Designed by Studio IAAD, the Elevate Clubhouse in Gurugram is a retreat defined by contemporary minimalism and quiet luxury, where layered textures and material nuance create an understated yet indulgent social environment.
Studio IAAD has designed the Elevate Clubhouse in Gurugram as a refined expression of contemporary minimalism anchored in quiet luxury. Spanning an expansive 32,000 sq. ft., the clubhouse is thoughtfully organised into three distinct zones: social, health, and retail, where each zone is tailored to the lifestyle of an elite residential community.
Conceived as a plush yet understated retreat, the design responds closely to the client’s brief of creating a sophisticated environment where residents can unwind and recharge. A restrained palette, layered textures, and nuanced material interplay define the spatial experience, allowing subtle details to take centre stage. Through a careful balance of proportion, tactility, and elegance, the clubhouse delivers a calm, immersive atmosphere that feels both luxurious and effortlessly contemporary.
Divided into three functional areas: retail, social club, and health club, the clubhouse encompasses a range of spaces meant to foster interaction and instill a touch of grandeur. The ground floor of the social club houses the reception, restaurant, bar, and private dining area, collectively termed the “Living Room.” Encased in glass, the two private dining areas are inserted into the seams, which open out to the serene water feature. The mezzanine level includes a business centre, a kids’ play area, a kids’ gaming lounge, and a mini-plex.
The design process faced key challenges when two important areas were added after the initial layout had already been established. First, the addition of the private dining area involved considerable retrofitting to incorporate an air-conditioning system. The solution involved discreetly running the AC ducts through a vertical shaft in a functionally efficient and aesthetically subtle manner, ensuring that the private dining area maintained its luxurious ambience without visible disruptions. Second, the business centre, added on the mezzanine floor, was a response to the shift in client needs due to the rise of remote work in the post-pandemic era. This addition is enhanced by a large balcony, which provides stunning views of the restaurant and helps create a sense of spaciousness throughout the mezzanine. Another challenge was that the kids’ play area, initially planned without windows, lacked natural light. Strategically placed fenestrations illuminated the area, helping to create an open, airy, and welcoming environment for children.
The design incorporates an earthy material palette that complements the exterior. The careful placement of art pieces maintains a timeless luxury while evoking a speakeasy’s intimate, secretive vibe. This layered material palette contrasts the red sandstone exterior, balancing elegance with a grounded, textured quality. Sculptures by Mukul Goyal that look towards the sky on the outdoor seating area overlooking the water feature add cultural and visual depth to the space.
Creating a sense of continuity throughout the spaces, the expansive ceiling of the double-height Living Room on the ground floor fosters openness and grandeur. At the same time, the mezzanine balcony offers a dynamic vantage point overlooking the restaurant below. This strategic use of verticality enhances the spatial experience, ensuring a feeling of connectivity across different levels of the clubhouse. The business centre on the mezzanine floor further accentuates this sense of continuity. Carpeted throughout, the space blurs the boundary between the club’s social and professional functions, creating an environment that seamlessly adapts to both leisure and work. This thoughtful approach reflects the evolving needs of a modern, elite clientele, providing a multifunctional area that accommodates both relaxation and productivity.
The design philosophy centres around contemporary minimalism, and each material choice has been carefully selected to embody quiet luxury and sophistication. The interiors combine various textures to create a tactile experience, with warm wood flooring complementing the clay-clad walls. Botticino stones clad the columns in the living room, while fluted clay tiles cover the walls, embracing subtlety. Curvilinear furniture complements the softness of the materials, creating a natural flow that invites comfort without sacrificing style. The accent pieces enhance the plush feel of the space, offering both comfort and exclusivity. Backlit stone discs on the staircase create an ethereal glow, enhancing the luxurious yet earthy vibe. A key design feature is the art collection on the walls. Each piece is selected for its aesthetic value and how it contributes to the clubhouse’s overall narrative. These art pieces, reused from the model apartment designed earlier, play a significant role in establishing the space’s sophisticated tone.
The Elevate Clubhouse is a testament to sophisticated design, blending minimalism with luxurious materiality and spatial planning. By addressing functional needs through thoughtful interventions, the design not only resolves challenges but also elevates the overall experience of the space. The expansive spatial arrangements, carefully curated textures, and a focus on luxury provide an exclusive and timeless environment ideally suited for the elite clientele it intended to serve.
