The family acquired Unit 163 to extend their existing home. Located on the 16th floor of an apartment complex in the heart of Chennai, the space serves as an extension of their residence. In a household where multi-generational living is customary, it allowed the son to remain in close proximity, while maintaining privacy and independence.
A Monolithic Material Palette Defines The Compact Interiors Of Unit 163 in Chennai | studio80
The renovation removes all internal walls of the original two-bedroom apartment to reconfigure the space. This created space for a living area, one bedroom and ample storage. This left behind an unusual grid of beams and two large columns in the middle of an already linear volume.
The extension connects to the parents’ apartment through a 3-metre wall along its shorter side. One longer side, measuring 15 metres, adjoins an internal corridor. The layout recesses the existing entrance door to create a vestibule. This also provided a separate entrance to the staff area.
The layout places wardrobes and toilets along the corridor-facing edge of the apartment. This frees the outer perimeter for key living spaces, allowing them to benefit from natural light, ventilation and expansive city views.
Slim aluminium frames replace the original windows, improving views. This also allows the balconies to extend seamlessly from the interiors. Instead of reintroducing walls to define spaces, a continuous wooden element organizes the interior. Conceived as a multi-functional spine, this element maximizes storage while concealing doors, service lines and structural components to maintain visual clarity.
The element transforms into louvers that admit light into the toilet and extends as a study table positioned between the entrance and the balcony – a point from which the entire width of the apartment can be experienced. Perpendicular to the element, a hidden sliding partition allows the otherwise connected private and public zones, to be separated along the length when required.
Within the small footprint, it was imperative to preserve these two visual axes. This sense of continuity is reinforced by the use of a single material across the walls, floor and ceiling, forming a monolithic backdrop to a space that, though compact, is adaptable and open.
Fact File
Designed by: studio80
Project Type: Apartment Interiors Design
Project Name: Unit 163, Apartment Interiors
Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Project Size: 1000 sqft
Principal Architect: Ahaladini Sridharan & Trisha Patel
Photograph Courtesy: Syam Sreesylam
MEP Consultants: JIT Engineering Services Consultant Interior
Contractor / Carpenter: Puranmal (kishan_interiors)
Quatzcrete Flooring: Indcon Structurals Pvt. Ltd.
Cement Wall/Ceiling Finishes: Murales
Furniture: B&B Italia, Artilleriet, Cassina, Porada
Furnishing: Carpet couture, Jaipur Rugs
Firm’s Website Link: studio80
Firm’s instagram link: studio80
For Similar Projects >> A Nuanced Creation Of Elements All Works Together With Seamless Cohesion In This Elegant Home Interior
Some client relationships evolve into lasting partnerships, and this residence reflects that journey. Nearly a decade after designing their first home in 2017, the family entrusted us once again to create a new chapter for their evolving lives. The new home reflects how their lives have gracefully evolved over the years. Located in the heart […]
Editor’s Note: Some homes reveal their character slowly, through details that invite you to look a little closer. This Mumbai apartment brings together marble, veneer, textured plaster, mother of pearl, stone, and fabric to create a home that feels luxurious yet deeply personal. An artificial skylight transforms the entrance, while layered living spaces balance graphic […]
Some homes are designed to impress. Others are designed to be lived in. Legacy Home belongs firmly to the latter. It celebrates everyday rituals, evolving lifestyles, and the quiet beauty of spaces that feel deeply personal. Spread across 2,000 sq. ft. in Andheri West, Mumbai, this eight-month renovation transformed a jodi apartment from the ground […]
Every home has a story, and Project Prarabdh is one that unfolds gently through curves, textures, soft tones, and thoughtful details. Designed for a family that values calmness, warmth, and functional simplicity, the project brings together minimal aesthetics and expressive craftsmanship. From the entrance to the kids’ room, each space follows a quiet rhythm. Curves […]
In the pulsating heart of Gujarat, India, where the shimmer of the ‘Diamond City’ meets the rich tapestry of the ‘Silk City’, Surat has preserved its legacy of craftsmanship across generations. Amidst the precision of diamond cutters and the rhythmic hum of textile looms, the homeowners’ story began. They were not merely entrepreneurs but inheritors […]
This home is a thoughtful expression of the modern interior design style, infused with creative and personalised touches that make it both distinctive and inviting. Every material, colour, and finish has been carefully curated to achieve a sense of timelessness, with a clear emphasis on balance and harmony. The muted colour palette seamlessly extended across […]
When you walk into a room, what’s the first thing you notice in the interiors? The furniture, the walls, or the ceiling? Often overlooked, the ceiling plays a significant role in defining the ambiance of a room. If you’re looking to add some flair, sophistication, or a modern touch to your living room, false ceiling […]
When it comes to enhancing the kitchen window over the sink, various design ideas are possible to decorate Indian homes. From rooted in tradition to Western-style modular kitchens offer both functionality and attractive aesthetics. Apart from the sleek profile and raised breakfast counter, the kitchen window over sink is another spot to add appeal and […]
In Indian homes with dynamic spaces, identification of standard interior door dimensions can have a positive impact on space optimization. First impressions matter, right? Beyond spaces inside the homes, doors carry long-time impressions through various panel sizes, intricate details, and more. While most of us remember the material and design, we tend to forget the […]
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 […]