Why do we seek perception invoking spaces? Do we leave it to the spaces to narrate their history or do we stage spaces to Interact and Indulge in, with different narratives? Urban Grove Residence blends this into this perspective provoking spaces for art enthusiasts while the intangible subtly does its part. It effortlessly coils into an open-ended yet comforting spatial composition of art, design and humanity. ~Yamini Vaswani (Editor)

Distinctively Artistic House with Sophisticated Greens and Cheerful Aesthete | Studio MAT Architects

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Overlooking the artistic home eastern water front, you can see the link flamingoes at a distant salt pan in all their glory. A large part of the process of designing the apartment was about redefining the relation of the interior spaces with the outdoors. To create spaces and environments that appreciate the outdoors. The planning of Urban grove is free flowing and open in nature, such that the spaces flow living to dining to the kitchen without any walls or partitions giving it a seamless feel.

We were inspired by the enthusiasm and love that our client had for her gorgeous plants that she had cared for for almost 4 years. That’s when we decided them to be a center stage for the apartment and our design would just imbibe those values and highlight them furthermore. One of the ideologies was common while designing was to keep the feel as serene and simple as possible.

The shell can be described as minimal with a rustic feel. The rustic leather finish travertine wall gives the whole space a character that imbibes our clients love for nature and outdoors. The huge balconies welcome in the view of eastern waterfront and lush green mangroves making the inside outside connect so very seamless. This becomes a space to ponder and look out. This travertine contrasts with the teak. The materiality of these two elements is the highlight of the house. We can see the material consistency of this combination flowing even in the bedroom.

The furniture and decor in the space has its own character and attitude. The bold prints of the chair, rugs, bench, cushions accentuate the shell even more. In contrast to that, the sofas are kept muted and understated.The bold prints of these furniture pieces have been curated to add an element of quirk and unexpected in the house. It comes off as a pleasant contrast to the very understated and rustic shell.

As you enter the house you feel like you are entering an urban jungle, you are greeted by the the Draco-Dracaena Draco that has its own presence in the living room. The pony tail palm – Beauharnais recurvata gives the space and exotic feel, the devil’s ivy- Epipremnum aureum casually drops off the top ledge beautifully complimenting the travertine on the back. These plants backed by rugged travertine; stone sculpture give the space a very enchanted feel.  Zanzi, Aglomana, Broken heart, Pepero mania, Money tree, Moss stick- money plant, Figs are just a few more members of the plant family that have hound their place in the house. 

The decor in the artistic home is eclectic. Each item has been curated over time by the client from her travels, heirlooms, experiences and memories, all have found place in the house giving it a very unique feel. The wall paintings are very inspirational pieces of art by Shrinivas and Ravi. These two pieces not only add the color element to the house but also is a constant inspiration to people looking at them. The sketch artwork is a gift especially for the house by a very dear friend of the client. This artwork accentuates the bare and rustic feel of the travertine wall setting a background for the stone sculpture.

Fact File

Designed by: Studio MAT Architects

Project Name: Urban Grove

Project Size: 750 Sq.ft

Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra

Year Built: 2022

Principal Architect: Harsh Soneji & Pratha Bhagat

Photography Credits: Kshan collective, Naitik1793

Consultants for the Project

Contractor:  Bhagwati interiors

Plant curation: Vibhawa Sawant

Materials & Products: Décor Jaipur rugs, The Bombay Store, India Circus / Furniture: Magnolia, Freedom tree, IKEA / Lighting: Pepperfry / Painting: Sadguru frames / Furnishes Sarita Handa

Firm’s Website Link: Studio MAT Architects

Firm’s Instagram Link: Studio MAT Architects

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