Design Destination: Gdansk
vol 17 issue 07
July 2018
Specialist: The Quirk Works
total pages 132
Design Quest: craftter
RS 100 HOME-REVIEW.COM
A LUSH SENSE OF CALM
FADD takes inspiration from Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret to channel iconic design into a home
SMART WORK VIKRAMA ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN SOLUTIONS THAT SPEAK VOLUMES STUDIO HINGE KITCHEN SPECIAL AN IN-DEPTH look INTO CUTTING EDGE SOLUTIONS FOR OUR KITCHENS
Photo: Cyrus Dalal
F
arah and Dhaval of FADD take inspiration from Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret to channel iconic design into a scheme for a home. Their overtures use bold details and varied materials that are tempered with muted colours. Their program is influenced by a multitude of elements; however the design scheme’s brilliance is its ability to stitch these diverse conditions into a composed theme that makes for a very stylish home. What started as a commission for creating a standout entrance lobby in a posh residential development at Boat Club Road, Pune metamorphosed into the much larger role of reimagining luxury for this design firm. Responding with a plan that is much richer than the stale glitz and imported furniture fixes that some resort to, Pravir Sethi of Studio Hinge melds art, architecture, space and proportion in this large apartment to voice his definition of luxury. Sans the blaring noise of trying to stand out, he breathes lux into the space by focusing on essentials like scale, space, light and ventilation complemented by customised furniture and clever detailing. The hope is to communicate a version of designer luxury to potential home owners that is anchored in timelessness and not mindless drama. Anish Bajaj, Editor anish@marvelinfomedia.com
The Shadow House SRDA focuses on processes, rather than superficial imagery, to conceptualise clever details that meld together to deliver an immersive experience. #Getinspired Season 2, presented by Hafele. Subscribe to Design Owl on YouTube
4 Home Review July 2018
emails + feedback Modern Age Minimalism
Intricate
Double-Heighted ceiling and a minimalistic design is just what India needs right now. A budding designer and an avid reader of Home Review, I have learnt so much from every offthe-charts project featured. Great design by FADD studio.
So impressed that something as simple as wood can be converted into such interesting and intricate detailing instead of the usual boring practices adopted by various designers. Vikrama Architects has done a wonderful job.
By Email Shlok Patel
Let us know what you love and hate about this issue. Mail us at letters@marvelinfomedia.com
6 Home Review July 2018
By Email Sonal Chauhan
Massive
Travel Trouble
In today’s day, a space like this is unheard of! So glad Home Review has featured this project. Aum Architects have made an amazing office cum residence space.
An art and travel blogger, I am always looking for new untouched places to explore. Gdansk was unheard of till the time I read about it here. “Poland, here I come!”
By Email Aashka Dangat
By Email Vasudha Brar
28 art
34
20
form
Minneapolis based award-winning artist creates life-like botanical paper artworks
Mumbai-based architecture and interior design firm, Studio Hinge has designed the show flat of an ultra luxury apartment building in Pune
Cover Story FADD Studio designs a double-heighted mid-century inspired structure for a family of four in Gurugam
41 By Sachin Sohaniya
44
JUly
Craftter is a home dÊcor brand that is committed to beautifying spaces with objet d’art, located in Jaipur
50 Beyond Designs, owned by Sachin and Neha Gupta harbours a unique design philosophy
54
Kitchen Special
Formidable innovations penetrated into the kitchen segment of today
74
80 A residential space that is not only energy efficient, but also involves nature in its overall aesthetic
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87 104 92
99
A sprawling 10-bedroom apartment in Powai that combines a residence with an office space that has every room designed uniquely
product
designer
The product line of Scholten and Baijings incorporates top-notch functionality in a simple form
GREEN PROJECT Motoart is a globally recognized company which crafts furniture and accessories from salvaged airplane parts
108 This chic office designed by Vikrama Architecture & Design makes good use of wooden detailing and industrial-style lighting to give a spacious look
JUly
Landscapes
114 The Oxygen Park in Doha is a glimpse into the alliance of the marriage of architecture and landscape
120
GDANSK A DESIGN DESTINATION
126
Eclectic styles, varied themes, upcoming trends come together in our newly launched segment!
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THE MARKETPLACE Get your hands on the latest products to hit the market
129
Editor & Publisher Anish Bajaj Creative Director Natalie Pedder-Bajaj Features Editor Mala Bajaj
Devyani Jayakar Freelance Writer An abiding fascination with language, culminated in a Master’s degree in English Literature and a post graduate diploma in Communications Media. Convinced that there is nothing more addictive than luxury, leads her to contribute regularly to several publications on lifestyle topics including interiors, design, architecture and art.
Assistant Editor Shweta Salvi Sr. Sub-Editor Neerja Kapadia Contributing Writers Devyani Jayakar Dhanishta Shah Priyanka Menon Kanupriya Pachisia Ramya Srinivasan Shruti Nambiar Virupa Kantamneni Himali Kothari Avani Patwardhan Vandana Krishnan Designers Asif Shayannawar Darshan Palav Snigdha Hodarkar
Shruti Nambiar Writer 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.
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Fadd Studio Lush Sense Of Calm, Page 20. FADD Studio was established in 2012, by Farah Ahmed and Dhaval Shellugar who believe that the purpose of design is to push beyond the known. Their philosophy is about revisiting older trends that were set decades ago and reinterpreting them in a fresh and contemporary way.
Studio Hinge Solutions That Speak Volumes, Page 34. Pravir is principal at studio Hinge, and enjoys hopping between scales of design, but it’s exploration of detail and narrative that intrigue him most. Having completed his education, he worked with Samira Rathod and has since gone on to work with some of the top names in British architecture as well as Indian personalities.
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.
Vikrama Architects Smart Work, Page 108. Rashika Chauhan is the proprietor of Vikrama Architecture and Design in Vadodara. Chauhan specializes in interiors and her range of work covers residential, spas, music school, restaurants, boutiques and weekend homes. The wide spectrum of her projects is a deliberate design move to experiment with various scale and spaces - be it architecture, planning, interior design, homes, commercial structures or corporate buildings.
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PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S 25 MAY 25 NOV
In addition to handing out prestigious awards to deserving candidates, together, between both the weeks, there will be a whopping 3000 talents under one roof that will be a celebration of visionary design that sees students of 200+ creative courses unveiling never-before-seen work to thousands of industry professionals and design lovers.
TO
Venice Biennale, Venice, Italy
www.newdesigners.com
The Venice Biennale is back for its 16th edition showcasing two of our Indian architects, Rahul Mehrotra and Gurjeet Singh Mathroo in addition to many world famous entities. With the theme of FREESPACE, the Biennale will present for public scrutiny examples, proposals, elements built or unbuilt - of work that exemplify essential qualities of architecture which include the modulation, richness and materiality of surface; the orchestration and sequencing of movement, revealing the embodied power and beauty of architecture. While previews of the main event will be held on 24th and 25th May, the exhibition will open to the public from 26th May - 25th November, 2018.
The exhibit will be divided in three zones namely Aroma and Fragrance, Interior Accessories and Outdoor Living. Exhibitors’ profiles will include Interior, Fashion, Textile, Dining, Decoration, Baby and Kids, Gift and Outdoor Living. Retailers’ profiles will include design stores, specialty stores, interior shops, department stores, lifestyle shops, gift shops, museum shops, etc. Design Tokyo proves the opportunity to enter the design conscious market in Japan.
04NewTO 07Designers JUL Part 2, London, UK
Under the title of Publishing Acts the Association of Istrian Architects (DAI-SAI) started developing an “a-festival” (as in anti-festival, activist-festival, and architecture-festival) on the positions of engaged architects and their search for sociospatial alternatives in Pula, in 2017. Conceived as a heterotopic site, an expanding territory “locally inside and conceptually outside,” the experimental publishing workshop, as part of the a-festival, produced instant, open-end socio-political imaginaries about the city.
www.labiennale.org
th
Tokyo, Japan
Design Tokyo is one of the leading trade shows for “Marketable” design products in Japan. Only the products which passed the screening by designers and stylists will be on display. It has welcomed key buyers coming in flocks to find new vendors and see what’s fresh in the design and lifestyle fields. This year it will be held on 4th – 6th July, 2018 at Tokyo Big Sight.
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Šibenik, Croatia
www.designtokyo.jp
Architects, Designers, Installations, Products, Art dealers, Curators, Sculptors, Students and all other design fanatics will coagulate under one fair, uniting to benefit each other from networking to building. It will be a one stop shop to associate with some of the who’s who of the design world globally.
048 TODesign 06 JULTokyo,
06IstriaTO 08Conference, JUL
The second phase of this two-part graduate exhibition event features architecture, interiors, furniture and product design, plus graphics and illustration. Schools to look out for include University of Edinburgh (pictured) Kingston University and Loughborough University. The first week, which took place in June, included textiles, contemporary design crafts and patterned surface ceramics among numerous others. Week two, which will take place from 4th - 7th July at the Business Centre, Islington, London, will showcase product & industrial design, furniture and spatial design, and interior, graphic design along with animation motion and digital arts.
Publishing was understood as an act of “social choreography,” and its product - the publication Pula Documents - as a “social or institutionalizing object,” whose existence, nature and shape intrinsically relate to the existence of a collaborative and agonistic process of knowledge production. Future projects of Future Architecture platform in collaboration with DAI-SAI will pursue publishing as a tool of observation, research and discussion, produce further publications and explore questions. This conference will be held in Croatia from 6th - 8th July, 2018. www.dai-sai.hr
PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S 27 JUL 05 AUG TO
Death of Architecture, Central Library, Goa
This year it will be held from 19th - 22nd July, 2018. The show gives interior designers, decorators, architects, furniture and furnishing buying groups as well as retailers the opportunity to see and buy hundreds of the new products, learn the latest industry trends and network with peers both at the trade fair and in a full program of concurrent functions. The Death of Architecture; circa 2000 is a traveling exhibition assembled by 13 of India’s thinking and concerned design practices. Through evocative art works, poetry and prose, the exhibition decodes and amplifies actions some which are orchestrated, others inconsiderate. Actions that slowly tear and restructure the fabric of our cities and the architecture within and along with that impact our sense of being. The exhibition presents evidence that will allow discussions about our present, and yet at the same time is embedded with clues and signs that can help effect meaningful dialogues about the future. In a sense, it consolidates the many critical discussions that form the dough which leads to design such as those about the demise of our cities as we know them or the meaning of inspirations from the past, or ideas of beauty, or duplicitous ways of achieving identity, or ways of understanding spatiality.
Décor+Design aims to help retailers promote their products, create brand awareness, raise industry profiles, solve your queries face-toface, consolidate your position in the industry and reinforce your business relationships. It is also co-located with AIFF, Australia’s largest furniture trade fair, and together both the shows are collectively the powerhouse event for the relevant industry in Australia. This sort of networking facilitates a one-stop-shop for all sellers eager to expand their brands and buyers who are thirsty for new and innovative products.
19 TO 22 JUL
Aiff, Melbourne, Australia
www.deathofarchitecture.com
Melbourne, Australia This year, Décor+Design, Australia’s number one interiors event celebrates its 15th anniversary. Last year in 2017, the show attracted over 11,500 visitors from across the country.
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www.aiff.net.au
22 JUL
International Conference On Sustainable Architecture And Urban Design Pune, India
www.decordesignshow.com.au
The exhibition is a strong mirror that will allow cities and design communities to structure conversations that are pertinent to their immediate realm and concerns.
TO 19Décor+Design, 22 JUL
AIFF is a true reflection of the future buying trends across the design industry. Exhibits will include bedroom and dining furniture, lounge settings, outdoor furniture, occasional furniture, lighting, furnishings and fabrics, rugs and floor coverings, decorative artifacts, home design, office design and lighting. Visitors from all over the world will visit AIFF in lieu of networking between suppliers, buyers, retailers, interior designers and architects. This show is expected to cement its position as the number one buying destination for Australian furnishing retailers and designers.
AIFF - Australian International Furniture Fair, 2018 is an event for furniture and furnishing retailers, interior decorators, designers and architects. Furniture from Australia and New Zealand is one show at this trade-only event, taking place this year at Melbourne’s Exhibition Centre, as part of Decor + Design. It will be held from 19th - 22nd July at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Australia.
The main objective of this conference is to promote scientific and educational activities towards the advancement of common man’s life by improving the theory and practice of various disciplines and sectors of Architecture, Design. ICSSIT being one of the largest professional associations of South Asia organizes conferences, workshop, seminars and/or awareness programs by providing the technical and other supports to improve research and development activities, publishing high quality academic international journals as well as up to date and current transactions. It will be held on 22nd July 2018 at Pune and is being organized by ITAR-India to provide an opportunity to research scholars, delegates and students to interact and share their experience and knowledge in technology application. (ICSAUD18) will provide an excellent international forum for sharing knowledge and results in Architecture, Design. The aim of the Conference is to provide a platform to the researchers and practitioners from both academia as well as industry to meet the share cutting-edge development in the field. www.10times.com/icsaud-pune
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20 Home Review July 2018
The Ash Abode in Gurugram is a double-heighted expanse of calm and mid-century-inspired detailing. With this project, the Farah and Dhaval Design Studio (FADD) team has successfully combined iconic design inspirations with the demands of a family home. This is a sumptuous homage to Villa La Roche. From the colour palette, so refreshingly reminiscent of 1950s icecream parlours, to the textured walls and the metallic accenting, The Ash Abode is unapologetically inspired by the Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret oeuvre.
Text By Shruti Nambiar Photographs Courtesy Gokul Rao Kadam
A LUSH SENSE OF CALM Home Review July 2018
21
The double-heighted structure in Gurugram is home to a family of 4. The residents wished for a minimalist home, and Farah and Dhaval Design Studio (FADD) delivered on the brief by infusing a lush sense of calm into the spaces. “Inspired by the Villa La Roche, the polychromatic feel is evident with the green colour block meeting the grey wall that in turn meets the sienna floor,” states the team. The charm of the place is in its confident subtlety, realised in spite of the presence of a self-assured scheme full of striking materials. The tan leather sofa makes an indelible impression, which is a tall order in the face of so much competition. The team refers to a “Zen-like calm and stillness”, established by the mix of woven furniture detailing, the pristine sheen of the copper lamps and accenting, and the almostexciting meeting of the sombre grey walls and the earthy sienna floor. The copper detailing is a surprise. It exists in a gloriously uninhibited form and its dull shine elevates the spaces it exists in. The main door is all copper, aptly leading one into the stylish ensconce of the house. Flushed with natural light, the rooms’ few-decades-old look is fed by the fabric upholstery - the greens, blues and browns in the colour palette are perfection.
