For Sanchit Arora, principal architect at Studio Renesa, cohesive apartment design does not end at making the space aesthetically sound. It also integrates the homeowner’s desires and ambitions while digging deep to uncover the cultural roots of a space. "For us, good interior design is when the residential interiors resonate with the people who inhabit it, offering them a sense of belonging and a connection to both the past and the future," he tells STIR. It seemed fitting then, for the design of House of Gond in Pune—home to Monica Gaur, Indian architect and interior designer turned fashion designer (and Arora’s aunt) who nurtures a deep admiration for Kerala’s traditional art and Indian craftsmanship—to strike the balance between time-honoured Indian aesthetics and a contemporary approach to bring to life the rich and open charm of Kerala in an urban setting.

When tracing the works of Arora, a pattern for creating sensorial and immersive spaces with an earthy aesthetic emerges, evident in one of their notable projects—a tactile retail store in New Delhi (called The Brick Bond) that both sell bricks and spotlights it in the residential architecture. However, that is not all. For the minds behind Studio Renesa, it is common practice to integrate a cultural essence into the design of a space, infusing depth and dimension into it. Theirs is a method that not only accumulates in layers but fully unifies with the concept. “Our process is one of integration, where each element is meticulously curated to tell a cohesive story of past and present,” explains Arora. Evident in the teak wood carvings, Chettinad columns and Karaikudi tile patterns right from the entrance, the wooden interiors reveal a rich and immersive vocabulary that builds on the warmth of materiality and the nostalgia of traditional design.

Built along a linear axis that leads from the foyer to the master bedroom with other public and private zones peppered along this spine, the home’s central corridor features vibrant black-and-white chequered stone flooring, cast in situ and reminiscent of Athangudi tiles. Chettinad columns flank this path, curating an evocative experience that takes viewers back in time to an era when intricate carvings and meticulously detailed woodwork lent an aura of awe to any space.

Hosting a celebration of artistry and Indian craftsmanship that adorns not just the walls but can also be found in the details of each curated piece of furniture—orchestrating a mid-century modern aesthetic—every single element here bolsters the experiential narrative of the home. “Each piece has a story to tell, contributing to the lived-in and storied feel of the space,” Arora relays to STIR. The traditional art pieces sourced from various corners of India by the homeowner during her extensive travels—such as the large pots from Rajasthan to antique masks and statues from Kochi, Mumbai and Pune—infuse the home with a sense of history and cultural belonging. “Together, these details weave a tapestry of the diverse cultures thriving across India within the walls of this Pune home,” says Arora.

For an atmosphere that is at once expansive and intimate, Arora balances the old and the new, while maximising the architecture of the apartment for abundant sunlight and ventilation, allowing the rooms to spotlight the vintage touches rather than be overwhelmed by them. The three bedrooms are modestly designed, all adorned with teak and rattan elements that create warm and inviting sanctuaries, in line with the rest of the home. Pichwai upholstery complements the deep wooden ceilings throughout the residential design, tethering the spaces together while traditional Gond artworks add vibrant colours to the composition.

Although reflecting the cultural depth of Kerala’s architecture and heritage, the visually stunning and culturally rich home attempts to resonate with the contemporary spirit of Pune with the conveniences of modern living, exemplifying the design firm’s commitment to crafting spaces deeply connected to cultural roots. Architecture can transcend time and in this apartment in Pune, a sense of belonging becomes apparent through a connection to the past and an openness to the future.

Project Details

Name: House of Gond
Location: Pune, India
Typology: Interior Design
Client: Monica Gaur
Architect: Sanchit Arora (Principal Architect | Concept Design Head)
Design Team: Nitansh Tandon, Virender Singh, Navdisha Kukreja, Sanjay Arora, Mallika Khanna
Collaborators:
Lighting: White Lighting Solutions
Furniture: Studio Fragments
Flooring: Parman Designs
Artwork: Mayank Goyal
Contractor: Talib Saifi
Area: 3000 sqft
Year of Completion: 2023-24