Residence far removed from Bombay’s swarming urban nucleus, the Terracotta Earth House assumes a role akin to a silent observer uncoupled from the relentless bustle of the metropolis. The dwelling’s christened name is an ode to the ever-present hue that pulses through its expanse, but more pivotally, it is a resolve to pause, reflect, and trace one’s roots.
A Comforting Familiarity with Composed Serenity for this Residence in Mumbai | SML Architects
Visit: SML Architects
The amorphous body of coarse and porous clay gives way to the creation of terracotta — a process that underscores the notion of non-permanence and transformation. A home is not dissimilar in that regard. It poses as an ever-morphing backdrop against which the lives of families unfurl. Yet, what remains unchanged is the sense of belonging shared by its inhabitants, a trove of intangible yet defining emotions.
Overruled by stillness, the open plan living cum dining sections witness the inhabitants spending a significant fraction of their day within its embrace. The lady of the home reminisces memories of her time spent in the historic city of Chandigarh, an iconic beacon of Modern Architecture endowed with the prowess of Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret since the 1950s. The acclaimed Jeanneret ‘Chandigarh Sofa’ makes a cameo, bathed in a cool grey tone. Hans Wegner’s ‘CH25’ Chair, composed of hand-woven rope and teak, keeps the former classic company.
Formal restraint reigns supreme at the Terracotta Earth House, yet an undeniable vitality is apparent, inspiring in the form of hand-picked architectural elements and colour. The micro-topped concrete tinted in a terracotta colour references oxide-washed floors of heritage bungalows that presents a contemporary take on the past with reverence.
The coffee table and sculptural pedestal tables are created using polished plywood bases and Lapotra-finish ebony granite tops, pronouncing tactile materiality. An embedded tessellation of hand-knotted geometric forms claims the jute rug whole. The deliberately unembellished abstract art seems to bleed its hues into the surrounding area while the chartreuse colour of the towering plant contrasts it playfully! The daylight filters through the veil of white sheer curtains by Saphed.
The petite dining nook is a coalition of function and history made tangible. The white marble top and black metal-structured dining table is paired with sleek Mid-Century Modern teak and black leatherette chairs. A duo of woven cane pendants levitates over the dining nook, casting morphing shadows. A bespoke collage of rust-hued Agra stone wall murals conceptualised by Artist Rutva Joshi ornament the wall. The accent feature recalls Brutalist Architecture’s appeal embodied by Chandigarh’s eminent landmarks — a lithic retelling that layers the nook with a palpable emotional quality.
The tremendous North-Western light swathing the indoors saturates the blueprint. Sunlight travels into the spaces via the peripheral alfresco decks bordering every room, allowing the home to respire. A grey hue ascends the walls and spreads over the ceilings homogeneously, balancing the warm colour’s omnipresence. Movement is expressed within the space in versatile furniture with clean silhouettes, free to traverse the layout based on need.
Fact File
Designed by: SML Architects
Project Name: Terracotta Earth House
Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Project Type: Residence Interior Design
Project Size: 900 Sq.ft
Year Built: 2022
Principal Architect: Mahek Lalan
Text Credit: Lavanya Chopra
Photography Courtesy: Yadnyesh Joshi
Firm’s Instagram Link: SML Architects
Firm’s Facebook Link: SML Architects
For Similar Project>>> Gym Design With Bright Lime Green Highlighted In Neutral Surrounds
From the very first glimpse, this home makes a quiet yet assertive statement — a story of considered elegance woven through the interplay of textures, geometry, and an emotive material palette. It isn’t just a residence, but a journey of values, and a deliberate pause from the chaos of urbanity. A poetic 4 bedroom design […]
Referred by his cousin, who initially approached us for a large residential bungalow, Dilip Jain sought our expertise for his newly purchased 4 BHK luxury apartment in Akota. While the builder had completed the civil work for the kitchen and bathrooms, the client was unsatisfied with the final results. We took the initiative to transform […]
The Wabi Sabi Interior design of this residence was done in 71 days, including designing & execution. Contrary to our standard practice of a step-by-step design process, the process here was pretty fluid & more based on intuitions, visualizations, sketches & discussions. Only sketches were made, which proceeded to working drawings; no 3D visualization was […]
AMOGH 18 reflects AURA DESIGN HAUS’s core design ethos: to create spaces that are as timeless as they are contemporary. The project is a testament to the belief that minimal interiors, when thoughtfully executed, can be both warm and expressive. It’s a residence where sophistication meets simplicity, and where every detail is an invitation to […]
In the heart of a lush Ahmedabad neighborhood, a bare-shell duplex flat is transformed into a soulful sanctuary by Aura Design Atelier. Titled The Layered Narrative, this 2500 sq ft Indian apartment balances warmth, restraint, and personality, interweaving the lives of its residents through materials, light, and spatial flow. From the onset, the home reflects […]
This modern and classy 2BHK flat showcases the perfect blend of elegance and functionality. Step into a home where modern flat design meets sophistication — a beautifully designed 2BHK flat that offers the perfect fusion of luxury and comfort. The interiors exude an effortless style with meticulous attention to detail, creating an inviting atmosphere throughout. […]
Imagine this for a design brief: Design an apartment for 3 generations. The family’s young kids have an endless love for the sea and the sky, grandparents’ sensibilities are deeply rooted in traditional Indian styles, and the young parents are all about modern minimalism. The home has to integrate these diverse styles through eclectic interior […]
The Juhu Beach Apartment revamp project, executed by Ikshana Design Studio, was an ambitious transformation aimed at redefining a small yet cozy residence into a contemporary, light-filled home. The objective was to create a space that felt expansive and seamlessly connected to its coastal surroundings, all while maintaining the existing property. Given a reasonable budget, […]
Indian homes place equal importance on pooja room door designs as they do on main door designs. With diverse and unique ethnic backgrounds, every family strives to reflect their personalities and identities in their designs. These identities can encompass religious or spiritual interests, local contexts, or other personal elements. This series of blogs, featuring 50 […]
We have listed the 20 Best Architects and Designers in and around Ahmedabad, Gujarat who has shaped some of the best architectural residences and commercial spaces. Of the many architects in Ahmedabad, these shortlisted few are the ones with an array of award-winning projects done by them that puts them over the edge which will […]