Opus 501

Opus—traditionally used to describe a significant body of work—becomes a metaphor for this home: a carefully composed piece where varied influences, personalities, and eras come together in harmony. Opus 501 represents our interpretation of a modern composition infused with vintage nuances. Designed for residents with distinct mindsets and lifestyles, the apartment unfolds as a balanced spatial narrative that bridges contrast through cohesion. Minimalism forms the foundation of the interiors, layered with contemporary lines and classical highlights, ensuring the design remains timeless rather than just trend-driven.

The apartment is home to a family of three: a school principal, her husband, and their son, who currently works in London. The design brief emphasized simplicity, low maintenance, and comfort, resulting in a home that feels both modern and warm. With minimal references beyond a previously executed modular apartment, the clients entrusted us with complete creative freedom, allowing the design to evolve organically.

Location: Mugappair, Chennai
Area: 1800 Sqft
Design Team: Ar. Parul Agarwal VK, Arun Kumar & Shamreen Farah
Date of Initiation: Janruary 2025
Date of Completion: May 2025
Design Head: Ekta Agarwal

Upon entry, a compact foyer transitions seamlessly into the living and dining areas. In keeping with our design philosophy, all interconnected spaces share a consistent material palette, color scheme, and design language to enhance visual continuity. Neutral tones form the base of the interiors, complemented by an indoor landscape element integrated into the shoe cabinet, adding a subtle biophilic touch. Personalization is introduced through curated artwork and a bespoke display framing the client’s keychain collection, lending character without overwhelming the space.

The entrance is designed with earthy hues to establish a warm and inviting first impression. Cane shutters paired with tropical artwork reinforce this welcoming ambience, reflecting both the personality of the homeowners and the overall design narrative of understated elegance infused with character.

The living and dining areas are conceived as a calm, monochromatic canvas, where restraint in materiality allows architectural elements to take precedence. The false ceiling emerges as the defining feature of this space—designed in a gentle curved form to articulate movement and establish a seamless visual flow between the interconnected zones. This sculptural gesture reinforces the essence of Opus 501: a composed, layered work where function, emotion, and design coexist in quiet harmony.

A soft beige–cream palette anchors the living space and extends fluidly into the private areas of the home, ensuring continuity throughout the apartment. While the base palette remains consistent, each room is subtly personalized through accents and highlights that respond to its function and the user’s preferences, creating distinct identities within a unified framework.

The kitchen is planned as a compact yet highly efficient linear layout, complemented by a full-length linear window that allows ample natural light to permeate the space. A muted olive green finish was introduced to bring a natural, grounding quality to the kitchen without overwhelming its minimal character. The design remains sleek and modular, prioritizing functionality and ease of maintenance. Despite spatial constraints, all contemporary requirements were thoughtfully integrated, including tall storage units to compensate for the absence of a dedicated store room—ensuring the kitchen is both practical and visually understated.

The master bedroom is designed as a calm, well-composed private retreat, where material layering and restrained detailing create a sense of quiet sophistication. The palette is anchored in warm neutrals—beige, cream, and natural wood tones—establishing visual continuity with the rest of the home. The POP cornice is the main highlight of this room which brings in the classical element into the modern context. These vertical panels subtly enhance the perceived height of the space while adding rhythm and depth without visual heaviness. The bed is centrally positioned on a wooden floor, which clearly defines the sleeping zone within the room. Integrated furniture elements contribute to the room’s clean and clutter-free appearance. On one side, a built-in dresser with open shelving serves both functional and display purposes, allowing curated décor to add character without overwhelming the space. 

A feature panel with artwork—depicting nature-inspired motifs—acts as a focal point, bringing in a sense of calm and biophilic connection. The walk-in wardrobe is pushed behind the artsy door, so that the clutter is concealed within that space, whether open or closed the focus remains on the art. The TV cabinet is a floating one with a checkered designed panel, to bring in the element of order as per their everyday lives professionally. 

The multipurpose room was thoughtfully designed to accommodate prayer, study, and music, creating a serene and versatile environment. A custom wall panel, subtly inspired by the Christian cross, serves as a symbolic yet understated focal element. Integrated lighting allows the panel to softly illuminate during prayer, enhancing the spiritual ambiance while remaining seamlessly blended with the overall interior language.

The study table is positioned to overlook a lush ground-floor courtyard, establishing a visual connection with nature. To frame this view and add a sense of elegance, a sculptural chandelier is suspended above the table, completing the composition and lending a refined balance between functionality and aesthetics. There is ample amount of storage in this room, which serves for all the additional things that the client needs to store away from their private spaces.