Guhan Shivani Residence

Living room with built-in shelving, a low sectional sofa and warm timber joinery

My role: Design, Working Drawing and Visualization
Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Year: 2023
Area: 2,700 sq ft
Typology: Residential
Scope: Interior
Studio: Mawi Design
Status: Completed
Tools: SketchUp, Enscape

Brief & intent

Create a calming Scandinavian-style apartment with a minimal, airy feel. Soft colours and natural materials such as wood bring warmth, and elements inspired by water support a soothing atmosphere. The space stays simple and uncluttered, focused on the occupant’s personal experience — a serene, personalised home rooted in tranquility.

Living, kitchen and bedrooms

U-shaped kitchen in pale cabinetry with timber base units — Kitchen

Bedroom with a sculptural lounge chair, soft drapes and a cove-lit ceiling — Bedroom

Bedroom detail with ceramic objects and a grey upholstered bed — Bedroom

Living and dining area with a fluted TV wall and marble feature panel — A feeling of grounding

Fluted charcoal TV wall flanked by marble and timber

Experience palette

Beyond materials, the palette shapes a sensory experience of calm, warmth and quiet comfort. Soft neutral tones and natural textures such as wood and marble sit alongside tactile bouclé and linen, while diffused, layered lighting softens the atmosphere at every hour.

Timber shelving with ceramic objects beside linen curtains

Sofa, rug and dining chairs in neutral tones

Pale kitchen cabinetry above a timber dining table

Bedside table with a black lamp on a marble top

Marble surface with a dark ceramic object

Kitchen counter detail with stone splashback

Bed with linen and an articulated reading light

Timber and metal bookshelf with books and objects

Plan and circulation

Floor plan with red lines tracing circulation through the apartment — Plan — circulation

Isometric cut-away of the apartment with architrave thresholds labelled — Threshold — enclosure, visual depth and enhanced transition. Architraves: Living–Informal Living, Living–Bedroom, Foyer–Living, Dining–Kitchen.

Carpentry detailing

Carpentry drawing sheet with plan, elevation, sections and details for the foyer joinery — Drawing — carpentry

Foyer niche with a mirror and timber panelling — Foyer

Foyer joinery with an open shelving niche and glazed partition — Foyer

Carpentry drawing sheet with plans, elevation and sections for the dining and coffee counter joinery — Drawing — carpentry

Dining area with a long timber table and glass partition — Dining

Coffee counter with marble top and floating shelves — Coffee counter