The sprawling space that Parag Shah and his wife, two kids and parents call home is a work of art. Designed by Gurjit Singh Matharoo, an acclaimed architect who is also the youngest of the three Indians to ever receive the honour of being awarded an International Fellowship by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the over 10,000 square feet home is called 'The House with the Warped Court'.
The house is built around a traditional courtyard. The odd shape of the site, gives rise to skewed and interesting elements when it comes to the design of the house. Another traditional design element used is the “haveli” inspired closed outer shell and hollow insides according to Gurjit.
On entering the home you see the formal living-dining space as well as the adjoining pavilion. In the corner you find the kitchen. The staircase next to the living space and kitchen leads up to the private areas and a study. There are Burma teak clad bedrooms, a travertine clad drawing room and a wood clad kitchen. On the ground floor you also have an all-concrete subterranean Jacuzzi that shares space with the red sandstone court.
The interiors are minimalistic bringing all the focus to the design of the home and Parag Shah's large art collection. Verandas, pavilions and the open to sky court bring nature in. Openings are seen throughout the home which sought to bring natural light into the space. Bamboo trees and almond trees line the sides of the house providing greenery. But, perhaps the star attraction of the house, beside the design, is the lone Frangipani tree standing in the centre of the court.
