MY SPACE : CCBA
vol 14 issue 02
February 2015
LSDA UNCOVERED
total pages 148
DESIGN DESTINATION : WARSAW
RS 100 HOME-REVIEW.COM
Heatherwick Studio’s Gin of the Mill CAFE NEMO BY BUSRIDE DESIGN STUDIO
A PARADISE IN BETWEEN S+PS Architects’ Linear Narrative in the Mumbai SKYLINE
ON THE SURFACE fLOORINGS, CEILINGS & MORE THAT PROMISE TO TRANSFORM YOUR SPACE
Photo: Cyrus Dalal
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lutter-free, serene and relaxing are keywords that S+PS Architects had in mind when it came to designing an apartment in a Mumbai skyscraper. With a clever combination of flooring materials ensuring the necessary spatial demarcation and visual vibrancy, the team expertly tied up the program with a set of bespoke furniture that rallied around blurring boundaries and uniting the space. Finishing with a clearly defined layout and a sense of restraint, this simple and charming home demonstrates how understated materials and an air of calm can go a long way in helping escape the daily annoyances of the outside world. Café Nemo’s magic hinges on a language of monochromes. Conceived by Busride Design Studio this adventurous eatery grabs your attention with its blend of contradictions and whimsy. A striking black-and-white checked floor holds court in one of its halls, while props and articles of whimsy provide for arresting visuals and accents on its walls. Café Nemo aims to be a hangout which charms you with its unpretentious simplicity and welcomes anyone who wishes to eat, drink or dance within its vibrant confines. Bombay Sapphire is that blue bottle of gin we are all so familiar with. Now a derelict paper mill in Southern England also gets a taste of this iconic tipple complements of Thomas Heatherwick, one of Britain’s most gifted and imaginative architects. Bombay Sapphire gets a new home where the designer melds two large glasshouses into an age-old brick structure. The intertwining glass arrangements, that are actually greenhouses that grow plants that give this gin its unique character, change the building’s disposition from the humdrum to awe-inspiring. The transparent glass shells also allow visitors a rare glimpse into the insides of this landmark distillery which has something for everyone to marvel at - history buffs, architectural fans and the large majority who enjoy that occasional swirl of gin. Anish Bajaj, Editor anish@marvelinfomedia.com
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Christopher Benninger
The sights and scenery, the one-ofa-kind events and world-class food; welcome to San Francisco!
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India has been for me a true frontier of imagination and a wonderful place to work
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Cover Story Tucked away on the 26th floor, the interiors of this Mumbai abode reflect a sense of calm and openness; S+PS Architects call it ‘Liminal Living’ and show us how to do it right
On the banks of the river Test in Southern England, a derelict paper mill gets a new lease of life - it is now the stunning, award-winning home of the iconic gin brand Bombay Sapphire
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FEBRUARY
Café Nemo in Mumbai is a dynamic eatery that has been intelligently designed using monochromatic sweeps of black and white
ON THE SURFACE Flooring, wall coverings and ceilings that promise to transform your space
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82 Architect Kunal Barve’s office is a showcase of the designer’s keen eye for detail, his love of art and his ingenuity. We take a peek inside this comfy but professional Mumbai office
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Raw luxury and eccentric design make The Line an uncomplicated, albeit sophisticated hotel that speaks primarily to the new generation
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product
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designer
art form
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Nils Chudy from Germany and Jasmina Grase from Latvia are creating innovative designs that are causing the design world to sit up and take notice
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WARSAW
A DESIGN DESTINATION
In the hands of artist Brian Mock, old spoons, auto parts and other scrap metal are born again as hounds, roosters, hedgehogs and more
120 115 GREEN PROJECT
By adopting sustainable construction methods and eco-friendly practices for living, Mancini Enterprises creates an enchanting private retreat in Chennai
124 New Delhi-based Layers Studios for Design & Architecture’s (LSDA) projects are solid pieces of work realised through meticulous planning and sensitive use of building materials
FEBRUARY
128 Landscapes
Designed by Aidlin Darling Design, Sonoma Retreat encompasses all the essential ingredients of a private spa retreat
135 An urban residence in Mumbai, designed by Sheena Chhabria, is off-set by neutral white with tinges of gold, among many other highlights depicting depth and detail
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141 By Sahej Bhatia, Vrinda Mathur, Navya Aggarwal and Gazal Bawa
THE MARKETPLACE Get your hands on the latest products to hit the market
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Editor & Publisher Anish Bajaj Creative Director Natalie Pedder-Bajaj Features Editor Mala Bajaj
Shruti Nambiar Freelance Writer and Photographer In 2010, Shruti quit three years of corporate drudgery in Bengaluru to start on a career in writing. A little over two years ago, she joined The Indian Express, Pune, as a Feature Writer. Currently based in Pune, she is pursuing freelance writing and photography.
Assistant Editor Shweta Salvi Sub Editors Vikas Bhadra Rehana Penwala Contributing Writers Chryselle D’Silva Dias Christabelle Athaide Dhanishta Shah Himali Kothari K Parvathy Menon Shruti Nambiar Designers Asif Shayannawar Snigdha Hodarkar
Sahej Bhatia, Vrinda Mathur, Navya Aggarwal and Gazal Bawa Co-owners, Studio Wood Essentially a furniture design studio which designs everything from dining sets, bed sets, sofas and chairs to cabinetry, Studio Wood also indulges in interior design.
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Editorial & Marketing Mumbai Mr. Ganesh Gurav, Mr. Vivek Jadhav, Mr. Rakesh Kini (Digital), B-62, Cotton Exchange bldg., Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033 T 022 23736133/1, 32958501 F 022 23743069 E response@marvelinfomedia.com
S+PS Architects Liminal Living, Page No 28 Shilpa Gore-Shah and Pinkish Shah of S+PS Architects are engaged in the study, reflection and practice of design, architecture and urbanity. Their work is influenced by their interest in history, pedagogy, travel and common sense. The various national and international awards, publications, lectures and exhibitions are a by-product of their work and testify to their evolving design sensibilities.
Delhi Ms Sumita Prakash Flat F 304, Rajasthan C.G.H.S. Ltd, Plot No. 36, Sector 4, Dwarka, New Delhi 110075 Tel 09899179540, Email: sumitabiswas63@gmail.com Chennai Mr S. Venkataraaman Flat No. 2, 3rd Flr, E-Block, Hansa Garden, 30 Madampakkam Main Rd, Rajakilpakkam, Chennai 600 073 Tel 044 22281180 / 09444021128 Email: svenkat@marvelinfomedia.com Kolkata Mr Subrata Mazumder 2, Nabapalli (Bidhanpalli). Kolkata 700084 Tel 033 2410 4296 Mob 9831131395 Telefax 033 2410 7605 Email: subrata22@rediffmail.com Publishing Director Mr. R.I. Bajaj Distributed in India by India Book House Pvt. Ltd. 412, Tulsiani Chambers, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021.
Sheena Inc Spatial Harmony, Page No 135 Sheena completed her interior designing course from Rachna Sansad School of Interior Design; she started Sheena Inc at 27. Sheena firmly believes designing is an exclusive journey and each design project has a different story to tell, a different path to explore and a different dream to carve.
This issue has a total of 148 pages comprising of a 4 page cover and 144 inside pages. We welcome unsolicited material but do not take responsibility for the same. Letters are welcome but subject to editing. All rights reserved. Nothing may beprinted in whole or part without written permission of the publisher. The editors do their best to verify the information published but do not take responsibility for the absolute accuracy of the information. All objections, disputes, differences, claims and proceedings are subject to Mumbai Jurisdiction. Editor Mr. Anish Bajaj. Published and Printed by Mr. Anish Bajaj on behalf of the owner Marvel Infomedia Pvt. Ltd, B-62, Cotton Exchange bldg., Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033
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Ayaz Basrai, Busride Design Studio Genre Bender, Page No 50 Ayaz Basrai set up The Busride as an independent design studio specialising in the design and creation of built environments, ranging from hospitality and entertainment venues to film and production environments; from exhibitions and temporary installations to institutional and architectural environments. Its team of architects, interiors and industrial designers, pride themselves in looking for solutions ranging from the macro to the micro.
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emails + feedback Great Coverage We at M:OFA would like to express our deepest gratitude to the wonderful story and the cover page you have given us in your latest issue of Home Review. As a magazine, HR has really set international standards in the field of design coverage right from the choice of stories to the print quality. We are extremely proud to be associated with a brand like yours. Manish Gulati Principal Architect M:OFA Studios Pvt Ltd
Old School Shopping In a time when online shopping has invaded our lives it’s great to be aware of spaces which one can visit for the much needed retail therapy. I thank the Home Review team for dedicating time and effort to feature such projects. Neeta Palavkar Mumbai
Green and Stylish
LIGHT PERSPECTIVES
The ZEB Multi-Comfort House is true on two counts; its green credentials and its novel look, which makes it an interesting project. Glad you could keep us updated. Using light as a key architectural element M:OFA Studios binds three generations of values in a home situated in New Delhi. Text By Meghna R Kothari Photographs Courtesy Abhinav and Manish
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Let us know what you love and hate about this issue. Mail us at letters@marvelinfomedia.com
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Anurag Mishra Kolkata
Great Design and Layout Minnie Bhatt has always captivated me with her projects and design sense. Cheers to Home Review, your coverage and layout makes it even more awesome. Thank you guys! Aditya Bose Mumbai
Corrigendum In our January issue the feature “Organic Haven” showcases the work of Kumar Moorthy & Associates and not Moorthy & Associates as mentioned. The correct email to contact them is office@kumarmoorthy.com Also, the submission date for the IIID Anchor awards was erroneously cited as 22nd Jan 2015. We sincerely regret this error. The event and revised dates if any, will be updated on the official website www.iiid.net.in
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PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S 16Snehal JAN Shah Book Launch
Swissnex India, Bangalore
22Interior 25 JANDesign Show
Noticing the gap between the concept of “Nature City” plugged by the real estate adverts and reality, Soazic Guezennec designed architectural projects which take the real estate slogans at their word, creating a city where nature would reassert itself, in a poetic and sometimes violent way.
The Interior Design Show is related to the contemporary designs sector in Canada. Since its very first inception in 1999 it was a popular destination for design professionals, design enthusiasts and media personnel. In every edition of this event, eminent designers and architects participate to present their unique and innovative ideas and latest products. This year too, the show saw the presence of companies like IKEA Canada and Magic Pony; innovative new products, cutting-edge designs and new style concepts from North America were showcased.
The resultant led to exuberant creations where buildings turn into waterfalls, mushrooms invade the town, mountains fall from the sky like landscape prostheses. In order to make this utopia credible, the projects are described on the classic supports of the real estate communication: videos, brochures, plans, models and advertisement posters.
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Toronto Canada
The show also acted as a good medium for knowledge transfer; the line up of impressive speakers included international guest of honour Patrizia Moroso, Creative Director at Moroso, design star Dror Benshetrit of Studio Dror, Creative Director of Diesel Home, Dennis Askins all of whom shared their experiences on interior design with the attendees.
Visitors were invited to express their desires and habitat dreams, and encouraged to become members of the community of these highly subjective constructions. www.delhi.afindia.org
1Submission FEB Deadline RSA Awards
www.interiordesignshow.com
Swissnex India hosted the release of Snehal Shah’s book “Architect”. Shah is a renowned architect who won several awards in his career and has also been working with the famous Swiss architect Mario Botta.
22Happy JAN TOOwners 1 FEB by
Soazic Guezennec Alliance Française, New Delhi
Since 1987 Snehal Shah owns his own practice and is a visiting professor at CEPT University in Ahmedabad. His book impressively shows the work Shah has done over the past 25 years and the lessons he has learned working as an architect.
The RSA Student Design Awards is a global curriculum and annual competition for students and recent graduates. The competition urges participants to think differently about design, through tackling briefs focused on real-world problems.
The book release at Swissnex India was the official launch of the book in Bangalore and also provided the audience with the unique opportunity of talking to the author himself.
RSA teams up with industry partners to develop these briefs and supports its participants through workshops and mentoring. Winners are rewarded with cash prizes, paid industry placements and complementary RSA Fellowship to kick-start their careers.
Furthermore, the audience garnered insights into the world of architecture with the panel discussion. Participants of the panel were: Ms. Nisha Mathew, Mr. Rajmohan Shetty and Mr. Edgar Demello, all of whom are renowned architects currently practicing in Bangalore. www.swissnexindia.org
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Soazic Guezennec, a French artist living in Mumbai, introduced a new kind of real estate, displaying imaginary architectural projects which reinstate untamed nature inside the city.
This year the competition spans across eight different categories which include Creative Conditions, Moving Pictures, Water for All, The Daily Diet, Human By Nature, Fair Play, Mobility City and Heritage By Design. www.sda.thersa.org
PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S
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PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S 1Deadline FEB For Submissions d3 Housing Tomorrow
The Association of Designers of India (ADI) presents the 9th Pune Design Festival. This year’s theme, ‘Connections’ will celebrate evolving interpretations of design. Connections are not just about the network of people. They are also about the deeper linkages of mind and soul; and of creativity and passion. They are also about forging the links between past, present and future. Pune Design Festival aims to connect the dots, as we look at how design connects with technology, industry, manufacturing and education.
Established in 2010, the annual d3 Housing Tomorrow competition has grown to become a leading voice in alternative residential architecture and one of the most notable international awards in speculative, performancebased housing design. The d3 Housing Tomorrow competition for 2015 invites architects, designers, engineers and students to collectively explore, document, analyse, transform, and deploy innovative approaches to residential urbanism, architecture, interiors and designed objects.
Lectures, workshops and insights by renowned designers, design thinkers and design evangelists from diverse domains; discussions, one-on-ones, networking and cultural exchanges will all be part of the two-day festivities. www.punedesignfestival.org
Buildings consume about 35% of total energy in India alone, and as a result of rapid economic and population growth, this consumption is likely to rise at an alarming rate. Keeping this in mind Sustainability in Design & Construction (SICI) was introduced since 2010 to discuss varied topics like inclusion of aesthetics in built and unbuilt spaces, holistic construction, retrofitting and energy efficiency and all the key topics on sustainability. Every year it created a robust platform for top architects, construction companies, developers and consultants to meet, network and gain knowledge.
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25 TO 27 FEB
Design Indaba Cape Town, South Africa
Design for change. Design for good. Design for a better world. These are the ideals that fuel Design Indaba’s drive for a better world through design, creativity and innovation. Dubbed “the conference on creativity”, the Design Indaba conference is all about how design, creativity and innovation can positively impact the world.
www.d3space.org
Pune Design Festival Pune
www.nispana.com/sici2015
Leela Palace, Mumbai
Although there are no restrictions on site, scale, program, or residential building typology, proposals should carefully address their selected context.
06 07 FEB
This conference will attract over 1000+ members from across the globe ranging from decision makers to world class solution providers and industry veterans.
