In Kolkata, a three-generation family sought a home that could respond to life’s unexpected turns while fostering comfort and connection. Following the untimely loss of the children’s mother, the family turned to Spaces & Design, led by principal architect Pooja Bihani, to create a space that would support love, continuity, and resilience. “With three young children being raised by their grandmother, this project carried a deep emotional resonance for us,” Bihani explains. The resulting duplex, #Reserved, spans 4,000 square feet and reflects a delicate interplay between emotional depth and contemporary elegance.
The Staircase at the Heart
At the centre of the home is its sculptural staircase, described by Bihani as “the soul of the home.” With a flowing, sand-textured soffit, the staircase visually connects both levels while giving the illusion of floating. Its curving design quickly became a source of delight for the children, who affectionately call it “the swirl.” Beyond its playful appeal, the staircase serves as a unifying architectural gesture, threading together formal and informal spaces while establishing a sculptural dialogue that runs throughout the home.
Interiors That Balance Warmth and Modernity
The interiors of #Reserved marry contemporary aesthetics with tactile warmth. Italian marble floors contrast with custom wooden flooring, delineating zones without rigid barriers. Walls are treated with a grid of dyed Sukupira veneer and leather-finished Chianti white marble mouldings, creating a subtle texture that complements the home’s neutral palette. Rich silk tapestry ceilings, bespoke joinery, and carefully curated bursts of colour in artwork and upholstery further personalize the spaces, particularly in the children’s bedrooms.
Bihani notes that these material choices were driven by the desire to create a home that feels alive yet restrained. “Luxury that is elegant, quiet, and intentional,” she says.
Customisation as Identity
Personalisation is a hallmark of the project. Bespoke elements include wood-and-glass lighting installations by Arjun Rathi in the living and dining areas, tailored wardrobes and beds in the children’s rooms, and a fully steel kitchen by Küche 7, which introduces sleek functionality amidst a soft visual narrative. Each space subtly reflects the family members’ personalities, reinforcing the idea that architecture can serve as both shelter and expression.
Openness Without Compromising Privacy
Designing a home for six people across three generations posed its own challenges. “The biggest challenge was ensuring openness and fluidity without sacrificing privacy,” says Bihani. The duplex achieves this through thoughtful spatial planning: formal entertaining areas coexist with playful, personal spaces, while the overall layout remains fluid and cohesive. The home feels expansive yet intimate, offering moments of connection alongside opportunities for solitude.
Meaning in the Name
The project’s title, #Reserved, reflects the design philosophy underpinning the home. It hints at exclusivity while conveying a sense of quiet restraint. Its connection to the condominium’s name, Reserve, further reinforces this ethos. Favourite spaces for the design team include the double-height dining room, where a swirling chandelier echoes the staircase, and the den—a multifunctional space that serves as a reading nook, prayer room, and Zoom backdrop. “The moodboard distils into three words: seamless, sculptural, serene,” Bihani reflects.
Sculptural Aesthetics Across Spaces
Throughout #Reserved, sculptural gestures link every room. The interplay of curves, vertical lines, and textural surfaces ensures continuity, while light and shadow bring a dynamic quality to the interiors. By using bespoke elements, carefully chosen materials, and thoughtful spatial sequencing, Bihani has created a home that balances beauty, function, and emotional resonance.
A Home That Grows With Its Inhabitants
Beyond aesthetics, #Reserved is designed to evolve with the family. Each material, surface, and element has been chosen for longevity and adaptability. From the stair’s playful curves to the multifunctional den, every aspect of the home encourages interaction, exploration, and connection. For the children, the space becomes a backdrop for daily life, play, and memory-making, while for adults, it offers quiet, reflective corners and the ability to entertain with ease.
In #Reserved, Spaces & Design demonstrates that contemporary residential architecture can be deeply personal without losing sophistication. Through sculptural form, tactile interiors, and carefully considered customisation, the home embodies a modern elegance that is as functional as it is emotive—a space where love, continuity, and design coexist seamlessly.
