Ikigai House: Custom Interior Design & Adaptive Layouts in Mumbai

For the Ikigai House, our goal was to resolve the constraints of a large Mumbai apartment through precision joinery and honest materiality. We moved away from standard, static wall configurations, opting instead for sliding and pivoting panels finished in rattan and fluted glass. These elements allow the residence to act as a living canvas, expanding for large gatherings or contracting for quiet, solitary moments.

Craftsmanship and Materiality

The interior palette is deeply rooted in tactile experiences. We utilized reclaimed teak hardwood for the flooring, providing warmth that grounds the space. To counter the scale of the apartment, we introduced custom-designed furniture—notably the Channapatna-inspired coffee tables and four-poster beds—which inject a subtle, nostalgic artistry into the modern environment. The walls are treated with Venetian lime plaster, offering a textured, monolithic backdrop that captures light differently throughout the day.

The Role of Custom Joinery

Every storage unit, from the kitchen cabinetry to the bedroom wardrobes, was fabricated on-site. The suspended brass shelving in the dining area serves a dual purpose: it provides storage while functioning as a semi-transparent divider that connects the dining and living zones without visually boxing them in. This project demonstrates how thoughtful interior architecture can turn a standard apartment layout into a deeply personal, adaptable sanctuary.