Located within a suburb of Mumbai, India, the Vaulted Monochrome Haus, designed by DIG Architects, merges a monochromatic color palette with minimalist aesthetics and cozy elegance. The 4,300-square-foot residence is designed for a family of four – comprising a finance entrepreneur, a Ph.D. scholar, and their two adult children pursuing studies abroad – masterfully balancing social functionality with personal comfort.
Having collaborated with the clients on previous projects, DIG Architects entered the design process with an established rapport and mutual understanding. This trust empowered the architects to push creative boundaries, drawing inspiration from structural forms. The vaulted ceiling became the project’s defining feature, harmonizing architectural intent with aesthetic purity. Complementing this central theme, materials such as gabion walls, frosted glass bricks, and Ceppo De Gre stone were integrated to evoke a cohesive yet strikingly unique environment.
The apartment’s layout, while largely retaining its original structure, underwent strategic adjustments to enhance spatial efficiency. A guest bedroom was repurposed into a study, allowing for an expanded primary suite with a spacious walk-in closet. The living area, envisioned as a central social hub, connects to auxiliary spaces like a custom-designed bar and an open kitchen, emphasizing inclusivity and interaction.
From the entrance, visitors are greeted by an interplay of light and texture. A frosted glass brick partition, which diffuses light into soft, ambient glows, separates the entrance from the bar. The living room, a voluminous rectangular space, features a subdivided vaulted ceiling that adds depth and character. This area serves as the heart of the home, accommodating relaxed gatherings, dining, and even film screenings with ease.
Adjacent to the living space, the dining area is intentionally designed to foster social connections, with sightlines encouraging interaction. Overhead, the Moon lighting pendant by Davide Groppi becomes a centerpiece, adding an ethereal quality to the room.
True to its name, the Vaulted Monochrome Haus employs a grayscale palette, accented by Ceppo De Gre marble – a rugged stone rarely used in Indian interiors. This monochromatic scheme is brought to life with strategic pops of greenery, which introduce vitality and warmth into the space. Every detail, from the sandwiched metal mesh in the cabinetry to the oak veneer in the study, reflects an intentional minimalism that prioritizes functionality without compromising elegance.
The private quarters carry forward the overarching theme while embracing individual identities. The primary bedroom exudes sophistication with its four-poster bed framed by a backlit installation of frosted glass bricks. Sliding partitions offer versatile configurations, blending functionality with design ingenuity. Meanwhile, the daughter’s room, a departure from the gray-dominated aesthetic, features a predominantly white palette, embodying brightness and softness.
Transforming conceptual elements like vaults into tangible forms posed significant challenges. The ceilings required bespoke templates for precision, while integrated lighting demanded innovative solutions to maintain the purity of design. Similarly, creating sliding wall systems to address spatial conflicts in the primary bedroom showcased the architects’ problem-solving prowess.
For more on DIG Architects, visit digarch.net.
Photography by Ishita Sitwala.
