Ar. Prateek’s Smart Home

The French Connection Residence

By: Ar. Rudraksh Charan & Ar. Priyanka Khanna 42MM ARCHITECTURE

In this French-inspired home, the spectator is spellbound right at the entrance by a regal wrought iron door with motifs finished in gold leaves.

The use of gold was intrinsic to the design as it preserves the shine and adds timelessness to it. On entering the home one walks into a light-filled gallery, this gracious entrance hall extends to a central foyer which is essentially the heart of the house. The common zones are embellished with elements, carefully crafted & curated to create a unique ethos of the space. Every bedroom is

designed to embody an individual’s lifestyle and choices without deviating from the classical design lines. The house possesses a unique and trendy character, enhanced by polished marble floors, decorative ceilings, and ornately carved furniture. The exquisite use of stone, mouldings, and carvings offers the occupants an experience of living in palatial luxury combined with the comforts of home.

The Client’s Vision:

The client is well-travelled and accustomed to various luxuries around the globe. His vision for his house was to create a space that blends the line between sophisticated luxury living and the liberating nature of being home. Mr. Prateek is passionate about procuring statement pieces of furniture, lights, or gadgets that make any space unique and amplifies a representation of oneself.

A timeless translation of luxury nurtures the solace of this 20000sqft household.

The classical French style was the perfect take as it returns to tradition and comfort yet does not compromise on style and glamour. Every space allows for a picturesque frame that captivates the beholder’s eyes. The client’s multivalent excursions nurtured his urge to own a house that defines luxury without compromising on the warmth & coziness in a home. This manor holds many world-inspired architectural elements and elegant design details to create a rich and formal look.

The Scope of Work:

42MM approached this project by first developing the style for the project. The design process was to create a reflection of the end-user. An aspiration to understand, interpret and reflect the client’s personality into the built form is what embeds meaning to any house. Once the volume is formulated to complement the client’s lifestyle while enhancing the overall living experience, the indepth detailing of each space begins. The design emphasis lies highly on spatial arrangement/ planning. Here the crafting of every encounter between the individual and the built form is created. An overall story reflects within the experiences designed on the walls, ceiling, and flooring. Automations Integrated: This elegant French mansion is brought into the 21st century with the use of various automation throughout the dwelling. The intensity of light and air- conditioning can be controlled with a simple tap on the smartphone. Each washroom/bath is equipped with electronic diverters, a smart water closet, and an audio-video media system. The automation and

electronic fixtures provide a high level of comfort and control to customize the ambiance settings according to various times of the day & personal preferences. Perfect collaboration with various teams, including a smart home system integrator, led to the execution of this house, a well-balanced haven between classical & modern times. Spoon Lighting Consultants executed the complete lighting design, and the luxury brand Kohler’s products were equipped with the home’s electronic devices/fittings. Various other local vendors and artists worked together to achieve the finished look.

Eventual Outcomes:

The most challenging aspect of the project was the short duration in which it needed to be completed. A target of full-scale interiors for an area of 20,000sqft, in a short span of 1.5 years maintaining luxurious standards was achieved. The site execution team meticulously worked 24*7 till the handover of the project. The work was distributed into different packages to ensure

different people could work on different aspects of the project at the same time. Persistent work and artistic detail for a long duration of time was the main completion strategy.

Client’s Feedback :

The client was extremely ecstatic about his vision taking shape. He proudly boasts that his manor features unique pieces of art that represent his style and also allows sufficient scope for any future artistic possessions. Mr. Prateek often describes his home as a dream come true.

Final Takeaway:

“The key learning in this project is that short timelines do not pose a challenge, provided the execution stages are well planned. The key to increasing efficiency is to identify the critical stages of the project. Then understand the verticals/ aspects that can function independently, while ensuring that the quality is not compromised”, concludes Ar. Rudraksh Charan & Ar. Priyanka Khanna. Ar. Priyanka Khanna & Ar. Rudraksh Charan 42MM ARCHITECTURE