VOLUME 01 ISSUE 01 JUNE 2018
Rs.100
DESIGN CONNECT PROMOTING GOOD TASTE
SALONE DIARIES
A THROWBACK AT SALONE DEL MOBILE 2018
CARICATURE PERFECT GAURAV KHARKAR & ASSOCIATES DESIGN A PENTHOUSE IN WORLI
PROJECT SHENZEN SERGIO MANINO’S RESIDENTIAL PROJECT IN THE FAR EAST
CAPTAINS HOUSE
SAMIR DHARURKAR DESIGNS AN ABODE IN KANDIVLI xxxxxxxxxxx|June 2018
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elcome to the world of Design Connect! An E-zine dedicated to Design! Design is a syntax which has ruled our life since ages. Much of it was designed by existence itself until humans could comprehend the vast sea of knowledge it entails.
Editor’s Note
Today in the contemporary timeline the presence of design is strongly felt. From home interiors to packaging and graphic design to architecture, the dominion of design just keeps expanding. At Design Connect it is our sincere attempt to capture this development primarily through the lenses of home interiors, architecture and product design. The idea is also to remain keen on the evolution of this process beyond the standard definitions as well.
In this issue a throwback on the 57th Edition of Salone Del Mobile held in the city of Milan seeks to draw a caricature of the event as it unfolded. This edition of Salone too integrated a global gene pool committed to bring glory to the world of design by way of innovation and business sense. And as for connoisseurs of good design, 435,065 people from 188 different countries attended the fair in a time span of 6 days! Nevertheless the convergence was global in equal measure.
Back home, Gaurav Kharkar & Associates scale up the design ante with a penthouse project in Worli, their approach blends the sober synonyms with colourful antonyms to arrive at a design scheme which is classy and stylish! We then take off to visit the Captains House, a customised abode for an airline captain designed by We Architects.
Editor Vikas Bhadra vikasbhadra@designconnect.biz Designer Swapnil Jadhav
In the midst of these contemporary marvels, an interview with Ar. Himanshu Patel roots for vernacular architecture and Ar. Joyshree Mukherji introduces us to the magnificence of cane and bamboo furniture. All this and much more in this issue of Design Connect! For any suggestions or queries you may have, feel free to email me at vikasbhadra@designconnect.biz
For marketing queries drop in a mail at marketing@designconnect.biz
Design Connect and logo are registered trademarks; any unauthorized use of the same is prohibited. All the information contained in the ezine may not be reproduced whether in part or in whole without the written consent of the editor. Design Connect and its team members accept no liability for loss or damage which may arise out of the material published in the ezine.
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Caricature Perfect! - Gaurav Kharkar & Associates design a penthouse in Worli
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Simple yet Chic - A conversation with independent German designer, Anna Weber
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Architecture without Architects - Ar. Himanshu Patel’s discourse on Vernacular Architecture
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Salone Diaries - A Throwback to Salone Del Mobile 2018
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Indians in Milan - A tête-à-tête with the Indian participants, at the Milan Design Week and SaloneSatellite 2018
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The Captain’s House - We Architects design an abode for an airline captain
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Italian Designs in the Far East - A residential project by Sergio Manino in Shenzhen, China
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Naturally Inclined - Bamboo and Cane furniture designed by Ar. Joyshree Mukherji
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Suburban Dreams - Designer Pritesh Meisheri executes a residential project in Dombivli
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The Worli Project By Gaurav Kharkar & Associates
CARICATURE PERFECT!
The central seating area
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Worli, the name itself conjures up beautiful images of the sea and the sky rises it is adorned with, in this picturesque town of Mumbai city Gaurav Kharkar and Associates were commissioned to design a penthouse in Vastu Tower, on the 7th floor of the sea facing property.
Photo Courtesy: Sebastian Zachariah and Ira Gosalia - Photographix
The Worli Project By Gaurav Kharkar & Associates
Spread across 1700 sq.ft. the lower level of the penthouse constitutes a spacious living & dining area along with kitchen & guest bedroom whereas the master bedroom, kids bedroom, lobby & pooja room are situated on the upper floor. On entering the abode the first thing that strikes you is the clarity in chaos, the house draped in an array of colours and hues can distract its audience in a good way, but the clarity entrenched in it is akin to the composure of a silent sea.
The central seating area in the living room is situated beside a window wall which connects to a balcony offering uninterrupted view of the sea. A set of motorised wooden blinds on this window wall limits the sunlight that seeps in. Occupants in the seating area include a three - seater fabric sofa, two revolving chairs & the circular lounge showcasing the hues of grey and black, adding some colour contrast amidst these accessories is a tan coloured leather sofa.
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A backlit alabaster light with uneven ribs is a glaring entity in this ensemble and vying for equal attention, is a protruding box with a huge abstract painting in hues of blue. This box holds the kids wardrobe on the back side whereas the atomized projector screen for the living area is smartly hidden in the lower level of the box.
The Worli Project By Gaurav Kharkar & Associates
The clients fondness to invite a lot of guest & friends for different occasions entailed the presence of a well designed bar counter. Designed next to the main entrance in the passage leading to the upper floor, it lies in close proximity to the central seating area as well. A pullout bar table finished in red corean with castors smartly conceals with the bar storage and can be pulled out enabling a bar tender to stand behind and initiate the proceedings. This design makes the passage look more spacious & clutter free when the bar is not in use. The passage leads to a sleek cobalt blue coloured staircase which connects to the upper level. In the dining area black hanging lights descend on a clear glass table top with contemporary dining chairs, the overall colour palate in the dinning space is sober but the appearance is very classy. Adding a dash of dynamism in this sobriety is an artwork which shows a man fighting against all odds “The bigger your dreams, the tougher your challenge� it seems to say. The wall behind this artwork is kept subtle by using a grey coloured brick pattern which complements the painting.
The library is akin to a colorful oasis in midst of a monochrome desert
In the upper level the clients penchant for reading and his collection of books encouraged the designers to design a library. The bookshelf in the library is akin to a colorful oasis in midst of a monochrome desert. To make it more interesting white artefacts have been thoughtfully utilised against the bright coloured case. A painting showcasing several boats on the side wall echoes the colours from the book shelf and the accent chairs.
Black hanging lights descend on a clear glass table top in the dining area
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The bed backing flaunts its straight lined design in the backdrop of a muted colour scheme. Highlighting itself on the self textured grey wall paper is a panoramic view of the Brooklyn Bridge, this picture was captured by the client himself. On the opposite side lies a glass TV panel which slides along the length of the bedroom.
The bar counter lies in close proximity to the central seating area Design Connect|June 2018
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The Worli Project By Gaurav Kharkar & Associates
As soon as one enters the master bedroom, a series of mirrors seems to double up the space thus adding volume to the narrow passage it occupies. The wall adjoining this mirror wardrobe shutter consists of a male dressing unit and a sleek chair which elevates the contemporary appeal. Vertical bands of white pu paint and mirror cleverly conceal the toilet door and air conditioning unit in the bedroom layout.
About Gaurav Kharkar & Associates
The Worli Project By Gaurav Kharkar & Associates
Gaurav Kharkar & Associates was established in the year 2008. The firm that is now known as one of the creative versatile architects, handles a wide spectrum of Architectural and Interior projects which includes Residential, Commercial, Retail Spaces, I.T. Parks, etc. at important centres like Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Nagpur, Pune, Ahmedabad, Udaipur, New Delhi and Dubai.
