Split-Level Home Design and Interiors
We use split-level layouts to define different zones in your home, creating distinct areas for living, working, and resting without the need for walls. This approach keeps your space open and allows natural light to flow freely.
The three levels of this home are connected by a custom, climbing bookcase that serves as the focal point. The wide steps double as informal seating, making the entire transitional space functional and inviting.
Here, the living and dining spaces are visually linked but separated by a change in floor level. This creates a clear distinction between the zones while maintaining an open, connected feel throughout the home.
A wider view of the split-level layout, showing how the lower living area with its warm orange sofa relates to the upper dining level. Bay windows on both levels ensure the entire space is filled with natural light.
This staggered bookcase is built into the transitional space between floors, turning a simple staircase into a home library. The design follows the climb of the steps, integrating storage seamlessly into the architecture.
The dining area is set on its own level, with a custom hexagonal table and views out to the surrounding trees. The double-height ceiling and hanging beams above add a sense of scale and architectural interest.
The upper-level landing in this duplex apartment acts as a gallery space for art. The simple black metal railing and dark flooring create a strong contrast with the white walls, guiding movement through the home.
Another perspective of the upper landing, showing the interplay of art, doorways, and the staircase railing. I design these circulation spaces not just as paths, but as thoughtful moments within the home.
From the living room, you can look across to the bay window seating of the dining area, set at a higher level. This is a key example of how I create visual connections across different functional zones.
About Multi-Level Sanctuaries
In Mumbai apartments where square footage is at a premium, we don't build solid walls to separate rooms. Instead, we adjust floor levels to define living, dining, and working zones. This technique keeps the floor plan open, allows light to travel deeper into the core of your home, and gives every corner a distinct function without making the space feel boxed in.
Breaking a single floor plate into levels is often the smartest way to organize an apartment. We use this approach to create transitions that feel natural. By raising a dining area or lowering a living pit, we create visual hierarchy. The level change acts as a boundary, allowing us to keep the ceiling lines continuous. This is crucial for smaller footprints, as it maintains the sense of a larger, unbroken volume while providing the intimacy of a defined room.
Our approach starts with a structural assessment. We analyze the slab and service lines to see where we can play with levels. Whether it is creating a raised bay window for reading or a sunken lounge to ground the family area, these interventions are always intentional.
In the 'Multilevel House' featured here, we used a staggered staircase that doubles as a library, connecting three levels into one flowing space. By integrating bookshelves directly into the transition between floors, the staircase becomes a functional hub rather than just a path. Similarly, in our 'Pink Marble House', the upper landing uses a simple metal railing to overlook the main living area, preserving the connection between private retreat and social hub. If you are looking to re-imagine a duplex or a compact home, this structural approach might be the solution to your layout constraints.
SML Architects
We are SML Architects. We focus on creating homes that feel like sanctuaries, using split-level layouts to carve out quiet spots in the middle of Mumbai’s noise. For us, architecture is about how you move through a space, ensuring every step feels thoughtful and purposeful.
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