Design Destination: Oslo
vol 17 issue 03
March 2018
Specialist: Masala Works
total pages 132
CELEBRATING THE PAST
Khosla Associates design a Bangalore restaurant Highlighting its retro aesthetic
Design Quest: Indecrafts
RS 100 HOME-REVIEW.COM
Out of the Blue P&D Associates Simply timeless Kavan Shah SURFACES SPECIAL Ideas and solutions that get your surfaces right!
Photo: Cyrus Dalal
S
andeep Khosla and Amaresh Anand of Khosla Associates extol the virtues of Art Deco in an old building in Bangalore. They introduce a design aesthetic that compliments the architectural features of a magical bygone era. Experimenting with twenty feet high ceilings and lofty freestanding cement arches, the duo create visual movement and fluidity by reinforcing the vault and arch vocabulary of the voluminous space. Their interior interventions compliment the shell and include corrugated concrete surfaces stained with oxides, a dramatic floor in black and white stripes and columns clad in sheets of lacquered mild steel. Simplicity is difficult to get right! Kavan Shah experiments with the ordinariness of concrete to treat an apartment in Mumbai with an undressed aesthetic. A continuous circulation program connects social and private spaces to stitch the area into a single continuous plan. Injecting geometric rigour and using materials like stone, teakwood and marble to co-mingle with the concrete envelope, Kavan serves up simplicity with just the right shot of contemporary sophistication. Huzefa and Jasem of MuseLAB Design currently occupy a small space tuned to the needs of their practice. With natural light filtering through a screen to animate its interiors, the office is bare-bones both in terms of colour as well as its material palette. What adds a shine to the design is its multi-use flexible spaces. Starting out small, MuseLAB Design showcase their prowess with a keen focus on details and create a charming layered space to be their launchpad. Anish Bajaj, Editor anish@marvelinfomedia.com
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emails + feedback Congratulations
Thoughtful Design
Hearty Congratulations to Home Review for the amazing ‘Luxury Living’ Special issue!
The design of Anantara Haven Tangalle resort in Sri Lanka is incredibly wonderful, a thoughtful design executed with attention to detail.
By Email Deepanshu Nangia
Mesmerised
Thankful
I could not stop myself from returning back to the Cover Story featuring the design of a sprawling bungalow in Anand by Ace Associates in your February issue.
I am extremely thankful to Home Review for featuring Tejal Mathur’s stunning design of a law firm in Mumbai. As an architect, I could learn immensely from the use of rectillinear geometric pattern in this feature.
By Email Mandar Waghmare
Let us know what you love and hate about this issue. Mail us at letters@marvelinfomedia.com
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By Email Priyank Indulkar
By Email Bharti Sharma
28 art
33
20
form
Renowned for her bizarre sculptures, Israeli contemporary artist, Ronit Baranga brings to the art world her own brand of sentience and conversation With its head in modernism and feet rooted in retro instincts, architect Kavan Shah delivers a captivating blend of interiors
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Cover Story Khosla Associates have designed a restaurant and bar in Bengaluru which is housed in an old structure
By Rishabh Singh
44 Blue takes the dominant role in the colour palette in this two- level home in Ankleshwar designed by Bharuchbased architecture and design firm P&D Associates
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March
Passionate about bringing ideas to life, Mumbai based Folds Design Studio has successfully managed to fuse art and technology
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Surface Special
Surface is one of our favourite segments to present. It’s partly because it makes for almost the major part of a design in any space.
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74 In downtown Chicago’s Streeterville neighbourhood, embodying art and science, is Hotel EMC2, a part of the Autograph Collection
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Eclectic styles, varied themes, upcoming trends come together in our newly launched segment!
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In the office of MuseLAB Design Engine in Mumbai, natural light filters through a screen to animate its interiors
GREEN PROJECT The Green Mark Platinum Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, part of Singapore’s first medical campus, is an exemplary role-model for how performance based sustainable design can support resource efficiency and also promote health and well-being in the community
108 In one of the swankiest lanes of Alkapuri, Vadodara, Fainy Thakor, a young architect, has lent her design sensibilities to a trendy bakery franchise, Mr. Puff
March
Landscapes
114 Mixing traditional and contemporary styles can prove to be a challenge, but it’s also always fun to experiment with contrasts
120
OSLO A DESIGN DESTINATION
126 THE MARKETPLACE Kulture Shop, a boutique start-up business, located in the arty Kala Ghoda precinct in Mumbai, has managed to inject a contemporary vibe into Indian art
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Get your hands on the latest products to hit the market
130
Editor & Publisher Anish Bajaj Creative Director Natalie Pedder-Bajaj
Himali Kothari Freelance Writer It took a few years of meandering aimlessly before Himali Kothari found her calling in writing. She is a freelancer and has written on travel, design, architecture, business, finance and food.