The firm is passionate about their Contemporary Aesthetics, Functionality and Sensuality of using Quality Materials.
Gaurav Kharkar, Principal Architect, Gaurav Kharkar & Associates with his wife Vidhita Kharkar, who is the Principle Designer of the firm
In the master bedroom, the bed backing flaunts its straight lined design in the backdrop of a muted colour scheme
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The Worli Project By Gaurav Kharkar & Associates
The kids bedroom invokes the required dose of playfulness in the design scheme
The kids bedroom invokes the required dose of playfulness. A soothing colour scheme of teal and white runs throughout this bedroom. The bunk bed frees up the floor space thus allowing the kids to use the floor for their day to day activities. And the study table here connects with a smartly designed reading nook for the kids to laze around.
The Vastu Tower project exudes a lot of detailing & efforts by the use of customized and curated accessories. By executing this assignment Gaurav Kharkar & Associates have created an experience where the monochrome universe syncs with the richness of colour and styling to script a contemporary style statement. And all of it without the use of wood and veneer just like the client wanted!
A glass TV panel, slides along the length of the bedroom
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Design Conversations with Anna Weber
SIMPLE YET CHIC
“Good design for me is coherent and whole as it is. For example it’s like a blank sheet of paper - simple and functional. There is no need for squares or lines - to be able to work with it. Endless possibilities exist in its simplicity, but having said that good design is also about creating timeless objects that last for decades; in a similar vein my work too is guided by clear and minimal designs with precise attention to material and quality” says Anna Weber. An Independent German Designer based in Halle, Anna has exhibited her creations numerous fairs across Europe, her quirky creations are a delight for homeowners across the globe. Furthering her idea about good design she adds “Good design is a matter of perception too, individually each one of us perceives good design instinctively, which in turn is guided by our creative thought process. I have been always impressed with beautiful things since I was a little child! Hence design to me needs to espouse beauty in form and function.”
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Photo Credit : Nally Bellati
Design Conversations with Anna Weber
In a conversation with Design Connect, Young Designer, Anna Weber defines her idea of good design.
Designer Anna Weber Design Connect|June 2018
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Design Conversations with Anna Weber
Carbon, a sideboard cum bench was a result of fascination for wood carbonizing
The clarity which Illusion espouses makes this vase look akin to an optical illusion
“So far the materials which I have used to design products include different kinds of wood and stone, ceramics, glass, metals, composites and fabrics. For me a precise combination of different materials helps in imparting the right kind of aesthetic to the end product.”
Anna’s creations are a combination of numerous materials at play and pure imagination at work “The passion of incepting new age products using old world techniques has consistently intrigued me. Likewise I also like the opportunity to work with different set of materials and requirements to constantly find innovative approaches to design.”
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Dot is a clear, minimalistic and modern interpretation of a chamber candlestick
Design Conversations with Anna Weber
“Reminiscent of the mist that embraces the hills and the valleys you put any content in this vases and it recreates the illusion of Mother Nature to perfection.“
Ray is a series of light characterised by its minimal and timeless language of forms
A trained wood worker Anna studied industrial design at prestigious Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle (Saale) And it was during her college days she incepted the idea of one of her beloved creations “One of my first creations as a ‘designer’ occurred when I was in college in Saale; during my final dissertation on topic “heiter bis wolkig” (“clear to cloudy”).”
Glasgow recreates the aura of Mother Nature to perfection
The morning mist in the Saale valley had always enchanted Anna, “To me,” she says “it represented a state which is tranquil yet filled with wonder and I was eager to bring a slice of it in the living room. And it ultimately led to the inception of Glasgow. Reminiscent of the mist that embraces the hills and the valleys you put any content in this vases and it recreates the illusion of Mother Nature to perfection.”
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Design Conversations with Anna Weber
“The vases are hand-crafted in one of the oldest glass-blowing companies in the Bavarian Forest. The combination of crystal glass and white opal glass gives the vases the characteristic opacity and makes each vase one of a kind.” Glasgow was part of the exhibition “white canvas” at the London Design Festival and now it’s a part of the favius product line. favius is a young German brand which stands for pure materials, aesthetics and craftsmanship.
Simple, pure, elegant Ray becomes the bright spot of every room in a matter of moments
Commenting on her participation in this year’s edition of Salone Satellite Anna says “I´m very pleased with this year´s Salone Satellite exhibition. We had wonderful visitors from very different design sectors. Next, some of my designs, including the Glasgow vases, will soon be exhibited as part of the new design shop Cbkamer of the Centrum Beeldende Kunst Amsterdam.”
Pool is a base frame and a tabletop that can be used in two ways
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“The grand opening of the store will commence with the Cbkamer launch party, where the Cbkramer collection will be unveiled for the first time”.
Apart from Glasgow the quirky set of products Anna has designed includes ‘Pool’ a side table, ‘Ray’, a series of light that captivates by its minimal and timeless language of forms, ‘Illusion’ an elegant vase collection which resembles an optical illusion and ‘Dot’ a clear, minimalistic and modern interpretation of a chamber candlestick. She can be contacted at info@weber-anna.com
Anna Weber’s stall at SaloneSatellite
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Design Conversations with Anna Weber
The product is available in a different set of colours too
Q and A with Ar. Himanshu Patel
ARCHITECTURE WITHOUT ARCHITECTS Ar. Himanshu Patel on his affinity for vernacular architecture and its relevance in a contemporary time period. In your own words what exactly is meant by vernacular architecture?
The most commonly understood meaning of vernacular architecture is a built environment based on local wisdom and traditional knowledge of generations, using locally available materials. Originally, vernacular architecture did not use formallyschooled architects and hence it is often referred to as “architecture without architects�. Having said that vernacular architecture is not only about nostalgia or the reverence for the old, it deserves to be understood and admired purely from its own performance perspective. There are three fundamental performance virtues- in vernacular architecture (timeless aesthetics, sociocultural appropriateness and environmental sustainability) for which they need to be acknowledged, understood, appreciated as well as emulated.
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Shyam Farm Forest Resort at Sasan Gir
My childhood exposure to villagers using simple materials to design their own abode has always inspired me. As a young boy, I witnessed how my grandpa built his own house using simple materials like mud and cow dung. Though the materials were simple, as was the visual appeal, there was no question about the strength and the stability of the end product. In my professional training as an architect, I realized that good or bad design has little to do with colour, form, texture or lavishness - in fact, it depends largely on honesty in choice of materials and the method of using them. But as we get increasingly globalized day by day, the cost of building has shot up and our traditional built environment has taken a backseat owing to architectural homogenization. This homogenization has paved the way for architectural chaos since it has little regard for the environment and the local climate.
Q and A with Ar. Himanshu Patel
After being trained as a professional architect what drew you specifically to vernacular architecture?
In this backdrop, I am trying to apply twentieth century knowledge to a wonderful body of research and development that has been handed over to us by our forefathers and attempting to be so called ‘modern’
Vernacular architecture utilizes local materials and the resulting built environment is a reflection of the cultural syntax of the ethnic group. Given the fact that India is home to numerous ethnic groups, do you feel the scope of vernacular architecture in India is vast? Can you cite some examples for our readers? One of the most significant influences on vernacular architecture is the macro climate of the area in which the building is constructed. Climatic influences on vernacular architecture are substantial and can be extremely complex. India has some of the world’s most biodiverse regions and so the scope and variation in vernacular architecture in India is vast.