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A more understated element in the design scheme is all the geometry at play. The rug in the main room, with its patchwork of checked patterns, is a quiet element in the room but enhances the whole room brilliantly. The black Vibia chandelier watching over the space and highlighting its height is simple enough to not overpower it thanks to its strikingly slender form. The large circular disc light in the foyer is like a spiritual being, readying every one entering the house for a calming experience. In the dining room, again spare and non-fussy in its aesthetic choices, are the angular delights of a simple cone-shaped overhanging lamp, wooden side-boards with uneven shelving and a circular table with a collection of slanting, dancing legs clustered beneath it. The green leather chairs affording a direct sheet of sunlight from a wide window are, of course, always inviting!
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This geometric ingenuity follows in the guest room too, which is a tidy space whose bed is overlooked by a sage laminate closet wall and a couple of slender, basket-weave-like lamps from Secto Design. The daughter’s room in the lower floor is an absolute delight! The backdrop wall features angular patterns of rose, lavender, grey and blue patches that are then enhanced by copper lamps looking like clusters of bowls. The daughter’s room on the upper floor, on the other hand, has a luxurious custommade bed standing against a wall that features a large, beautiful rose pattern. The colour palette here is dominated by greys, rusts, and olives. The grooved cement wall in the master bedroom complements the winged cane bed and the olive cane chair in the reading corner overlooked by a lovely salad-bowl-shaped grey lamp. In this subtle universe, a startling red antique chest brings in a wave of surprise. ‘Fire’ against earthliness is what the team was thinking.
One need only look at the study room
-it has sage green walls,
beautiful mid-centurytables, green-and-mustard leather custom chairs.
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The family room establishes the design team’s careful consideration of the family’s needs further. This space is a bit of a chic cave with its beautiful cane floor lamps a dual-material-and-form coffee table, a television set-up and a large wall clock, a spare interpretation of a chronograph. In all the rooms, the carefully chosen elements come together to form a sense of security and comfort, never once falling down by the wayside in an attempt to be eccentric.
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It is difficult to think of a calmer but still solidly stylish space where one could retire to, to read or just reflect about life! The Ash Abode is not from this world but is still resolutely modern. FADD’s success, overall, has been in channelling some iconic design inspirations and giving them a more relevant form. More specifically, the design scheme’s brilliance is in its muted shell approach and its reliance on custom elements.This is a beautiful, reassuring home. What more could one ask for? info@faddstudio.com www.faddstudio.com
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In the centre is a bowl of paper pansies, surrounded by fruits, flowers, and butterfly-winged leaves. “Each pansy has a mood, like an expression when drawing a portrait,� says Ann.
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art form
OF HANDMADE GARDENS Minneapolis based award-winning artist creates life-like botanical paper artworks that are inspired by historical plant themed prints.
The lovely flowers embarrass me. They make me regret I am not a bee. -Emily Dickinson A foray into the world of Minneapolis-based artist, Ann Wood will have you agreeing with Ms Dickinson. Hand-crafted flora and fauna that are wondrous to behold, made from a combination of paper and wire which is then mounted onto a wool or velvet backing - it is a veritable garden of colour and sentience, magically brought to life by Ann Wood, one half of the creative duo that is Woodlucker. Speaking exclusively to Home Review, Ann takes us on a tour of her paper gardens. Amidst flowers and candles, Ann finds her sanctuary. Note the different kinds of vegetation on display from fruit and vegetables to flowers with butterflies for company.
Text By Priyanka Menon Photographs Courtesy Ann Wood Home Review July 2018
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“I came to nature as a subject because it is universal,” expounds Ann, who believes her art relates to the transient nature of life in general. “Nature’s beauty is fleeting and ever-changing in its magnificence,” she adds. Her art is not imitative of nature, but in a way, is an interpretation of its splendour. After having studied commercial photography from a technical college, Anne went on to graduate from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, where she met her husband, Dean Lucker. The two of them founded ‘Woodlucker’, a collaborative venture, in 1987. Over the last three decades, the two have won several awards and accolades together, and individually. In the past Ann has delved into a variety of mediums, mixed sculptures, wood carving, embroidery and painting. Dean, on the other hand, is inclined towards mechanical storytelling that is reflective of a personalised mythology. Ann’s father has played an integral role in her exploration of art based on botanical prints. He was a farmer and nature, therefore, was an intimate part of Ann’s life from an early age. “Flowers began to feel so universal to me,” she says.
“Many parts of the plants seem like pure fantasy,” says Ann. While making flowers she starts with centres created out of wire in tiny, medium and XL sizes.
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While browsing through Instagram, she came upon several floral feeds and decided to attempt the art form without the help of tutorials. “I made it my way, the way I saw things,” she states. Today, she works by deconstructing live plant material. Having had years of experience in the working of transforming materials into objects, floral interpretations came naturally to her. “I feel it is the only way I can truly see the configuration and assembly of the plant,” she explains why looking at photographs of flowers just doesn’t help her see the details. “Often, I literally dissect the plant to understand how the different parts fit together.” This method, Ann believes has helped improve the ‘realism’ she is working towards. While working on a piece, she also takes regular photographs of her progress to identify any problems in the creation which may not appear to the naked eye.
Peaches, apricots, pears - a mini orchard in the making!
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For Ann, the biggest challenge in creating botanicals is “keeping things original.” “I try to stay away from trends and follow my own path,” she says. Inspired by the works of Frida Kahlo, Ann’s work with butterflies, feathers and flowers, made entirely out of handmade paper using wire structures, have won her several awards across the world. “I enjoy creating with paper,” she adds, “because it is pliable and comes in a variety of textures, from soft to crisp.” She describes her technique as “drawing with scissors,” and says, “I use a pair of micro-tip scissors to create each item; the cuts become the lines of a drawing in 3D.” Post this, paint and pencils bring variety to the surface of the paper. For Ann, it is paramount that each arranged grouping is housed in a framed collection box. “The frames house the delicacy and care I put into each item, creating a permanent home for my arrangements,” she explains. By doing so, Ann locks the temporary and transient into a place that is more everlasting and timeless. Outside the world of paper, Ann’s home has a flower garden where she spends a large part of her day reading, studying and tending to her roses, dahlias and perennials. “I live in a large city so I have to constantly battle with rabbits and squirrels,” she quips. The Como Park Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory is a place she visits often in search of inspiration because it houses a vintage conservatory and formal sunken garden.
There’s a bee in the vegetable garden today!
Growing up on a farm instilled a love for nature in Ann from a very tender age. She’d often walk to the woods nearby with her grandmother looking for wild flowers that they would bring back home. “We pressed leaves in the fall and studied the seed catalogues in January, dreaming of the beauty that will be planted in May,” she reminisces. It is this love that stayed with Ann through the years and translated beautifully into the art she is renowned for. “I try to capture the variety and essence of the real, but the actual reward is when the viewer stops to take a second glance.” The reality is that they cannot stop looking even after a second glance. But, now who can really blame them! www.woodlucker.com www.instagram.com/woodlucker
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EVERY FLOORS TELLS A NEW STORY Bharat Floorings celebrates 98 years of luxury floor art and introduces its new collection.
Bharat Floorings and Tiles, one of the pioneers of cement floorings in India, has established itself as a valued brand when it comes to product quality and aesthetic appeal in the interior décor circuit. Motivated by its enterprising and collaborative nature, the 98 years young Bharat Floorings unveils the new look of the Mumbai showroom which is based in the old Governor’s mansion at Fort. Designed by Ravi Vazirani, the showroom showcases the heritage of the brand, while showcasing some of the new directions the brand is taking. We give you an exclusive look at their new collections. Akshar Akshar is a range of cement objects inspired by the Devanagari script. The two letters developed currently are ई and फ . These objects are designed as organizers for visiting cards and for penholders, they also double up as beautiful concrete paper weights. The individual blocks can be placed as a standalone or as a group. Akshar can be produced in all of Bharat’s colours. Plien - Square Wall Cladding This square wall tiles, is composed of repeated three dimensional geometries to,
produce versatile and strikingly beautiful textures for the wall or vertical surface they are installed on. The four distinct designs can be produced in all of Bharat’s colours and produce a variety of patterns when rotated and installed. Terrazzo Table Tops The minimalist piece of furniture is built for durability and style used for indoors. Ours is a modern, upcycled twist that incorporates cement and crushed colored glass. Some future directions to watch out for Carpets and other floor coverings inspired by the company’s many designs. Household objects made of cement and terrazzo. Micro cement based furniture. Firdaus Variava, vice chairman of Bharat Floorings and Tiles, shared a quote; I’ve asked thousands of people, “Where are you when you get your best ideas?” On only one occasion did someone seriously say, “In my workplace.” He added, “For any given Creative Space, the place itself needs to have elements that inspire creativity. The Bharat Floorings Group is the leader in quality cement floorings - a reputation held for over 90 years. In 1922 Bharat pioneered
the cement tiles industry in India as part of the Swadeshi movement as a contribution to India’s economic independence by producing tiles of international quality to replace imports. The best European technologies were brought and modified to create a unique product suited to Indian conditions. Recognizing that a good floor is only achieved with a good product that is installed correctly and maintained properly, the company has sister companies which do high quality installation of all types of floorings, a range of civil work, floor maintenance and general cleaning. Over the decades Bharat has laid some of the best-known floors in India’s landmark buildings: from palaces of Maharajas and Raj Bhavans to prominent residences, hotels, hospitals, clubs, offices, factories, co-operative housing societies, educational and religious institutions, airports, railways etc. Bharat Floorings & Tiles (Mumbai) Pvt. Ltd 32, Mumbai Samachar Marg, Ground Floor, Next to Stock Exchange, Fort, Mumbai - 400 023 www.bharatfloorings.com Home Review July 2018
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A full-fledged top view of the living room takes in every single design and interior aspect. The furniture was hand-chosen by Studio Hinge as well as Excella Worldwide, with a lot of pieces imported from overseas.
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REDEFINING LUXURY
Mumbai-based architecture and interior design firm, Studio Hinge meld art, architecture, space and proportion for an ultra luxury apartment building in Pune.
Text By Priyanka Menon Photographs Courtesy Fabien Charuau and Squareone Home Review July 2018
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“Studio Hinge was initially appointed to design the interior of the entrance lobby,” says Pravir Sethi, before going on to divulge how the scope grew to accommodate the interiors of the 8000 sq. ft. show flat with its private pool, double-height living rooms, the rooftop deck, clubhouse and spa, along with the façade and landscape.
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For Pravir and his firm Studio Hinge, this project was an opportunity to work on exclusive and bespoke furniture and interior design. The most engaging features of this bespoke creation are the installations inspired by art and architecture, tastefully interpolating the spaces within the sprawling 8000 sq.ft. Of these, our favourite being the frozen waterfall in glass on the façade, a kinetic wind sculpture right above the main entrance and a lobby lighting installation with 270 hand blown glass, stems with brass inserts and programmable fibre optic lighting that respond to the occupants.
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“The brief was to use design to reinterpret luxury living. The space has been designed from the inside out with luxury in mind and not as an afterthought,” Pravir adds. While most apartment developers have a typical repertoire of amenities and premium finishes, 219 Boat Club boasts of a kind of luxury that has been paramount from the inception through to the execution of the property.
The fourth bedroom has direct access to the terrace. Ideal for evening parties, and intimate family dinners, the terrace is a cosy mix of warmth and luxury.
By extension, the fundamentals like space, proportion, natural light, ventilation, etc. were all major driving points that were kept in mind from the outset. The master bedroom is a sprawling space of 23 ft. x 17 ft. with windows and verandahs on two sides. The high-ceiling living room, verandahs and windows were designed to be ‘parked’ outside so as to allow a 100% clear opening. Privacy was an imperative requisite throughout the making of this project with every floor having just one flat with a private lift lobby. “A custom designed ceramic frit pattern has been enameled onto the frameless glass lift in order to obscure visibility of the lobby while passing a particular floor in the lift,” Pravir clarifies. Upon the request of Fazal Manekia, Chairman, Merint Group, who didn’t want the conventional Jacuzzi, the entire bathroom slab is sunk by 2 ft to allow a fully recessed Jacuzzi to be flush with the floor. A full-fledged top view of the living room takes in every single design and interior aspect.
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The concept of luxury through utility found fruition in the design ideation and innovation brought into the space by Studio Hinge. A stellar example of this principle, and our personal favourite, is the conversion of the dry balcony area into a full-fledged kitchen, ideal for barbeque nights or wood-fired pizzas, etc. “Bespoke design and attention to detail is luxury,” Pravin opines. This further manifests in the custom designed vanity unit in one of the luxuriously appointed master bathrooms, with his & her washbasins in cast solid surface, held within a freestanding marble frame and an egg-shaped mirror as well as shelves on pivot. This allows for the unit to be utilised both as a washbasin and a dresser.
The bedroom is imbued with quiet simplicity and a colour palette that doesn’t interfere with the natural light filtering through the curtains.
“The building section was developed to have interlocking double-height spaces by using staggered volumes and alternating the orientation of living rooms,” Pravir adds. The 23 ft. long private pools with each flat provide an interesting infinity or edge overflow feature on the façade. Throughout the height of the building, an 8 ft. x 8 ft. light well filters in natural daylight. “To avoid dreariness which inevitably comes with passages, the third bedroom of the show flat has provisions for it to be converted into a lounge with a clever play of doors that slide and fold to completely open the room into the lounge and bring in further space and natural light,” Pravir goes on. One of the biggest challenges faced by Studio Hinge was in understanding and interpreting the requirements of a potential buyer in a property as grand as this, particularly because the clients for any show flat will always be multifarious and hypothetical.
