March-April 2012

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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 MEHROTRA

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JULIA LU N D STEN A

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S ’ R O T EDI N O T E

W

e asked the Design Matrix Group members on Facebook to guess the connection between Design Matrix and Lady Gaga. While Naresh Mistry felt that “both are vibrant”, Devesh Jaisinghani felt that “both have a daring and out-of-the-box attitude”. We ‘like’ these simply because that is what we strive to do with each issue and love the appreciation. But there is one more connection – Julia Lundsten, Gaga’s shoe designer. She is part of our cover story along with Edwin Pinto and Swati Mehrotra. Three shoe designers drawing inspirations from diverse and totally unrelated things – while Julia’s shoes are architectural, Edwin creates shoes inspired by Elves and Pixies and Swati looks at the Zodiac Signs to create shoes for you! Conversing with them we see how design goes beyond the apparent, down to what inspires and drives a creative person. There is a similar compulsion, again across continents, to do something for our feathered friends as designers create habitats for birds. This entire issue is about people, driven by passions beyond the usual, from diverse design fields – fashion, cinema, architecture, technology and products – it is always about pushing the envelope just a little bit more. I’m reminded of these lines I read somewhere – Life is occupied in both perpetuating itself and in surpassing itself. If all it does is maintain itself, then living is only not dying. I would like to congratulate all the participants of Design Matrix-Ultratech Paints Excellence Awards whose projects have been shortlisted for the final jury to be held in New Delhi in mid-March. All of you will be informed individually by mail soon after the jury is done. Do keep those mails, messages, posts and calls pouring in. They help us improve and give you what you want to read. Until next time, ciao!

Babita Krishnan

Now follow us on www.facebook.com/DesignMatrixMagazine

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CON TEN TS Design Matrix_Mar-April 12.indb 14

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• Cover featuring: Edwin Pinto, Swati Mehrotra & Julia Lundsten • Shoe designed by Julia Lundsten • Photographs by: Tushar Rao (Edwin Pinto), Indrajit Sathe (Swati Mehrotra), courtesy FINSK (Julia Lundsten)

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COVER STORY

CONVERSATIONS

ARTY-TECHTURE

A fascinating insight into the lesser known genre of footwear design with Edwin Pinto, Swati Mehrotra and Julia Lundsten. Pg 22

Turquoise Mountains initiates a task to restore and revive Afghani art and culture. Pg 66

Reflection – a light-based interactive installation by Ivan Depena for a public space in USA. Pg 96

AR. AAMCHER

EXHIBITION DESIGN

MUSINGS

Ar. Aamcher is excited about the Esplanade project in Mumbai initiated by Ar. Brinda Somaiya and Shivjit Sidhu. Pg 32

Ar. Jaydeep Ghag highlights the importance of designing stalls to represent the client’s identity. Pg 74

Art Cinema – a genre that is here to stay! Pg 100

LEISURE DESIGN

DESIGN PROMO

Ar. Khozema Chitalwala draws influences from Gujarat to create a vibrant decor for The Fern in Ahmedabad. Pg 36

Le Cdeor – a store that stands as a metaphor for contemporary lifestyle. Pg 80

The controversies, strengths and weaknesses of the recently introduced Aakash – a low cost tablet. Pg 106

DESIGN DIMENSION

PRODUCT LAUNCH

An elegant and high on impact residential space by Ar. Asit Karekar in Mumbai. Pg 44

An insightful understanding of the world of changing fashion – or should we say revolution of fashion! Pg 84

Interesting products to flatter your design senses Pg 109

CREATIVE IDEAS

PHOTO FEATURE

More than a sneak-peak into the world of our feathered friends – a world created by designers as Bird Houses from across the world. Pg 50

Goa – an experience, a personal project of photographer Tanvi Madkaiker, giving insights of the lovely State in a novel way. Pg 88

TECH DIARY

RESIDENTIAL DESIGN

ETCETRA Information and news from the design world – happenings, product review, events etc. Pg 115

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PEOPLE • LIFESTYLE • DESIGN • INTERIORS

January - February 2012 VOL. 2 • ISSUE 2 • `100

Ashish

Gupta

„I believe in doing thing better rather than different.‰

JULY-AUGUST 2011 • DESIGN MATRIX 1

A

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Each issue, you have the chance to win a special gift courtesy

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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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tent that it carries. It has definitely broadened

All the best and keep it up.

my knowledge as a layman and novice in the Prashant Goel

field of design. One of the things that I have

via facebook

always thought should be covered is Modern as well as Heritage hotels in India. Also, I

It was amazing to go through your last issue,

would love to read something about ancient

especially the cover story. It was just chance

architectural practices/marvels of the world. I

that I had met someone dealing in yachts and

would like to thank you for sharing the maga-

the very next day I received my copy of Design

zine with me regularly.

Matrix. Ashish Gupta’s success story was really

Ketan Singhania,

interesting as it tells us that if you are creative,

Mumbai

sky is the limit, though in this case it should be the sea! The rest of the magazine also, as

I have been following the progress of your

always, made for a very good read. My compli-

magazine for the past one year and I must

ments to the entire team.

congratulate the team on the contents put to-

Pradeep Amberkar,

gether in every issue. Not only the freshness of

Academy of Architecture, Mumbai

the design stories but their presentation is also very commendable. As a design professional, I

I have had the privilege to receive all copies

can safely say that finally India has a true and

of Design Matrix and have seen it go from

complete design magazine.

strength to strength. Congratulations for this

Chirashree Thakkar,

fantastic achievement. While there is no end

Ahmedabad

to where the magazine can go, there was a hiccup I noticed in the last issue, which I feel

I loved the toy design and logo design sto-

needs to be pointed out. Pages 120 and 121 of

ries as they showed me a dimension that I

the issue, though connected to the previous

had really no clue about. I have randomly

two pages, somehow seem to stand apart in

picked up a few of your issues in the past

the absence of any text on these pages. Some-

and found each one of them different in

how the required impact and notice ability of

their approach and presentation. This, I feel,

this Page-3 kind of editorial seems to be less

keeps the reader guessing and hence main-

due to a lack of connectivity with the previous

tains the curiosity about what would come

pages. I hope this can be conveyed to the cre-

next. Even the photo spreads are very dif-

ative team so that it can be looked into.

ferent and highlight the art of photography

Praveen Pasricha,

in itself. Since I am a photographer as well,

Mumbai

I can really appreciate the effort, especially from a design magazine.

I have been receiving Design Matrix regularly

Saurav Chakraborty,

since its inception. I really appreciate the con-

Kolkata

INBOX

One of the best magazines I have come across.

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Cover story

BEST FOOT FORWARD Words: Babita Krishnan; Images: Courtesy FINSK (Julia): Indrajeet Sathe (Swati): Tushar Rao (Edwin)

A shoe was just an accessory until some time back and the only time one really paid heed to it was at your own wedding! Guided more by functionality and comfort, you owned a couple and waited for them to serve their life till the next trip to a shoe store. Well not anymore! Meet Julia Lundsten, Swati Mehrotra and Edwin Pinto, who have taken footwear design to a different level. 22 DESIGN MATRIX • MARCH-APRIL 2012

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F

or the longest of time, buying shoes was a chore that one simply had to get over with. But slowly, over the years, the humble shoe has travelled a hard journey to becoming the

most important fashion accessory. Just as we have professionals who are specialists in different genres of design – shoe, too, has its own set of creative geniuses. We discovered that not only is footwear design an independent industry but a flourishing one at that where each one draws inspirations from different sources

and what comes of that is nothing less than a showstopper complete with the “wow” element. We met up with three such creative people – all in the business of designing shoes – but with as different creative ideas as any. While Edwin Pinto of Janota in Goa brings the Elves and Pixies from the Fairy Tales to life, Swati Mehrotra of Swatimodo from New Delhi might just design shoes according to your kundali and then there is Julia Lundsten of the UK-based FINSK for whom designing a shoe is no less than architecture – and has Lady Gaga in her list of prominent clients. Let’s find out what drives them to create these beauties without which, the best of ensembles would be incomplete. Babita Krishnan: Let us start with the obvious, why shoe designing? Edwin Pinto: I was born and brought up in East Africa and I’m afraid, was never very academically inclined. But from the very beginning I knew that I did not want to do something run-ofthe-mill. I loved to do things with my hands, carve, cut, etc. and then when we moved to our ancestral home in Goa, I decided to help my wife, who was working with Wendell Rodricks and her own dressmaking business. I started with just making shoes to complement some dress that she had made for a client and then Wendell noticed some of my shoes and encouraged me to get into designing shoes seriously. Swati Mehrotra: My story is not as romantic, I’m afraid it is pretty straightforward. Even as a little girl I was interested in fashion and would draw clothes and make dresses. But when I grew up, I realized that I wanted to do something more than just becoming a darzi; I wanted to create something without which a dress is incomplete and the natural answer to that is shoes! Julia Lundsten: Like most teenagers, I did not want to follow the same profession as my parents, so I decided to travel to London and study fashion, rather than stay in Finland. After completing my BA (Hons) at the London College of Fashion, I did a Masters at the Royal College of Art specializing in footwear design. I wanted to be unique and individual and it wasn’t until later I realized that my main interest within fashion was the more structural, architectural shapes and elements. BK: So Julia, your parents are architects, how much did that influence your work? JL: I had learned and listened to my parents who are so pasMARCH-APRIL 2012 • DESIGN MATRIX 25

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“For us, the kind of material and leather that we use, the silhouettes that we give to the footwear means luxury; but the clients feel that bling is luxury. So we marry the two and create something different.” – Swati & Simar sionate about their work that most dinner table conversations were about design and architecture, so it was quite natural that some of it would filter through to my work. I then specialized in footwear for my MA as that seemed to be the perfect combination between architecture and fashion. I can’t really say about the influence bit but yes, they did shape me and my thoughts towards design in general. BK: Where do you draw your inspirations from? It is a bold step, especially in India, to be experimental. EP: For me it was really a very simple choice. I wanted to create something chic, which is what Janota is incidentally derived from. Also, I just wanted to do something different without having to answer anybody. Everyone loves a Fairy Tale and most of us have grown up either listening to or reading them. So I decided to create a place where the Elves could come for their shoes (laughs). SM: You will be surprised how ready the Indian market is for experiment, in any field for that matter. If your idea is different and appealing there will be a line of buyers at your doorstep. While growing up, I was very fascinated by the Zodiac Signs and their different characteristics. What makes every one different from each other, even if you are born under the same sign! Then we have our own janam kundali which rules most of the decisions and events of your life. I started studying that and came up with my collection which was an instant hit. Then I designed shoes for my dog, just for fun, and someone heard about it, I got orders and voila, I had my pet collection ready. So, it is more about following your instincts and believing in yourself. BK: Coming from someone so young, it is really amazing. What is your design approach, if I may call it so? Are there certain guidelines that you follow? JL: You can’t have a guide or instruction book and I completely agree with Swati. Always try something different, take risks and don’t be afraid even if it doesn’t work out. It’s only by taking risks that we can push design forward and create something truly new and unique. SM: Thank you. It is a constant evolution and I try to keep up with the mood of the customers, really pay attention to what they are saying and more importantly how they are saying it. MARCH-APRIL 2012 • DESIGN MATRIX 27