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d3 Housing Tomorrow allows designers freedom to approach their creative process in a scale-appropriate manner, from large-scale master planning endeavours, to individual building concepts, to notions of the interior realm.
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The highlight for this year is going to be regulatory and government’s policies concerning sustainability in construction, including best practices, successes, barriers and recommendations for further implementation towards mitigation of climate change impacts.
The Design Indaba conference is a forum fuelled by inspiration that breeds ideas, ingenuity and innovation. In the words of the organisers, “Creativity is our currency and a better future our agenda”. Design Indaba is a wonderful opportunity to learn from and be inspired by the world’s foremost creatives, thought leaders, entrepreneurs and trendsetters. The annual Design Indaba Simulcast shares the Design Indaba Conference experience with a broader audience countrywide. It’s part of Design Indaba’s mission to make creative education and inspiration more accessible, in the hopes of creating a better world through creativity. 2015 sees the conference broadcast via live simulcast to a second venue in Cape Town, as well as Johannesburg, Durban, PE and Potchefstroom. www.designindaba.com
PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S
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A fleeting trip to India in 1968 changed the course of life for renowned architect Christopher Benninger. Despite having secured education from prestigious Universities like MIT and Harvard, Prof. Benninger was lured to a foreign land by veteran architect Balkrishna Doshi. He developed a strong affinity with India and it’s ethinicity, which convinced him to settle and start his practice here. Along with B V Doshi he co-founded one of the most coveted architecture institutes in India, ‘Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology’ at Ahmedabad (CEPT University) and later went on to establish the Centre for Development Studies and Activities (CDSA) at Pune. His western roots have in fact aided him in appreciating India’s vernacular architecture without any bias. Prof. Benninger, apart from emphasising the need for legitimate architectural education has always advocated that answers to sustainability lie in ancient wisdom. Hence, living by their motto ‘powering a greener tomorrow’ the Pune-based firm essentially relies on the logical adaptation of vernacular techniques. CCBA strikes a perfect balance between the lineal techniques and modern technologies, as is witnessed in their projects - CDSA, Pune and Suzlon One Earth, respectively. The firm has worked extensively on campuses, however in each they have displayed an incredible ability of humanising these rather large ensembles. Apart from his extensive body of architectural work, his written literary works have been widely published across the globe. Prof. Benninger’s undying passion for the field of architecture, his strong beliefs and doctrines about education have made him a name to be reckoned with. Here, he shares his thoughts on architecture, sustainability and education.
Interview by Shweta Salvi
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my space
Your work is intrinsically developed on sustainable principles. What is the most radical sustainability idea that you have applied in your architecture? After studying in top universities in the US you moved to a foreign land. How has your journey of the past 40 odd years been? You are right! It has been a long and amazing journey; a journey of exploration, adventure and discovery! In 1968, I came to India for the first time, and I stumbled upon a true guru - Balkrishna Doshi. He possesses an incredible mind that can make conundrums and puzzles out of simple questions and ordinary problems! He is a sage of the ancient past, and a visionary of the unimaginable future! So the aura of his magic lured me back, and in 1971 I travelled “overland” from London to Mumbai. Having taught at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, I reunited with India and its ancient wisdom and the challenges of the oldest civilisation in the world becoming the newest nation; the largest and newest democracy. Every day, every week, every month raised new challenges and new opportunities for self-discovery, lyricism and epic struggles! India has been for me the true frontier of the imagination, and a wonderful place to work.
The most radical idea I have applied to my sustainable architecture is the concept that sustainability lies in ancient wisdom, traditional building techniques and local materials, and through local craftspeople. The idea that sustainability will be delivered through photovoltaic panels, VRV water cooled, Japanese air conditioners, and fancy new materials is an imported falsehood. We have to look at ‘Sustainability by Nature’ rather than ‘Sustainability through Numbers’. One hundred years ago 95% of India’s buildings were sustainable! The West should have learned from India. Instead we imported their bad ideas, and then their wrong ideas of sustainability to fix their bad ideas! The CDSA Campus is an example of the former, and the Suzlon One Earth is an example of the later! We can learn from them both, but more from CDSA! You have invested a lot of your personal time and effort in building the Centre for Development Studies and Activities in Pune. Tell us something about your vision and aim for the Centre? In June, 1971, at the age of 28, I was invited by Doshi to start the School of Planning in Ahmedabad.
The idea that sustainability will be delivered through photovoltaic panels, VRV water cooled, Japanese air conditioners, and fancy new materials is an imported falsehood.
That is why I travelled so far, and in a great overland adventure to come to India that summer. Doshi himself was young and in his early 40’s. But he gave me full support and it was our joint exploration, our love of trying out new things and our discussions and arguments. Most of all it was our friendship that allowed me to grow. CDSA was a new experiment that branched out of the CEPT experiment. The idea was to imbed the social sciences into the physical planning ethos and to come up with a new mixture! We brought in economists, sociologists, political scientists and activists to join with architects, geographers and town planners to think and create a new future scenario of development. CDSA was grounded in the vision of creating a new society and a new man! It is grounded in concepts of equality, sustainability and inclusiveness. CDSA conceived the first micro-level watershed plans and implemented them as pilot projects. CDSA was the first institute to delve into decentralized, participatory planning and experimented widely with these ideas. CDSA invented the concept of integrated area development, looking at all sectors of development simultaneously.
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The UN supported Social Inputs for Area Development designed by CDSA that became a national programme. In 1979 CDSA created the first Integrated Rural Development Programme that was implemented in Ratnagiri along the mountainous coast of Maharashtra, then in Etawa, and then in Goa, and then went viral across the entire country. CDSA worked on a more integrated, spatially complex, and programmatically difficult plane of affairs than urban planning at the time, or town planning even today. You worked in Ahmedabad and other metros before coming to Pune. Why did you decide on starting your firm in this then sleepy city? I prefer sleepy towns to chaotic cities! But the fact is that Pune was a centre of intellectual activity, thinking and new ideas. Deccan Gymkhana was a beehive of debate, writing, discussion and creativity. Throughout your practice you have been deeply involved in academia and have advocated the importance of architectural education. According to you, what steps need to be taken by the Indian architectural schools to offer comprehensive courses to aspiring architects? This seemingly small question is in fact a huge “issue.” To start with, within our tiny profession of about 60,000 registered architects we are arguing over petty
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This does not seem to matter to anyone. It does not seem to matter that we now allow these “qualification machines” to produce 32,000 young people annually! Like a Xerox machine printing out degrees, they are just producing pieces of paper that declare their graduates are architects! Some of these, socalled schools of architecture, even take in first year student batches of 120 students. Where will all of these unprepared youngsters go to do their training? How will they learn to be architects when their own teachers don’t know architecture, have no practical experience, and have never worked in a real professional practice, or on a site? procedural matters, like having firms with diverse directors that are “corporations”, as opposed to having one man proprietorships, one man studios or limited partnerships. Meanwhile, we allow anyone to start a school of architecture, any one! Anyone having a bit of money, but having no education in architecture, no knowledge of architecture; in fact with no knowledge of any “profession”, or understanding of “what is a profession”, or “professionalism” can start a school. So we now have about 400 schools of architecture, owned and run by nonarchitects who just want to exploit our profession and make money, ruining education in the process.
Now we require PhDs as a pre-qualification to teach! So we will get PhDs in the hundreds! Who is guiding these PhDs? Do the guides have any record of intellectual originality or creativity? This is not to say by any means that all of the new schools are bad! Some, indeed, are very good! But the general trend is of a very poor quality. What we are doing is just creating a huge circus. There are no trainers in the circus; the animals are jumping through fire hoops and doing other stunts; but these are untrained animals doing the best they can; and it is becoming unsafe to let these wild creatures loose out into society. I say, “Close the Circus!”
Today, your architectural and written work inspires the young and budding architects. Which architect/s inspired you in your youth and why? Without a doubt, Frank Lloyd Wright inspired me the most. On one hand it was due to a few of his magical masterpieces like “Falling Water”, The Guggenheim Museum and “Taliesin West”, but moreover it was his integrating a clear value system into his thinking, and expressing that same system of values as his “Credo”(or I Believe), into his work. He was a classic “thinker-doer”, who worked across several muses, disciplines and arts.
You have worked on diverse projects (institutes, residences, town planning). Is there one project/ sector that is on your wish list? Any design problem that engages my intelligence and imagination in more than a few buildings, knitted into one holistic complex, is of interest to me. I like to deal with indoor and outdoor relationships; fabrics of construction and their interpretations into complex clusters; employment of positive-negative clusters of built-up masses and open courtyards; structural systems that continue between various buildings, effectively gifting a fabric to the campus.
These have been themes of mine since my two early SOS Children’s Villages in Delhi and Kolkata in the 1970s, also through CDSA, the United World College, IIM at Kolkata and the new Azim Premji Campus that I am now working on. India has a wonderful architectural heritage (sadly some of it is in a dilapidated condition); any personal favourite structure? Is there a traditional technique, which has impressed you thoroughly? My own house, INDIA HOUSE, is basically a prototype drawn from the precedent of the traditional “haveli” house that one finds in Rajasthan, Gujarat, or like a “wada” in Pune.
I feel we need to explore ancient wisdom to gain contemporary knowledge for the future.
It has a central courtyard, or “Bhramasthan” opening up to the heavens and holding great energy. I feel we need to explore ancient wisdom to gain contemporary knowledge for the future. Fatehpur Sikri is surely one of my favourite complexes that employ water, landscape, outdoor and indoor linked spaces and powerful geometric forms. The great temple complexes in Tamil Nadu from the Chola Period also are incredible fabrics of built form, space, movement, light and sequence. All of the principles of architecture can be found in these magnificent campuses with colonnades, water tanks, gardens, portals, grand halls, sacred precincts, towers, arcades and focal points. For me, the Chola temple campuses are the ultimate architectural experiences.
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A project that is very close to your heart… The Suzlon One Earth still entices my imagination, less so from the sustainability viewpoint, but more as a large “campus ensemble.” Like the Chola campuses, the employment of a strong language, or a “fabric of build”, and then dropping exceptions into that positioning, is what excites me! I feel there are many planning principles exhibited at Suzlon, like the total separation of pedestrians and vehicles; provision of adequate parking; getting full FSI, while having low-rise structures; employing a vocabulary into streetscapes to maintain harmony; attaining human scale within a large complex; integrating indoor and outdoor spaces, making a green garden and flowing water the central focus, and many other planning axioms.
On a lighter note... A field apart from architecture that fascinates you... I find people and the contradictions between their professed values, and their actions for power and money very interesting. People are complex, contradictory and unfathomable. They create “puzzles” imbedded in contradictions for us to study and ponder over. They reach for the heavens, and then trip on their own toes just at the final moment where they could have experienced epiphany! There is both humour and tragedy in the human condition. Literary fiction is about the poetry and lyricism of human folly; architecture, real architecture, must be about the epic search for a rational and human world order!
If not an architect what profession would you have loved to take up? I spend a great deal of my time writing fiction and essays. I think I’d have liked to be a writer to chronicle our times from my own imagination and perspective. If not that I’d have liked to be a painter and an artist!
info@ccba.in www.ccba.in
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When a home on the 26th floor puts you in that ethereal zone between earth and sky, it is only fitting that the interiors should reflect that same sense of calm, suspended animation. S+PS Architects call this ‘Liminal Living’ and show us how to do it right. Text By Chryselle D’Silva Dias Photographs Courtesy Sebastian Zachariah
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Mumbai-based S+PS Architects were commissioned to design a family apartment in the sky. Tucked away on the twenty-sixth floor, the sense of openness and the views from that vantage point formed the basis of the new home design. The open-plan apartment has four clearly defined zones from the inside to the outside - a service strip, a movement zone, habitable space and outdoor space. The zones are further emphasised by strips of different kinds of flooring that run through the house. Everything in the house is designed to embrace the ambience generated by the location of the apartment - uncluttered, serene and tranquil. The architects call this ‘Liminal Living’ - a state of ‘inbetweenness’ the gap between the thresholds and boundaries of our lives where living actually takes place.
The main door with its angular planes and toned wood forms the first of the cohesive furniture in the house. On entering the house, the bank of windows sprawling across the length of the room catches your eye. The sense of space and openness is captivating, as are the views from the long balcony outside. The apartment has a linear configuration. You enter at the centre, in the living, dining and kitchen area. The sleeping zones are at the two ends of this space. In the open plan central living space, contemporary furniture draped in comforting upholstery adds colour and texture. The floor is divided into zones with different materials - rough black slate, finely textured leather finish grey stone, white terrazzo and mirror-polished white marble.
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And here’s the fascinating bit - there are only five pieces of wooden furniture in this space - all custom designed by S+PS Architects. The angular main door and shoe closet, coffee table, TV console, dining table and bookshelf all form part of a cohesive design. “The furniture and fixtures in this zone continue this angular quality but in a delineated, open and lattice-like quality outlined in black that aids these transitions,” says Shilpa Gore-Shah, lead architect on the project. “The furniture is all made with a similar attitude from MS (Mild Steel) wire and MS rod and then painted black. They are placed on the demarcating floor lines in such a way that the five pieces aid in the blurring of boundaries and also continue the conversation.”
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Doing away with the need for an entrance foyer, the house opens directly into the living space. The TV console, interestingly, is placed right in front of the main door. “The flat-screen television acts as a divider and blocks some of the room as you enter,” says Gore-Shah. The furniture around the house, like the overall atmosphere, is contemporary and trendy. Leather chaises, soft sofas in muted tones, indoor plants and folk art specially chosen by Gore-Shah completes the look.
“The materials define not limits but sensory thresholds between the different strips. The owner’s exotic white Persian cat seems to best understand and revel in this liminality; herself transiting through one of her several lives.” The bedrooms on either side of the living space are decorated with equal thoughtfulness. The master bedroom is tranquil with an old carved window adding texture and tradition to an otherwise modern room.
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The master bedroom is a long room and the architects have made the most of it by dividing it into two zones - sleeping and lounge areas. The brick red, white and grey colour scheme is soothing and inviting. Suspended lights take the place of bedside lamps - an ingenious idea to save table space and also draw attention to a focal point on the wall, such as the old window in this case.
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The children’s rooms have neutral wood with cheerful tones of blue and mauve with highlights like stripes and colourful art. Mosaic tiles in the bathroom and plenty of under-sink storage makes even the most utilitarian rooms lovely. This simple and elegant home goes to prove that most houses benefit from a thoughtful layout, friendly materials and a sense of tranquillity that helps you escape from the rest of the world. That may be easier on the twenty-sixth floor, but the lessons learnt here are some that we could all use. spsarch@gmail.com
The open-plan apartment has four clearly defined zones from the inside to the outside – a service strip, a movement zone, habitable space and outdoor space.
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Home Review Now on Apple and Android Devices
All you need to do is download the free ‘Magzter app. Apple users can download Magzter from the App Store.’ Android users can download Magzter from Android Market.
Try it out today.
