The clients sought a two generation family home that could evolve with time, functional yet layered, warm yet uncluttered, luxurious yet comfortable. They wanted a space that could feel grounded and calm, where every corner carried meaning and purpose.
Studio Itiara, known for its boutique and hands-on approach, responded with a design that celebrates individuality while maintaining a strong sense of coherence. House of Doubles is a 6,000 sq ft home in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, created by combining two independent 4 BHK apartments into a duplex. We reimagined the original 8 BHK layout into a highly customized 5BHK, tailored for a young family with layered needs.
The project derives its name from its spatial idea, duality. Every level, function, and experience finds a quiet counterpart. The house embraces contrast as a design tool; neo-classical elements transition into contemporary designs, saturated colours meet neutral tones, soft curves balance crisp edges, and private nooks coexist with open volumes.The upper floor is social and open, the lower level private and contemplative. Together, they form two halves of a whole, connected through light, volume, and visual rhythm.
Reflections in balance
The design avoids literal symmetry and instead embraces emotional reflection. The double-height void visually ties both floors, allowing light and movement to flow seamlessly between public and private zones. Spaces are not mirrored but balanced, each responding to the other in intent and tone. This idea of doubles extends beyond form: materials, colours, and volumes converse in contrasts that remain harmonious.
The home unfolds around a central double-height volume that visually ties both levels and infuses the interiors with natural light. Connections happen along this open core, allowing seamless movement and long sightlines across the house.
The ground floor accommodates living, dining, and private zones, while the upper level houses social spaces and niches for reflection. Subtle shifts in ceiling height, light quality, and material treatment distinguish each area without breaking continuity.
Each space feels autonomous yet connected, an embodiment of Studio Itiara’s belief that homes should be both logical in function and intuitive in emotion.
Crafted continuities
The architectural language is contemporary but softened through texture and craft. Textured walls, oak-toned woods, and muted stones define the envelope, while gentle arches and curved edges temper the geometry.
Custom furniture and detailing anchor the space in material honesty. The staircase becomes a sculptural gesture, its metal and wood railing hand-finished to echo the studio’s tactile design ethos. The balance between smooth and textured, matte and gloss, warm and cool defines the tactile identity of the house.
A carefully curated palette threads through the home, with bold yet harmonious hues appearing across furniture and accents to engage the senses while maintaining cohesion. The colours are intentionally placed to interact with natural light, creating subtle shifts in tone throughout the day and enhancing the perception of space.
Details are meticulously considered: from custom doors and panelling to stone inlays, joinery, and subtle textural contrasts. These elements create tactile richness and visual rhythm, reinforcing the home’s curated, intimate character while allowing each space to feel thoughtfully layered, alive, and emotionally resonant.
The heart of the home
The staircase and double-height void form the heart of House of Doubles. It’s where light, movement, and material intersect, where one senses the continuity of the entire home. For the studio, it captures the spirit of the project: quiet yet commanding, simple yet profound.
The second-floor layout stands out as a defining element of House of Doubles. Designed as an open-plan arrangement, it creates a continuous dialogue between spaces from the drawing room to the terrace, the study nook, and the kitchen island area. This fluidity encourages movement and connection, making each space feel part of a larger narrative while retaining its individual character.
House of Doubles stands out for its balance between dualities, not just architecturally, but emotionally. Every space holds a dual purpose, every detail serves both function and feeling. The design avoids spectacle, focusing instead on creating experiences that feel honest and enduring.
“For us, design is an act of quiet storytelling,” says Studio Itiara. “House of Doubles is about creating connections, between light and form, between two levels, and ultimately between people and their space.”The home doesn’t demand attention; it earns it through calm coherence, material warmth, and a sense of lived authenticity.
Fact file:
Name of the project: House of Doubles
Location: Banjara Hills, Hyderabad
Total area: 6,000 sq ft
Type: Residential Interior
Design firm: Studio Itiara
Lead Designer: Ritika Saraf
Photography Credits: Tarang Goyal