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“Through Janota, I have managed to glorify and bring dignity to the artisans and craftsmen in this profession. I remember when I was growing up, these people would not be allowed inside the house but today we are a part of the elite creative group.” – Edwin Pinto Sometimes, we have to read between the lines to create a customized footwear for a client because not everyone can explain what they want. I believe in looking forward but moving one step at a time (no pun intended!). EP: I think I am more conventional when it comes to my design approach. I know that the USP of Janota is its design and durability. I work with some very senior craftsmen who have a vast experience in the skill of shoemaking. For all of us, it is the love of the craft more than it being a business that is important. We concentrate on what we are known for and work towards improving that. BK: All your creations are so fancy and as an Indian, I have this fixation for durability, how do you ensure that? EP: My shoes are extremely durable – you will be surprised at their life span. I have been wearing the same pair of shoes everyday for the past three years and they have also weathered the Goa Monsoon. SM: You have to give the client value for money, if I am charging a client I have to ensure that she gets the money’s worth. I guess that is the reason why my Swarovski Collection is such a big success. JL: Yes, it’s true. The client knows and is aware of the value and worth of what he or she is buying. They could be paying for the design, material, comfort, exclusivity, whatever. BK: Julia, tell us something about your journey since you launched FINSK? JL: I launched FINSK for Spring/Summer 2005. The first collection was very small but already had all the graphic architectural elements that define “the FINSK style” in it. In the beginning it was considered a bit too different and perhaps too graphic. We had comments from buyers saying “they look like small furniture, not very shoe like”. This is exactly how I intended it, I did not want to just design more normal shoes, as I thought there were plenty of beautiful ones already in the market. I wanted to do something different, but in the beginning it was probably too different so it took us a while to get buyers to appreciate the different style. And as the main shoe fashion became more and more different it worked in our favour, suddenly FINSK was acceptable. (Smiles)

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“Always try something different, take risks and don’t be afraid even if it doesn’t work out. It’s only by taking risks that we can push design forward and create something truly new and unique.” – Julia Lundsten BK: And how difficult was it for you guys, in India?

the detail, colour, materials, shape, mood, but the client is the

EP: Doing something new is never easy, especially when it is

starting point and a very important factor.

different from the conventional. But I had people who believed in me and encouraged me to stick to what I really wanted to

EP: I don’t really design for any particular client. If someone has a specification then we incorporate it in the design.

do till things got better. And since we do not advertise, word

SM: I love to innovate and offer that to my clients – like

got around and I now have customers who come not only for

my latest offering is the shoe laundry which is all about taking

their own shoes but brings friends and relatives along and rec-

care of your shoes. The customer plays a very important role by

ommend us to all who come to Goa. Now I even have you, Babita

expressing what he or she wants in their shoes and we ensure

on my list of janot clients. (Laughs. Incidentally, janot is a Konkani

that proper justice is given to their feelings and emotions by cre-

word that means dapper.)

ating the shoe after a well-set process that guarantees its aes-

SM: I agree with Edwin, it is never easy in the beginning.

thetic value along with quality.

Thankfully, I had my family’s unflinching support and my fiancée to encourage me to follow my dreams. Now of course, I also have my partner Simar Kaur as a big support.

BK: Julia, tell us something about Project three. How was it working with Lady Gaga? She has a huge fan following in India.

BK: Which has been your hallmark collection and the one you had most fun creating and why?

JL: Yes I’m well aware of that. Project three was based on triangles and pyramids, the whole shoe is made from these shapes.

JL: I don’t have a specific collection that I love above all the

It was initially just an experimental art project that I did for FINSK

rest, I have some styles in each collection that are usually a bit

without a client in mind, but Lady Gaga’s stylist saw it and it

more challenging technically so they become almost like a love/

went on from there.

hate thing, very challenging but if they work out it’s a triumph. For example, the trademark FINSK wooden two part wedge took several seasons to develop, the factory simply did not have the right machines to make it technically, so when we finally got it into production it felt extra special. EP: For me each one of my shoes is special. When you painstakingly develop something, it tends to be close to your heart. SM: I think my Pet Collection is the one that gives me the

BK: So what does the future hold for all of you? Do share some of your plans with us. EP: Now that my son Aaron is helping after college and would soon be joining me, we want to expand and market our brand. We feel there is a vast and appreciative clientele abroad which is what we are going to look at. A year from now Janota would definitely be a strong international brand.

most kick simply because you know that the pet is not going to

SM: I am looking to expand in this year. We are already retail-

wear it and walk around, it’s just that there is such an ‘indulgent

ing in New York and have had very positive response. Now we

feel’ to the concept. Also, when someone comes to me and says

want to open our own stores in India.

that things are going right for him or her since they started wear-

JL: India!

ing the shoe that I designed for them, it is very satisfying. I have

BK: Do you think India is ready for the change?

a special affection for the shoes that we had designed for kids

JL: India is an amazing country, very colourful and full of

suffering from polio. But I love all my creations and the best part

passion and creativity. We would love India to be ready for the

is that I enjoy the exchange of ideas between me and Simar as

change. We have been very well supported here, and indeed I

that usually leads to a different level of creativity altogether.

feel, yes, India is ready. EP: Of course. We have evolved as a design appreciating

BK: What do you keep in mind when designing for a specific client? JL: It depends on the client, some clients come to us because they want something really different from before, some come to

country. People are now aware and it is up to us to deliver. SM: You will be surprised at how ready India is. The designers have had to pull up their socks simply because the aware client knows exactly what he wants. And that is a good thing.

us for other reasons. I think it’s always important to have a proper

When the designers feel that the country ready to welcome

discussion and throw some ideas in the air so that it’s very clear

change with open arms…maybe it is time to invest in a new pair of

what the client wants. Then I get on with the actual designing,

shoes drawn from our inspiration!

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MUMBAI ESPLANADE

T

he Mumbai Esplanade is a significant civic improvement project connecting the city’s open spaces with train stations and business/cultural districts; it will

create a single contiguous landscaped area of over 160 acres and will have flexibility to transform itself for cultural and recreational events. It is a people’s space for those who accesses the city centre and is a safe and convenient environment for the pedestrians; especially connecting commuters alighting at Churchgate and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. Under this project, the citizen will step out into an open space thoughtfully landscaped with walking paths, gardens, bio-diversity, waterbodies, open grounds, recreational areas, toilet facilities, vendor facilities and a bicycle track. The landscaping will be synchronized with the heritage structures and plan of Mumbai’s central business district. It also addresses pedestrian traffic as well as vehicular traffic that will be directed under the plaza through a modern system of underpasses. Since it will only be used by cars and fast-moving traffic, it will be devoid of encroachments. The project designers have identified alternate routes through which vehicular traffic can have smooth egress and ingress during construction of the project. The Mumbai Esplanade Plaza is the outcome of many months of creative research by, and interaction between, urban planners, architects, civic authorities and citizens groups who are well aware of the city’s needs and issues. The lead design architects are Brinda Somaya and Shivjit Sidhu. The project has the potential to be one of the most important developments in improving the availability of open space in Mumbai city, and also be an example for citizenfriendly spaces in other densely-populated cities of the world. When completed, the Mumbai Esplanade will have connected not only the 102 acres of existing maidans, but will have added on 51 acres new public open space to the city by linking the maidans of the district to plazas, train stations and the central business district. The project can be implemented in four phases within a span of 2.5 years. The project phases allow for efficient restructuring of traffic and utilities during and after construction. The phases are: Phase 1: Churchgate - Veer Nariman Rd Phase 2: Regal Chowk - Cooperage Ground Phase 3: Hutatma Chowk / Flora Fountain Phase 4: CST - BMC / Azad Maidan Area To share more such designs or experiences, positive or negative, contact Ar. Aamcher at aamcher@designmatrix.co 32 DESIGN MATRIX • MARCH-APRIL 2012

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Ar. Aamcher was invited by Ar. Brinda Somaya to understand the Mumbai Esplanade Project and comes back looking forward to a people’s space in the city.

SALIENT FEATURES OF THE ESPLANADE PROJECT •

51 areas of landscaped pedestrian plaza, comprising of gardens, waterbodies, etc.

Safer for pedestrians and automobiles without possibility of jaywalking

Boon for disabled and elderly commuters who cannot climb subway steps

Adheres to new anti-terrorism norms against crowds in confined public spaces

8 numbers of new toilet facilities

Maidans connected by landscaped plazas for safe pedestrian mobility

Provision for amphitheatre and cultural shows

2.5 lakh sq.ft. of ‘cultural’ space for sport and folk and fine art museums

Short underpasses for vehicular traffic eliminate traffic lights at major crossings

Smoother and faster traffic movement from Marine Drive to Fort

640 new parking spaces spread around Fort and Marine Lines CBD

Reduction in noise and exhaust pollution

Estimated total cost: Rs. 492 crores

Estimated fund generation via public-private partnership for various projects within the completed Esplanade: Rs. 1,239 crores

Value of Open Space to City-Priceless

Estimated timeline: 18 months (traffic rerouting: 3 months only)

Architects and Planners: Brinda Somaya (Somaya and Kalappa Consultants Pvt. Ltd.) and Shivjit Sidhu (Apostrophe Architecture & Urban Design Pvt. Ltd.)

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smooth performance

foam flow

7 years warranty*

inbuilt areator

* conditions applied

Corporate & Marketing Office: A-88, Road No. 2, Mahipalpur Extension, New Delhi-110037 (India). Phone : +91 -11- 46138800 (100 lines), Fax: +91-11-46138880; Website: www.dorsetindia.com, email: faucet@dorsetindia.com; Works : Gurgaon, Haryana.

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DISTRIBUTORS: ANDHRA PRADESH: Maheshwari Traders,Hyderabad : 040-24741120; BIHAR: Ma Vaishnavi Enterprise, Patna: 93 0481 5199; DELHI: Ripana-O-Furo, GK-II: 011- 6660 1468-69; D Nath & Co, Chawri Bazar: 011-2326 1896; Goel Paints & Sanitary Store, Pitam Pura: 011-2701 5593; Asian Bath Collection, Jagatpuri: 93 1249 1668; Atul Enterprises, Jagatpuri: 93 1022 3230; Bath Concepts, Hauz Khas: 011-4165 5260; Style Bath, Mangol Puri: 98 1895 9937; Mega Ceramics, Raja Garden: 92 1228 6677; V.N.G. Bath Planet, Neb Sarai: 98 1017 9619; Gotu Bath India (p) Ltd. Ghitorni Village: 96 5418 7010; Asian Industries, Chawri Bazar: 92 1267 9563; GOA: Lochan Trading Inc.: 93 2612 7353; GUJRAT: Pratik Enterprises, Ahmedabad: 90 9934 4374; KARNATAKA: Shree & Co.: 96 1114 2629; KERALA: Superlative Agencies,Thiruvananthapuram: 0471-2354 461; MADHYA PRADESH: Agarwal Associates, Indore: 2432 063; MUMBAI: Enaar Enterprises: 98 2086 5211; Home Display: 98 9257 9031; Vaastu Trade: 98 2007 0467; ORISSA: Sani Plaza, Bhubaneswar: 94 3700 5188; PUNE: Hari Om Ceramics: 98 5056 6635; PUNJAB: Parsvnath Udyog, Jalandhar: 0181-4610 997; RAJASTHAN: Jai Shree Ram Enterprises, Jaipur : 99 2892 9190 ; UTTARAKHAND: Shiva Sanitary, Dehradun: 97 1921 9146; UTTAR PRADESH: Roop Sons, Agra: 0562-2810 137; Hi-Tech Trading Co., Lucknow: 94 1501 7206; WEST BENGAL: Classica Sales & Marketing Pvt Ltd, Kolkata: 033-2243 1951;

7206; WEST BENGAL: Classica Sales & Marketing Pvt Ltd, Kolkata: 033-2243 1951; 0181-4610 997; RAJASTHAN: Jai Shree Ram Enterprises, Jaipur : 99 2892 9190 ; UTTARAKHAND: Shiva Sanitary, Dehradun: 97 1921 9146; UTTAR PRADESH: Roop Sons, Agra: 0562-2810 137; Hi-Tech Trading Co., Lucknow: 94 1501 Design Matrix_Mar-April 12.indb 35

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Leisure design

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ETHNIC FLAVOURS Words: Babita Krishnan; Images: Prashant Bhat

Drawing from local nuances, Khozema Chitalwala gives The Fern a decor that celebrates its location – in the vibrant heart of Gujarat – Ahmedabad.

