Manglam: The Art of Refi ned Elegance

SPECIAL FEATURE THE ART OF REFINED

ELEGANCE

PROFILE PHOTOGRAPHS: ANKUSH MARIA Amrita Gupta, Director, Manglam Builders is known for her unique approach to design. With her new venture Manglam Maplewoods, she showcases an evolved understanding of design and her commitment to sustainability.

We met Amrita Gupta, Director, Manglam Builders at one of her latest design ventures – Manglam Maplewoods. With the picturesque Aravalli Range as its backdrop -- the farmhouse project in Jaipur exhibits a nuanced architectural style and stands in perfect symphony with its context. Spread over 75 acres, Manglam Maplewoods exudes a rare mix of calmness and tranquillity, and offers a surreal mix of dream and reality.

Design is second nature to Gupta, it comes naturally to her. A true visionary, she thrives in understanding the need, and setting new trends in accordance to the need of the consumer. From being one of the most sought-after interior designer in Jaipur, to being a successful businesswoman, to being a strong advocate of women empowerment, and a mother of three, Gupta is a force to reckon with. Her background in commerce and her inclination towards science did not hinder her from pursuing her true passion for interior design. Following her passion, she earned her Master’s in Interior Designing from SCAD, Atlanta, USA.

At Manglam, her work covers projects ranging from residential apartments, clubhouses, villas and corporate offices. Refined, elegant and subtle, she gives luxury a new meaning all without compromising her unwavering commitment to sustainability. Right from the materials used to the collaborating with local artists and promoting young designers, Amrita gives a new interpretation to sustainability.

We caught up with her for a candid conversation.

Your approach to design is lucid. The elements you incorporate in your project reflect your deep understanding of design. We’d like to know more about your design philosophy.

Design should be an amalgamation of comfort and luxury; practicality and desirability. Ultimately it is about creating a space that feels comfortable, that puts you at ease. It’s a space where relationships will be nurtured and bonds will be made, comfort has to be the key.

Nature is the first impulse to initiate design. So, when I took on this project, I knew the design had to be in symphony with nature. My approach to design is mainly biophilic and in all my projects I try to maximise green communities with paramount natural ventilation. I imagined this place to be surrounded by nature, and even when you come inside, you carry with you the feeling of peace. The villa connects seamlessly with the outdoors, you are constantly in touch with nature. The large windows, the open decks, there’s a constant interaction with nature.

Design to you is…

Design to me is the force that can transport you to another world. It is the power that enables you to transform your imagination into reality. Sometimes, I just close my eyes and imagine how the space should be. And it just comes to me. I feel, design comes to you naturally. And that’s how it should be.

Tell us a little about Manglam Maplewood and this villa in particular.

Mapplewoods is an initiative by Manglam to offer its customers world class facilities in the lap of nature. We took our cue for the design from the context. Right from the materials used for the outdoors, to the design inside, we’ve ensured the use of organic materials. The colour palette is inspired by the verdant outdoors. It’s subtle, muted.

In terms of the architectural and design style, I would call it a mix of mid-century modern and Moroccan architecture. I’m

Design should be an amalgamation of comfort and luxury; practicality and desirability. Ultimately it is about creating a space that feels comfortable, that puts you at ease.”

The dining room at the Manglam Maplewood sample villa exudes a quaint farmhouse vibe. The extensive use of wood, organic textiles and an earthy colour palette adds to the aura. The Master Bedroom opens out to fabulous views of the fields and the Aravalli range. The muted colours, the gorgeous mix of prints and patterns, and an excellent curation of furniture and accents add to the allure of the space.

My approach to design is mainly biophilic and in all my projects I try to maximise green communities with paramount natural ventilation. I imagined this place to be surrounded by nature, and even when you come inside, you carry with you the feeling of peace. The villa connects seamlessly with the outdoors, you are constantly in touch with nature. The large windows, the open decks, there’s a constant interaction with nature.”

—AMRITA GUPTA, Director, Manglam Builders

drawn to the subtle design nuances of these styles and you can see the influences in this project. I wanted this space to exude a quaint farmhouse vibe, hence the extensive use of wood and organic materials. I’ve ensured that there’s a constant interaction with nature. A carefully manicured lawn leads you indoors, the double-height living room enhances the feeling of space, the living room flows into the dining, the dining room opens out to the outdoor deck with the swimming pool!

Even in the bedrooms, I followed subtle colours, shades of green, mauve and beige to bring in the farmhouse vibe.

Sustainability, for me, is not just environmental sustainability. It’s also about supporting local artisans and home-grown brands. The villa exhibits a curated collection of locally-sourced furniture and artworks.

Manglam is a name to reckon with in the real estate segment. Tell us a little more about your current and future projects.

It’s not just housing, but Manglam has presence in hospitality, healthcare as well as institutional segments. Some of our ongoing projects include ManglamPlus Medicity, one of Rajasthan’s best Multi Super Speciality Institute. Our foray into institutional segment includes a medical college in Manglam Medicity. Another project that I’m closely associated with is The Westin Jaipur Resort & Spa. For this project, I opted for a combination of ancient Shilpa Shastra with modern Balinese Architecture. The Westin Jaipur has been envisioned as an urban oasis, a perfect place to revitalise amid unforgettable views. The entrance lobby too is custom designed based on Jaipur architecture. Here, the inspiration is Jaipur’s Choti Chopad and Badi Chopad where important roads meet at a right angle.

What’s your success mantra?

The process of learning should never stop. I never stopped learning. In fact, during the pandemic I pursued a course in design. I’m a mother of three, but I’ve learnt to juggle my responsibilities, and roles. And then I’ve been blessed with a super supportive family. In my growing years my father was a great support, always encouraging me to experiment, take on new challenges. And now my father-in-law, Mr NK Gupta, Chairman, Manglam Builders has been a great mentor. He has always motivated me to do my best, push my boundaries. I think it’s a combination of all factors – dedication, persistence and of course, the family!

Manglam Maplewood was envisioned as a farmhouse project. Spread across 75 acres, Maplewood is an amalgamation of luxury, design and technology all in the midst of nature.

The idea was to create a community of like minded people who appreciate the art of fine living away from the chaotic schedule of the city. We sincerely hope that the occupants of Maplewoods are able to cherish the joyous moments of life in the green expanse of nature with the best of amenities and comfort. As of today, we have about 25000 customers to whom we have delivered flats, industrial plots, villas, etc and there’s no litigation with these customers. As far as the future is concerned, Mangalam is going to develop educational institutions. We already have started with a hospital and we plan on expanding. We have an amusement park, that is under expansion as well. We plan on having our residential and commercial projects in other cities in India as well as Dubai. We started in 2000 with a small capital and a team of 5 members. We have reached a state where we have projects in 20 plus cities in India. We plan on reaching 50k customers within the next 2-5 years. A big thanks to our supporters ie bankers, our staff and obviously our buyers.”

—N K GUPTA, Chairman, The Manglam Group

Pinkwalk by Manglam

Manglam Pinkwalk is a mixed-use project with a concoction of shopping areas, restaurants, multiplex, and studio apartments. It is poised to become Jaipur’s hottest commercial destination.