Modern Interior Design for Open, Light-Filled Homes
I design interiors that use vertical volume and natural light to expand your living space. My approach prioritizes open-plan layouts and raw materials to ensure your home feels connected and breathable.
This multi-level interior is connected by a glass bridge, allowing light from the slatted skylight to reach the lower floors. The open design creates visual connections between different areas of the home, making it feel like one unified space.
A video tour of a minimalist apartment interior. I used a monochrome palette of polished white floors and grey concrete-finish walls, with long strips of LED lighting to emphasize the clean lines and create a seamless flow.
The main staircase in the Srivari residence, lit from a large slatted skylight above. I used recessed lighting along the stair stringer to create a warm glow and guide movement, turning a functional element into a sculptural feature.
A view from the dining area looking up towards a double-height space with an indoor planter. This opening allows light and a sense of nature to permeate the core of the home, connecting the living spaces with the floors above.
Looking down from an upper level in a Chennai house extension. The design incorporates a floating staircase and an indoor courtyard with a pebble garden, creating a dramatic, light-filled void at the center of the home.
A bridge with glass railings crosses a double-height space, connecting two parts of the upper floor. This feature maintains the sense of openness and allows uninterrupted views across the interior.
This living room is part of a double-height space, with a view up towards the staircase and upper-level passage. The high ceiling and minimalist furniture enhance the feeling of spaciousness and calm.
About this collection
A critical part of achieving this sense of openness is the careful placement of skylights and vertical voids. I often design double-height volumes that allow light to penetrate even the lower levels, turning passive spaces into central, sunlit features of the home.
The goal of an open-plan home is to remove visual barriers while maintaining functional zones. My process involves looking at the floor plate differently. Instead of static rooms, I map circulation paths to ensure that the living, dining, and kitchen areas flow seamlessly into one another.
When working with compact city plots in Bangalore, this is critical. I use structural elements like glass bridges and floating staircases to maintain continuity. These features keep the line of sight clear across the entire floor, making even smaller footprints feel substantial.
Light is the primary material I use to define these connections. A central courtyard or a strategically placed skylight does more than just illuminate; it anchors the space. I position these elements to track the sun's path, ensuring the interior mood shifts naturally throughout the day.
Material honesty is equally important. In these open spaces, you will see exposed concrete, corten steel, and natural wood. These textures provide a tactile quality that balances the lightness of the glass and white planes. By keeping the palette restrained, the architecture focuses on form and volume rather than decorative clutter.
I also prioritize the integration of nature, whether through an internal planter, a pool, or full-height glass openings that frame the outdoors. These choices improve cross-ventilation and keep the home cooler, which is vital for the local climate.
Sandesh Architects
Sandesh here. I design homes that prioritize open space, natural light, and clean lines. My approach is minimalist and focused on making your living environment feel connected, calm, and functional.
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