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T

hat it is an ‘ecotel’ hotel which endeavours to protect and preserve the environment through certification

on ecological parameters goes without saying; but what is the most striking feature of The Fern, in Ahmedabad are the local flavours that are reflected in practically every turn of the property. “This hotel was conceptualized as a very modern and contemporary one with the accentuation on Ahmedabad flavours and culture,” says Khozema Chitalwala, the Mumbaibased architect, as he prepares to take us through the design journey of The Fern. To anyone even remotely aware of Gujarat, the State is synonymous with the Navratri & the Kite festivals, heritage architecture, jewellery, beautiful tourist destinations and a vibrant culture and people. The public corridor and lift lobby reflect just that! The lift lobby of every floor has mural and collages narrating stories to reflect the rich culture and heritage that one associates with Gujarat. But the references begin much before that! The back of the reception wall is inspired from the architectural tree of life beautifully etched on back-painted glass. One finds traces of the famous Ahmedabad jaalis and details as screens for glass windows in the guest corridors, and also on the room number plates, lift lobby, etc., “The lobby of this property was very narrow and looked more like a corridor due to its width and certain architectural restrictions of the building,” Khozema reveals. “In order to achieve some volume, we proposed two arches with the view to impart a space profile in the lobby.” Since The Fern was designed to be an ecotel, most of the materials used in interior are green in nature. “As the design unfolded, we realized that the only way to be true to the basic design ethos here was to celebrate vibrancy in every fold of the property and that’s exactly what we did in each space,” smiles the architect. And that is what you would find from the moment you enter the property and throughout your stay, each area – from the most mundane to the most significant – is pulsating with colours and design motifs that the design team has included in the decor highlighting the soaring celebratory note that one has come to expect from anything from, of or in Gujarat MARCH-APRIL 2012 • DESIGN MATRIX 43

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Perfect Picture

Words: Natasha Bohra; Images: Rahul Pawar, courtesy the architect

Designed by Asit Karekar, this residence in Thane mirrors a sense of eclectic chic with a touch of class resulting in an elegant space.

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Residential design

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T

he very essence of the word ‘design’ implies planning, organization and aesthetics. And a designer’s

most important skill is the ability to listen and execute the expectations of the client. Designed by Ar. Asit Karekar, this residence in the central surburbs of Mumbai is many things – simple, elegant, modern and pretty. But most importantly it suggests more than what it shows. The picture perfect areas of the 3-BHK apartment are a reflection of the clients’ lavish lifestyle and the designer’s tasteful choices. “My mentor Ar. Ajit Shilpi, with whom

I worked for over four years and am gratified for everything I know today, trained me to not ape the work of others but rather emerge with originality. This is what I follow and I love it this way,” shares Asit for whom this residence stands out as a favourite project at the start of his independent career. Together with the keen and active involvement of the client, Asit bestowed a home after being absolutely certain of what he wanted to deliver. With a common thread running through the design in the form of materials, colours and lighting, each area blends in with the other yet stands out individually. Some element of drama has been added in almost every area either with the use of a certain material or with the application of a strong colour giving it a distinctive identity. For e.g., the common bathroom is highlighted with a backlit artwork covering almost the whole wall, while the passage is dominated by a strong olive green wall highlighted by black and white artwork as well as a collage of photographs of the daughter. The guest bedroom witnesses extensive use of black and white with a touch of red while the daughter’s room is done up in shades of lilac. The master bedroom is dominated by the use of veneer wherein the headboard of the bed made of a barcode-style print, adds an interesting element to the design of the room. A strong design element in the dining area is the jaali that behaves as a separator from the kitchen. The pattern of the jaali continues in different areas – you find it as MARCH-APRIL 2012 • DESIGN MATRIX 47

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the dining table top as well as the light, all of which have been customized. Talking about the colours used in the home, Asit comments, “I have always wanted to use a dark and bold colour palate. A right balance was required in between the bold appeal of veneer and softness of fabrics. The colours compliment the use of materials perfectly well.” Design is a highly subjective matter; however, this project’s intrinsic power lies in its simplicity and right combinations. Asit adds, “Like any successful implementation of a good idea, the credit for this beautifully turned out home has to be shared as it was a coming together of many things and people – the client for believing in our concept and letting us go ahead with it, and the entire contracting team of Mandar Adivarekar along with the carving interiors contractor, who gave form to my design.” With its bold palette and use of opulent materials the decor of this home flourishes with understated elegance and proves to be a mystic circle that surrounds comfort and virtues

ABOUT THE FIRM: Auk Design Studio established in 2010, by Ar. Asit Karekar, a graduate from GICED, Mumbai, designs and creates spaces with aesthetics and functionality put together providing inspiration and delight to its users. As a company philosophy the studio consciously does not follow any single motto thus allowing exploration and experiment in every aspect of design. Website: www.aukdesignstudio.com; Email: info.auk@gmail.com

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Flight of Fancy Words: Babita Krishnan; Images: Courtesy the designers

It’s time someone took matters seriously and find a housing solution for the displaced bird population of the urban areas of the world. Thankfully, some designers care enough to do it, we discover.

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Creative ideas

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I

believed I could fly if I tried really hard… till I fell and got a few stitches on my chin! This was a long time ago – when

our house had a backyard and a garden with various trees that were teeming with birds of different kinds and every evening was a cacophony before they all retired after sunset. Now all that has been replaced by high-rises with negligible green spaces and trees are more grey than green, covered as they are with the soot and pollution grime. I don’t have anything against urbanization, but my problem is with its sad effect on our feathered friends. I’m talking about the ones that visit our back yards, porches, balconies and neighbourhoods. Birds have three major requirements – food, water and shelter for their eggs and chicks. Most birds build nests that are used as cradles, and are placed in locations such as trees, eaves of a house, phone poles etc., in an attempt to protect them from predators. Some birds nest on the ground and try to conceal their nests by camouflage. With a change in residential architecture and urban planning, the birds have lost their habitat and we have been deprived of their company. So the question here is do we need to put houses out for birds to survive when they have been surviving for millions of years without our help? Bird houses attract birds as do bird feeders and bird baths and we try to attract birds by fulfilling their three major requirements, because birds are a source of pleasure, they are interesting and fun to watch, they fill our hearts with joy with their songs and chirping. There is a whole lot of designers who follow their heart and have over the years done their bit for our feathered friends, designing safe houses and feeders that have resulted in their increased number over the years. We bring you insights from some of them who have endeavoured to make an effort.

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ABRIGO PARA AVES – Luis

Porem

Born in Lisbon, Portugal and raised in the green valley of Alenquer, the village that saw him fall in love with things – from the multicoloured river pebbles, to the abandoned mills that rest on top of the mountains, to the roads painted in autumnal colours by the leaves blown away by the wind, to the sweet music of the night, Luis Porem has a strong attachment to all that nature has to offer. After finishing the five-year degree in industrial and interior design at Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias in Lisbon, Portugal, he was granted the Leonardo da Vinci scholarship. After his internship at Estudio Mariscal, in November 2008, Luis collaborated in the studio of Martín Azúa. “I started developing this project, after I received the unexpected visit from a small sparrow outside my window. At that moment I was able to admire it carefully. He showed his white chest while peeking inside the house. I wanted to open the window but he probably wouldn’t accept my invitation. So I thought to myself – at the next visit I’ll have a place to receive you!” reveals Luis Porem about his bird house that is called Abrigo Para Aves (APA). APA welcomes small birds that are passing through and want a shelter for a while. APA can be established in various ways and serve different situations. Made in ceramic, it is available in various colours while the branch is in metal. MARCH-APRIL 2012 • DESIGN MATRIX 55

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BIRD CITY – Eveline Visser A city for a mixed bird community, Bird City has 33 nesting boxes, catering for the housing needs of 33 different species of birds, to form a breeding ground for the winged inhabitants of the city. The design requires a delicate touch: since different species have different needs. While one type of bird wants a squat and wide little house, another may prefer a tall and narrow one. Vogelstad offers something for everyone. “Every city is a big nest. Every nest is a small city. The diversity of birds in urban areas is often large and they specifically come to the city for its warmth, garbage/ food and shelter. A part of all the birds that live and breed in the city, only breed in holes (voids, cracks, nest boxes) and not in an open nest,” explains Eveline Visser. In June 2010, Eveline graduated with her project ‘Bird City’ at the Design Academy Eindhoven (The Netherlands). After positive reactions during the Dutch Design Week, the project has been exhibited in London (Selfridges), Milan (Salone del Mobile), Amsterdam (Woonbeurs) and at the Architecture Biennale Tallinn (Estonia). After graduation, she started (together with Lucas Zoutendijk) Studio 1:1 that focuses on design and research in public space. The concept was of one frame with 33 different nest boxes, as a small city, for all types of birds that live in urban areas and breed in nest boxes. By putting all ‘urban nest-box breeders’ in one frame, birds get a more urban adapted accommodation. Hereby you can look at this object as a Demo-City, where every different resident has a for him/her adjusted environment. The diversity of the urban environment is not only visible in the variety of cultures or architectural styles present, but can also be witnessed in the range of fauna that inhabits the city. But urban fauna is a far from recognized city feature. “Although the city as constructed human habitat seems to oppose the concept of wild nature and animals, these two are more interrelated than expected: the urban environment is still expanding, leading to greater and more important manifestations of wildlife in the city. Since we humans conduct spatial planning, we should be informed about our urban neighbours,” Eveline believes. “As biodiversity is an important measuring stick to indicate the health of an ecosystem with clear advantages for man, the role that urban fauna plays in increasing and guaranteeing the biodiversity of the city offers a clear message to be communicated to the general public. Increasing the visibility of urban fauna in a manner that does not inhibit their natural behaviour can allow people to acknowledge their presence and recognize their value.” MARCH-APRIL 2012 • DESIGN MATRIX 57

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BIRDHOUSE PROJECT - Christian Bermudez

Gathering inspiration from shoefiti or shoe tossing, three pairs of shoe-shaped birdhouses became a public art installation in Lillehammer, Norway. The main goal behind this art project was to offer a temporary housing solution for the Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) a migrant bird that winters in West Africa, while at the same time create a debate about the human relationship with nature in an urban context. “As an artist I use vernacular urban elements to address issues such as belonging and immigration. The Birdhouse Project gathers inspiration from shoe tossing onto power lines, a common sign in America and Europe. This is an urban element that usually bears negative connotations. I was interested in giving it a new interpretation by using its placement and aesthetics to open a discussion about what kind of city one wants to live in, and at the same time to present the issue of migration in a subtle way,” says Christian Bermudez. As a Costa Rican who is an immigrant and has been living in Norway for almost 10 years, it was important to him to create a metaphor of the migratory birds and human immigration. “Everybody loves (migratory) birds, but the same does not necessarily apply to (human) immigrants,” he feels. “With The Birdhouse Project my intention was to design and build a temporary house solution to a specific bird that comes every year to Scandinavia and Russia all the way from Africa. I wanted the city to welcome them and offer some hospitality after a long journey.” The shoe-shaped birdhouses hung from the power lines and street lamps at different spots in Lillehammer from the last week of April 2011, until the first week of September 2011. There were a series of requirements for the birdhouses in order to be produced and used by the birds. These included materials, dimensions, porosity, permeability, as well as the specific week when they have to be hung, height from the ground, weight, etc. The shoes were entirely produced in certified wood, using glue to join the 28 laser cut plywood layers that make every birdhouse. The sole can be detached in order to clean the birdhouse after the breeding season. An additional compartment was also created to place a webcam for future use. This was a rewarding experience where design, science, technology and contemporary art came together to create a new concept of street art, that became a practical object for the birds while at the same time giving some local colour to the urban landscape. “When a pair of birds decided to make a nest in one of the shoes, the project was officially successful,” he says proudly. The Birdhouse Project received support from Arts Council Norway and ‘Kunstnersenteret i Oppland’. MARCH-APRIL 2012 • DESIGN MATRIX 59

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DISH OF DESIRE -Frederick Roije