The bathroom is a true testament to the effusive style yet understated sophistication that Studio Hinge planned for the show flat.
The lighting system at 219 Boat Club is quite honestly wondrous to behold. “Warm LED lighting has been used, and is connected to the Schneider home automation system,” Pravir says. With the light consultants and architects working closely with Studio Hinge, a lot of the communication was streamlined. Studio Hinge also designed several bespoke light installations like the ‘claw’ space divider and chandelier in the living room, in teak wood, brass and custom made LED pendants. Above and beyond this, Studio Hinge has used a horde of environment-friendly measures. Features like instant (tank-less) water heaters, double glazing in the windows with high performance (low-emissivity) glass, motion sensor controls for the washroom and entrance lobby lights, etc., all drive the property towards a more sustainable future.
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The bedroom’s exit is in many ways paradoxical, appearing to be more of an invitation to stay in than leave.
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Now that’s a view! The rooftop pool offers a captivating view of Pune’s skyline, along with its own brand of living-on-the-edge privacy.
The fact, that at the outset the brief which was just to design the entrance lobby was later extended to have Studio Hinge design the show flat of 219 Boat Club as well, clearly proves the fact that Merint Developers had complete trust in the design firm and was also a testament to its quality of work, since this project was Merint Developers’ very first project in India. This now, is quite an accolade!
www.studiohinge.in
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DESIGNQUEST
By Sachin Sohaniya
CONTEMPORARY CRAFT Located in Jaipur, Craftter is a home décor brand that is committed to beautifying spaces with objet d’art conceptualized and designed by their prolific team of designers.
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What makes Craftter stand out from today’s buzzing market is their commitment to use environment friendly materials for producing their bespoke creations. They manufacture a wide range of lamps using hand woven fabric and handmade paper; both of which stress on having minimum impact on the environment.Their products in the wall art collection are entirely handmade and no machines are used for production.
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The brand proudly focuses in the business of Indian Handmade products. All products are designed and handcrafted in-house and when asked about where the brand draws its inspiration from, Sachin Sohaniya, owner, responds, “We take inspiration from nature and its raw, sometimes abstract, textures. When you see our products, you can sense that. And that is what we diligently aspire to do with every product we create”.
Today, Craftter sells its products in 10 countries apart from India. The brand also has offices and warehouses in the U.K and U.S.A.
Taking about their best selling products, Sachin says, “Our floor lamps, wall clocks and wall art have always been a big hit with the customers mostly because they are absolutely authentic and are not available anywhere else in the market while being reasonably priced”.
When asked about how they plan on dealing with competition, Sachin replies, “Since inception, we have relentlessly worked towards creating new products each with a unique design. We intend to stay focused on ourselves and all else will fall into place by itself”. sachin@craftter.com
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A three level home in Surat, Gujarat for two brothers has been designed by The Company of Design, to provide both ample opportunities for togetherness as well as privacy for their respective families.
Combining the best of two worlds - both the traditional and the contemporary, is the mantra for many Indian families. It was no surprise, then, that Pooja and Neil Parekh of The Company of Design were given a specific brief by two siblings to create a home for them in Surat, in which they could be together without sacrificing the ‘my space’ aspect. Part of a residential complex, this 2750 sq ft apartment had its own parking and entry, together with a terrace covered by a lawn on the first floor outside the living room. A fountain added substantial charm to this space and together these elements imparted a distinctly bungalow like feel to the home.
Text By Devyani Jayakar Photographs Courtesy The Fishy Project
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SIBLING REVELRY
The dominant sculpturesque ‘branches’ spread over the ceiling of the living room, appearing like an aesthetic treatment which accommodates spotlights within its design.
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The shaft for the lift has been replaced with 5mm folded MS plate staircase.
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The ground floor had only the parking, with the brothers occupying one level each on the first and second floor. The parents divide their time living with both their sons, so there is a room reserved for their use on each floor. “The challenge for us was to cater to different aesthetics yet create a cohesive space,” says Neil. In all, there are eight bedrooms, two living rooms and two kitchens. “We left the baths the way the builder had provided them, as well as the marble flooring. It is on the second floor that the layout has been reconfigured, to accommodate the requirement of several rooms - including a large bath and a steam room.” The shaft for the lift was provided by the builder, but the family wanted a staircase to connect the floors internally. “So we tore down the shaft to accommodate it. A folded MS plate, 5mm in thickness, has been fitted in the wall, ensuring that there is no wobble. The staircase is a pivotal element in the house which connects both the floors cohesively,” says Neil. A ‘tree’ in the foyer of the first floor (painted with automobile paint) is actually a structural metal column, its branches masking some awkwardly located beams. Its sculpturesque presence looks like a giant installation, dominating the space with its angular outward reach. On the floor above, these ‘branches’ spread over the ceiling of the living room, appearing like an aesthetic treatment which accommodates spotlight within its design,” says Neil. The family was clear that they didn’t want a picture perfect home to which nothing could be added. They wanted to make the home their own, over time, by adding personal collectibles in addition to their existing collection of chairs, brass vessels and hand crafted wall hangings. “With this view in mind, the furniture has not been designed to match perfectly - so that the home can evolve and have a collected feel, rather than a designed one,” says Pooja.
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Since each brother has two children, their requirement was four bedrooms on each floor. “The children were too small to voice any preferences. However, one bedroom belonged to an adult sister,” says Neil. Wood and natural stone dominate the material palette, with some exposed brick. Colour comes from the soft furnishings, while top hung sliding doors with the hardware exposed, make a design statement. “The elder brother wanted a traditional space, with Indian seating at the dining table, so we’ve given him a low height table at which his family can sit with folded legs,” says Pooja. Since natural light was restricted in the dining area, a large pendant light hangs over the dining table. The living area has wooden rafters, while a veneer canopy demarcates the transition space leading to the terrace outside. The artwork on the wall represents the five elements of earth, while a comfortable recliner is the preferred seat for the patriarch of the household. “We also had to consider everyone’s needs. The sister wanted low height furniture and a window ledge. We’ve also given her crafted wardrobe shutters painted by an artist, with wooden handles carved into a sparrow.” The room for the parents has white walls and minimal accessories. Storage has been provided behind the bed, to compensate for the small space. The younger brother - well-travelled wanted a clean, sleek, open space. In contrast to the bright upholstery on the furniture with delicate MS legs on the first floor, the second floor has dark upholstery on the cushy, bulky sofas. The black glass backdrop behind the television ensures that any future change in size of the screen can be easily accommodated.
The younger brother wanted a clean open space and sleek yet brightly upholstered furniture.
“Our design exercise attempts to keep the look and feel of both the floors such that their variations complement each other, while keeping the totality of the house alive,” says Pooja. info@thecompanyofdesign.com
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A ‘tree’ in the foyer of the first floor (painted with automobile paint) is actually a structural metal column, its branches masking some awkwardly located beams.
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The showcase of their products defines their design sensibility, which is an amalgamation of Indian art and craft as well as European design with a sprinkle of influences from all around the globe.
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Retail Therapy
Redefining Design Ideally, design should not only be about aesthetics but also encompass functionality, economics, and sociopolitical dimensions. Come, it’s time to go beyond design‌
Text By Dhanishta Shah Photo Courtesy Atul Pratap Chauhan
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The arrangement of displays follows a particular theme for each area - living room, dining room, bedroom, study, etc.
Spread over 8000 sq ft, Beyond Designs, one of New Delhi’s popular and preferred home décor stores, truly lives up to its name. Owned by Sachin and Neha Gupta, the store harbours a unique design philosophy. “The way we showcase our products defines our design sensibility, which is an amalgamation of Indian art and craft and European design with a sprinkling of influences from all around the globe. It says a lot about the aesthetics and the vocabulary we try to create,” explains founder Sachin Gupta.
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As soon as one steps in the well stocked store, one gets a sense that things here indeed go beyond design. There is a blend of art and design from India and beyond. The store has simple, industrial, and raw backdrops by way of the flooring, ceiling and the walls. It helps enhance the entire foreground and allows the pieces to speak for themselves. The idea is to get the customers’ attention to the products and see that it is not diverted by other elements. The walls and ceilings see a tonal gradation from off whites to charcoals. The flooring is also in line with the philosophy of neutral backgrounds. It features monotones and is raw and earthy, providing a contrasting theme for the striking interiors.
In all, the store is grand and luxurious, teeming with bold elements and exuding a strong character.
The space flows through beautiful arched doors. Combined with the neutral background of the walls, flooring and ceilings, they represent an exquisite fusion of the classic and contemporary. A neat segregation referencing the different areas of a home, is a key feature of the store. The arrangement of displays follows a particular theme for each area living room, dining room, bedroom, study, etc. This gives the customer an idea of how the designs would work in an actual setting. This kind of display also helps a customer visualise each product in the context of his or her home.
A neat segregation referencing the different areas of a home is a key feature of the store.
Art is very much a part of the décor. For instance, there is an interesting woodwork on the ceiling in one of the dining room settings. “It is an elegantly carved piece with Gothic influences. It adds a touch of awe and grandeur to the space. It is an example of how various design vocabularies come together to form an exciting space and nothing is too bold if a certain degree of harmony is infused,” explains Gupta. The rest of the ceilings are made up of a splash of cement and mixed semifine mortar to sync in with the muted backgrounds.
A lot of artwork that is displayed is for sale. The designs are rooted in art and the interiors are a fusion of art and design. “We create customised art pieces to suit individual interests and interiors. From antique paintings to Kalighat or pichwai styles to contemporary works and art from across the globe…. we offer a wide array of canvases to adorn the walls of aficionados. Our artworks complement the interiors we create,” states Gupta. It is actually difficult to box the style that the store and the products exude into any specific category. The furniture pieces, accessories and interiors are definitely inspired by European design and Indian Art, but also have other varied influences. What one can say for sure is that the décor and the products bring together luxurious and eclectic influences from around the world, thus creating new connections. Fusion is the key word here.
The furniture line products are mostly designed and manufactured in-house at the manufacturing unit which is very close to the store in Sultanpur. The products from the accessories and lighting line are partially designed and manufactured inhouse and partially curated from rest of the world. In all, the store is grand and luxurious, teeming with bold elements and exuding a strong character. It does not shy away from larger-than-life accents or bold over-the-top touches. A customer gets a flavour of what they have on offer and also understands how one can create a symphony with disparate elements. It is all there for the shoppers to see, experience and be inspired - and to move beyond design! www.beyonddesigns.in
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THE KITCHEN SPECIAL
56 Modular Kitchens
62 Sinks And Faucets
68 Understanding The Consumer Mindset
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58 Appliances
64 Hardware
70 Exploring Kitchens As A Social Space
60 Worktops And Surfaces
66 Storage And Accessories
72 Five Kitchen Trends To Watch Out For
THE EVOLUTION OF KITCHENS The modern kitchen has evolved into a multi-dimensional space. A space that does not just belong to the woman of the house; a space that equally, or sometimes more, belongs to the man, who certainly knows his way into the kitchen; a space where a master chef is born in a child, who loves to experiment with dishes. While it belongs to the couple who wants to wrap up their chores in a hurry, it also belongs to the ones who want to move at a languid pace. It can be a socialising hub, or a kitchen retrofitted into the confines of a smaller home.
Text By Ramya Srinivasan
Even the cuisine can be as varied as the shades in the sky. People, well-travelled and more exposed to international cuisines, don’t just stop at cooking their regional favourites anymore. Designing a kitchen that carries these different dimensions can be a challenge. How do you design a kitchen that can belong to more than one type of person? How do you customize if you don’t know what is being cooked inside? Brands and designers have taken, what seems like a challenge at the outset, and turned it into their advantage. Now, there are more innovative options in appliances. Whether you have a small or a spacious kitchen, there are smart storage solutions and accessories. Whether you prefer gloss or matte, modular kitchen designs with diverse hues wait for your pick, the unambiguous theme is to pack abundant functionalities into each product at no compromise. Just because it’s an uber-functional product does not mean that the aesthetics have to be left behind, or, vice-versa. And, the product can be green, too; with superior technology backing it. The consumer has perhaps never been pampered so much before. In this kitchen special edition, we help you make sense of the deluge of products by presenting our favourite ones from six segments. We also tell you the top trends of the year and give an insight into what the industry leaders are thinking. Dive in! Home Review July 2018
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MODULAR KITCHENS While minimalist open kitchens continue to dominate the space, it is interesting to observe the increasing finesse and artistic inspirations that influence the materials, shapes, style and design.
RATIONAL FLOO KITCHEN Floo is a minimal and rational kitchen design featuring a continuous radius detail that also functions as a handle. Its gentle touch reminds of a friendly and engaging human gesture. The harmonious round shapes are supported by mono-block storage elements with a seamless look, continuing from counter to floor and creating a pure geometry to keep the kitchen in order. www.rationalgb.com
TONCELLI WIND SERIES Wind reflects the Toncelli style of rich but minimal and discreet. The tops seem to be floating and light despite the use of concrete for the base units. The plinto table, made of ziricote wood, adds an earthy balance to the rest of the module. With particular emphasis on the tea column, Wind invites the charming countryside to the modern kitchen. www.toncelli.it
ALNO ALNOATTRACT Harmoniously merging opposing materials such as natural wood, transparent black glass and metal, this design concept is inspired by the beautiful interplay of wood, glass and light from church architecture. The blend of high-end materials, the Tip-on opening and the scratch-resistant ceramic work surface make this a highly functional kitchen that cleverly combines traditional ethos with absolute modernity. www.alno.de
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STRATO SKYLINE B Skyline B is the latest collection from Strato; it’s a new concept inspired by the Berlin skyline. This sculptural kitchen is made of 3 pieces that can be assembled in different ways to create a very different and versatile product. Precious materials such as Titanium and Dalmata marble are combined using a unique Strato processing technique.
