May-June 2012 by Design Matrix

DESIGN MATRIX • MAY-JUNE 2012

PEOPLE • LIFESTYLE • DESIGN • INTERIORS

May - June 2012 VOL. 2 • ISSUE 4 • `100

RUPESH BAID “To me work means designing a human experience.”

A Paprika Media presentation

1 DESIGN MATRIX • JULY-AUGUST 2011

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Karan Jhunjhunwala Manohar Jhunjhunwala Babita Krishnan atrix.co babitakrishnan@designm

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Publisher Managing Director Editor-In-Chief

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S ’ R O T EDI N O T E

h, I know him/her very well”, is an oft heard statement! But do we really? I from now, after meeting one such person, can dispel such a thought. Guess, no one ever can claim to know a person completely. I realized this while chatting with Rupesh Baid, whom I have known as a professional and a friend for more than a decade. The fact that we both belong to “parents of twins” club only cements the relationship. His never-say-die attitude, ready smile and willingness to learn apart from his reputation and achievements as a designer were reasons enough to put him on the cover but as we got talking, I found a lot more – The cover is off…Rupesh, the person behind the professional! The issue, by default is very young (not that you can put an age on creative people!) in its content. It is wonderful to see enterprising ‘young designers’ at their creative best and being socially responsible. Though they might not come across as taking life very seriously, and viewed with trepidation by some, when they do adopt a cause, they go the whole hog. 100%...nothing less! We get you stories and design ideas from varied fields to prove this point. Harsha Kotak, a designer, came up with this wonderful idea of keeping an eye on the latest trends and happenings globally and provide an insight to a designer’s perspective. While she is busy doing that for us from London, we share some of her achievements as a precursor. Also, for those of you who missed it on our Facebook page, the winners of the Design Matrix-Ultratech Paints Excellence Awards have been announced. I would like to thank our jury who gave us their valuable time and decided on the winners and commendation in each category. Watch out for details on the following function, here or on our FB page. Till the next time, happy vacations!

Babita Krishnan

Now follow us on www.facebook.com/DesignMatrixMagazine

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PINAKIN

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CON TEN TS 16 DESIGN MATRIX • MAY-JUNE 2012

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Design dimension

BLACK IS NOT JUST BLACK!

Words: Natasha Bohra

“Without black, no colour has any depth. But if you mix black with anything, suddenly there’s shadow - no, not just shadow, but fullness. You’ve got to be willing to mix black into your palette if you want to create something that’s real.” – Amy Grant, Musician

lack is the most misunderstood colour. A black-tie dinner is very formal and elegant. Women can wear that “must-have-little-black-dress” to the black-tie dinner. Yet the

bad guys wear black hats and robes. Black symbolizes death in some cultures; while

Native Americans thought black was good because it was the colour of soil, which gives life. Black is authoritative and powerful; because black can evoke strong emotions, too much can be overwhelming. Black represents a lack of colour, the primordial void, emptiness. Strictly speaking, black is not a colour. It actually is the absence of all colours. When people speak of opposites, it is generally metaphorically in terms of black and white. Black and white represent polarities. Black absorbs all aspects of light; while white reveals, black conceals. It has come to represent hidden, fearful or bad experiences. It is linked to the unknown or the unseen. 84 DESIGN MATRIX • MAY-JUNE 2012

MAY-JUNE 2012 • DESIGN MATRIX 85

Youth forum

106 COLLEGE CAPERS Students of Nirmala Niketan give vent to their creative streak – thinking and designing out of the box. thinking and designing out of the box.

90 DESIGN MATRIX • MAY-JUNE 2012

• Cover featuring: Rupesh Baid • Photograph by: Courtesy the designer • Location: and design co studio, Mumbai

35 115

COVER STORY Getting to know the person behind the designer – in a heart-to-heart with Rupesh Baid on what are his passions and beliefs that guide him both personally and professionally. Pg 22

AR. AAMCHER Ar. Aamcher is pleased with initiatives taken by citizens, who think of convenience for the sick. Pg 35

RETAIL DESIGN The Bath World designed by Dipen Gada and Associates, displays the unique traits and characteristics of the firm. Pg 36

GLOBAL EYE Introducing designer Harsha Kotak, who will be regularly writing this blog-style column, giving a designers perspective to all global trends and events. Pg 42

YOUNG GUNS Who says designers do not have a business sense? We present to you a host of young design driven entrepreneurs; also presenting Pentaspace, a young firm making a statement with every structure they create. Pg 56

ARTYTECHTURE LEISURE DESIGN Mandawa Fort that has been converted to into a heritage hotel, is a curious mix of the old and new. Pg 78

Artist, architect and composer Christopher Janney’s abstract art installation at the Miami International Airport. Pg 104

YOUTH FORUM MY SPACE Ar. Aaron Schwarz shares his experience of living and working away from his home turf – and making India his work sphere. Pg 86

The annual exhibition of Nirmala Niketan, brings out the creative best of students, this time creating accessories for children. Pg 106

PRODUCT LAUNCH MUSINGS Wrap - the luxury furniture brand, is a response to the absence of internationally relevant Indian product design. Pg 92

DESIGN DIMENSION An insight and attempt at understanding of the world of colour black, in fashion. Pg 48

esting insight into an unconventional site in Kerala – Edakkal caves. Pg 98

PHOTO FEATURE Photographer Pradeesh K. gives us an inter-

All the latest products that have hit the market to flatter your design senses. Pg 115

ETCETRA Information and news from the design world – happenings, events, reader’s contribution and more. Pg 123 MAY-JUNE 2012 • DESIGN MATRIX 17

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PEOPLE • LIFESTYLE • DESIGN • INTERIORS

EDWIN PINTO

March - April 2012 VOL. 2 • ISSUE 3 • `100

DESIGNS FOR HAPPY FEET...

SWATI M E H R OT R A

JULIA LU ND STEN A

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JULY-AUGUST 2011 • DESIGN MATRIX 1

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We would love to have your views, comments and/or suggestions on what you would like to see or read in our pages. Please email to: babitakrishnan@designmatrix.co or write to Design Matrix, MRJ Creations Pvt. Ltd., C-201 Shyam Kamal Agarwal Market, Vile Parle (E), Mumbai-400 057 or Call on 022-26187132. Thank you readers for ‘liking’ us on www.facebook/DesignMatrixMagazine.

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next experiment from Design Matrix.

for a very long time and have always read

S. Venkatesh,

about her projects whenever something

Entrepreneur, Hyderabad

was published. It was refreshing to note a different approach towards the project in

Looking forward to some more product infor-

your last issue. The designer’s perspective

mation in your pages, really loved the one on

and reason was most welcome as it gave

artefacts. With so many good products com-

us an insight into her thought process and

ing into India, it is sometimes very difficult to

a chance to see the creative person behind

keep track and magazines like yours are doing

the project.

a fabulous job of keeping us informed. Ramakant P. Desai,

Rakhee Das,

Student, Rajkot

Executive, New Delhi Being an interior design student, I have always

As an addicted shoe shopper, for me this issue

looked at only homes and offices and every-

was a beautiful insight on what goes in the

thing else to do with my industry. But when I

mind of another designer to get to the bot-

started reading Design Matrix, it has widened

tom level of comfort….our shoes! It was fun

my knowledge and helped me in so many

reading the cover story and very refreshing.

ways. Reading about how and where differ-

Shilpa Rathi Daga,

ent designers draw their inspirations from has

Designer, Mumbai, via facebook

personally helped me a lot. Also, I would like to make a suggestion for you to showcase jew-

Presentation of every page was fabulous.....un-

elry designers as well. I have always been curi-

like some other magazines. Design Matrix gives

ous about that aspect of design. Kudos!

every project, featured in each issue equal im-

Priyanka Bhatnagar,

portance and that is most encouraging for

Student, Pune

young designers like us. Thank you for making me a part of you March-April issue.

I must say that yours is a very different maga-

Jaydeep Ghag,

zine than any that I have seen in this country.

Designer, Mumbai, via facebook

Its a very wide topic that you have chosen and there is a lot to be said and done. I really

You manage to surprise me every time, and

think you should make yours a monthly mag-

Thank God for that. I really love the unpredict-

azine, because there is never enough spoken

able content as that keeps me turning pages

about design. It would be really interesting to

without the fear of getting bored. I was happy

note where all can you draw ideas from! All

to see the issue on the stands in Hyderabad.

the best!

I really loved the way you had designed the

Shrikant Iyer,

cover – a real show-stopper. Waiting for the

via email

INBOX

I have been a fan of Ms. Canna Patel’s work

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Cover story

Designing

Aspirations Words: Babita Krishnan Images: courtesy Rupesh Baid

He feels it a duty as a designer to educate his clients before embarking on creating their space as an aspirational lifestyle; and that makes Rupesh Baidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s relationship with them special and a bond of a lifetime.

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Babita Krishnan: You are not from Mumbai, do tell us something about your background.

your school days? RB: That was the first phase. People from our community almost

Rupesh Baid: Yes, I come from a Marwari family from a small

always study for CA or get into business, however, I was not keen to go

town in Chattisgarh. We are traditionally businessmen and there is

that road. But you have to follow what your parents say and so I took

absolutely no design background.

commerce in the 11th to learn accounting and all that. But within a couple of months I realized that this is not my cup of tea and I can’t do it. I did

BK: Then when and how did design come into picture?

complete my commerce but with great difficulty, I just wanted to get

RB: Right from school, I was creatively active and loved

out of that place as I felt caged. Those days we hardly had information,

sketching, it was my passion. When I was in the 9th standard, my

especially about anything like art, etc. I had heard about JJ School of

art teacher, Mr. Prabhakar felt that I had some talent and I started

Art, interior design came in much later, after I came to Mumbai. There

working with him after school. Since I was working with my drawing

was a city library close to my house that helped me a lot – I would go

teacher, I learnt a lot from him. He used to write stories and also

there to read newspapers and books, and gather information, since TV

make sketches for them, this really inspired me a lot.

was also not very common. There was no support from my family and I did not even know people.

BK: So it all began with sketching! And your family? RB: I come from a business family and my parents were totally

BK: So when and how did you come to Mumbai?

against it. They thought it was a waste of time. They did not like what

RB: I came for the first time in 1992 as part of a Scouts Group for

I was doing. But I did start painting and people were appreciating

a camp. It was at the time of the bomb blasts. I was very good at the

that. And then slowly people started coming to me for sketching

various activites at the camp and from the money I got there, went

and making cards and to do something new, for a gift idea, etc.

around to see the city – very typically a small-town boy (laughs).

BK: The quest to do something different has been there since

BK: But didn’t that scare you off ? You still came back here and

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made this your home.

BK: From art how did you move to interiors?

