Alai Osai (“The Sound of Waves”) is a three storey landmark art intervention project created for the private residence of Rajni and B. Santhanam. Designed by art designer Shibani Dasgupta Jain & team specializing in contextual, research-driven installations, the project brings together mathematical elegance, coastal ecology, and Tamil heritage.
In this sprawling three storey glass-wrapped bungalow, embedded with water bodies within and outdoors and perched along the breezy Chennai coastline, Shibani Dasgupta Jain, Founder of Baaya Design, has orchestrated an extraordinary art dialogue.
Conceived for Rajni and B. Santhanam, intellectuals and visionaries with roots firmly planted in Tamil Nadu’s cultural heritage and an equally fervent commitment to ecological stewardship, this three storey residence stands as a testament to how contemporary art can amplify architectural integrity rather than overwhelm it. The 40-foot stairwell, the soaring glass interiors, the diagonal floor plan defined by angular geometries, these architectural bones demanded artworks that could breathe with the space without dominating it. And into this clarity of structure enters the Art Designer.
Baaya Design
This is where the role of what Jain calls an “Art Designer” becomes essential. It’s not architecture, not curation, not sculpture alone, it’s the orchestration of stories across space. We arrived with questions, not answers. Then, we explored, collaborated and discovered ways to tell the stories of the individuals who are the owners of the space.
We did a research on Tamil temples and landmarks and chose their favorite ones and studied the local mangrove ecosystems. An investigation of mathematical principles that were in step with Santhanam’s thinking was done. We listened to how Rajni moved through this space, and what the family’s daily rituals revealed about their values. The clients, Rajni and Santhanam, envisioned their three storey home not just as a space of comfort but as a statement of values deeply rooted in their love for Tamil cultural heritage, ecological mindfulness and abstract philosophical thinking. Every artwork created for Alai Osai is more than an aesthetic addition; it is a tactile embodiment of their worldview. From kinetic sculptures that echo coastal traditions to embroidered cityscapes and terracotta creatures born from the mangroves, this project becomes a dialogue between architecture, memory, and place.
Spanning themes of Cultural, Contemporary, and the Abstract, the art interventions within this three storey home do not impose, they belong. They speak softly but powerfully about transformation, sustainability and nature’s geometry- with each form drawing and flowing from the landscape, mythology, or science that surrounds it.
A handcrafted seascape depicting the quiet drama of the ocean floor, swirling corals, resting shells, rippled sand, and drifting seaweed, this artwork brings the depth of the ocean indoors. The artist shaped each marine element in copper enamelling, hand-fired to create rich colour, sheen, and permanence.
The background, a hand-illustrated wallpaper, adds layered detail and atmospheric depth, mirroring the gradients of light underwater. Together, the materials create a gently pulsating composition that feels alive, meditative, and immersive.
A bespoke textile map stitched not by geography, but by memory. This mural traces the family’s personal geographies, favourite haunts, ancestral histories, workplaces, and over 40 Vaishnavite temples. Aari embroidery lends fine detail; Zardosi adds shimmering elevation. The artist colour-coded, layered, and meticulously placed each motif to recreate Tamil Nadu as the family experiences it. Printed on cotton satin and brought to life with Aari and Zardosi embroidery, the piece combines precise detailing with subtle elevation.
They defined green fields through zig-zag Aari textures; embroidered water bodies for contrast; and fully rendered trees, mountains, and key landforms in thread. Temples feature gold Zardosi on their tops, while select monuments include beadwork, sequins, and partial embroidery to create depth. They created a shadow layer behind each monument that is stitched to lift structures visually from the surface.
Some of the embroidered highlights include Olympia Cyberspace, Arulmigu Kothandaram Temple, the Saint-Gobain India Pvt. Ltd. headquarters, and the IIT Madras Research Park each anchored in thread as markers of the family’s lived landscape.
Rooted in the idea of biophilia, a love for living things, this mural brings Chennai’s mangrove ecosystems into the heart of the home. Hand-fired copper enamel forms depict the region’s distinctive fauna: the Fishing Cat, Smooth-Coated Otter, Mangrove Jack, Red Snapper, Catfish, Crab, Shrimp, and Turtle. These species are etched with precision and kiln-fired to achieve depth, durability, and a distinct enamel sheen.
The surrounding mangrove trees and root structures are rendered through stained wood, where carved textures and tonal gradients mimic bark, sediment, and organic growth. Together, the materials create a layered, tactile surface that reflects the ecological richness of Chennai’s coastal mangroves, an ecosystem that thrives quietly beside the city’s urban sprawl.
Using a combination of Aari, long-and-short shading, and fine contour stitching, the artwork captures the choreography of daily life, nets unfurling at first light, birds skimming the surface, boats cutting through the tide. Fine stitches translate movement into texture, and the muted palette reflects the soft horizon of the Bay of Bengal. The artwork is a homage to coastal communities, preserving the poetry of their lived environment through thread, rhythm, and detail.
A study in elemental transformation, Metamorphosis uses layered copper enamel to depict shifts in energy, light, and form. Its gradients mimic the slow transitions found in nature, tides receding, minerals oxidising, leaves changing hue. The piece carries a sense of movement even in stillness, making it a contemplative focal point in the bedroom. Its dimensional surface reveals new depth from every angle.
