This is Kanso House, a zen home designed for a family of three that loves simplicity and thrives on celebrating family. The apartment, located in Mumbai, has calming views of the sea. Its beautiful large deck forms the perfect place to converge naturally and spend their time through different hours. There’s a powerful sense of calm, and everything is built around a purpose. This art of decluttering mimics the Japanese principle of Kanso, one of the seven principles of Zen philosophy, which means simplicity or purity.
Editor’s Note: “Inspired by Zen philosophy, this Mumbai residence radiates tranquillity with its serene design and calming ambience. Thoughtfully chosen tactile materials and a cohesive tonal palette create visual harmony, offering a soothing sense of comfort. The material selection seamlessly blends Indian design nuances with modern living, crafting a home that embodies both timeless elegance and contemporary warmth.” ~Simran Khare
This Zen Home Mimics One of the 7 Principles of Japanese Philosophy | Purple Backyard
Since the design studio Purple Backyard, with Kumpal Vaid at its helm, is known for its lived-in and meditative designs, the sync was almost instant.
The idea of pause and reflect is constant in this zen home. Kumpal wanted to use tactile materials yet stay tonal, and that tonal consistency is maintained absolutely through the use of textures and glass in partitions, not breaking away from the visual flow that makes this apartment like its namesake.
The project is also a deep dive into using and showcasing Indian art and crafts in small doses, blending their absolute beauty with a utilitarian canvas.
One also finds the use of a lot of Indian stones in various areas, like Indian black limestone for the bathroom, Kota stone for the deck, and silver stone elsewhere—all adding to the grace of the spaces.
The house is divided into private and open spaces with the help of simple sliders, forming a quiet light panel towards the evening.
The three users and their everyday activities provide the context around which the apartment is built. You can see each of their personalities in their private spaces, though there’s a singular flow that connects the whole space, forming one design language.
Kumpal was very conscious of the colours that were used and repeated throughout the house. Since the accent colour for this house is black, it makes the space not only very interesting but also very contemporary in nature.
But the most stunning character is the ‘silent red’. This makes its presence felt in more places than one across the house.
It also adds a fun and quirky element to the minimal ambience. Another conversation piece is the stone frame in the living room that reads “Kanso” in Japanese. Additionally, those pieces were etched by each worker on site, including Kumpal.
It is almost like the artist’s signature in a painting. Furthermore, looking at it just warms the heart as you feel everyone’s involvement in creating this zen space.
Houses are a reflection of the people who live in them (and those who help create them). Moreover, this house is a beautiful idea of exactly that celebration of family and simplicity.
Fact File
Designed by: Purple Backyard
Project Type: Residential Interior Design
Project Name: Kanso House
Location: Mumbai
Year Built: 2024
Project Size: 4000 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Kumpal Vaid
Photograph Courtesy: Ishi Sitwala
Firm’s Website Link: Purple Backyard
Firm’s Instagram Link: Purple Backyard
For Similar Projects >> Apartment Interior Design With Warm Earthy Palette Of Materials, Textures, And Colors
It’s a calming haven with warm tone colors amidst the hustle and bustle of the city of Faridabad. The couple envisioned a calm, warm, and serene space for themselves, and the designers brought that vision to life in this beautiful 3500 sq. ft. home. As soon as you enter this home, you step directly into […]
Our project, “Humble Abode”, is a creation where individual tastes intersect with cozy interiors & timeless beauty, reflecting the owner’s lifestyle and taste. The design blends art with functionality, giving justice to each corner. The main goal was to create a home that feels warm, spacious and personal. We followed a contemporary design approach. Clean […]
This residence unfolds as a seamless spatial experience orchestrated by minimalism, materiality, and meaning. Crafted around a central design ambition: to create a home that feels like a continuous, unified expanse, while preserving the distinct functionality of each space. This interplay of openness and separation became the guiding principle of the design. This Residence Unfolds […]
“Earthy Escape,” designed by Royal Home Spaces, is the epitome of modern sophistication with earthy tones palette, tailored functionality, and personal charm. Every space within this 3-bedroom apartment in Mumbai is crafted to reflect the distinct personalities of its residents while maximizing comfort and style. In the heart of Bandra, this elegantly crafted home by […]
The design philosophy behind Bayit, a contemporary house interiors, is rooted in the belief that a home should be both a sanctuary and a true reflection of its inhabitants. Guided by principles of simplicity, functionality, and emotional resonance, the design steers away from excess and focuses on creating a sense of calm through clarity and […]
A quiet 3000 sq ft home in Hyderabad, designed by Nilasha, founder and principal architect at Studio Nilasha, unfolds in soft whites and beiges, where texture tells the story. Designed for a young couple, the home embraces a muted palette not as a backdrop but as a deliberate focus. Inviting the eye to focus on […]
This home embraces an indoor-outdoor connection with window seating design in each room. A small family dreams of a home high above the city, nestled in the tallest skyscraper of Kolkata, The 42, on the 45th floor. They seek a space filled with warmth and vibrant hues, where every bedroom opens up to sweeping views […]
Step into a beautifully designed home “The Springtime Abode”, embracing simple home interior design where aesthetic charm seamlessly blends with purposeful design. Crafting an entrance that is both a statement and a sanctuary. This stunning hallway has lovely beautiful wallpaper. The floral pattern on the wall creates a lively atmosphere, making it the perfect entrance to […]
KAIA is a home where modern minimalism interior design meets soulful warmth, a serene sanctuary for a family of five in an upscale Bangalore apartment. From our very first meeting with the clients, we realised that they were well-prepared and deeply invested in finding the perfect design partner. Having explored multiple design firms, they sought […]
Situated in the vibrant CBD Belapur area of Navi Mumbai, the Ganga Niwas Penthouse – a duplex house interior design by Studio Amalgam is an architectural statement that balances luxurious living with a deep respect for its environment. This duplex penthouse is thoughtfully designed to embrace the natural beauty of its surroundings, the calm backwaters […]