Frederik Roijé is an international design agency which designs diverse products for brands and for market as for private clients. The office is renowned for its creativity and innovative designs and its approach is to reach a new level in product or space. Frederick Roije graduated in 2001 from the renowned Design Academy in Eindhoven where his preference for interior products was already visible. During his studies Frederik did his internships at prestigious design studios as Piero Lissoni, Milan and Marcel Wanders, Amsterdam. In 2003, he started his own design studio based in Amsterdam – a studio that specializes in interior and product design, where concept and renewal are the main points. The latest design (2011) from the design studio is Dish of Desire – a series of bird feeders inspired by beautiful tableware and delicious food. “As the summer has come to an end and the cold winter days will arrive, we must not forget the birds,” says Fredrick Roije, who feels that birds need a varied menu which is hard to find during wintertime. “With Dish of Desire you can provide the birds a varied dinner in your tree or on your balcony.” Based on the number of courses, four different models are designed, a one course, two course, three course and five course bird feeder. Each model is assembled out of aluminium parts combined with the finest bone china and red cedar wood. All materials are weather resistant for outdoor use, so we can “make a feast for our feathered friends!” But Frederick’s concern for nature and especially birds could be seen even earlier when he designed a bird house called Holy Homes in 2007. “It is my belief that there will be peace,” says the designer. Fascinated by the value we attach to symbolism and love of nature, these sacred houses were designed to be made from the finest porcelain ceramics by local craftsmen. The branch is made of blown glass and gold and the house is available in white and gray. MARCH-APRIL 2012 • DESIGN MATRIX 61

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LIVING TYPOGRAPHY -Nishant Jethi

Living Typography, which was nominated for the Cannes Festival in 2010, was a self-promotion activity for Water Design Studio. “I grew up around nature and always had a special place in my heart for birds. When I moved to Mumbai, I was both shocked and saddened to realize that sparrows, the birds which live around and with us are gradually reducing in number. The few which are left always seem faraway, almost nonexistent,” reveals Nishant Jethi. With an inclination towards creating art installations which interacted with people, let them have fun but still manage to leave behind a message in their minds, he envisioned this project. He found that the main reason behind the decline in the number of sparrows is the lack of nesting and breeding spaces. With high-rise buildings and malls coming up everywhere, the birds have been displaced from what they once called home. “This lead to the ‘Living Typography’ idea – hollow wooden 3D alphabets, which also act as bird houses, were created.” Appropriate alphabets were sent to friends and family members to be kept outside homes as nameplates or house numbers. Thus Living Typography had a dual function – becoming a welldesigned name plate and providing shelter to sparrows. Working with local painters and sign board artists as a childhood hobby taught Nishant a lot about design and typography which led him to M S University of Fine Arts. Later he continued experimenting with typography in art installations and design. “As the Living Typography idea grew in my head, I began sketching it first on a notepad then the computer. I built 3D typefaces of each character and later analyzed it; got a few samples made by a manufacturer in wood and after four months of grueling work, a complete set of alphabets was ready to be installed,” he beams. The project was sponsored and immensely supported by both Mudra (Nishant’s employers) and Water Design Studio and he started with installations in and around the Mudra building. As the project grew, they were sent to clients and interested friends and members of family. Then with the help of an NGO which worked towards providing shelter to sparrows, areas in Mumbai with the least number of sparrows were identified and these typefaces were installed. Living Typography gained tremendous attention and there have been numerous inquiries on the availability of these typefaces. Nishant plans to collaborate with a few international design studios and production houses to run this project on a larger scale and platform. MARCH-APRIL 2012 • DESIGN MATRIX 63

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NATURE FOREVER SOCIETY -Mohammed Dilawar

Nature Forever Society is a conservation organization that has been working for the conservation of house sparrows for the past four years as well as the common birds of India and their habitats. To involve the common man in the conservation movement, it initiated adoptions of nest boxes and feeders which has been very successful. The aim is to create wildlife-friendly habitats and involve the common man in the conservation movement to save India’s rich biodiversity. The society has initiated nationwide projects like Adopt nest box and bird feeders, Help the birds in Summer Campaign, Ban the Catapult, etc. to name a few. World Sparrow Day, which is an international celebration, is also initiated by Nature Forever Society. NFS Nest boxes and feeders provide a safe and comfortable place for birds to roost and nest. These are made from sustainable, recycled wood so they’re safe for birds and have good insulation properties, making them warm in winter and cool in summer. “We carefully design our nest boxes to have the correct dimensions and ventilation that birds need. Our nest boxes don’t have decorations that predators could cling to and threaten the birds inside,” says Mohammad Dilawar. Mounting bird houses around the yard can provide hours of enjoyment for bird watchers and aviary enthusiasts, while offering benefits to the feathered creatures themselves. Houses provide nesting birds safe shelter to lay eggs and raise fledglings. Houses are also a means of sheltering birds from harsh weather conditions when they are not raising young birds. As human population grows and new developments are built, birds are forced away from their natural habitats. Bird houses are a replacement for trees and other natural structures where birds once nested. You can mount bird houses with an eye toward keeping predators away. So if you love birds and want to do your bit for nature, adopt a bird house and feeder today MARCH-APRIL 2012 • DESIGN MATRIX 65

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Conversations

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NG UNTAINS Words: Priyanka Mathur; Images: Jason P. Howe for Turquoise Mountain

In war-torn Afghanistan, Turquoise Mountain aims to do what seems to be the impossible – to revive and restore the country’s lost art and culture through its numerous initiatives. MARCH-APRIL 2012 • DESIGN MATRIX 67

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A

fghanistan, Circa 2001 – the Taliban

pre-war era. Iconic works of art, such as the

its intricate calligraphy, geometric patterns,

carries out the destruction of two

Buddha statues of Bamiyan, which reflected

and verses from the Quran.

monumental statues of Buddha,

a vibrant and fairly liberal art scenario, have

The organization, through its numerous

carved into the side of a cliff in the Bamiyan

fallen prey to Taliban’s fanatical regime.

initiatives, aims at restoring the erstwhile

valley, deeming them to be idols and

Today, though the grip of the Taliban is

glory of the historic old city community of

therefore, unIslamic. As the international

slowly weakening, evidence of their regime

Murad Khane, which was once the hub of

community cried out in protest, the art

is still widespread. Their intolerance towards

artists and poets, by educating the youth in

community could do nothing but watch

music, arts, and culture has forced thou-

both the traditional Afghan forms of art and

helplessly as thousands of years of ancient

sands of artists to either practice their trade

architecture, as well as the contemporary

history got reduced to rubble. In a country

in secret or give it up altogether.

forms. Through its efforts, the organization

that has known little else than war, it is

However, as the world grows increas-

hopes to promote and develop contem-

difficult to imagine how an arts and culture

ingly aware of the problems in Afghanistan,

porary art as an emerging movement in

scene could have ever existed, let alone

efforts are on to revive its lost glory. One

Afghanistan and beyond.

survived. It is difficult to imagine that cities

such organization that strives to do so is

In 2006, Turquoise Mountain estab-

like Herat, Kabul, and Bamiyan were, at

Turquoise Mountain. Established in 2006 by

lished the Institute for Afghan Arts and

one point, centres of cultural learning; a

British politician and writer Rory Stewart at

Architecture in Kabul. The institute compris-

place where men and women alike were

the behest of England’s Prince Charles and

es of four schools: The School of Calligraphy

encouraged to learn about art, history,

Afghan President Hamid Karzai, in Kabul,

and Painting, The School of Woodwork,

culture and poetry!

Turquoise Mountain is a non-profit organi-

The School of Jewellery and Gem Cutting,

Today, the Afghanistan shown on tele-

zation that aims to rebuild the nation’s art

and The School of Ceramics. At present, the

vision channels is a far cry from the coun-

and culture through various development

school has a total student population of

try which once boasted of art influences

activities. The name ‘Turquoise Mountain’

200, who are taught by master artisans.

flowing in from regions like Greece, Iran,

refers to the great indigenous Afghan capi-

Adul Wahab, the cultural director of Tur-

Mongolia and the Far East, to name a few.

tal of the Middle Ages – Firuzkuh, which

quoise Mountain, talks about the school’s

A nation that once produced fine carpets,

was eventually destroyed by Gengis Khan in

current curriculum, “The Institute for Afghan

different art and music forms, magnificent

1216 and lost to history. The only evidence

Arts and Architecture offers a three-year

architectural wonders, now seems to exist

to prove that a city did once exist there is

education programme, in which students

only in the minds of those who lived in a

the magnificent Minaret of Jam, known for

can specialize in one particular school of

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art and eventually graduate with both an

how the country was home to countless

dating as far back as the 1st century AD.

Afghan and International certification. The

artefacts of Mongol art, miniature paintings

Today, with the Taliban forces gradually

key focus of the institute’s programmes is

from the once-renowned Bahzad School

being driven out of Afghanistan, there is

the arts of Afghanistan, both traditional and

and the art of wood carving. Due to Afghan-

hope once again of reviving and rebuilding

contemporary. In traditional art, subjects

istan’s strategic location on the ancient Silk

the country’s rich cultural heritage. How-

like calligraphy and painting, woodcutting

Route, Gandhara art or Buddhist art, was

ever, the road to recovery seems to be full

(both classical and Nuristani), ceramics (Ista-

introduced by Buddhist monks who passed

of obstacles.

lif style) and jewellery making are taught.

through the area. He also speaks of a time

In contemporary art, the Turquoise Moun-

when classical music was practiced freely.

Wahab explains, “Right from 2000 till now, we have plans of rebuilding and

tain Afghan Contemporary Art Prize (which

“But everything changed when the

restoring the National Gallery and National

has been running successfully for the last

war began,” he says. “Practicing art freely

Museum. However, it is not an easy task at

three years) has been set up to encour-

became difficult, and this only worsened

all. So far, on the war front, we have not seen

age a national interest in contemporary art

with the invasion of the Taliban. Everything

any changes at all. Security continues to be

and draw out artistic talent from across the

– architecture, art, as well as our historical

a major problem in many of the provinces,

country. The institute also provides theo-

heritage, was adversely affected. The Tal-

and due to this, we have not been able to

retical and practical workshops in contem-

iban imposed bans on anything related

realize any of our restoration plans.”

porary arts, and works to create opportuni-

to the arts and culture, deeming them as

However, Wahab continues to remain

ties for Afghan artists to engage with the

unIslamic. They destroyed the Buddha stat-

optimistic. He believes that it is the youth

international art world, and contribute to

ues in Bamiyan, the National Gallery, and

who can make a difference in his country.

the development of contemporary arts of

the National Museum of Aghanistan.”

By introducing high quality education, art

Afghanistan.”

With the destruction of the National

and cultural activities, he strongly feels that

Wahab describes a time in his country

Gallery and the National Museum, great

there is hope for Afghanistan and we say

when traditional art flourished. He explains

works of art have been lost forever, some

amen to that

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SHORTLIVED

ATTRACTIONS Information & Images: courtesy Sain Konzepte

Though a temporary, stalls need to be wellthought out creations that reflect the brands at their best, reveals Jaydeep Ghag.

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Exhibition design

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T

he word ‘stall’ does not usually

That designing and building a stall is

have a very positive connotation

an art goes without saying, and Sain Konz-

for marketing a product, as it is

epte with six years of in-depth knowledge,

usually known to be small enclosure for

is now nearly an expert in making optimal

the display and sale of product. But with

use of available space for creating maxi-

the passage of time, exhibitions and their

mum visual impact. Along with the print

stalls have become bigger and better. For

display, it is essential to communicate the

the participating companies or brands, the

visual representation associated with a

stall becomes its face value – which means

brand and organization, which Jaydeep

that in the presence of so many other

Ghag, who heads Sain Konzepte, has been

contenders from the same industry, one

doing with ease for prestigious clients like

needs the right design to underline their

Man Infra, Muktistar and many other infra

presence. Exhibitions are a major platform

structure giants.

for the brand-client interface and attract

“The biggest challenge in an exhibi-

thousands of prospective customers whose

tion is not only delivering an extraordi-

interest needs to be generated; hence the

nary design but to build it in a very short

stall should speak for itself.

span,” Jaydeep explains, “Timed delivery is

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the most crucial aspect of a trade fair stall

Muktistar, which was participating in exhibi-

design and the maximum one gets is four

tion with the concept of developing Char-

to five days.” A feat Sain Konzepte seems to

kop (a western Mumbai suburb) into city like

be achieving if its reputation in this niche

London. Participating for the first time, the

is any indicator. Constantly climbing up

client wanted maximum impact on the visi-

the charts, winning design awards at MCHI

tors to the stall. Jaydeep along with his 3D

(Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Indus-

visualizer Siddhart Shirodkar designed and

try), getting associated with bigger brands

build an ultra modern stall with an element

and being present at nearly all the impor-

of London i.e. the London Eye-concept and

tant exhibitions across the country for stall

other organic forms in five days. The material

design and construction.

used in building these stalls are eco-friendly

In 2011, at the REIFBS Exhibition (Real

and re-useable hence harmless to nature.