RB: Not at all. I came for an interview to JJ School of Arts –

RB: After I got rejected at JJ, an acquaintance’s daughter told

gave my entrance, they really liked my portfolio and I thought I

me about architecture and interior design as an option and I was

would get admission. But it did not happen and I had to think what

reminded of my small-town beginnings (smiles) since I didn’t know

to do, because if I went back home, I won’t be allowed to come

about these options. I realized that both were very interesting

back ever. I did not know anyone in the city and was staying with

and just up my alley, but architecture required science so I tried

some common friend’s family for some days (because coming

for interior design in Rachana Sansad and LS Raheja and finally

to Mumbai, you first need shelter) and it was for a short time. As

completed my design study from Raheja. Again, the issue of stay

I told you, I came here against my family’s wishes. I had limited

came up and I was helped by this senior lady journalist who was

money – only Rs. 300. Back home, I used to sketch for a newspaper

South Indian. Since I am a Jain, there was a lifestyle difference, but

Navbharat in the ‘colour me’ section to earn extra pocket money

the family was very kind and I stayed with them in a small one

(Rs. 50/- for a sketch). So I decided to do what I knew best – I saw

room-kitchen for the first three months.

the Mid day and decided to try there because the money would help. I met a senior journalist there who saw my work and was

BK: And where did you meet Archana?

impressed. Then I met one more guy through a relative. I stayed

RB: My office use to be in Mahim and she came through a

in a garage at Worli, behind Phoenix Towers, had I told my family,

friend for internship. She worked with me for almost five years and

they would have asked me to come back and I did not want to do

I respected her sincerity and honesty. So when the proposal came

that. And then one day I fell sick, had very high fever and that guy

from her parents, there were no issues and her being from the same

helped me. I have come across many people who have helped me

community was a big advantage.

a lot and it is because of their encouragement that I could achieve what I have. There are many such small incidents which have made me the person I am.

BK: Now that you have twin daughters, how is Archana managing both areas of her life? MAY-JUNE 2012 • DESIGN MATRIX 25

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RB: In the last few years, she is dividing her time between home

a more fulfilled pleasure. When you rest or relax, focus on just

and work, though family takes up almost 60% of her time, she still

that, then you will be rejuvenated always. Devote yourself to the

takes care of the office administration and design. In a marriage like

experience at hand, your life will be extremely well balanced,

ours, this becomes very important…because she understands the

accomplished, and more fulfilled.

work pressure and is able to balance everything. BK: You are a philosopher, are you? BK: What do you plan for your daughters? Would you want them to become designers?

RB: No, I am constantly analyzing myself, trying to see my work from a different point of view, which is a good thing. The way things

RB: When we came to know that we were to have twins,

have moved for me professionally has been actually quite rapid,

we prayed for daughters. And we had decided their names in

and I like to go back in time and see how it all happened, who and

advance – Tia & Sia. In today’s times you cannot decide for your

what shaped my destiny.

children. I don’t want to force them into anything, but with both of the parents being creative, at least one of them will move towards art.

BK: One of the things that did shape your destiny was Shekhar Suman’s residence. How did that happen? RB: I knew a journalist through a friend who had to interview Shekhar Suman and write about his house. Since she knew nothing

BK: Apart from design, one more interest of yours that I know

about interiors, she asked me to come along. We went to his old

of, is collecting frames. What else does Rupesh Baid do in his free

house in Sher-e-Punjab Colony. That time he was doing very well

time?

professionally and had bought a new property. He took us there

RB: (Laughs) I engross myself in looking at the world from a

and there I was reintroduced to him as a designer. It was being done

different perspective. I am working constantly. When you work,

by some set designer and it looked like a set; I remember that they

you must focus completely, then you will work less and accomplish

bought pillars from a set for a classical feel. We went around, he

more. When you play, focus on playing only, then you will have

asked me for my comments and then he asked me to design his

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kitchen. When he liked what I proposed for the kitchen, he asked

suitable for them and why. I wanted to do something different and

me to do the complete home.

so I fused design. In those days people preferred the classical look

The second house was more interesting and I was very excited

but I wanted to fuse classical with contemporary. So I persuaded

about it because here was a client who wanted a more artistic

the client to give me his requirements so that I could give an overall

house, not a regular décor, it was quite dramatic. It followed an

complete look. Luckily, he agreed and gave me a free hand, and it

English theme – there were beautiful wallpapers, fire place, etc. It

became a landmark project for us in Chennai.

was quite an elitist lifestyle kind of a house and though he used to be quite busy with his schedule, Shekhar would pick me up from my place at 10 PM and we use to stay on site till 1-2 AM. He was pretty involved in the entire process and apart from being a wonderful client it was a great experience for me professionally.

BK: But haven’t your projects always have been a mix of classical and contemporary, now leaning more towards contemporary? RB: We Indians are culturally rich and like it reflected in our lifestyle and food and I connect with it. Every culture in India offers

BK: Your work has evolved over the years from Shekhar Suman.

food as a thali that gives us a variety in one plate. We want a similar

You are doing a lot of project down South. I remember you telling

flavour in not just food but also in fashion and design. This is the

me that you don’t just do up a house for the client but educate

mantra that we follow – you understand what the client is looking

them about what is good and bad design. How easy or difficult is it?

for and create the look accordingly.

RB: 14 years ago I got my first project in Chennai – a villa. The client, a very well-known businessman who was very close to Mr.

BK: Over the years, there has been a change in the client-

Talathi, came to meet me. I had just completed Shekhar’s house,

designer relationships in the industry. You have had long

which they saw and like since they wanted something similar.

relationships with your clients, how has it been for you?

Though they had the money, there was little sense of style and this

RB: People in the South are very simple as compared to North

was a great opportunity for me as a designer to not just create the

and most of my clients are people from the North who have settled

right space for them but also to educate them in what was most

in the South and have adopted the South Indian culture and MAY-JUNE 2012 • DESIGN MATRIX 27

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lifestyle. As I believe that interiors and fashion run together, it was important to explain design and the process to them. So my role has become like that of a guide more than anything else.

these together and still manage a cohesive look. RB: Of course that is a challenge. Before going ahead with the design, we have to actually educate the clients. And that is the most exciting part of every such project.

BK: How difficult is it to explain these things to people who are used to one kind of lifestyle and are reluctant to change?

BK: Which means you have to marry the client.

RB: I never give up. I feel that if I really want to be true to

RB: Yes, I recently completed a house and the client took a

design, to my client and to myself, I have to work hard. It is a big

decision with which I was not happy, and later he realized he was

responsibility – you are creating one big asset i.e. design; you are

wrong. But sometimes I have to literally fight with them as they can

shaping someone’s personality as I believe that when you enter a

be very biased towards something just because they saw and liked

house, it reflects the people living there more than the designer.

it! Whether or not it suits them is not important. It is like a marriage of sorts (smiles).

BK: You design a lot of homes for the Marwari community where 2-3 generations generally stay together and each one has

BK: Must be very frustrating and irritating.

a different requirement and thought process. How do you marry

RB: Yes it happens many times specially since I’m very touchy

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“Our entire design and execution process today is digital. In the digital age the designer is more necessary than ever - to ensure the quality of goods designed.” about these things and have put my heart in designing that particular look which I know is most suitable for you. BK: So did it anytime lead to a divorce? RB: Yes and a remarriage too (laughs). There was this client who met me almost 7-8 years ago for designing their home. When he gave me his list of requirements, I told him that his present space would not do justice to all of them – either the requirements need to be modified or the space needs to be bigger. I thought that was the last I would have heard of him, but he came back two years later with a bigger space as he was very clear that he wanted me to design his home – a space for a typical Marwari family but done differently to reflect his status as a successful businessman. I did not want to do anything in muted colours, though he did not allow me to do exactly as I had thought, it has come quite close. The design industry is changing all over the world, there is a lot of openness and colour involved. I understood that he wants a house for himself, and to showcase it to their community for appreciation. As a designer, I want to justify myself as well as the client and satisfy him. I don’t want to design only for myself, as in doing so there is a chance of you loosing sight of the overall functionality. As a professional we need to understand the client’s requirements first. BK: How big is your team? RB: We are about ten of us. I never wanted a commercial organization but wanted a studio where I’m involved in each and every project. If it carries my name then I have to be a part of it. Every client should feel satisfied that I am giving personal attention. We are a good team of young design minds that gives better results. BK: Do you feel a change in attitude from when you were an intern? RB: Definitely. I had a passion and fire to achieve something through design – for different reasons, I had goals. Today, the young designers are not so aggressive or rather they are not so for design. They just want everything quick. When I was in Ahmedabad for my intership and initial training, I use to work very hard and though I was not a part of NID or CEPT, I use to spend time after my office hours in the campus just to feel a part of the design community, to take in the atmosphere... those were less commercial times! MAY-JUNE 2012 • DESIGN MATRIX 31

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“What is Important is the engagement for and endorsement of newness, the love for inspiring traditional as well as modern things.” 32 DESIGN MATRIX • MAY-JUNE 2012

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BK: Are you able to impart a similar training as you got?

etc. which people do not know about. In fact, we did AR Rehman’s

RB: Depends from person to person. Some people really enjoy

Mumbai studio, he is very particular about his requirements.

here while for others it is just a job. Our office is like a studio and not very formal. A designer needs a quiet place where he can really think and we have that atmosphere here.

BK: Where do you make time for your favourite passion – frames in between creating wonderful designs? RB: I met this guy in Milan and loved his frames. He told me

BK: I like the different elements of your studio. What was the thought behind designing it like this?

about this lady from Belgium who had designed them. I told Archana that I have to meet this lady and get one for myself as well.

RB: First of all it had to be functional and simple – we made it

I got her details from the net and specially went to Belgium to meet

clutter free. And then I wanted visitors to get a classic-contemporary

her. And for the last five years she has been designing all my frames.

feel – how you fuse these two looks is very important. The wallpaper

I am meeting her again this month (laughs).

is by a very famous artist and each time you see it, you discover something new, the frame is from a small family-run design house

BK: What does design mean to you?

in Italy. Overall, everything just came together perfectly to reflect

RB: I believe that we could be living in an entirely different

what we stand for. I like working with smaller design companies

world – one that is full of real contemporary inspiring objects,

from Italy, the detailing and finishing that they give to their furniture

spaces, places, worlds, spirits and experiences. The new objects

and art is amazing. All artistic creations are individual and not mass

are transconceptual, multicultural hybrids. To me work means

and that is something I prefer.

designing a human experience. Design is about the betterment of our lives poetically, aesthetically, experientially, sensorially, and

BK: Tell us about some other projects in your portfolio? RB: Though residences is our forte, we also create commercial spaces. We are doing some commercial spaces, offices, studios,

emotionally. As Rupesh sits on the drawing board, we wait for the next human experience…

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Ar. Aamcher is thrilled with citizens like Mahesh Atale, who are making an effort to improve the existing facilities.

