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Photography: Varad Anvekar

Mumbai-based Studio Arohn has designed The Altar House, which is a 2BHK apartment project spanning 680 sq. ft. The client wanted a minimal, contemporary, and timeless design for the small family with different religious beliefs. They wanted to feel more alive, compassionate, and respected in their space. There are two prayer spaces in the house: the altar in the living room and the mandir in the kitchen.

The colors used are inspired by nature: green, brown, blue, grey, and white which connect the rooms. The living room becomes a family space, along with the formal seating area, a television unit, and the altar. The simple efficient design uses minimalist furniture, paired with warm-toned veneer against the white walls and grey flooring.

The kitchen is an active and functional space and uses a white countertop with blue gloss acrylic. The modular kitchen also uses built-in appliances, a service counter, and a mandir. As space is premium in the city, the firm optimized the same through effective planning. They made non-structural changes to the existing layout and created the master bedroom with a study table, a full-length closet, and a sliding dressing unit. Green upholstery is used for the room, contrasting with the warm veneer and grey flooring.

The son is an aspiring YouTuber, an avid gamer, enjoys musical instruments, and has a collection of action heroes. Multipurpose rooms offer storage for games, music, and schoolwork. A platform bed serves as a play and sleep area, and the podium has a closet with an alcove for the PlayStation and television. The powder bathroom is inspired by nature and features slate flooring and grey stone-textured walls. The son’s bathroom has terrazzo-like tiled walls, asymmetrical mirrors, and wooden flooring.