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Q and A with Ar. Himanshu Patel
For example, village settlements in Uttaranchal are often characterized by houses of stone, timber and mud mortar on slopes, with thick stone walls of coursed rubble masonry designed to ward off cold, with a shelter for animals below the main house.
Vernacular architecture combats the harsh vagaries of weather within a frugal resource base
In Kerala, village houses are sloperoofed with Mangalore tiles and thatch to draw off and channelise the rainwater. In Assam, the same houses are often built on stilts, to counter the often damp ground. In Punjab, whitewash on the outside walls helps to cool down the summer heat. The list could go on and on but in each case we see that vernacular architecture in India’s diverse regions has evolved in a unique way to respond to the climate. What are perhaps some of the benefits of constructing a project as per the tenets of vernacular architecture vis a vis the new age methods of constructing a house? Vernacular buildings include the values of present day green architecture
Vernacular architecture is not merely a style but it is an attitude which facilitates a holistic lifestyle. Modern architecture alas lacks any contextual unity or any attempt to refer to the actual past. All that one can see today is a growing hotchpotch of multistoried buildings. In the so called new age methods of construction, the usage of any natural material is rarely visible. All structural elements mainly RCC frames with non load bearing walls are hidden or clad with cement plaster, paints, glass, aluminum. Scale has been completely abandoned. The building is an expression of anarchy in reference to its neighbor or the environment it’s a part of.
Besides this, if we have a look at the overall picture of the present building industry, the cost of building is extremely high and well beyond the means of the ordinary man. Much money could be saved merely by using common sense, along with the time and tested building practices offered by vernacular architecture. xxxxxxxxxx
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In the concrete utopia would you say such projects are sustainable in the long run? Or is it necessary to fuse these methods with the new age concepts of building?
The key challenge in the 21st century is to find out how the existing knowledge of the vernacular design systems can be fruitfully applied in a modern context. Likewise it is also necessary to devise methods that enables us to scientifically test the actual performance of vernacular traditions and generate an awareness on how they can be utilized to build sustainable structures in the existing built environment.
How green is a project based on the principles of vernacular architecture? When the features of vernacular architecture green design parameters are compared,
Ar. Himanshu Patel, Principal Designer, d6thd design studio
In vernacular architecture, the user who designs his own building tends to meet all his needs by using the opportunities and the possibilities offered by nature. The designer/ constructor/user tries to eliminate every single detail that could adversely affect his life.
Q and A with Ar. Himanshu Patel
It must be recognized that although many vernacular technologies, resources or forms are suitable and sustainable, there are a couple of techniques/method that are no longer properly functioning because of the changed cultural and ecological situations. Sometimes it is not practical to go back to traditional buildings, for they were designed for a different culture and climate.
As a natural result of this process, vernacular buildings include the values of present day green architecture. Without the use of mechanized services or electrical gadgets, Indian vernacular architecture thus offers strategic responses of the built form to combat the harsh vagaries of weather within a frugal resource base. Thick wall mass for insulation (for both warm and colder climates); multi-tiered roof for hot air escape and cross ventilation; jaaliperforated screens for light, view and ventilation without the ingress of heat, haze and glare are just a few novel examples. Though this may sound akin to romancing the past but the idea is to dwell on the facts which have performed well within an indigenous climatic framework.
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To summarize, in vernacular architecture, sustainability is not merely a concept, it is one of the key factors which adds value.
Vashi farmhouse at Amalsad Village is as a rich example of contemporary vernacular architecture
Tell us about the projects you have executed under the ambit of Vernacular Architecture?
Q and A with Ar. Himanshu Patel
Recently we have completed two projects; Shyam Farm Forest Resort at Sasan Gir and Vashi Farm House at Amalsad Village, based on the principles of vernacular architecture. Both these projects are very different from each other in terms of nature, context and budget.
In Sasan Gir we recently completed building a resort. Made on a defined budget, the Shyam Forest resort seems like a volley of cottages which has evolved on site amidst an array of mango trees. Given the fact that the site was mango farm with trees at every thirty feet interval, we were cautious enough to ensure that no part of the construction imposes itself on the existing mango trees.
Customization in vernacular architecture enables users to customize meet their specific needs
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On the other hand Vashi farmhouse at Amalsad Village is as a rich example of contemporary vernacular architecture. Every effort has been made to ensure that the house remains true to its context and testifies itself to the norms of vernacular architecture, instead of vying for an identity in the so called modern skyline.
Vernacular architecture is an attitude which facilitates a holistic lifestyle
We have received a lot of appreciation for both these projects from Indian and the international architecture community. It gives me a lot of joy to realize that people in India and across the globe cherish the vernacular ethos.
There are a numbers of architects I adore but the work of Laurie Baker in India, Hassan Fathy in Egypt and Geoffrey Bawa in Sri Lanka influenced me a lot. However I have developed the perception of looking at the vernacular architecture from my guru R.L.Kumar, who was not an architect, not in the technical sense but in his spirit, he was undoubtedly one. In the long run I will continue being a vernacular architect.
Q and A with Ar. Himanshu Patel
Who are your role models in architecture? In the long run will you stick to vernacular architecture alone or experiment with other schools of thought too?
Vernacular architecture to me is not merely a style, it is a holistic approach towards creation of a better society and a sustainable future. Vernacular architecture has precise answers to address our current problems pertaining to housing and infrastructure, if we try to find it consciously.
Shyam Farm Forest Resort at Sasan Gir
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Salone Del Mobile 2018
Salone diaries by Vikas Bhadra
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Salone Del Mobile 2018 Photo Credit : Alessandro Russotti for Salone Del Mobile 2018
The dissertation of design across the world turns it into a functional syntax for crafting a varied set of products which espouse the right concoction of form, function and desire. Individually it’s more like a different set of languages trying to arrive at aesthetically pleasing solutions for their individual circumstances. When all of them come together it creates an event called Salone Del Mobile. And this year too, the infinite manifestations of design were celebrated in full glory at Salone, the international referencing point for the furnishing and design sector! Design Connect|June 2018
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“We have been visiting Salone Del Mobile every year and it never fails to entertain us. The relevancy it keys in for professionals like us is unlike any other exhibition we have visited. We got to meet and greet a number of industry partners, study the activities and examine recent market trends. Brands, ease of business, and a global hub of business promoters all under one roof, what else can you ask for? It is always a rare occasion which blends work and pleasure, a great experience for designers like us.�
Ankur Das and Shatabdi Jayaswal, Interior Designers, Aver Innscape
By the time my Emirates Flight 101 was preparing to land at the Malpensa Airport in Milan, I was friends with a group of architects and designers who had come to attend Salone Del Mobile. A number of these professionals were infact return visitors. The anecdotes they shared with me as made one point quite clear, Salone for them was more than a design yatra; it was a precise concoction of creativity and business which held a lot of relevance in their professional endeavours.
Salone Del Mobile 2018
Post the immigration checks and a couple of handshakes and goodbye’s each of us were off to our individual hotel rooms to plan for the day ahead.
SaloneSatellite witnessed the participation of more than 650 young designers ready to redefine the design ideologue
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Salone Del Mobile 2018
The different stalls are akin to a part of the design narrative which add their own dose of charm to Salone Del Mobile
The arrival of Salone, much like spring itself, was splashed everywhere across the city of Milan; its omnipresence was established via dedicated advertisements in trams, signboards and railway stations. Metro train services to Rho Fiera was increased keeping in mind the huge footfalls the fair receives each year, it was a bit like the Maha Kumbh back home where you have special train services to accommodate the largest confluence in the history of human civilization.