STRETCHING CONVENIENCES The use of a stretcher in transporting a patient from one place to the other is inevitable and in most cases absolutely necessary. However, the conventional design for a stretcher makes it difficult for the attendants to carry the patient through a narrow space, inclined path, road, staircases or during landslides, etc. It not only becomes difficult and awkward for the attendants but the imbalance created may result in problems to the patient as well. Keeping in mind these difficulties, social worker Mahesh Atale, proposed a new stretcher design. This innovation by Mahesh is an add-on structure that can be used in existing metal stretchers to lift patients. With the help of this device, all the four corners of the stretcher can be moved independently while still keeping it horizontal and steady. Even if the holding frame is moved at any angle, the stretcher and hence, the patient’s body will always remain parallel to the ground. This makes the movement and transportation comfortable for both the attendants as well as the patient, since the patient’s weight is equally distributed to all corners, resulting in smooth handling of the stretcher. Also, the device absorbs minor shocks that may occur while lifting up the patient. This product aims to reduce this pressure with the help of adjustable lifters. A definite thumbs up, for Mahesh to not only think of something so practical, but also execute it. He can be reached on atalemahesh@ gmail.com or 9867900055 To share more such designs or experiences, positive or negative, contact Ar. Aamcher at aamcher@designmatrix.co

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A DIFFERENT

WORLD

Words: Aanal Adalja; Images: Tejas Shah, courtesy DGA

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Retail design

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retail showroom has two main functions â&#x20AC;&#x201C; one to cater to the demands of the customer and

second to play on the product to increase customers demand. When this demand is taken a step ahead and there is a synchronized collaboration between the product and the design then it results in the design concept of The Bath World. Located in Vadodara, The Bath World is one of the most renowned and reputed sanitary ware and tile showroom in Gujarat. Keeping this in mind, the design team was determined to ensure that this retail/display space for sanitary ware, Philips lighting, tiles and artwork would be completely different from the run-of-the-mill showrooms with bright lights and rows upon rows of products. The showroom was designed as an expansion to their already existing 2,000 sq. ft. space for more exclusive and plush brand display. This 3,500 sq. ft. space was conceptualized as taking product as a base module and then working everything around it like the niches for product display, live shower counters, artefacts and furnishings. Rustic, rugged, dark and gloomy spaces were thought as a solution with the only elements highlighted being the product line. Black slate used as general flooring renders a rustic effect to the space and the wine painted ceiling completes the idea. The basic product colour line is chrome and white which is a stark contrast to the dark backdrop thereby accentuating the product. A large metal human sculpture seems emerging from a water body welcomes us as we enter The Bath World. The showroom space is long rectangular with a large number of structural columns; this is used as an advantage by creating niches around the CRC metalclad columns and using them as display spaces for individual product display. These niches clad with tiles from the showroom act simultaneously as product display and wall cladding, thereby giving the showroom a distinctive characteristic unique to the space. MAY-JUNE 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ DESIGN MATRIX 39

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The niches on either sides of the show-

of renowned artists. The sculptures and

room make way for a central circulation

paintings incorporated in the showroom

space which is raised with rough finished

give an artistic touch to the space. The Bath

wooden look ceramic tiles.

World doubles up as a display gallery for

A special bar area is created using

paintings and sculptures where art is dis-

mosaic tile backdrop and bar stools which

played and sold. The showroom is truly a

displays the varied use of the showroom

buyer’s delight.

tiles and creativity of the designer. The look

The Bath World displays unique traits

of the space is completed with a unique

and contrasts that distinctly characterize

wooden sculpture.

the architecture of DGA

An exposed brick wall with khaki paint finish flanks the west façade of the showroom which accentuates the rugged look.

Fact file

The façade is flooded with indirect light

Client Name: Mr. Vinit Shah

through clerestory window, the light filters

Design firm: DGA (Dipen Gada and Assocites)

through scriptures cut in thin ply creating

Principal designer: Mr. Dipen Gada

an interesting play of light. This khaki wall is adorned by paintings

Design Team: Uday Amin Duration of project: 12 months

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Global eye

GLOBAL EYE Design Matrix has joined hands with International designer Harsha Kotak to bring this regular column this issue onwards.

lobal eye is about you – the

dow dressing, I instantly took some shots

readers,

the

on my camera and then shared these imag-

architects – a place to learn from

es with a few friends who curiously went

world-changing designs and products.

and checked it out the next day. And that is

It is about igniting the imagination and

when I thought, I can capture all the beau-

fostering creativity.

tiful and unusual design elements around

the

designers,

It is a blog-style account of ‘everything

me which grab and harvest my imagination

design’, ranging from product launches in

as a designer and share these with other

London to design meets and trade shows in

people while imparting my views on it. This

New York to window dressing in Paris. Also,

is how the idea for Global Eye was born and

a preview of latest trends in design as seen

a glimpse into this idea got Babita’s nod to

through a designer’s eye...

use Design Matrix as a medium to share,” she

Alumni of Savannah College of Art &

recalls.

Design, Georgia, USA, Harsha graduated

Harsha has an experience of working

with MFA degree specializing in Commer-

on projects diverse in scale, audience and

cial Interior Design, before practicing in

geography. Today, Harsha is based in Lon-

US and UK. In the last 14 years of manag-

don – the location has been central to her

ing cross-border projects, she has had

growth, offering exposure to the global

an opportunity to work with many trans-

market. This exposure is what she wants

national architectural and design compa-

to share with the readers through Global

nies and has worked on some prestigious

Eye. Harsha’s design philosophy is to create

projects like designing offices for the White

a unique character through simplicity. She

House and Pentagon in the US to program-

says, “I like to create something that enhanc-

ming and planning for the US Embassy in

es our lives and is intriguing like art.” Based

New Delhi, India.

on this thought, we anticipate with pleasure

“One day while travelling on the bus in London, I saw a quirky but beautiful win-

the launch of our exciting and informative new column. Keep reading….. MAY-JUNE 2012 • DESIGN MATRIX 43

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Harsha’s more recent work includes high proſle ſnancial and international companies like Willis, KKR, Wachovia bank, Royal Bank of Canada, Morgan Stanley, J P Morgan, Sony TV Asia, Air China, Essar Energy, Anglo American, WWE and many more diverse projects.

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Design dimension

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BLACK IS NOT JUST BLACK! Words: Natasha Bohra

lack is the most misunderstood colour. A black-tie dinner is very formal and elegant. Women can wear that “must-have-little-black-dress” to the black-tie dinner. Yet the bad guys wear black hats and robes. Black symbolizes death in some cultures; while

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In times of fear and uncertainty black contains the energy of the threatening unknown. In a positive state, black is seen as a restful emptiness into which anything may emerge and disappear once again. It is also mysterious, providing a sense of potential and possibility. The colour black is associated with sophistication and power...tuxedos, limousines, judge’s robes, and priests’ attire are all typically black. Musicians in an orchestra pit often wear all black during live concerts, so as not to draw attention away from the stage performers. And in fashion, the colour black is so widely regarded as sophisticated that the term “the new black” is often used to describe and give merit to a colour trend.

BLACK – OVER THE YEARS Widows traditionally donned black for a certain period after the death of their husbands as a sign of mourning. And sometimes they would adopt such clothing until they died, as a gesture that they, like those who embrace religious life, had died to the pleasures of the world and the happiness of marriage in order to constitute a family. After this traditional mindset, when did black begin to be considered fashionable wear? There seem to be two distinct channels of acceptance. The first upsurge to make black acceptable came from the fashion houses of Paris and London and was directed at the fashion elites – the rich, glamorous and the chic. Chanel’s revolutionary “little black dress” for the elite lady of style entered the fashion scene in the post-war period. In the ‘50s Christian Dior made popular the black afternoon dress and jacket, but again, only for the wealthy and super fashion conscious. However, it wasn’t long before the black dress lost its revolutionary tone and had become a staple at any fashionable gathering. By the early ‘90s it took a lot more to startle a gathering than a scintillating black dress, and it became quite the fashion at high society London and Paris parties to masquerade in Frankenstein-Marilyn Manson black costumes with clearly Satanic tones. The second channel flowed through the beatnik and artsy-academic circles to reach the university students, the middle class, and everyone else. In the ‘60s the beatniks made black the core colour of what became known as “Beat style”. Black became the favoured colour among artists and intellectuals. The black apparel of the reactionaries not infrequently seemed to accompany the popular revolutionary longings of the day and to provide fertile soil for fermenting utopic communist and socialist ideas. In the ‘60s, modern dancers wore black tights and leotards, while painters, musicians, “hip” professors and liberal Jesuit priests wore black turtlenecks, which were considered cool and non-conformist. This rebel Bohemian black was very different from Chanel’s “little black dress,” which had become the uniform for respectability. In the last decades, the colour black has become co-natural with the mushrooming occult and Satanist sects, as well as the metallic MTV rock culture. Black is the colour of choice for the Dungeons and Dragons aficionados, skinheads and youth gangs. And so the second channel appears to reach its course and flow with the first into the same occult pool.

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“One is never over-dressed or under dressed with a little black dress.” - Karl Lagerfeld, Fashion Designer MAY-JUNE 2012 • DESIGN MATRIX 53

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THE ADDICTION There is something bordering on the cultish in fashion’s devotion to the colour black—it’s the equivalent of white for Moonies or orange for Hare Krishnas. The wardrobes of the stylish have brightened up a bit, but although trends such as colour blocking or floral prints may float by on the surface current, underneath there is a deeper, darker tide that pulls us back towards black. Despite pronouncements at intervals by the fashion industry that red or pink or blue is the new black, the old black is still very much with us. How is it that black can betoken both oppression (the Nazis and Fascists) and also the rebellion of youth (punks and goths)? How can it be the distinctive feature of religious garments (nuns, priests, Hassidic Jews), and also of rubber and bondage fetishists? Why is it the uniform of dons and anorexics alike, of waiters and witches, of judges and suicide-bombers? No colour performs so many duties, in so many fields of clothing — smart, casual, uniform, anti-uniform—as black does. It is uniquely versatile and flexible. Black absorbs all the visible frequencies of light, just as white reflects them all. It is not on the colour wheel; adding black to a colour changes its tone, not its hue. Nor will you find it in a traditional watercolour palette—watercolourists think that black is cheating and that colour can be perceived in everything; indeed, van Gogh noted that Frans Hals painted with 27 shades of black. Black is an absence, not a presence. That, I think, is the main reason it is so versatile and can have so many wildly different meanings projected on to it, both in our culture and in others. There are certainly a lot of practical reasons for choosing black. The first response for people to wear black is usually “because it’s easy”. That seems to encompass several things. It doesn’t show the dirt. It doesn’t date. It goes with most colours, so it works as a good base to which other things can be added without meaning that you have to change handbags. Black also goes with other blacks (blacks can be different from each other, but not in the same way that different reds, say, or blues are; blacks can’t “clash”); this means that if you are not an off-the-peg dress size and usually wear separates, life is simplified. And there’s an economic point too: black can look smart even if it’s cheap. In short, black is a sensible, voluntary uniform MAY-JUNE 2012 • DESIGN MATRIX 55

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Young guns

DESIGNING LIFESTYLE Words: Natasha Bohra; Images: courtesy the designers

It takes only an idea to get success your way. In case of these young entrepreneurs, it took only design. We proſle a select few designers and share with you, their love for design.

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ndia is a melting pot of different faiths and religions where

preneurs who think in terms of design and user experiences. And

customs and rituals are an integral part of life. Indian culture has

who are demanding, innovative and willing to push the envelope.

a long history of aesthetic sensitivity and design explorations.

Call them accidental, unintended or forced entrepreneurs – there

With nearly a 5,000 year old culture, India is today one of the

has been a tremendous rise in young and dynamic groups of

world’s most tradition-rich country. This also brings in infinite

people who are attempting to create a design lifestyle beyond

treasure of knowledge resources and practiced wisdom that are

the ordinary.

being constantly used and practiced in daily life.

