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Studio Mumbai Wows Me Again

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The garden of a lyrical, subtle house from Bijou Jain of Studio Mumbai is a key player in this design. It appears to walk right through the house. A quiet craftsmanship is evident throughout the Belavali House, set in a lush mango orchard in tropical India.

Every detail you see has been created by Jain’s artisanal team. Even the brass door hinges are handcrafted.

Brass and teak throughout soften and contrast to the silky smooth concrete, hand-polished to an deep, purplish, greenish, iridescent luster that defies a color name.

Silky smooth concrete forms floors and walls both inside and out.

Attention to detailing creates a smooth radius at every 90º junction, forming a seamless surface that is both beautiful and, in the tropics, practical.

As with the gorgeous Palmyra House – Studio Mumbai uses a lot of teak louvres. ‘Most of the houses I do are built for the rain,’ says Jain. ‘The monsoon is stunning. There is no noise from the rain, but there is a certain sound; a sort of silence in the rains. There is something lyrical about it.’

Jain likens to the tone of this concrete to the shadows cast between mango tree leaves that surround the house.

Louvres play a big part in Jain’s work, forming a contrast with the concrete.

Stone is used outside, tying the building to ancient structures in the region.


A delight.

Source: architectural-review