This year Salone began with an ode to human interaction right at their workplace itself. For a period of four days the office premises of Federlegno Arredo; located at Foro Buonaparte 65 in Milan was converted into a meeting space for people to meet and interact with the faรงade lit up in signature colours of Salone. The building was home to URBAN HUGS an installation by Architect Stefano Boeri, a fenced area where people could escape from their social interactions and hug each other for a few seconds. Design Connect|June 2018
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Salone Del Mobile 2018
Pic Courtesy : Luca Fiammenghi for Salone Del Mobile 2018
Handcrafted and machine made the fair converges the best of both worlds
“Salone Del Mobile was a perfect amalgamation of fine and exquisite designs coming from a host of talented exhibitors. I was pleased with their attention to detail and the approach towards marketing these products. The designs were vivid and at the same time austere and homespun; it was the best of both worlds. The experience was magical, I look forward to be a part of the Salone exhibition again.�
While Foro Buonoaparte 65 was fostering hugs and personal conversations, 11.7 kms away at the Rho Fierra fair grounds, business conversations were in full swing across the dedicated pavilions of Salone Del Mobile. After entering the fair grounds, I moved towards Pavilion 13-15 where SaloneSatellite was being held. SaloneSatellite, is an event where young designers realise their dreams and set off conversations on the future of design. This year the designers were asked to showcase works that explore the relationship between heritage and the contemporary with projects poised between the new technologies and craftsmanship.
Architect Ankit Sharma Vinod Sharma & Associates
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Nilesh Shah, Director, BNB Interiors
Form, function and the beauty - Products vie for your undivided attention
One of the studios which caught my attention at this event was the Butterply Studios. The team showcased an easy to assemble plywood furniture titled “Butterply Desk”. The desk was a modern take on the Japanese wood joinery technique and no screws or tools were required to assemble it.
The pavilions which hosted the 21st edition of SaloneSatellite also witnessed an emphasis on Southern Hemisphere, Africa and Latin America with “Africa/Latin America: Rising Design - Design Emergente“ a multimedia exhibition which was held throughout the week. This year SaloneSatellite represented an amalgamation of 650 young dreams across 2,800 square meters of exhibition space and three titans in this league were presented with the SaloneSatellite Award, the winners emerged from Italy (1st), Croatia (2nd ) and Japan (3rd )
La Planète des singes
Titans : (L-R) Dorja Benussi(Croatia), Stefano Carta Vascconcellos (Italy) and Yuri Himuro(Japan) Design Connect|June 2018
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Salone Del Mobile 2018
“Salone Del Mobile is a global benchmark for interior designers. Given its scale, it would require the power of omnipresence to grasp it in its totality. For me, it was one of the most stunning exhibitions I have witnessed in my professional carrier spanning 30 years, but don’t take my word for it, experience it personally.”
Salone Del Mobile 2018
The Salone Del Mobile Milano Awards Ceremony
Photo Credit : Alessandro Russotti for Salone Del Mobile 2018
Likewise in the Classic Pavilion, brands like Boiserie Italia, Medea, Roberto Giovannini, Jumbo Collection, Dreamlux, Asnaghi Interiors were resurrecting the values of tradition and craftsmanship.
Later in the day Italy and Japan once again emerged as winners, when the Salone Del Mobile Milano award bestowed three prizes of equal merit to CC-Tapis (Italy), Magis(Italy) and Sanwa(Japan) for their outstanding contributions to the world of furnishing and design. The awards ceremony was held at Palazzo Marino, a 16th century palace located in Piazza della Scala, in the centre of Milan. In the brand narrative that Salone has come to be, this year too brands made their presence felt across the different pavilions. The uniqueness in this narrative was achieved by the way of stall design, products and presentation. Oozing luxe in the xlux pavilion were brands like Boca Do Lobo, Brabbu, Giorgio Collection srl, Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors and Smania.
A reasonable part of the classic section was dominated by chandeliers and for an Asian who has been exposed to an array of jhumars back home, these glassical marvels were akin to a global treatise of an Indian art form. After a tour of xLux and Classic, a Gatorade break was necessary; following which it was time to check out the power of IoT in the kitchen space at EuroCucina.
Brand Samsung which is largely popular in India for its electronic gadgets heralded a different avatar in the design capital. In EuroCucina, Samsung showcased premium built-in appliances including the Dual Cook Flex oven. Equipped with IoT technology, the oven allows consumers to remotely preheat, monitor and control the oven from anywhere with an app.
While Samsung was busy promoting a smart kitchen, the play of colours in one corner enticed me to check out a brand called SMEG. A 70 year old Italian home appliances company, the stall featured an array of colourful products, but the most vibrant of them all was “Sicily is my love collection” the collection according to the brand, combines SMEG’s experience with the creative spirit of Dolce & Gabbana. Each appliance in this collection is nothing short of an objet d’art. In the lunch break that followed suit, the best thing that happened was an Italian version of the Indian Fried Rice. It’s the kind of moment you come to relish when your carnivorous friends feed you with dismal stories about being a vegetarian in a European nation!
“Salone is a world class exposition on design and home interiors. People with expertise across the different genres of designturn it into a knowledge pool of sorts. Interior designers, who are keen to explore the emerging trends in global design scene, should not miss this event.” Pritesh Meisheri, Interior Designer
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What is it that you seek? You will find it here!
In a period of six days, Salone witnessed 4,35,065 visitors from 188 different countries, an increase of 26% compared with the 2017 edition; call it a ‘sweet enigma’ of design at work. An enigma which compels people to come back to Salone year after year. And as I readied myself to board the flight to Dubai at Malpensa, a towering image of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, across the A380 was ready to welcome me, as if saying “Let’s get you back home”. And 15 hours later I was back in Mumbai, conjuring design memories, none of which had alas made its way into my instagram account!
Salone Del Mobile 2018
The Design Pavilion was spread across ten pavilions including Pavilion 20 which offered you a bird’s eye view of Rho Fiera; in this pavilion Brand Kartell unveiled its smart design for smart people across eight display platforms. Among the new products showcased, Kartell presented the Catwalk and Venice seats, Philippe Starck’s Cara armchair and Tokujin Yoshioka’s Matrix chair.
The event can be best summarized in the words of Carlo Ratti “In the 20th century, cities expanded outwards to conquer nature and the countryside, we believe that today’s challenge is the opposite: how can we bring nature back in the city and into our homes?” After immersing myself in sheer eco-consciousness, it was time for me to dine and get some sleep.
Photo Credit : Andrea Mariani for Salone Del Mobile 2018
Next day it was time to tour the Design Pavilion, considering the size of this pavilion it leaves you wondering if a golf cart is available to take you on a tour of this chapter of Salone. And likewise if an attempt were to be made to document the creative explosion out here, it would be good enough to write an edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica!
The project located opposite Palazzo Reale in Piazza del Duomo until 25th April featured four natural microcosms in which all four seasons of the year could coexist alongside each other. The idea was to bond nature’s cycles and domestic spaces, through a series of rooms and familiar areas, each of them furnished according to a different theme.