Driven by a desire to find personal fulfillment along with a

There are always two sides to a coin. While India is reputed to

paycheck, — the 20-something children of the baby boomers —

lack sensitivity to design, it also is arguably, an extremely design-

are increasingly forgoing traditional career paths and are hatching

centric country. Sure, as compared to the West, one cannot see

business plans based on their own passions, interests and ideals.

design orientation in the mundane and regular products, however,

However, the gamble of taking a risk definitely seems worth it to

Indians by nature are highly enterprising and find ingenious and

these new entrepreneurs. This new class of entrepreneurs often

amazing ways to make the most of whatever resources and skills

operate beyond the conventional methods of business, and are

at their disposal to earn their daily living. This can be seen in the

constantly looking into new, disruptive modes of innovation. They

rich craft heritage of India is that unique and diverse as its customs

are not only working for their benefit but are also addressing the

and traditions. Each part of the country has its own unique cultural

social and environmental concerns that public policy is currently

ethos, which is manifested in the handicrafts of that region.

struggling to tackle.

However, one cannot deny that design does not get priority

You can’t turn on a television, pick up a magazine, read a blog,

status in the industry, hence, design jobs do not have the glamour

or shop without being bombarded by design. Design is now part

that others command, nor is the industry able to promise a future

of the mainstream vocabulary, no longer owned by an elite few.

to the young designers, if they want to pursue design.

Whether it is fashion, home interiors or even a mundane day-to-

While we talk about the Indian design sensitivity, it’s also

day object, people seem to be getting obsessed with design.

worth a mention that India has always been a country where

There’s a whole lot of young designers who follow their heart and

entrepreneurship is taken very seriously. Given the appalling

are making an effort to make design a part of our daily routines.

need of design aesthetics, there is a great opportunity for entre-

We profile a select few and bring you their insights

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DSs obsession for art, coNERof Ank DEnerSdsIG ita’ was born out

Desig conver t rk is an artist’s pursuit to lour and fashion. Her wo carry, to fun are and t look pretty colour into products tha ate cre to ves stri ds ner sig rld. De wear and show to the wo a is It lly created works of art. unique, quirky, thoughtfu one k, loo ser crafts. “On a clo mix of fashion, design and dern a healthy range from mo are ts duc pro will realize our ita. Ank out nts poi ” tic, synthe to vintage and natural to com info.designerds@ gmail.

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DotPSD

Founded by Pragya Gupta and Shiva ngi Shah, specialists in leather design, DotPSD designs and manufac tures handbags/accessories that combine the richness of Indian desig n with a healthy scoop of pop culture. Combining the sophistication of leather with the delicacy of various other materials, melange of colo urs, the products of DotPSD reflect artisan skills from across India, on a cont emporary canvas. Inspired from real life landscapes ranging from the bylanes of Delhi’s famous Chandni Chowk or the packed local trains of Mumbai, the juicy tungdey kababs from Lucknow or the mouth wate ring sandesh from Kolkata, DotPSD puts the flavour of all these and muc h more into their creations. “The unsatisfied creative exposure conc eived the idea of developing our own brand – DotPSD,” highlight s Pragya, while Shivangi points out, “Our designs are a by-product of wha t we see in our daily lives, travelling in local trains, looking at vendors selling book s and toys - all end-up finding a corner to rest in our creative space. In fact, the entire Calvin & Hobbes range was conceived when we spot ted a girl reading the comic and decided to put its soul on a bag.” The two girls in their 20s enjoy trave lling which also happens to play a major role in their desig n process. Graduates of leather design, all their products are made from genuine leather and are always exploring other mate rials that can be combined with it. info@ dotpsd.in

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R HIRE FUNHireKestabFO lished by the designer trio, Shemanti

Funk For Remedios was startSarkar, Vaishali Golatkar and Wenicia g the love for India adin spre of ed with the sole purpose . The three met at a ucts prod y quirk and through their fun ther kicked off after fashion design school in Pune and toge rickshaws from all by showcasing their collection inspired year. g over India, in the graduatin its design sensibilFunk For Hire is essentially eclectic in s Indian and placing ity, drawing inspiration from all thing t colours playing brigh it on a contemporary canvas, with d comes from a bran The s. ction a pivotal role in all colle ary comes to ordin and dane mun g ythin land where ever arily catering Prim tell. life and has an extraordinary story to s, jumpsuits tunic , tops to women, the products range from bags, slings, of line a is also e Ther and coaties to jhola pants. ts. clutches and walle funkforhire@ gmail.com

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ITEM NUMBER

Item Number is a brand conceptualized to spice up, glamorize and boost the sty le quotient of a home, workspace or wardrobe. Arif, a self-lea rnt artist and Inderjit, a fashion designer by profession , thought of Item Numb er, while working on a project tog ether in Hyderabad. “We both love to travel and that helped us rediscover the wonde r that is India. There’s an organized chaos in this countr y and that was something we wante d to capture. The ver y Ind ian-ness was hugely inspiring for us,” says Arif about their inspiration. While Inderjit continu es, “We also love Hindi Cin ema, known popularly as Bol lywood, and wanted to do something with that too. Like wise, pop -art, the retro era, Indian wall art, signs and signag e… the list kept growin g. We wanted to amalgamate all these, totally kitsch the m out, repackage them and pre sent them through some medium; a medium that was both fun to work on, to sell and (for the customer) to buy, but ver y importantly, inexpensiv e and affordable too.” And this is what Item Nu mber is all about... a bra nd that caters to all those wh o wish to break away from ‘sameold-prett y-cute’ and ste p into a vibrant world of fearless colours, intriguing pat tern s and unabashed ‘desi-pa nn’. It was started for people wh o want to make a bold sty le statement about the way the y are or about the way they feel, knowing that they’re get ting a satisfying return for their money spent. brand.itemnumber@gma il.com

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HEEZ HAI that are KYAz HaC i is a fun, quirky br and with products

Kya Chee s. Founded by Parul more than just products, they are idea products are quirky their all s, and Uzm a, quirky-design lover but with a function. z Ha i products An interesting inspir ation for Kyz Chee fa scinating “It’s . men n have been the moustaches of India moustheir just using rds reco n how Indian men have broke s been a ha long them ing grow and hts taches. Lifting weig why not take a twist part of Indian legacy. So we thought, a. Uzm es on that and develop products,” shar mail.kyacheezhai@ gmail.com

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LESS COMMON MORE SENSE Less Common More Sense was born two years ago, a whimsical product of three friends who share a love for badges and graphic art. Graphic designers Himanshu Lakhwani, Arnab Roy and Radhika Maheshwari put together badges with a mix of messages, retro images and graphic symbols inspired by India and everyday life in the country. Targeted towards youngsters and those young at heart, their trendy selection has now expanded to include cushions, magnets, coasters and storage boxes. welovebadges@gmail.com

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S sts who talks about India through graphDAthoNse TA NEIL ian arti Ind rare tas is one of of Neil’s design

Neil Dan and it is the soul intense love for Mumbai ics. His designs show his igner by profession, Neil inspiration. A furniture des his of rce sou views the and sensibility to express and spread his igns T-shirts as a medium des and sion pas his s ow foll –“we still and opinions. designed his first T-shirt e Neil a kick start and he e, unity, itag her S, AID The 7/11 train blasts gav ng, oki sm y... Politics, terrorism, tor his is t res the and ; ! on” holding irts are an expression . the list goes on. His t-sh popular culture, finance.. neildantas@ gmail.com

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POP GOES TH E A R T

Pop Goes the Art came alive with hand-painted products that included clocks and cushion covers paintings, wall . Founded by Nidhi Karnav at Chopra, the work is insp vintage and retro period ired by pop, s. Soon after the launch, they also started with dig ucts to eliminate the sol ital printed prode drawback of hand painte d products “Pop goes the art was bor n out of two things: Fru stration of a routine job need to explore. I needed and the sheer to do something where my creative juices could importantly, I could work/ fl ow, but more holiday/sleep as and wh en I want to,” expresses Nid hi happily. info @popgoestheart.co m

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POPPADUM ART Founded by Saanwari, every product of PoppadumArt has an idea with its roots in pop culture and everyday life. After working as an account director in an advertising agency, at some point, boredom, passion and market observation came together and PoppadumArt was born. PoppadumArt started with an idea of hand-painted glass bottles and frames. With time, the product line has increased to trays, planters, placemats, coasters and more. The idea behind the brand is an idea we all can relate to. The “Where’s the jam?” bottle came out of the frustration all of us feel when stuck in a traffic jam. And what better way to express that idea than on a jam bottle itself. The Snakes tray came out of Gujarati mispronounciations that we all have grown up laughing at. The Old Monk bottle was just calling out to be painted on given the lovely mosaic-type design it has on it. poppadumart@gmail.com

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PYJAMA PARTY “Pyjama Party has been a dream that would linger in the alleys of my mind almost daily and would resurface every time I was disgruntled at my 9-to-5 job. It’s been something that I’ve been passionate about from its conceptual stages,” expresses Rithika Kumar, founder of Pyjama Party. The fun, adventurous and vibrant brand – Pyjama Party was born from the need to keep creating new funky products that push both the creative process and buyers to try something new and break out of their comfort zones. At Pyjama Party, the aim is to create products that reflect the rich Indian colour palette, taking cues from what’s intrinsically Indian. Pyjama Party hopes to add a dash of wild and contemporary to these symbols of Indian culture. Quirky, kitsch and colourful sums up the range of designs. The charm of owning a Pyjama Party product is the riot of colours, they are delightfully unique. All the products are handmade. pyjamapartydesigns@gmail.com

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SHOR SHARABA “Watch Ba santi take on Uma Thurman and Gabbar fight, the God Father… Super Heros in a new avta ar, Filmigiri’s newest sansaar!! Moo Moo, Bow Bow, Oink Oink, its loud and laajawaab! Snaz zy and st ylish pampering the wild and whacky side of modern young restless India, Shor Shar aba is fun, quirky, bold and absolutely binda a s!!” This sums up the br and r ather well. Shor Shar aba happened by chance. Ra sshi, fresh from her film editing studies in C anada, had a fla ir for r andom and absurd designs while Trsha, with an MBA in education, wa s working on a coffee table book. They decided to pitch their skills to create unique products. After a terrific response at exhibitions in Sur at and Mumba i, they launched Shor Shar aba. They get their inspir ation from anything and everything. And dr aw maximum from movies and slice of life. info@shorsharaba.net

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THE BIG BAG THEORY Conceptualized and started by Meghana Ogale, the ‘idiotic items’ of the Big Bag Theory retail in stores across major cities of India, through exhibitions, events and e-commerce sites worldwide. The collection features bright colourful totes with loads of attitude, glittering wine gift bags, funky iPad bags, bling clutches, neon laptop sleeves, kitschy coasters, fridge magnets, amazing wine bottle lamps, trippy hip flasks, naughty kitchen aprons, beer mug clocks, ‘Filmi Box-Office’ storage boxes and ‘light-up’ digital clocks that always display ‘happy hours’. “My brand is about my favourite indulgences: great food, awesome booze and fun conversations shared with my friends,” says Meghana, as she talks about her fun and irreverent brand that reflects the voice and attitude of the young. It’s functional with a big accent on fun. thebigbagtheorys@gmail.com

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WEAR YOUR OPINION Rajveen Khandelwal with the help of Gaurav Agarwal decided to start an India-focused News and opinion destination site where knowledgeable and credible contributors anchor and build their digital brands on the online platform. While figuring out potential revenue models besides online advertisement, they came with the idea of “Wear our Opinion”, i.e. Making tees that reflect current events, Indian culture, religion, etc... broadly anything under the Indian Urbane theme. “I always wanted to do something India-focused. Coming back from NY, I would generally wonder why people here would wear “Bob Marley”, “Che Guevara” when most of them did not know about them. Why is that India always looks up to West for everything, Why isn’t desi cool? Truth is, desi is cool but there isn’t much being done here to make it look cool. That was the seed,” says Rajeev talking about his inspiration. rajveen@wyo.in

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Young guns

CITYSCAPE OF THE FUTURE Words: Babita Krishnan; Images: courtesy Pentaspace

When young designers and design studios like Pentaspace take on professional responsibility, the cityscape of the future holds a lot of promise.