Features Editor Mala Bajaj Assistant Editor Shweta Salvi Sr. Sub-Editor Anindita Ganguly Contributing Writers Chryselle D’Silva Dias Devyani Jayakar Dhanishta Shah Himali Kothari K Parvathy Menon Kanupriya Pachisia Ramya Srinivasan Shruti Nambiar Virupa Kantamneni Designers Asif Shayannawar Darshan Palav Snigdha Hodarkar
Kunal Bhatia Architect and Photographer Kunal Bhatia is an architect, photographer and travel writer based in Mumbai. He finds inspiration in cities around the world, the people that he meets and fleeting encounters. To experience more of his work visit kunalbhatia.net.
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Editorial & Marketing Mumbai Mr. Saurabh Shah B-62, Cotton Exchange bldg., Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033 T 022 23736133 / 23736131 / 23743069 E response@marvelinfomedia.com Chennai Mr. S. Venkataraaman Flat No. 2, 3rd Flr, E-Block, Hansa Garden, 30 Madampakkam Main Rd, Rajakilpakkam, Chennai 600 073 Tel 044 22281180 / 09444021128 Email: svenkat@marvelinfomedia.com Publishing Director Mr. R.I. Bajaj Distributed in India by India Book House Pvt. Ltd. 412, Tulsiani Chambers, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021. This issue has a total of 132 pages comprising of a 4 page cover and 128 inside pages. We welcome unsolicited material but do not take responsibility for the same. Letters are welcome but subject to editing. All rights reserved. Nothing may beprinted in whole or part without written permission of the publisher. The editors do their best to verify the information published but do not take responsibility for the absolute accuracy of the information. All objections, disputes, differences, claims and proceedings are subject to Mumbai Jurisdiction.
Khosla Associates Celebrating The Past, Page 20. Khosla Associates was founded in 1995 by Principal Architect Sandeep Khosla, a New York Pratt Institute graduate and former associate at Charles Correa’s Mumbai office. Sandeep was later joined by co-director Amaresh Anand in 2000. Their contextual approach to design has resulted in a work portfolio that boasts of a wide array of projects and several laurels.
P&D Associates Out of the Blue, Page 44. P&D Associates, Bharuch, was founded in 2009 by Pratik Siddhpura and Devang Patel, who along with Shruti Siddhpura, are its principal designers. Since its establishment, P&D Associates has grown to be one of the premiere Interior design as well as civil and architectural planning firms in the city of Bharuch.
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.
Muselab Through The Screen, Softly, Page 92. Founded in 2012 by Huzefa Rangwala and Jasem Pirani, MuseLAB in just five years has become a practice to watch out for. Their mutual passion for design encourages them to also explore allied design fields and experiment and research extensively to deliver holistic experiential solutions.
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PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S 08 11 MAR TO
IFFS 2018, Singapore
The International Furniture Fair Singapore, held in conjunction with the ASEAN Furniture Show (IFFS/AFS), The Décor Show and furniPRO Asia, is regarded by industry experts as Asia’s premier sourcing platform and design-led exhibition. With almost four decades of fair experience since 1981, IFFS remains the most distinctive channel in Asia dedicated to regional and international companies looking to penetrate the global market. IFFS 2018 features a comprehensive range of furniture, furnishing, decorative accessories, interiors and fittings by a diverse portfolio of quality exhibitors from almost 40 countries. It offers an unparalleled outreach to the highly dynamic market. The annual fair attracts well over 20,000 international trade buyers and visitors from almost 100 countries.Visitors can expect innovative and inspired design and high-quality furniture, interiors and fittings.
Collective Design is dedicated to exploring the significance of design across creative disciplines and everyday life. Through its annual fair, Collective Design illuminates both the design process and the diversity of today’s material culture, originating a robust series of conversations and education programs to foster dialogue, encourage the exchange of ideas, and build a growing audience for collectible design. Based in New York City and active in the creative community throughout the year, Collective Design culminates in the annual fair each spring with an international selection of galleries presenting masterworks of the 20th and 21st centuries alongside experimental works from the next generation of global talent.
New York
TO 14Design 17 MARShanghai, Shanghai
TO 09Sxsw, 18 MAR
Austin, Texas
Design Shanghai is Asia’s leading international design event, breaking new ground and setting a precedent in Asia’s ever-growing design community. Showcasing the best design brands and galleries from across the globe, Design Shanghai provides a unique and exciting platform to network, exchange and establish long-term business relations with Asia’s top architects, interior designers, property developers, retailers, collectors and private buyers.
The SXSW Interactive Festival provides a variety of compelling evening networking experiences that complement the many learning opportunities at the SXSW Conference. SXSW dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, the event is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of the interactive, film, and music industries. The SXSW Conference provides an opportunity for global professionals at every level to participate, learn, and network. Featuring a variety of tracks that allow attendees to explore what’s next in the worlds of entertainment, culture, and technology.
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www.sxsw.com
www.collectivedesignfair.com
www.iffs.com.sg
TO 09Collective 11 MARDesign,
The ten days of SXSW will be a whirlwind of enlightening and inspiring sessions, film screenings, meet ups, showcases, exhibitions, early morning tacos, and ample opportunities for networking across the 2018 event. From compelling conversations with industry heavy weights and forging new connections, to buzz worthy film screenings and fresh new sounds at showcases, SXSW promises to foster creative and professional growth.