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Chinatown has a massive influx of shops which cater to the global traveller
The City by the Bay TEXT AND PHOTOS BY KUNAL BHATIA kunal@kunalbhatia.net www.kunalbhatia.net Techie and hippe, ultra modern yet rigid - these seemingly contrasting words can best describe San Francisco. Situated at the edge of a peninsula and surrounded by the sea on three sides, San Francisco might seem insignificant because of its compact size. But its spread of 7 miles by 7 miles is one of the most diverse and forward thinking urban centres of the world, which has been on the forefront of causes as varied as minimum wages to organic foods to equal rights for all.
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A geographical feature that prominently shapes the city’s visual identity are the 50-odd hills across which the city is spread. An early 19th century practice of laying out a uniform street grid irrespective of the topography has resulted in San Francisco having some of the world’s steepest streets. The city’s historic townhouses are built in a variety of styles from the Victorian to the Revivalist to the Eclectic and are well preserved, thanks to high awareness and a general aversion to drastic architectural changes.
Modernist architecture styles also make their presence felt, though they were heavily criticised by the city’s inhabitants at the time when they were built. The most iconic of these is the Transamerica building, San Francisco’s tallest skyscraper with the form of an elongated pyramid. A couple of blocks away is Mario Botta’s robust brick facade for the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, topped by a cylindrical turret in black and white. And representing the last decade is the copper-skin clad de Young Museum by Herzog & de Meuron; the dramatic tilted volumes of Daniel Libeskind’s Contemporary Jewish Museum and the living-roof topped building of the California Academy of Sciences by Renzo Piano.
Xandu Gallery by Franky Lloyd Wright
de Young museum, one of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
California Academy of Sciences - one of the largest museums of natural history in the world
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
An alleyway in the United States Penitentiary located in Alcatraz Island
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The Transamerica Building by William Pereira
A group of historic houses
The Jewish Contemporary Museum by Daniel Libeskind
A image of the San Francisco skyline
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The finished built structures are made from eight hundred and ninety three individually-shaped two-dimensionally curved glass pieces.
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Gin of the Mill On the banks of the River Test in Southern England, a derelict paper mill gets a new lease of life - it is now the stunning, award-winning home of Bombay Sapphire.
Text By Chryselle D’Silva Dias Photographs By Iwaan Baan; Technical Drawings Courtesy Heatherwick Studio Home Review February 2015
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The two intertwining glasshouses are actually greenhouses that grow ten tropical and Mediterranean plants along with a hundred other plant species.
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It’s a blue bottle that we are all familiar with. Whether you are a fan of gin or not, you’ve seen Bombay Sapphire’s iconic brand on billboards, in magazines and on shelves in every spirit-serving place around. The Bacardi-owned Bombay Sapphire now has a beautiful new home in Hampshire, UK, and it is not a swanky glass and steel monolith. Hampshire, on the southern coast of England, is quintessential England. With forests, abundant greens and two ports, its illustrious residents included Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. An unlikely place for a fully-functional distillery, for sure. About four years ago, the site didn’t have much to recommend itself except for its scenic location. Built on the banks of the River Test, the derelict Laverstoke paper mill had forty-nine structures put together in a seemingly chaotic manner. But its charm was evident and all it needed was someone with a vision to see beyond the ruins.
As visitors enter the facility, they walk up to the river, cross a bridge and make their way to the main production facility facing the courtyard and new glasshouses.
Much-loved British designer Thomas Heatherwick was called in to the rescue. Heatherwick has a long string of acclaimed designs to his name including the 2012 Olympic Cauldron and the new Routemaster bus for London. He has recently been in the news for his much-debated design of the Garden Bridge across the Thames. Heatherwick Studios was formed in 1994 and currently has over 160 designers and architects working at their studio and workshop in King’s Cross, London. Back in Hampshire, the River Test, formerly almost hidden under a concrete channel, was now central to Heatherwick Studio’s master plan for the distillery.
This classic and elegant restoration has something for everyone - history buffs, architectural fans and horticulture enthusiasts.
Several of the old structures were removed (in consultation with English Heritage, the governing body for heritage structures in England), the river was widened to twice its original width and its banks were opened out. A central courtyard was created to be the new “gathering area and a point of focus”.
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Built on the banks of the River Test lay the derelict Laverstoke paper mill, but its charm was evident and all it needed was someone with a vision to see beyond the ruins.
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While the original brick building with its tall windows provide the authenticity of old English buildings, what is striking are the two glasshouses that change the structure from humdrum to breathtaking. The futuristic glass shells emerge from a window in the main distillation hall reminding one of a gigantic creature from a sci-fi film.
}
The two intertwining glasshouses are actually greenhouses that grow the ten tropical and Mediterranean plants that give Bombay Sapphire gin its particularity along with a hundred other plant species. The plants include bitter almond, lemon peel, coriander seeds, juniper and liquorice. In a perfect nod to sustainability techniques, the glasshouses are fuelled by the spare heat recycled from the machinery in the gin distillation hall.
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The two glasshouses then flow and embed themselves into the newly-widened river creating a lush space for visitors to wander through.
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The finished built structures are made from eight hundred and ninety three individually-shaped two-dimensionally curved glass pieces held within more than one and a quarter kilometres of bronze-finished stainless steel frames. In their entirety the glasshouses are made from more than ten thousand bespoke components. The courtyard and the greenhouses are not the only spaces opened to visitors in autumn 2014, the whole distillery is. As visitors enter the facility, they walk up to the river, cross a bridge and make their way to the main production facility facing the courtyard and new glasshouses. Visitors get a rare inside look at a working distillery (set to produce 2.3 million cases of gin each year), passing through various levels and processes. Team Heatherwick explains the idea behind this. “The initial master plan brief had also included the creation of a visitor centre. However on seeing the vapour distillation process and the sculptural forms of the large copper gin stills, one of which is more than two hundred years old, we became convinced that witnessing the authentic distillation process would be far more interesting and memorable for a visitor than any simulated visitor experience.� This production technique, that is different from those used by other gin distillers, is still carried out in accordance with a recipe devised in 1761 and involves infusing the gin with the vapours of ten tropical and Mediterranean herbs and spices. This classic and elegant restoration has something for everyone - history buffs, architectural fans and horticulture enthusiasts. And if you are all of these and enjoy a swirl of gin as well, you must put a visit to Laverstoke Mill and its Bombay Sapphire, way up on your to-do (and todrink) list. studio@heatherwick.com www.heatherwick.com
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GENRE BENDER Café Nemo in Mumbai is a dynamic eatery that has been intelligently designed by the Mumbai-based Busride Design Studio using monochromatic sweeps of black and white.
Café Nemo exists in a 4,500 sq ft bungalow in Worli Village, Mumbai, and its origins make for a good story. First there was a comprehensive sweeping out of an older establishment that had been a hang-out place defined by claustrophobia, a trademark of a million student-y watering holes. This aesthetic precedent is interesting to note because what followed stands on the other end of the design spectrum, and attests to the careful vision that helped realise the new café. The spaces that were once cavernous and full of ill-considered colours have now been opened up and the dullness replaced by a carefully calibrated scheme of lighting and hue. What earlier seemed to have been clusters of random props are now minimalist spaces with room to breathe and enough quirkiness to keep all interests up.
Text By Shruti Nambiar Photographs Courtesy The Architect Home Review February 2015
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The design contradiction with the past also highlights the spirit of change that the eatery embraces. Purportedly inspired by the three owners’ fondness for the intrepid adventures of the literary hero, Captain Nemo, the café has been designed by Mumbai-based Busride Design Studio as a collection of vignettes rather than a whole, with pockets that will remain dynamic in terms of visuals and accents. Café Nemo’s charm hinges on a language of monochromes. This almost-minimalist approach to black-and-white, is split in zones across the whole space, and is distinguished by the lighting, both natural and affected. The first room has been put together to be a vision in simplicity.
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Poised to receive sweeps of natural day light through wide windows, it has the air of a quietly confident deli. The spot of whimsy is on one of the walls, which is adorned with a row of used paint brushes, with their spilt yellow paint cascade frozen in movement, like a reminder to what had been. The second dining room continues the daylight-drenched tenor of the first room. The major departure is the flooring, which is an eye-popping stretch of black-and-white checks. The wall of whimsy here sports a phalanx of hooks from which will occasionally hang props as varied as fresh flowers and origami boats.
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The sunny countenance of the dining rooms is flipped by the bar, which is a darker, more contemplative corner that breaks off from white almost completely. The counter and the wire mesh loft are all drenched in a sturdy coat of black that is spotlit by small lamps spewing moonlight. But in keeping with the spirit of embracing the adventurous, the wire-mesh here sports a cross-stitch installation, and the whole cove is solemnly overlooked on one side by a bright, textured yellow wall.
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The final space has been created as an acoustically insulated haven for parties. While a section of it is restrained and upholstered, the other part’s walls are accented with a black-and-white installation that creates a sprawling effect of pixelation. It is a smart move to think of different sets of party-goers - the sit-down and chat types, as well as the boisterous dancers - and incorporate two sub-sections that will make them both feel at home. The owners, Anup Gandhi, Nevil Timbadia and Sahil Timbadia, also owners of Bonobo and Jamjar Diner, have imbued Café Nemo with their collective sense of life inspiration. It is a space that is at the same time spare and adventurous, with a menu that is eclectic and happily biased towards desserts. “The idea for Café Nemo centred around creating a stylish, understated shell for the ‘agnostic’ cuisine,” attests the design team. Everyone who visits, whether to eat or to dance, will agree to that vision’s true realisation.
thebusride@gmail.com www.jointhebusride.com
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Page 60
TILES
Innovations that add character and personality to your space
Page 66
WALL COVERINGS
Four walls. Infinite possibilities.
ON THE SURFACE
Page 72
FLOORING
Flooring, wall coverings and ceilings that promise to transform your space
Discover the next step in modern flooring
Corian by Dupont on Page 71
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BLINDS AND DRAPES
Dress up your windows with the latest fashions
Page 80
CEILINGS
Take your interiors to new heights with these innovations in ceiling solutions
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EXPERT SPEAK
Rooshad Shroff
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ON THE SURFACE
Flooring, wall coverings and ceilings that promise to transform your space
There is no right or wrong when it comes to designing your interiors; living spaces are personal and entirely a subjective issue. It’s how you approach the whole process of designing that makes the difference between a stunning interior and a mediocre one. Information is key to the design process and a thorough knowledge of all available building and decorative materials can help you make the right choices in achieving the look you’ve always dreamed of.
Our special feature ‘On the Surface’ keeps you abreast of all the latest product innovations across tiles, wall coverings, flooring, drapes and ceilings that are now available in India.
Glazed, porcelain tile collection from Tagina
Even if you are a practising architect or a professional interior designer, chances are you may still be working with a limited palette. Now get in touch with the latest innovations that go beyond mere functionality and aesthetics to actually improving the way we live and work. 3D tiles by Woven Image
Text By Christabelle Athaide
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In our ‘Tiles’ section you will be pleasantly surprised to find bright, bold and funky-looking 3D tiles that can dramatically alter any living space and yet are so easy to install. Flooring too has evolved from basic tiles to those that promote good health and with textures that resemble natural surfaces.
‘Blinds & Drapes’ will have you all excited about designs that range from oh-so-cute kiddie prints to delicate Japanese blooms. And our ‘Ceilings’ section teaches you that there’s never been a better time to stretch your imagination both literally and figuratively because modern product innovations are now making it possible to bring your dream space to life. A layered ceiling by Saint Gobain
In our ‘Wall Coverings’ section, check out the latest options in elegant wallpapers and learn how easy it now is to source durable wood panelling for your walls. Heard of acoustic screens before? You might want to consider these sophisticated panels for your office or living space once you learn how easy they are to assemble. A delicate, floral range of drapes by F&F
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TILES
Innovations that add character and personality to your space
SICIS SICIS STRUCTURA COLLECTION
BISAZZA CONTEMPORARY CEMENT TILES
The latest innovation from Bisazza features a contemporary, sophisticated interpretation of traditional cement tiles typically used in the palaces and mansions of nobility during the second half of the 1800s and early 1900s. These cement tiles are made entirely by hand and are available in 20x20 cm square or 20x23 cm hexagonal shapes. Inspired by folk traditions, the Spanish countryside and ornamental motifs, designers Paola Navone, Jaime Hayon, Carlo Dal Bianco and Bisazza Design Studio have created graphic and colourful designs that allow you to mix, match and create a unique landscape of your own. www.bisazza.com
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RA
Sicis Structura collection offers a series of glass mosaic panels with shiny square tesserae in different sizes, thicknesses and textures that create the effect of a dazzling waterfall on shiny walls. The tiles may seem randomly placed initially but are actually an artistic arrangement of light, transparency and iridescence. While copper, gold, silver and platinum tones lend the mosaic panels an elegant dazzle, this collection also introduces daring combinations of deep and shiny reds as well as soothing aquamarine and shimmering, milky shades.