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TEAM Gaurav Sanghavi, MD Harsh Pote, MD Pragya Sanghavi, Director Admin & HR Bhakti Shah Pote, Director Interior Design Anmol Warang, CEO

ately, one notices a trend among the

with LEED’s accreditation, specializing in design,

younger architects and designers – the

urban planning, interiors and landscape design-

willingness to go beyond the client

ing, and advanced construction management,

brief in creating space solution; solutions that

contributing to provide our clients a complete

are more suitable and socially conscious. Not

single point solution.”

ones to shy from calling a spade-a spade, they

We can’t disagree given that in such a short

will educate and enlighten the client, pointing

duration, the studio has more than 10 million

him in the socially relevant direction which

sq. ft. under construction and a 100 million sq.

works well for him in the long run. These design

ft. at different design stages. This encompasses

studios have managed to marry functionality

a broad spectrum of architectural and planning

and aesthetics with responsibility to the

activities, including housing, office, retail, health/

environment and society. One such practice

education, master planning, hospitality, industrial

is the Mumbai-based Pentaspace Consultants

and interior projects for a broad range of clients.

Pvt. Ltd., which is fast gaining a reputation of

What is most striking in the portfolio is that

being a comprehensive studio that provides

not only does one find a highly evolved sense of

consultancy in all branches of built environment

design but an underlying responsibility towards

and human settlement.

the surrounding environment. We look at some

A collaboration of young architects and

of their projects (a combination of built, under

designers, Pentaspace was established in 2007

construction and proposed) to get a feel of what

with the intention of creating meaningful and

Pentaspace is working towards achieving.

functional spaces that reflect the social ethos

The company has to its credit valuable

of the city. “The vision of the studio is very

experience in programme planning and orga-

clear – we want to explore new perspectives

nization, site surveying and building evalua-

in architecture by being open to change and

tion, analysis of programme, schematic design,

constantly work out solutions in the best inter-

design development, specifications and effi-

est of our clients based on our time-tested

cient implementation.

insights,” says Anmol Warang, senior associate

Their consistent approach to architec-

and CEO. To which Gaurav Sanghavi and Harsh

ture, planning and design begins with a clear

Pote, MDs, add with evident passion, “At Pentas-

understanding of the clients’ needs and goals

pace, we deliver a unique and personal product.

further to which each project is analyzed and

Although projects range from new construc-

a pre-design study is carried out with alterna-

tions at the civic scale to the smallest residen-

tive solutions supporting and strengthening

tial remodels, each design opportunity elicits

its ambience.

expression of creative potential. Each project

“We believe that exemplary architecture not

seeks to enrich one’s experience of space, light,

only provides functional space, but also acts as

context, materials and craftsmanship through

a lens through which we view, understand, and

the medium of architecture. Our team com-

appreciate the natural and manmade world,”

prises of young architects, including architects

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MASTER PLAN Location: South Sudan Area: 10,000 acres The concept of the Master Plan is derived from the gold star in the flag, which represents the unity of the states of South Sudan. Hence, the ‘Star of Bethlehem’, is used as the basic module. The city is made up of three stars merged together to create a central business district, and three distinct sectors of education, healthcare and recreational spaces surrounded by the housing zones.

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IT PARK Location: MIDC, Turbe Area: 2.5 lakh sq. ft. High quality office accommodation complimented by terraces and light filled social spaces for the IT industry.

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RESIDENTIAL Location: Mahalaxmi, Mumbai Area: 2.5 lakh sq. ft. The project tried to capture the essence of the chawls of Mumbai, and the community space and design around it in three dimensions.

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OFFICE Location: Goregaon, Mumbai Area: 2.5 lakh sq. ft. The illuminated facade of Paragaon adds a visual dynamic character , symbolic to the liveliness prevalent in the city. The LED facade lighting, is integrated with the building management system to create different elevations at all times.

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Leisure design

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FEEL THE MANOR BORN Words: Shekkhar V.; Images: courtesy Castle Mandawa

Well, you might not be royalty, but even a short stay at the Mandawa Castle will make you feel like one.

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andawa is a town in the

and gave it his name. Mandawa, a remote

Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan

feudal principality in the centre of the Shek-

and a part of Shekhawati

hawati region, was a trading outpost for the

region, 190 kms off Jaipur in the north.

ancient caravan routes that stopped here

Known for its fort and havelis, this town has been referred to as the “open art gallery” of Rajasthan because the entire Shekhawati region and not just Mandawa is dotted with fascinating mansions (havelis) that have lavishly painted walls. As I read somewhere, “If the desert blooms in myriad colours it is in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, where every home is adorned with gaily painted murals that illuminate the arid landscape.”

Rooms in the palace are decorated with paintings of Lord Krishna, exquisite carvings and amazing mirror work. The palace’s Durbar Hall houses a number of antiques and paintings.

from China and the Middle East. The Rajput ruler of Mandawa, Thakur Nawal Singh, built a fort in 1755 to protect this outpost and the township that grew around the fort soon attracted a large community of traders, who settled here. When the caravan traffic ceased in the late 18th century, traders moved on to create business empires across the country, but returned to build palatial mansions in their hometown. The city of Mandawa was made a thika-

Traditionally, this was the stronghold of

na in the mid of 18th century by the Bhojraj

Rao Shekhaji, who founded a dynasty here

Ji Kasub-clan of Shekhawat Rajputs, though

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there have been earlier references to Man-

site carvings and amazing mirror work.

As the world comes to this storybook

du Jat as founder of the Mandawa village.

The palace’s Durbar Hall houses a number

town to see its colourful frescoes on every

Initially this place was known as ‘Mandu ki

of antiques and paintings.

subject under the sun, that is, ranging from

dhani’, ‘Mandu ka bas’ or ‘Manduwas’ which

Situated in the middle of the town, the

the religious to the erotic; from copies of

changed to ‘Manduwa’, ‘Mandwa’ and final-

Mandawa Fort has been converted into a

popular English prints to witty social satire,

ly ‘Mandawa’.

heritage hotel – Castle Mandawa; and like

rendered in the inimitable style of the local

The fort of Mandawa was founded in

many historic homes, is a curious mix of the

artist, perhaps the best place to discover

the 18 th century by Thakur Nawal Singh,

old and the new. Medieval turreted towers,

the legacy of Shekhawati is from the com-

son of Shardul Singh, in vikram samvat

palanquin-roofed balconies, blend with

fort of Castle Mandawa.

1812 (1755 AD). The fort dominates the

modern comforts in old-world rooms, fam-

Spend a leisurely hour over a drink in

town with a painted arched gateway

ily portraits, antique cannons and arms add

the colonial verandah that accommodates

adorned with Lord Krishna and his cows.

to the charm of this family-run resort where

the bar, or relax in the cosy comfort of the

Built as per a medieval theme, the castle

tradition still runs strong. Even time is mea-

Diwankhana, the formal drawing room

of Mandawa is adorned with beautiful

sured by a different clock... a huge brass

decorated with family portraits and an

frescoes. Rooms in the palace are decorat-

gong struck by the resident timekeepers at

array of antique armour – exploring it at

ed with paintings of Lord Krishna, exqui-

the fort every hour!

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Perkins Eastman is a 700-person architecture, interior design and planning firm with 13 offices around the world. The firm was founded in 1981 and is now one of the largest and most respected design organizations in the world. Aaron Schwarz heads the vibrant design studio (not an out source arm) of over 20 that does the work in Mumbai, though for some specialty building types they do bring in planning and programming assistance from other resources from within their US offices. By designing in India with some expertise support from overseas and bulk of production done by local firms, the studio can provide international standards that work within the Indian context.

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My space

INDIA

COEXISTENCE OF CONTRADICTION Ar. Aaron Schwarz shares his experience of living and working in India – his karmabhoomi for the last few years!

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hen people ask my wife and

blended. I have learned that food does not

me about our first impressions

need to be prepared with single uniform

of India, we are always quick

seasoning, but instead tastes can be very

to respond about the welcoming warmth

complex and change as you eat it. Next to

of its people. We are continually humbled

the sparkling new is the dilapidated and

by the generosity and helpfulness that we

abandoned. On a macro design and plan-

constantly encounter.

ning perspective, space and land are used in India as they need to be or as has simply

Knowing That I Don’t Know

evolved. For the uninitiated this seems dis-

When I worked in China, I was often in the

organized or chaotic because, in the West,

position of not comprehending something

every use is thought to have its proper, allo-

that I thought should be simple. Many times

cated place – offices over here, retail shops

I attributed this lack of understanding to

over there, and residences there, there, and

the language barrier. That difference in lan-

there. Currently in the West there is a strong

guage doesn’t always exist here in India and

countertrend to break down these barriers

yet, again, I do not always understand the

and to re-urbanize by blending uses in order

obvious. So, I now know that I don’t know

to create places that mix work, live, and play.

and that I need to pay closer attention. It’s

So, I hope India is very careful not to over-

humbling and eye-opening to recognize

organize as it is quickly developing. I hope

that there is a great amount to learn about

that India does not lose what it has. There

cultural differences and seeing things from

are some disappointing Western ideas that

a different viewpoint. I think there is some

have been exported to India. When I arrived

interesting design that can come out of that

in India, I immediately moved the office from

juxtaposition of different viewpoints.

BKC to Ballard Estate. BKC’s ubiquity of unsus-

“I think there is some interesting design that can come out of that juxtaposition of different viewpoints”

tainable Western styled glass office buildings

Coexistence of Contradiction

with hardly even a lunch spot was not com-

In India there is a peaceful confluence of

pelling to me. I recently read that this area is

contrasts. This ability for contradictions to

changing, with new zoning to promote resi-

coexist in the same space and time is not

dential and other complementary uses.

something that I was accustomed to previously, and I find it fascinating. For example,

Unbelievable Treasures

the farmlands of the United States do not

Architecturally there is so much here. There

display the contrast of women’s colour-

are so many well-known heritage buildings

ful clothing and gold jewellery against the

that I will never see them all. But, even more

monochromatic acreage of a single crop as

fascinating and readily accessible are the

in India. Here, we experience a hundred dif-

great textures and cacophony of buildings

ferent smells in a single-block walk – not all

that if you didn’t stop to focus on them you

good, ebbing and flowing from distinct to

would completely miss. For example, while

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walking to one of our frequent lunch spots,

situation is then amplified in India because

I finally noticed a petrol station that I must

of a combination of high demand and the

have passed by dozens of times. The pet-

economy of building products by hand

rol station is architecturally fascinating and,

rather than pre-manufacture. Over time,

though serving a good use today, I could

demand will change, training will be put in

not help but dream with my colleagues

place, and hopefully some of these issues

while at lunch about its immediate adaptive

will equalize to a better place.

re-use to an indoor-outdoor café or a new design studio for our office.

