ABM design the interior common spaces and enhance the façade of a prominent building in Bandra, Mumbai

While the bones of this iconic residential building in central Bandra, Mumbai were designed by the client’s team, they invited ABM to tackle the finishing packages. These areas included the ‘garden lounge’, pool, driveway, hardscape, part façade, gym and terrace.

As one enters the gate and moves down the basalt stone finished driveway, they are greeted by the oversized pots that are used strategically to camouflage the compound wall and neighboring building. The palette of the space is kept grey to allow the landscape elements to stand out. A canopy designed by ABM at the entrance of the building protects the car lift doors against the weather. ABM designed the façade to be simple, yet practical: wooden fins go up the length of the building front and sides to hide the parking floors with stone cladding forming the backdrop. The remainder of the building is painted shades of grey. A similar design language carries through to the main drop off lobby space which is lit by a dramatic 6-foot large light custom designed exclusively for this space.

Tall wooden entrance doors mark the threshold of the interiors. The entrance lobby is designed to allow for residents and visitors to flow naturally towards the elevators. A beautiful glass wavy light follows from the door to the elevators. While the flooring is marble and walls are clad with white veneer paneling. Seating is limited to a single sofa, behind which we have used Miller Ink Graphics’ prints.

The ‘garden lounge’ and pool can be accessed from this lobby. Located at the rear of the building it is a private secluded space for the residents to use for meetings, parties, games and to relax. The lounge is designed to be utilitarian and comfortable with conventional seating arrangement in the center, a small open pantry-bar and a wooden display ledge. Glass doors to allow for openness, transparency and light. Wooden fins are introduced as an element as a continuation from the lobby.

A large picture window above the ledge allows for the landscape to peak in; it also hides the surrounding buildings. The ceiling is clad in wood and adorned with a customized chandelier. Artefacts like a chess board, chess pieces, oversized lamps, books, lanterns, plants and sculptures are carefully chosen to accentuate the space. A large horizontal graphic designed by Miller Ink Graphics hangs above the pantry-bar.

The lounge looks onto the pool and jacuzzi which is designed for leisure as well as exercise. A water cascade feature is integrated into the landscape around the pool. An oversized mirror hung in the interstitial space between the pool and lounge reflects these spaces. The spaces flow into each other blurring the lines between inside and out.
As we move up, the gym and games floor split the parking and residential floors. In the gym, a similar design language is followed with a grey, white and black color palette.

In the lobby, black marble lines follow the angled floor plate enhancing its geometry and flow. The gym flooring being vinyl is also grey, however, here too, black lines break the monotony. The gym ceiling is fragmented by the structure and to augment the coves, they are painted blue. Photographic prints of athletes are hung.

The terrace is most spectacular at dusk. While the sun sets a soft glow illuminates the space. A Brinda Miller ‘Cartpet’ hangs at the entrance. While the lobby area is only partly covered the rest of the terrace is exposed to the elements. The terrace is split into two parts: one is the sea facing space for repose equipped with a bar and the other the city facing space for dining and yoga. Resilient finishes such as natural stone, exterior grade wood and outdoor furniture are used. The landscape integrates well into the space and is used strategically to synchronize with the seating.

FACT FILE:

Principal Architect: Alfaz Miller assisted by Aahana Miller
Design Team: Sachin Chavan, Rita Khare, Pradnya Naik, Shahid Shaikh, Nikita Parwekar, Junaid Sayed
Landscape: Sanket Damane
Contractor: Grace Interiors and Bhakar Interiors
Photographer: Talib Chitalwala