Project: The Aurelian Apartment
Architecture: HS Desiigns
Principal Architect/Designer: Hitesh Shahanand, Nirmay Shah, Malay Shah
Location: Mumbai, India
Area: 1650 ft2
Year: 2023
Photo Credits: The Matter Studio
The Aurelian Apartment by HS Desiigns is a refined reinterpretation of a conventional four-BHK, transformed into a spacious three-BHK that privileges openness, atmosphere, and emotional resonance over excess. Every design choice speaks to a balance between timeless neoclassical detailing and contemporary sensibilities, creating a home that feels both grounded and refreshingly modern.
A Narrative of Transformation
The reconfiguration of the apartment is not merely functional but poetic, restructuring the spatial flow to encourage fluidity and personal rhythm. From the entry passage, the intention is clear: calm, composed, and curated. A sculptural ceiling installation establishes rhythm above, while the floor and walls ground the visitor in texture and atmosphere. A misty forest mural transforms the walls into an immersive landscape, softening boundaries between indoors and nature.
Living Spaces with Immersive Atmosphere
The living room carries forward this dialogue between serenity and intimacy. A palette of warm greys and taupes is elevated through lush textiles, rounded furniture, and blush-toned accents. Nesting tables and sculptural pieces bring movement to the space, while the forest mural returns as a meditative focal point. The effect is a sanctuary-like living area where atmosphere takes precedence over ornamentation.
Refined Dining and Kitchen Areas
The kitchen and dining spaces showcase HS Desiigns’ mastery of restraint. A ribbed marble island becomes the sculptural centerpiece, complemented by leather-strap pendant lights that emphasize tactility and warmth. In the dining area, an elliptical table surrounded by sage velvet chairs anchors the space, maintaining visual continuity with the material palette. Each detail contributes to cohesion, turning daily rituals into elevated experiences.
A Cohesive Visual Language
What distinguishes The Aurelian Apartment is its consistent materiality and attention to touch. Warm neutrals, ribbed marble textures, velvet, and leather create a textural harmony that feels both intimate and sophisticated. Curves soften the geometry of corners, light is diffused to enhance atmosphere, and neoclassical mouldings add subtle reminders of architectural lineage.
Timeless Yet Contemporary Living
The Aurelian Apartment is not simply a redesign; it is a narrative of modern living layered with timeless grace. By merging immersive art, tactile materials, and an emotionally resonant spatial rhythm, HS Desiigns has created a residence that is both personal and universal, intimate yet expansive — a space where design becomes poetry.