Planning ahead in a coordinated manner is also not standard practice here. Architects and designers need to do a much

What You Can Get Done Here

better job coordinating the design prior to

Once you realize that you can get just

construction and owners need to allow the

about anything you would like made here

proper time to get that accomplished. With

relatively inexpensively, India reveals itself

proper preplanning, contractors are not left

as a designer’s playground. I have not taken

to their own invention and can be properly

enough advantage of this yet; I have still a

organized and managed. The builders need

ton of sources to find. To be able to experi-

to take more pride in their work and protect

ment with materials and design ideas by

what they finish while it is in process. And

making prototypes is just a great resource.

owners need to recognize that great design

It is very popular to be throwing around the

is not a commodity purchase.

word, “jugaad” morphing its meaning from the Punjabi vehicle to mean grassroots in-

Public Space

novation to solve a problem. These kinds

My big disappointment is what appears

of innovation are phenomenal. The design

to be a lack of pride or feeling for any re-

community in India should be doing this

sponsibility for public or shared spaces here

daily, but making these innovations aes-

in India. I have witnessed people from all

thetically appealing as well.

socio-economic strata and backgrounds and in all different parts of the Country litter

What Is Hard To Get Done Here

and/or have complete disregard for space

There are a couple of underlying issues that

that they do not own or have 100% con-

challenge the making of great design. I be-

trol of. This happens not only in our streets,

lieve that all these challenges can be over-

sidewalks, and parks, but also in the lobbies

come. While there is a lot of labour available

of buildings both public and private. No

in India, there is not a lot of artisan-trained

matter how many different ways this phe-

labour. There are many workers on large

nomenon is explained to me (in my native

project sites who are new to the industry

language), I cannot understand it. I am still

and therefore need to be trained or men-

naïve enough to believe that the obstacles

tored in an apprentice programme. This

can be overcome

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Musings

THE ROYAL THRONE Words: Shekkhar Viswanathan; Images: courtesy Gunjan Gupta

Gunjan Gupta works at reviving traditional Indian crafts giving them a contemporary twist and placing them on a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;throneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to make waves at the Milan Furniture Fair.

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ounded by Gunjan Gupta in 2006, Wrap is India’s first contemporary luxury and lifestyle brand in furniture,

product and art installations, established on socially and environmentally sustainable principles. “It came into existence as a response to the absence of internationally relevant

Indian

product

design

that

explored the potential of luxury handcraft and seeks to revive and invigorate India’s traditional crafts, positioning them at the heart of the contemporary home,” Gunjan explains the design philosophy. After making waves in the design industry, Wrap became a conversation point at the Milan Fair this year. Displayed within a private space in the prime location in the very edgy and new design district of Venture Lambrate in the company of cutting edge International designers such as Jamie Hayon and Lee Broom, Wrap and Gunjan have surely made their mark on the global design canvas. If you didn’t know, Ventura Lambrate is Milan’s new design district for the most cutting edge design launches in the world that is founded and organized by ‘Organization in Design’ from the Netherlands. For her Milan debut during Salone del Mobile 2012, Gunjan collaborated with Subhas Kim Kandasamy to curate her first show. Kandasamy not only has a number of academic accomplishments to his name, but is also experienced in the field of art from organizations like Christies, Wildenstein and Company and Gagosian Gallery in New York City, Aicon Gallery in London, Patricia Low Contemporary in Switzerland and then Carpenters Workshop Gallery, one of the world’s foremost design galleries. He is also currently a guest speaker at the Sotheby’s Institute on the Masters in Contemporary Design course and has

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recently embarked on a new project as

mark style of sculptural form and refined

ing Indian material culture led her to rec-

the Founder/Director of Kandasamy Proj-

contextualization of Indian craft traditions

ognize that there were degenerating and

ects, which promotes the best of emerg-

in a simpler and more affordable format.

under-utilized centres of Indian craft-pro-

ing designers and lends curatorial and visual design consultancy advice.

The basic academic shapes were born

duction – Varksaaz (Gold leaf) from Jaipur,

out of a self-discourse into the traditional

Patrasaaz (Silver Wrapping) from Udaipur,

“We showcased the new collection

materials and methods of production in

Pietra Dura overlay from Agra and Glass

and exhibited the iconic Wrap pieces with

India that had seen a steady demise due to

Crystal from Ferozabad. Lastly, she has

a special exhibition that educated the

globalization and the trend for West-made

confidently looked within her own dimen-

viewer about the Wrap philosophy in the

products during the boom of the early

sions as an Indian designer to produce a

context of Indian design history and ongo-

2000s. Gunjan has investigated into three

vocabulary that is truly Indian without the

ing modernization,” revealed Gunjan. For

main areas with this collection. She has

ethnic clichés but in a recognizable, palat-

the Milan Collection, the Wrap repertoire

re-contextualized the classic Indian design

able, international language.

of ultra-luxe handmade objects that blur

forms into designs that meet the need for

After having shown Wrap’s iconic col-

the boundaries between art and design

contemporary utility. The throne is given a

lection across the world, showcasing at

were rationalized into a more commercial

new lease of life as a modern chair devoid

the Milan Furniture Fair was a landmark

framework for production with the agen-

of its royal associations yet paying hom-

event for the company and going by the

da of reaching out to a wider consumer

age to the lineage from where it is derived.

response it garnered, the Indian ethos in

base. The collection retains Gunjan’s trade-

Secondly, Gupta’s voyage into research-

the global context is here to stay

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N ATU R E’S

CALLING

The architectural and natural marvel that is Kerela, has the Neolithic cave sites of ‘Edakkal’. Situated in the Wayanad district, the caves are magnificent formations of nature. The word ‘Edakkal’ means ‘a stone in between’. The structure of these caves is extraordinary, as a big boulder balances itself on two relatively smaller boulders. Beautifully captured by photographer Pradeesh. K, the magnificent structure of the cave is a storehouse of pre-historic art forms. The etchings and carvings on the walls of the caves are fascinating as they date back to almost 5000 years.

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Arty techture

ARCHITECTURAL CONVERGENCE

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Words: Babita K.; Images: Courtesy the architect

A look at the new interactive Art Installation at the Miami International Airport by Artist Christopher Janney.

art

permanent installations throughout the

installation by artist, architect and

United States and Europe. Sometimes he

composer

Janney,

tries making architecture more like music

“is

as in his Soundstair on the Spanish Steps in

abstraction of South Florida in colour and

Rome and Sonic Forest at the Bonnaroo and

sound,” according to the artist, that features

Glastonbury Music Festivals. At other times,

a 72-foot-long window wall with diamond-

he has attempted to make music more like

shaped panes of coloured glass in front of

architecture as in his HeartBeat performanc-

a white structural steel “X-Bracing” frame.

es. He is well known to Miami sports fans for

With a palette of over 150 transparent

his Turn Up the Heat interactive “anemone”

colours, Janney has created a gradually

scoreboard created for the Miami Heat’s

changing pattern ranging from deep reds

American Airlines Arena.

called

newest,

large-scale

Christopher

Harmonic Convergence

to bright violets, similar to a rainbow.

“This is my fifth project in South Flori-

The project is part of Miami-Dade

da,” Janney states. “It is one of my favourite

County’s Art in Public Places programme

places in the world. I love the sounds of the

and is located in the passenger connector

subtropics most particularly the Everglades,

walkway that is the entrance into the airport

the ocean shore and underwater sounds,

from the new “MIA Mover” automated tran-

especially sounds both real, as in whales

sit system. As travellers enter the space, they

and porpoises, and imagined, i.e. mermaids

will hear a complex set of sounds Janney

and Atlantis.”

recorded during trips to the Florida Ever-

Harmonic Convergence is a replace-

glades, scuba dives in the ocean, and other

ment for Janney’s 1997 airport commission

natural environments of South Florida. In

Harmonic Runway, which was removed

addition, two video cameras installed in the

from Concourse A after changes to the

ceiling feed information to the computer

airport occurred due to 9/11 security.

regarding the pedestrian activity within the

That former artwork had become an icon

space, influencing the density of the sound-

of South Florida, featured in numerous

score. At the top of each hour, a short com-

magazines and on film including the Har-

position with percussion instruments plays,

rison Ford feature, Random Hearts and the

marking the time of day.

Nicholas Cage film, 8MM.

Trained as an architect and jazz musi-

Architecture of the Air, a travelling exhibi-

cian, Janney is an American artist whose

tion about Janney’s work was also on view

work explores the relationships between

in the Miami Design District exhibiting proj-

sound and architecture, often-transforming

ects from Janney’s three principal areas of

otherwise ordinary spaces into “hyper-real-

focus: “Urban Musical Instruments”, “Physi-

ity” environments. Educated at Princeton

cal Music”, and “Performance Architecture.”

University and the Massachusetts Institute

It explores his concept of total immersion

of Technology, Janney has explored the

through models, photographs, drawings,

intersection of architecture and music for

video, and a site-specific piece “Touch My

over thirty years, creating temporary and

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Youth forum

COLLEGE CAPERS Students of Nirmala Niketan give vent to their creative streak â&#x20AC;&#x201C; thinking and designing out of the box. This year they create accessories for children.

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ABC SHELF Bookshelf is where books are placed. Books con-

BUZZ THE BEE

tain alphabets and this is where the whole idea

Introducing Mr. Buzz, though he seems to be a very

of “abc” came to form a design for the bookshelf.

cute petite little thing, Mr. Buzz has managed to de-

As this is designed for children, the colours them-

feat all the other bees in the hive and has won himself

selves relate to the taste of kids. The bookshelf is

a pot full of honey. Made up of a combination of plys

also made as a multipurpose unit since it has a

of different thicknesses, laminates in pastel shades of

handy space to store the stationary that might be

brown resembling the pot, beehive and the bark of

used along with the books.

a tree and cushioning resembling honey in the pot, Mr. Buzz stands high and strong. Functionally a display unit for children within the age group of 4 -12, Mr. Buzz stands over his conquered hive that is used for storing books and toy’s and holding his honey pot to store artefacts for display.

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MR. NUTTY Let me introduce you to Mr. Nutty the toilet mirror whose shape is inspired by the movie Nutty Professor GIANT WHEEL

the Klumps. Keeping children’s concept in mind, Mr.