Design Shanghai aims to explore how eastern and western design philosophies can work together synergistically across the five halls: Contemporary, Classic & Luxury, Collectibles, Kitchen & Bathroom and Workplace. The event also features bespoke installations, an inspirational design forum and exciting networking events. Design Shanghai has fast earned its position alongside the most established design events in the world, and become one of the must-see events in the international design calendar. The 14-17 March 2018 will see the return of Asia’s premier design event at Shanghai Exhibition Centre, featuring even more of the finest international design companies and galleries than ever before. www.designshanghai.com
PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S 15 18 MAR TO
Design March, Reyjavik, Iceland
Melbourne Design Week’s eleven-day program of events and exhibitions will celebrate the diversity and impact of design, while giving local Victorian designers the exposure they deserve. This year’s event will consider how design affects our people, environment, services, culture and economy – and its role as a catalyst for change. In a world of advanced technology, globalisation, digitalisation and environmental change, our expectations and values are constantly being challenged and redefined. By bringing together people, ideas and experiences over a compelling eleven-day program, we can reach new audiences and examine together the most interesting trajectories of Victorian design and architecture today.
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. It is going to take place at The Ark in Baroda from 17th March to 1st April. www.deathofarchitecture.com
TO 18Light+ 23 MAR Building,
Frankfurt am Main
www.ngv.vic.gov.au/melbourne-design-week DesignMarch, Iceland’s most important annual design festival is celebrating it’s 10th anniversary this year. It will be the largest and most significant yet, with an expected 100 or so events that will transform the most northerly capital in the world into one big venue for design.
17 MAR TO 01 APR
Death Of Architecture, Gallery ARK, Baroda
DesignMarch is organized by Iceland Design Centre, the promotion agency of Icelandic design and architecture. Light + Building is a trade fair for innovation, covering all electrically based building services systems; it seeks to promote the integrated planning of building services systems with a product spectrum that is unique, both in its breadth and its depth.
From exhibitions on sustainable design to a discussion led by award-winning solar designer Marjan van Aubel, Design March will host an array of events geared towards making Icelandic design culture recognized on an international level. It is high time to head over to the north to experience the best of Iceland design, architecture and fashion for the Design March at Reyjavik in Iceland from March 15 - 18. www.designmarch.is
TO 15Melbourne 25 MAR Design Week, Melbourne
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. 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 forms 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.
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The world’s largest trade fair for lighting and building services engineering, Light + Building showcases solutions for reducing the energy consumption of buildings, at the same time as raising the levels of comfort within them. The show covers everything from LED and photovoltaic technology to electric vehicles, ‘intelligent’ ways of using electricity with ‘smart metering’ and ‘smart grids’. By combining lighting and networked building services, the industry can offer an integrated range of products and services that make a crucial contribution to fully exploiting the potential for energy savings in buildings. Digital future meets design hotspot: Light + Building addresses the themes of tomorrow. From 18 to 23 March more than 2,600 exhibitors will be presenting their innovative products in the fields of lighting, electrical engineering as well as home and building automation in Frankfurt am Main. www.light-building.messefrankfurt.com
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CELEBRATING THE PAST 20 Home Review March 2018
Khosla Associates have designed a restaurant and bar in Bengaluru which is housed in an old structure. Employing an Art Deco vocabulary, the firm has cleverly added a contemporary functionality to the space which does not clash with its retro aesthetic but actually celebrates it.
When Sandeep Khosla and Amaresh Anand of Khosla Associates were approached to create a restaurant and bar in what used to be the 8200 sq ft warehouse for a newspaper - located, however, in prime real estate in Bengaluru - they were quite taken aback. The space had a grand 20 ft high ceiling and was wonderfully infused with natural light from the tall windows on the periphery.
Text By Devyani Jayakar Photographs Courtesy Shamanth Patil J.
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“The owner was an old friend who had promised that he would approach us when he found a property worthy of our design interventions,” says Amaresh. Located within the arms of two roads which lie at right angles to each other, the plot is a triangular one. The name of restaurant, ‘1Q1’ is derived from the road number and pin code of its address - No.1 Queens Road, Bangalore 1. “We were cognisant of the contextual reference, since this building was in the vicinity of the High Court of Karnataka, an imposing red building. So we didn’t want to just slap things together thoughtlessly,” says Sandeep. The duo instantly decided that their design for the space should echo the Art Deco influence of this building and recall the bygone era evoked by the arched colonnade which wraps itself around the structure. Accordingly, they created vaults, arches and a colonnade around this structure, integrating it into the existing fenestrations on the street level.
The entrance court, peppered with palm trees, is located in the bottom corner of the plot, where the two roads converge. Within, the palette of materials is clearly local. Red and green oxides as well as granite cover various surfaces within the free standing vaults, which define different spaces within the structure.