ARCLINEA CONVIVIUM Convivium is the conception of kitchen as an open space that celebrates cooking and eating together. The design dominated by smoked oak furnishes the walls with oak and contrasts that with a stainless-steel island-table at the centre and a concealed top hood. The island also has an up-down oak table and smoked oak shelves above with an integrated LED light. www.arclinea.com
www.stratocucine.com
POGGENPOHL SEGMENTO Here is a deliberately minimalist kitchen that delights purists with its simple yet effective lines. While the handle-less surfaces turn the body into a sculpture, the horizontal and vertical lines segment the freely configurable back wall to give function and structure. A timeless composition of style and silence, Segmento is a kitchen that facilitates the flow of one’s creativity. www.poggenpohl.com
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APPLIANCES Appliances have taken a leap with advanced engineering principles and sophisticated user experience. The underlying goal is simple though - give the consumer what he wants and some more!
HAFELE NAGOLD IVORY BUILT-IN HOB COLLECTION BOSCH ASIAN TOP LOAD WASHING MACHINE Bosch has recently launched top loading washing machines for the first time, commencing with India. A product of German engineering, the model uses PowerWave wash system, a combination of innovatively designed pulsator, dynamic water flow system and intelligent WaveDrum movement. It provides powerful water displacement for better movement of clothes to give perfect wash results. Its VarioInverter motor is powerful yet silent. www.bosch.in
The Ivory range of hobs defines coherence and synchronizes with any theme and dĂŠcor of your kitchen. The white hob comes with the goodness of supernova burners, suitable for fast and efficient cooking. The Flame Failure safety device ensures that if the flame accidentally goes off, the gas supply only to that burner will be automatically cut off. www.hafeleindia.com www.hafeleindia.com
TUPPERWARE MICROPRO SERIES GRILL The MicroPro Grill’s susceptors convert microwave energy into heat, offering a new approach towards cooking with a microwave, saving both time and energy. It grills meat, fish, vegetables and sandwiches, and can prepare casseroles and gratins, as well as bake cakes. Its sophisticated construction includes a surrounding channel in the base that collects excess fats and a silicone coated cover handle. www.tupperware.com
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BREVILLE CREATISTA PLUS ESPERSSO MACHINE Creatista Plus is for coffee aficionados with a penchant for hot milk-based recipes ranging from a classic creamy cappuccino to a velvety smooth latte. It offers a professional coffee experience using an intuitive menu control. After selecting the preferred coffee, you just have to place the milk jug on the temperature sensor for a fill. It’s also a wonderful aesthetic addition to the kitchen.
LIEBHERR UIK 1550 PREMIUM This is an integrable under-worktop fridge with practical pull-out shelves. Equipped with SoftTelescopic, the pull-out compartment has a convenient and gentle self-retracting SoftSystem. The automatic Super Cool function lowers the refrigerator temperature down to +2 °C for as long as 12 hours, ideal for rapidly cooling freshly stored food. The VarioSockel permits the adjustment of kitchen units in height and depth. www.liebherr.com
www.breville.com
ELECTROLUX COMFORT LIFT DISHWASHER The world’s first ComfortLift™ dishwasher transforms the everyday experience of loading and unloading your machine with its unique mechanism. It lets you gently lift the lower basket up, making the clean-up effortless. Its AirDry technology automatically opens the door ajar in the last part of the cycle - a natural way to get maximum drying performance at low energy costs! www.electroluxgroup.com
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WORKTOPS AND SURFACES From durable to experimental materials, natural to faux finishes, earthy to colourful hues, industrial to glossy looks, worktops and surfaces have an incredible variety to pick from!
H&R JOHNSON PORSELANO ROYAL CARE
WILSONART BLURRED LINES COLLECTION The latest in WilsonArt’s residential collection features 8 luxurious stone laminate designs that blur the lines between warm and cool colour tones. It acknowledges the need for an authentic feel in laminates in addition to an honest visual experience. The new innovative finish called Soft Silk, an ultra-matte, smooth finish, renders an uncanny likeness to natural stone surfaces. www.wilsonart.com
The Porselano brand was recently extended to include large format porcelain slabs with unique antimicrobial CARE® advantage that keeps the surface cleaner and healthier. The slabs make the space appear bigger and seamless with reduced tile-joints on floor. They are also built slimmer than conventional ones with no compromise to tile strength, resulting in reduced carbon footprint because of less transportation costs. www.hrjohnsonindia.com
HÄFELE CAESARSTONE Ceasarstone presents The Swatch Table, which combines metal painted in a vibrant pink, and 10 other colours of Caesarstone quartz, showcasing the diverse colour palette. The coffee table, titled for its innovative display presents a new way for consumers and designers to sample the different Caesarstone colours. Featuring different textures, the table reinforces the beauty and versatility of the quartz and further demonstrates the endless possibilities of the material, which is inventively transported to the realm of furniture. www.hafeleindia.com
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AVONITE MOVEMENT COLLECTION The all new Movement Collection by Avonite Acrylic Solid Surface will empower your senses and inspire your surroundings with warm, free-flowing movement and visual texture. The collection’s natural aesthetic manages to create a bold design statement yet with a soothing and balanced mood. Check the range’s four design variations in Altitude, Morning Mist, Summit and Torrent.
NEOLITH KITCHEN LOUNGE Neolith introduces durability to the kitchen with uncompromising elegance. The materials used are extremely resistant to scratching, high temperatures, chemicals and UV rays in addition to being stain resistant and featuring practically zero absorption due to its porosity of nearly 0%. This range offers more than 50 models in different finishes to satisfy all types of tastes and trends. www.neolith.com
www.avonite.com
NITCO FABRIC INSPIRED TILES Fabrics lend a comfort to the whole interior and with this printed Nitco tile collection, you get the warmth of the fabrics without its limitation in the kitchen area such as wear and tear, and cleaning difficulties. While blend crème and brown tiles are inspired by raw jute fabrics, cord blue takes its cue from corduroy fabric. www.nitcotiles.in
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SINKS AND FAUCETS Sleek designs, soft-touch and smart sensors combine with architectural brilliance to produce an impressive line-up of products in this space. The simplicity in these designs demonstrate a keen understanding of the modern kitchen.
GROHE MINTA TOUCH
AXOR AXOR CITTERIO SELECT Axor Select comes with two mixer variations, one with a swivel spout and the other with a pull-out spout, that give the advantage of greater operating radius around the sink. The Select technology used in this award-winning faucet gives better control to the user - a press button to turn water on or off and a lever handle to adjust temperature and flow. www.axor-design.com
NATIVE TRAILS NATIVESTONEÂŽ FARMHOUSE QUARTET Quartet is handcrafted of NativeStoneÂŽ, a sustainable combination of natural jute fibre and cement, producing an extraordinarily strong material while creating a dramatically lighter product, approximately 40 per cent less than standard concrete sinks. It is designed with four installation options, and can be fixed in the front or back, apron-style or behind the counter. www.nativetrails.net
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Minta Touch introduces ultimate cleanliness and convenience into the kitchen, letting the water flow on and off with the soft touch of your arm. Choose your touch function in a cold water-version or upgrade with an under-sink Grohtherm Micro thermostat for perfectly controlled warm water and no danger of scalding. www.grohe.co.in
HANSA ALESSI SWAN Alessi Swan, inspired from the elegance of swans, was designed by Mario Trimarchi, the Italian designer known for his capacity to look at everyday objects as sculptures. Temperature control is done through an LED that emits a red light when the temperature reaches 32 °C. The faucet has an extractable hand spray for washing the dishes and a press pad that turns it on remotely.
BLANCO BLANCO MODEX-M-60 SINK Modex is the perfect integration of the sink as a key architectural element with an open room design. The granite countertop and sink with InFino™ drain system has a clear cubic design with an elegant all-round rim and a broad tap ledge. It comes with a unique chopping board and can be combined with variable worktop thicknesses and carcass heights. www.blanco-germany.com
www.hansa.com
FRANKE LARGO WORK CENTER The Largo Work-Center is a kitchen workplace solution with a combination of sink bowl and storage boxes. The boxes are intended for organic waste and storage of kitchen utensils like detergent, brush and sponge. Built into the worktop with an ultra-thin SlimTop, it comes with a patent-pending easy-to-use push-knob system for opening and closing the water flow. www.franke.com
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HARDWARE Hardware may not sound like the most attractive segment, but the plethora of options available spoiling the consumer for choice, prove just how important it is to the functional elegance of the kitchen.
HÄFELE HÄFELE’S GLASS DOOR LOCKS
ARCLINEA LEGRABOX The new Legrabox drawers allow for a high-capacity, efficient and functional solution. There are a variety of options available to customise for every kitchen layout. The sleek design that comes in black and stainless steel makes for a perfect aesthetic addition to the kitchen. It can be easily combined with Arclinea’s pull-out base units for bottles, bread and chopping boards. www.arclinea.com
Häfele’s collection of glass door locks offers meticulousness and dependability together with visual elegance. Its contemporary designs together with exceptional functionality ensure the fulfilment of all practical and aesthetic requirements. Häfele’s range of glass door locks includes locks designed for single and double doors as well as sliding glass doors. Depending on your sensibilities, preferences and ease of installation you can choose locks that require a glass cut-out or the ones that don’t (they can be simply clamped). These locks are made up of either Stainless Steel Grade 304 or Brass thereby ensuring high security standards. www.hafeleindia.com
LINAK BASELIFT Baselift enables the height adjustability of kitchen blocks, cooking isles and kitchen units. Its compact design ensures that it is invisible to the consumer. The system can be operated easily and intuitively. Simply press the up and down button, and the system moves to the required height. The digital display immediately informs which height the kitchen is currently set to. www.linak.com
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HETTICH WINGLINE L WingLine L from Hettich is the folding sliding door system with a new ‘push/pull to move’ opening mechanism that creates panorama effects, design flexibility and a high level of user convenience. It has an optimised running performance, soft opening and closing, and tool-less installation. It securely moves door wings weighing up to 25 kg and measuring up to 2400 mm in height.
LEICHT L3 INTERIOR FRAME SYSTEM L3 is a straightforward system with tight edge radii, featuring a reduced amount of metal and a high proportion of glass. The entire frame looks more delicate and lightweight thanks to the glass finish. It offers the advantages of a double-walled frame – clean movement and high payload without dropping. It also has a quiet closing mechanism and requires only minimal strength for opening. www.leicht.com
www.hettich.com
VAUTH SAGEL VS ENVI WASTE SYSTEM This is a brilliant waste separation system that maintains cleanliness in the kitchen and enables a flexibly configurable separation. It comes equipped with VS ENVI Kick, a system that helps with gentle opening of pull-outs and saves the annoying bending over to the lower cabinet. It opens with a kick and the mechanism automatically returns to its original position after. www.vauth-sagel.com
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STORAGE AND ACCESSORIES As spaces become smaller, storage gets attention like never before. Undaunted by the challenge, brands have come up with an eclectic mix of design solutions. Take a look at those along with our choice of accessories for your kitchen.
EVA SOLO NORDIC KITCHEN SERIES
TONCELLI PROGETTO 50 COCKTAIL TOWER The Progetto 50 cocktail tower has the unique aesthetics of a collectible piece. The shutters are designed using inlaid technique obtained with mathematical perspective drawings. Inside of the column is equipped with an 18 glasses kit, fridge accessories and a coffee machine. This certainly qualifies as a designer item that is power-packed with functionalities behind the shutters. www.toncelli.it
LEIFHEIT STAINLESS STEEL SALAD SPINNER Leifheit’s stainless steel salad spinner dazzles with its high quality, design and functionality. It has an extremely stable sieve insert, a lid with a wavy design and an integrated spout aid that does not have to be removed for pouring. The anti-slip bottom made of silicone offers a secure stand on the worktop. www.leifheit-group.com
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The exclusive Eva Solo Nordic Kitchen series – comprising pots, frying pans, a saucepan, a sauté pan and a grill frying pan – is made of aluminium with a stylish black finish along with comfortable rustic oak handles to match the new Nordic kitchen to perfection. Nordic kitchen has a beech wood knife stand with oak and leather cutting boards that complement this series. www.evasolo.com
FRANKE ROLLER MAT AND CUTTING BOARD Simple and versatile, the Franke Roller Mat is a wonderful accessory with a host of applications, from a dish drainer to a trivet. Roll it out and you’re ready. When you don’t need it, just roll it up again. Another sleek accessory that comes from Franke’s cupboard is cutting boards that combine beauty with practicality.
SCHÜLLER NEXT125 CUBE The next125 cube system is a niche product with an exhaustive range to store kitchen items. From sideboards to kitchen roll holders, the Cube system has it all, making working in the kitchen easier and faster. Everything in the kitchen, whether it’s the ceramic bowls or the spices, is made available at arm’s reach, using practical shelves. www.next125.com
www.franke.com
BOFFI BROMPTON SHELVES Brompton reinterprets the classic shelving system, adopting a minimalistic approach from floor to ceiling. This versatile storage solution, made of metal and wood, has a solid structure that can be customised in terms of both finishes and elements. In contrast or chromatic continuity with the metal frame, shelves and cabinets can be in different finishes of oak wood or eco-wood. www.boffi.com
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Mr. Gunjan Srivastava, MD & CEO, BSH Household Appliances, India
UNDERSTANDING THE CONSUMER MINDSET Bosch has been in the Indian kitchen and home appliances segment for a while now. Recently, they have introduced several consumer-centric products, making their presence felt strongly. In this kitchen special, we aim to understand their strategy better. Excerpts from our conversation with Gunjan Srivastava, MD & CEO, Bosch Household Appliances: How would you rate the growth of the kitchen appliance market? The growth rate continues to be between 8% and 12%. The growth story continues as most appliances remain underpenetrated in India. Many people are buying appliances for the first time. Significant growth also comes from upgrading - consumers might have bought a basic product version before and now upgrading to a newer one. For example, upgrading from a semi-automatic to a fully automatic washing machine, a smaller to bigger refrigerator or adding a chimney and hob to the kitchen. As these factors drive the market, we expect the same growth rate to continue for the next five to ten years. Which appliances, in particular, do you observe a strong demand for? Washing machines are at 8-9% and refrigerators at 26-27% penetration level.At Bosch, we’re growing at a 40-50% rate in the dishwasher category. This is due to our effort to understand consumers usage.Triggers such as health & hygiene, water consumption and performance emerge from this analysis.
