Perched in the busy by lanes of Andheri sits a quiet and traditional escape. Designed for a small family, Casa Rao serves as an idyllic home chronicling their travels and passions. The project was conceptualized on a solid brief from the family- the house should be divided into two zones; one for the parents, for relaxing and entertaining including culinary experiments, and one for the children, their activities, and their friends.

This brief helped us bypass the mundane 3BHK layout plan and explore new spatial possibilities leading to a calculated sequence that works for everyone. Earthy natural tones were explored, the main social space stuns with Kota stone, warmly painted walls, and the pièce de résistance, the brick wall tying in their Keralian roots.

The formal living room is a visually enhanced space with minimal furniture. The yellow sofa, coffee table and beautiful wall-hung artwork offer a vital first impression and serve as a liminal space between the two zones. Towards the south, lies the cluster of social spaces. Towards the north, lies the sons' bedrooms.

The open floor plan of the formal and informal living, dining and kitchen lets one make unique permutations of social spaces separated by semi-partitions. These partitions in fluted, bevelled and textured glasswork can be manipulated to render a single large gathering space with the kitchen at the centre or be partitioned individually thereby also making it AC compatible.

A bathroom in the original layout was demolished to increase the available kitchen space. Since our client entertains often, the dining and kitchen are designed as the heart of the house, and its setting is perceived as welcoming and intimate. The dining setup is a mix of wooden benches and modern dining chairs thereby keeping it flexible. The detailing of the ceiling adds softness to the sharp lines of the space. There are subtle references to the family's extensive travels tied in with art, sculptures, and photographs from all over the world.

Towards the south of the kitchen lies the Master bedroom cum lounge separated by a transformable partition. Shutters of which could drop down to become the breakfast table. From the youngest's love for music and the veena to mom's love for confectioneries, special care has been taken so that the interiors echo the family's passions.

Simple geometries are explored throughout the project. The bedrooms are clean-lined and practical maximizing its space with single beds where possible. Hidden storage was incorporated in many statement pieces. The palette of the inner scheme is kept muted and pleasant with predominant accents of greens and blues. Plants breathe life into the interiors. Bathrooms offer a quirky respite with black and white zig-zag tiles and vibrant bursts of colour. The home itself stands as an ode to a relaxed way of life.