Living by Design

A home befitting a king: This stylish New Delhi residence captures the high standards of living

that the Ambassador of Switzerland to India, Dr. Linus von Castelmur, is best used to

Feature Vanita arora Photographs ankush Maria

“Birdsong at dawn, birdsong at twilight

— otherwise it’s quiet in the embassy compound. You can sleep here with an

open window, at least in the cooler months.”

—— Dr. Linus von Castelmur, Ambassador of

Switzerland to India

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“We regularly welcome official guests to the

residence — members of Switzerland’s

Federal Council and delegations from

Switzerland, Indian ministers and top

officials, members of the Swiss community

in India.”—— Dr. Linus von Castelmur, Ambassador of Switzerland

to India

The residence’s façade highlights the subtle interplay of spaces and moods — an amazing combination of architectural elements, clean lines and natural light.

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“Our private apartment

accommodates our children and grandchildren, relatives and

friends when they come to visit us in

India.”—— Dr. Linus von

Castelmur, Ambassador of Switzerland to India

superb in its incarnation, everything in this home is

orderly, quiet and comfortable. It’s a simple way of leading a

sophisticated lifestyle.

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Located in the Capital’s prime nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, the swiss residence is a well-defined expression of the architecture of the early 1960s. A positive and invigorating environment sublimes the effervescent

swiss ethos and style — our very first impression as we walked into the complex.

Designed by swiss architect Hans Hofmann and implemented by Walter Ruegg, the entire complex is an outcome of indo-swiss collaboration. The inner courtyard embodies a water pool and impluvium that faces the residence, and an internal walkway along the upper storey. A stunning interpretation characterised by contemporary forms, the elongated courtyard building is divided into three parts — a Chancery, apartments for embassy staff, and the Ambassador’s residence. The cellared residence is set half a storey lower and is directly linked with the park-like embassy grounds.

The residence door opens to a formal living room, which is large and accommodates different seating styles. We loved the seating next to the fireplace — seamlessly inviting and expressing all the warmth. Relishing the outdoor beauty of the grounds, we noticed the many elements that have gone into the lush effect sprawling before us. “Living in an embassy complex has the advantages that proximity brings with it: The park

Another interesting

feature in the entire space is

the natural light that streams in unfettered

through tall glass doors and windows with a view of the lush

garden.

“The artworks that my wife and I could select from the holdings of the

Swiss Confederation’s art collection, in collaboration with the Federal Office of

Culture, are contemporary.”—— Dr. Linus von Castelmur, Ambassador

of Switzerland to India

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stretches out invitingly in front of the salon door; the tennis court and spacious swimming-pool are only a minute’s stroll from the residence, not visible from the street and well hidden behind a dense green curtain of Ashoka trees and hedges of wild vine,” shares Dr. Linus von Castelmur, Ambassador of switzerland to india.

The swiss residence has been refurbished in 2013 for the 50 years jubilee, with changes made to the decor and layout to create an impact with space, light and colour.

The whole place is dotted with interesting objets d’art and accessories that come from the Ambassador and his wife Françoise gardies’s travels through this country that they temporarily call home. These artefacts add to the functional and matured layout of the residence and lends a personal style to the otherwise stately interiors. “What you see here is a cross-section of swiss creative work from the last 50 years — a wall relief in the atrium by the iron work sculptor Walter vogeli, works by Markus Dobeli, Urs Fischer, gottfried Honegger, Otto Muller, Rudolf stingel, niele Toroni and non vital — to name a few,” he adds.

The swiss residence echoes an aura that radiates a synthesis of official swiss representation and the couple’s distinct style. With a practical bent of mind, they have created a home that is minimal with free-flowing energy, reflecting their rich taste!

“Although the new furniture pieces and decorative objects differ with regard to their cultural contexts, and feature

different materials, forms and colours... they all satisfy Swiss standards of quality and precision.”

—— Dr. Linus von Castelmur, Ambassador of Switzerland to India

The dinng area features a massive

oak dining table and elegantly-crafted

oak chairs used mostly for seated

dinners. Four cylindrical lamps suspended from the high ceiling

envelope the space — conveying charm

while retaining the serene environment

facing the greens.

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