Re-envisaging a drab, stock builder apartment as a colourful abode of solace in the heart of Mumbai. Through its design, Colour Me Happy is an attempt to encapsulate the emotion of cheer within the confines of a home. The 1,222 sq. ft apartment reeks of colour – at times with a sense of subtlety but mostly in a bold manner. Prints, patterns, textures, pipes, art and artefacts come together to amplify the space as an extension of the client’s personality.

 

Often, architects tend to seek cues and visual guides from the site and context. The code-approved red fire-fighting pipe, though functionally an important safety feature, is usually regarded as an eyesore and finds itself hidden away from plain sight. The three pre-existing red pipes were seen as whimsical linear elements that ran through the periphery of the space. They had a certain dynamic and distinct quality to it which had the potential to be exaggerated. These are visually replicated to form a series of red pipes flowing across the ceiling and walls to form functional elements like seating in the dining space, open shelving for artefacts and a lighting feature branching through the living and dining spaces.

 

A discovery mid-way into the design process revealed the client to be a closet artist. This propelled the idea of setting up the living space as a canvas to showcase her art. A singular wall is picked and converted to a gallery-Esque feature with the help of an artist. The minimal 2D line work provides a guide of reference to hang the client’s colourful artwork while also being a conversation piece. Colour also pops through the living and dining spaces via the use of patterns, prints and textures in soft furnishings. An innate liking for animals is clearly visible through the space.