A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE

By coalescing this Kolkata duplex into the surrounding landscape, Abin Design Studio created an oasis of light that appears invisible from the outside

- VAISHNAVI NAYEL TALAWADEKAR

The thing about designing a house that lets the elements in and everything else out is knowing where to draw the line. Ace architect Abin Chaudhuri of Kolkata-based Abin Design Studio is no stranger to such predicaments, having made a career out of drawing lines — literally and figuratively.

In 2022, when he took up the reins for a 20,500 sq ft home for a family of five in Kolkata’s plush New Alipur, the first thing he did was draw a line to distinguish the indoors from the outdoors. Or, as he puts a finer point on the subject, “Find a way to ensure ample natural light and ventilation, while ensuring privacy from prying eyes.” The solution, it seemed, was simple: if he couldn’t take the indoors out, at least he could bring the outdoors in. By keeping the home at one with the landscape, maybe he could camouflage the interior to make it seem invisible from the outside.