A sculptural reinterpretation of Vishnu’s ten avatars, this mural pairs the traditional Dokra lost-wax technique with a modern, minimal aesthetic. Each brass figure is crafted in slim, contemporary contours with subtle gold highlights and fine detailing. The avatars are installed in a Fibonacci-inspired spiral, mirroring the Golden Ratio used elsewhere in the home.
Inspired by Fibonacci spirals, this cluster of 4 suspended light installations brings illumination, geometry, and movement into dialogue. Varying in scale and density, the glowing forms descend through the stairwell in a choreographed constellation. The warm LED cores are encased in fine metal stringwork, creating a diffused, halo-like luminosity. By night, the piece becomes a soft, celestial sculpture; by day, a floating geometric study. As part of Baaya’s Art Lighting repertoire, the piece integrates seamlessly into the home’s vertical volume.
Two monumental stainless-steel interpretations of the Golden Ratio, this sculpture anchors the home’s entrance area with precise mathematical clarity. Crafted in corrosion-resistant SS 316, its engineered spiral is formed through precision-bent members and tensioned metal stringwork that maintains exact proportion and curvature.
As daylight moves across the glass skylights, the interwoven strings cast shifting shadows, turning the water into a constantly evolving spatial composition.
Inspired by the soft pink trumpet flowers of the Tabebuia Rosea tree, this rug recreates the gentle drift of fallen petals through layered, tactile weaving. The palette captures the warmth of early summer, while the textured surface adds quiet comfort underfoot. Its subtle tones and organic patterning seamlessly complement the artworks around it.
A curated series of copper enamel plates exploring the mathematical patterns embedded in nature, spirals, fractals, starbursts, tessellations. Each plate is a study in proportion and structure, its luminous enamel surface echoing the glow of minerals and molten earth. The collection serves as a visual glossary of “nature’s geometry,” designed for layered viewing along the staircase.
Wooden carvings inspired by Kerala’s dramatic snake boats, each form capturing the elegant taper, rhythmic paddling, and ceremonial beauty of Vallam Kali. The elongated silhouettes evoke unity, teamwork, and cultural pride. Their arrangement suggests the momentum of a race frozen in time.
Organic forms bloom across this sculptural terracotta mural, softening the minimal architecture with a gentle, natural rhythm. Each flower and leaf is hand-moulded, creating the impression of growth directly from the wall. The warm clay tones ground the space with earthiness and calm. Designed for outdoor placement, the mural is crafted in high-fired terracotta, chosen for its durability, weather resistance, and ability to age beautifully in open environments.
A playful terracotta installation inspired by the kinetic dance of flying fish. Each sculpted form captures a moment mid-flight, gliding above imaginary waves with buoyant grace. The work connects the home to its ocean-facing context, adding a sense of movement and delight to the balcony.
Terracotta birds suspended mid-flight form a sculptural frieze across the wall. The arrangement captures a flock’s rhythm, rising, turning, gliding. Their minimal silhouettes add movement without overpowering the architectural calm of the home.
Paired with these hand-moulded feeders that merge function with sculpture. Soft, organic contours invite birds to pause, drink, or feed, turning the outdoors into a living ecosystem.
This three storey project emerged not from a single brief but through sustained dialogue with the clients. The art designers spent considerable time with Rajni and Santhanam, in their three storey home, in conversation, in understanding the contours of their worldview. The initial design pegs were clear: mathematics (particularly the Golden Section), sustainability, Tamil Nadu’s cultural and ecological identity and their Indo-French sensibility inherited from decades connected to Saint-Gobain’s global vision.
Research became devotional practice. The team studied Tamil Nadu’s flora and fauna with scientific precision. They explored temple architecture and proportional systems. They investigated mangrove ecosystems species by species. The helix underwent conceptual evolution guided by the clients’ visual preferences and the building’s scale. The textile works emerged through multiple rounds of collaborative refinement, base maps drawn by hand, layouts tested and revised, color palettes adjusted to ensure clarity and legibility for all viewers.
Fact File
Designed by: Baaya Design
Project Type: Residential Interior Design
Project Name: Alai Osai
Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Year Built: 2024–2025
Duration of the Project: 2 Years
Project Size: 13750 Sq.ft.
Principal Designer: Shibani Dasgupta Jain
Team Design Credits: Baaya Design team
Photograph Courtesy: Jenseer Arch Photographer
Firm Website Link: Baaya Design
Instagram Link: Baaya Design
Facebook Link: Baaya Design
For Similar Project >> A Minimal Design With A Touch Of Wooden Palette And A Play Of Lines & Edges
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 […]
Pillar design is a cornerstone of architectural elegance, seamlessly blending structural support with aesthetic appeal. Our blog, “50 Best Pillar Design Inspirations,” celebrates this essential element, showcasing a variety of styles from classical Doric and Ionic to contemporary and avant-garde innovations. Whether you’re an architect, interior designer, or a design enthusiast, these pillar design inspirations […]
We have listed the 20 Best Architects and Designer in 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 aid you […]