Castling It Neatly!

Sanjay Newaskar Designs LLP, Pune, designs Chess House, an eye-catching residence, centred on a chess concept, in the city.

- Brinda Gill

The client and his three sons are passionate about chess. They enjoy playing chess whenever they get a chance and think about it all the time. Given their interest in the game we thought of designing a home around a chess concept’, says Pune based interior designer Sanjay Newaskar, Director, Sanjay Newaskar Designs LLP, of a residence he and his team designed in the city. Shown a 4000 sq ft plot in Market Yard, Sanjay worked on the architecture and interiors of Chess House, a 4200 sq ft five-bedroom home that would offer the family members privacy, spaces to relax and play chess, be filled with natural light and – most of all – reflect their love for chess!

A Symmetrical Plan

Working within the parameters of the north-facing plot, Sanjay designed a ground plus two level residence. He kept to a linear, symmetrical plan with the east side of the structure being closed on account of a common wall with an adjoining bungalow. For ease of movement, the staircase and lift shaft were set in the heart of the home with an adjoining passageway (on all the levels) and two triple height open atriums (one L-shaped near the entrance and the other rectangular at the dining area near the staircase) to physically and visually connect the floors.

The living, dining, kitchen, utility areas and guest bedroom were located on the ground floor, and two bedrooms with attached walk-in wardrobes and bathrooms, on each of the floors above. Only one bedroom was located on either side of the passageway on each floor, thus ensuring they would be spacious and offer privacy to family members.