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Houzz Tour: A Central Courtyard Opens Up an Urban Flat to Nature
Seamless, flowing spaces in a modern flat let in light, greenery and plenty of charm
These clients owned a duplex apartment in a newly developed building in busy Juhu, a suburb of Mumbai, India. Their longing for green spaces was reflected in their brief to Architecture BRIO “to design a home that redefined the relationship between interior spaces and the outdoors”.
Shefali Balwani, founder and director of the firm, worked alongside the building’s architects to include a two-storey, covered courtyard in the centre of the flat. This stunning feature creates a strong indoors-outdoors connection, building on the foundation of the seamless, interflowing spaces and large windows that let in huge amounts of light and nature.
Shefali Balwani, founder and director of the firm, worked alongside the building’s architects to include a two-storey, covered courtyard in the centre of the flat. This stunning feature creates a strong indoors-outdoors connection, building on the foundation of the seamless, interflowing spaces and large windows that let in huge amounts of light and nature.
The brick wall and concrete flooring seamlessly connect the living room to the TV room – an informal space with a large, built-in daybed (not pictured). The room can be closed off when the door is shut, or used as an extension to the living room when it stands open.
The double-height courtyard is literally a breath of fresh air in the flat. “The variations in shades, textures and tones of the stone floor beautifully complement this green space,” Shefali says. Grass interspersing the tiles and a tall fiddle-leaf fig add to the lush feel.
The glass partitions, which surround the courtyard and rise all the way to the floor above, make the apartment appear visually and spatially as one cohesive unit.
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The dining room is defined by the earthy tones of the wooden dining table and the natural fibre pendant light. “The soft green dining chairs not only complement the backdrop of the trees outside but also of the green lamps above the neighbouring kitchen island,” Shefali says.
Floor-to-ceiling windows and whitewashed walls flood the dining area and the informal eating space with light.
Just off the kitchen island and behind a pair of metal-framed doors lies the main kitchen, which shines with a rich blue paint finish and satin nickel hardware. A pale grey Caesarstone worktop and reeded glass cupboard doors overhead
complement the blue cabinetry.
complement the blue cabinetry.
The cloakroom on the lower floor has a tropical-themed wallpaper nicely complemented by some real-life foliage.
“A minimal folded mild steel plate staircase with solid oak timber treads, illuminated by a cascading light fitting, leads to the floor above,” Shefali says.
The large landing area doubles as the family room. Oak floors dominate the rooms upstairs, bringing a cosy warmth to the private quarters.
A fluted glass partition – a recurring characteristic in the house – cordons off the family space from the bedrooms, ensuring privacy.
The passageway from the family area to the bedrooms wraps itself around the central courtyard. It’s lined with storage cupboards that showcase family photos. Pale olive green is the colour of choice that continues into the guest room.
A sliding metal-framed door leads to the guest room at the end of the passageway. A folding wall bed allows the owners to use the floor space for yoga when there are no guests.
The walls in the master bedroom are designed with a metal wainscoting detail. The crisp light grey of the walls balances the contrast between the oak flooring and the mauve painted wainscoted base, the combination giving the space a serene vibe. The custom-designed metal four-poster bed can be entirely dismantled.
The master bathroom is fully clad in white marble, accentuated by matt brass fixtures. It consists of his-and-hers vanity units, a dual shower, and a built-in bath.
The centrally located shower area is flanked by the bath on one side and a marble-and-glass partition wall on the other, which separates the wet and dry areas of the bathroom.
A geometric mosaic made of white, cream and grey marble highlights the shower area. “The floor drain has been disguised in the border around the mosaic and can be lifted open with the help of brass rings,” Shefali says.
A geometric mosaic made of white, cream and grey marble highlights the shower area. “The floor drain has been disguised in the border around the mosaic and can be lifted open with the help of brass rings,” Shefali says.
The nursery is made entirely in birch plywood finished in a natural polish – a neutral palette that allows for a child’s changing tastes as they grow. The room, with its monkey bars, is designed to be an evolving playscape. The furniture has been detailed with rounded corners and edges to make it safe for children.
The en suite bathroom is clad in slate.
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What caught your eye in this Mumbai apartment? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Tell us…
What caught your eye in this Mumbai apartment? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Who lives here? A couple and their son
Location Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Year built 2019
Size Three bedrooms and three bathrooms; 290 sq m
Architect Shefali Balwani of Architecture BRIO
Photos by Ira Gosalia at PHX India
An enclosed vestibule with glass on one side leads past the open courtyard and into the living room. The lower floor comprises multiple spaces that flow into one another while remaining separate.
The combination of the vestibule, the exposed brick wall, industrial metal windows, and concrete floor gives the apartment a chic, loft-like feel. The palette in shades of browns and greens is perfectly in sync with the home’s natural vibe.