KAJARIA GRANDE: 80X120CM
www.sicis.com
This latest product from Kajaria captures the beauty and richness of marble in large, polished vitrified tiles. Natural, random veins of marble run through the body of the tile giving off the effect of real marble. Available in large slabs - 80x120 cm, these tiles require less joints and cost much less than real Italian marble. The tiles have a high-gloss finish and are scratch and abrasion resistant. www.kajariaceramics.com
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KMG GRAVITY SERIES
KMG has launched the Gravity Series; the first ever 1200x296 mm size high definition digital glazed vitrified tiles in the Indian tiles market. It offers marble, wooden, texture and abstract design highlighters. The customer can choose from different finishes like polished, satin, matt and natural that are available in vivid colours. Gravity series offers life time durability due to its highest colour fade resistance, scratch hardness, chemical resistance and breaking strength. This collection of wall tiles suits contemporary interior and exterior applications; being a vitreous surface it can be used for the floor too. www.kmgindia.net
WOVEN IMAGE MURA RISE 0.45 TILE
Brought to India by D&M, Mura Rise 0.45 is the latest 3D tile design from Australian-based Woven Image. The rectangle-shaped tile rises from a low point to a high point to create a visual sense of depth and interest. Like the earlier Mura Wave and Mura Dune 3D tiles, this latest design too uses the custom designed clip system that allows for ease in installation and freedom of design figurations. The lightweight tiles (approx. 175g per tile) offer better acoustics, are flexible and available in dimensions of 450x300 mm. www.dnmindia.in www.wovenimage.com
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SOMANY SLIP SHIELD TILES
‘Slip Shield’ tiles are one of the latest innovations to emerge from the house of Somany. A special coating applied to the tiles keeps the co-efficient of friction high even when the surface is wet and soapy making it ideal for bathroom flooring as well as other areas prone to getting wet. In addition to ensuring safety, the tiles are also easy to maintain and offer a range of design possibilities. www.somanyceramics.com
H&R JOHNSON SCRATCH AND STAIN RESISTANT TILES
This collection combines style and strength to offer a range of tiles in contemporary designs along with added strength to withstand daily wear and tear. These tiles provide optimum grip even in wet conditions thanks to a protective anti-skid shield. This eco-friendly product line brings ease and flexibility in application and is available in both glossy and matt finishes. It is available in 600x600mm size and best suited for dining rooms, living rooms, kitchens, passages and atriums. www.hrjohnsonindia.com
STUDIO CREO APOGEO14 FROM TAGINA
Dress up your space in designs that reflect a contemporary style, antique charm or stone effect with Apogeo14 – a glazed, porcelain floor and wall tile collection from iconic Italian brand Tagina. Apogeo14 is ideal for both residential and commercial spaces, indoor as well as outdoor areas and are extremely durable; scratch, fire, and stain resistant as well as easy to maintain. These tiles are available in a variety of colours and finishes at Studio Creo – a home solutions store that retails furniture, lighting, flooring and home accessories from iconic Italian brands such as Boffi, Calligaris, Fantoni and Salvatori amongst others. www.studiocreo.com
QUTONE IQ – SMART TILE
Qutone introduces a smart solution for exterior and wall cladding needs with IQ-Smart Tiles – a collection of superior glazed vitrified tiles that can withstand tough weather condition thanks to their strong surface and erosion-resistant features. The most striking advantage of this collection is the dry installation method which is carried out with the help of hooks. These lightweight tiles have a thickness of 8mm and are available in a range of 40 unique designs. Most interesting is the ‘Oxford Brown & Beige’ design that comes close to creating exterior walls that look as good as wood. www.qutoneceramic.com
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BHARAT FLOORING AND TILES STILAN速
Stilan速 heavy duty tiles are made under extra-high pressure, using rust-free ingredients, some of which are next to diamond in hardness and hence can withstand heavy vehicular traffic. STILAN non-slip tiles are also available as regular non-slip for light vehicular and pedestrian traffic. These tiles are suitable for pavements, compounds, driveways, car parks, pool sides and terraces and are available in a range of 17 designs and 14 colours. www.bharatfloorings.com
RA RAK CERAMICS LOGS & PLANKS COLLECTION
Keeping pace with the current demand for wooden flooring, RAK Ceramics offers highly polished vitrified tiles that mimic the colours and patterns of wood. The Logs & Planks Collection boasts properties like nearly zero water absorption and breaking strength of minimum 1800 N, coupled with a long life. For added convenience, the logs and planks are available in sizes of 197x1198 mm and 598x1198 mm. This collection is ideal for homes but also sturdy enough for heavy traffic areas in offices, retail spaces, showrooms, malls and industries. www.rakindia.com
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HINDWARE HIGH DEFINITION GLAZED VITRIFIED TILES
These High Definition Glazed Vitrified Tiles are popular for their beautiful colours, design and textures that recreate the effect of natural wood, bamboo, slate and stone finishes. This range from Hindware is available in 18 different shades of white, cream, grey, copper brown, rust and beige and can uplift any interior. The tiles are available in 60x60 cm size. www.hindwarehomes.com
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WALL COVERINGS
Four walls. Infinite possibilities.
WOVEN IMAGE ECHOPANEL® WRAP AND PALING FREE-STANDING SCREEN
Woven Image brought to India by D&M India, offers smart screens for contemporary interiors. The EchoPanel Wrap comprises five panels that are cut from 24mm EchoPanel – a decorative wall panel manufactured from non-woven PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate). The screen is assembled with joiners and the length can be customised by simply adding more Palings. EchoPanel Wrap Paling free-standing screen can be combined in multiple design solutions. www.dnmindia.in www.wovenimage.com
DULUX WEATHERSHIELD SIGNATURE
Dulux Weathershield Signature is a new range of high performance and aesthetically-superior textured finishes specially created for exterior walls. Formulated with the extracts of natural stone, Dulux Weathershield Signature is crafted to provide stone-solid protection and unparalleled toughness to walls. The range comprises eight exclusive finishes from off-whites to reds and is inspired by the beautiful tones of precious jewels. Take your pick from Coral Craft, Black Diamond, Grey Moonstone, Coarse Sapphire, Rare Amethyst, Earth Stone, Rustic Ruby and Crystal Gem. www.dulux.in
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KANSAI NEROLAC NEROLAC IMPRESSIONS
Nerolac’s premium range of interior emulsions – Nerolac Impressions – has been enhanced with Micro-Embedded Brightness Boosters (MEBB) to offer a sharper look and a brighter finish. The MEBB are the finest grades of extenders which are achieved from careful processing of the solid constituent and are added to the paint base. This ‘High Definition’ colour technology helps produce visibly brighter and cleaner colours along with high opacity that literally makes your walls come alive. www.nerolac.com
F&F ANTHOLOGY AND MOMENTUM WALLPAPER COLLECTION
Geometrical prints are definitely in this season and it’s easy to see why with these bold and hypnotic patterns from the Anthology and Momentum Collection of wallpapers from F&F. This eyecatching, imported collection offers patterns in a horizontal or vertical repeat and in a variety of deep colours. These wallpapers are ideal for wide-width walls as a single roll can cover an area of 6.89 sq.m with prices starting at Rs.11768 per roll. F&F is a premier textile firm and a distributor and promoter of several leading international textile brands with a range of upholstery, drapes, wall coverings, bed and bath and flooring products. www.fandf.in
D’DÉCOR ELEMENTTO WALLPAPER COLLECTION
Red isn’t just the colour of the month this February, it’s also the main inspiration for a range of opulent wallpapers from Elementto by Rohit Gupta. Available in shades of red, maroon, burgundy, whisky crème, ivory and fuchsia - but mainly red, these gorgeous wallpapers provide the backdrop for moments of royal passion. Most appropriate for an accent wall in the bedroom, these deep reds can be balanced by contrasting-coloured plain walls. www.ddecor.com
CANADIAN WOOD WESTERN RED CEDAR
Western Red Cedar is a popular option for outdoor wooden furniture as well as for many interior applications. The wood can be easily stained to a colour of your choice. One of the main advantages of Western Red Cedar is its natural resistance to decay and termites; it is also one of the most durable of the coniferous woods. Sourced from certified sustainably managed forests in British Columbia, it offers an environment-friendly way to do up your home. www.canadianwood.in
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BHARAT FLOORINGS AND TILES LITROCK WALL CLADDING
Litrock Wall Cladding from Bharat Floorings and Tiles is a decorative wall covering that gives interior or exterior walls an attractive natural stone-finish look. Litrock is made from cement, using imported moulds and is much lighter than natural stone, not to mention more economical and easy to install. It is available in different textures, finishes, sizes and colours. It is also water repellent and surface dirt can be easily washed off with water. www.bharatfloorings.com
FAB DECOR INDIA ECO-FRIENDLY WALL COATING
Add a green dimension to your walls with environment-friendly wall coverings from Fab Decor. Similar to wallpaper in many ways, this wall coating is produced with the help of special technology and by using a mix of different types of natural plant fibres such as cotton, silk and leaves as well as high-quality, safe adhesives and additive materials. Imported from Germany, these wall coatings are easy to apply. www.fabdecorindia.com
SURPRISE HOME LINEN CASAMANCE WALLPAPERS
Surprise Home Linen introduces a range of beautiful and decorative wallpapers from French brand Casamance. If you’ve always had a thing or two for Art Noveau, then you’ll love the Abstract Collection - bold, geometric patterns in rich purples and vibrant blues. There’s also the Cristal Collection – a luxurious range inspired by the rich iridescence of crystals. And then there are wallpapers inspired by the rich texture of leather. It’s all about reaching for the finer things in life with prices starting at Rs. 250-350 per sq.ft. www.surpriselinen.com
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ALKEMI DECOR DIGITAL PRINTS
Alkemi Decor offers you an easy, quick and safe way to cover your walls with patterns that are customised to suit your specific need. Choose between a wide range of existing patterns, motifs, and themes or create your own collage of family photographs. The company will have it printed to your size, colour and design specifications on imported PVC-free, green paper. The paper which has a shelf life of over ten years is easy to install; can be used on wood and glass and can be changed regularly without any damage to the surface below. www.decoralkemi.com
DUPONT™ DUPONT CORIAN®
Corian® exterior cladding can be fabricated to meet a wide range of architectural applications, including column covers, soffits and fascia and a variety of exterior details. You can form complex shapes with Corian without the weight and cost of conventional materials. It also enables inconspicuous seams and can be easily sanded and cleaned to restore its original appearance. Even graffiti can be removed through standard pressure washing with mildly abrasive cleaning agents. www.dupont.co.in
ZYNNA TURTLE BAY, JUBILEE CHEETAH
Jungle Book comes alive on your walls with the Turtle Bay and Jubilee Cheetah collection from Zynna. This vinyl-coated paper is washable, strippable and pre-trimmed. The Turtle Bay Collection offers a choice of five different aquaticinspired background colours and makes for a charming wall covering. Interestingly, Zynna also has fabrics and rich wovens to match the same theme. All products come with Zynna’s hallmark finish, great textures and detailed design to match the latest trends and fine quality. www.zynna.in
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An Ingenious Product Corian® is an amazingly versatile material that has the ability to transcend itself. In one condition it can be used as a durable, practical material choice; on the other hand, it can just as easily become a complex, parametricallydesigned feature wall. Ar. Kopal Kapoor (Design Forum, Noida) considers DuPontTM Corian® as an amazing material for complex designs and thinks there is virtually no end to the material’s use. She quotes that DuPontTM Corian® is limited only by our imagination...
Innovative & Personalized partition screens made in DuPontTM
“Corian® gives me a sense of peace when thinking of materials to translate complex designs which no other material can”....says Kopal Kapoor (Design Forum)
Mood lighting washroom panels made in DuPontTM Corian®
DuPontTM Corian® pitches in at this moment when the designer is looking for a material which can ease the execution of the complexity of this design. And, this translates into the DuPontTM vision of “making the lives of its customers easier”.
Abstract geometrical designs made in DuPontTM Corian®
A designer’s mind works through the myriad concepts when he/she starts designing any residential application. The increasing involvement of the end customer in defining his/her tastes and then translating it into actual object are some of the facts that make the job of a designer more complex.
Railings made in DuPontTM Corian® integrated with LED lightning
The lighting in a home changes the mood of a room just as it does the perceived size of a room, hence a lot of emphasis is being put on backlit designer applications in homes. These applications give both an aesthetic feel to the space and serve as a lighting element. When it comes to selection of materials to support this unique proposition, no material other than Corian® can justify the looks both when the feature is backlit or when it is not. “The ability of Corian® to give the dual effect of aesthetics with and without light for the same feature makes it stand apart from the competing materials in the market”....says Kopal Kapoor (Design forum) “DuPontTM Corian® for me is a limitless product. It is essentially the material for the new-age where the costumer wants to move away from traditional materials like Wood, glass & stone. The superior properties of Corian® like seamlessness and formability open up varied application areas for interiors as well as exteriors. In 5 years from today, it will be the favourite and most preferred material for all kinds of projects, all over the world” ....says Sambhav Jain, Oystra Concepts Pvt Ltd (Authorized DuPontTM Corian® Channel Partner) www.dupont.co.in, www.corian.in Advertorial Home Review February 2015
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FLOORING Discover the next step in modern flooring
TANDUS TANDUS SCALE SERIES
US-based carpet and flooring solutions provider - Tandus presents a sophisticated way to dress up your floors with its Scale Series Collection. Take your pick from three fascinating patterns composed of continuous, colorful, varying width bands. Essentially inspired by the colour and movement of light trails in the city, this series offers 12 colour-combinations that reflect the changing daylight with streaks of yellow, red, brown and grey. Tandus is brought to India by D&M. www.dnmindia.in www.tandus.com
NOTION WOODEN FLOORING
Notion presents three options in wooden flooring for contemporary interiors. ‘Healthy Wooden Flooring’ is non-toxic and available in interlocking planks that are easy to install as well as uninstall. ‘Solid Outdoor Decking’ is rot-proof and hence perfect for staircases, swimming pool corners, facades and any other surfaces that are exposed to harsh climatic conditions. ‘Hardwood Flooring’ is the perfect alternative to marble, cement and laminated flooring because of its toughness and resistance to moisture and humidity. www.notion.net.in
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FLOWCRETE INCRETE STAMPED CONCRETE
Increte Stamped Concrete offers durable concrete flooring but with a surface that resembles natural textures. This latest product innovation from Flowcrete - world leaders in seamless resin flooring technology - is ideal for both residential and commercial projects as well as interior and exterior surfaces. Increte Stamped Concrete is available in a limitless variety of color combinations, natural textures and has long term durability. Other noteworthy features include low-maintenance, non-skid surfaces and affordable pricing. www.flowcrete.in
INTERFACE HUMAN NATURE
This new collection from Interface the world’s largest commercial tile-carpet manufacturer - features five 25cmx1m skinny plank carpet tile patterns that evoke a variety of earthy textures from tumbled pebbles to freshly-cut grass. The skinny planks flow fluidly from one tile to the next, creating a seamless broadloom look in linear installations. They also pair perfectly with 50cm and 1m square carpet tiles and are ideal for composing imaginative floor designs - herringbone patterns, inset area rugs and directional patterns for way-finding. www.interface.com
CLASSIC MARBLE COMPANY IRIS MAXFINE
Add grandeur to your flooring with Iris Maxfine Classic Marble’s latest import from Italy. Available in a supersized 10’ x 5’, these tiles have a bright, smooth finish and an astonishing minimum thickness of 6mm. Techlam - Classic Marble’s other range of porcelain slim tiles is available in 1000x3000mm, is 3mm thick and weighs 7.1kg/ m2. The company is one-stop shop for marble, onyx, travertine, granite, limestone, engineered marble and quartz. www.classicmarble.com www.kalingastone.com
NITCO ‘THINK BEIGE’ MARBLE FLOORING
As a colour, beige is often favoured for its ability to blend in with any colour scheme, although in this case, Nitco transforms beige into the very object of attention with its ‘Think Beige’ range of luxurious marble flooring. Choose between the beautiful Bottochino, the stunning Serpeggiante, the Paradise Cream or even the delightful Dyna and convert your home into a stylish abode. Nitco’s marble is sourced from Italy, Turkey, Spain and Iran and undergoes a series of treatments to enhance its strength and beauty. www.nitco.in
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FCML WOOD LEATHER TILES
Give your floor the royal treatment with these Wood Leather tiles imported from Spain, by FCML. The topmost layer of the tile is a 2.5mm-thick sheet of leather that is both fire-proof and water-proof. The rest of this 16mm-thick tile comprises 100% birch-wood intertwined plates that lend the tile strength and stability. These Wood Leather tiles can also be used as wall coverings and are available in a range of sizes and colours at FCML. www.fcmlindia.com
ARMSTRONG MEDINTECH PLUS
ASAHI GLASS INDIA (AIS) AIS SECURITYGLAS AND AIS SECURITYPLUS
Medintech Plus vinyl sheet flooring has an exceptionally high resistance to wear and tear and is designed for areas that face a heavy flow of human traffic. The flooring is made up of 100% virgin vinyl and does not carry any heavy metals. A special surface treatment on this flooring – CleanSweepŽ, makes it resistant to various staining agents used in hospitals as well as against abrasion by shoes. Medintech Plus is ideal for healthcare spaces as well as cleanroom applications in pharmaceutical industries. This product is certified for cleanroom applications as per ASTM F51.