Estate Investment Forum & Business Spaces)

The next time you visit an exhibition,

organized by The Economics Times, Sain

don’t be surprised if you gravitate towards

Konzepte got the opportunity to design one

the most outstanding stall and when you

of the biggest stalls at the property exhibi-

do, look around to see what has gone into

tion – measuring around 3,600 sq.ft. for

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Exhibitions are a major platform for the brandclient interface and attract thousands of prospective customers; hence the stall should speak for itself.

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Design promo

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ATYPICAL

CREATIONS Introducing Le Cdeor – a store that enhances living experiences.

A

dding a touch of class to the interiors is indeed an ongoing endeavour. Located in the heart of suburban Mumbai, the Le Cdeor store is a metaphor for contemporary lifestyle

combining new age effervescence with a sophisticated intricacy of style and design. The latest addition to its immaculate and aesthetic collection of artefacts is the stunning metal series, conceptualized and produced by Philippines-based Miguel Jr. A. Prado. Human figurines, vases and interesting artefacts made out of recycled metal are only some products from the fine-line collection at the store. Available for the very first time in India, they have the potential to beautify any space with their queer quaintness, with a raw yet stylish look. The collection is a part of enchanting works of art that constantly reflect a global trend with its perfect blend of colour and its harmonious marriage of diverse materials craftily executed in its fine line of giftware, accessories, home and garden decor. And the most astounding part is that you have the option of enhancing your space – big or small; personal, commercial or public – all by being completely eco-friendly! The Le Cdeor store in essence offers basic, limited edition products that enjoy eternal style. The collection available at the store seamlessly blends beautiful looks to create a contemporary living experience. The rustic, earthy mediums are put together in unusual chic with classic appeal. Beautiful lamps, attractive crockery, exotic candle stands, wall hangings, and more present a beautiful array of home decor options sourced from all over the world. The design store Le Cdeor, is undoubtedly the new bid of home decor, introducing a sophisticated collection of products that are sure to enhance the decor of your living spaces at very affordable prices.

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Design promo

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For bulk & trade enquiries contact: artifacts@mrjgroup.in Le Cdeor, 8/H, Laxmi Industrial Estate, New Link Road, Versova, Andheri (W) Mumbai 400053; Tel: 26327733/34; Mobile: 09867675556 Email: jalaramvnf@gmail.com

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Design insight

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BEAST OF GLITZ Words: Gaauri Shah; Images: courtesy www.fashion.about.com

It is the age of the bold and, well, not so beautiful. Fashion designers across the globe today are willing to experiment with new trends in ways never thought of before. Like it or not, it is very much here to stay, as we find out.

M

ost call it ‘fashion’; some refer to it as style, glam, vogue or glitz; but how many of us really understand what fashion really means? What are the parameters that define it? What are the factors that influence new fashion trends? Most of what

we know about fashion is from what we see, observe and note. Often, even self-proclaimed experts don’t really understand the fine intricacies of the word; it has become a mainstay in our lives; dress-up has stolen the limelight and today, it’s gotten bigger, maybe better and definitely bolder! Over the centuries, fashion has gone through its evolution, but the turn of the current decade has borne witness to an entirely different revolution. With designers becoming increasingly experimental, there is a steady shift from the known into the unknown. Now, fashion ramps world over showcase styles that exude distinct vibes – be it demure, peek-aboo, wicked, louder-than-life or plain eye-widening! MARCH-APRIL 2012 • DESIGN MATRIX 85

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THE WILD, WILD WEST The 2010 MTV Music Awards was rewarded with a sight so bizarre by designer Franc Fernandez that the world went into frenzy when Lady Gaga unveiled her much publicized ‘meat dress’—an ensemble made up of beef! Every animal rights group protested as a reflex, but this dress goes down as one of the boldest fashion statements in the history of global fashion! Alexander McQueen left behind a bang, even in death. His last collection (“incomplete” some protested) created a wave that could not be ignored – feather-bottomed underwear for the male population and a sprinkling of X-ray pyjamas for the ladies; he breathed his last in complete style. His quirky funk lives on through this bedroom collection.

TINSEL TOWN Closer home, we aren’t lagging too far behind either. The fashion capital of the country has had a taste of the wild pie, deliberately so in some cases. Akshay Kumar, the (self-proclaimed) ‘good boy’ of the film fraternity, revealed his wild side grappling eye balls when he strutted down the ramp for Tarun Tahiliani and lovingly asked wife Twinkle (in the audience) to unzip him, which she obliged willingly with a grateful blush! The collection shot into spotlight in an instant! Sherlyn Chopra got her fifteen minutes of fame when she was fortunate enough to donne on 30-carat diamond bikini for an item number!

WILD CHILD It would be presumptuous though to contain the ‘wild’ definition of fashion to only a few meat diamante stick-ons. Style, if asked to be described in one word, would have to be ‘individualistic’; but that’s the biggest contradiction actually. Simple because even so-called designers play copycat ever so often; after all imitation is the best form of flattery they defend. The best element of fashion is its mystery; the more layers you unearth to understand that many more appear. So it’s safe to say that nobody will ever be able to grasp the very core; however each one of us creates our own connotation of it. Is psychedelic legging with balloon shorts and an orange shirt with yellow boots your look? If you have the ability, confidence and carriage to carry it off – that’s exactly what you should do! Wrapping a saree? Tie that drape around your waist instead. Make style all about being the odd one out; standing out has suddenly become dapper!

ACESSO-SPEAK Accessories undoubtedly clinch the finale. Hats are back with a bang; so whether the fedora, the delicate beret or even a sporty one; inculcate these on combinations. Let your hair speak volumes, literally. Big hair is back; throw out the blow-dried straight-up look and go all out. Nails are dominating the scene with funky colours and nail art. Diamonds have been deserted by women as their best friend, and have been replaced by shoes! The bigger, higher and spunkier the better – it’s the ‘no limit’ era. Let’s let fashion take its highest trip yet, shall we? MARCH-APRIL 2012 • DESIGN MATRIX 87

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Photo feature

An

Experience! Socegado (meaning calm, tranquil, serene in Spanish), is a series of photographs of Goa by Mumbai-based Fashion and Advertising photographer Tanvi Madkaiker. A mixture of landscapes and abstract imagery, ‘Socegado’ aims to evoke a feeling of tranquility and calm by capturing quiet little ‘moments’ that reflect Goa’s relaxed attitude towards life. To view more of Tanvi’s work visit www.tanvim.com

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R

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REFLECTIVE I N T E R A C T I O N

Words: Babita K; Images: courtesy Ivan Toth Depena

Ivan Depena creates a light-based interactive installation that will respond to your movements and will even remember it later – to share with others.

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T

he Stephen Clark Government

School of Design, Depeña’s output as an

interactivity. Passers-by will have their imag-

Center Lobby in Miami, USA saw the

artist is informed by his experience in art,

es captured by several infrared cameras; the

unveiling of Ivan Toth Depeña’s light-

architecture, technology and design. Com-

installation’s software will then abstract that

based permanent installation “Reflection”

bining many sources of media, technology,

image in real time, displaying this abstrac-

in November 2011. Commissioned by the

form and materials, he seeks to blur bound-

tion on the light covered columns. The

Miami-Dade Art in Public Places initiative,

aries and create work that exists within a

resulting image will create an ethereal mir-

the work illuminates the dynamism of the

new and amorphous hybrid of various cre-

ror that testifies participation of the audi-

lobby space and encourages a sense of

ative disciplines.

ence and the activity of the space. Colour-

discovery in the visitors. “This dynamic art

As a main stop in Miami’s MetroRail

ful lights of the installation engage those

work is designed with the idea of welcoming

system, the space serves as a hub for com-

beyond the lobby — as some columns face

visitors and employees to Government

muters; so incorporating the notion of daily

the public plaza — and the installation will

Center in a fun and interactive way,” said

circulation into his piece Depeña uses sen-

remain functional even when there are no

Michael Spring, Director of the Department

sors and light to focus on the communal

active participants, as the light panels retain

of Cultural Affairs. “It will energize the lobby

nature and circulatory qualities of the lobby.

the “memory” of users’ interactivity. This is

and symbolize the County’s commitment

The project engages the building’s visi-

a key element in the conceptual infrastruc-

to be informative and responsive to our

tors and references the idea of community

ture of the installation. The “memory” gives

citizens.”

through various means of reflection, group

the space added life and allows the com-

Miami-Dade Art in Public Places is a

interactivity and high-tech playfulness. The

munity to be a part of the constantly evolv-

programme of the Miami-Dade County

basis of the project are custom-designed

ing artwork.

Department of Cultural Affairs that is

LED light boxes placed at specific locations

Sensitive enough to detect the differ-

responsible for the commission and pur-

throughout the lobby space. These light

ence between multiple and single users, the

chase of artworks by contemporary art-

boxes interact and respond to the commut-

system will vary the output and scale of the

ists in all media. It is one of the fist public

er’s movements and gestures via camera

display to the number of visitors, and the hues

art programmes in the country that was

tracking, creating an energetic and vibrant

will change according to the time of the day.

established in 1973. Depeña is an artist and

artwork.

All visitors will experience the vibrancy of

designer whose studio practice is based on

Custom software has been developed

Depeña’s work, have the ability directly affect

his multi-disciplinary approach to envision-

to complete Depeña’s vision and the LED

the piece or simply witness the patterns pro-

ing work. With a Masters Degree in Archi-

nodes have been individually programmed

duced by other users, elaborating on the idea

tecture from Harvard University’s Graduate

to anchor the work’s responsiveness and

of time and memory in the space

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Musings

THE

FINE

ART

OF

CINEMA Words: Hayden Scott

Once a domain of the caviar and Chardonnay-quaffing intellectual, art cinema has transformed itself into a genre that is widely appreciated. We explore the vagaries of mainstream cinema’s much-misunderstood cousin.

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L

ast year saw the release of

and draw its own inferences from a film;

light the economic and moral dilemma

Terence Malick’s Tree of Life, an

quite unlike mainstream cinema that

of the Italian working class. Dubbed the

expressionist tour de force several

functions on the premise that emotions

“neorealist” movement, many consider

decades in the making. However, despite

and reactions need to be spoon-fed to

it to be one of the turning points in the

rave critical reviews and clinching the

viewers.”

history of art cinema. Vittorio De Sica’s

coveted Palme D’Or at Cannes, audience

While many debate the true origins of

Bicycle Thieves is one of the best-known

reactions to the film were polarized.

art cinema, the general consensus points

examples of this genre. The simple tale

So much so that a theatre in Stamford,

to the 1925 release of Sergei Eisenstein’s

of a father and son searching the streets

Connecticut, was forced to put up a sign

Battleship Potemkin. A Russian propagan-

of Rome for a stolen bicycle and their

reiterating the establishment’s no-refund

da film, Battleship served as a vehicle to

only means of livelihood inspired an

policy to angry cinemagoers who “just

further Eisenstein’s groundbreaking theo-

entire generation of filmmakers in India.

couldn’t get what the film was about”.

ries on film editing. At around the same

S Prakash Lakkoju, an independent film-

That, in a sense, defines an art film –

time, Luis Bunuel and artist Salvador Dali

maker whose film Hide and Seek opened

parallel cinema aimed at a niche market

began to toy with the idea of cinema as

UK’s Dow Film Festival in 2008 concurs,

and possessed of its own conventions;

a dynamic medium for the surrealist art

“De Sica and the Italian neorealists can

typically realism, social relevance and a

movement. The result was 1929’s influ-

be credited with kick-starting the Indian

greater emphasis on a director’s unique

ential Un Chien Andalou (The Andalusian

New Wave. One only needs to watch

vision and style.

Dog), a film that was essentially a series of

Bimal Roy’s Do Bheega Zamin and Satya-

Risheeka Upadhyay, an independent

disjointed and often disturbing images

jit Ray’s acclaimed Apu Trilogy to under-

filmmaker and associate director with

held together by the most tenuous of

stand the influence.”

director Dibakar Bannerjee (of LSD and

plots.

