2025 Winner

Category - Interior Design -> Residential Apartment (less than 1000 sq.ft.)

Antariksh design studio

Umesh Anghan & Hiren Bhingaradiya

Antariksh design studio

Antariksh design studio

Aarambh embodies the idea of beginnings and continuity — a deeply personal home where memory, identity, and craft intertwine. Rooted in heritage yet expressed with restraint, it celebrates emotion through materiality, artistry, and space, creating a soulful narrative that blurs the boundaries between living, remembering, and timeless becoming.

Project Name: Aarambh House

Location: Surat, Gujarat, India

Year: 2024

Area: 995 SQFT

Antariksh design studio

Some homes are sanctuaries; some are showcases. Aarambh is a rare one that becomes a reflection of the soul — a space where architecture, memory, and meaning coexist in quiet harmony. Its name, translating to “beginning,” embodies continuity and timeless energy. The home mirrors the journey of its creator — the principal designer — where identity, heritage, and emotion shape every corner.

The entrance sets the tone for what unfolds within. Tiny monkey sculptures lead the way, playful yet symbolic, hinting at curiosity and protection. Embedded in brass are the bold red footprints of the designer’s parents — an intimate gesture of gratitude and legacy. A monolithic block of Indian Green Marble conceals the main door, transforming a functional threshold into a sculptural moment of discovery. This entry sequence captures the essence of Aarambh — deeply personal, tactile, and spiritual.

Inside, the home is raw, earthy, and quietly expressive. The spatial planning is minimal yet grounded in emotion, pairing traditional furniture with handcrafted details. The living room becomes a space of dialogue — between art, craft, and family. A brass-detailed partition subtly separates it from the family lounge, creating zones without rigidity. Textures, tones, and material warmth tie these spaces together with understated grace.

The dining area draws inspiration from India’s architectural heritage — its base recalling the geometry of stepwells, symbolic of depth and gathering. The puja corner, carved within a wall niche and supported by old-world brackets, reinforces the home’s spiritual and cultural roots.

The balcony, overlooking the River Tapi, extends the narrative of serenity. Stone flooring, a carved wooden swing, and the gentle rhythm of the river create a meditative retreat — a space that blurs the boundary between the built and the natural. The master bedroom glows with personal artifacts, textures, and souvenirs gathered over time, each telling its own story.

Aarambh is not styled; it is lived. It celebrates the beauty of beginnings — rooted in memory yet open to evolution. More than a home, it is an intimate autobiography in material, space, and spirit — a quiet continuation of the designer’s journey and the life it lovingly holds.

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