AIS Securityglas and AIS Securityplus, both, offer a safe and secure option to introducing glass flooring in your interiors. Glass floors, ramps, stairs and footbridges create an illusion of space while also brightening up the room. Embedded textures provide an anti-skid surface that is scratch-proof which reduces the need for cleaning and easily hides any smudges or streaks. The PVB interlayer in the glass increases tolerance to greater loads, while enabling aesthetic, complex designs with minimal structural support.
www.armstrong.co.in
www.aisglass.com
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ROOSHAD SHROFF Principal Architect, Rooshad Shroff Studio
Your work uses a lot of surface materials and claddings. How important is the role of surfaces from a design standpoint? In all my work - be it furniture or interiors, there is a strong research with materials and handicrafts working with a varied range of artisans from different parts of India. Working with different materials such as leather/ stone/wood and embroidery has allowed us to create a range of surface claddings which become a pivotal part of the interiors we design.
A Zardosi embroidered wall at the Jaipur Modern retail store
A surface material that you would love to explore in future? More than just a material - it is the process of making/technique and craft that I am interested in. I am very much interested in casting and would love to explore surfaces using different metals soon.
Interview By Rehana Penwala
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The Christian Louboutin’s store in Bangkok sports a ritzy leather wall comprising 702 tiles
Leather clad concave and convex tiles for the headboard
Related to surface claddings, which project has been your favourite so far? The Christian Louboutin boutique in Bangkok. There were a number of different claddings we had used in the project that ranged from hand cut marble on the facade, to embroidered leather cladding and mirror tikri from Udaipur.
A large patterned wall with flat to 3D leather-clad tiles
Contact: rooshad@rooshadshroff.com www.rooshadshroff.com
Hand carved convex tiles at the Christian Louboutin store
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BLINDS AND DRAPES Dress up your windows with the latest fashion
F&F SAKURA PRINTS AND EMBROIDERIES
F&F’s ‘Sakura Prints and Embroideries’ derives its name from the Japanese word for blooming flower. Though the collection is predominantly floral in design, the pattern of fine stems and tiny blooms adds a soft touch to the décor without being overtly feminine. Made from 100% polyester and covered with embroidery, foil or ink, Sakura offers a premium range of fabrics for the discerning home-owner. The fabrics are available in 140cm width. www.fandf.in
D’DECOR BLINDS
Travel takes centre stage with D’Décor’s retrostyled prints of Paris and New York, not to mention vintage cars. The brand’s versatile and aesthetic range of blinds covers just about everything from rollers and romans to verticals, panels, pleated blinds, honeycomb blinds, wooden venetian and aluminium venetian. Designed in the UK but manufactured in India, D’Décor’s wide range of luxurious fabrics means there’s always a spectrum of colours, textures and trendy designs at hand for the choosy person to pick from. www.ddecor.com
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ZYNNA CASUAL AND CITY COLLECTION
Young, bold and graphic, the Casual and City collection embodies the spirit of an urban city and is ideal for contemporary interiors. These synthetic panel blinds work well with automated roller blinds and are available in a number of colours to match your décor. Apart from blinds, Zynna Furnishing Store also deals in several other elegant window treatments including luxurious window draperies, sheers, fabrics and stitching solutions as well as wallpapers, furnishing coordinates and European design products. www.zynna.in
RUMORS FINE FURNISHINGS CALYPSO
PEEK-A-BOO SHEER CURTAINS
Dip into the bright palette of the Calypso collection by Rumors and perk up your windows with a range of eclectic, vibrant curtains. This collection is inspired by nature’s beauty and boasts modern florals, foliage patterns and mix-n-match prints. Rumors Fine Furnishings is a one-stop furnishing brand and is a perfect place to shop if you are looking to co-ordinate your curtains with your sofas and other upholstery. The price range is upwards of Rs. 1000.
It’s kiddie-central all the way with Peek-a-boo’s ohso-cute range of sheer curtains. Kids will love the appliquéd ballerinas, butterflies, animals and cars on sheer fabrics, as will their parents. The curtains can be customised to suit individual sizes. Peek-aboo’s latest design innovation also includes a stylish graphic print of the World Map. This ‘know your world better’ colourful and educative design can be used for a softboard, wall-hanging or converted to window blinds.
www.rumorsindia.in
www.peekaboopatterns.com
HOME ET TU LASER-CUT DESIGNS
Home Et Tu’s distinctive laser cut borders and panels are combined with luxurious fabric to create a unique and exquisite collection of blinds and drapes for upscale residential or commercial spaces. This collection experiments with fabrics ranging from silk and sheer to silver leatherite and is suitable for formal or lounge areas. Home Et Tu is a high-end home store that also retails furnishings, furniture, accessories and a range of European fabrics. www.homettu.com
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CEILINGS
Take your interiors to new heights with these innovative ceiling solutions
MONIER COOLROOF®
Monier’s CoolRoof® is the first of its kind to offer a unique cooling system for roofing: a combination of under-the-tile heat-reflective insulation-underlay and ventilated eaves and ridges that reduce the temperature entering inside the building envelope through the roof. For customers, it means a reduction of up to 60% on AC consumption and up to 30% reduction in electricity expenses. Present in India since 1997, Monier offers a range of concrete and clay roof tiles, fittings and roof components specifically designed for the Indian roof market. www.monier.in
ESSAR STEEL STEEL CEILINGS
SAINT GOBAIN GYPROC PLASTERBOARDS
Essar Steel introduces pre-painted steel ceilings that offer durability, rust-free performance and fire and moisture resistance. These ceilings are available in plain, perforated, micro-perforated and extra-micro perforated options. Apart from adding to the aesthetics of the room, the perforations in the ceilings are also beneficial in improving overall acoustics. Metal ceilings offer a range of light reflectance values between 63-87%. Essar Steel ceilings are available in standard white colour but special colours can also be requested.
Gyproc Plasterboards offer false ceilings that go beyond improving the aesthetics of a space to actually improving the quality of living and working there. These innovative plasterboards provide high levels of performance in terms of fire-rating, acoustic insulation, thermal insulation and moisture resistance. They also offer superior solutions for walls, ceilings, wall linings, lift shafts, stairwells and corridors in both commercial and residential spaces.
www.essarsteel.com
www.gyproc.in
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BARRISOL BARRISOL MIRROR® STRETCH CEILINGS
Barrisol’s stretched ceilings are created from non-flammable PVC which is tightened under the effect of heat on the periphery of the wall, using the company’s patented technology. Available in a variety of effects and finishes, these ceilings can adapt to any surface, form and situation including 3D forms and organic shapes, allowing you unlimited design possibilities. Barrisol Mirror® has a high degree of reflection and can be used cleverly to brighten up the room by reflecting light from the windows or simply to create a mirror image of the interior below.
GKD ACOUSTIC CEILINGS
With its CMP mesh for large-area ceiling designs, GKD caters to modern visual and acoustic interior design requirements. Its composite (CMP) mesh - a 25 mm thick honeycomb-supporting plate - facilitates highly effective sound absorption without the need for additional absorbers such as mineral wool. GKD India is part of the GKD Group (Germany) and specialises in manufacturing stainless steel mesh – a woven metallic fabric that can be used as wall cladding, room dividers or even in combination with suspended ceilings. www.gkd-india.com
www.barrisol.com
ASAHI INDIA GLASS LTD. (AIS) ECOSENSE
Ecosense by Asahi India Glass Ltd. (AIS) offers a range of high-performance glasses which are ideal for skylights/canopies. The range includes: Enhance (Solar Control), Exceed (Solar Control Low-E) and Essence (Low-E) high-performance glasses. These glasses provide the benefit of reducing the heat gain in buildings due to their excellent energysaving properties, without compromising on the natural light coming inside. These energy-efficient glasses can be processed to provide safety and security benefits as well. www.aisglass.com
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The cantilevered desk in Kunal’s glass-walled cabin was created to provide more legroom when the office was just 100 sq ft.
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OFFICIALLY SPEAKING Architect Kunal Barve’s office is a showcase of the designer’s keen eye for detail, his love of art and his ingenuity. Join us for a peek inside this comfy but professional Mumbai office.
How do fashion designers dress themselves? What do master chefs eat at home? How do architects design their personal spaces? The behind-the-scenes life of creative people is a subject of never-ending amusement and inspiration for the rest of us laypeople. Architect Kunal Barve, a familiar name in these pages invites us to wander inside his firm - Interface’s newly renovated office in Mulund, Mumbai for a glimpse into the place where his architectural visions take shape. “Interface started out in 2004 with just 100 sq ft,” he informs, “over time we expanded to 600 sq ft, then 800 and now finally at 1,600 sq ft we occupy the entire second floor of a residential building.”
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The office is a handy reference of Kunal’s design sensibilities, as well as a medium to showcase design ideas that may be hard to explain. Like the hidden door handles for instance. “Some people notice it, some don’t,” he says bluntly, “but those who do, appreciate the effort that has gone into that tiny detail and immediately request for the same to be replicated in their interiors. Same can be said of the cantilevered desk in Kunal’s glass-walled cabin. The desk was created to provide more legroom when the office was just 100 sq ft. Connected to Kunal’s cabin is the backroom where the designer has created an informal meeting space. This room also indulges Kunal’s need for comfort at the workplace with a plush sofa-cum-bed where he may catch forty winks if he needs to. “The office makes me feel at home; I feel free to design here,” he adds candidly.
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Here’s also where Kunal surrounds himself with art that inspires him: a Jewish painting, a Tibetan carpet, a Thangka from Ladakh and a vintage chest. “I love mixing vintage with contemporary,” he confesses, looking fondly at the fine detailing on the vintage chest that had him hooked at first sight.
The architect has worked a casual, comfortable atmosphere into the office and made it more inward-looking to deflect attention from the noisy, busy streets outside.
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Elsewhere in the office are lithographic prints by Brazilian craftsmen, a charkha, and a school of goldfish suspended from the ceiling. All of these he admits are a reflection of his personal tastes, a factor essential for building confidence in the minds of clients who visit. The office’s compact space accommodates a tightly-knit group of eight persons, offering them sufficient room to ideate, work or mingle. While good, natural daylight floods the interiors through windows facing east, south and west, the view from these is less than remarkable. Hence frosted glass in windows were used to blur out the crowded landscape and allow requisite amount of light to filter in. The office is also a great example of how cement and Cudappa, both unusual choices for office flooring, can still work up a professional atmosphere when polished well. To counter the uninspiring outdoor view, Kunal focused on creating an office that was “inward looking”. The ambience inside is decidedly cosy and comfortable since the team works long hours but there’s also a deliberate attempt to include elements that highlight the firm’s creativity and professionalism. Sticking to a monochromatic colour scheme, the architect played around with different textures and materials to disrupt workspace monotony. “We wanted to use materials that were grounded; we also wanted to demonstrate how simple materials could be elevated to premium,” elaborates Kunal. Like any living space, this office too is constantly evolving. “We did not want a static experience,” emphasises Kunal, “A space must grow and evolve with time. In my office as well as across all my projects I always make provisions for new things to be added on.” Question is; will it be more art or square feet that the architect adds on next?
contact@kunalbarve.com www.kunalbarve.com
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}
ARTIZE TRIUMPHANT AT GOOD DESIGNTM AWARDS - CHICAGO, USA Artize’s victory at the prominent GOOD DESIGN™ Awards is a recognition of the brand being counted as one of the best in the world in the faucet, sanitary ware and wellness space.
GOOD DESIGNTM AWARDS is one of the world’s most sought after and prestigious design awards program organised annually by The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design in collaboration with the European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design and Urban Studies.
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This trademarked award was created in Chicago in 1950 by three iconic architects: Eero Saarinen, Charles and Ray Eames and Edgar Kaufmann Jr. GOOD DESIGNTM acknowledges the finest consumer products designed and manufactured in Europe, Asia, Africa and North and South America.
As Awarded by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum Of Architecture and Design.
Annually, designers and manufacturers from all over the world are honoured for their achievements in creating cutting edge contemporary designs. Winning products through the ages have included those manufactured by some of the most distinctive global
companies including the likes of Audi, Bang & Olufson, BlackBerry, Porsche, Herman Miller, Boeing and many other visionary Fortune 500 companies.
effect of naturally falling water has been replicated by crafting a gentle flow that descends from a half-cut bamboo shaped masterpiece into your palms.
In 2014, the Confluence faucet by Artize, a finely crafted basin mixer, was recognised as a GOOD DESIGNTM award winner for its finesse in design and its innovative technology.
The Confluence faucet ensures that the flowing water never leaves the confines of the channel whilethe dual-fall dispensing system guarantees that the water does not create a splash.
This award for Confluence, which comes in the 64th year of the GOOD DESIGNTM cycle, recognises the basin mixer for having overcome several intriguing engineering challenges. In this faucet the calming
The biomorphic design is the culmination of bringing one of mankind’s most natural experiences of engaging with water. Artize’s victory at the prominent GOOD DESIGNTM Awards is a recognition of the brand being
counted as one of the best in the world in the faucet, sanitary ware and wellness space. Artize, a luxury bath brand,has been introduced to cater to customers who aspire for luxury in their bathing space. The brand aims at excellence at all levels and seeks to surpass global standards of quality and design. Artize pays tribute to the fine traditions of exquisite craftsmanship and precision through a wide range of products that are designed to create trends in the bathing industry. kunal@artize.in www.artize.in
Advertorial
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Located in Tardeo, Mumbai lies a narrow lane which leads to a warehouse like space. Here time comes to a standstill as you enter a zone filled with articles reminiscent of when the Union Jack once served as the identity of the nation. Initiated by Krishnamoorthy Ramankutty Moorthy and Jacinta Moorthy, their store is a haven for colonial furniture and ethnic artifacts. Moorthy’s, as its called, looks more like a warehouse with an endless number of antique pieces. The store reignites the bygone era of the Raj, an era when gentlemen in suits and hats strolled the streets and people travelled in trams.
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REVEL IN ANTIQUITY TEXT BY VIKAS BHADRA PHOTOGRAPHS BY PRASHIN JAGGER Home Review February 2015
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It all started when Mr. Moorthy was moving into a new home. Having a penchant for all things old, he collected many interesting pieces over a short period of time. As he completed decorating his personal space, he realised that he had many charming and interesting pieces left, that he could not use. In an effort to monetise these unused pieces he put an advertisement in a local newspaper to sell them - the response was so tremendous that it served as the genesis of Moorthy’s. Then in the year 2000, the couple also created Saudades, a venerable old Indo-Portuguese manor house, located in the village of Sangolda, Goa which too houses unique pieces of colonial furniture.
