Sibling Revelry

- Devyani Jayakar

 Combining the best of two worlds - both the traditional and the contemporary, is the mantra for many Indian families. It was no surprise, then, that Pooja and Neil Parekh of The Company of Design were given a specific brief by two siblings to create a home for them in Surat, in which they could be together without sacrificing the ‘my space’ aspect. Part of a residential complex, this 2750 sq ft apartment had its own parking and entry, together with a terrace covered by a lawn on the first floor outside the living room. A fountain added substantial charm to this space and together these elements imparted a distinctly bungalow like feel to the home.

The ground floor had only the parking, with the brothers occupying one level each on the first and second floor. The parents divide their time living with both their sons, so there is a room reserved for their use on each floor. “The challenge for us was to cater to different aesthetics yet create a cohesive space,” says Neil.

In all, there are eight bedrooms, two living rooms and two kitchens. “We left the baths the way the builder had provided them, as well as the marble flooring. It is on the second floor that the layout has been reconfigured, to accommodate the requirement of several rooms - including a large bath and a steam room.”