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Two curved screens at the entrance made of ribbed timber juxtaposed with brass, flank the walkway into the restaurant, creating an intimate entrance foyer. They also assist in creating zones in the layout, functioning as a device to create different bays of seating - thus effectively dividing the large space. Irregular cut-outs within them, some in an organic, fluid shape, offer glimpses into the larger space beyond as one walks past. “These shapes have been inspired by Corbusier’s paintings from the 1930s, representing the influence of the Modernist movements,” says Sandeep. An imposing custom chandelier takes inspiration from the branches of a tree bearing fruit, hand crafted with mild steel pipes ending in rings of amber coloured resin. The flooring is in dramatic black and white stripes created with local grey sadharhalli granite and black cuduppah stone, discreetly signifying different areas by the direction in which they run. The pattern thus created is never visible in its entirety, requiring a bird’s eye view for the whole to be seen, as it sharply turns corners.
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At the entrance, the stripes guide the visitor in, whereas on the two sides of the screens they form a concentric pattern. At floor level, this grounds the segregation of spaces, even as the stark linearity of the stripes offers a contrast to the voluptuous curves of the vaults above. Perpendicular to the axis of the entry and foyer is a linear bay with a large island bar on one end and a stage for live music performances on the other, its backdrop used for video projections. The space between is interspersed with high seating on the ground level and low lounge seating on a raised wooden platform. A horizontal version of the chandelier at the entrance spreads over the bar. The furniture is a mix of fixed booth style seating, low and high restaurant tables and low sofas for lounging. The use of colour is bold and deliberate.“We could afford the exuberance because of the sheer size of the space,” says Sandeep.
“A distinctive feature that we introduced into the interior space was the series of lofty freestanding cement arches. These arches, positioned between the existing grids, create visual movement and fluidity in the space while reinforcing its vault and arch vocabulary. The arches have LED light integrated within them, capturing and framing the energy encompassed within,” says Amaresh.
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The walls have a corrugated surface crafted in concrete and cast on site. Coloured with green oxide pigment, they offer a dramatic contrast to the black and white flooring. Columns have been clad in sheets of mild steel and then lacquered. No paint has been used in the restaurant, the distressed look of oxides finding favour. Two murals have been customised in MDF, reminiscent of the layered and zigzag architectural detailing on the facades of Art Deco buildings. “The result is a 3D one,” says Amaresh “its aesthetic particularly suited to the space it inhabits.” “The challenge lay in dividing the 150-170 seater restaurant into three zones. Additionally, the space had to work during the day as well as night,” says Amaresh. During the day, the restaurant is a calm, casual dining space for office goers in the vicinity as well as families. Suffused with comfortable natural light from the tall windows, no artificial light is required during the day.
The colour scheme of a deep red,
peacock green,
blue and olive
complement the green and red oxides of the shell.
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At night and weekends, however, it metamorphoses into a high voltage stomping ground for the hip crowd of the city, replete with music, bands, DJs and performances. “The high energy levels are almost palpable and LED lights transform the space,” says Sandeep. “The tables get moved out and the crowd surges to 300 people. The food, cocktails, music and ambience are a heady combination.” “The tall wall brackets in brass and fluted glass between the windows are tipped forward at the top in the manner of a sconce and emit a diffused glow after sunset,” says Amaresh. Inspired by a trip to Berlin, they contribute to the old world ambience of the space, even as they emphasise its verticality.
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The aesthetic in this restaurant is a contemporary take on an Art Deco time warp, its sensibilities rooted in times gone by. “Our design recalls an era when people cared about the dining experience,� says Sandeep. Celebrating the past, this design combines all the conveniences of the present, enriched by its thoughtful take on colour, pattern and architectural detailing. The resultant offering may be visually complex but is an extravaganza all the same.
amaresh@khoslaassociates.com www.khoslaassociates.com
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This sculpture makes us reimagine the ways in which we feed ourselves: not always through the mouth.
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art form
Otherworldly Sculptures Renowned for her bizarre sculptures, Israeli contemporary artist, Ronit Baranga brings to the art world her own brand of sentience and conversation.
Israeli sculptress, Ronit Baranga, once invited her family over for a holiday meal and the table was set with bowls on fingers, her own ceramic sculptures, as a way to express the tension and relationships between the participants of the meal. According to her, the bowls represent the movement of separation and drifting away from social situations one is obligated to be part of. Speaking to Home Review, the sculptress takes us to her world of sentient and figurative sculptures. Baranga holds a B.A. in Psychology and Hebrew Literature from Haifa University. She went on to study Art History in Tel-Aviv University and also has a degree in Fine Arts from Beit Berl College under her belt.
A series that focuses on the loss of childhood innocence as children grow up to face the realities of this world. It is a series that mourns the death of childhood.