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Moorthy’s has been a source to collectors in India and abroad. Their uniqueness lies in “restoration of pieces and the eye to choose the unusual and rare”. Specially skilled karigars are employed for restoration; these karigars have been working with Moorthy’s for as long as 25 years. Most of them have been personally trained and hence it is easier to achieve the required level of perfection needed in these aged pieces. Moorthy’s are primarily known by word of mouth; satisfied customers have spread the good word and have thereby acted as their only means of “advertising”. That perhaps speaks volumes about the kind of goods and services they offer. Identifying an antique is a tough job let alone purchasing it, so how does one identify an antique? Says Mr. Moorthy, “Identifying the age of a piece requires years of experience, but one element you should look for that is very hard to simulate is patination. Patination is the natural discolouration of wood in the areas which have not been polished, such as the back, the drawer lining, or the fly rails on tables. Patination should not be confused with patina, which refers to the polished surfaces.” Besides patination one also needs to identify the basic woods used in antique furniture making. So before you step out to make a purchase ensure you are well aware of Teakwood, Rosewood, Padouk Wood, Mahogany and exotic woods such as Satinwood, Ebony and Calamander. Another aspect one needs to be aware of is that the antique market is flooded with many pieces which have been greatly reconditioned and passed off as original. Hence while purchasing one also needs to take a good look at the piece; careful examination may reveal many alterations. On a piece with an upper and lower section, one needs to check the sides to be sure that the graining and colour are the same.
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After purchasing an antique, the next important thing is how to preserve it; care needs to be taken to ensure the piece continues to remain in good shape. Extremes of humidity are as hard on wood as they are on people. A humidifier in winter and airconditioning in summer will help to equalise the extremes of climate. Surfaces should be dusted with a clean soft cloth or a feather duster; wax should be applied no more than every six months and oils and sprays should never be used. Tips like these help preserve the antique in the long run. Moorthy’s not only offer you the best of antiques but also offer you specialised services for the upkeep of the antiques. And they are definitely good at it; a testimony to that fact is Moorthy is the Curator of the Archdiocesan Heritage Museum, a museum of Christian Art which is located in the St Pius X College, Aarey Road, Goregaon East. So if you treasure the presence of the bygone era in your life, Moorthy’s and Saudades are two destinations you certainly must visit.
MOORTHY’S 136, Tardeo Road, Janata Nagar, Tardeo, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400036 022- 2351 2876 jacintamoorthy@gmail.com www.moorthys.com
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Raw luxury and eccentric design make The Line an uncomplicated, albeit sophisticated hotel that speaks primarily to the new generation. Where most hotels jostle to offer richer, plusher, more decadent interiors, The Line coolly steps forward with a hotel that is stripped down to its bare concrete walls, and boasts furniture made from repurposed materials. These are but a few of the many creative liberties the owners have taken to create a space that resonates with the changing tastes of the new generation.
Text By Christabelle Athaide Photographs Courtesy Adrian Gaut, Art Gray and Sisilia Piring
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A Fine Line
Located in Koreatown, Los Angeles, The Line is all about simplification of materials and about elevating the quotidian or using those materials that are not conventionally used to connote luxury.
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Located in Koreatown, Los Angeles, The Line is a creative collaboration between owner Andrew Zobler from the Sydell Group (owners of the NoMad in New York) and a team comprising a Venicebased interior designer, a celebrity chef, nightclub owners and an art shop duo. The hotel is housed in an iconic 1960s building only miles away from the starstudded cosmos of Hollywood. Yet, sitting alongside Koreatown’s famous pre-1940s brick colonial buildings, The Line chooses to draw inspiration from the much humbler but distinct Korean culture of its neighbourhood. You’ll find ethnic references to Koreatown stamped across this 388-room property conceptualised by interior designer Sean Knibbs; although the most distinct feature - exposed concrete walls - is more influenced by the concept of repurposing. Knibbs reveals he retained as much of the original architecture of the building as was possible but tore through the old layers to uncover the raw, concrete walls that underscore The Line’s edgy character. Knibbs pulls off the unconventional, austere look of The Line with panache thanks to his dexterous application of layered design, various textures and unexpected usage of everyday objects. His anti-establishment interiors are padded with eccentric materials like T-shirts, burlap, Mexican blankets and animal-shaped throw rugs that sit airily alongside more traditional materials. To the designer it’s all about the “simplification of material” and about elevating the quotidian or using those materials that are not conventionally used to connote luxury. Inexpensive, dyed T-shirts, for instance are used to line a soffit in the lounge area. Most likely an allusion to the area’s history as a fashion district or a reference to the ubiquitous outfit of the tourists, the T-shirts also “celebrate the everyday life of LA and not just its glamour”.
Chairs upholstered with Mexican blankets follow the repurposing theme at The Line.
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“It is really important to us that we be a part of the fabric of the neighbourhood”, says owner Andrew Zobler. “We love the idea of a big lobby that is practically a living room for the neighbourhood.” The hotel’s link to Koreatown is further reinforced through everyday elements like the soffit T-shirts and the Henry Taylor sculpture of water jugs behind the front desk. Knibbs’ design theme for the guest room is split across three materials, “wood in the entry, porcelain in the bathroom and concrete for a simple, clean palate.” In each room, sweeping views of the city, especially of the buzzing streets of Koreatown below can be enjoyed through full-length windows and a bed that faces the view full-on. With a view this dynamic it makes absolute sense to keep the interiors uncluttered and here Knibbs’ restraint is to be admired. There are for instance only three art elements within the room - a large photograph, a small collage and a metal bird sculpture. “It’s a much more contemplative space to relax and decompress,” quips the designer.
The spirit of LA is captured beautifully in this greenhouse-inspired restaurant with its naturally illuminated interiors and ample greenery.
It also exudes a homely, lived-in atmosphere with its warm orange lights, detergent-bottle-shaped porcelain vases and repurposed Mexican blanket chairs. Downstairs in a windowless restaurant, Knibbs uses peeling paint and dried flowers on the wall to create a green garden feeling, albeit a sunless one.
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And for the exteriors he uses planted fruit trees, vegetables, herbs and vines cascading over the wooden patio fence to ultimately connect the hotel’s interiors with the city. Modest in its choice of materials but rich in ideas, The Line represents the zeitgeist - a world where less is often considered to be more.
www.thelinehotel.com
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DESIGN DESTINATION
WAR WHERE The capital of Poland since the end of the 16th century, Warsaw is also its largest city. Most of the city was destroyed by the Nazis in the Second World War. But the city was painstakingly rebuilt from the rubble and special effort was made to ensure that the new buildings were in resonance with the glory of Warsaw’s past.
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SAW WHEN
WHY
Summers in the city range from mild to hot, but the temperatures do plunge later in the day making the evenings a little chilly. Winters are very cold with snow and overnight frost being common occurences. The climate in Warsaw is most suitable for visitors from May to September.
Warsaw’s turbulent past has led to a rich and diverse influence on the culture, design and the architecture of the city. The panorama reflects nearly every architectural style spanning all periods. At the same time, modern infrastructure has pushed Warsaw high up amongst the most livable cities on the globe.
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A LESSON IN HISTORY The three-storey building that houses the H15 Boutique Hotel may appear dwarfed against Warsaw’s modern skyline dominated by skyscrapers but the history housed in this little structure makes it stand tall and proud. Built as a private residence at the end of the 19th century, in the 100-odd years since then the building served as the headquarters of the Soviet Embassy and then the German army. After an elaborate restoration process, the doors of the building, in its newest avatar as the H15 Boutique Hotel, were thrown open in the year 2012. H15 Boutique Hotel is a member of Design Hotels. The modern look of the hotel has incorporated many of the insignia of its colourful history such as the hammer and sickle from its Soviet occupation days.
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A chequerboard courtyard forms the centre of the hotel with rooms of varied sizes radiating out of here. The rooms are accessorised with a mix of contemporary Italian furniture and bespoke desks, chairs and cabinets. Bleached oak floors, bright furnishings and vibrant pop art on the walls complete the chic ambience of the rooms. At the H15 Boutique Hotel, heritage and modern luxury blend quite effortlessly and lend it an ambience that stands out in the towering Warsaw cityscape.
A WALK IN THE PARK Green spaces are an important part of the city of Warsaw and take up 8% of the city’s area. The largest of these is the Lazienki Park aka Royal Baths Park that was designed in the 18th century in the baroque style. Many statues, fountains and temples are strewn across the 76 hectares occupied by the Park. The Palace on the Water is the oldest and amongst the most stunning of them all. The Chopin monument was added in the early 20th century and serves to inspire budding musicians who gather at its base to practice his compositions. The Roman style theatre which still serves as a performance venue, the Temple of Diana with its murals of flowers and fruit and the old Orangery are some other noteworthy buildings.
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A TALL ORDER
Much before the cement skyscrapers encroached over the skies of Warsaw, the Palace of Culture and Science had already claimed its space under the sun. Built in the 1950s, the edifice continues to remain the tallest building in Poland. The Palace was conceived as a gift from the Soviet Union to the Poles. Elements of Soviet realism, Polish architecture and American art deco come together in what is the most visible structure of Warsaw. The building may not yet have endeared itself to the citizens of Warsaw, for whom it is a constant reminder of Soviet dominance, but there is no denying its striking impact on the casual visitor.
LIGHTS, CAMERA AND ACTION There was a time when a visit to the cinema was more than just something to do on a Friday night. It was an experience, a brush with the clamour associated with the movies. The Kronverk Cinema in Warsaw attempts to recreate that magic with its innovative design. The purple and gold of the cinema’s logo lead the colour palette across its interiors. Each zone is given a different ambience in sync with its purpose within the space. The splash of yellow and the figurative motifs in the VIP bar give it an energetic vibe whereas in contrast the use of black and purple in the VIP Lounge creates a cosy and intimate ambience. A pattern derived from the crown symbol in the logo weaves across the interiors and serves as a common thread to tie together all the individual spaces.
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Text By Himali Kothari
CHU0Y AN0 6RASE Chudy and Grase is a brand-new award-winning collaboration between designers Nils Chudy from Germany and Jasmina Grase from Lativa. Their innovative designs are already causing the design world to sit up and take notice.
Text By Chryselle D’Silva Dias Photographs Courtesy The Designer Home Review February 2015
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Curiouser and curiouser. That’s what the products from design studio Chudy and Grase are becoming. Like falling down the proverbial rabbit-hole, the studio’s innovative and somewhat futuristic products make you gape in wonder. Chudy and Grase is an international studio based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Established in 2014, this brand-new collaboration between designers Nils Chudy from Germany and Jasmina Grase from Latvia is already causing a stir in the world of design. Chudy and Grase were both students at the Design Academy Eindhoven (Netherlands) and their work has already won several prestigious awards.
Miito
Dipped Machine
The studio is still quite new but the few products in their portfolio make them serious players in the design world. Their graduation project ‘Miito’ is one such example. If you’ve ever filled up half an electric kettle to heat water for one cup of tea, you know how wasteful the procedure is. Miito is an innovative product that heats liquids directly in the vessel to be used. “While researching electric kettles, we noticed that there was a major design flaw in the majority of electric kettles out there: they are extremely wastefully designed! The minimum fill line of the majority of kettles is at approximately 500ml. This means that if you want one cup of tea (250ml) you waste 50% of the hot water, therefore one wastes 50% of the energy.” The Miito has two parts - an induction base and a metal rod. You fill your cup (any nonferrous material will do), place it on the induction base and immerse the rod in the liquid. “The induction base heats the rod, which then heats the liquid surrounding it.” Use it for a pot of tea or a cup of soup. No wastage of water or energy. The Miito is patent-pending, and still in advanced stages of development. The idea, however, is one whose time has come. The Miito won the Product Design 2014 (Latvia) and was shortlisted for the James Dyson Award. It is something to look forward to on the shelves.
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Meet The Wicker
Another award-winning design has been the ‘Meet the Wicker’ series of furniture that relies heavily on traditional craftsmanship. The challenge here was to create contemporary wicker furniture that used traditional weaving techniques but did not resemble traditional wicker furniture. “By combining the traditional craft with the industrial metal frame the project aims to do away from the crafty look of wicker weaving and instead reinterprets the plant’s core values.”
Strike Chair
Chudy and Grase’s collection of wicker seating and storage isn’t what your grandmother has, for sure. The sleek lines of the metal weave perfectly around the strands of young wicker, the shape of the metal determining the design patterns.
Viewpoint
‘Viewpoint’ is a mirror with a light panel you can slide the panel to reveal or conceal the mirror. Depending on what your mood is, choose to see yourself or not. ‘Viewpoint’ plays with perception, with the way we ‘see’ ourselves, and not just literally. While the initial idea sprung from research into depression, a mirror with choices might just be the thing one needs on rushed Monday mornings! Folded
One of Chudy and Grase’s earliest designs was ‘Broom of Luck’, a set of walnut cutting board and knife with the traditional Baltic ‘Broom of Luck’ signature engraved into the board. ‘Folded’ is a series of fragile-looking vases using the rotational moulding technique – origami art with new materials. Traditional design, but with a twist.
Broom Of Luck
The 2014 Time to Design award allowed the designers to move to Copenhagen for a residency with the Danish Art Workshops (DAW). Chudy and Grase are using their time at the DAW to further develop the Viewpoint mirrors and are also working on a new range of lamps. Their aim to “design everyday objects with little objects of discovery” is already evident in their nascent portfolio. This is one design duo to watch out for. we@chudyandgrase.com www.chudyandgrase.com
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From auto parts to cutlery, everything is fair game for art in Brian’s visually-enhanced imagination.
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art form
MAGIC WITH METAL In the hands of artist Brian Mock, old spoons, auto parts and other scrap metal are born again as hounds, roosters, hedgehogs and more.
There is arguably no dearth of artists experimenting with recycled materials these days, but there’s always room for one more. Brian Mock from Beavertown, USA, is one such artist who collects scrap metal from junkyards and converts them into invigorating works of art that literally transform the spaces where they stand. What defines Brian’s style and sets his sculptures apart from the rest is his dimensional precision and acute attention to detail. His neatness and fluidity of form often give the impression that the several metallic components of each sculpture were made to order. But that is hardly the case. Brian uses only discarded metal pieces and goes to great lengths to collect these from auto and machine shops. In the last 15 years, he has carefully established connections with people who have access to such scrap.
