ON TOP OF THE WORLD

Living the high life in a lush private haven in India’s smartest neighbourhood

- Judy Diamond

Private green space is at a premium in every city. In a colossal metropolis like Mumbai, with a population estimated at 20 million, it’s like gold dust. You have to be inventive if you want to carve out your own little sanctuary, particularly if you fancy living in the swanky Altamount Road neighbourhood, where many of India’s richest families have their homes.

Inventive is certainly the way to describe this property, a bright, airy, single-storey dwelling surrounded by a spacious terrace with views to die for, right in the heart of a district famed for its beautiful gothic and neoclassical buildings. How was it possible? Architect and interior designer Jannat Vasi explains: “I was asked to design this apartment as an add-on to the rooftop of one of the heritage buildings in this part of South Mumbai. To maintain the existing old-world charm, we haven’t changed the façade. The contrast and the contextual placement makes this modern home very interesting.”

Load-bearing constraints meant one of the main challenges was creating a light-enough framework for the new house. The existing water tanks and air-con units on the roof also had to be relocated and concealed within the design. With these issues solved, Vasi could turn her attention to the look of the apartment both inside and out. The owners, a couple who work in real estate and fashion, had put good storage, plenty of daylight and a strong connection with the garden at the top of their wish list.