The Loft – Collateral of Terraces by Abin Design Studio

A Layered Tribute to Heritage and Modern Expression in Mithapukur More, India

Nestled in the urban fabric of Mithapukur More, India, The Loft – Collateral of Terraces by Abin Design Studio is an evocative architectural intervention that honors personal legacy while embracing modern design sensibilities. This 75-square-meter addition crowns a 35-year-old residence—originally built by the architect’s father—as a contemplative extension that bridges memory and transformation.

The project, completed in 2022, is not simply an architectural retrofit but a personal homage. For Abin Chaudhuri, founder of Abin Design Studio, the home is a living tribute to his father—a man who shaped his life and values. Rather than demolishing or drastically altering the original G+1 structure, the architect chose to preserve it, repainting it in a muted beige tone that acts as a neutral canvas for the vibrant loft above.

Architectural Narrative: A Home Built on Memory and Layers

The design strategy revolves around retrofitting a multi-level terrace structure atop the existing house. This new vertical extension embraces spatial layering through a composition of three terraced platforms, each housing a different program—living space, bathroom, and study—all opening out to individual terraces. These outdoor extensions not only provide light and ventilation but also enrich the dwelling’s spatial drama and openness.

The terraced design maximizes the vertical footprint, turning constraints into creative opportunities. The interplay of indoor and outdoor volumes allows each room to extend into a landscaped open-air terrace, blurring the boundary between architecture and nature.

Materials and Memories: A Palette of Stories

Materiality plays a central role in evoking timelessness. The architect masterfully blends ceramic tiles, steel, and wood, drawing from both local crafts and global influences. Mosaic flooring—crafted from leftover tiles from past projects—serves as a unifying element across the interiors, embedding stories within the very foundation of the house.

Complementing this are vintage artifacts and period furniture curated by the architect over years of travel—domestic and international. These elements breathe character into the loft, transforming it into a living museum. A highlight is the front terrace, adorned with curated relics like solid wood columns, brass and ceramic vases, and a wooden temple goat sourced from Kochi. This eclectic collection is harmonized by thoughtfully arranged potted plants, offering both privacy and serenity.

Color, Structure, and Emotion

In contrast to the muted palette of the original structure, the loft embraces bold primary colors in its structural elements. These hues enliven the architectural skeleton, creating a visual rhythm that balances the nostalgia of antique furnishings with the freshness of contemporary design.