Kora Home is an oceanfront residence situated in the seaside location of Chennai, in the southernmost state of Tamil Nadu, India. Reflecting the influences of sea and sky, the home enhances a beachside lifestyle with an expertly curated interior by Alara Studio. Architecture by Chitale & Son provides a pavilion-style layout with generous spaces in which to move and live.
The name Kora, from Sanskrit, means raw or untouched. Certainly, this home elevates the idea of rawness through simplicity of design and a pared-back aesthetic.
To create her vision of the home, design lead Amrita Thomas of Alara Studio brought together twenty designers and makers to contribute their work to the project.
From emerging artisans to master furniture makers, Kora Home presents a story of design where furniture is ethically sourced and material-driven. Wabi-Sabi restraint merges with effortless luxury as handwoven cane, washed lime plaster and sculptural feature lighting all combine to great effect.
Extrapolating the idea of slow and quiet living, the objects in this 743-square-metre residence are meaningful and cherished, not mere decorations but rather parts of a curated collection.
A feature of the interior are the extraordinary lighting pieces: pendant lights that hang above the dining table, in the public entertaining space and create a wall art installation. The lights reflect the forms of sea creatures that are both real and imagined, becoming the focal point in each space.
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With panoramic views of the ocean, there is a relaxed ambience inside as the outstanding vistas of sea and sky and bring the outside in. Flowing sheets on windows in the public areas are perfect for privacy but also soften the hard floors as they flutter against the washed lime plaster walls.
The colour palette is minimal, with creams, beige, sand and darker timber hues, a continuum throughout the home. A terrazzo table with pops of green and sand yellow stone on white is a focal point in the lounge room and contemporary art works are strategically placed on walls above furniture.
Handmade rugs are a textural addition to bedrooms and under tables in the lounge and dining rooms, unifying furniture groupings and delineating living areas.
While Kora Home is a tranquil place inside, the inclusion of a poolside pavilion offers the residents the chance to rest and be one with nature. Surrounded by tropical gardens, foliage and flowers, the pool house with lounging sofa and side curtaining sits proudly at the end of the rectangular pool – just the place for the individual to contemplate or for a group to gather and have fun.
With Kora Home, Alara Studio has combined eclectic furnishings and art to transform a house into a home. As befits its seaside location, Kora Home has been beautifully curated for the client to enjoy gentle coastal living – the epitome quiet luxury.