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Siemens built in kitchen appliances - premium branding from Bosch.
Bosch Zeolith dishwasher is a highly functional appliance with sophisticated user experience.
What factors are influencing consumers during product purchase? Consumers are looking for - 1) Design and interface 2) How does the kitchen collectively look when you’re installing multiple appliances? Do they look like one unit? 3) How easy is it to interact with the appliance? This means that the overall user experience has include visual smart controls integration. What are some of the recent interesting kitchen trends? In urban regions, kitchens play a dominant role. They merge with the living and have become an entertainment zone. They have become a space that displays lifestyle and tastes; where design, convenience and modularity are important. Tell us about your recent product launches. We’ve launched a new kitchen range in the last year with chimneys, hobs, ovens, microwave and dishwasher under the Bosch branding. We also position our premium products under the Siemens brand. Recently, we launched the Step Flame hob with a revolutionary technology. Using its 9-step flame adjustment, you can set the flame at the precise level, based on the dish you want to cook.We’re also introducing a fully automatic top-load washing machine. Gaggenau, another brand under the Bosch umbrella, launches built-in wine cooler and refrigerator. Gaggenau hobs and hoods bring sleek appliances into the kitchen.
What is your top challenge at the moment? Our challenge is to understand the requirement of the consumer and marry it with the exact solution. To do this, we are working with consumers, influencers and dealers to understand their needs much better. What is Bosch’s competitive advantage in the market? At Bosch, every product has a unique element or a differentiating factor, that addresses an unmet consumer need. Our aim is to improve the quality of life in whichever segment we operate in.
www.bosch-home.in
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Alok Duggal, Director - Nolte Homestudio
EXPLORING KITCHENS AS A SOCIAL SPACE Nolte’s kitchen ranges bring the finesse and excellence of German engineering to India. They have also come to be known for their undeniable beauty and quality creating stunningly aesthetic kitchens that are exceptional in functionality. Here, we talk to Alok Duggal, Director of Nolte, to get his perspective on what’s new in the kitchen space. Can you comment on recent trends in modular kitchens? Branded furniture is seeing the same trend that clothes and the automobile market has seen in the last decade. The consumer today is looking for both design and functionality along with service. So, we’re seeing a rise in the preference of branded goods… and with people becoming more conscious of their surrounding and wanting to be surrounded by natural things, we’ve seen an increasing demand for near-natural finishes. e.g. metal and stone. Millennials are more open to experimenting; hence, black has become the new white and is being incorporated quite generously. What are the new trends and innovations in storage solutions? The trend of concealing storage and tableware was reversed this season with plenty of freestanding shelves and open racks for showcasing your expensive tableware, to the extent that the demarcation lines between kitchen and living rooms are slowly disappearing and paving the way for what we’ve coined as a concept called “The Social Kitchen”.
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Neo Salon Kitchen.
Wadrobe and chest of drawer from the Lumina Collection.
Soft closing sliding doors that can be adjusted by sliding it from one side to another, depending on what you wish to conceal, is a new innovation in the storage space. How do you see the growth of the modular kitchen segment in India? The overall market is estimated to be around 3000 to 4000 cr now and is expected to cross 10,000 cr in the next 5 years. According to a recently published report by TechSci Research, ‘India Furniture Market Forecast and Opportunities, 2019’, the country’s furniture market is projected to cross USD32 billion by 2019. It’s expected to grow at a rapid pace due to rising disposable income, expansion of the middle class and growing number of urban households. The anticipated rise in tourism and hospitality sectors is also expected to spur the demand through 2019. Tell us about the growth of branded market in particular. Branded furniture is growing from metros to tier 1 cities and very fast to tier 2 cities. It’s just about having the right product at the right price along with a robust service team to back it up. We’ve seen this on appliances in the last five years and now we’re seeing in kitchens and bedrooms. Yes, the unbranded market is almost 80% or more, but trends show that branded market will be increasing by 10% to 15% year on year. What are Nolte’s future plans? Neo Loft with a bold graphic motif.
Koje kitchen wins over with its subtle classic look.
Recently, we celebrated our 12th anniversary in the Indian market and announced the completion of 10,000+ kitchens. We have done our R&D and we understand consumer needs in different markets. Hence, we are opening our showrooms in metros and multiple tier 1 and 2 cities. Currently, we have about 13 showrooms across India and will be opening around eight more before the end of this financial year. www.nolteindia.com
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FIVE KITCHEN TRENDS TO WATCH OUT FOR 2018 has been an exciting year for the kitchen segment with several new trends making an entrance. The year has mostly seen practical solutions favouring convenience over looks, but that hardly means that designers have forgotten the aesthetics.
Here, we look at five interesting design trends from the kitchen: Do Not Keep It Real Marble and stone finishes have always been a favourite at home kitchens; however, the latest trend takes it a step ahead with laminates that render a faux marble or stone finish for the countertops. The advantage with this approach is that laminates are easy to install and less expensive. Even from a durability perspective, these are on par as the market is witnessing high-quality products that are resistant to scratching, high temperatures, chemicals and UV rays. Wall tiles, too, are being done in faux finishes - for example, ceramic tiles with a fabric finish. In contrast to actual fabrics that are hard to use in the kitchen, these laminates are simple to maintain and introduces a unique flavour to the space. Make Them Compact As apartments get smaller, kitchen solutions get more compact to save as much space as possible. For example, one of last year’s Red Dot winner is the folding kitchen range, designed by Wang Miaochu. It is a wall-mounted, all-in-one electric cooker and range hood that can be folded up to free up space in the kitchen or pantry. Storage solutions with folding and sliding doors are geared to maximise the available space. For instance, the classic open shelves are making a comeback. Boffi’s floor-to-wall shelf is an example of this conventional idea being reinterpreted in a modern way.
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Give A Poetic Twist Visualizing everyday objects as art pieces has emerged as a classy way to add luxury quotient. Since minimalism is here to stay, the artistic twist to objects works subtly to introduce an element of surprise in unexpected places. It could be a faucet shaped as a swan, a cupboard that takes its inspiration from the Milan fashion district or a modular kitchen that takes its cue from an element of the earth. Respect Nature The increasing awareness about environment has driven brands to be conscious of how they their products are manufactured and used. Sustainability initiatives such as ensuring less wastage during production, recycling waste, creating long-lasting products, using materials closer to the production centre and building appliances that consume less energy and water are being done in an innovative manner with no compromise to appearance or function, giving birth to beautiful, green kitchens.
Buy One And Get Many Integrated devices that have more than one function, is being explored by several manufacturers. Toncelli’s Progetto 50 is more than just a wine cooler with an in-built coffee machine. The sink, for example, is no longer a standalone item. It comes packaged with essential accessories such as roller mat, cutting board, steel polish, etc. It also works as a multi-functional trough creating that little more space and functionality that customers are craving for.
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A one-of-a-kind merger between industrial and modern art resulting in quirky dĂŠcor concoctions. The Quirk Works was born from a serious love of cars and a passion for creating furniture and home dĂŠcor. The idea was to up-cycle the unlikeliest of materials into works of affordable art pieces that look great and are functional at the same time.
Transmission table
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THE FUN IN FUNCTIONAL TEXT BY NEERJA KAPADIA
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Turbo pen stand
Co-founded by Darrace Cabral and Bageshree Shroff - professionals with over 30 years of cumulative experience between them albeit from different fields - they converted that knowledge towards a pursuit to follow their passion.
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Darrace Cabral is a banker by profession and a car enthusiast by passion. He worked in banking for 15 years before quitting his job to co-found The Quirk Works and Bageshree Shroff is an interior designer with 15 years of experience. With a joint wealth of varied knowledge under their belt, this brainchild has been borne out of an inherent understanding of interior design, product design and trends. Friends for many years, Darrace and Bageshree decided to start The Quirk Works when they were looking for automotive furniture for Darrace’ s farmhouse and couldn’t find anything that stood out. A bit of research into the current Indian market, the need for conversation starter pieces and the sheer lack of design studios that merge industrial and modern art to create quirky pieces, led to The Quirk Works’ inception.
Console Table
Their first collection pays homage to perhaps the most iconic Indian car - the Ambassador. “For our first collection, we actually purchased a decommissioned pearl white Ambassador. The body was in fantastic condition. We took the car apart - literally in the front yard. Almost every piece of that car has been used to make this first collection.” said Ms. Shroff. The products are categorised into Furniture, Lighting and Accessories. The furniture ranges from tables, racks and consoles, and couches and bar stools. Lighting range consists of table lamps, bedside lamps, desk lamps and hanging lights. Accessories are varied ranging from bottle openers and mirrors to desktop organisers and even wine bottle holders. Some of their more popular pieces are the engine table, the wheel rim table, the tyre table and the dashboard book rack.
Rim table
Since all the pieces are made from parts of one car, there aren’t any duplicates. Additionally, everything is designed and manufactured in-house. They have used different techniques & processes to repurpose the car parts. To achieve this level of quality, a great deal of attention was paid to detailing. There was a significant amount of woodwork, welding, carpentry, painting and electrical work that was carried out.
Intake Manifold lamp
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“It was quite challenging to get craftsmen & skilled labour to understand what the finished pieces should look like – they had never really worked on something like this, before.” said Mr.Cabral. When asked about the inspiration behind their start-up, they said, “We understand that a passion can be indulged in a million ways and become a part of your space, but in this collection it was the sheer indulgence of the love for cars". The idea behind the brand is to reinterpret design by repurposing existing products into something completely new and to infuse spaces with bold & whimsical designs that are instant conversation starters which turn the spaces into an artistic tour de force. Tyre Table
In the next 5 years they aspire to have scores of successful themed collections all driven by the need to put one’s passion in your living space while simultaneously reducing the wastefulness of present times. We would love to create a niche for ourselves in custom designing hospitality spaces or fun work environments. “What sets us apart is the high end finish of our products, the sophistication these products bring to any space and the uniqueness of our designs. We are constantly trying to create something that hasn’t been done before.” They both said in unison.
The Quirk Works
Gear shift coat rack
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6 Lohar Chawl, Lalsingh Building 1st floor. Mumbai 400002 +91 8452095199 022 22082011/12 thequirkworks.info@gmail.com Facebook Page: @TQW2018 Instagram: thequirkworks. mumbai
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Here again, the landscape mingles with the architecture perfectly.
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AN ODE TO NATURE
Walter&Walter’s latest project, House A is a residential space that is not only energy efficient, but also has nature playing a significant role in the overall aesthetic.
Melbourne based architectural firm, Walter&Walter, the recipient of the 2017 Victorian Architecture Awards for Residential Architecture, has created a family home in the Alphington suburbs that appears to be in an ongoing relationship with the abounding natural landscape surrounding the space. Speaking exclusively to Home Review, Andrew Walter of Walter&Walter takes us through the journey of conceptualising, designing and building of the two-storey House A.
Text By Priyanka Menon Photographs Ben Hosking Courtesy Bowerbird Home Review July 2018
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An example of the intermingling of the interior and exterior, it is hard to say whether the courtyard is an extension of the living space or the other way around.
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Clad in Silvertop Ash, a type of tree that is most common to southeast Australia, House A “embraces nature in an open way and yet also remains closed to allow for privacy of its owners.” In keeping with this, the house’s external façade is made up of vertical timbers which resemble tall black fences when seen from the road. “The material palette,” Andrew says, “is restrained to reduce distraction, mainly renewable timber and glass.”
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The timbers are also used to frame the exterior courtyards of the house. As the timber weathers with time, the house will grow to become a part of its surrounding landscape. “This rough and protective boundary allows for natural variation of the material and even encourages visitors to touch with caution,” he adds. A small recess of sorts nestles in the fence and it is through this that one can gain access to the house, through the courtyard. Once inside, you are most likely to be completely enamoured by the immaculate interiors that can “accommodate the changing needs of the family”, in keeping with the initial brief given to Walter&Walter. Starting with the renewable timber used in the external latticework fencing, the materials were chosen because of their recyclable nature. With the intention of making House A energy efficient, the design incorporated floor to ceiling windows that frame splendid views of the landscaped and manicured garden spaces as well as interior courtyards. Here the symbiosis between the interior and exterior is evident.
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The pale wood floors act as contrast to not only the verdant greens peeking in through the windows but also the dark Silvertop Ash paneling. “Moving through the house,” Andrew goes on, “the texture changes and volumes open up and collide with open landscaped spaces that punctuate the plan. Opacity makes way for transparency, privacy for openness, and inclusion.” The interior holds a series of rooms, all connected by way of external spaces, open-plan living spaces that run throughout the structure, and can expand and contract as and when the need arises. Another example of the landscape being written into the living narrative is the way the living spaces have the landscaped courtyards on one side and the garden alongside the other. Apart from this, the courtyard adjacent to the bathroom allows the landscape to be part of its layout in a way that is both calm and cheery at the same time. “The plan opens up and then closes in an on-going dialogue with the terrain,” Andrew adds. The principle of designing a space that maintains a steady and on-going relationship between the rooms and surrounding landscapes while avoiding typical architectural clichés was what drove Walter&Walter to explore more open spaces within the house. These spaces are versatile enough to change with time and can also assume different roles as and when necessary. Of these places, our favourite is the cosy nook under the stairs overlooking the courtyard; ideal for a child to play while natural sunlight filters in through the timber paneled screen outside. “This house has a unique landscape setting in a suburban context,” Andrew expounds on the inspiration behind House A. Wanting to design a house that connects with nature, the initial challenge for Walter&Walter was to strike a balance between making the house more open and accessible to nature, as well as making sure the owners’ privacy wasn’t being compromised. “The simple form of the house plays down its spatial complexity,” he adds. “Selective openings in the plan allow moments of porosity for landscapes to inhabit,” he goes on.
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The entrance to the house, from where one is immediately transported to a world that knows no boundaries.
Ground Floor Plan
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The kitchen with its simplistic design and layout is yet another example of how Walter&Walter wanted to make sure there was a kind of seamlessness throughout the plan.
