Architects Kavita A Batra and Ashish Batra in collaboration with Xsys Solutions blend timeless coastal architecture with modern home automation, creating a harmonious residence for a client in Raipur.
Kavita A Batra and Ashish Batra, Principal Designers and Founding Partners of Uniifyy, in collaboration with System Integrators Xsys Solutions, have designed a residence inspired by Mediterranean architectural heritage, enhanced by cutting-edge home automation. Drawing from the rich design vernaculars of coastal regions in Greece, Italy, and Southern Spain, the talented duo has crafted a holistic environment that encapsulates the essence of the Mediterranean lifestyle.
Explaining their design concept, Kavita A Batra shares, “The conceptual framework went beyond aesthetics. We focused on carefully curating materials, studying contextual elements, and understanding the psychological impact of spatial design. Plus incorporating smart technology. This comprehensive approach allowed us to connect Mediterranean influences with the functional and emotional aspects of daily life.”
The apartment’s layout clearly separates public and private zones to ensure optimal functionality. The centrally located living room serves as the focal point, linking both areas while maintaining a woman-centric design. The best views are oriented toward the outdoor terrace, enhancing the space’s connection to nature and its overall charm.
Throughout the interiors, the furniture reflects the relaxed yet refined Mediterranean lifestyle. Plush sofas and lounges upholstered in earthy tones and natural textures such as linen and wicker offer comfort and evoke a direct connection to the coastal surroundings. Minimalist coffee tables and consoles incorporate traditional Mediterranean craftsmanship, adding a sense of heritage to the space.
Integration of Home Automation & Smart lighting
“The primary objective of installing a lighting control system in this luxury home is to enhance ambiance, convenience, energy efficiency, and personalization, while complementing the home’s overall aesthetic and functionality. Achieving a smart home that delivers the utmost luxury was a key goal for the design, with a focus on using technology to simplify daily life and create mood settings suitable for all age groups. As designers, we understood the responsibility of integrating technology with the aesthetic, functional, and emotional aspects of the living environment. Their main aim was to ensure that the smart home technologies enhanced the homeowner’s lifestyle while maintaining the elegance and harmony of the design. The first step was to collaborate with an experienced system integration company capable of understanding and implementing the designers’ vision, while meeting the client’s expectations. The following key points were the core focus of the project.” informs Ashish Batra,
The design team also aimed at the concealment of technology, ensuring that devices such as speakers, sensors, control panels, and wiring are discreetly integrated into the interior design. This was done to maintain the aesthetic integrity of the space while providing the necessary functionality.
The architects focused on harmonization smart devices carefully by selecting right option that matched home’s overall décor style. This involved choosing finishes, colours, and placements that complement the decor and create a cohesive look throughout the home. Optimal placement of smart devices, such as lighting controls, motion sensors, and AV equipment, was essential to ensure both functionality and aesthetics.
Plus, the team also focused on crucial element, enabling dynamic lighting scenes that adapt to different activities or moods, such as movie nights, dinner parties, or relaxation. Architectural highlighting is also prioritized, with accent lighting used to showcase artwork, furniture, or architectural features, adding to the overall ambiance of the space.
For this project, the team selected the Lutron Lighting Control System with analog and phase-cut dimming to meet the client’s need for a reliable and low-maintenance system. Given that the project was located in Raipur, the client had concerns regarding after-sales support, so the control design was kept simple. This was done to ensure that, in case of any service requirements, a local electrician or service provider could easily replace faulty lights or devices, minimizing delays or hassles for the end user. In addition to the lighting control system, other key elements of the project included Somfy motorized shades for automated window treatments, Earthquake Speakers System for high-quality audio, and Marantz amplifiers for superior sound amplification. CoolAutomation managed the HVAC system to ensure efficient climate control, and the entire system was integrated by Xsys Solutions, ensuring seamless coordination of all technologies within the home.
Overall, the design of this Mediterranean-inspired residence successfully blends timeless architectural heritage with modern comforts and smart home technology. Kavita and Ashish Batra, through their thoughtful approach to both aesthetics and functionality, have created a space that not only reflects the beauty and serenity of coastal living but also enhances the daily life of its inhabitants through seamlessly integrating home automation.
Tech Specification:
System Integrator: Xsys Solutions
Lighting Control System: Lutron Lighting Control System
Motorised Shades: Somfy
Audio: Earthquake Speakers System
Amplifications: Marantz
HVAC: CoolAutomation
