The Fountainhead by Spaces & Design

Situated in the heart of Kolkata, The Fountainhead is a duplex residence designed by Pooja Bihani of Spaces and Designs. Sprawled over a whopping 6000 sq ft footprint, this is the residence of a young couple, their two toddlers, and their furry companion. While the family and private spaces are split between two levels, a double-storey formal living room ties the house together. With an avant-garde and fluid narrative, this living space is the heart of this abode.

The civil plan was altered to make the layout more suitable to the brief. Some beams were reduced to capitalize on the loftiness of the main space. The family desired more collective spaces while keeping the private areas minimal in size. This house derives its name from a stone-edged 19x19 ft wall in the living room that has been transformed into a silently cascading waterfall. With its slow rhythmic movements and its gentle murmurs, the waterfall also leads the fluid, dynamic approach extended within the house.

Marked with distinct marble flooring, the foyer leads into the dining area on the right. A series of totems by Ikai Asai plays the role of an interesting visual boundary. With a backdrop of abstract, custom-made panels, the dining area contains a sizeable table, perfect for entertaining. The focal point is a galactic chandelier by Klove. A matte console next to the table incorporates the matte gold highlights of the bespoke light fixture. At the farther end, a special sand-finished side table fulfills the storage needs of this area. The doors leading into the adjoining rooms have been concealed within the panelling for a cohesive look. Carved in solid wood on site, the paneling in this room features fluid shapes with a liquid metal finish.

Having a spacious kitchen was a priority and was achieved by breaking down a few walls. Complete with a large central island, this kitchen is perfectly suited for a family who loves to cook. Next to it, the den features a large TV screen supported by a state-of-the-art surround sound system. A built-in bar is concealed within the cabinetry, revealing a lively organic design when opened. The den spills out into the terrace which acts as a relief space for the entire house. The powder toilet reveals a new domain with its wide concrete basin and panels. Custom-made for the project, the basin is fitted with two faucets and can be used by two people at the same time. The freeform mirror, designed by Vakr Studio, was specially designed for this project.

The lower level comprises an elegant guest room with large, floor-to-ceiling windows. Owing to that, the bed has been pulled ahead to let the curtains have an unobstructed, free-flowing movement. The handles on the wardrobe and side tables carry on the abstract theme which is central to this home.

A marvellous sculpture in itself, a metallic staircase finished in antic matte gold tones connects the two levels. It lands in an open area that has been reserved for a study in the future. An altar has been incorporated into the wall and symbolizes divinity and the higher power that the kids can learn about. A long corridor leads into the two bedrooms on either side and culminates into a wall featuring bespoke artwork.

The master suite features a free-standing bed that allows for fluid movement within the room. The bed features a wavy, double headboard and the TV unit lying opposite mirrors the design. A story of plants envelops the exterior of all rooms and acts as a natural filter, thus creating a new landscape to look at. The master suite is complete with a master bathroom and a large walk-in wardrobe. Complete with a dressing room mirror, storage island, and vanity, the walk-in is decked out in a white and muted colour palette.

Right opposite, two rooms have been combined to create a capacious kids' room. It houses a double bed with an attached bunk bed and inbuilt shelving. An activity table takes its place in the main open area of the room. The kids’ bathroom is fitted with a jacuzzi in addition to a shower. To bring uniformity into the room, a second layer of punctures is created between the room and the outer wall. These punctures have been carved out in the form of arches and joyful shapes and hide the asymmetrical windows that lie beyond. A safari-themed wallpaper finishes this inner wall, giving this room its playful dynamism.

Abstract and avant-garde details play the leading role in this house, especially in the formal living room. Being a double-height space, the first story is left open for the outside view while the second story features a screen created with individual, asymmetrical wooden batons. For ease of maintenance, these batons can simply be clipped on and off, a detail which was devised on site itself. A sense of geometry is added to the room in the form of 18” x 19’ panels which are layered with wallpaper and black metal strips and highlighted by cove lights. The curtains have been placed between the exterior wall and the batons for smooth movement which is another critical detail resolved on site. The showstopper in this room is a sculpture featuring a fluid drape created in cardboard by Bandana Jain. Multiple seating arrangements have been carved into this spacious room with curated European furniture elements, ideal for soirees. A bubble-esque light fixture by Klove ties this space together. A bespoke bar unit takes its place under the staircase and it features a special sand finish which was experimented on site.

A slender terrace wraps around the entire perimeter of the residence. Smaller zones of inlay and artificial lawn break up the linearity of the terrace. Vertical gardens and wired baskets and lights have been introduced at several points along the length of this slender terrace. A highlight of this residence is that it has been designed for exterior symphony and gives any onlooker a synchronous, rhythmic view of the facade. With numerous thoughtful and bespoke details introduced within this home, the Fountainhead as a whole is much, much greater than the sum of its parts.