With House A, Walter&Walter has managed to create ‘a revitalised relationship between suburban architecture and its natural environment’ - a perfect coming together of man-made and natural! www.walterwalter.com.au
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Scholten AN0 8aijin6s
“Good design is obvious. Great design is transparent� - Joe Sparano. Truly elegant design incorporates the good and the great. It has top notch functionality in a simple and uncluttered form. The product line of Scholten and Baijings is an exemplification of this very elementary principle. Text By Kanupriya Pachisia Photographs Courtesy The Designer Home Review July 2018
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Product designers today are always trying to shrink the gap between what a product does and why it exists. Their role has fast become one that makes them imagine products that don’t exist and guide them to life. Thus design has become a vital tool to re-energize a product. Husband and wife duo, Scholten and Baijings have been playing a winning game with their products since the last eighteen years. Based in Amsterdam, the creative firm was incepted in the year 2000 and since then it has been exploiting pastels and neons, block colours, tints and tones to a degree that exceeds all others. The results packaged up in mannered patterns form grids and lines have been making a mark across retail windows globally.
The Paper Porcelain Set
Their signature and key words are colour, rich details, transparency, coupled with hand-drawn illustrations and a combination of different materials. Scholten and Baijings share, “We use these elements to change anonymous mass production into products with a personal touch and into objects that stand the test of time.” Their design platform is a colourful kaleidoscope that stimulates and entices the dull and the vibrant. Shifting through the shades on the canvas, we came across collections and products like the Paper Porcelain, Colour Plaid, Verreum, Colour Wood and collections for clients including HAY, Maharam and Georg Jensenin their repertoire. On being asked about their colourful views and ways of working, the couple said, “Having a basic toolkit is very handy. We think in colour. It’s not a last minute, afterthought.” Taking cues from the shades of nature and coupling it with the ability to subtly reinterpret such natural shades is a strong feature of their work. Always striving to mix the geometric with the irregular and the synthetic with the organic, each product’s handmade origin is incorporated into its final design. Thus ‘The Paper Porcelain Set’ came into being.
The Colour Wood Dining Table
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After a lot of research, the right Japanese artisans were employed to recreate their models in mat porcelain, with the same colour and speckled grain as the original cardboard. The cups, plates and saucers comprising the collection are a direct recreation of the folded, angular cardboard models used to mock up the range. The final versions are even decorated with pencil lines, applied to the vessels’ unglazed surfaces by hand. Maharam
Developed for Karimoku New Standard, ‘The Colour Wood Dining Table’ is an extension of the Colour Wood series of side tables. Adopting the same design language with its distinctive barrel-like leg and faceted-edge table top, cutting edge techniques have been used on the chestnut and oak table that sports a transparent, natural or grey polka dot pattern. The design interacts with the natural patina of the wood and gives the effect of a permanent yet subtle and sheer tablecloth. Maharam is yet another collection developed for the brand. Spanning a range of materials and techniques, the assortment joins a robust collection of existing Maharam accessories - bags, pillows and printed material. The Blocks and Grid Textile developed for the collection investigates colour densities built up by parallel and perpendicular lines. The density of the grid determines how the colour is experienced and gives it a more airy appearance than a monochromatic colour appearance.
Tea with Georg
Designed for Georg Jensen, ‘Tea with Georg’ is a tea and cake tableware service that includes a stainless steel teapot, tea warmer, porcelain cup and saucer, creamer, sugar bowl, cake stand and platter and individual porcelain dessert plates. The design spirit is based on the tradition of Japanese tea ceremonies poured into western use.
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The use of porcelain and coloured synthetics has been explored and applied via different textures and patterns. The porcelain plates have been hand decorated with light blue gradients and come in two variants. The Colour Plaid Blanket was developed for Thomas Eyck. Their love for textiles spurted with this project and it was the product of a happy accident. Instead of producing a fluid colour transition, they produced abrupt stripes. “We realised mistakes can be used to our advantage and new ways of working have since been opened for us.” A collaboration with Danish manufacturer HAY lead them to produce a line of geometric textiles for the home. The tufted and hand stitched carpets, woven tea towels and silk screened bed linens personify the bold identity of the studio in pastels and fluorescent hues. Talking about what guides their direction of design, the duo says, “It’s our aim to create a product that will contribute something unique to the world.” Well, their products are definitely achieving their aim!
The Colour Plaid Blanket
info@scholtenbaijings.com www.scholtenbaijings.com
Hay
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VIEGA SANPRESS INOX A reliable piping system made of high quality Stainless Steel. Viega’s Sanpress Inox stainless steel piping system is designed to provide the highest degree of safety, hygiene and endurance. It encompasses a comprehensive range of pipes and press fittings for plumbing in building services. They are made of corrosion resistant stainless steel and are available in sizes between 15 and 108 mm, including the intermediate size 64 mm. This ensures they are particularly suitable for use in industrial applications along with residential. Sanpress Inox In Drinking Water Installation Poor quality potable water can damage health. The stainless-steel material of this system offers quality that can be used with all kinds of drinking water even under the strictest of conditions, as long as disinfection is carried out correctly.
Tried And Tested Viega Press Technology The world renowned Viega press technology with SC-Contur is the heart of the Sanpress Inox Pipe system. The connectors are pressed with Viega’s light and practical press tools. It makes piping connections permanently secured. Since the pipes are cold-pressed, there is no risk of fire as is the case with welding or soldering. This can connect all parts of the installation system, even in sizes up to 108 mm and allows for an economical overall solution. The Viega SC-Contur This system guarantees that any inadvertently un-pressed connectors become easily visible. This means in case of ‘dry leakage test, the pressure falls visibly. In case the system is filled with water, the leakage is seen visibly through them. Double Pressing Double pressing means that Viega press tools carry out two pressings simultaneously - one in front of the crimp and one behind it. That is how it is able to provide a long-lasting connection which is torsion proof and longitudinally force locked. Proven Under The Toughest Conditions Viega has proven itself in the area where the material and technology has been put to test. For instance the drinking water pipe network at Indian Government’s ambitious research project in Antarctica - “Bharati”; where the temperature drops till -40°, Viega Sanpress Inox piping system has been installed. This is testimony to the high performance of Viega technology. Viega India Pvt.Ltd 1005 DLH Park, S.V. Road, Goregaon West. Mumbai. Maharashtra 400062. sushil.p@itwconsulting.in namrata@itwconsulting.in amar.kirale@viega.in
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The living room provides ample seating. The family worships the Indian god Krishna, signified by peacock feathers embossed on a panel, flanked by blue textured walls.
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DOUBLE DUTY
A sprawling 10-bedroom apartment in Powai, Mumbai has been designed by Aum Architects to function as home as well as office. Additionally, the family wanted every room to look different.
Text By Devyani Jayakar Photographs Courtesy Prashant Bhat
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Yes. That’s right. Ten bedrooms. With a brief that every room should look and feel different, Manish Dikshit, Sonali Pandit and Nachiket Borwake of Aum Architects have designed a 7300 sq ft home cum office by combining two apartments with five bedrooms each. The space now encompasses three bedrooms for the family, another three for the guests, one multipurpose room, a children’s playroom and two offices - one for the father and another for the son. Using different colours for each room, the styles vary between classic, contemporary and Asian to create an extravagant larger than life narrative. In times gone by, it was not uncommon for workspaces to be integrated with living spaces - maybe on separate floors of the same building, as in Singapore’s shophouses. Convenient, time saving, they offered an easy blend of work with the leisure that home offers. Here, father and son can conveniently work from home as in yesteryears, without wasting time commuting in Mumbai’s demented traffic. In the children’s room for two girls, a feminine beige-pink colour dominates, making the gender of the occupants evident.
Since each apartment had an L-shaped living room, combining them has resulted in a large C-shaped space. One arm of the C houses the foyer for visitors. Executed in pastel colours, it has a parquet ceiling, powder blue furniture and a sofa with a canopy, natural light percolating from arched dummy windows. The original flooring provided by-the builder has been retained, shunning unnecessary wastage. A curved screen offers privacy to the dining area further inside. and is crowned with a contemporary }10 pendant light overhead. “Customised The handcrafted teak dining table seats
on site, the table has been positioned at a diagonal to create better overall circulation. Lemon yellow chairs add a cheerful touch, while gold leafing in the niches between the dummy windows ups the luxury quotient,” says Manish. Further inside, the living room provides ample seating. The family worships the Indian god Krishna; this is referenced by peacock feathers embossed on a panel which is flanked by blue textured walls. The Travertino panel with laser cut peacock feathers is the focus of the room. The size of the living room demands a 12 tonne air conditioner. The balcony outside has seating on the wooden decking.
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Turning the corner leads to the Asian inspired informal seating area in the other arm of the C-shaped living room. The corridor has a fabric ceiling; detailed in both conception as well as execution as a sheer fabric with a weight at the bottom to ensure that it responds to gravity and falls vertically at 90 degrees. It is composed of strips which vary between nine inches and thirteen inches. 34 feet in length, these undulating strips are removable for maintenance as they are attached to the ceiling with the help of hook and loop fasteners.
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Each bedroom measures approximately 300 sq ft. Television sets are present in the bedrooms alone, while the master bedroom also enjoys a walk-in wardrobe. With grey, navy and gold in the colour palette, the panelled walls are in colour lamination. The buttoned headboard goes all the way to the ceiling while the underlit bed is seven and a half feet wide. The practical necessity of storage has been taken care of by providing it under the bed, although the visual impression is one of a light, floating bed. The father’s bedroom has a PU coated ribbed wall in MDF. Vermilion - his favourite colour - has been liberally used for the curtains, rug, sofa and the colour lamination of the shutters; however it has been toned down by more sedate walls. “The children’s room, for two girls, has a four-poster bed and a seating nook with drawers under its seat. A feminine beige-pink colour dominates, making the gender of the occupants evident,” says Sonali. The first guest bedroom is in black, with charcoal grey walls and a tropical print on the cushions. Cane chairs recreate the feel of a plantation home, while the floral hand painted bases of the lamps take their cue from the cushions.The second guest bedroom is for the sister and her son, sporting a blue palette, a study table and wallpaper with geometrical checks.An olive green headboard is the focus of the third bedroom. “The family often uses this room for informal meals,” says Sonali.
The master bedroom has a grey, navy and gold colour palette with panelled walls in colour lamination. The buttoned headboard goes all the way to the ceiling while the underlit bed is seven and a half feet wide.
“The multipurpose room is used by the children for dance classes, while the playroom has a bunk bed and depicts a cityscape through its bookshelves and the detailing on its bunkbed and doors,” says Nachiket. The puja room has concentric “ripples” created in wood on the walls and ceiling, with a white underlit onyx counter for the deities. The father’s office, a contemporary yet formal space, has a dark brown SHERA wood wall with inserts of concealed lighting extending partially onto the ceiling like a canopy.The son’s office has artificial turf on the floor, its theme reflecting his entrepreneurial flair with a large poster recalling the recent “Made in India” campaign, with its lion and engineering parts.
This guest bedroom is in black, with charcoal grey walls and a tropical print on the cushions.
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The son’s office has artificial turf on the floor, its theme reflecting his entrepreneurial flair with a large poster recalling the recent “Made in India” campaign, with its lion and engineering parts.
“With a multiplicity of materials, luxury and practicality have come together in this apartment to deliver exactly what the clients wanted,” says Manish. aumarchitect@gmail.com www.aumarch.com
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An old housing society, Ganesh Bhavan, transforms effortlessly into Jade Ganesha, a residential building in Matunga with not only a modern and elegant vibe but also sustainability which forms the core of its design.
GREEN PROJECT
A GREEN METAMORPHOSIS
Jade Ganesha, a luxurious residential building in Mumbai is the result of redevelopment of an old housing society. It is an exemplary example of how sustainability initiatives can be introduced even in a redevelopment project saddled with its own unique constraints.
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Strategic spatial planning, ample cross ventilation, daylighting and appropriate positioning of windows make this project a role model for sustainability initiatives.
Is it possible to change something pedestrian into a symbol of luxury? To remodel a traditional housing society into a modern rendition of style and space? And, while achieving these lofty goals, is it possible to ensure that sustainability is not just given due attention but also celebrated effusively? GA design does all this and more with Jade Ganesha.
Jade Ganesha is a redevelopment project which is sustainable and stands tall with an impressive faรงade.
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Savvy energy saving concepts, such as thermal insulation on the terrace, noise-proofing windows, power-saving elevators, and organic waste converters up the green quotient of the building.
Ganesh Bhavan, originally a ground plus four storeyed structure has been redeveloped into Jade Ganesha by Happy Home Projects. The new building design is highly efficient in floor space and has enviable aesthetics with apartments overlooking the beautiful Five Gardens in Matunga. Spatial planning is a key feature of the project that allows it to be sustainable and relevant for generations to come. Sited on a small plot with by-laws that dictate open setbacks of 6 m and 3 m on two sides, strategic spatial planning fulfils the client’s vision to create spaces for tenants as well as for buyers in a vibrant destination.
This IGBC Gold Certified building, with a super-built-up area of 40,000 sq ft, accommodates 21 floors that include 5 levels of parking, 4 floors of tenants and 11 floors of sale flats. Due to the tight plot setting, each sale floor houses a single luxurious three bedroom flat of 1300 sq ft with a corner deck, a distinguishing feature of the façade design. The green quotient of this residential project is accentuated by several features, prominent of which is the factoring in of daylighting, a concept that facilitates the use of as much natural light as possible in order to save energy. Sachin Goregaoker, Director of GA design, talks about the implementation, “Jade Ganesha has its larger axis oriented towards the north-south direction and hence that side of the building with maximum windows faces the north-south direction.
This helps in reducing total incident solar radiation on the surfaces. Maximum heat gain in a building comes from western and eastern façades, so minimal openings are planned on these directions. This has been achieved by placing buffer zones like the staircase and lift lobbies in these orientations.” In addition to orienting the building to optimise daylighting, the appropriate selection of glass and window openings played a significant role. Goregaoker explains, “Window design in a residence plays a vital role in ensuring ingress of sufficient daylight in the interior spaces without increasing the heat load. Excessive daylight may cause glare and encourage the occupants to use curtains and blinds.” In order to reduce insolation and heat gain, each window in Jade Ganesha is provided with adequate overhang in the form of chhajjas.” Home Review July 2018
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Soft, warm interiors in antique beige marble complement the double-heighted ceiling and sandstone in the entrance lobby.