Text By Priyanka Menon Photographs Courtesy Ronit Baranga Home Review March 2018
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Her sculptures primarily bring out the contrast as well as duality in meaning as far as viewer experience is concerned, and tend to engage the viewer in conversations with the pieces. Everyday objects are given human gestures, anatomical parts, and the ability to go beyond their mundane functionalities. Ceramic tableware has been hybridised with human body parts, such as hands, the mouth, the tongue, etc and pulled into a dialogue with the viewer, symbolising the threadbare divide between the inner world and outward existence. Baranga uses the fingers and mouth with ‘full intent and meaning’. Both are sensual organs, according to her, and therefore stand to be more powerful when separated from the body. “The main idea behind the series, known as ‘Doubtfully Alive’, is to highlight how the useful and usually passive plate or cup becomes active as a result of this transformation,” she says. The piece of surreal crockery now has a mind of its own and can decide how it wants to behave in a particular situation: whether it should allow others to use it, whether to use itself, or perhaps even escape. What is most striking about this series is the kind of contrasting reactions it can elicit from the viewer. Baranga’s pieces can arouse you and can even go to the extent of suppressing your appetite. The reaction is subjective, of course, but highlights the sculptress’ intent. “Art was more a need than a choice,” Baranga says whose day typically starts at 8 am when she enters her studio. According to her, social media and its many advantages have brought about many changes in the field of sculptures. “Today, my art reaches an enormous number of people all over the world,” she says. This, she believes, is important as it happens without the interference of politics in the art world. The Trap is a series that brings to life the threadbare hold we have on our own lives.
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Baranga works entirely with clay and this she finds is most suited for her art. “I love its ability to change and surprise during the firing in ways I don’t expect at times.” Some of her works focus on the transition from childhood and femininity - a time that is inherently filled with emotional upheaval. Her newer works deal with expressing underlying pain, joy, violence and peace.
The series Doubtfully Alive shows vessels leaning on each other, pinching, hugging and embracing.
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‘My Artemis’ is the rendering of a goddess grinning with joy, a kind that can be disturbing and emotionally hard-hitting. The goddess’ chest is made of mouths with tongues sticking out in hunger. The stark violent beauty of this piece hits you in the face as Baranga explains, “She is a Goddess Mother, castrating and never letting go. Her breasts are no longer feeding; they are the ones that eat.” Baranga wants her audience to ‘feel’ her sculptures. To be able to think, question and reexamine what one takes for granted, is what she expects her work to do. The fact that her sculptures claim to have a mind of their own, they are purported to have the ability to behave and respond to situations as they deem fit.
The tattoo is a metaphor for perception, thoughts, and external influences that have still not entered the child’s world, but will in due course.
In this vein, ‘The Grave Watchers’ Childhood’ questions the vulnerability and innocence of children, and asks the viewer to reevaluate the harsh reality they grow up in. “In this series there is a threatening and intimidating aspect together with sweetness and vulnerability,” Baranga explains. Baranga’s believes her background in art history and literature has equipped her with the ability to reimagine the mundane and challenge the norm. Her sculptures are exhibited in renowned galleries and exhibitions across the world and, in their own unique are way breaking away from the stereotypical. As viewers, the fact that we can take offense and be equally enamoured by her art is a wonderful testament to her vision as an artist. www.ronitbaranga.com
Part of Doubtfully Alive, this piece here shows us how plates can perhaps feed themselves.
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MODERN MEETS VINTAGE Kavan Shah explores the fine line between the old and the new with simplicity as his mantra.
Text By Kanupriya Pachisia Photographs Courtesy Jesal Shah
Decorating a house is intimate and personal. A lot of it was an act of faith that the clients invested in Shah. With the art providing the wow factor, Shah has kept the background mostly muted albeit richly textured.
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When you look at a modern dwelling that basks under some retro touches in a seamless cohesion of sorts, you wonder where is the line between the old and the new and if it actually exists. While many have explored the border between both disciplines, Architect Kavan Shah takes the argument very seriously. In his latest project, interestingly called ‘The X Hector’ house, located in Ville Parle, Mumbai, Shah explores a mandate to design a holistic interior for his clients with one overreaching goal - to integrate art and sculpture as effortlessly as possible.
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In a city which addresses every inch as a debate, Shah tells us, “The only thing the client wanted was to make the house as open as possible.We wanted to make the apartment suitable for nowadays, thus we applied a continuous circulation that directly connects social and service areas to the most intimate spaces.” In order to achieve an open plan layout, the architectural team began by demolishing walls separating the entrance, living room and dining room. This helped to create a single large space. The main driver for the design scheme was of course simplicity. Shah explains, “We like the simplicity of the concrete structure and felt it would provide the ideal background for a minimalistic fit-out.” Exposed concrete walls smeared with cement give this contemporary apartment an undressed aesthetic. The concept behind the design stemmed from a spare and neutral palette used throughout the house. “We actually paid a lot of heed to the colours used inside the apartment. White, cement and terrazzo predominate giving us a neutral shell,” shares Shah. The consistent use of similar colours and materials throughout the house increases the space visually. “To offer an escape from the busy city, we chose simple finishes to evoke the peaceful and secluded feel of religious retreats,” informs Shah. While natural stone, cement, teakwood and marble reign supreme on the material palette, a play of patterns in the master bathroom and powder room show vestiges of the traditional era as they continue to mingle beautifully with modern and up-to-date fittings.
Pockets of green, fan out in various corners of the house, making it come alive. A yellow sofa spells eclectic charm as it rests beside a retro coffee table.