Sicily is my love collection
Amidst the global fairy tale in the design pavilion, the Indian pride and prejudice was upheld by Kolkata based brand Scarlet Splendour, the brand which was launched at Spazio Rossana Orlandi during the Milan Design Week in 2015, showcased the Snow White range by Artefatto Design Studio, which featured a sheepskin sofa. By the time I completed my tour, the sun was ready to embark on a journey across a different time zone. In the backdrop of the setting sun, my train ride from Rho Fiera to Duomo lasted for 40 minutes, post which it was time to witness Salone’s take on sustainability with the project “Living Nature”. La natura dell’abitare produced in partnership with international design and innovation studio CarloRatti Associati (CRA). The project presented special design stories that were contextualised and attuned to nature.
} “Living Nature”. La natura dell’abitare produced in partnership with the international design and innovation firm CarloRatti Associati Design Connect|June 2018
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Indian Designers in Milan
INDIANS IN MILAN Young Designers take a keen interest in SaloneSatellite and the Milan Design Week; we spoke to the Indian designers who showcased their products How was the experience at Milan Design Week? Was it positive in terms of marketing your products to a global audience?
It was a huge achievement for us to represent India in the Milan Design Week. All our products are rooted in the culture India reverberates, to be able to showcase these products was akin to showcasing a slice of India to a diverse global audience. A dream come true actually! Tell us something about Design Clinic India, what led to the inception of Design Clinic India?
A Delhi based design studio ‘Design Clinic’ showcased their products at the Milan Design Week, we spoke to Founder and Creative Director, Parth Parikh.
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I always wanted to start my own design studio and promote the idea of Made In India. With the inception of Design Clinic, I have utilised my experience and skills to create fresh products which embodies the use of indigenous crafts and colours. Design Clinic India is a multi-disciplinary design studio with an expertise in the field of furniture, lights & interiors.
The brand believes that “Our country never fails to inspire us”. Swearing by the one off quality that incorporates Indian art, craft and the local scenarios, we create products that are contemporary. In your own words what is your idea of good design?
Tell us something about the first project you guys had worked on?
We debuted with some furniture pieces which were highly appreciated on social media. Further down the road, our products were also noticed in design festivals like India Design ID. With Milan Design Week, we have made an attempt to present our design narratives beyond the Indian borders to a diverse global audience.
The Design Clinic Stall at Milan Design Week
Indian Designers in Milan
Good design echoes an aura of happiness and positivity, something the end users cherish for a lifetime!
In your design journey so far, which project, product has imparted a lot of recognition to your brand? Our “Phoolmandi Collection’’ designed and launched in 2017 is one of the highly appreciated collection so far. The Tokri Pouf which is part of the Phoolamandi Collection is the most loved and commercially successful product After having witnessed the design pool at Milan, what are your thoughts on the global design sense, is the language of design really universal or is it denoted by cultural affinities?
Well I always follow my heart rather than following an existing design trend. When we say that ‘our country never fails to inspire us’ we worship it like anything. Our design language is very colourful and artistic which we believe is a perfect way to show India through design. People will accept you globally if you’re original in your work.
What are some of the recent products/projects you will be working on? We launched a collection called “Indian Nritya” exclusively at the Milan Design Week 2018. This collection is inspired from different dance forms of India using a 200 year old craft called “Channapatna”. We are now in the process of crafting some more products using the same technique.
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Principle Designer Nimish Pawar heads the A.N. Design Studio based in Thane, Mumbai. The studio was one of the Indian participants in SaloneSatellite, we spoke to Nimish about his experience at SaloneSatellite.
The Badam Lamp
Indian Designers in Milan
How was the experience at Salone Satellite 2018? Was it positive in terms of marketing your products to a global audience? SaloneSatellite 2018 was a big event & indeed it was an apt platform for us to showcase our designs to a global audience.
Tell us something about A.N.Studio, what led to the inception of A.N.Studio? A.N. Studio was established in 2009. Since then we have worked on an array of varied assignments which includes architecture, interiors, furniture & art works.
In your own words what is your idea of good design? Good design should be futuristic & multifaceted.
In your design journey so far, what are the different products you have designed? Since our inception, we have worked on numerous architectural and interior projects with unique ideas & approach. In our journey so far, we have had opportunity to work with well known contemporary artist Tomas Saraceno from Berlin. With Tomas, we were closely involved in design development besides producing artworks of varied scales. We have also produced a series of furniture products for Atelje Sotamma from Finland. These furniture products were designed using contemporary modeling software & 3D printing technology and assembled using traditional handcrafting methods.
The Octruss Table
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After having witnessed the design pool at Salone, what are your thoughts on the global design sense, is the language of design really universal or is it denoted by cultural affinities?
The Shell Lamp
Indian Designers in Milan
Although advanced exposure to the latest technology, new methods of proto-typing & producing designs with using tools like CNC, 3D printing have come up, it is but fair to say that culture really adds its own uniqueness to the end product .
What are some of the recent products/projects you will be working on? We are currently in the process of designing the bespoke Octruss table which is an Octrahydron crystalline structure made with brass rods; as well as Twin Nepenthes & Badam lamps which are forms derived from nature and handcrafted with brass & copper sheet metals. We are also collaborating with a Swiss partner to design & produce a series of furniture pieces.
The Twin Nepenthes Lamp
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How was the experience at SaloneSatellite 2018? It was a dream come true, after having worked on exquisite pieces of furniture in India we were eager to introduce our expertise to a global audience. We showcased four new pieces of furniture. These pieces include a coffee table, flat pack side table, accent chair and customisable wall-scones. Each piece has a different story and inspiration woven together through its materiality, colours and sleek lines.
Indian Designers in Milan
Tell us something about Studio Wood, what led to the inception of Studio Wood?
It was a summer project which led to the inception of Studio Wood. Back then me, Navya Aggarwal & Sahej Bhatia were working together on a furniture collection that was launched as Re-love in August 2014. The response we received led us to seriously consider the idea of exploring furniture designing full time and we decided to start our own studio.
The Studio Wood Stall at Salone Satellite
(L -R) Vrinda Mathur, Navya Aggarwal and Sahej Bhatia A Delhi based studio, Studio Wood, participated in SaloneSatellite, this year, we spoke to Vrinda Mathur, Cofounder, Studio Wood.
The Hudson Side Table
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What is your design philosophy?
Tell us something about the first project you guys had worked on?
Our first project was “Re-loved furniture” launched in August 2014; it was an attempt to reuse old furniture pieces to recreate something novel. In achieving the novelty our design methodology tethered on to mixing mediums, experimenting with colour and adding a dose of new age materials to give them a new form and function. Pouf seats were designed out of drawers and consoles out of study tables.
The Gingham Bench
In your design journey so far, which project, product has imparted a lot of recognition to your brand? It was the office space we designed for ‘Truly Madly Matchmakers’ in 2015. This project gave us immense recognition, right from numerous features on international platforms such as Architizer, Archello to winning IBDSA’s India’s Best Young Studio Award 2016. The project had a quality of bridging the gaps between three approaches- that is to explore and combine the fields of art, architecture and design by providing simple design solutions and altering the familiar.
After having witnessed the design pool at Milan, what are your thoughts on the global design sense, is the language of design really universal or is it denoted by cultural affinities? While all design studios at Milan were very global in their approach, their cultural sensibilities crept in, either into the forms, functions or materials of their products. But having said that, design is still universal. It gives an opportunity to do problem-solving of the same issue but in a hundred different ways. What are some of the recent products/projects you will be working on?
