LAYERED DELIGHT: SMALL CAN BE BIG! SHE SAID.

At their studio-cum-residence in Greater Noida, the young architect couple Gaurav Kapoor and Neha Bhardwaj, who are the founders of layers – studio for design and architecture, have created a brand identity that is characterized by inventiveness and a touch of humor. atmosphere that is joyful and a young feel that is peppered with details that are fascinatingly pop-artish, brilliant splashes of color, texturally rich materials, and an abundance of natural light… provides a departure from the conventional white-wall, regular-furniture, and art-filled house; it engages one almost immediately with places that excite, provoke, and even cause one to preen! Some of the eccentric elements that lend character to their home include works of art such as a cycle mural made from parts of their santro car and enfield thunderbird bike, a hand-painted storage cabinet featuring characters from the’snood’ computer game, a light fixture made out of ‘nescafe’ jars, or a wall art sketch. These are just some of the examples. The space was once a 1,550 square foot apartment that had three bedrooms, two balconies, a living-dining area, a kitchen, a storage room, and a powder room. However, when it is required, it can be turned into a cozy and hospitable studio-cum-residence that is strategically linked. “With minimal civil intervention, where punctured walls are fitted with windows; flexible furniture – foldable tables, collapsible bed, pop-up breakfast counter and the like,” the apartment that has been spatially enhanced now houses a master bedroom that is similar to a suite, a work studio, and a flexi “room of requirement” that can be converted into a guest room, a meeting room for studio, or an empty space depending on the need! Their greatest annoyance is that the little balconies that are just forty square feet in size have been transformed into vibrant green areas that include cantilevered planters and benches, as well as a green wall system that honors simple gardening equipment as pieces of visual joy. With a story written in practically every corner and cranny, the apartment is a shining example of how a little bit of creativity can go a long way in transforming simple concepts into a delightful aesthetic statement, particularly one that encourages development. Indiaartndesign.com has photographs of the house that you may see by clicking here.