The 1950s saw the brewing of a new

Khosla ka Ghosla fame), adds, “Art films

While one part of Europe reveled in

kind of revolution in France. The French

are often ambiguous. Not for any rea-

the abstract, Italy ravaged by the effects

New Wave, helmed by Francois Truf-

son other than the fact that the genre

of the Second World War, started to

faut, Jean-Luc Godard and others, was a

demands that an audience think for itself

produce cinema that brought into spot-

movement started by former critics of the

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influential Cahiers Du Cinema magazine.

advent of digital, almost anyone with a

These critics were staunch supporters of

good story and a camera can make a film.”

the Italian neorealists and films produced

Last year, filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma

by the Hollywood studio system. They

broke every industry convention by making

put forth a theory stating that the direc-

the Telugu feature Dongala Mutha (Den of

tor is to a film what an author is to a book.

Thieves) in all of five days, the first Indian

This “auteur” theory resulted in many

film of its kind to do so. Today, big studios

films of the time bearing the distinctive

have set up smaller independent studios to

stamp and identity of the director. The

support and produce indie (independent)

decade that followed saw the increasing

cinema. The release (and success) of inde-

import of European cinema to American

pendent films, like Death at a Funeral, In

shores. This was in direct response to the

Bruges and closer to home Udaan and Shor

American public’s growing disinterest in

in the City, prove that despite the allure

traditional Hollywood fare. This led to the

of mainstream gloss, content ultimately

formation of “arthouse cinemas”, institu-

decides box-office success.

tions dedicated to off beat and non-main-

Lakkoju sums up, “Audiences are the

stream movies. It is here that the term art

only things that remain unchanged in

cinema is believed to have originated.

the film industry. They have never been

These days, use the term “art film” in

and will never be interested in genre tags.

enlightened company and you are likely

They will watch whatever offers them the

to be sneered at. “Art film today is almost

best balance of content and entertain-

a derogatory term. The genre has meta-

ment.” We couldn’t agree more. Indepen-

morphosed into what we now call inde-

dent or art cinema, whatever the correct

pendent cinema,” says Risheeka Upadhy-

term, the fact remains that it is indeed

ay. “The era of big studios is over. With the

here to stay

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A STEP FURTHER

Akash, the much-talked-about tablet – the cheapest in its segment – is trying to make a mark.

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I

n the late 1980s, disruptive technology

students lead by professors are involved in

of the moment was the fax. It was pos-

various parts of the still growing project.

sible to send a document from one end

The IIT team picked parts that would

of the world to another in seconds. After

meet some basic performance specs, while

which came the internet that succeeded

keeping the overall cost low. The team had

the fax in areas more than one. The first

a pre-manufacture proof-of-concept of the

iteration of the World Wide Web was stat-

tablet by August 2010, but the university

ic – like a library full of published books, it

lacked the ability to mass produce it. Mon-

was just another medium to put words on.

treal-based company Datawind bought

Many companies and organizations soon

the design and created their version of the

realized that they could reach a wider audi-

tablet. According to the IIT team, it lacks

ence through this new medium; after all,

the built-in speaker and video conferenc-

between December 1995 and December

ing facility that the original design had

2000, the number of users on the Inter-

but it runs on a more advanced version of

net had grown from about 16 million to

Android (Froyo, or 2.2).

an impressive 361 million. According to

Datawind designed and developed the

Google, their first index in 1998 had about

$35 Akash tablet. Suneet Singh Tuli, CEO of

26 million webpages. In 2000, that index

Datawind, states, “It’s a small percentage

had hit the 1 billion mark. By mid-2008,

of people who have received the device,

approximately ten years after Google’s first

so the number of users is low. The initial

index, they hit a new milestone of 1 trillion

devices reached colleges, and probably the

webpages on the Internet.

expectations of the students were different

With such an advance in technology

from those of average users. So, it is neces-

and mainly the sheer reach of the internet,

sary to set the right expectations. The key

smart devices are gaining popularity with

areas of the usage of the Akash tablet is web

a wider mass of people. Apple started the

surfing, multimedia HD quality and abil-

tablet culture with their Ipad and since then

ity to run select Android apps. In all these

there is no looking back. India’s ultra afford-

aspects, if you were expecting an iPad, then

able tablet was unveiled sometime in Octo-

you will be disappointed. The device is for

ber of 2011 but has been in development

those who cannot afford an iPad.”

since mid 2010. Since its official unveiling,

Akash is targeting a segment of the

Akash has generated quite a large amount

Indian market that has not been tapped

of publicity. This low-cost Android-pow-

and probably will not be either. They are

ered tablet has been specifically designed

going after those people whose average

for the country’s large student population

monthly income is Rs. 10,000. However, the

with a commercial model to be produced

product has been in the limelight ever since

for the masses called Unislate 7.

talks about it first began surfacing, but as

The first versions of Akash took shape at

of today, the tablet has been plagued by

the Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur

controversies and criticism. Several users

as a part of a government-backed under-

complained of a less than satisfactory expe-

taking to bring affordable computers to

rience and there are debates questioning

students in the country. Human Resources

the demand for a tablet in that segment.

Development Minister Kapil Sibal, who

But with the impending launch of the

has been a supporter of science and tech-

upgraded version, users can expect things

inspired approaches to education before,

to change for the better.

has been its vocal federal front. Prem Kumar

Quality is all about meeting expec-

Kalra, professor at IIT Kanpur, began engi-

tations and going beyond them. Akash

neering the tablet in 2009 with a target

might, might not stay for long. But what it

price of $50. He brought his work to Jodh-

has done is opened up a whole new sec-

pur when he moved to IIT Rajasthan to lead

tion of the market for companies to target

the new campus as its director. About 170

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T C U D O R P

H C N LAU Living In Style unveils Chaise Lounges The Chaise Lounge collection from Living In Style features one-armed loungers having a low back, half back or no back at all and have been designed with a creative flair. These lounges are available in vibrant colours and sizes and will effortlessly blend with your style of decor, be it traditional or contemporary. A true indulgence, these chaise lounges can be placed at a variety of spots to create a cozy reading nook or add an extra seating in your bedroom or living room. Living In Style offers these lounges in an array of fabrics like luxurious leather, velvet, suede, traditional damask, etc. Tel.: 022 28752174

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Love with

Golden Touch

We all love beautifully cra fted, precious and though tful gifts that do not wither aw ay with time. Golden Tou ch is a concept store which offers luxury products for your loved ones in 24 car at gold! Be it idols of wo rship or home decor accessorie s, name initials, playing cards or jewellery – patra or gold leaf is used to cre ate delectable, pretty things which will neither tarnish nor go out of vogue. The tec hnique involves hamme ring pure gold into extremely thin sheets which is often used for gilding. Each pie ce is cut and engraved to design by precision lasers and then assembled by expert craftsmen for mo nths. Golden Touch ensure s premium quality of its pro ducts employing state-of-t heart technologies for gold leafing. The polycarbonat e coating applied on both sides of the gold foil not only preser ves the precious me tal from turning black eve n after years of exposure to air, but also enables the craftsman to mould it into any desired shape. With ideas and concepts so unique , they have something for every taste at showrooms in De lhi, Jaipur, Kolkata, Indore , Ahmedabad and Singap ore. ww w.goldentouchgifts.

Samsonite

Aerial Collection

com

al luggage e leading glob th , te ni so m Sa a fabulous uces India to brand, introd gs and a lock hard-side ba new range of Aerial collece future – th e th e r fo em syst ped innovativ newly develo r rio te in e tion with the . Th rd lock system integrated ca e is easily ec pi l ia er A each lining inside e card lock Th washable. d an le ab ov rem y card, and like a hotel ke ed system works es a designat itcase includ ts fi ly si each Aerial su ea at th ized key card suitcredit card-s Locking the e. rs pu a or t le al to w in a rd to in the ca ple as sliding all sm e th s case is as sim , which turn ot sl ed at gn as the desi the suitc e, red. To unlock ht lig r r to ca indi the indicato the card and rt se e in ar y pl es m ec si ial pi green. All Aer on b ar yc light will turn ol ultra-thin p an of d te uc constr benefits of ch offers the ate shell whi rabilit y. Priced du ngth and e as lightness, stre ial is availabl onwards, Aer nio sh fa from `11,450 o d tw three sizes an d a spinner in uinox grey an eq lic al et M – s ur lo co le ab night plum. metallic mid nite.com w w w.samso

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Bar Silverware from

Episode

Celebrate with Episode’s new line of silver ware that has produc ts ranging from bar accessories such as wine cooler, ice buckets, bot tle stoppers , etc. and home decor products like candle stands, lanterns and tealight holders. Han d-crafted sterling silver and silver-plated, this range is going to leave you wantin g it all. Episode’s innovative styling showc asing an exclusive repertoire of over 10,0 00 designs is a legacy of a centur y of silv ersmithing, and a work force of generation s of crafting skills. More than 30 years of exp osure to working with renowned des igner brands like Armani, Sabattini, Ralph Lauren, etc. and an in–house modern ma nufacturing facility, helps Episode to live up to international quality parameters. ww w.episodesilver.com

kids while eatfix all the problems with wdriver, a handy tool to Che gs brin d. The three nee tive lec you g Col hin Home x and you’ll find everyt lbo too r rive wd Che r be changed at will. Priced ing dinner. Open you tool-st yle handle and can the into ly ure sec to. The p sna s magnetic utensil children will look for ward ner is one meal that your din r rive more. wd and Che lery the h cut wit just right, ing animal-face hooks, ducts for children, includ store pro the lity out qua ck has Che . also nds re sto 27 different trusted bra from d rce sou To n er. bee off e of the products on All the products hav h the quality and design wit sed res imp be to e be! and you’re sur Collective is the place to and affordability, Home experience beauty, utility ww w.homecollec tive.in

Chewdriver from

Home Collective

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Amber Kitchens from

KIWA

KIWA is proud to presen t its latest Amber styled modular kitchen that ensures the holistic satisfaction of sty le and design conscious con noisseurs in India. This ran ge of modular kitchens can be designed with a base uni t equipped with aluminium grip -groove to give the utmost linearit y at the com position. The Amber Mo dular Kitchen brings for th new tex tures, elegant colours and breakthrough elements and is styled with fiery and bold lacquered doors wit h a combination of glass and veneers. Amber kitchens are innovated by the ide a of well organized space and easy accessibility and giv e you the feeling that one can have a graceful looking kitc hen with lots of storage. Treme ndously modish, the cab inets have ample space design and colour options like Ma tt white, ivory, corda, gloss white, black, etc. To maxim ize space and functionality, KIWA offers accessories, multi functional work island tha t is equipped with open units and professional work top s. ww w.forz zafurniture.in

KDMS from Ebco nagement System Ebco Kitchen Drawer Ma s and flexibility ion opt ble offers innumera well as the end to a kitchen designer as wer in a kitchen to user to organize each dra rage and utility. sto of its best use in terms wer trays made dra of s sist The system con erent standard of Polypropylene, for diff products such as widths. There are utility , cut ting board, der spice holder, knife hol ter for paper/foil, cut uilt inb h roll holder wit like plate holders, etc. and storage options er set of four to fit bot tle racks, and contain rnatively, you can Alte s. in these drawer tray sizes to make nt ere diff of r use the divide erts and dividers your own layout. These ins erent size options are compatible with diff trays. Elegantly r we available for the dra s are ideal to be orie ess acc se designed, the tion drawer slides. used with the Ebco Pro-Mo trim the border to ty However, it has a flexibili as well. rs we dra n and use it for woode ww w.ebco.in 112 DESIGN MATRIX • MARCH-APRIL 2012

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Pergo with

Class 34 certification

Pergo is reputedly one of the toughest laminate fl ooring available to be acc with Class 34 rating, makin orded g it the per fect choice for heavy traffic and comme eas. As a par t of technolog rcia l arical advancement Pergo has introduced new featur reduction of sound with es for its professional soundbloc technology and also has unique features. One of other the patented feature is the “Triple Protection” system tanX advanced technolog or Tiy with multiple armed ove rlays of aluminium oxide known to be the second spray hardest substance after diamond which provides with incredible wear res the floor istance. Another unique feature is the patented “Sc sistant Sur face” developed ratch Refor highest demands in com mercial and residential are Also, due to its unique “Mu as. lti Layer Build-up System ” it is a high-impact resista floor that meets the nee nce ds for (various application s) the toughest requireme nts. ww w.pergo.com

To give your walls an interesting and classy feel, Nas Home introduces an assortment of brilliant wallpapers from renowned international brands such as Casamance, Casadeco, Zimmer & Rhode, Designers Guild, Harlequin and Elitis to name a few. The collection offers an array of varied patterns, colours and textures. With prices ranging from `50 to `500 per sq. ft., there is a whole host of stuff to choose from. The collection also consists of bold and timeless patterns in environment friendly wallpapers under their eco–chic trade mark. Acrylic coated and easily washable, this range lends a touch of class to any interior. Welcome urban and contemporary landscapes into your house; play with the light, be it with the pocketed fabric and the matt/shiny effects or with the wallpaper. www.nashome.net

International Wallpapers from

Nas Home

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114 1 11 14 1 4 DES DE D DESIGN ES ESIGN IGN IG GN MATRIX MATR MA MATRI TTRI R RIIX • JULY-AUGUST JJU ULY LLYY--AUG Y AU AU UG GU USSSTT 2011 UST 2011 20 11

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etc. JULY-AUGUST 2011 • DESIGN MATRIX 115

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Happenings

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JALARAM VENEERS & FLOORS 

Prominent architects and designers share interesting insights about design over wine & cheese, on a casual evening, at the Jalaram showroom in Mumbai.