Our portfolio for this year will include both interiors and furniture. We are developing and enhancing our flat-pack range of tables (that were launched at SaloneSatellite) our idea is to improve the production processes, time & ease of assembly. On the interiors front, a whole lot of new projects are lined up, right from high-end residential spaces, to rustic offices & a minimally designed retail outlet for a home decor brand.
The Moon Coffee Table
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Indian Designers in Milan
Since the company started off its journey with a collaborative design project, our philosophy has always been to co-create. This notion has lead us into working alongside design leaders such a Asian Paints, Inchwork, Shweta Malhotra, Imperial Knots and Conow to name a few. We believe good design responds to the client needs; our design philosophy also lies in creating furniture not for the places but for the people. Since our inception our collective design mandate has been in favour of creating custom made pieces, which responds to the dynamic needs of the end user.
Photo Credits : Prashant Bhat
Amidst vast greens, in Kandivli, Mumbai, Ar. Samir Dharurkar and Ar. Mansi Dharurkar design a residence catering to
The Captain’s House By We Architects
distinctive needs of an undivided family.
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The Captain’s House By We Architects
THE CAPTAIN’S HOUSE
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The Captain’s House By We Architects
The colourful interior accessories rev up the design quotient
The entrance makes quite a statement!
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Based in North Mumbai, Kandivli is one of the fastest growing suburbs in Mumbai. Known formerly for its stone quarries, amidst the numerous sky rises that vie for attention here is ‘Kalpataru Gardens’ a well designed residential complex with 3 towers and approximately 500 apartments. And it is on the 10th floor of this magnificent property, We Architects were commissioned to design an abode for a Sr. Captain employed with a prominent airline.
The Captain’s House By We Architects
The dining space acquires a cosy corner in the living room
Spread across 1800 sq.ft this abode is home to an undivided family of eight members including the client whose work hours are pretty erratic “This was one of the core challenges of this project,” says Ar. Samir Dharurkar, Principal Architect, We Architects “Since the client is a pilot, his routine was unlike other salaried or business professionals. An uncertain and odd flying schedule, long layovers was always on the cards, his comfort levels, habits, role of other family members had to be clearly understood before we arrived at the final design.”
“As it’s a joint family with 8 members, so on our part as designers there was much work to do. The youngest member in the family is the client’s daughter, a Sr. KG student whereas the oldest is the client’s father, a former banker who enjoys much of his time reading books.”
The client was well aware of trendy homes and designs in vogue and he summarised his needs in a single line “The client made it clear to me that the interiors of his abode should evoke the feeling of a home, he wanted his home to be contemporary but not gaudy” says Samir.
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The Captain’s House By We Architects
The Modular Kitchen
Keeping in tune with the brief, a large portion of the house was draped in sober white with the exception of the prayer corner and the children’s room. The living room is spacious and the play of sunlight makes itself prevalent in this area. The sober landscape in the living room is revved up with interior accessories and paintings. Most of these paintings have been painted by the captain’s wife. A flat screen TV with a well organised seating area composed of sofa sets and seats making the living room an ideal space for a family get together. The dining space acquires a cosy corner in this set up. The living room also connects to a prayer corner. The idols inside reflect an aura of the divinity. In addition to this the customised graphic wall art depicting the ‘Gayatri Mantra’ adds to the feeling of pure bliss.
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The Prayer Area
Samir Dharurkar , Principle Architect, We Architects.
About We Architects We Architects is a design focused company based in Mumbai working PAN India. The company provides architecture and interior designing solutions for commercial, residential, and hospitality spaces.
All the rooms in the abode make use of vitrified tiles for flooring, the choice of a darker shade in the living and the dinning space was in response to the prominence of the lighter shades in the design scheme “Given the colour scheme of the walls and the accessories dark vitrified tiles were used to maintain a balance of contrast. In addition perfect selection of veneers, curtains from D DECOR, wall paper from Marshalls, customised graphics and paintings adds to the overall ambience” says Samir.
The Master Bedroom
“Unike the living room and the bedroom the play of colours is strongly visible in the children’s room,” says Samir “the girls are young and during our design meets we were made aware of their affinity towards cartoons and Barbie Dollhouse, we tried to create a similar caricature for them using feminine colours. Most of the accessories you see in the children’s room find its resonance in an animated world they are so fond of.” Keeping in mind that the master bedroom will be used after long and odd duty hours, it was invoked with a calm and subtle theme. The minimal use of paintings and zero artefacts here conjures up a stress free mood which is much needed, more so when the work schedule is irregular and unconventional.
One of the noticeable elements in this abode is a wooden propeller placed bang opposite the main entry door. “We wanted to reflect the client’s personality as a Sr. Captain in an informal way,” says Samir “After a series of brainstorming ideas; we customised a wooden art piece - a replica of a propeller generally seen at the nose of small hobby flights.”
To make it extra special, the designers embalmed this wooden propeller with the stamp and date of the clients first runway in NY. It gives a very subtle signal that the abode belongs to a captain. Additionally it also adds an element of nostalgia about his first take off memories.
The childrens bedroom pays an ode to the tiny tots who occupy it Design Connect|June 2018
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The Captain’s House By We Architects
The abode is awash with natural light that flows in however multifunctional ambient light was a necessity. For general lighting LED panel lights and down lighters were used. Designer LED’s with three different shades were utilised near the bar area to create a perfect party mood.
Project Shenzhen by Sergio Mannino
Italian Designs In The Far East
Sergio Mannino
China has served as a canvas for a number of renowned architects and designers who have extolled this nation in the Far East with their creative expressions and one of the names in this creative league is Sergio Mannino Studios. Based in New York, the design studio recently completed a project in China which involves an integration of Chinese expectations with a global design sensibility. The story started when Sergio received an invitation from Area 17, an architectural firm with offices in China to bid on a large residential development in the city of Shenzhen, 30 minutes from Hong Kong in China’s Guangdong province.
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The green apartment uses a lot of natural materials including wood
Photo Credits : Apartments: Sergio Mannino Studio. Lobbies: B+M Studio - Yan Ming
Project Shenzhen by Sergio Mannino
“The client asked us to design 3 apartment showroom, the lobbies of the 3 towers, and all the spaces in between. They were targeting three different groups of people: young couples; young couples with kids and older couples with possibly one parent living with them. They wanted a fresh design that would appeal to a new generation of Chinese who travel a lot and are exposed to an international design aesthetic” says Sergio who incepted Sergio Mannino Studios back in 2008.
In order to respond to the client needs, it was essential for the studio members to understand the nature of Chinese sumptuousness. Consequently, it led the designers to check out several new residential projects in Shenzhen and nearby Hong Kong. The designers found that these projects were all characterized by a high level of décor; there were no white walls or plain surfaces anywhere.
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This was quite unlike minimalism in the west and initially did pose as a challenge in the overall creative dynamics.
“Good design is when you can create something that reflects the values of the society you live in, or to be more precise the values of the society you would like to live in. In this design journey we realised that luxury in China is often defined by an abundance of materials and finishes, especially stone and marble. Keeping note of the Chinese sensibilities we arrived at a design which used a lot of ceramic tiles, marble and wood floors. In the lobbies we used a white marble with laser-cut insets of green and red marble, following a design that I personally sketched on paper.”