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The main driver for the design scheme was of course simplicity. Shah explains, “We like the simplicity of the concrete structure and felt it would provide the ideal background for a minimalistic fit-out.�
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“Cement is a favourite! It weathers out beautifully over time and acts as an elegant ingredient in the mix,” says Shah. In the master bathroom, geometric rigour was injected into the design by laying Jaisalmer and Tobacco Brown marble tiles in a chevron pattern across the floor and rear wall of the shower. The use of black Marquina and Makrana marble in the powder room offers a spectacle of simplicity in the ultimate form of sophistication. The house demonstrates a combination of unorthodox finishes and spatial surprises. Two large openings on either side of a column link spaces forming a broken-plan layout that provides separation while allowing light to filter through into the windowless dining room and entrance hall spaces. In the living room, exposed concrete walls have been used as ‘canvases’for the furniture. Exploring the fine line between the old and the new, Shah tells us, “We’ve also experimented in a few places with this project - for instance, the living room does not sport a ceiling. The slab is kept exposed.” Decorating a house is intimate and personal. A lot of it was an act of faith that the clients invested in Shah. With the art providing the wow factor, Shah has kept the background muted albeit richly textured. In fact, the dining table wall injects a pop of fine traditional Indian art. Shah shares, “An old block printing factory was shutting down in Jodhpur. We got 500 wooden blocks from there and decked up the wall in traditional Indian motifs.” The rugs add warmth to the white terrazzo floors and are either striped or an interesting display of woven patterns.
The kid’s bedroom also leaves a modest and neutral footprint as splashes of pink and green infuse playfulness and innocence into the space.
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Rectilinear shelving and storage solutions line the exposed concrete walls of the living room. A storage cabinet with a stained teak finish is the only accent of colour in the otherwise grey space. Pockets of green, fan out in various corners of the house, making it come alive. A yellow sofa spells eclectic charm as it rests beside a retro coffee table. The kid’s bedroom also leaves a modest and neutral footprint as splashes of pink and green infuse playfulness and innocence into the space. Last but not the least, sitting on the swing perfectly positioned to fetch sweeping views of the ‘City of Dreams’, one cannot help but notice the net curtains that hang down to diffuse the natural light from the street facing window - the only soft material in the room which contrasts with the bare, harsh textures elsewhere. kavan@ksdesignstudio.co
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In the master bathroom, geometric rigour was injected into the design by laying Jaisalmer and Tobacco Brown marble tiles in a chevron pattern across the floor and rear wall of the shower.
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WIRED WARE
By Rishabh Singh
DESIGNQUEST
Established in the brass city of Moradabad, Indecrafts is a brand committed to educating their customers about the origins of their products. To them, their artisans are as important as their customers. This is where old techniques meet new designs; and the fusion of both is what becomes the demand of today’s market. Indecrafts produce and sell these handicrafts in both Indian and international market.
Text By Vandana Krishnan Home Review March 2018
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Gold embossed planters
Teired dessert serving trays
While most of their products are designed in-house, they also outsource certain products in their marble and wooden handicrafts category.
Their style of working is usually to pick a certain trend, like wireframe, and develop products revolving around this trend. Wireframe furniture, wireframe lanterns and wireframe baskets among others are by-products of the same.
The brand draws a fair amount of inspiration from the international market as well as traditional Indian designs. Like every other brand, they are in a constant endeavor to design and develop new products. What sets them apart is their dexterity to evolve existing products with an aim to leave no stone unturned in terms of progressive designs.
Gold hanging planters
Indecrafts indulge in many categories of products like decorative accessories, furniture, lanterns and lamps, bar accessories, bath accessories and wall dĂŠcor. They also have a collection dedicated to tableware and kitchen utility products. The firm is committed to introducing new products in their collection to keep up with the trends prevailing in the market.
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Talking about the brands best selling products, Rishabh says, “Our top selling products are lanterns and furniture. A lot of cafés and interior designers have shown interest in our furniture since its light, sturdy and never looks bulky.” Their products exhibit a perfect blend of minimalism and contemporary design.
When asked about how they plan on dealing with competition, Rishabh replies, “We are completely focused on ourselves right now and growing our reach and collection, its just been two and a half years for our brand and there’s a lot more to come.” info@indecrafts.com www.indecrafts.com
A piece from the wire frame range
In the coming years, they intend to be actively involved in expanding their collection of products offered. Additionally, they hope to devise product customization under their banner. Their vision is to offer a plethora of options in handcrafted products and to earnestly promote them.
Unfussy ceiling lamps
Sleek cutlery sets
The core idea of the brand came as a response to the markets inclination towards social networking, virtual conversations and making optimum use of the technology available today. The idea of Indicrafts, an online handicrafts business, sprang up with this insight.
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The use of blue breathes in a contemporary, royal vibe into the interior spaces of the two-level bungalow.
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Out of the Blue Blue takes the dominant role in the colour palette in this two- level home in Ankleshwar designed by Bharuch-based architecture and design firm P&D Associates.