Text By Christabelle Athaide Photographs Brian Mock
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Sometimes he picks scrap based on a design idea in his mind; other times the scrap sets him thinking down a new path. Interestingly, Brian has had no formal training in art and explains his foray into sculpting by saying, “I’ve always been a resourceful person, so using material that was already abundantly available naturally appealed to me.” As a child, the artist gave vent to his artistic streak through drawings, and later on with paintings, wood carving and wood crafting, but admits he discovered his métier only after working with scrap metal. Although he still reserves a fondness for traditional art media, scrap metal art has him thoroughly captivated. He states, “I am intrigued by the challenge of creating an entirely unique piece of art from a random collection of discarded and often commonplace objects. Giving these old, ordinary items a new and extraordinary life as a sculpture is an artistically demanding, yet gratifying process.” Where most people would despair at the sight of an overflowing scrap yard or landfill, Brian’s reaction is expectedly exuberant. “Seeing any available scrap metal excites me because I’m always seeing the potential of what it can become,” he explains. It’s fair to say that artists like Brian are beginning to inspire laypeople to look at their old, unused and broken possessions in new and creative ways. Brian’s creativity with scrap has earned him adulation as well as commissions from private and public enterprises that often want an unusual, striking work of art or are eager to make a statement about creativity and the environment.
Depicted above is a recreation of an old Volkswagen bus.
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Referring to his art, Brian confesses that there is no hidden agenda or subtext. “When I’m creating, I’m honestly not thinking about making a specific statement; the process is so natural it almost comes with no thought at all. Creating brings me joy, and I just hope that my creations bring others joy, too.”
Brian Mock’s creations animate human behaviour, seen above is a ground hedgehog in a curious mood.
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When working on a commission, Brian starts off by discussing the idea with a client before drawing up a budget and time-frame. The autodidactic artist says, “I might draft a few sketches initially and then I just start the sculpting process.” Depending on the size and complexity of the piece, it can take anywhere from an hour to six months to create a single artwork. “There’s really no average because each sculpture is so uniquely individual,” adds Brian. The largest sculpture he’s done so far is of two jumping salmons. That was a whopping 10 feet tall sculpture and weighed approximately 400 lbs.
Man’s best friend remains the most popular theme with Brian receiving maximum commissions for his scrap-metal dogs.
At Hotel Zetta in San Francisco, nearly every visitor must have stroked or at least been tempted to stroke Brian’s sleek metal hound that stands at attention at the hotel’s lobby. The animal likeness is impressive. Brian says, “I’d like to think that my style is uniquely my own. I’ve never studied other people’s art, and my personal and professional goal is to be completely original in everything I create.” Looking to the future, the artist says he’s now keen to try animals he hasn’t done before while continuing to work on different breeds of dogs, since dogs do tend to be an ever popular theme.
brian@brianmock.com www.brianmock.com
A miniature model of a Volkswagen beetle car: an example of a unique blend of ingenuity and artistry.
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GREEN PROJECT
The small forest and several gardens – rock, tropical, rooftop, suspended and sunken all come together to create a cool micro-climate that encourages outdoor living, and which in turn cuts down on the retreat’s indoor power consumption.
A Green Fairytale
By adopting sustainable construction methods and eco-friendly practices for living, this enchanting private retreat in South India becomes twice as much endearing.
Text By Christabelle Athaide Photo Courtesy Mancini Enterprises
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Located opposite a holy mountain on a 4,000 sq m plot in South India, this private retreat encompasses three houses, a pool, pavilion, deep well, savanna, outdoor bathrooms, several gardens and a water tank.
Two out of the three air-conditioners installed at the retreat had to be removed as they were turned redundant thanks to naturally cool interiors created by walls with high thermal mass and large roof overhangs.
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The roof garden provides shade to the mass below and also prevents rainwater from running off.
As far as beautiful houses go, this private retreat in South India has us positively salivating. But what really makes us want to pin and re-pin this residence is the ecologically sensitive manner in which it was built as well as the eco-friendly practices it continues to follow till date. Designed and developed by Chennaibased architectural and design firm - Mancini Enterprises, this private retreat comprises three luxurious houses, a pool, pavilion, savanna, outdoor bathrooms, deep well, water tank and several gardens all of which are built on a 4,000 sq m plot that faces a holy mountain. Niels Schoenfelder, Managing Director at Mancini Enterprises, discloses that the design team’s chief objective was to create a residence that was primarily sensitive to the environment, local architecture and materials.
The retreat was built in an ecologically sensitive manner and continues to follow eco-friendly practices till date.
This implied using traditional methods of construction like local country bricks in load-bearing walls (no RCC columns), traditional mud-plastering techniques, cow-dung floors and black-oxide cement floors. Thick (90-35cm) brickwork structures were installed to create a high thermal mass in order to keep the interiors cool. Large roof overhangs as well as a roof garden with a 60 cm thick soil layer were built to provide more shade to the house. What no one really anticipated was interiors so cool that it obviated the need for any artificial cooling system at all. As a matter of fact, reveals Niels, two out of the three air-conditioners that were initially installed had to be removed as they turned redundant.
Inside the house, thick brick walls plastered with lime and mud were used to counteract the humid South Indian climate. This earthy texture was complimented by rich wooden floors that were laid out using reclaimed Burma teak. The advantage of using reclaimed Burma teak is that it often tends to be stronger, looks richer and most significantly – preserves our forests. Niels makes an impressive statement when he announces that “100% of the wood used in construction was recycled”. The team also kept the retreat’s carbon footprint to a minimum by sourcing construction materials from local areas. They further made it a point to hire local craftsmen with the broader goal of sustaining the local economy.
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The louvered windows are oversized; these allow more light and air to enter the rooms, resulting in reduced dependency on artificial lights and cooling systems.
As a result, the customised, hand-smoothened granite sinks and brass and steel hardware that fill the interior also endow the space with an enviable rusticity and warmth. A significant portion of the retreat’s mystique is supplied by the abundant greenery that envelops the three houses and practically shields them from view. Beauty apart, the small forest and many gardens - roof, suspended, sunken and tropical together create a cool microclimate that encourages the residents to spend more time outdoors and hence cut down their power consumption. The natural topography of the property was created using nearly 300 tons of granite sourced from the local surroundings. Along with this, the landscapers have wisely chosen to feature a majority of native plants in the gardens.
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The project has a sensitive approach to the environment and local architecture.
Hardiness and low-maintenance may be some of the obvious advantages of setting native plants into the landscape but their more significant contribution is the perpetuation of the area’s natural eco-system by allowing local insects, birds and wildlife to thrive and flourish. Native trees also require less water as they are adapted to the area’s natural groundwater supply. In this case however, watering the extensive gardens is really no burden on the water supply as all the gardens are irrigated using recycled water. “With just one tiny pump,” adds Niels triumphantly.
Free and naturally-available sunlight is effectively harnessed to meet the hot water needs of the residence.
Nearly 300 tons of granite was sourced from the local areas to create a natural topography where flora and fauna could flourish.
Other water-saving measures include a roof garden that prevents rainwater from running off. Harvesting rainwater is an important agenda for the garden and hence a large amount of the garden slopes towards the open well to recharge it whenever possible. Finally, the retreat’s dependence on the power grid is minimised by solar heaters that provide hot running water to all the houses. According to Niels, the client’s brief at the beginning was quite precise - “to create a fairytale.” In the end, like any good fairytale, it does appear like the private retreat and its residents are set to live happily ever after.
All the waste water from the retreat is recycled and used to irrigate the extensive gardens.
niels@mancini-design.com www.mancini-design.in
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fashionably green
Rachel Faller, CEO, tonlé
tonlé is Cambodia’s largest ethical apparel brand, making comfortable, wearable clothes that are as unique and beautiful as the people who make them. CEO and designer, Rachel Faller started tonlé in December 2013 as a matured version of her previous company, KeoK’jay, with many of the same team members. Rachel had a vision and felt that it was possible to make clothing ethically, something that you would want to pull out of your closet and wear every day and above all clothing that you felt good about buying. She believed that the term “garment manufacturing” didn’t have to be associated with the abuse of human rights and environmental destruction.
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Rachel has spent years crafting an innovative, zero-waste design process that incorporates using left-over scraps of materials and turning them into original and uniquely attractive designer clothes. Products are made by small teams of sewers, printers, dyers and weavers who earn good wages and benefits. The workers love making the clothes and it is a given that the buyers love wearing them.
Mostly recycled materials and remnant fabrics are used to make a dent in the massive waste being tossed aside by large manufacturers. tonlé’s design team handpicks these fabrics on a monthly basis, ensuring that each design is totally exceptional, just like the person who makes it. Employees work in creative teams in a safe and comfortable Phnom Penh workshop while earning fair wages and benefits. tonlé aims to connect people on opposite ends of the supply chain by providing employee bios and using un-retouched images of staff members as models on its forthcoming site. Since its launch, tonlé’s popularity has steadily grown with two retail boutiques and a dedicated international following, prompting the launch of online retail in Australia and the US this year.
By using recycled materials and a unique zero-waste process, each year tonlé’s production saves 10,000 kg of textiles from clogging landfills, 70,000 kg of CO2 and 200 kg of pesticides from entering the environment and averts the use of 46,266,600 gallons of water.
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Here is what Rachel Faller the CEO of tonlé feels, “The world is only getting smaller and we’re all deeply connected; the people who make your clothes need you as much as you need them. We want to strengthen those connections through what we’re making - and we hope you’ll join us.” www.tonledesign.com
tonlé has 50 employees, three workshops, two boutiques (Phnom Penh, Siem Reap) and six international stockists carrying women’s apparel, accessories and home-ware. The price of the eco friendly, 100% vegan clothes ranges from USD 45-100.
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New Delhi-based Layers Studios for Design & Architecture (LSDA)’s projects are solid pieces of work realised through meticulous planning and sensitive use of building materials. Layers Studios for Design & Architecture (LSDA) espouses an almost old-world approach to work - well-researched, intensively involved, and realised with a disciplined use of building materials that prioritises function over frill. The New Delhi-based firm is led by Neha Bhardwaj and Gaurav Kapoor, and dabbles in architectural, interior and landscape design. The following three projects provide a good peep into the team’s originality when it comes to concept design as well as execution.
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The simplest of visages sometimes hide great nuance, and that is certainly true of this exposed brick home in Noida. Built for an NRI family, the structure had to be good enough for tenants when the family members are away, and be warm and ready if and when they returned. It also had to be cost-effective and lowmaintenance. To this fairly uncomplicated mix of demands, LSDA decided to add its own ingredients of original ideas. The team infused the home with an overall vibe reminiscent of modern earth structures - all stripped down natural hues with a plenitude of pergolas, and whimsical peppering of subtle colours for contrast. The exposed scheme also helped save on painting and plastering costs. And, of course there is that timeless inspiration of the ‘jaali’ form, here realised with brick stacks. The home’s entire form was inspired by the architectural legacy of old Delhi, and applies its cantilevered layout to good effect. “Such kind of architecture is losing its relevance primarily as it requires much extra efforts and detailing from the architect’s end, but we feel that the results are worth the effort,” states the team.
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LSDA is the landscape design consultant for this resort project overlooking the ethereal Ganga River valley and the greenery enveloped mountains beyond. The team will be designing the Entry Area with its Stepped Terraces, and the Garden Area that will comprise of an open restaurant, a swimming pool, and the lawns, all soaking up expansive views of the river. The team’s design plans centre around minimal interference with the natural gradient and topography of the river’s banks, and has informed the use of sustainable building materials culled locally, as well as minimal construction of walls. The team’s respect for the natural levelling of the ground here is so sensitive that the restaurant kitchen has been pushed below the swimming pool deck. Aesthetically too, all thoughts are consciously understated. The entry area will feature connected gardens on all terraces, while all the custom-made path lights will double up as planters. “The location of the site is absolutely stunning and it would not be wrong in saying that this is truly a dream project and site for any landscape architect,” states the team.
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LSDA can rightfully boast of a most original portfolio of accessories, and happily use it to showcase the degree of professional commitment that their involvement in a project entails. The range of these accessories is impressive too, as it spans the humble and the elegant; the slightly geeky; and can travel up to the pop-artish and the somewhat-kitschy. One of the most impressive among these is the ‘Cycle Sculpture’, realised out of old car and Enfield Thunderbird parts, with an affixed headlamp to boot. Another is a hand-painted storage unit showcasing the colourful, child-like imagery of the video game, Snood. And the Wall Art and Dog Corner for a dog named KC that looks like a street lamp and has a movable hanging post for the feeding station, is well, just plain adorable. layersstudios@gmail.com
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The outdoor dining room seems to be suspended over the landscape. ‘Beehive’ lights by Jessica Bodner illuminate the table at night.
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Landscapes
California Dreaming Tree-tops at eye-level, views as far as San Francisco Bay, the quiet of the Sonoma countryside – this family had all the right ingredients to build their own private spa retreat, with the help of the awardwinning firm Aidlin Darling Design.
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The curved stairway also acts as a wall and provides a lovely counterpoint to the stacked stone walls.
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Sonoma is a historically significant city in Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States. Here, above the vineyards and historic buildings, a once-neglected parcel of land has been brought back to lush life. The Sonoma Retreat was created as an addition for a South African family now living in San Francisco.
Within a small section of the property, the family wanted to create an outdoor kitchen and dining area, a solar heated swimming pool and spa, Croquet and Bocce courts and a hidden exercise/meditation pavilion. This might seem like a lot of room, but on the sloping site, it was easily achieved using terraces, steps and multiple levels.
The existing family home is a rammed earth house overlooking a formerly-overgrown hillside. Award-winning architectural firm Aidlin Darling Design was commissioned to take on the ambitious task of creating a private getaway on the site. Joshua Aidlin and David Darling’s designs are always based on a strong focus on nature and this project was no exception.
The path from the house down to the pool moves around a cascade of terraces defined by concrete and stacked stone walls. Below the new outdoor dining room, concrete benches overlooking the croquet court are built into the hillside to add further structure to the vegetation and the meandering paths.
A quiet moment in this stunning setting turns an ordinary morning into a feast for the senses.
The Meditation and Exercise pavilion is hidden in a grove of mature trees. The entry to this is framed by two curved earthen walls, embedding the ideas of “privacy, safety and refuge” which are so crucial to a space like this. The idea of having a refuge away from the main house is an excellent one - disconnecting oneself from the everydayness makes one more relaxed. “The design of the pavilion seeks to foster self discovery not only by creating a sense of privacy through its many layers, but once inhabited, aspires to dissolve away leaving the inhabitant and nature to become reacquainted,” say the architects.
The pavilion includes a meditation/exercise/ yoga studio with adjacent steam rooms, changing rooms, bathroom, refreshment bar, a private sundeck and an outdoor shower. The building itself is a collection of simple rustic cedar boxes that stand out against the lush Californian landscape. The ‘boxes’ in turn are cradled by the curved retaining walls, which are inspired by the idea of an African “boma” or enclosure.
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The pool, heated spa which is hidden on the lower pool deck and shade trellis convert into gathering grounds for family parties.
The pool, heated spa and shade trellis convert into gathering grounds for family parties. The heated spa is hidden on the lower pool deck behind a screen of Mexican Sage and Fountain Grass, offering additional privacy while still leaving the stunning views of the landscape unhampered. The outdoor kitchen leads to an outdoor dining room which seems to be suspended over the landscape. The dining and side tables were custom-designed by Aidlin Darling, whose furniture designs are also well-known.
