Renata is a Bengaluru home where global elegance meets local charm, thoughtfully designed by Studio GSA to reflect a crosscultural lifestyle.
Matching global aspirations to local traditions has become a hallmark of contemporary designs, where spaces are shaped not just by personal histories but broader cultural influences as well. Renata is an embodiment of this fusion. Home to Prof. Das, a Harvard Business School Professor, and his wife, Sunitha, it is a reflection of the couple’s daily routines, their intellectual personalities and their lifestyle that spans continents. Its design, rooted in Bengaluru’s artistic spirit and informed by Bostonian sensibilities for modern and functional spaces, celebrates this duality, giving Renata both a cosmopolitan yet intimate personal touch.
This 4,015 sq ft. ground-floor apartment serves as both a sanctuary during the couple’s work trips and a gathering space for family. Critical to the brief was connection to family, Bangalorean roots and Bostonian lifestyle. “The clients were clear from the start: the kitchen had to be the heart of the home,” says Santosh Belani, Co-Founder, Studio GSA. “They wanted a space that encouraged togetherness, one where family and friends could gather effortlessly, much like their Boston home.” Their vision materialises in the form of a chic, open-kitchen, adorned by a striking Bocci chandelier, whose fluid shapes and colours are inspired by a cherished Murano glass artefact.
For the architects, the design presented an intriguing challenge: its ground floor location with an opening on one side required innovative ways to maximise natural light into the space. This was accomplished by strategically replacing a solid wall with glass to establish a direct connection with the garden beyond. The inclusion of reflective polished marble flooring further amplified the penetration of light into the space, thereby enhancing its overall ambiance. In the foyer and dining area, textured basalt walls transform the appearance and atmosphere of the space as the nature of light on their surface changes. To preserve the space’s sculptural essence, a projector and a drop-down screen have been discreetly mounted along the glass panel.
Light, both natural and artificial, serves as a dynamic storytelling tool within the residence. Seepi, a wall light sculpture by Sailesh Rajput casts soft hues that shift with the daylight, while an Olie pendant at the reading corner of the living room complements the artistic qualities of the space. The overall architectural ambiance of the space is further elevated through a carefully planned automation system that allows for controlled lighting moods from morning through night.
At Renata, art and sculpture are not merely decorative elements, but intentional and meaningful pieces that are woven into the client’s everyday life. The Murano artefact, Saraswati sculpture in the dining area and Mahishasura Mardini panel in the garden, holds profound spiritual and personal significance to the clients. The Ripple wall art by Celestile and Manchaha Carpet by Jaipur Rugs fit into the space, bringing a sense of continuity and connection to the clients’ intellectual and modern life. Serpentine chair by Escape Creatomy and a bespoke bench and TV console from Magari, further setting the tone, inviting guests to explore the subtle integration of art and everyday living.
The material palette is thoughtfully layered to balance natural textures and colours. A cool grey marble floor works in harmony with textured basalt stone, while the grey monotones serve to highlight the lush green outdoor space and maximise natural light. The choice of stone and inlay patterns carved into it not only lends the space an artistic, timeless elegance, but also defines pauses throughout the space, offering an intimate exploration of the textures. The stoic nature of the stone is softened by fluid furniture shapes and organic textiles, adding much-needed warmth and comfort to the space.
In terms of functionality, the design caters to the clients needs for easy maintenance and monitoring of the space when they are abroad. Stateof-the-art automation systems, security measures, and access control features, are seamlessly integrated into the services, ensuring safety and security of the home.
The ultimate goal of Renata’s design was to craft a space that feels like a sanctuary—a place that is reminiscent of the clients’ Boston home yet imbued with a distinctly Bangalorean warmth and authenticity. “Its transformation—ushered by light, textures and materials”, as described by Gaurav Panjwani, Co-Founder, Studio GSA, “from a blank canvas, to a living, artistic and visual experience is a testament to design that can transcend beyond mere aesthetics and become a deeply personal experience.” Renata is a celebration of the beauty of life’s everyday moments, and its design is an expression of the people who dwell within.
Photographer: Nayan Soni