The first artificial blue pigment was made from a semi-precious stone called lapis lazuli. It was so rare and expensive that only the wealthy could afford to use it. For the Egyptians it was the colour of divinity and in the Elizabethan era it came to represent wealth. Pablo Picasso, one of the greatest artists of all times, went through a Blue Period from 1901 to 1905 when he used only multiple hues of blue to paint. In the West, it stands for trust and security. In parts of the East, it is believed to be the colour to ward off evil. In India, its association with Lord Krishna lends it a sense of divinity. Universally, blue projects an ambience of tranquility and calmness.
Text By Himali Kothari Photographs Courtesy Sebastian Zachariah & Ira Gosalia (PHX India) Home Review March 2018
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The minimalist appearance of the dining area brings the grooved wooden wall under the spotlight.
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The Bungalow in Blue stands in a quiet residential colony in Ankleshwar, a small hamlet close to the city of Bharuch in Gujarat. “The client gave us a free hand with this project,” says Devang Patel, one of the chief designers at P&D Associates. While the clients were non-interfering, they had come with a clear picture of the home in their mind and it was up to P&D to recreate that mental image into a tangible, physical form. “They wanted a minimalist appearance and were keen on a pastel colour scheme.” The P&D design team gave them a few options for the colour scheme of the interiors. “Blue was the colour they most identified with,” says Devang. “And that was great from the design point of view as blue expresses a formal calm in gathering spaces and in private areas it infuses a relaxed charm.” The bungalow’s slate gray, pinstriped exteriors stand out in this residential colony where the external appearances of the houses are mostly matter-of-fact and functional. The glass balconies of the rooms on the upper level help blur the divide between the inside and the outside making it possible for the expansive view to be enjoyed from the comforts of the home.
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For the interiors, the team came up with a concept that would celebrate the versatility of the colour blue but in a subtle manner. Different tints and hues of blue can be seen in play across the various spaces of the house which are cleverly set off with the use of wood and neutral shades like beige, grey and white. The common areas take up the lower level of the house. It is an open layout with a streaked grey marble floor running through the expanse. A dark wooden panel across the length of the ceiling provides a welcome break and adds a textural element. The dining area is subtle. Its monochromatic colour scheme brings the dramatic grooved wall under the spotlight. The living room gives off a more fun, playful vibe.
The simple brass balustrade and a grooved wooden panel running across the length of the ceiling are the focal points of the living room.
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While the larger elements continue in the neutral shades; one corner in a light shade of cornflower blue adds warmth to the formal space. Two slim bands of gold running across the horizontal lengths of these walls at seating level establish a touch of relief in the wall. A fabric in a deeper shade of blue has been chosen for the sofas and cushions to make them pop against the subtle backdrop. Concrete steps with wooden treads lead to the upper level. “The balustrade is my favourite element in the house,” says Devang. “It is a simple brass railing, yet it manages to be the focal point of the living room and draws the attention of any visitor.” The upper level has two bedrooms, both infused with blue but subtly so, in order to allow the wooden overtones to dictate the composition.
In the son’s bedroom, vibrant shades of blue have been used to give it a more youthful, fun vibe.
The master bedroom is more subtle in its colour scheme and largely accessories and soft furnishings have been used to tie it to the blue thread running through the house. The use of blue in the son’s bedroom is more dramatic. “Initially, the clients were not convinced about the extensive use of blue in the son’s bedroom,” Devang recollects. “They could not visualise it in its entirety. But, we convinced them to believe in our vision with a promise to change it if they did not like it after it was complete. After, the room was finished it actually became their favourite space in the house.” The standout feature of the house is the water body in the balcony on the upper level. By incorporating water in their layout, the designer team has managed to bring into the bungalow, the colour blue in its most natural shade. Add to that the slabs of granite that make up the parapet; these are so arranged that they allow glimpses of the blue skies for the folks living in the Bungalow in Blue.
In almost all the spaces, wooden panels have been used to balance the copious use of various shades of blue.
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pdassociates26@gmail.com www.pdassociates.in
Nature too plays a part in upping the blue quotient of the house; the water body in the balcony and the blue skies peeping in thanks to the granite slabs add their own special kind of blue to the Bungalow in Blue.
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Passionate about bringing ideas to life, Mumbai based Folds Design Studio has successfully managed to fuse art and technology. The firm uses art to ‘humanise’ technology in order to make their designs more relatable. Almost a decade old, Folds Design Studio believes in a calculated approach to the process of ‘computation design’. Founded by Architect, Leela Krishna Murthy, the studio’s 9 year journey has seen it visualise design in innumerable ways and conjure limitless creations. With an in-house team of 100 skilled workers and a workshop spread across 20,000 square feet, the team has concentrated all its resources and energies into realising new design challenges. Their method of designing gives them control over their concepts and helps them keep their fresh and innovative ways intact. The following three projects give us a keen insight into their unique take on design.
