Exclusive Social Amenity Interiors: Clubs by GA design, Mumbai
Engaging in multiple facets of the architecture & design field and having built up a programmatically comprehensive, qualitatively competitive and exemplarily delivered portfolio of projects makes GA design one of the most coveted and dependable brands on the Mumbai design scene today. Founded by architects Rajan and Sachin Goregaokar in 1999, the firm has been applying its cache of talents to a wide range of projects like multi- and single family residences, residential apartments, office blocks, commercial establishments, leisure facilities and also redevelopment projects. They are joined in leadership by their spouses, Ritu and Shami Goregaonkar who bring to the table their own competencies in interior design, colour consultancy, business development and also design writing. All four partners have led extremely successful deliveries of varied projects, which have earned GA design several accolades and media features, and TFOD is privileged to have then on our galleries as well. They are also the bearers of a rich legacy in art and architecture with greats like Shri B.K. Goregaonkar, sculptor and former dean of Sir J J School of Art, and Architect G. B. Mhatre, a Mumbai Art Deco pioneer featuring in their ancestry.
Their innate ability to synchronise their talents to the demands of the time keeps their relevance in the market undiminished, and this is prime facet on display in the two clubhouses featured here. The clubhouse/ gymnasium/ community centre and facilities offered there-in have come to be treated as the face of a project in the present housing market. GA design has delivered the interiors for Raheja Reflections Club and Matunga Gymkhana Card Room with apt panache and practicality.
Raheja Reflections Club, Borivali
At the centre of the residential complex of Raheja Reflections located at Borivali in Mumbai is the Reflections Club, a clutch of shared social amenities for all the residents. Spread over 10,000 sq ft on two levels, it houses a gymnasium with spa, a swimming pool and a party hall fronted by a reception and abutted by a lawn, another multipurpose hall with an open terrace and an indoor games room.
A spacious reception fronts the facility made invitingly warm yet exclusive by the 3D veneer panelled walls and grey Italian marble flooring, the expanse of which is enhanced by the minimalism of the comfortably sleek, subtle toned furniture that includes sofas, tables and counter. Indirectly lit strips crisscrossing the ceiling add an adequate touch of energy.
Beyond this space, one finds a well-facilitated gymnasium overlooking a swimming pool. A youthful vibe has been infused into the gym décor by the use of colours and shapes on all surfaces. A basic grey toned container is brightened by an enormous rounded rectangle of a mirror on the wall, which is reflected further in the ceiling panel shapes, highlighted by sprightly orange and set off by a deep rust shade. The attached spa and shower facilities, a basic background of grey marble highlighted by blue tiles in the men’s section and yellow ones in the women’s, are perked up by black-and-white tile mosaics in the Jacuzzi section.
The party hall spills over through large sliding doors onto lush lawns outside, Here again, the rectangular lights scattered across the ceiling play a perfect match with the rectangular voids scattered across the enormous veneered entranceway door.
The second level hosts a multipurpose hall which opens out to a terrace garden. Elegant brilliant white laser cut screen partitions are used in the indoor games section which offset the warm wood toned floor to perfection. A profusion of ample bright lighting and appropriately used rich finishes in an uncluttered generous layout mark a classy appeal to the entire setup.
Matunga Gymkhana Card Room
The décor for this card room of 1660 sq ft area is an exclusive facility at Matunga Gymkhana Club which GA design was called upon to undertake. The layout was resolved by carving out a reception area at the entry, which also serves to create a privacy buffer. The beige-hued travertine marble used quite extensively on several surfaces in the reception itself sets the tone of rich sophistication. It is matched by the warm veneer panelling on and around the reception desk, where a tinted mirror with a design of playing card motifs in gold forms an impressive backdrop.
Leading from here is the main card room, a simply laid out affair with six seater card tables dotting a spacious floor finished in wood. The veneer panelling has been continued on the two longer walls facing each other, while the other two walls, columns and borders of the floor are clad in the same rich beige travertine marble as in the reception. The window offsets are perked up with deep rust paint around veneer panelling which, when framed by the indirect lighting around, offer a dramatic effect. Moreover, the travertine marble-clad columns continue as beams in the ceiling and the window recesses continue as ceiling recesses which, when highlighted by the indirect lights framing them lend an impactful depth to the room.
The room opens onto an expansive terrace which is also appointed with card tables. The matte grey tiles and black granite flooring of the terrace have been framed by a detailed border with recesses created for indirect lighting which plays on the textured flooring to create a playful ambience during the late evening hours.
In both the above cases, simple provisions have been turned into exclusive facilities by the appropriate application of planning and décor, which have resulted only from talent which has been finely honed over years of experience.
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