Every floor in Jade Ganesha houses a luxurious 3 BHK flat of 1300 sq ft with a distinguishing corner deck offering an uninterrupted view of the west coast.
The building also demonstrates its priority for saving energy by using natural methods of ventilation. “Natural and mechanical ventilation have been considered in depth in order to prevent pollutants from affecting indoor air quality. Ample cross ventilation has been achieved in all living room areas,” says Goregaoker. Other efficient measures, too, add to the objective of conserving energy in the building like thermal insulation on the terrace floor reduces heating and power-saving elevators reduce electricity consumption. Organic waste converters are one of the few more concepts adopted that work collaboratively to make Jade Ganesha a symbol of sustainability.
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Goregaoker says, “Total energy efficiency has been achieved in Jade Ganesha by installing HVAC systems that exhibited lesser electrical consumption compared to the baseline. Highly energy-efficient luminaires (LED lighting) have been used in the common areas of the building resulting in a 60% saving in total electric consumption.” The modern design sensibilities in the project instil a discernible sense of luxury right in the heart of Mumbai. Most redevelopment buildings have small entrance lobbies, but here, the height is used generously to create a double volume. Every flat has an open style kitchen, a huge living room and an adjoining deck offering an uninterrupted view of the west coast.
GA design achieved 60% savings in total power consumption by using highly energy-efficient LED lights in the common areas of the building.
Refuge decks on alternate floors abutting the staircase block add layers to the faรงade design supporting the clarity of line and form. Lined with LED light inserts, the shimmery faรงade, treated aesthetically with maintenance-free Paradiso granite, is hard to miss while driving over the Matunga flyover. Amongst the residential properties in the neighbourhood, Jade Ganesha stands out brilliantly for its architectural elegance as well as its commitment to an all encompassing sustainability strategy with the implementation of concepts such as daylighting, natural ventilation, use of green materials, water conservation, energy efficiency and waste minimisation.
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MOTO ART Dave Hall and business partner Donovan Fell struck gold in a hitherto untapped market with their El Segundo, Californiabased company which crafts furniture and accessories from salvaged airplane parts. MotoArt has now become a global name in recycled functional art from vintage aircraft. From executive desks and boardroom tables, to bars and bedroom furniture, MotoArt has satisfied the needs of Fortune 500 companies, as well as those looking for something truly unique. MotoArt is the art of being green with a strong historical presence. When we talk about recycling the most common items that come to mind are things like, paper, plastic, tyres, furniture, etc., just normal everyday stuff that we are surrounded by. I doubt it even crosses anybody’s mind to think of recycling airplanes. The sheer size and effort involved would be highly daunting. But there were two individuals who thought out-of-the box and went on to become hugely successful with recycling airplanes.
When merchandise from your first big order is incinerated by a stray cigarette, it’s not a good omen. Fortunately the co-owners of MotoArt didn’t give up. Like fearless military pilots, they made a second successful run. Even as their first order went up in flames accidentally, they knew they were onto something big - a new niche with passionate aviation collectors and avantgarde corporations who were willing to buy.
Text Compiled By Mala Bajaj Photos Courtesy Moto Art
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The company sources its large inventory of fuselage parts from all over the world, including California, Canada, Alaska, New Mexico, Florida, even Thailand. Judging by the exceptional craftsmanship of this furniture, it’s definitely a unique art form apart from being part of the huge need of the hour - recycling.
MotoArt offers more than 150 product lines of sleek, limited edition furniture crafted from out-of-commission planes that have been officially grounded by the FAA. This includes commercial planes such as 737s, 747s and 757s and especially rare early aviation aircraft such as WW2 airframes or Korean War airframes.
“MotoArt preserves aviation history by finding these rare air frames and making them into functional art,” says Hall. “There’s a tremendous amount of it out there. We take old wings, engine cowlings and we make desks, couches and coffee tables giving them a second life. There’s something unique about the airframes we provide. When you put a 1932 Biplane Wing Conference Table in someone’s office it definitely serves to break the ice. When people come in there all tense about the big meeting and they’re sitting around this conference table, it gets people talking and they are sure to remember the whole experience for days to come.”
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Imagine the power of sitting at a B-52 Bomber Conference Table during a client pitch; or working at a Jumbo Jet Executive Desk with visible fuselage windows; or dropping off memos to an assistant at a high-polished 747 Cowling Reception Desk. Imagine sleeping in a C-124 Cargo Bed or a 747 Jetliner Bed with Italy insignia.
Corporate office remodeling represents most of MotoArt’s business, 70% of which have no connection to the aerospace industry. But private collectors have exhibited an even greater passion for MotoArt products, especially for a recent best seller-$25 to $100 luggage I.D. plane tags emblazoned with a tail number stamp. These conversation pieces are pretty well appreciated, even by non aviation buffs. “For the DC-9 Wing Desk, we’ve been going all the way to the Mojave Dessert, to cut the rear stabilizer,” says Hall. “Then we bring it back to Los Angeles, cut it to length (usually eight feet, the typical length of a desk), custom fabricate the legs, execute a 100-hour sanding and polishing process before we place a half-inch tempered glass top to it and powder coat the legs. Turnaround time on a DC-9 desk is typically four to six weeks.”
Talking about MotoArt’s humbling initiation into the business -Hall and Fell were once driving from their first successful show where collectors expressed intense interest in their recycled propeller art. One of them tossed a cigarette butt out of the window and it landed in the truck bed where the gorgeous propeller art sculptures were sitting. Their whole collection instantly went up in flames. Incidentally the company still sells those initial models. That was 2001. MotoArt has been on fire ever since. www.motoart.com
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A diagonal road nearby influenced the diagonal wooden detailing in the office.
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SMART WORK
This chic,compact office designed by Vadodara-based Vikrama Architecture and Design makes good use of wooden detailing and industrial-style lighting to look spacious.
Text By Shruti Nambiar Photographs Courtesy the Architect
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Strong, bold and confident - these words will surely pop up in your mind when ‘Creatives Only’ is making its first impression on you. As the name suggests, the client, being a creative body, makes the process of design, doubtlessly fun for Vadodara-based Vikrama Architecture and Design. This is a 750 sq ft office for an entrepreneur, so it had to be conducive to mould-breaking thoughts and long days, and also to be able to host visitors of all types. Vikrama Architecture and Design, very wisely, has chosen a simple spread here focusing on strong lines and deep wooden hues.
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A major point of focus was the space. To overcome the relative limitations of a small floor-span, it was decided to make the most of the high ceilings. “Furthermore, the use of a natural brick wall that stretches into the cabin space has enhanced the small size of the entry wall,” states the team. The use of diagonal slats all around is striking and has a decided inspiration behind it. “Juxtaposed to a diagonal front road, a diagonal element was put into use within the office to offer symmetry and natural alignment,” reveals the team.Against the glass doors and enclosures, these diagonal slats make the space look like it is boarded up and derelict, which offers some form of dark humour if you are of that temperament!
The brick wall cuts through rooms and provides a great contradiction in look and form.
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The wood is balanced well by the metal detailing and the industrial-style lamp fixtures.
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The office is located in the tony Aries Pavilion neighbourhood of Vadodara, a fact that seems to have influenced the sparseness of the interiors. It is impossible to miss the linear solidity of the wood panel detailing. Set in a somewhat herringbone pattern against a deep blue paint job, the ceiling is like an overhead welcome carpet, directing one’s feet to the right places. The lighting, made up of bright yellow Edison bulbs either left bare or with dog-collar industrial shades, add to the stripped-down effect. “The lamps were hung from the ceiling on suspended wooden planks to allow light and shadow to play and get along,” the team states. Adding to the effect are the reception section’s chairs, also beholden to that slanting shape; the lovely white and deep brown reception desk; the gruff pale brick wall that forms the perfect backdrop for the insignia and the main clock’s disjointed form; and the metal detailing. The work-tables outside the cabins are no-nonsense for the most part, stout and serious, till you notice those diagonal legs and the bright yellow runners. The main cabin features minimal shelving and detailing, which is for the best because the sight of the city’s skyline from the wide windows reigns supreme in this space! Carefully placed plants, show-pieces, and black border frames complete the look here. Overall, this office’s look is modern and clutter-free. Pair that with great views and you have a great workspace at hand. “The office has been designed to encourage young energy along with imparting creative vibrancy,” states the team. It is clear for everyone to see that that aim has been achieved!
The office floor space is limited but that has been worked around by highlighting the high ceiling.
design.vikrama@gmail.com
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It connects runners with nature through its 1.6 km running track that winds its way around cooled, partially enclosed tunnels and covered walkways that are essential to escape the heat.
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Landscapes
OXYGEN PARK Landscape Architecture - the words roll off the tongue as if this union was inevitable. Just like a beautifully arranged marriage, it shows how when these two elements, architecture and landscape come together they become much more than the mere sum of their individual parts. The Oxygen Park in Doha, is a glimpse of just such an alliance. Slowly - fitfully - landscape architecture is reinventing itself. Its adherents are venturing from the conventional confines into unusual, unique and difficult territories, where they face challenges of a greater order. Aecom architects have once again delivered a project in tune with their design sensibilities.
Text By Kanupriya Pachisia Bruce Damonte And Grant Harder Courtesy V2com Home Review July 2018
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Studded with plants, Oxygen Park is meant to replenish the area’s oxygen supply and act as a green lung.
With their bold, statement making design of the Oxygen Park in Doha, they have once again pushed the boundaries of how public parks can be created.Built as a multipurpose public recreational space, it adds a giant splash of green to the desert city. The park has been conceived as a synthesis of architecture and landscape. Aecom tells us, “We were asked to design a park that was authentic and distinct to the region. So we started our design process with a week-long desert safari exploring the peninsula to learn about the different desert typologies and morphologies. The design reflects the geography of the region - wind eroded rocks and fluid land formations of the desert.”
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The path and running tracks have been cleverly embedded in the topography to create a training ground with looping tracks, cooled tunnel segments and steep hills. Today, Doha is threatening to eclipse Dubai as the Gulf’s most dynamic city. In such urban environments, public parks are fast becoming necessary sanctuaries for local residents. “Designed for health and wellbeing in a desert environment, the Oxygen Park has been created with the local community in mind in order to provide them with an open place to exercise, rest and play”, informs Aecom.
Accent lighting has been used to enable the technique of grazing, thereby illuminating running tracks and highlighting textured walls.
The 13 hectare park located in Education City - a district developed by the Qatar Foundation that houses branch campuses for several international universities, is in fact an antidote to the indoor gym environment and helps people to get back to nature, while fostering social engagement and promoting active healthy lifestyles. It connects runners with nature through its 1.6 km running track that winds its way around cooled, partially enclosed tunnels and covered walkways that are essential to escape the heat. It also features subterranean pitches for team sports, equestrian facilities as well as more general recreation areas.
The refreshing water features add to this connection and gentle cascading waterfalls help mitigate extreme temperatures and add to the comfort factor. Lighting always adds that touch of drama to a landscape. The overall lighting scheme of the park has also been well thought out and put into action by the architectural team. The night-time lighting scheme provides an attractive setting for evening sports activities and individual work-outs during the cooler hours of the day. Accent lighting has been used to enable the technique of grazing, thereby illuminating running tracks and highlighting textured walls.
Studded with plants, Oxygen Park is meant to replenish the area’s oxygen supply and act as a green lung. “We used a mix of native and near native or desert adaptive plants which grow well in the local environment. It is about replenishing the air as it is about local habitat creation”, said the team. The park is heavily inspired by the region’s natural forms and its gentle undulations have the look of wind swept dunes. “There is life in the desert and also various dormant seeds which germinate after seasonal rainfall and turn the desert into a green oasis. The wind forms breathtaking dune-scapes with fluid valleys, ridges and plateaus. We observed the Qatari native landscape and echoed it into our design,” inform the architects. Home Review July 2018
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With their bold, statement making design of the Oxygen Park in Doha, Aecom architects have once again pushed the boundaries of how public parks can be created. Built as a multi-purpose public recreational space, it adds a giant splash of green to the desert city.
It is no exaggeration to say that the manmade elements of the park are absolutely stunning. The ‘balloon lights’ floating above the subterranean grounds make the park visible from afar and add a touch of magic to the setting. Hovering above the ground, these balloon shaped lights have four folly spheres. These spheres work as airconditioned pavilions that can be used for relaxation, gatherings and classroom spaces.
Each is equipped with a sound system and video projection screen that during normal operations plays soundscapes made up of nature’s sounds. It’s enough to motivate anyone to want to go for a jog. Dangling precariously off the edge of the Arabian Peninsula, and dwarfed by neighbouring Saudi Arabia and Iran, it is easy to miss Doha on the map but the Qatari authorities are living up to their global reputation of gorgeous architecture. With a constantly changing skyline, the Qatari city is producing landmark cultural icons and the Oxygen Park is one more gem in their crown.
www.aecom.com
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Hovering above the ground, these balloon shaped lights have four folly spheres. These spheres work as air-conditioned pavilions that can be used for relaxation, gatherings and classroom spaces.
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DESIGN DESTINATION
GDA WHERE Situated on the Baltic coast, the Polish city of Gdansk lies on the southern end of the Gdansk bay. At a distance of about 415 km from the capital city of Warsaw, it is the largest city of the Pomerania region located in the northern part of Poland.
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NSK WHEN
WHY
The best time to visit Gdansk are the summer months of July and August, not only because of the excellent weather but also the timing of the renowned St. Dominic’s Fair that takes place for three weeks starting from the end of July. While the winter months can get too cold, September is also a good time if you want to get away from the touristy crowds.
Touted as one of the most beautiful Polish cities, Gdansk is steeped in history and heritage. A city that was once a flourishing port and a key centre of trade, Gdansk today is a melting pot of different cultures, influences and nationalities. Known for its unique vibe, the city is an eclectic mix of diverse sights. The cityscape of the Old town, in particular, with its medieval architecture and cobbled roads is a must see.