It is a toy and book storage for children in the age

Nutty (the toilet mirror) keeps all his tools handy so

group of around 10-12 years. The design is a combi-

that children don’t make excuses like “Mom I won’t

nation of giant wheel and vertical position of merry-

be brushing today because I can’t find my brush.” He

go-round. There are four box shelves where books

is not only a simple toilet mirror but also holds a glass

and small toys can be stored and these boxes are

holder (to keep toothbrushes and toothpaste). In the

attached to a rotating wheel that moves both clock-

other hand he is holding a concave mirror which can

wise and anti-clockwise. It has one small individual

be pulled in and out by holding his hand; the legs act

trapezoidal box of drawers which gives it the appear-

as a base to hold the soap dishes, etc.

ance of a giant wheel’s base and act as an extra stor-

Back-painted glass cut-out has been used for the

age. Usually children are lazy to store their books and

eyes so that Mr. Nutty can keep a magnified watch

toys at the end of the day, so this could be a playful

on them. As children normally tend to get attracted

and interesting way to encourage them and the co-

to light, a blue LED strip light is used behind the mir-

lour combination makes it attractive to them.

ror to highlight it.

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LETTER BOY The main motive behind designing this was to make

MY BUGIE

the accessory multifunctional where it not only

Lady bird attract kids so much that it is made for them

serves as a letter box but has other functions as well.

in the form of hard & soft toys, school bags, show

It is designed with a hand which is in sync with the

pieces, etc. Keeping in mind kid’s attraction towards

concept of a letter box where the hand shows the

this colourful glossy insect, “My Bugie” – Lady bird

direction of the house. In its little finger a car key can

wall cabinet was created, to store kids wear, books,

be hung and a box is suspended for the milkman to

toys, etc. And because it is a kid’s cabinet, it was en-

drop the milk without disturbing anybody; and in the

sured that “My Bugie” is easy to use and very durable,

half sleeves of a coat you find the letter box, behind

thanks to the powder coated MS body which is cush-

which is a magazine or newspaper rack to complete

ioned by 1” foam. The two unique features of My Bu-

the properties of multifunctionality.

gie are – its cloth can be changed and it can be given a new look whenever needed; and its body and eyes glow, when it is connected to power supply to make it very attractive and lovable.

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L LE CDEOR

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T C U D O R P

H C N LAU Address Home with a new address Address Home recently launched its second exclusive store at the Laxmi Mills compound in Andheri, Mumbai. Spread across 1,500 sq. ft., the store is done up with an inset of rough brick walls, juxtaposed against mirror columns and reflective surfaces. On offer is everything from luxe bed linen and cushions that can be coordinated with accessories such as vases, lamps, lights, mirrors, serving and dining pieces, glassware, flowers and candles. The striking decor of the new store helps to bring out the designs and vibrant colours of the collections on display prominently. www.address-home.com

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Wills Lifestyle’s

Spring Summer collection

Wills Lifestyle presents its Spring Summer 2012 collection that complim ents every aspect of fash ion lifestyle, offering a wide variety of clothing and accessories for men and women. This spring sum mer emphasizes on rejuvenatin g collection Capri Paradi so for men. The collection boa sts of airy fabrics and vib rant prints set in shir ts, polo, shorts and denims. It also comprises of linens and cot ton linens besides fibre s such as viscose, cot ton, ram ie, rayon to compliment the natural style expression and make them exciting visually and wearable. For wome n, the collection is energe tic, colour ful and vibrant - Col or Bloom. It is a sympho ny of colours with bright and solid stripes, ditsy prints and washed fabrics. It also fea tures bold and new pat tern s in knits, dresses, tunics and tops por traying the season in its best form. The collec tion with spectral summe r colours is per fectly suited to give a vibrant makeover this summer. ww w.episodesilver.com

Christopher Guy’s

Mademoiselle Collecti on

ands has l Furniture Br Internationa pher Guy’s signer Christo introduced de e collection collection. Th lle se oi r em Mad e spectacula tion from th ira sp ent, in s tm ar ke ta d ap s Parisian gran of e ch st yle of a 1920 na l pa the persona who an furnished with om w t aceful, elegan one of the gr neration of e very first ge th d te ght en es pr re s been brou The vision ha by ts is tw ‘urban chic’. w ne ntemporar y ists ns co to life with co n io ct Guy. The colle . Christopher accent pieces d decorative an h ric , sh ni of furniture ood fi the “Coco” w It introduces egant and el ith w es n hu in dark brow can be seen ch acter, whi ar ch ut al on iti trad airs througho tables and ch on cabinets, n. the collectio 61 Tel: 011 410121

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Table mats by

Prithvi Home Decor

It is always the final access ories that complete the look of any decor. Table mats play an important role in completing the look of your table. They give it an accent. Prithvi Home DĂŠ cor has recently launched a range of golden table mats with cut-work to add to the beauty of a table. These mats are laser cut to per fection with a rubber base and gold finish. Inexpensive, yet sm art; these table mats complete the look for any formal or informal set ting. Tel: 011 64642882

. These Giormani from Singapore urious sofa range by Kelvin lux er Kelvin sup at a ers ced ign odu des intr Idus has % Italian leather. The feeling of luxury, in 100 style a h h wit wit de ed ma t nish fi duc are pro a as sof igns so you can expect des ir the of ail ar det dul ry mo eve ed to customized Giormani consider customizations also extend nd h-e r Hig you t d. fi to min in sts and innovation chanism and headre iding mechanism, arm me t-sl sea an ope Eur h wit pieces own needs and life style. Tel: 011 45888000

Luxurious sofas by

Idus

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Steelcase unveils the

Leap chair

Steelcase has recently unv eiled its latest Leap chair, a high per formance, erg onomic seating solution for offices. The leap chair is designed with a flexible backrest to ensure that the back is always suppor ted. The separate upper and lower back controls can be adjusted to provide full suppor t to any user. The chair is des igned keeping in mind the human spine and the strain subjected to it by long hours of seating . The dynamic seat takes the pressure off the spine when reclining and the optional headrest relieve s pressure in the neck. ww w.steelcase.com

Mieleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new

MasterCool range

consists of Mieleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s MasterCool range rage appliances sto e win refrigeration and appliances made of featuring state-of-the-art ting edge cooling high quality materials, cut ineering eng an technology and Germ tures a foodfea r rato ige refr precision. The t is touch based, driven menu system tha four independent easy to operate and has ally optimizes atic om cooling zones. It aut perature in the tem and els lev the humidit y e conditioning unit storage drawers. The win and short term is ideal for both long term temperature te ara storage and offers sep e and white ros , red r you zones to ensure t the right wines are all ser ved at jus a tinted, tempered temperature. It features tion from UV Light tec pro glass door offering enabling a clear and has interior lighting view of the contents. ww w.miele.in

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Earn my sweat by

Woodland

Woodland has launched their Spring/Summer 201 2 collection that is com Woodland R&D led functio prised of nal product-line including sun protection, moisture ing and quick drying gea wickr for adventure enthusiast s. Woodland is celebratin sion of its ‘Earn my Sweat g exten’ campaign which aims at recommending people their inhibitions and step to shun out to take in a whiff of the summer. The technologies in the collection are pro used ven to keep the outdoor enthusiast protected from ultra-violet rays and keep har mful him drier in all strenuous outdoor activities. ww w.woodlandworldwid e.com

Cocoon Fine Rugs is a premier and a la mode carpet gallery recognized for its modern designs that are a unique interpretation of Persian designs or styles of contemporary artists. The 4,000 sq. ft. carpet boutique houses exclusive contemporary rugs as well as oriental carpets with a fresh twist. At Cocoon every carpet has a story to tell, be it an ancient folklore or the inspiration of its creator. These objects d’art are available in different shapes and sizes to meet the unique needs of a home! www.cocooncarpets.com

A ‘ruggy’ haven

Cocoon

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DESIGN MATRIX • MARCH-APRIL 2012

PEOPLE • LIFESTYLE • DESIGN • INTERIORS

EDWIN PINTO

March - April 2012 VOL. 2 • ISSUE 3 • `100

DESIGNS FOR HAPPY FEET...

SWATI M E H R OT R A

A Paprika Media presentation

JULIA LU ND S TEN A

presentation

Design Matrix_Mar-April 12.indb 1

JULY-AUGUST 2011 • DESIGN MATRIX 1

2/29/2012 3:56:05 PM

122 1 12 22 2 2 DESIGN DES D DE ES ESIG IIGN GN MATRIX GN MATRI MA ATR TTRI R RIIX • JULY-AUGUST JULY JU LLYY--A Y AUG AU UG UG GUST USSSTT 2011 UST U 2011 20 11

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etc. JULY-AUGUST 2011 • DESIGN MATRIX 123

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Happenings

AN EXPERIENCE Keuco India opens its “First Experience Centre” with German Building Technologies (GBT) in New Delhi.

euco Gmbh & Co. KG, a German

The experience centre in New Delhi

lifestyle bathroom brand, recently

aims at catering to the core market of

opened its first experience centre, a

architects, interior designers, developers,

flagship retail concept from Keuco with its

channel partners and end customers. The

premier channel partner German Building

centre provides a deep product mix where

technologies (GBT) in Sultanpur, New Delhi.

every customer will find something exciting

Keuco looks back on a long production

to suit and fit into their needs, be it a high-

tradition of design-oriented, high-quality

end private residence, residential projects,

fittings for the bathroom. In the last two

hotel projects or hospitals.

decades, the brand has evolved from being

On the achievement of this special

market leader for high quality bathroom

milestone for the brand, Mr. Dalheimer,

accessories to a producer of comprehensive

Managing Director of KEUCO GmBH & Co.

assortment of aesthetic interior concepts.

KG, expressed his views about opening

Today, their work strives to achieve the

of this experience centre as a critical step

same purpose: to create more perfect

towards the brand building of Keuco

solutions that consistently make the stay in

in India and also providing the target

the bathroom an enjoyable experience; and

audiences an opportunity to feel the

thus creating spaces where their customers

design concepts and the quality behind

can come and experience the products.

all Keuco products

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Reader contribution

ndra, god of the sky, king of the devas, once asked his architect, Vishwakarma, to build him a palace befitting his stature. “For I am

the overseer and lord of the three worlds,” he said. Vishwakarma built him a magnificent

DESIGN,

TASTE

AND

GREED Architect Sanjay Punjabi draws parallels between mythology and real life, pointing out the different interpretations one can draw from them.

palace of crystal surrounded by lakes and gardens. But this did not please Indra. “This is good,” said the ruler of the skies, “but not good enough. Build me something grander befitting my stature. For I am the overseer and lord of the three worlds.” So Vishwakarma built another palace, more magnificent than the one before. Even this did not please Indra, and this continued till an exasperated Vishwakarma went to his father, Brahma, for help. Brahma invoked Vishnu, who took the form of a boy and presented himself before Indra. Indra welcomed his guest and asked him the purpose of his visit. “To see if your palace is better than the palace of the other Indras,” answered the boy. “Other Indras? What do you mean other Indras?” Indra asked, perplexed. The boy replied, “The other Indras – those who existed before you; those who will come after you; and those who exist right now in parallel worlds. There have been countless Indras in the past; there will be countless Indras in the future; and there are countless Indras in the present. You are but one grain of sand in a beach of Indras. Each and every Indra rules the sky and is a king of the devas. Each one wants his Vishwakarma to build him a grand palace befitting his stature. I have visited them all.” Humbled by this information, Indra stopped making his palace grander. This story narrates symbolically many facets related to design, taste and greed. It has many interpretations and it all depends how we perceive and decode the moral of this story. There is always a challenge for a designer to stretch and go beyond what he can design. This story also reveals the dimension of the uncontrollable greed of a client and taste which also needs to be developed instead of asking for more from designer. Mythological stories are a subtle way of conveying multiple messages in contextual forms and this story depicts many parallel messages which need to be understood if not digested Sanjay Punjabi can be contacted at sp@imagnshape.com MAY-JUNE 2012 • DESIGN MATRIX 125

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BuildingsNY

and general visitors respectively and all the

Organized by the building construction

gems and jewels exhibited here invariably

Shenzhen International Brand Underwear Fair

industry, BuildingsNY will be an eminent

boast of superior quality features. The Wen-

The 7th Shenzhen International Brand

exhibition that will demonstrate their latest

dy Simpson Conner beading class is one

Underwear Fair, the most influential annual

products and services related to the build-

of major highlights of this highly-popular

event in Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s underwear industry, will be

ing sector like Bird and Pest Control; Boiler/

trade show.

designed to offer a platform to the leading professionals of the underwear industry.

