A weave of culture and contemporary design, “Katha Tarana” is a four-bedroom residence based on the tales and stories of family traditions and generations. It is conceptualized from the idea of “Katha”, as in tales crocheted in the corners of the residence, and “Tarana”, as in a final abode, personalizing the residence to its inhabitants.
Set amidst Gurugram’s urban landscape, this residence is a bold splash of traditional heritage. Every design element and material showcases antiquity, timelessness, and endurance.
The house has four bedrooms, an ensuite bath, a family lounge, and two studies. One study, attached to the primary bedroom, is used as a home office, while the other serves as a study room for the kids. They were crafted along the family’s narration of carefully blending art elements to enhance the private and public spaces.
The project takes a refreshing approach by blending modern living with the family’s ancestral heritage through experimental spatial planning and innovative material use. Breaking away from the conventional preference for formal zones, the design emphasizes fluidity. Instead of rigid separations, the formal living room, drawing room, and dining area are connected by fabric-sandwiched screens. These adaptable partitions allow for a seamless transformation into a cohesive L-shaped space, redefining functionality to suit the family’s dynamic lifestyle.
The entrance lift lobby sets the tone for the home’s artistic narrative, featuring Girjesh Kumar Singh’s evocative installation “Often I Find Myself Near the Doors That Allow Me to Leave.” The sculptures, purposefully framed against a bespoke stone panel, embody introspection and transition. The grand entry door unveils warm wooden paneling adorned with organic forms in a linear elevation, fostering a harmonious connection between art and architecture. Brass inlays flow seamlessly across the flooring, accentuating curves that gently guide visitors through familiar pathways, blending form and function with thoughtful precision.
The entrance is also highlighted with a magnificent Shola and ceramic art from Untitled’s Shola Art series, symbolizing the ‘Tilak of Shiva’. Alongside the Shola, a door opens to the puja room, whose walls are graced with a contemporary version of Pahari miniature wall art developed through a collaboration with Padmashree awardee artist Jay Prakash.
The main 40-foot wall in the lounge is enlivened by a wooden marquetry mural from Mysore featuring horses fitted in traditional regalia. Wanting a flow in the space, the backdrop wall is crafted with Indian sandstone, and the panels are made of solid wood, creating a nice contrast. The Czechoslovakian pendant lights from Lightbox bring a touch of industrial elegance into the space. Another unique design element is the bold women-centric narrative highlighted through Kalighat paintings from West Bengal in the lounge area.
Adding a touch reminiscent of the family’s ancestral home, the traditional Indian stepwell “Chand Baori” visually strikes one as they enter the space. It symbolizes life, people, and creation.
Thoughtfully placed according to Vastu principles, where flowing water is required, it respects the family’s traditional beliefs and greets users while they enter the lounge and living areas. Following the footsteps of traditional Indian design, the house features a long corridor with an installation of five bricks with miniature architectural details placed atop a mural crafted from locally sourced Indian stone designed to enhance the bricks’ natural and organic forms, emphasizing the blend of artistic expression and architectural design this installation creates an engaging visual element that occupies when walking by.
Carrying forward the overriding narrative of amalgamating tradition and modernity, the design incorporates traditional motifs and materials in contemporary forms. For instance, being the attention seeker of the home, the Living area features marquetry panels with Indian stones that depict the Ashwagatha tale, honoring cultural narratives while maintaining a modern aesthetic.
The residence is thoughtfully planned to enhance each area’s functionality and aesthetic appeal. A truly capturing piece, the coffee table by Furgonomics, collaborated with the artist Ashok Acharya, is a masterpiece of art and craftsmanship. It is adorned with Jaisalmer stone, ceramic fragments, shimmering semi-precious jade, metal accents, and sand-blasted, distressed burnt wood. This table transforms the idea of a mural, shifting it from the confines of a wall to the expanse of its surface, inviting one to behold a tapestry of textures and stories. The table embodies the profound significance of each installation for the residents. The statement pear-shaped lighting—the silver ones from one of the family weddings and ceramic ones from an artist—adds a personalized touch, blending stories with contemporary art.
Art is not just limited to individual pieces; it also seeps into the interior design of the house. The spatial design and details speak highly of the cordial relationship between the client and architect – willfully designed through modern sensibilities infused with warmth and comfort on every wall.
The parents’ bedroom features a solid wood stepped detail installation and a functional storage shape in front of the bed, integrating modern design with practical needs. The house is bound with antique possessions, like columns from Kochi, which introduce a sense of intrigue in the primary bedroom foyer, beautifully contrasting with a textured brass door and antique consoles, Ensuring the family’s generational heritage is innovatively preserved. The bedroom layouts were carefully considered to maximize the views through the expansive verdure outside.
Each bedroom has bold features against a neutral backdrop, emphasizing the user’s personality. The multi-purpose units and sideboards showcase many Indian crafts, like Tarkaashi and Veneer Marquetry, and exhibit inimitable materials like exotic marbles and dyed veneers. The guest bedroom is adorned with soft tones in cane and wood, with an eye-catching cane-and-mirror installation on the bed back, created in collaboration with Priankya Narula, and a set of Gond paintings that bring color to the space.
These paintings combine storage unit doors with art to create a cohesive and meaningful aesthetic. Ornamental design elements, such as the vibrant wall installations by Ankon Mitra of Hexagram in the children’s room, are brought to life through Kirigami in Parchment Leather, adding Colour and Playfulness to the space.
Blending tradition and modernity, Katha Tarana tells the family’s ancestral tale through generations. This residence captures art, culture, and harmony with its stunning lighting, furniture, and interior design, epitomizing the perfect Modern Home.
Fact File
Project: Katha Tarana
Location: Gurugram
Built-up Area: 9000 Sq. Ft
Design Team: Untitled Design
Principal Architects: Amrita Guha & Joya Nandurdikar
Photo Credit: Untitled Design