The brief
A finished sky villa in a Gachibowli tower, with floor-to-ceiling glass facing west and an open living-dining space. The owners wanted cinema-quality sound for films without a dedicated theater room, plus automation and glare control — all without chiselling marble-clad walls or disturbing neighbours.
Concealed 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos
- Front: slim speakers beside the TV, matched in timbre so dialogue stays anchored to the screen.
- Surrounds and Atmos: in-ceiling speakers in the existing gypsum false ceiling, with back cans to keep sound from leaking upward.
- Subwoofer: integrated into the media unit on an isolation platform, positioned by measurement to limit transmission through the slab to the flat below.
- Electronics: a Dolby Atmos AV receiver with room correction, calibrated for the main sofa.
Glare control and automation
West-facing glass made late afternoons uncomfortable. Motorized sheers and blackouts now close automatically on hot afternoons and as part of the “Movie” scene. Zigbee smart switches replaced the existing switch plates, adding lighting scenes, fan and AC control, and voice commands without any civil work.
Working inside a gated tower
Work was scheduled within the association’s permitted hours and lift bookings, and the family continued living in the home throughout.
The “Movie” scene
One tap dims the cove lighting, closes the blackouts, powers on the display and AV receiver, and selects the right input — the kind of everyday integration that makes the system feel effortless.
More apartment ideas in our Gachibowli, Financial District and Kondapur guide.