Magnolia: A Tranquil Duplex Penthouse Sanctuary

Our approach for this duplex penthouse was to create a space that feels less like a city apartment and more like a retreat. We drew inspiration from the abstract expressionist Mark Rothko for the upper level, utilizing pigmented cement flooring and walls in muted tones that function as a canvas. This creates a quiet backdrop, allowing the natural light and the view to become the primary features.

Material honesty remains the core of our work. In this home, we avoided superficial finishes. The flooring features a combination of sandstone, Kota, and pigmented cement, which provides a cool, earthy underfoot experience. A key architectural element we introduced is the Tree of Life jali partition between the prayer room and the living section. The intricate leaf motifs cast shifting patterns when the lamps are lit, adding an element of play to the otherwise serene environment. The dining area is anchored by a live-edge wooden table, which serves as a central point for connection. We believe that a home should reflect the people living in it, so we prioritize these tactile, human-centric details over purely aesthetic choices. By removing non-load-bearing walls where possible, we opened up the flow, ensuring that the light moves freely across the home from morning to evening.