Boiler Repair; Buildings Inspections; Buildings Supplies & Services and many more.

Date: May 4-6, 2012

They will come together to showcase their

The event will showcase the latest products

Venue: Chicago, USA

products, development and service as well

and equipments used for construction and

as to increase brand awareness and repu-

exhibitors will be participating in the show

Buchanan Antiques & Collectibles Market

from all over the world. BuildingsNY event

Buchanan Antiques & Collectibles Market is

more than 18,000 professional buyers and

will provide visitors the latest developments

one of the premier exhibitions for art and

approximately 80,000 visitors will be invited

and trends of the building construction

antique industry in Oklahoma City. The

to share their views and suggestions with

industry.

event will showcase beautiful and latest

industry practitioners.

related industry at one place. Around 500

tation among audiences. In the 7th Shenzhen International Brand Underwear Fair,

products for related sector under one roof Date: May 2-3, 2012

at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds. More

Date: May 11-13, 2012

Venue: New York, USA

than 100+ exhibitors will be participating in

Venue: Guangdong, China

International Gem & Jewellery Show International Gem & Jewelry Show, Chicago is one of the most popular trade events in

this event.

The Makeup Show

Date: May 5-6, 2012

The Makeup Show, New York is one of the

Venue: Oklahoma, USA

most famous events which will present the latest products for makeup. The event

the United States, dedicated solely to the

Interiors UAE

jewellery industry and boasts of extremely

Interiors UAE is a new event launched to

forums and seminars which will catch the

high visitor counts at each of its editions and

cater to the interiors market within the capi-

attention of the participants. Makeup art-

participants have the convenient option of

tal of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi

ists, retail artists, aestheticians, hairstylists,

purchasing gems and jewellery accessories

and is specifically aimed at the contract and

fashion stylists, agents and bookers and

directly from the exhibitors at the show. The

retail markets. Interiors UAE offers an excel-

students of makeup, hair or aesthetics will

event showcases a diverse array of attrac-

lent platform for interior and exterior fur-

be a part of the show.

tive, trendy and stylish beads, silver and

nishing companies to showcase their prod-

The main aim of the show is to encour-

gold earrings, coloured gemstones, fash-

ucts to a market that is rapidly expanding.

age large number of visitors. The Makeup

ionable designer watches and other types

will be featured with educational seminars;

Show-New York will provide excellent

of chic jewellery items. The show is divided

Date: May 7-9, 2012

opportunity to various new companies

into two separate sections, for trade visitors

Venue: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

to work with most popular companies

126 DESIGN MATRIX â&#x20AC;˘ MAY-JUNE 2012

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related to different types of accessories.

ceramics, porcelain, Buddha, bronzes, fur-

from 17 countries and regions such as North

niture, carpets, clocks and watches. The

China, Korea, Russia, and more. It exhibited

Date: May 13-14, 2012

fair will leave its influence as one of the top

a huge collection of these manufacturing

Venue: New York, USA

most events of the world. It will be a great

furniture and wood working markets. China

opportunity for the participants to interact

Furniture & Woodworks will continue to

with the professionals and experts at this

serve all vertical sectors of furniture and

convention. The exhibitors will be able to

wood products manufacturing industry

forge new business relations at this event.

with better services and high quality busi-

The New Cities Summit, 2012 The New Cities Summit to be held in Paris, will unite global thought leaders, mayors

ness opportunities.

and city managers, leading CEOs and rep-

Date: May 25-27, 2012

resentatives of civil society to discuss one

Venue: Kowloon City, China (Hong Kong S.A.R.)

of the most important topics of our time:

Date: June 8-11, 2012 Venue: Liaoning, China

the future of cities in the 21st century. The

Interior Lifestyle

theme of the summit is Thinking Ahead,

Being organized by Mesago Messe Frankfurt

DesignBuild Melbourne

Building Together. By 2050, more than 7 bil-

GmbH, Interior Lifestyle, Japan is defined as

DesignBuild Melbourne 2012 will be a tre-

lion people will live in cities worldwide.

one of the finest ‘Design-Oriented’ trade

mendous occasion to see lots of suppli-

Globally, this new world of cities will have

shows. For 3 days, the show will prove to

ers at one place. The fair will attract visi-

a massive impact on our economies, on

be one of the largest platforms for retail-

tors from all sectors of the construction

government, on societies and on us as

ers, wholesalers, trading house, importers,

industry. It will cater to numerous zones

individuals in both the developed and the

manufacturers etc. at Tokyo International

related to building and construction sec-

emerging world. This mega trend is likely

Exhibition Center, Japan.

tor such as green building zone, plumbing design, construction equipments,

to impact each one of us in ways that we know will be profound, but are not yet fully

Date: June 6-8, 2012

building materials, windows and doors

understood.

Venue: Tokyo, Japan

and tools and safety. Experts will deliver

Date: May 14-16, 2012 Venue: Paris, France

Asia International Arts & Antiques Fair

China Furniture & Woodworks

their best practice of knowledge and discuss new, innovative or sustainable technologies. Attendees will get solu-

China Furniture & Woodworks will be con-

tions and latest tools from leading brands

cerned with the exhibition of wood works

including Festool, Milwaukee, Stanly, Ein-

Asia International Arts & Antiques Fair will

related to furniture industry. It will majorly

hell and Powers Fasteners. It will provide

serve as a meeting point to be used for ana-

focus on the products and services of North

a perfect occasion to see and compare

lyzing advances in the sector and its future

China. It will provide a great platform for

the latest products and equipments for

prospects. It is fully dedicated to arts and its

suppliers, manufacturers and buyers both

building construction.

environs. Exhibitors will showcase products

at home and overseas; and give them an

related to gifts and handicrafts like antiques,

excellent trading opportunity. As per the

Date: June 27-29, 2012

painting, calligraphy, glassware, sculpture,

statistics of 2011, there were 420 exhibitors

Venue: Melbourne, Australia MAY-JUNE 2012 • DESIGN MATRIX 127

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GLOSSARY IFC: Jalaram Veneers Agar Bazar S. K. Bole Road,

Pg. 11: Geeta Aluminium Company Pvt.Ltd.

Dadar (W), Mumbai 400028.

D/4, Ansa Industrial Estate,

Tel – (022) 2683095

Tel: (022) 24318444/555

Saki Vihar Road, Saki Naka,

Email: decorexsol@gmail.com,

Email: jalaram_timber@yahoo.com

Andheri (East), Mumbai – 400072.

9/b & 9/k, Laxmi Ind. Estate, New Link Road,

Tel: 9930806685

Versova, Andheri (W),

www.geetaaluminium.com

Pg. 29: Stone Source

Pg. 12: Uniply Elementz Decorative Veneers

Gala No. 12, 1st Floor, Above Nolte,

Uniply Industries Ltd

Lower Parel (West), Mumbai 400013.

Pg. 1: Ebco Pvt. Ltd.

#52, Harleys Road, Kilpauk,

Tel: 022-24926950/95

402-3, Hyde Park,

Chennai - 6000010.

Email: stonesourcepremiere@gmail.com

Saki Vihar Road, Mumbai 400072

Tel: (044) 26605995

Tel: (022) 67837777

Email: info@uniply.in

Mumbai – 400053. Tel : (022) 26327733 / 34 Email: jalaramvnf@gmail.com

Email: info@ebco.in www.ebco.in

Pg. 13: Astral Poly Tecknik Limited 207/1, Astral House, B/h. Rajpath Club,

Pg. 2 & 3: Casa Paradox

Off. S.G.Highway, Ahmedabad – 380 059.

8 A, Raghuvanshi Mills Compound,

Tel: (079) 66212000

Senapati Bapat Marg,

Email: info@astralcpvc.com

Lower Parel, Mumbai 400013.

www.astralcpvc.com

M V Road, Andheri (East), Mumbai – 400069.

decorexsol@in.com

Raghuvanshi Mills, Senapati Bapat Marg,

Pg. 71: SHAH CREATION PVT. LTD. Building No.2, Gala No.8, Ram Mandir Industrial Estate, Ram Mandir Road, Goregaon (E), Mumbai 400063 Email: shahcreations@hotmail.com Tel: 9820228852

Pg. 114: Le Cdeor

Tel: 65881818

Pg. 14: MRJ Flooring

MRJ Trading Pvt. Ltd.

Pg. 4 & 5: Durian Home Furniture

MRJ Marketing Pvt. Ltd.

201, Shyam Kamal ‘C’ Bldg.,

Durian Industries Ltd.

201, Shyam Kamal ‘C’ Bldg., Agarwal Market,

Agarwal Market,

401, The Summit, Western Express Highway,

Vile Parle (E), Mumbai – 400057.

Vile Parle (E) Mumbai 400057

Tel : (022) 26187132 / 26131442

Tel: (022) 26269000

Email: flooring@mrjgroup.in

Email: info@durian.in www.durian.in

Pg. 15: Pinakin Raghuvanshi Mill Compound, 2nd floor,

Tel: (022) 26187132 / 26131442 Email: artifacts@mrjgroup.in

IBC: Uniply ATS Plywood

Pg. 7: Neumec Group

Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel,

Uniply Industries Ltd.

Email: sales@neumec.com

Mumbai 400013.

#52, Harleys Road, Kilpauk,

www.neumec.com

Tel: 65002400

Chennai - 6000010.

Pg. 8: Grescasa Ceramics

Pg. 20: Simmons

Grescasa Ceramics Limited

P/11, Raghuvanshi Mills Compound,

5-E, Laxmi Industrial Estate, New Link Road,

Muslin, Senapati Bapat Marg,

Andheri (W), Mumbai – 400053,

Lower Parel, Mumbai 400013.

Tel: (022) 26313096/66992409

Tel: 40228280

Tel: (044) 26605995.

Email: ashish@seatingworldindia.com

Email: info@uniply.in

BC: DANSANI Bathroom Furniture Ultramine Group Chatterjee International Centre, 33A, J. L. Nehru Road, 6th Floor,

Pg. 10: Baaya Design

Suite #10, Kolkata 700071

Famous Studio, Shakti Mills Lane,

Pg. 21: DECOREX SOLUTIONS PVT LTD

Mahalaxmi, Mumbai 400011.

New Patel Sawmill Group

Email: indiadansani@vsnl.net

Tel: 65210165

204/B, Vertex Vikas,

www.dansani.com

Shop no. G/24, Laxmi Woolen Mills Compound,

(M) 9874430000

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