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A PICTURE OF ENCHANTING BEAUTY Nestled in the midst of the picturesque Tricity Landscape Park, Dwór Oliwski is the epitome of elegance, luxury and class. A five-star hotel in Oliwa, the historical district of Gdansk, Dwór Oliwski is strategically located in close proximity to the city’s Old Town and the Sopot Pier apart from being easily accessible from the Lech Walesa airport in Gdansk. Along with 70 tastefully done up rooms, the hotel offers the facilities of a world class restaurant, spa, wine bar, tea house and conference centre. Manicured lawns, pretty gardens, a neat white exterior complimented with a brick-tiled roof add to the vintage appeal of the place. Whites, florals, classic furniture and pleasant pastels dominate the interiors lending the entire place oodles of old-world charm. Delectable food and professional service compliment the aesthetic design of the property.
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The 1611 restaurant is known to serve a fusion of classic French and traditional Polish cuisine. While the super stylish spa boasts of an indoor swimming-pool, sauna, steam bath, jacuzzi and more, the wine cellar offers the perfect ambience for one to unwind after a hard day’s work.
AN ODE TO THEATRE, CULTURE AND DESIGN One of the most well designed and iconic spaces of Gdansk, the Shakespeare Theatre, is the handiwork of architect Renato Rizzi from Venice. Often and rightly referred to as ‘more than just a theatre’, the place is a fusion of avant-garde design and the usage of superior technology. Built on the site of the erstwhile 17th century Fencing school theatre, the anthracite exterior designed like a ‘black box’ leads to the lobby and the theatre space. Versatility in the form of a thrust stage, box stage and theatre-in-the-round has been incorporated and the audience can also view plays from cushioned benches placed on the sides that mimic the look and feel of an Elizabethan theatre. The highlight of the place is the retractable roof that opens in as less as three minutes despite its huge size and weight, that makes performances during daylight possible.
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FOR AN AUTHENTIC POMERANIAN EXPERIENCE One of the most sought after addresses in Gdansk for those seeking an unforgettable Polish culinary experience is Szafarnia 10. Located close to the Old town and near the modern yacht harbour, the restaurant is famous for its wonderful ambience, friendly staff and prompt service. Done up mainly in hues of blue and white, the vibe inside is chic, modern yet elegant. With lovely views . of monuments like the DĹ‚ugie Pobrzeze (Long Seashore) and Wyspa SpichrzĂłw (Granary Island), the fare is extensive and prepared using seasonal and local produce. With surprising additions to the menu almost every day, Szafarnia 10 is known for its attention to detail, creativity and flavourful dishes.
REFLECTIONS OF A GLORIOUS PAST Arguably one of the best attractions of Gdansk, Long market dates back to the 13th century when it was a prominent merchant road and home to some of its most wealthy citizens. A vibrant quarter today, Long market is a cornucopia of markets, cafes, restaurants and several symbols of period architecture. Apart from the Neptune Fountain that is a focal point of the place, there are several other buildings like the Uphagen house, Ferber house, Lion castle and Town Hall that are full of colour and character. Stretching from Upland Gate to Green Gate, the bustling market is best explored on foot and a great place to soak in the local culture. Do not forget to pick up some souvenirs that will conjure fond memories of your time in this lovely Baltic city.
Text By Rashmi Gopal Rao
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About EIPL Group With over a decade of experience in the Construction Sector, EIPL Group has established itself as a premier residential property developer in Hyderabad. Our expertise in acquisition of land, appointment of architects and designers, construction, sales & after-sales service, has helped us to be counted among the forerunners in real estate development of Hyderabad. Being amongst the most trusted real estate developers in the city, EIPL Group epitomizes the art of gracious living. It has been a forerunner in providing world class projects and splendid homes for its customers, irrespective of the size or segment of each space. With over a decade of experience in the Construction Sector, EIPL Group has established itself as a premier residential property developer in Hyderabad.
MODULAR INTRODUCTIONS Renowned EIPL Group ventures into the modular furniture spectrum by introducing Eppitome and Doimo Cucine. Keeping pace with the growing demand for premium quality modular furniture solutions, real estate company EIPL Group recently introduced Eppitome Modular Interior Solutions and Doimo Cucine to the Indian sub-continent. Eppitome, EIPL’s very own brand based out of Hyderabad, is a premium modular furniture manufacturing company that offers a versatile range of kitchens, wardrobes, TV units, bedroom furniture, living room furniture, etc. By investing in a robust European manufacturing unit, the brand ensures international designs customized as per Indian requirements, superior quality and impeccable finishing. Doimo Cucine, is a well-established modular kitchens brand from Italy that offers sleek Italian designs in a variety of finishes and styles.
It often collaborates with renowned international designers with a talent for interpreting contemporary trends, many of which prove to be lasting. From minimal to the most brightly coloured, the products are ideal for today’s lifestyles. Both Eppitome and Doimo in tandem offer the complete range of interior solutions for clientele across the country at flexible price points. To complete the range of services, Eppitome also offers custom design solutions to clients looking for bespoke interiors. Starting from civil work, counter tops & backsplash to carpentry, plumbing, electrical and a lot more, everything concerned with fixing an ideal home is made available at a single point of connect for the convenience of the customer.
Our expertise in acquisition of land, appointment of architects and designers, construction, sales & after-sales service, has helped us to be counted among the forerunners in real estate development of Hyderabad. Being amongst the most trusted real estate developers in the city, EIPL Group epitomizes the art of gracious living. It has been a forerunner in providing world class projects and splendid homes for its customers, irrespective of the size or segment of each space. With over a decade of experience in the construction sector, EIPL Group has established itself as a premier residential property developer. Their expertise in acquisition of land, appointment of architects and designers, construction, sales & after-sales service, has helped them to be counted among the forerunners in real estate development. Contact Fatema Sakerwala Eztablish Design Communication +91 9022387008 fatema@eztablish.com www.eztablish.com Home Review July 2018
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Design Samantha’s Salon, Mumbai
Intelligent design need not be restricted to mammoth-sized spaces. Sometimes, even a small idea can lead to stunningly brilliant interior themes.
With a simple project brief of renovating the salon within a stringent budget and a time frame of just two weeks, Jason Wadhwani gave the busy Samantha’s Salon a complete makeover. The aim was to give the salon a contemporary look with a New York type vibe to it by playing with the colour scheme and graphics. As the design progressed, the old wallpapers and unnecessary artwork were removed. Shades of pink and purple were replaced by monochromatic colours and wood finishes achieving the desired look. To adhere to budgets Jason has retained items like the subtle pink pouffes that added a pop of colour to the otherwise homochromous layout. The existing reception desk with a cladding of Statuario tiles now adds elegance to the overall design. The black ‘X’ in the space between the cutting chairs represents a scissor and gives the otherwise subtle space a dynamic look. Another interesting feature is having the scissors fixed to the wall near each cutting chair which acts as a bag hanger and complements the overall theme.
ritzmar@gmail.com www.jasonwadhwani.com
Photo credit: Kunal Bhatia
Text By Avani Patwardhan
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Mixology Design Mixology spotlights innovative design in various domains such as showrooms, bars, clinics, spas and much more.
Piramal Aranya, Mumbai Piramal Aranya, located in Byculla is a project of Piramal Realty and offers luxurious living facility in a crowded city like Mumbai. Built across 7 acres, it comprises of various amenities like a gym, spa, table tennis, library, cafĂŠ, etc. As soon as you enter the pavilion, you are welcomed by the lively reception lobby adorned by the light stone floors and green onyx feature walls. Mood lighting and use of opulent elements are seen throughout the pavilion. The interiors of this magnificent development are designed by Cormac Lynch and HBA, and Make Architects are the principal architects. In sync with its name ‘Aranya’ which means forest, it is designed to establish a deep connection with the surrounding landscape and the choice of materials, patterns and the colour palette has been used in accordance. Use of polished stone and textured timber gives the overall space a palatial and graceful vibe. Private residences incorporate ample light and ventilation due to outdoor terraces, enhanced by rich and luxurious materials. Amidst the Victorian architecture, gardens and monuments, Piramal Aranya boasts of its contemporary yet classic design.
www.piramalaranya.com
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Digital Domain, Hyderabad Digital Domain is an academy award winning studio in the visual effects & entertainment industry. Designed by Team One Architects, the 42,000 sq. ft. area includes a boardroom, meeting room, amphitheater, war rooms, editorial cabins and a small movie theatre. The breakout spaces are equally divided for the entire office space. The amphitheater which also doubles as a space for jamming sessions, it is large enough to accommodate 50-60 people. An interesting feature of the amphitheater is the library at the end which is used for keeping books, artifacts, games, and other necessary items. Alternatives such as raised flooring or ornamented pillars have been used to create partitions between spaces to make the area appear larger. The materials used give the overall space a warm and lively aesthetic. The flamed granite for the flooring, the brick cladding on the wall and the carved columns give it a bright and royal look. The hanging lights throughout the studio are key elements used in the interiors of the studio. The statement furniture pieces or decorative elements give a pleasing twist to the otherwise monochrome interiors.
info@team1architects.com www.team1architects.com
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THE MARKETPLACE Elica Launches New Range Of Classic And Pro Series Hobs
Elica, the brand synonymous with innovation, comfort, safety and convenience for your space, now unveils a new range of brass burner hobs for Indian cooking. A cut above the rest, Elica’s USP remains tailoring international design to suit Indian cooking. So, add that international look to your kitchen with Elica’s classic and pro series range of hobs but with an Indian twist! Recognized for offering quality, functionality and aesthetics and Elica’s new range of classic and pro series is no exception! The elegant and smart finish enhances the durability and convenient maintenance which adds to the wow factor. Extremely sleek in appearance the new collection is in sync with the evolving concept of urban household kitchen where everything is clean, linear and goes into the cabinet. The new range incorporates rapid flame brass burners and a five jet technology. To ensure added durability, the range utilizes heavy duty brass burners and cast iron pan supports. Another defining characteristic of the classic and pro series is the flame failure safety device.
VitrA Istanbul Series Designed By Ross Lovegrove
Streamlined forms integrated with fine lines; VitrA’s expertise in production technology meets with Lovegrove’s sophisticated design which is inspired by nature and the fluidity of water in the Istanbul Series. The flowing and organic forms are inspired by İstanbul’s culture and traditions. The design of the harmonious faucets and accessories in this series has a sophisticated approach, inspired by nature. Sculptural forms that are coupled with fine lines, testify to the mastership of the production technology in this series. www.vitra-india.com
Musa, The Contemporary Sleek-Stone® Bathtub By Graff Musa, the artistic and functional contemporary Sleek-Stone® bathtub, reflects a modern taste that enriches the dialogue with architects, stylists and designers working on interiors. Designed by the G+Design Studio, MUSA expresses a modern and refined taste. Soft lines, reminiscent of natural shapes, characterize both the bathtub and the coordinated washbasin.
The bathtub features an integrated overflow system and is the ideal solution to furnish any bathroom space. The bathtub and basin can be combined with all GRAFF faucet models, especially the Phase and Sade collections. The Musa collection is available in a gloss white or matte white finish. www.graff-faucets.com
Additionally, this new series of hobs require hassle-free day to day maintenance. With spill proof pan supports, the routine cleaning is made extremely simple. Uberstylish and highly-aesthetic, the new range is energy saving too. www.elica.com Home Review July 2018
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THE MARKETPLACE Nirali Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks
At Jyoti India Metal Industries Pvt. Ltd, manufacturers of India’s # 1 stainless steel kitchen sinks, innovation and more innovation is the only way of life. This permeates right from Mr B. R. Gada, Director who has been the driving force behind the company’s meteoric position. In his own words, “The market is always dynamic, always changing. That’s why you have to constantly anticipate future needs and innovate with new products of highest quality. This has given us the edge to consistently being India’s largest selling kitchen sink brand in the organized sector.” Its state -of -the -art facility is equipped with high technology machines and today is the largest stainless sink manufacturing unit in India. The company is guided by one underlining principle: Quality. The factory manufactures 89 models, in 143 different sizes to suit the needs and budget of every household. Another feather to the company’s cap is that Nirali Kitchen Sinks has extensive exports to Europe, USA, including Nepal, Vietnam, Kenya and Sri Lanka. “Innovative products that are not only advanced but more importantly very customer-focused has seen the company making rapid inroads and establishing sizable market shares with every new introduction” says Mr Sarang Gada, Director, who now oversees the company’s aggressive future plans. www.niralisinks.com
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House Of Magari’s New Additions To Their Atelier
With products from the House of Magari, one can reimagine the home with beautiful and timeless creations available under one roof. Their vast range of products, spread over three floors includes furniture, fabrics, wallpaper, rugs, wardrobes and kitchen solutions.
Magari’s association with the international brand Mobilfresno, ultra-luxury furniture manufacturers use the latest technological processes of production, combined with the handcrafted approach in the treatment of the wood and attention to detail required during production and assembling processes.
Bofi kitchens, an international brand is exclusively available at the store. Blending functionality with design, and creative features that turn everyday cooking into a delightful experience, Bofi combines the art of culinary finesse with exceptional carpentry craftsmanship to present an elegant range of luxury kitchens that exemplifies the beauty of modern living.
The launch showcased a concrete table collection by Magari in association with Ashu Gupta, an artist who uses pen and ink as a medium of design. The inherent nature of how concrete develops its own characteristic texture as a material creating unique patterns open to interpretation as the surface of the moon. www.magari.in
Faber Refrigerator Launches Built -In Double Door Refrigerator Faber refrigerator is a built -in double door refrigerator with an embedded handle and sliding hinge type reversible doors. It is created to bring forth a blissful experience with keeping energy costs as low as possible and storing food for longer and in the best possible way. It is designed to seamlessly fit right into your state-of-the-art kitchen. Combine style and safety for the perfect kitchen experience with the Faber refrigerator. Designed specifically to limit energy consumption and minimize environmental impact and categorized as Class A+ saving, between 20 and 40% in relation to normal class A appliances. The unique tempered glass shelves are spacious, elegant, strong and easy to clean and ideal for storing food in complete safety. www.faberindia.com