Designed by AB Design, this Kolkata residence is shaped through thoughtful spatial planning, subtle material palettes, and a refined interpretation of contemporary living.
Set within the dense urban fabric of Kolkata, Solace is a thoughtful transformation of an existing 1,850 sq. ft. residence by Aanchal Bhuwalka, Principal Architect, AB Design. While the original structure was complete, the home lacked a sense of warmth and connection in everyday living. Reimagined for a family of three, the project focuses on creating calm, uncluttered spaces that feel intuitive, functional, and deeply personal.
This project addresses that gap, transforming the built shell into a space that feels intuitive, calm, and closely aligned with the rhythms of everyday life. The clients, a family of three, approached the project with a clear and grounded vision. They wanted a home that felt effortless and uncluttered, where each space could breathe. Rather than seeking a strong stylistic statement, they prioritised comfort, familiarity, and continuity. Their daughter, who led the design coordination, played a key role in shaping this direction, ensuring that every decision reflected how the family would live in space over time.
What followed was a comprehensive transformation. While the structural shell and flooring were retained, nearly every other layer of the home was revisited. Ceilings were redesigned, lighting strategies were reworked, walls were reimagined, and all furniture elements were custom-developed. This level of intervention required careful sequencing and clarity in execution, especially as the family temporarily relocated during construction. Working within a defined timeline, the design process balanced efficiency with detail, ensuring that the outcome remained cohesive despite the scale of change.
Materiality plays a central role in shaping the home’s atmosphere. Matte finishes are used across surfaces, allowing light to diffuse softly and reducing visual glare. This creates a calm and consistent backdrop. Within this restrained palette, select elements introduce depth and character. In the living area, a custom rug and a carefully chosen artwork add texture and colour, anchoring the space without overwhelming it.
The furniture language follows soft, fluid lines, avoiding rigid forms. This sense of continuity extends across the home, where the living, dining, and foyer areas flow into one another. Instead of physical partitions, transitions are defined through subtle shifts in material, colour, and furniture placement. A dining sideboard, for instance, picks up tones from the living room rug, quietly tying the spaces together. Each room reflects its user while staying connected to the overall design language. The daughter’s bedroom introduces a tropical wallpaper with muted green tones, adding a layer of personality within the home’s restrained palette. The father’s room is more minimal, focused on essential elements and clarity. In the son’s bedroom, a custom glass display unit showcases his shoe collection, turning storage into a personal feature within the space.
Subtle layering plays a key role in enriching the interiors. In the living room, a marble backdrop behind the television introduces natural variation through its veining, adding depth without overwhelming the space. Upholstered wall panels and fabric elements bring in tactility, softening edges and enhancing comfort. Functional features are seamlessly integrated within the design, such as a concealed bar unit that remains visually unobtrusive until in use. Each element is considered in relation to the whole, contributing to a cohesive spatial language. The den offers a more relaxed and expressive environment within the home. Custom shelving in metal and glass allows personal objects to be displayed with intention, creating a layered visual composition. A bespoke rug and carefully selected furniture define this space as one for gathering and unwinding, reinforcing its role as an informal social hub.
Solace ultimately demonstrates how a home can be reshaped through clarity of intent and precision in execution. By removing excess and focusing on what truly supports everyday living, the project creates an environment that feels intuitive, cohesive, and deeply personal.
