Architect Sanjiv Malhan

OFIAs mastery over the complexities of restaurant design and modern fine dining spaces gave them a fillip when it came to this project to design an den and living room with a bar and home theater for this luxurious Delhi residence. Rising to this design challenge, Sanjiv Malhan of OFIA has created a superb den and living room space that is stunning in its use of technology. theater The brief was clear: the owner wanted a state-of-the-art home theater, a unique bar and a living room space that allowed him and the family to use the space with ease and belonging. OFIA demonstrate that complexity in a brief is not at all intimidating: This family room and separate den for the master of the household manages to use the latest electronic gadgetry and home automation systems to create an atmosphere that is at once subtle and sophisticated without losing any welcoming warmth. The formal living area is large and open, with custom-built wooden furniture and laser cut timber paneling. The home theater design is perfect for an all-male bonding over football and cricket matches yet it also lends itself to a family movie with popcorn and snacks. The furniture features comfortable yet classic recliners, bed lounges and floor cushions to provide ample spillover seating. The high point of the space is a beautifully conceived and executed backlit onyx bar, complete with all the latest accouterments. This fabulousonyx bar, a stunning eye-catcher, is designed for a large bar tended party as well as for when the master wishes to play host and rustle up his favorite cocktails for guests. It features a display backdrop of bottles with colour changing LED lights that help focus the eye and heighten the mood. The play of colours and the mood lighting form a remarkable backdrop for the onyx bar, the wood and leather furniture, and the high technology gear that make up a modern high-tech home theater and forms the basis of entertainment today. The lines are clean and easy, yet a few well-placed pieces create distinct focal points and lead the eye deeper into the space. A clean and uncluttered look belies the effort and sophisticated techniques that have gone into executing their design.