Project Shenzhen by Sergio Mannino
The project consists of three apartments and the nomenclature too was quite specific. ‘Millenia’ was targeted at young couples, then there’s ‘Green’ which was designed using a lot of natural materials and ‘New Classic’ which is based on a classical French design and targeted at people who prefer a traditional setting.
The Shenzen skyline is fast turning into a brilliant caricature of contemporary architecture
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Given the scale of this project it was executed in18 months, says Sergio “It took about a year and a half from the first meetings to the full design. We were working while the buildings were under construction and many solutions were dictated by last minute changes. In a project of this scale this is quite normal and overall, I think the whole process went on smoothly.” In addition the interior accessories were also curated by the design studio; Area 17 Hong Kong too offered their expertise to this exercise.
Project Shenzhen by Sergio Mannino
The plush lobby area is etched with marble and ceramic tiles
A project where design values are reinvigorated with a global thought process requires a diverse team. For this project Sergio Mannino Studios had a team in New York, one in Beijing and one in Italy working non-stop 24 hours a day. When one team closed the files, another team opened them and the process continued. This team was composed of Italians, with a few Chinese members.
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“Good design is when you can create something that reflects the values of the society you live in�
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Project Shenzhen by Sergio Mannino
The ‘New Classic’ Apartments are based on a classical French design and targeted at people who prefer a traditional setting
The sleek modular kitchen in the ‘New Classic’ Apartments
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Project Shenzhen by Sergio Mannino
“In this design journey we realised that luxury in China is often defined by an abundance of materials and finishes, especially stone and marble� Design Connect|June 2018
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Project Shenzhen by Sergio Mannino
The ‘Millenia’ Apartments targeted at young couples represent a fusion of classic and the contemporary
“The experience and insight of Area-17 who had been working in China for almost 15 years,”says Sergio “also came in handy since they understood very well what the client was expecting from us at every stage.”
After all the hard work paid off and the project was well received and the apartments were sold at asking price and more. In the housing market where unpredictability denotes a margin of risk, it is safe to say that this project turned out to be “a silver lining on the Chinese real estate cloud.”
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Project Shenzhen by Sergio Mannino
About Sergio Mannino Studios Established in 2008, Sergio Mannino Studio is a multi-disciplinary design studio specializing in retail, residential, interior, and furniture, for both private and commercial environments. The studio is based in New York, but recognized internationally, having completed over 250 projects including in China, Italy, Canada and across the United States.
Headed by Sergio Mannino himself, the committed team is made up of professional architects, interior designers, graphic designers and branding consultants. SM Studio is motivated by the desire to create spaces that synthesize creativity, excitement and functionality - blending classic Italian design with contemporary flair.
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Design Conversations with Ar. Joyshree Mukherji
NATURALLY INCLINED!
A trained architect from the Kamla Raheja College of Architecture, Mumbai, Joyshree’s penchant for furniture design and home interiors led her to work with architects like Jayashree Bhalla and Shabnam Gupta in the initial years of her career and finally the inception of JM Design Lane “JM Design Lane is a dream studio,” says Joyshree “wherein I wanted to experiment and execute designs which are just meant for the space of my end users. Something which defines one’s story.”
“ It allows me,” she continues “to explore the vivid imagination of our esteemed clients and put our complete heart and soul in getting their imaginations come alive. In a way, for me it’s an exercise which offers both, personal and professional fulfilment.”
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Incepted in 2017 JM Design Lane deals with interior and furniture design. Joyshree’s fondness for natural elements and ethnic art and design, has led her to work extensively on bamboo cane and rope furniture. The idea of experimenting with a different medium remains open but right now bamboo is her first love; elaborating on her affinity for bamboo she states “The flexibility that bamboo offers is a designer’s delight, the fact that it allows itself to be impregnated with materials like wood, wrought iron, fabric, ropes and threads makes way for an array of design narratives.”
Design Conversations with Ar. Joyshree Mukherji
“Architecture is both the process and product of planning and designing without restricting one to only interiors, exteriors, product or say furniture. While I enjoy doing the interiors of a space, it was my personal choice to take one step further and design the furniture too as a mini manifestation of my design style and an extension to my design philosophy.� says Ar. Joyshree Mukherji, Principle Architect at JM Design Lane.
Ar. Joyshree Mukherji, Principle Architect, JM Design Lane Design Connect|June 2018
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A Lounge Chair
Design Conversations with Ar. Joyshree Mukherji
Rhythm Resorts, Lonavla
Once all the details are defined and the sketches are ready, it’s time to pick the right raw materials to design promising and durable end products. For the bamboo cane designs the chief material utilised, includes the Assam cane or Andaman Cane. Bambusa Balcoda also known as the Bhaluka in Assam, Balku Baans in West Bengal and the Wamnah in Meghalaya is the most widely used. Being an indigenous produce the material is well suited with Indian climatic conditions.
Crafting these narratives begins with an undivided attention to the client needs followed by hours spent on the drawing board “There is good amount of time spent in doing the right homework and field work before we execute the design,” explains Joyshree “The first step is to understand the end user’s requirement and the character of the space that the furniture would carve its niche in. Hence before I sit on my drawing board my client’s requirement is heard with very attentive ears.”
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Colours at play driving the monotony away : A series of colourful pouffes
Design Conversations with Ar. Joyshree Mukherji
“For the bamboo cane designs the chief material we use, includes the Assam cane or Andaman Cane. Bambusa Balcoda also known as the Bhaluka in Assam, Balku Baans in West Bengal and the Wamnah in Meghalaya”
The high back chair A single seater sofa
“Post the selection of the precise raw material every bamboo cane that gets into hand weaving for our design is well treated. Sometimes the natural look and feel of the beautiful bamboo shoot is left untouched except for the final touch of polish while sometimes the cane is woven with beautiful colourful ropes to give ethnic yet modern look and feel to our designed furniture as per the choice of our esteemed clients.”
The play of colours is one of the marked features in some of the products designed by JM Studio and it all began with a interior design project the firm was working on “The idea of adding colour other than via a paint to the bamboo cane furniture started while we were designing a library for a bank,” reminisces Joyshree “The client was immensely happy with the French chairs we had designed but they wanted to make it even more funky without painting it.”
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Design Conversations with Ar. Joyshree Mukherji
“The only way it was possible was by using fabric, but how? On observing the woven cane, we thought, why not remove the cane strips and use rope instead? But that would take away the cane weave. Hence we decided to interlock the bamboo cane and rope.”
The 2.5 seater sofa
In her design journey so far Joyshree’s has designed a series of customised marvels, depending on the scale and the size of the said project the delivery time varies from 30 to 35 days but what you get at the end of this time period is pure delight.
In the words of one of her clients Mr Ashok Jatia, Director, Rhythm Resorts, Lonavla “We were very happy to work with Joyshree for our Porch Lounge interior layout and furniture project. She understood our theme immediately and designed a set of products which blended in with the existing setup.”
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Joyshree’s creations represent a perfect symbiosis of natural material with ethnic art and design
“Her workmanship and quality is also of a very high standard. Guests visiting our Porch Lounge don’t miss a photo while lounging on the lovely bamboo cane furniture which she designed, made and installed. I will recommend her firm to anyone without hesitation.”
