It is imperative to Use Less and Produce More – Purpleink Studio

“Most people still live with the idea that the resources are ‘limitless’ and ‘forever’, and this (thought) not changing is the biggest hurdle. The day people wake up to a new beginning, everything can be achieved! We are pushing the boundaries of a Self Sustained, Regenerative architecture through each project, by means of research, design and collaboration. We are working with a Vision to reach a stage where this idea trickles down to each and everyone and ‘inclusive’ living becomes a way of life.”

The Purple Ink Studio was started with the idea of two individuals who strongly believed in their respective design concepts and had nurtured the feeling over the past couple of years. Considering that both Aditi and Akshay came from different architectural backgrounds; Akshay Heranjal is the Co-Founder and Principal Architect at ‘The Purple Ink Studio’. He graduated with honors from BVBCET, Hubli. He later trained as an apprentice with Architect Karan Grover in Baroda and had the opportunity to work on various Green Buildings and LEED/IGBC projects. Akshay being extremely rational, aesthetic yet responsive and Aditi’s strong inclination towards nature and inclusion of natural elements in design, started their studio, which has had passionate influences of both and sees a continuous evolution in exploring the best of both worlds.
KINGS HOUSE PROJECT, BENGALURU

The King’s House occupies a strategic location in the heart of Bangalore city, but the site is a quiet hideout from the hustle-bustle of its surroundings. The clients brief saw a potential for limited ‘Sky Villas’ where the architecture would re-interpret new levels of luxury in living. The built form also had to capture the richness of its vibrant and significant urban context of the city.

The design challenge was to capitalize on the potential of the 30,000 sq.ft. site without compromising on the existing green cover and minimizing the ecological footprint of the structure. The idea of going higher was restricted by the existing Bye-laws which did not allow the building to go beyond 12m. The masterplan had to thus examine and organize the programs of the site to address the complexities of luxurious living within the green parameters embedded within the site context.

Two blocks were planned to house one apartment on each side, per floor that would emerge from sunken gardens and blend into the peripheral greens amidst the site. An integrated design approach was followed to evaluate and maximize the energy reductions of the building. Solar studies and simulations were used to generate data regarding daylighting, shadow analysis, rainfall pattern and shading systems.
The project houses 7 Sky residences, each of which is crafted to suit the client’s lifestyle. The design expressed here was spread over an area of 20,000 sqft layered in two floors.

The two floors were functioned for different purposes and were connected internally through a private elevator. The lower floor was designed as a social space consisting of entertainment zones and the upper floor was treated as a personal/family space. The overall concept for the home on both the levels was a fresh and contemporary design approach.
The entrance lobby was made continuous with a pebbled sculpture court having two stunning peacock sculptures that hold the entire design experience together. The common lobby was visually buffered with dynamically designed vertical fins that hold the main kitchen and the family dining area on the other side. The dining area is connected to the formal living area with a large formal seating space and a lounge space having a pool table. This floor also has one of the Master bedrooms with its connected dresser, bathroom and private entertainment space.

The upper floor is welcomed by an 8ft high wooden eagle sculpture from the owners collection displayed at the entrance connected with a waiting lobby. The entrance on one side connects with the rest of the home and with the personal library/study on the other. The library is designed with dark wood in fluted patterns as wall paneling that flow down to form the working desk. The entrance further connects with the family dining area opening into the home theatre consisting a 10 ft. wide projection screen connected with the personal gymnasium. This level has the second Master bedroom and two guest bedrooms each of them connected with individual walk-in dressers and bathroom areas. One of the guest bedrooms is designed as an urban studio with exposed concrete finishes and rugged light fixtures with colours from the fabrics and rugs. The other rooms are designed with interesting wall coverings, wooden wall panels and rugs adding a new dimension to the space.
Akshay considers himself privileged to have worked under 3 completely different ‘gurus’, Karan Grover, Sameep Padora and Sanjay Puri, all of whom, helped mould him into what he is today, as a person and as an architect. Having always believed the need to learn under a master, they would always hold a special place in his architectural journey.

“The will to live differently needs to start somewhere. There is a constant need to re-look at growth that affects the social and regional patterns of a city. It is imperative to look at strategies that help us use less and produce more. It’s crucial to be Sustainable by Design…. by Life!”