SCRIPTED SPACE

In Hyderabad, architect Kavan Shah crafts a home where verandahs, vaulted ceilings, and heirlooms come together

- WORDS VARUNI MOHAN PHOTOS KUBER SHAH

For Ramya and Sandeep Gunnam, storytelling isn't confined to the silver screen. As Telugu movie producers, the couple's world revolves around narrative. When they decided to create a home for themselves in Hyderabad, they wanted it to tell their own story one of family, hospitality, and memory. The couple found the perfect canvas in a 5,300 sq ft apartment in a well-planned neighbourhood. From the outset, the brief was clear: design a home that honours the past but functions for the present. To bring that vision to life, they turned to architect Kavan Shah, founder of his Mumbai-based namesake studio, known for his contemporary yet craft-driven approach.

"From the very first meeting, I could sense that their home had to be more than beautiful," says Kavan, who then reimagined the apartment with spatial flow at its core. The verandah became the anchor, framed by basalt stone flooring, oak rafters, and a cane light from Bali. Large glass partitions connect this space to the living and dining areas, making it both a retreat and a gathering spot. "We specifically wanted the balcony to be the centre of our home," says Sandeep. "It's where we spend time alone, as a family, or with friends when we host." For Kavan, it was about creating continuity. "The verandah blurs the boundary between indoors and outdoors. It's the kind of space that slows you down, yet keeps you connected to the rhythm of the home."