has been to let the landscape follow from the outside into the space within. A large open-to-sky courtyard within the villa lets in the greenery from the outside, and also forms an ideal source of natural light for the interior spaces. The façade is clad with natural Indian stone to add the requisite play of textures to the façade. the interiors for the space is being conceptualised by sussanne khan.

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SHOBHa SHRINgaR jEwElS, mumBaIthe showroom spread over 2,500 sq.ft is spread over three levels has been designed by the studio in two sections. The lower ground level is exclusively for diamonds, while the upper level is for traditional jadau jewellery. the diamond section has been conceptualised as a boutique with dark walnut flooring with a central inlay of a carpet done in Indian stone mosaic. The lighting is sourced from Flos and the central focal feature is the Hollywood chandelier from brand van Egmond. the walls are clad in green slate stone mosaic with the jewellery forming more of a display as pieces of art that enhance and complement the space. A small seating area with two statement chairs and a discussion table in leather finish green marble forms an interesting corner in the showroom. The ceiling is entirely done in antique white and gold texture finish, while the warm tones of the walnut wood used throughout the showroom form a strong design element and help in highlighting all the other muted colours tones in the interiors.

The overall level of creative thinking, daring to experiments and the never-say-die attitude has been the mantra for this firm. Well, all we now have to do is to wait and watch for what’s next to come…