High above the winding curve of the Adyar River, on the 18th floor of a river-facing residential tower in Chennai, stands a home that does not try to impress at first glance. Instead, it slowly reveals itself through texture, memory, and movement. Called Nesavu, the Tamil word for “weaving,” the residence reflects a deliberate interlacing of tradition and modern life, drawn from the everyday rhythms of its occupants.
The homeowners, a gourmet coffee entrepreneur and his wife, a professionally trained Bharatanatyam dancer, wanted a space that mirrored their personal worlds. Their shared life revolves around ritual and craft: the slow brewing of filter coffee, disciplined dance practice, and the routines of family life. That philosophy became the foundation for the home’s design by 1405 Design Studio, led by principal architects Ashwath Narayanan and Divya Khullar Narayanan.
“In a time when homes often become copies of passing trends, working on Nesavu felt refreshing,” says Divya Khullar Narayanan. “The clients wanted a space that celebrated who they are. We set out to interpret the idea of traditional meeting contemporary with depth and research into materials.”
That narrative begins even before stepping inside. The foyer is grounded in warm Kota stone flooring with Jaisalmer marble inserts that frame a traditional kolam motif. A ribbon of Udaipur green marble winds through the space, inlaid with natural stone and brass to form geometric patterns. Brass rods fixed onto wooden panels hold woven baskets for milk and newspapers, turning daily utilities into design elements.
Inside the vestibule, the home opens into a vivid composition of colour and texture. Emerald and rust tones sweep across the walls in an oxide finish, embedded with chips of varying sizes. Grey terrazzo fills recessed niches shaped like the warp and weft of a handloom, reinforcing the idea of weaving as both form and metaphor. A fluted wooden console topped with leather-finish granite runs along the corridor, anchoring the visual drama.
“Terrazzo is traditionally seen on floors. Using it on walls demanded experimentation,” Divya notes. “We worked extensively to achieve the right surface strength and tonal variation. It is tactile. You are drawn to touch it and, over time, it will gather its own patina.”
The living room adopts a calmer language in response to the colour-rich shell. An oversized warm-grey sectional and a sleek swing by Studio Works form the social core, placed over an asymmetric rug by Jaipur Rugs. Sheer ivory curtains soften the river-facing edge of the room, embroidered with marigold motifs inspired by hand-woven garlands. The view beyond, of boats drifting along the river and a wide stretch of green, becomes part of the interior mood.
A sculptural folding partition separates the living area from a quiet prayer space. Behind glass bi-fold doors, white surfaces frame the family’s deities. Wood and brass recur here too, maintaining continuity across zones.
The dining area offers another blend of restraint and ornament. A walnut-panelled wall hides five concealed doors. Brass inlays within the wood interpret the form of a traditional toran, reimagined in a modern guise. The dining table, carved from Udaipur green marble, rests on a dark wooden base, with chairs echoing the same palette. Above, three brass and glass lamps reinterpret the shape of temple bells. Ceramic lotus sculptures in crimson, ivory, and green bloom across the adjacent wall, designed by artist Priya Sundaravalli Sudharsan of Auroville.
Hidden behind pocket doors within the walnut panel lies a compact bar. Leather-finish granite forms the backsplash and counter, while mirrored cabinets and perforated panels store glassware and supplies neatly out of sight.
At the heart of the home is a versatile third room, defined by accordion doors. By day, it serves as a dance studio for the homeowner’s practice. By night, it becomes a study or guest room. Earthy red walls, solid wood floors, and layered rugs create warmth, while ample storage keeps the space flexible and uncluttered.
The balcony extends the home into the landscape. Terracotta-textured walls and a teak ceiling reference traditional materiality, while snug seating by Signature Studio and art from Inc Sanctum invite long evenings outdoors overlooking the river.
The kitchen provides a visual pause from the home’s rich palette. White lacquered cabinets, steel-grey granite counters, and oak-toned millwork define a clean, functional workspace that prioritises daily use over display.
Bedrooms continue the dialogue between memory and modern life. The guest bedroom frames sweeping river views through a large picture window. An antique bed stands as a family heirloom, complemented by gingham and Ikat patterns that add quiet colour.
The child’s bedroom is built around shades of blue. A Prussian blue bunk bed integrates niches for collectibles. A study desk with turned legs runs along the wall and flows into a window seat. Grey, oak, and monochrome accents balance the intensity of the blue, allowing the room to evolve as the child grows.
The master bedroom draws together the many strands that define Nesavu. A predominantly white shell is animated by rust, green, slate blue, and umber accents. Structural constraints became opportunities here. “The rear wall had awkward window placements behind the bed,” explains Ashwath Narayanan. “We decided to turn that limitation into a feature by integrating art as a functional element.”
A custom Jodhpur Pichwai mural, printed on a sliding panel, now masks and reveals the windows as needed. The artwork, drawn from miniature painting traditions, aligns with the home’s broader colour story while allowing the couple to control daylight. A tufted rust headboard sits within a slatted wooden structure, making the bed the focal point. A bespoke vanity in wood and brass, detailed with traditional turned legs, anchors a corner of the room, used by the homeowner as she prepares for dance performances.
For the architects, Nesavu stands as a study in trust and collaboration. “This home reflects exactly who the clients are,” they say. “Candid, rooted, and deeply intentional. While we shaped the space, the soul belongs entirely to them.”
At 2,500 square feet, Nesavu does not rely on scale to make a statement. Instead, it uses memory, material, and daily ritual to shape a living environment that feels both grounded and contemporary. It is less a designed object and more a lived narrative, woven carefully, thread by thread.