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A trellis with concrete columns and a roof of thin galvanised pipes frames the dining area and the surrounding scenery beyond. At night, beehive-shaped lights from Jessica Bodner illuminate the area. Aidlin Darling are devoted to using the right kind of sustainable landscaping for their clients. All the plants in this project are drought tolerant. While working on the building, care was taken to work with the existing trees and use them for shade where possible.
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A floating deck of reclaimed teak extends interior space out into a sea of Westringia obscuring the boundaries between inside and outside.
The pavilion’s roof makes the most of the Californian sun by providing warmth in winter and shade in the summer. In good weather, the entire south and east facade of the pavilion slide away and completely retract into the walls - what a magnificent way to bring the outdoors inside. The designers take sustainability seriously and almost all of the finished material used within the retreat is reclaimed, including the stone basins in the steam room which were carved from larger pieces of reclaimed limestone. The pool is heated by a solar hydronic system and hidden solar panels provide much of the building’s electric needs.
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The Sonoma Retreat received the 2013 Residential Design Honor Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects. One of the jury members had this to say: “It has that unique Sonoma quality - very organic, elegant and simple.” And really, that’s all you need to have a refuge within your home.
www.aidlindarlingdesign.com
The dining area has an angel chandelier while the dining table has two classic legs and two contemporary legs that creates a link between the old world majestic look and a clean straight lined structure.
SPATIAL HARMONY
An urban residence in Mumbai, designed by Sheena Chhabria is off-set by neutral white with tinges of gold, among many other highlights depicting depth and detail. Text By Nikita Peer Photographs Courtesy The Architect Home Review February 2015
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A bookstand in a fluid design satisfies the love of reading of the family members.
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“Design is justified when a house is transformed into a walkway of beauty combined with grace and personal style detailed with balancing elements of colour, light, energy and textures,” beams Sheena Chhabria, chief architect of Sheena Inc. Her style of work is hands-on as she personally designs, sources and styles every piece of furniture, besides doing the walls, doors, windows etc; this incorporates a oneof-a-kindness in all her projects. Her recently completed residence in Khar, Mumbai stands as a clear testimony to this. This 4BHK apartment with an area of 2500 sq ft belongs to a well travelled couple who live in it along with their child and mother. “An important element that I as a designer needed to consider was seamlessly incorporating the tastes of multiple generations in their respective bedrooms while leaving the common areas like the den, living room, terrace, dining area, bar, among others, more serene and multi functional to suit everybody in the house,” said Sheena. “The brief given by the couple was to involve lots of beautiful elements which would give a sense of continuity to the entire space. My first interaction with my clients made me realise that there was a lot of love involved here and so I included several elements that indicated love, harmony and peace throughout the space,” she explained further.
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The entry foyer outside the home gives a preview of the beauty that lies within. The lights mounted on the wall and majestic lanterns are warm, inviting and regal. Inside the home, one is first greeted by a bright red edge table which is the colour of love and a luminous living area which is made to look larger by enclosing the terrace. The entire living space is left uncrowded to allow the owners to fill it up with collectables from their past travels. Not just that, the area is built in a manner to allow the family to also use it for holding parties, practicing yoga and allowing the child enough space to play to his heart’s content.
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The terrace, which remains the highlight of the house, gives out a different vibe at different times of the day. The area is essentially given a very spiritual Zen-like feel with an idol of Buddha, an elegant console and flooring which is Satwario marble embellished with angel wings in mother of pearl inlay. It has a glass ceiling and windows large enough to allow enough natural light during the day giving it a fresh feeling. This space opens into the bar. The ceiling has been carved into a classic dome with concealed LED lighting which casts dramatic patterns of shadow and light and turns it into a party area. The dining area has an angel chandelier with three angels showing different expressions and emotions depicting protection provided from the doors of heaven. “The dining table has two classic legs and two modern contemporary legs; this creates a link between the old world majestic look and a clean straight lined structure and depicts the harmony present between the members of the different age groups,” justified Sheena.
The ‘soul mate deer console’ espouses the message of love and peace, which falls in line with the client’s brief to involve various beautiful elements in the house.
The flooring throughout the home seems to gleam with a life and light of its own, a result of the exquisitely done lighting. The apartment sees extensive use of gold in both gloss and matt finish at different areas like the ceiling in the living and doors next to the dining. Cream and grey reign supreme, with gold tones; these set off the understated elegance of the den and TV room of the house. The neon mirror and the red round couch introduce effective pops of colour. The light fittings, carvings and soft furnishings all further this design element. “These articles and individual pieces were all manufactured in-house with materials like mild steel and fiberglass. The products were first made in clay, disposable moulds were then created and finally the items were casted with an ideal mix,” said Sheena who remained quite elated by the end result.
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The designer has followed colour psychology in all the four bedrooms of the house - grey in the couple’s bedroom for modernity, bright colours of neon blue and green in the kid’s bedroom for energy, pink in the guest bedroom for love and warmth and beige and orange in the mother’s bedroom for serenity. Sheena was aiming for the classic timeless appeal with elements of love and harmony. She has certainly achieved what she set out to do, with every room treated differently and yet the overall effect remaining that of welcome.
incsheena@gmail.com
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AWOODEN TRAIL Studio Wood is a collective of four young design enthusiasts who came together through one summer project, some old pieces of furniture and a common objective to simply create. After a successful launch in August 2014 through a collection of repurposed furniture and accessories, we turned to the start-up scene and took up Studio Wood in full time capacity, albeit without the 9-5 tag. Little did we know that a simple idea would turn into an opportunistic enterprise in a period of six months; our journey so far has been rather serendipitous.
By Sahej Bhatia, Vrinda Mathur Navya Aggarwal and Gazal Bawa
DESIGNQUEST
We’ve been involved in every process right from conceptualisation to taking up a whole lot of unanticipated jobs like that of sourcing, vendor coordination and finally, taking care of manufacturing. The process of seeing a design come to life is in itself an inspiring one. It helps us grow as designers and practitioners at the same time. With our very first collection of Reloved furniture, which was launched in August 2014, we tried to bridge the gap between the old and the new by reinventing wooden furniture.
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We recreated consoles out of study tables, pouf seats out of drawers and many more such interesting concoctions. It was nothing short of a scientific discovery. Our design philosophy lies in creating furniture not for the places but for the people. With this belief we ventured into designing custom-made pieces for our clients.
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Thanks to the diverse skill sets within the collective, the opportunities that came our way were manifold, from rustic architecture to warm spaces and modern furniture, soon our list of services expanded too. This lead each of us to grow as individuals professionally and learn from the others’ expertise. For us at Studio Wood, the scale of the project does not change our commitment towards it; each product, space or even accessory is looked at in all its potential and then carried off with utmost flair. In the last couple of months, we’ve worked on a number of projects, each different from the other but equally well thought of and executed.
Green Printed Tables With ongoing experimentation of the screen-printed accent tables, this side table adds an artistic expression to an otherwise usual piece
Drawer Pouf This collection of drawers to be used as poufs and mirror shelves was one of the exciting product ranges the team worked on
Red Siesta Sofa This well structured solid wood sofa brings in a pop of colour in an otherwise boring living room
Mixing mediums, colour experiments, deconstruction and revivification of old, tattered furniture items became our design methodology. It was all about seeking potential in those pieces and recreating them with advanced materials, forms and finishes.
The concept of designing something for somebody other than oneself is invigorating. This new phase brought with it more challenges, more excitement and a plethora of ideas.
We’ve made a little space for ourselves in the factory where all four of us meet, brainstorm, discuss, disagree and eventually agree to doing something absolutely different, tinted with offbeat aesthetics.
Collaboration is the key, after all that’s how Studio Wood came about. We are looking forward to meeting with new people with variegated design aesthetics and practices to collaborate with and create some exponential furniture pieces.
Blue Winter Chester Sofa The arm rests are finished with wood on top which doubles up as side tables to place a hot cup of tea
Blue Winter Chester Sofa This chester inspired sofa in a textured blue woven fabric gives a warm, fuzzy theme to the living room
www.studiowood.co.in
At the brink of the New Year, we commenced work on our second collection.The product range is set to include some interesting chair structures, consoles, accent tables and lighting pieces constructed out of wood, metal, fabric, glass and a whole lot of material experiments. Chevron Light A regular curtain rod holder, a retro chevron print and an Edison bulb soulfully light up a space
White Antique Cabinet and Chair The shutters of the cabinet were cladded with shibori printed fabric to match the chair
That is also one of the best things about being surrounded by like minded people; when it comes to designing a product the first draft is like a seed sown by one of us, what blossoms out of it finally is the full fledged vision.
Our vision is to celebrate good quality product design in the Indian market and create products, which are not only commercially viable but also adaptive in nature so every home can find a place for them.
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THE MARKETPLACE Osim India Launches The Ulnfinity Massage Chair
Osim India introduced its latest massage chair called Osim Ulnfinity offering a humanised massage experience from head to toe. Apart from mental relaxation, it eases strain from the neck and shoulder. The ‘download massage’ technology offers the widest choice of massage programs for the ultimate experience.
It allows the user to download more of the latest lifestyle massage programs with a simple Bluetooth connection to a smartphone. You can also download latest massage programs into the Ulnfinity app in your smart phone. You can also listen to music thanks to the built-in stereo speakers while you lie back and enjoy a holistic experience. www.osim.com
‘Euroviva’ a Healthy Cookware Range By Eureka Forbes
The Orthopedic Cervical Support Pillow By Paramount Surgimed Ltd.
Paramount Surgimed Ltd., a leader in healthcare and medical disposables introduces the Orthopaedic Cervical Support Pillow for more restful nights. It takes the shape of the head and neck and helps keep the spine in a neutral position, reducing snoring. It helps prevent cervical pain and promotes low absorption of moisture throughout the night. The pillow is made of an open celled viscous-elastic, temperature sensitive material that conforms to the contours of our body, providing optimum support and comfort. It helps eliminate stress and fatigue anywhere anytime. The soft cover is naturally hypo-allergenic and washable. The Orthopedic Cervical Support Pillow is available in a small, medium, large and extra-large size and is available in a price range of Rs. 1,900 to Rs. 5,900. www.paramountsurgimedltd.com
Eureka Forbes offers the Euroviva range of cookware that uses cooking technology to retain natural elements in the food being cooked, thereby enhancing the flavour of the meal without additional external flavouring. This helps the users control their salt, sugar, oil and spice intake. Euroviva is ideal for cooking entire traditional meals setting it apart as one of a kind of cooking solution. Euroviva’s unique sealed circuit method
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and surround heat effect helps cook food faster, thereby saving on cooking gas or electricity cost to a great extent. Its proprietary technique, which uses a combination of metals like steel, aluminium and copper helps in using less oil and sugar. The multi cooking system can be used for roasting, baking, stewing, simmering, braising, searing, steaming and frying. www.eurekaforbes.com
THE MARKETPLACE Maishaa Introduces AirDrop Towels
Grandeur Launches Elegant Dining Tables By Pianca And Bonaldo
Bring in a little Portuguese luxury into your bathing space and enjoy the comfort of fine bath towels. Maishaa, a luxury home fashion textile brand launches for the first time in India, ‘luxury towels with AirDrop Technology’.
Grandeur brings a quiet elegance to the Indian dining space with sleek tables from one of Italy’s finest furniture makers, Pianca and Bonaldo.
The set of hand, face and bath towels from Maishaa are soft, suitably sized, highly absorbent, quick to dry and lightweight. They are designed and made in Portugal and are created using advanced technology that converts conventional cotton yarns, resulting in an incredibly soft, plush and lightweight towel.
The slender, airy furniture lends a light feel and creates the perfect ambience for family get-togethers. The range is inspired by clean cuts of industrial design and uses minimal space to ensure enough room for free interactions.
This collection of tables adds a subdued elegance with its single-tone colours and neat composition. The light weight chairs are comfortable because of their deep seats. The dining tables accomodate six to eight chairs and you can choose between the various polished glass tops or compact wood covers. www.grandeurinteriors.com
Mortise Handles By Tattva
Maishaa towels are designed by an international design team to give it a premium look, superior thickness and comfort. These are available at all Maishaa stores and leading lifestyle retailers across India. www.maishaa.com
Tattva Hardware recreates magic with the uniquely designed and stylised collection of Mortise handles, each one more special than the other. Apart from stunning looks, the Mortise handles are high on the ergonomic front. The company introduces the users to the textural and metaphorical interfaces.
The range comprises of door knobs, handles, peep holes and tower-bolts. The range of handles and other accessories are available in five glorious finishes which include matt gold, antique brass, matt nickel, antique copper and green patina. www.tattvahardware.com Home Review February 2015
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THE MARKETPLACE Bleu Concepts Launches The Iceberg Kitchen
Simpolo Introduces Outdoor Porcelain Tiles
Simpolo has introduced Outdoor Porcelain Tiles with a thickness of 16mm for the first time in India. This collection is available in 2 sizes, 600x600 mm known as Rockdeck series and 1200x800 mm called the Riverstone and Cemento series. Bleu Concepts, the global leader in modular kitchens, wardrobes and storage solutions has recently launched their state-of-the-art kitchen concept “Iceberg Kitchen�, a revolutionary concept for kitchen storage. The Iceberg Kitchen maintains a fine balance between design and functionality. The rear wall is specially designed using customised fittings and shelving system accessories to address different storage requirements. The entire back unit is aesthetically illuminated using LEDs. The overhead shutters are made of lacquered glass set in an aluminium frame and the base units are finished in a hi-gloss paint imported from Italy. The kitchen system is available in 30 finishes. www.bleuconcepts.com
The tiles are tough and can withstand heavy loads without any damage. They are non-porous and require no maintenance.
www.simpolo.net
Spine Guard Mattress From Peps The quilt is scientifically designed with anti-pilling knitted fabric which gives you a soft feel besides the water resistant and stain resistant feature of the Spine Guard mattress makes it easy to clean and maintain. The fabric is also sanitised for bed-mites and is anti-bacterial.
Sleep your way to good health with the Spine Guard mattress from PEPS. It has been designed specially to curtail backache and provide a comfortable good night’s sleep. The memory foam used in the mattress gives you the right posture while sleeping. It eliminates pressure points by distributing your bodyweight evenly and keeps the spine in perfect alignment. This provides a comfortable sleeping position without unwarranted tossing and turning, giving the entire body better blood circulation.
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Since these are full body homogenous tiles, they can not only take heavy wear and tear but can be also used on steps with bullnose or deep chamfering as well as granite or other stone slabs. Fired at high temperatures, these tiles are non-porous, fireproof, fade proof, slip resistant, scratch resistant and resistant to frost expansion.
Spine Guard comes in a variety of sizes apart from the standard Twine, Queen and King sizes at a price range starting from Rs. 14,500 upto Rs. 53,500. www.pepsindia.com
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