Apart from Rhythm few names in her list of cherished clientele includes Kapse Consulting Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai, Kube Café Bar And Restaurant, Andheri, Mumbai and MSPL Limited. Currently Team JM Design Lane is busy working on a lake side resort project in the mountains of Nagpur. And if you too are thinking of adding some design delight to your spatial narratives drop in a mail at mukherji.joyshree@ gmail.com
Under the naked sky and the glistening sun, a series of multi-coloured pouffe adds to the fun Design Connect|June 2018
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Design Conversations with Ar. Joyshree Mukherji
Kube Café Bar and Restaurant, Andheri, Mumbai
Designer Pritesh Meisheri’s Suburban Project
The project is based in Regency Towers located in the outskirts of Dombivli
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SUBURBAN DREAMS
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Designer Pritesh Meisheri’s Suburban Project
In a time line when the city of Mumbai is overcrowded, the suburbs have provided the much needed respite in terms of the spatial management required. This in turn has ensured the availability of quality spaces for the urban dweller. Located 50kms away from Mumbai, Dombivli is one such suburb. A typical concoction of diverse communities, the town is home a plethora of emerging landmarks in real estate, and one such landmark is Regency Towers built by the Regency Group.
In Regency Towers, Prit Designs was commissioned to design the residence of Ajit and Meena Kothari, a young Marwari couple with diverse business interests. The designers were asked to design a residence which would be simple but colourful.
Keeping the brief in mind, the designers opted for a simple yet contemporary design in the backdrop of a colour scheme, which changed from loud to subtle and vice-versa. The design scheme also took into account the individual preferences of the business couple and their three children. A look at the design and the colour scheme of the dedicated rooms asserts the fact. On close observation, it becomes obvious that across all the rooms, the lights in use have a profound effect on its appearance. This effect was achieved by using profile lights and COB lights. The interior accessories and furnishings tend to add colour to an otherwise sober colour palette.
The presence of a small lounge and a laser cut grill add an ostentatious charm to the living room
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The presence of a small lounge is one of the quirks which catches your attention in the living room, commenting on this Designer Pritesh Meisheri points out “We added the dinning space and a small lounge in the living room, The lounge was designed using a fusion of grill and onyx to give it an elegant look. The lounge is a space were one can take some time out, read books or simply relax. Given the lavish appeal onyx adds to a space we used onyx for flooring in the living room as well.”
Designer Pritesh Meisheri’s Suburban Project
Designer Pritesh Meisheri
The installation of a laser cut grill with a wooden finish creates an ostentatious backdrop for a huge flower vase in the living room; bang opposite this is a prayer area. The use of mirrors in the prayer area adds to the novelty of design. In an attempt to infuse a natural aura to this space the designers used a digital print featuring pine tree leaves in the seating area. This syncs in perfectly well with the furnishings that adorn this space.
The son’s room reflects the essence of a football fanatic
A flat screen TV with a well organised seating area composed of sofa sets and seats making the living room an ideal space for a family get together. The dinning space acquires a cosy corner in this set up.
In the son’s room though the colour scheme is not garish, it reflects the essence of a football fanatic. A big digital print of Manchester United spread across the entire wall intensifies the argument further. Keeping in tune with the daughters likeness for make-up, the girls room features a vanity mirror; clearly one of the highlights of this space. The mirror is a part of a green dressing table filled with grooming essentials.
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Designer Pritesh Meisheri’s Suburban Project
Furthermore, the use of blue curtains adds to the aura of cosiness in the daughters room. Unlike the living room, in both these rooms wooden flooring has been utilised. The bedroom grabs your attention with a full height wardrobe covered in leather; coupled with the onyx flooring, it keys in the desired dose of luxe and comfort.
The Entrance
Given the space at disposal and the clients adoration for different colours in the backdrop of a simple yet refined residence; it is but right to say that Prit Designs has created just what the client needed, an abode which integrates different design sensibilities under one roof. The Daughters Room
He clever use of a mirror in this area seemingly adds volume.
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The pproject makes good use of rofile lights and COB lights
Designer Pritesh Meisheri’s Suburban Project
The choice of good curtains adds an element of cosiness in the daughters room
A full height wardrobe covered in leather revs up the quotient of luxury in the bedroom Design Connect|June 2018
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London Festival Of Architecture, London
1-30 June
The London Festival of Architecture celebrates London as a global hub of architectural experimentation, practice and debate. The festival returns to the capital from 1-30 June 2018 with a lively and diverse programme of public events across London exploring the theme ‘identity’. The vast majority of events are free, and are staged by a core festival programming team working alongside architecture and design practices and practitioners, leading cultural and academic institutions, artists and many others.
Events
Barcelona Design Week, Barcelona Barcelona Design Week (BDW), organized by Barcelona Design Centre and FAD Fostering Arts and Design, in collaboration with the Museu del Disseny and the support of Barcelona City Council, is an event dedicated to design, creativity and innovation in Barcelona. Year 2018 will see the inception of the 13th edition will bringing together the main players in design in order to consolidate it as one of the most important design events and to share Barcelona’s design vitality with the city and the world.
7-14 June
7-10 June - August
Los Angles Design Festival Los Angeles The LA Design Festival honors the city’s design culture; the event pays an ode to LA’s diversity and talent. Now in its 8th year, the Festival is the only citywide festival of its kind, featuring over 50 events throughout LA. From architecture and interiors to graphic, industrial, fashion, set, costume, and experiential design, the LA Design Festival showcases the best of the local design scene as well as some exciting national and international voices.
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7-10 June
Welt Ohne Außen: Immersive Spaces Since The 1960s Gropius Bau, Berlin Curated by Thomas Oberender and Tino Sehgal, the exhibition traces a development from the pioneers of immersive installations to contemporary artistic practices, bringing together a wide range of art forms and disciplines. Featuring installations, virtual reality, 3Dfilm, a smell organ, as well as live works and workshops, the exhibition develops a unique dramaturgy that allows visitors to enter into these immersive spaces, with each work unfolding within its own temporality.
NeoCon, Chicago
11-13 June
Held every June since 1969, the 50th edition of NeoCon will be held at The Mart in Chicago. A launch pad for innovation-offering ideas and introductions that shape the built environment NeoCon is complemented by first-class educational programming featuring 100 accredited seminars in addition to its special programs and marquee presentations. The industry’s major manufacturers as well as hot emerging companies will showcase thousands of new products and services in categories including furniture, fabrics, flooring, interior building products, interior finishes and technology.
Design Miami, Basel, Miami
12-17 June
Events
Design Miami is the global forum for design, its more than a marketplace for design, where the world’s top galleries gather to present museumquality exhibitions of twentieth and twenty-first century furniture, lighting and objets d’art. Each show balances exclusive commercial opportunities with progressive cultural programming, creating exciting collaborations with designers and design institutions. The event also conducts group discussions and lectures with leading luminaries from the world of design, architecture, art and fashion.
Denfair , Melbourne, Australia
14-15 June
Denfair will be held at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre 1 Convention Centre in Melbourne, Australia. The design event, refined over three years and held annually in Melbourne and Sydney, has become the connection point where numerous local and global brands come together in their passion for design to utilise DENFAIR as a platform for business growth and opportunity. Denfair will see the presence of, professional designers, architects, interior stylists and design-lovers.
iF Design Talent Award 2018 The iF Design Talent Award is one of the biggest and most prestigious competitions for students and young graduates in the field of design worldwide. It takes place twice a year. In each term, the focus is placed on 4 different current topics. The competition is open to students and recent graduates of all design-related courses and programs. They can submit their visionary ideas for the second round in 2018. Participation is free of charge; the deadline for registration is 30th July 2018. Log on to www.ifworlddesignguide.com
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