Name: This outdoor pavilion brings Indian minimalism into the wilderness of an Alibaug home
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This outdoor pavilion brings Indian minimalism into the wilderness of an Alibaug home

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Skip to main contentDuring the pandemic, designer Nakul Munim found himself returning to his roots. He spent the lockdown working closely with a potter based out of Dharavi in Mumbai and developed a newfound appreciation for hand craftsmanship. Being stuck indoors also gave him an entirely new appreciation for the natural world. “I derive most of my energy from nature, and the pandemic gave me a renewed appreciation for what we had around us,” he shares. “It created a whole new understanding and interpretation of my language of design.” Munim channeled his pandemic-inspired design philosophy into his firm, Nakul Munim Design’s very first post-lockdown project, which just so happened to be an outdoor pavilion in the heart of an Alibaug plantation.The 2,170-square-foot pavilion is an extension of the client’s existing Alibaug home, purposefully designed to host larger gatherings that the main house might not be able to accommodate. The pavilion also allowed the clients to enjoy views of the plantation-facing side of their property. Built in the shape of a boomerang, the pavilion is a structure of steel, brick, and glass, with window openings framed in Burma teak. One arm of the boomerang, which holds two lounge-style seating segments, is raised about 6 inches over the other arm, which holds the bar unit and dining tables. “I designed it in such a way that, whether you’re seated or standing, you have an uninterrupted view of the outdoors,” Munim expresses.Also read: 6 Indian homes that embrace the beauty of nature with open spacesTo avoid imposing upon the views of the plantation, Munim decided to maintain a completely neutral, earth-toned palette for the structure. “Everything is organic,” he adds. “The flooring is entirely done in kadappa stone, laid out in an interesting pattern, and the brickwork walls were covered by a beautiful cement texture in tones of mushroom and pebble.” Jute, linen, cane, and bamboo add an earthy complement to the structural tones. A piece of particular interest is two woven tapestries by designer Chelna Desai, which perfectly balance the concrete texture of the walls they adorn.Most PopularAll of the furniture and lighting pieces in the pavilion have been custom-created for the project, often by hand, and sometimes by Munim himself. “It’s an entirely organic colour board,” the designer adds. Straight lines and symmetry come naturally to Munim, and he balances this linearity with the occasional curvilinear form. Munim paid special attention to the seating, yielding to the curved forms on the armrests and the structural wooden members, but otherwise following a reliable sense of linearity.Also read: This 10-year-old Pune apartment gets a bright revamp for a family of fourWood continues to dominate in the dining section, where five pedestal tables with concrete tops, designed by Nashik-based manufacturer Siddhanth Barode, have been assembled onto a wooden base. “I didn’t want to construct a built-in table over here because it was going to be so huge and would permanently block the place,” Munim explains. “If they need to be moved out, the different segments can be lifted off and stacked away.” Munim’s personal favorite detail in the project is the massive cane-and-wood chandeliers suspended over the dining table, bringing down the ceiling height to create a more intimate ambiance and dappling the artificial light.The bar, which is one of the few sections of the pavilion that doesn’t have glazed walls, is especially eye-catching because of its unique detailing in wood. Lattice-style detailing on storage shutters makes for an intricate backdrop to an otherwise muted bar counter in black granite. “Everything was a layering of texture and stone,” Munim expresses. “We had the black kadappa floor, so I did a black granite bar countertop with a semi-matte river-washed finish and then accessorized it with some artisanal pottery from Nicobar.” And so we have it—a perfect balance of natural materials and modern minimalism, a playful arrangement of contemporary forms, all of which come together to create a space that is both lively and inviting, dynamic and soothing, enveloped in its warmth and yet open to the outdoors within the comfort of a lovely Alibaug home.Also read: This 4BHK home in Jaipur is an ode to the Pink CityThis 1,550-square-foot Bengaluru apartment is breezy with a touch of BaliDollar Dedhia channels her client’s penchant for travel and art to create a warm and vibrant Bengaluru apartment; a first home for a young family.This sustainable holiday home at Alwar, Rajasthan bears a South Indian stampSet against the immersive backdrop of the Aravalli range, this holiday home designed by Sketch Design Studio is a cleverly constructed eco-conscious haven suited for relaxing and entertaining.7 craft forms take centerstage at the Karigar Pavilion at the AD Design Show 2023Witness craftsmanship from all over India, as you walk down the Karigar Pavilion supported by the JSW Foundation.PINAKIN STUDIOCreating luxe furniture for more than 45 years, the brand is all set to showcase its latest artisanal collection at the AD Design Show this year.

Skip to main contentDuring the pandemic, designer Nakul Munim found himself returning to his roots. He spent the lockdown working closely with a potter based out of Dharavi in Mumbai and developed a newfound appreciation for hand craftsmanship. Being stuck indoors also gave him an entirely new appreciation for the natural world. “I derive most of my energy from nature, and the pandemic gave me a renewed appreciation for what we had around us,” he shares. “It created a whole new understanding and interpretation of my language of design.” Munim channeled his pandemic-inspired design...

This outdoor pavilion brings Indian minimalism into the wilderness of an Alibaug home

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