J

alaram, Veneers & Floors in association with Design Matrix, hosted a casual wine and cheese evening, at their showroom in Andheri. The idea was to bring together a

select few designers of the industry and talk about design as a part of their lives. While doing so, Karan Jhunjhunwala and Pooja Goswami Kulkarni of Jalaram walked the guests around the showroom, introducing them to the various offerings by the international brands at Jalaram. The evening was attended by guests such as Sandeep Shikre, Manjunath Shenoy, Ketan Sheth, Ashish Gupta, Manish

Dixit, Bhavya & Neilesh Kenkare, Amit Khanolkar, Rajesh and Ujwala Kumthekar, Ilyaz Yusuf & Sakina Rangwala of Dreams Furnishings, Kushal Bajaj of Geeta Aluminium, accompanied by Babita Krishnan, Editor and Natasha Bohra, Deputy Editor of Design Matrix. Cherry on the cake was a quick walk into the Le Cdeor showroom, a few blocks away - a store with exquisite artefacts and home accessories. The evening concluded with a feeling of wanting more. Surely, more to come!

1. Karan Jhunjhunwala, Suman Shah, Ar. Ketan Sheth 2. Sakina Rangwala, Babita Krishnan, Ar. Manish Dixit 3. Pooja Goswami Kulkarni, Rajesh and Ujwala Kumthekar 4. Sakina Rangwala, Ilyaz Yusuf, Ar. Manish Dixit, Ashish Gupta 5. Neilesh & Bhavya Kenkare 6. Karan Jhunjhunwala, Ar. Amit Khanolkar 7. Ashish Gupta, Kushal Bajaj and colleague 8. Ar. Manjunath Shenoy, Ar. Sandeep Shikre 9. Suman Shah, Ar. Sandeep Shikre, Ar. Manjunath Shenoy, Babita Krishnan.

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Happenings

THE IIA

AWARDS Instituted in 1989, the IIA Awards that are bestowed upon professionals for excellence in architecture in India, this year celebrated with the honourable minister Sh. Kamal Nath.

T

he crème de la crème of architecture

National Association of Architecture), Ar.

fraternity were seen together on

Debabarata Ghosh from Kolkata (Hon. Jt.

th

5

February honouring the best

Secretary, IIA).

projects in five different categories. Hon’ble

“The IIA awards aim to encourage,

Minister of Urban Development Sh. Kamal

acknowledge, appreciate and honour

Nath gave way the prizes at a glittering

the significant contribution of member

event which culminated with a musical

professionals in the field of architecture,”

show hosted for more than 1,000 members

explains Ar. Vijay Garg Chairman organizing

of IIA at Siri Fort Auditorium in New Delhi.

committee. The Chief Guest Sh. Kamal Nath

These awards carry a special significance

addressed the audience and also announced

as are given by IIA that was founded in

nomination of IIA representative in Delhi

1917 as the representative national body

Master Plan committee. Ar. Karkhanis,

of architects and currently has more than

President IIA thanked the Minister for his

20,000 members.

unflinching support, which he added, was

This year’s jury that was held in

very encouraging.

November at Sir JJ college of Architecture,

For the first time in IIA Awards,

Mumbai, comprised of eminent members:

eight eminent architects were inducted

Ar. Prafulla Kharkhanis from Nasik (President

into the ‘Hall of Fame’ for their lifetime

IIA), Ar. Aaashish Kumar Moitra from New

achievements.

Delhi (former Director of School of Planning

Fame inductees are Ar. Raj Rewal, Ar.

& Architecture, New Delhi), Ar. Rajiv Mishra

M.R.

from Mumbai (Principal Sir JJ College of

Ar. Ram Sharma, Ar. C.N. Raghvendran

Architecture, Mumbai), Ar. Mohandas from

(Padmashree), Ar. M.M Rana (Padmashree),

Calicut (winner All India Design Trophy

Ar. Jai Rattan Bhalla (Padmashree), and Ar.

1983 & 1984, and All India President of The

Balbir Verma

Agnihotri,

The inaugural Hall of Ar.

Ajoy

Choudhury,

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Product review

SHOE WHEEL

Words: Babita Krishnan; Images: Courtesy Navitas International

Not only does it occupy less space but it is almost a conversation piece in itself – Shoe Wheel a novel solution to shoe storage problems!

I

have often wondered, where would

had enough of the conventional shoe

Imelda Marcos keep her shoes if she

racks. Quite literally, spinning free of tra-

was not living in the Presidential

dition, the Shoe Wheel is an indigenously

Palace? What would she do if we shifted

designed mobile storage unit with 20

her to a 1,000 sq. ft. apartment in one of

expandable pockets that can hold up to

our metros? She would probably leave

30 pairs of shoes (depending on the shoe

most of her shoes behind. A few of my

type of course!).

friends who have a wide collection of

And it is not complicated to use

footwear (especially the women), are

– shoes are inserted into the pockets

always complaining about the lack of

through elastic bands, which secure them

space – for their shoes!

snugly into place. Best of all – these pock-

One of the most important yet least

ets are easily adjustable to fit your entire

looked into accessory – the shoe – is

footwear range – sneakers, high heels or

more often than not, struggling to find a

flats.

space it can call its own. In most homes,

So once you have found the right

it has to share space with the old papers

space to roll your shoe wheel in, lock the

that are stored to be given off at the end

swivel wheels and just rotate to take your

of the month. Well not any more.

pick

Shoe Wheel, probably the most innovative and compact shoe storage in the

For more information log on to www.navi-

world, has arrived in India. Brought to the

tasintl.com or mail to sales@navitasintnl.

domestic market by Navitas International,

com/navitasintnl@gmail.com

it is a storage solution for those who have

or call 022 65930825

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Space review

36

OAK & BARLEY All day dining in Mumbai, satiates your favourite comfort food craving!

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A gleaming and purposefully angular sculpture of a Jaguar is ready to leap at you from behind the Bar. The cat adds just the required touch of attitude to a decor that makes you want to experiment with the exotic.

I

f you do not mind a bit of glamourous

Ham & Cheese sandwich. But our personal

drama to accompany your meal, head

vote goes to the signature 36 O&B Fondue

to 36 Oak & Barley. Dressed as it is in

which is a plain cheese fondue served with

chic red, this elegant eatery set in the heart

chopped onions, tomatoes and green chil-

of Mumbai at Kemps Corner, spells a well-

lies. If you are a weight-watcher, do not

designed grace that is a most welcome

worry as there are great choices for you as

backdrop to an equally delectable and

well! And you can wrap-up the meal with

fresh menu.

a pick from the dessert menu – the good

Red walls, polished wooden floors sporting brass accents and hints of unusual

old-fashioned jelly custard or something a bit more exotic, and a coffee.

yet chic details create a very “New Yorkish”

While elegant comfort is the theme

look, as my widely-travelled fellow diner

of the eatery, the drama is not far behind.

commented, tucking into the chilli-cheese

In fact you will find it at the bar, where a

toast. A truly original menu offers comfort

gleaming and purposefully angular sculp-

food including an array of appetizers, main

ture of a Jaguar is ready to leap at you

courses, desserts and much more.

from behind the Bar. The cat adds just

What also impressed us was that the

the required touch of attitude to a decor

simple recipes were served in a gourmet

that makes you want to experiment with

style – complete with lovely presentation.

the exotic.

The restaurant takes great pride in the

So take your pick of alcoholic or non-

simplest of dishes such as Akuri on toast or

alcoholic drinks to accompany your meal. It

a chilli-cheese toast. Every recipe has been

is the right place to enjoy an evening with

perfected and served with great emphasis

people you love to spend time with

not only on the presentation and preparation but also on freshness of the ingredi-

36 Oak & Barley, 76, August Kranti Marg,

ents. An elaborate food menu with intrigu-

Gowalia Tank, Mumbai 400036;

ing choices of new-age delicacies, also

Tel.: 23811010; Email: hello@36ob.com;

gives an interesting contrast like a simple

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Reader contribution

RURAL COLOURS Sometimes a simple element makes life colourful, as Ar. Koka Sharath Kumar shares with us.

A

rchitect Koka Sharath Kumar has a well-established practice, Lakeer Architects and Interior Designers, in Hyderabad. Four years ago, he designed a gated

community near a village called Kowkoor, about 12 kms away from Secunderabad, a place even he calls home as he, too, lives there. This is what he has been observing and wanted to share the simple beauty with all of us. “I have to pass through the village Kowkoor to reach my home in the new development. Every year, during the Sankranti festival one particular house in the village displays and sells kites. The simple display of the kites and their abundance of colours add joy to everyone who lays their eyes on them. It is just a way of a simple villager, to spread love and light all around. I found this especially appealing since it is such an important part of what could be termed as ‘rural design’ and has been around for ages, we just haven’t had the time to appreciate it.” This is a photograph taken by the architect to celebrate simplicity that is stunning by just existing! Maybe it’s time for us to celebrate design of a different kind Ar. Koka Sharath Kumar can be contacted at lakeerarchitects@gmail.com MARCH-APRIL 2012 • DESIGN MATRIX 125

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International Footwear Industry Suppliers Fair Aysaf 2012

for the textile business, as well as for show-

Date: March 2-4, 2012

casing the latest trends in fabrics. Exhibitors

Venue: Cape Town, South Africa

from all over the world will get the chance

International Footwear Industry Suppliers

to present their fabrics, which can be used

Fair Aysaf is an event that brings together

for various applications, such as garments,

Sugarloaf Crafts Festival 2012

some of the best designs in the footwear

accessories, industrial use, etc.

For the last 30 years, Sugarloaf Crafts Fes-

industry today - both national and interna-

CIF – 2012 aims to cater to the requirements

tivals have been dedicated to providing

tional. Last year, as many as 30 European and

of the growing Sri Lankan apparel industry,

a low overhead platform for artists and

far-eastern companies displayed their prod-

and will showcase cotton and synthetic fab-

designers to come together and display

ucts, ranging from footwear accessories to

rics, natural fabrics, yarn and fibre, home tex-

their works. This year, with as many as

wallets and belts, at the exhibition.

tiles, accessories and more.

