Excerpt: House of Idiosyncrasies by DR&W- Design Research and Workshop is an interior design project that embodies the nuances of individuality and contrast. The project transforms two mirrored apartments into a single 3BHK home, blending asymmetry, materiality, and unique elements. It’s a space where imperfections are celebrated, creating a home that reflects the personalities of its inhabitants while fostering harmony.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] The ‘House of Idiosyncrasies’ began as an intriguing challenge—a project that embodied the nuances of individuality and contrast. The clients, a young couple with distinct personalities and varied tastes, approached us with a unique canvas: two mirrored 2BHK apartments combined into a single expansive 3BHK home. Their request was simple yet profound—a space that celebrated their differences while creating harmony. This is where DR&W found its muse.
Walking into the Pune apartment for the first time, I was struck by its latent potential. The central space, flanked by two interconnected balconies, exuded an openness that felt inviting. At the same time, the mirrored layout presented an inherent symmetry that we decided to disrupt. I remember standing in the middle of that space and imagining how we could inject personality into every corner while respecting its structural identity. The resulting design would become an exploration of asymmetry, materiality, and the celebration of unique elements.
We envisioned the heart of the home—the expansive living and dining area—as a place where textures and finishes could tell their own stories. To elevate the space’s relatively modest volumes, we introduced verticality through bison board panelling with wooden putties, lending an earthy texture that feels both raw and refined. The beams that interrupted the ceiling became opportunities rather than obstacles, softened by gentle curves that added subtle definition while concealing functionality. Lighting was approached with care, incorporating a mix of cove lights, hanging pendants, and surface-mounted fixtures to balance practicality and warmth.
One defining feature is the entryway—a deliberately low-ceilinged vestibule that creates a moment of compression before the expansive living area unfolds. This transition from containment to openness amplifies the spatial experience, guiding the eye and the spirit into the house’s core. Adjacent to the dining area, a custom white marble dining table with wooden legs takes centre stage, accompanied by a credenza in birch ply—its indigo-stained gradient seamlessly blending with its natural texture. This interplay of bold and neutral elements became a recurring motif throughout the house.
The open kitchen, integral to the couple’s lifestyle, was imagined as a dynamic space—a hub for conversation, collaboration, and connection. The island counter, clad in Italian marble strips, bridges the kitchen and dining areas. Its serrated surface subtly disrupts the visual continuity of the marble veins, embracing imperfection as a design feature. Overhead, custom cylindrical stainless steel lights anchor the counter, adding an understated elegance to this vibrant corner. I imagined this space to become a stage for daily rituals—a place for morning coffee, quick meals, or late-night conversations for the couple.
Moving into the private spaces, each room was designed as a unique world, reflecting its inhabitants’ personalities. The study, for instance, is a sanctuary—a concealed wooden cabin that prioritises focus and warmth. From the hidden door integrated into the living area’s panelling to its seamless wooden cladding and bent-glass study table, the space encourages deep work and creative immersion. It was imagined as a retreat within the home, a place to disconnect and concentrate fully.
The master bedroom’s larger volume allowed for layered functionalities. A built-in sofa next to the bed creates an informal seating area, making the room adaptable for both relaxation and interaction. Here, the imperfections of misaligned beams were transformed into intentional design elements. Vertical wooden columns were introduced to frame and celebrate these irregularities, turning flaws into focal points. This room reminded me that design is as much about problem-solving as it is about aesthetics—finding beauty in what initially seems challenging.
The children’s bedroom, by contrast, is a vibrant testament to growth and imagination. Designed for a Lego enthusiast, the room incorporates modular design elements that mimic building blocks. Glass bricks form a playful bed backdrop, while black-and-white tiled side tables double as a chessboard. A central carpeted space was left open—a canvas for endless Lego creations.
The balconies, an extension of the living and dining areas, were treated as sensory retreats. Black china mosaic tiles lend a tactile, shimmering quality underfoot, while the ceiling, clad in cloudy marble, reflects diffused sunlight for a soft ambiance, almost emulating the cloudy sky above. Filled with lush greenery and seating, these spaces invite moments of pause, connecting the indoors with Pune’s gentle breezes.
At DR&W, we believe in celebrating materials in their most honest forms. In this house, bison board, birch ply, and raw concrete were not concealed but elevated, becoming protagonists of the design. The concrete column in the kitchen, polished to reveal its raw texture, and the exposed structural elements are testament to this philosophy. The result is a home that feels lived-in and authentic, with every surface inviting touch and exploration.
The ‘House of Idiosyncrasies’ is more than a residence; it is a dialogue—between materials and inhabitants, between structure and personality. It’s a space where the familiar meets the unexpected. For me, this project is a reminder that true beauty lies in embracing imperfections and contradictions, turning them into stories that resonate deeply with those who call it home.
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