This architect duo brings designs from the desert into a Gurugram home

Crafted by Noida-based design firm The Concreate Story, this 2,800-square-foot apartment is an ode to the mystery and magnificence of a desert landscape

There are homes, and then there are homes that act like portals in space and transport you to landscapes that would otherwise be beyond your reach on a regular day. When architects Nishtha Duggal and Rohan Gera of Noida-based firm The Concreate Story set out to design this two-bedroom, 2,800-square-foot home that they have monikered ‘Desert Romance,’ they knew they were catering to inhabitants who were well-travelled and had unique tastes, and their abode would have to live up to certain expectations of the perfect sojourn.

The apartment is perched on the 20th floor of a high rise in Gurugram, and is awash with natural light and ample breeze. “The house was inspired by all these existing factors as well as the clients’ love for impactful yet minimal interiors,” the architects say.

Bringing the Dunes Home

Once you step into the foyer, you realise how the interiors are a canvas for bare details that bring alive the vastness of the glorious expanse of a desert. “The raw desert vibe required the use of natural sand-based plasters that are juxtaposed in the form of a rammed earth texture. Lime wash on all walls add to the cooling effect found in desert homes. Another sand-based texture, called ghibli, finds its place in the main bedroom. The house sees extensive use of teak as the backbone material,” says Duggal.

There’s a cohesiveness to how the surfaces come together in the various shades of sand—some pale, some dark, and others glistening in the light, like the mirage of an oasis in the middle of stretches of earth. “The intimacy created with rammed earth and textured, lime-finished wall in the formal area, lends a sense of freshness and earthiness. The 38 inches of the rammed earth foyer wall is textured with hands on-site. Printed floor tiles with an antique console in the huge balcony complement the desert charm that has been created inside the home,” say the architects.

It’s also a tapestry of superlative craftsmanship, and in order to lend the space that additional touch of authenticity, the designers’ team even sourced furniture from Jodhpur. “The dining table sits lavishly, overlooking the balcony. The linens for the chairs are all handpicked by the team, and have been carefully crafted in-house by our team of kaarigars,” says Duggal.

Much like the landscape the space is inspired by, the rooms weave into each other as well, with one leading seamlessly into the other. There’s a rose pink on the walls; the artworks too are reminiscent of the grandeur of the dunes, as it proves to be a meticulously crafted home where “careful curation and amalgamation of materials have blended like sand in sand.”

Into the Depths of the Home

Upon stepping into the living room, especially in the daytime, you notice how the natural light exaggerates the textures of the lime-washed walls that are offset by the wicker-detailed sofa and accompanying chairs. “A simple-yet-impactful teak table strikes with its matte surface, creating friction between the myriad of materials in the space. The raw silk curtains add exuberance and luxury to the light fixtures customised in brass and glass,” the architects point out.

However, setting up the space wasn’t entirely a cakewalk, as it came with a framework that did not lend itself to heavy modifications. The layout was mostly sacrosanct, while the fenestrations had to be retained in their original forms as well. On top of that, the working hours in residential societies are often restrictive and can pose obstacles when meeting deadlines, especially when operating within the bylaws of a pandemic.

Both the main and guest bedrooms have the running theme of wicker furniture, with the former also housing an inviting “boutique dressing area” that is perfect for a moment of indulgent quiet with oneself.

The guest bedroom, however, breaks the rules playfully for a moment. Here, the wardrobes, inspired by motifs found in traditional Parsi gara embroidery, are lined with “beautiful starched cotton fabric inside” that shimmers at night when the lights are switched on. “The satin curtains are added to create a paradoxical effect, as the entire house has an otherwise earthy material palette,” the architects say.

Lastly, a home of travellers and perpetual learners can never be complete without a study, and for this one, the firm built one that could house all their books, complete with an imposing wallpaper by Sabyasachi. The study, therefore, undoubtedly, is the pièce de résistance in a home where every corner has a compelling story to tell.

Also Read: This family home in Mumbai brings together sharp geometry with thoughtful design

Also Read: This modern home in the Himalayas is a space for all seasons

Also Read: Why are more young individuals investing in holiday homes in small-town India?