250 artisans showcasing and selling their works, Sugarloaf Crafts Festival 2012 has

This year’s exhibition holds tremendous promise as well, and will showcase the latest

Date: March 1-3, 2012

a lot to offer. Apart from designs created

designs and trends in the footwear indus-

Venue: Colombo, Sri Lanka

by top national artists, the festival will

try. Footwear soles, moulds, machinery,

also see the works of new and upcoming

leather, footwear sub-industry, accessories,

Design Indaba Expo 2012

and chemicals will be showcased this time

Presenting the very best in art and design

pottery, sculpture, glass, jewellery, fash-

around. Foreign brands such as Travetti SLR

– Design Indaba Expo 2012 showcases

ion, home decor, furniture and home

(Italy) that manufactures accessories for bags

design across all disciplines such as advertis-

accessories, garden products, and pho-

and luggage, Ching Long (Hong Kong) and

ing, architecture, craft, decor, film, fashion,

tography.

Borpelle (Poland) that manufacture women

graphic design, interior design, jewellery,

A series of interactive sessions have also

accessories and equipment, and Super Tan-

visual media and product design. What

been planned this year, during which arti-

nery (India) that manufactures leather for

makes this expo different from others of

sans will show visitors how they create

footwear, wallets, belts, and furniture, will be

its kind is the fact that all products that are

their art. Some of the sessions planned

setting up their stalls at this year’s exhibition.

showcased here are quintessentially South

include wheel thrown pottery, wood

African - derivatives and imports do not fea-

turning, metal spinning, fantasy furniture,

Date: February 29 - March 3, 2012

ture here. The event attracts both local and

stone sculpting, among others.

Venue: Istanbul, Turkey

international buyers, creating a platform for

Till date, events organized by the Sugar-

productive trade relationships.

loaf Craft Festivals have attracted as many

This year, visitors will also be able to attend

as 175,000 visitors from all over the United

all-day fashion shows, short films and

States. This spring, The Sugarloaf Craft

The third Colombo International Yarn and

Pecha Kucha presentations and chat with

Festivals has lined up a number of similar

Fabric Show (CIF), organised by CEM Global,

the designers. The Design Indaba Expo

events across the United States.

is the only exhibition of its kind to be held

coincides with Design Indaba Conference,

in Bangladesh, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. The

thus offering visitors a week of creative

Date: March 9-11, 2012

third edition of CIF provides an ideal platform

rejuvenation.

Venue: Somerset, New Jersey

Colombo International Yarn and Fabric Show – 2012

artists. Visitors can view new creations in

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Australian Toy, Hobby & Nursery Fair

The Art of Video Games exhibition aims

came from 154 Countries; 32,870 members

at exploring video games as an artistic

of the general public and 5,967 communi-

The Australian Toy, Hobby and Nursery Fair

expression and will focus on striking visuals

cations operators.

is an annual event that aims at promot-

and the creative use of new technologies.

ing the positive benefits to children and

It also highlights the works of influential

Date: 17-22 April, 2012

families of toys, games, and hobbies. This

artists and designers over a period of five

Venue: Milan, Italy

year’s fair will provide a platform for retail-

eras of gaming technology. The exhibition

ers, wholesalers, promoters and marketers

also focuses on the interplay of graphics,

to come together to display, demonstrate,

technology and storytelling through some

Bright Lights: The AIGA Awards

and sell toys, games, hobbies, nursery

of the best games for various gaming sys-

“Bright Lights: The AIGA Awards” is an

products and licenses from around the

tems, including Atari VCS and Playstation 3.

annual celebration to honour the distin-

world. It is expected that over 210 exhibi-

A series of interviews with developers and

guished practitioners, educators and role

tors will be a part of the fair. Among the

artists have also been lined up.

models whose creativity, intelligence, perception and skill have inspired and

participants will be big brands such as Hasbro, Lego, Moose and Toyworld, among

Date: March 16-18, 2012

shaped the entire design profession.

others. On display will be a vast range of

Venue: Washington D.C., USA

Proceeds from the event benefit the AIGA

products such as educational toys, models,

Design Archives, Worldstudio AIGA Schol-

and crafts, playground equipment and sta-

Salone Internazionale del Mobile

tionery.

The Salone del Mobile is the global bench-

professional association for design.

Apart from this, the four-day fair also

mark for the home furnishing sector. It

AIGA’s design community in New York City

includes a toy collection programme as

made its first appearance in 1961, designed

presents the second annual “Bright Lights:

part of its social obligation towards chil-

to promote Italian furniture and furnish-

The AIGA Awards” celebration, honouring

dren with special abilities.

ing accessories on the export market, and

the extraordinary lives and careers of four

jigsaws, kites, nursery products, videos, arts

arships and the Legacy Fund, an endowment to secure the future of AIGA, the

has continued to do so ensuring that the

AIGA Medalists whose exemplary work has

Date: March 6-9, 2012

quality of Italian furniture is known to all

inspired and defined the profession: Ralph

Venue: Melbourne, Australia

four corners of the earth, with half of all its

Caplan, influential author and design

visitors coming from around the world.

advocate; Elaine Lustig Cohen, pioneer-

The Art of Video Games 2012

st

The 51 edition of the Saloni this year,

ing graphic designer, artist and archivist;

will showcase products for the global

Armin Hofmann, legendary Swiss graphic

An important event to look out for this

market, reaffirming Milan’s rightful place

designer and educator; and Robert Vogele,

month is GameFest. A three-day festival,

as the international capital of furnish-

ground-breaking design entrepreneur and

GameFest includes talks by video game

ing. As always, there will be a tantalising

mentor.

pioneers,

panoply of collateral events throughout

panel

discussions

between

designers and artists, movie screenings,

the city. The 2011 edition was attended by

Date: April 19, 2012

costume photo-ops, and hands-on play.

282,483 trade operators, 177,964 of whom

Venue: New York, United States of America MARCH-APRIL 2012 • DESIGN MATRIX 127

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2/29/2012 5:04:56 PM


GLOSSARY IFC: Ultratech Paints & Textures F 213A/1, Lado Sarai, Old M. B. Road, New Delhi – 110030 Tel: (011) 46061549/50 Email: info@ultratechpaints.com www.ultratechpaints.com

Pg. 1: Ebco Pvt. Ltd. 402-3, Hyde Park, Saki Vihar Road, Mumbai 400072 Tel: (022) 67837777 Email: info@ebco.in www.ebco.in

Pg. 2 & 3: Durian Industries Ltd. 401, The Summit, Western Express Highway, Vile Parle (E) Mumbai 400057 Tel: (022) 26269000 Email: info@durian.in www.durian.in

Pg. 5: Natural Veneers Turakhia Overseas Pvt. Ltd. 307, Traffic Lite, Next to Bank of Baroda, M.G. Road Ghatkopar (West), Mumbai- 400 086 Tel: (022) 25114285

Pg. 6: Neumec Group Email: sales@neumec.com www.neumec.com

Pg. 7: Astral Poly Tecknik Limited 207/1, Astral House, B/h. Rajpath Club, Off. S.G.Highway, Ahmedabad – 380 059. Tel: (079) 66212000 Email: info@astralcpvc.com www.astralcpvc.com

Pg. 8: 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 Hasmukh Shah: 9820228852

Pg. 11: Geeta Aluminium Company Pvt.Ltd. D/4, Ansa Industrial Estate, Saki Vihar Road, Saki Naka, Andheri (East), Mumbai – 400072. Tel: 9930806685 www.geetaaluminium.com

Pg. 12: Uniply Elementz Decorative Veneers Uniply Industries Ltd #52, Harleys Road, Kilpauk, Chennai - 6000010. Tel: (044) 26605995 Email: info@uniply.in

Pg. 13: Grescasa Ceramics Grescasa Ceramics Limited 5-E, Laxmi Industrial Estate, New Link Road, Andheri (W), Mumbai – 400053, Tel: (022) 26313096/66992409

Pg. 17: MEGAVENT Technologies Pvt Ltd #118/22, 2nd Cross, Sajjepalya, Near Magadi Main Road – Ring Road Junction, Bangalore-560091 Tel: (080) 23211201 Email: info@megavent.in www.megavent.in

Pg. 18: Le Cdeor MRJ Trading Pvt. Ltd. 201, Shyam Kamal ‘C’ Bldg., Agarwal Market, Vile Parle (E), Mumbai – 400057. Tel: (022) 26187132 / 26131442 Email: artifacts@mrjgroup.in

Pg. 19: DECOREX SOLUTIONS PVT LTD New Patel Sawmill Group 204/B, Vertex Vikas, M V Road, Andheri (East), Mumbai – 400069. Tel – (022) 2683095 Email: decorexsol@gmail.com decorexsol@in.com

Pg. 20 & 21: Durian Office Furniture Durian Industries Ltd. 401, The Summit, Western Express Highway, Vile Parle (E) Mumbai 400057 Tel: (022) 26269000 Email: info@durian.in www.durian.in

Pg. 34: Uniply ATS Plywood Uniply Industries Ltd, #52, Harleys Road, Kilpauk, Chennai-6000010. Tel: (044) 26605995. Email: info@uniply.in

Pg. 35: Dorset Luxury Faucets A-88, Road No.2, Mahipalpur Extension, New Delhi – 110037 Tel.: (011) 46138800(100 Lines) Email: faucet@dorsetindia.com www.dorsetindia.com

Pg. 101, 103 & 105: Le Cdeor 8/H, Laxmi Ind. Estate, New Link Road, Versova, Andheri (W), Mumbai – 400053. Tel: (022) 26327733 / 34 Email: jalaramvnf@gmail.com

Pg. 108: MRJ Flooring MRJ Marketing Pvt. Ltd. 201, Shyam Kamal ‘C’ Bldg., Agarwal Market, Vile Parle (E), Mumbai – 400057. Tel: (022) 26187132 / 26131442 Email: flooring@mrjgroup.in

IBC: Jalaram Veneers: • Agar Bazar S. K. Bole Road, Dadar (W), Mumbai 400028. Tel: (022) 24318444/555 Email: jalaram_timber@yahoo.com • 9/b & 9/k, Laxmi Ind. Estate, New Link Road, Versova, Andheri (W), Mumbai – 400053. Tel: (022) 26327733 / 34 Email: jalaramvnf@gmail.com

BC: DANSANI Bathroom Furniture Ultramine Group Chatterjee International Centre, 33A, J. L. Nehru Road, 6th Floor, Suite #10, Kolkata 700071 M: 9874430000 Email: indiadansani@vsnl.net www.dansani.com

FORM IV Statement of ownership and other particulars about magazine entitled – Design Matrix to be published in the first issue every year after the last day of February. 1. Place of publication: MRJ Creations Pvt. Ltd., 201, Shyam Kamal 'C' Building, Agarwal Market, Vile Parle (E), Mumbai - 400057 2. Periodicity of its publication: Bi-Monthly 3. Printer’s Name: Mr. Karan Jhunjhunwala, Nationality: Indian, Address: MRJ Creations Pvt. Ltd., 201, Shyam Kamal 'C' Building, Agarwal Market, Vile Parle (E), Mumbai - 400057 4. Publisher’s Name: Mr. Karan Jhunjhunwala, Nationality: Indian, Address: MRJ Creations Pvt. Ltd., 201, Shyam Kamal 'C' Building, Agarwal Market, Vile Parle (E), Mumbai - 400057 5. Editor-in-Chief’s Name: Ms. Babita Krishnan, Nationality: Indian, Address: MRJ Creations Pvt. Ltd., 201, Shyam Kamal 'C' Building, Agarwal Market, Vile Parle (E), Mumbai - 400057 6. Names and addresses of individuals who own the newspaper and partners or shareholders holding more than one per cent of the total capital. a) Karan Jhunjhunwala, MRJ Creations Pvt. Ltd. 2 01, Shyam Kamal ‘C’ Building, Agarwal Market, Vile Parle (E), Mumbai - 400057 b) Manohar Jhunjhunwala, MRJ Creations Pvt. Ltd. 2 01, Shyam Kamal ‘C’ Building, Agarwal Market, Vile Parle (E), Mumbai - 400057 I, Karan Jhunjhunwala – Publisher (Design Matrix), hereby declare that the particulars given above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief. Date: 1st March, 2012

Sd/Mr. Karan Jhunjhunwala Publisher

128 DESIGN MATRIX • MARCH-APRIL 2012

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9/b, k, laxmi ind. estate, new link road, versova, andheri (w), mumbai - 400 053. Tel.: (022) 2632 7733 / 34 e mail: jalaramvnf@gmail.com

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