Aikam by 23 Degrees Design Shift is a home in Hyderabad that lives like an art gallery

Homes are increasingly becoming reflections of the people who inhabit them. Conceptualised and designed by Hyderabad-based architecture and design firm 23 Degrees Design Shift (23DDS), Aikam transcends the conventional blueprint of a house. Spread across 4,900 sq ft, it unfolds like a living gallery, layered with memories, personalities, and curated art at every turn. Rooted in the Sanskrit word Aikam, meaning ‘unity,’ the home embodies the coalescence of diverse tastes, aesthetic choices, and personal narratives of its inhabitants—Harika Reddy, her husband Sreedhar, and their two daughters, Medha and Misha. As the design team puts it, “Aikam is not merely a house to live in, but a house to feel, explore, and be inspired by every single day.”

A Canvas for Personal Expression

What sets Aikam apart is its remarkable ability to translate human personalities into physical spaces. The design firm has masterfully crafted a backdrop that showcases the family’s art collection while reflecting their individual characters. The home’s architecture employs thoughtful neutrality, with lime-plastered walls and Kota stone flooring creating a timeless canvas that develops a natural patina over time. This subtle backdrop allows the family’s art pieces and personalities to take center stage, emphasizing the transient nature of the space as it evolves with its inhabitants.

A Journey Through Art and Design

At the entrance, visitors are greeted by a powerful Garuda sculpture by Beruru, positioned on a granite console from Auroville. This cultural welcome sets the tone for the home’s narrative, which continues into the drawing room where a unique artwork—large, wooden-etched thumb impressions of each family member—celebrates familial bonds. The formal drawing room maintains a restrained elegance with minimalist furniture, while concealed behind full-height fluted wooden shutters lies Harika’s exquisite shoe collection, seamlessly blending personal treasures with architectural elements.

Living Spaces as Personal Galleries

Moving deeper into the home, the family living area emanates a relaxed atmosphere where the residents’ global art collection finds its prominent position. A wooden side table crafted from Venice’s historic pile foundations encased in resin offers guests a tangible piece of world history, while a custom wall clock and hand-chiselled basalt stone wall add elements of surprise and texture.

Sreedhar’s passion for mixology is celebrated through a sculptural 6 ft bar counter that extends from the living area. Constructed of wood with a concrete texture finish and silver pyrite countertop, its tapered design creates additional floor space while emphasizing its sculptural qualities. Vibrant accents appear in the form of a large artwork commissioned by Sri Lankan artist JC Rathnayake and minimalist red Italian stools.

Culinary Spaces with Artistic Flair

This sense of considered drama continues into the dry kitchen and dining areas. Bespoke materials such as beaten brass shutters, fluted concrete panels, and chipped Indian white marble inlays lend the space a tactile, layered aesthetic that feels both luxurious and grounded. A fluted glass cabinet, cleverly concealing the sink, brings both functionality and visual intrigue to the modern kitchen. The dry kitchen is reimagined with brass beaten cabinet shutters and a satin-finished brass breakfast counter apron crafted by Pondicherry-based artisan Aditya Manda.

A Sculptural Transition

The staircase connecting the two floors is more than just transitional—it’s experiential. Floating Kota stone treads rise in rhythm, while a marble landing supports a sculptural Hibiscus flower by artist Alex Davis, reinforcing the home’s dialogue between materiality and meaning. The upper floor houses the family’s private spaces, each bedroom thoughtfully designed to reflect its occupant’s personality and preferences.

Personal Sanctuaries

Harika’s bedroom captures her bold, outgoing spirit through dark tones and rich textures. Polished Kota flooring contrasts with sandblasted Kota-clad walls, creating a sophisticated backdrop for her love of art. A low-profile bed with a matte finish establishes a minimalist foundation, while a sculptural mirror adds artistic unpredictability. Her connection to nature is maintained through a perforated screen with plants that filter light while providing privacy.

Sreedhar’s bedroom presents a striking contrast—embracing simplicity and a nature-inspired palette of soft greys and wooden tones. The minimalist, low-profile wooden bed reflects his preference for austerity, while white plastered walls create a serene, uncluttered environment.

The daughters’ rooms embody their youthful energy and evolving tastes. Misha’s space embraces sophisticated greys, blacks, and whites, featuring a suspended stone side table personally curated by the young inhabitant. The focal point—a cantilevered bed—introduces a sense of gravity defiance and limitlessness.

Medha’s room celebrates vibrant pink and purple hues with Dholpur pink sandstone and plain white plastered ceiling. At its center is a configurable bed designed to adapt to her changing preferences, while a fluted glass cabinet and hand-painted wooden cupboard featuring a mountain landscape enhance the room’s tactile nature.

A Home That Evolves

Aikam’s greatest strength is its ability to seamlessly blend architectural discipline with personal storytelling. Designed like a museum of memory, the house blurs boundaries between art and living, between past and present, and between functionality and beauty. Every object, wall, surface, and piece of furniture is deliberately chosen and placed, not just for its aesthetic, but for the emotion it carries. By treating the home as a canvas for personal expression, 23 Degrees Design Shift has created a residence that is not just inhabited but felt, explored, and engaged with daily.

FACTFILE

Project Name: Aikam

Location: Hyderabad, India

Size: 4900 Sq.ft

Project Type: Residence

Designed by: 23 Degrees Design Shift

Architects: Ar. Srikanth Reddy (Co-founder & Partner), Ar. Neelesh Kumar (Co-founder & Partner), Ar. Raghuram (Partner)

Photography Credits: Ishita Sitwala

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