EGO Design Studio is a new generation architectural practice founded in 2009 by architectural idealists from Thangal Kunju Musaliar College of Engineering. They are currently based at Thiruvananthapuram with plans to establish their footprint in other cities of Kerala in the near future. With a vision to promote and practice a brand of architectural design that takes away as little as possible from the natural environment while bringing about any interventions attributable to human enterprise, these youngsters aim at breaking away from the prevailing modus operandi in the field of architecture in Kerala.

Having, through their respective stints in various established firms of repute, garnered valuable insight into the nitty-gritty of managing an architectural practice in a market that is getting competitive day-by-day, they came together to start their own enterprise in the summer of 2009. Having started off with small-time interior design and renovation works, the maverick group today has several residential and quasi-residential projects to show. Also in the pipeline are several path-breaking projects that promise to stand out from the crowd. Innovative use of materials, attention to detail and an unflinching commitment to on-time dispensing of deliverables sets them apart from the regular. With passing time, the number of clients and projects in their growing kitty lends credence to their ambitious plans of expansion seeking new pastures.

The Project

The ARTECH model apartment project is the newest example of classy elegance to arrive from their stable and is a reflection of their unwavering commitment to the core principles of the enterprise. The apartment on display is part of a complex that boasts of sixty flats in the upper-middle class affordable homes category. Located in the easily accessible Anayara, a fifteen minute drive away from the city, this project is expected to attain easy acceptance amongst the young, dynamic urban middle-class of Thiruvananthapuram. All aspects of the design, ranging from the aesthetics to the finishes, have been chosen in tune with the prevalent tastes of the targeted clientele for the developers.

The planning of the apartment reveals an open flow of spaces, so essential in the modern context of limited building footprints accommodating as many diverse spaces as possible given the rapidly evolving urban lifestyle of the targeted patrons. Barring the essential private spaces, the rest are not separated from each other by the means of either walls or obstructions to continuity. The result is an impressive array of contiguous spaces that draw the visitor as much as the family to the interplay of spaces.

The Spaces

The living room is a study in the use of contrasting colours and textures that have been delightfully combined to give a special character to the space where the family spends most of its time and receives its guests. Add to this the skilfully designed custom-made furniture that goes hand-in-hand with the character of the space. The dining room, with its subtle colours and moody lighting is sure to make every dining experience worth cherishing for a lifetime.

The kitchen, essentially in the modular mould, is in conjunction with the family dining space thereby setting the stage for an superior dining experience with food served hot from the kitchen to the plates of the discerning guests. High-quality marine-ply for the storage cabinets, stain-free wall dadoing and granite-topped kitchen counters accentuate the cooking experience and make ownership a trouble free experience for years.

The bedrooms are essentially private spaces which not only provide the family their daily dose of rest but also provide them opportunities to engage their and creative capacities and thinking faculties. The spaces and the lighting have been designed in a manner that promotes easy relaxation and have balconies to help concoct that rare idea of brilliance. Sufficient spaces for storage of clothes, books and a well-detailed wardrobe have been incorporated into the design without ever obtruding into the sight of the connoisseur. That the toilets have been designed as luxury-rooms would not be an overstatement.

Conclusion
The model apartment project is indeed a testimony to the rapidly evolving design capabilities and inherent sensibilities of this zealous group of architects and designers that take pride in being different from the usual, run-of-the-mill professionals one gets to see in the field these days. With their ambitious expansion plans and an equivocal commitment to their core principles, these passionate designers are bound to touch new heights in the days to come.

For more details logon to www.egodesignstudio.com
Photo Credits : Arc. Prasanth Mohan