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Design is a relationship between form and content. Folds Design Studio has once again given a face to this relationship in the making of this impressive centre table where its form mimics its inspiration. Fabricated out of plywood, a first look will lead the mind to connect with nature. The organic appearance of the table emulates a tree like form. The architect informs, “This form is also a part of a larger assembly.” In fact, if you look closely, you will notice that the function of the object (the table) dictates the movement of the diffused edges. Talking about how the peddlers of art and technology have used the discreet alliance in this design, Murthy tells us, “Digital environment allows for simulations. The use of digital technology has enabled us to sculpt the form to better detail.” The visual openness of the branched structure also facilitates the load carrying ability of the hollow form. Interestingly, the branched network creates spaces where exchange and storage can happen across the table. The production of the table as a part of the environment also moulded certain design decisions. To optimise use of material, time and costs, leftover pieces of wood were used in a coordinated assembly to obtain the desired form. Murthy shares, “Always looking for challenges, the sculpting of the table was a sheer opportunity!”
Text By Kanupriya Pachisia Photographs Courtesy The Centre Table and The Pavilion - Folds Design Studio The Residential Project, Sanpada - Ar. YatishChavan
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Today architecture is the will of the age conceived in spatial terms. Architecture is becoming more and more flexible in its attempt to meet the needs of today’s world. The Pavilion by Folds Design Studio is one such example that spells flexible architecture. Conceived as a business lounge, the twelve meter high pavilion can be conveniently assembled and dismantled as required. An exhibition of a network of latitudinal and longitudinal twisted, parametric wooden members, the domical structure changes its form at every level, thereby enhancing its structural details. Connected by latitudinal battens, the thirty-six twisted longitudinal columns deflect by 3.6 m from the base and descend in size as they ascend to the top. Assembly of these parts becomes a whole and defines the form, allowing visual connection and privacy at the same time. The cross sectional framing of the structure renders stability and allows unhindered visual pleasure.
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Talking of versatility, the studio shares, “The parametric columns are designed to encase electric cables and lights at desired locations. Two adjacent columns merge to form the entrance.� Located at the seventh level of the main hotel building, with eighteen stories of overlooking corridors, this labyrinth of wooden members leaves a footprint of 13 m in diameter.
Cocktails of design styles are gaining popularity these days. Architect, Leela Krishna Murthy has delivered a heady mix of eastern and western flavours in the 3,500 square feet 4 BHK apartment at Sanpada, Navi Mumbai. ‘Her Home’ as envisioned by the client is composed of an Asian twist to a chic and contemporary treatment. While a contrasting colour palette of teak and vanilla dominate the interiors of this apartment, its overall look induces a sense of warmth and tranquility. The entrance lobby door crafted out of solid Burma Teak is exclusively designed to depict the elements of nature. Manufactured in-house using CNC machines, its exquisite design and cast brass handles adorn its wooden base. The centre table is another eye catching piece. It resembles the reflection of water which is well translated by the use of a beveled mirror. Floating human figures in brass hold a glass top provide the surface with an apt foil. Indirect yellow lighting enhances the colour palette that streams its way into the kitchen. While the clean polished marble worktops represent the modern ways of the west, the conventional straight lined, grooved paneling on the walls marks the nuances of the east. The bedrooms have also been customised to suit the needs of its occupants. A detailed wooden and mirrored headboard merges into the space, while wardrobe shutters replicate the same in white. Strategically positioned at the corners of the wardrobes and doors, mirrors help to define and impart a sense of seamlessness. Fabrics used in the house also exude a personal touch as is evident in the daughters four poster bed. A wall clad in tiny marble chips depicts a Sicis design that adds an element of art in the bathroom. Bespoke brass chrysanthemum handles on glass doors and crystal and glass luminaires succeed in adding more drama to the place. foldsdesignstudio@gmail.com 3dfolds@gmail.com www.foldsdesignstudio.com Home Review March 2018
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EVERYTHING ON THE SURFACE Surface is one of our favourite segments to present. It’s partly because it makes for almost the major part of a design in any space. The walls, floorings, ceilings, drapes and tiles define a space in a way unlike no other element or accessory can do. Get your surfaces right and you have your design right!
TIME TO BE FLOORED!
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Text By Ramya Srinivasan
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Another reason that surfaces make for an exciting subject is the way they gracefully bring together various fields of design such as textiles, textures, materials, patterns and of course colours! Surfaces are created by collaboration among diverse professionals such as designers, artists, artisans, painters, engineers, historians and technologists.
WALLS TO WOO!
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LOOK UP WITH AWE!
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THE TILE STORY
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DAZZLING DRAPES
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CEMENT FLOORINGS PAR EXCELLENCE
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TAKING IT AHEAD WITH SPAN FLOORS
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FIVE TRENDING SURFACE IDEAS
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They are the result of a harmonious relationship between beauty, functionality and the esoteric. This makes it a special segment, in which the products often surprise, shock or challenge us with their innovation, beauty and features.
There is at least one element of newness in every product, and when that’s not the case the functionality is elevated with superior engineering. Lavish use of bright colours, geometric prints and artistic patterns are trending.
In this Surface Special edition, we have curated some mind-blowing products from across the world. Most of the new collections show an aggressive earnestness to experiment with something fresh, a need to present something radical that can challenge the usual visual and tactile experiences.
Read on to learn more about our handpicked selection of surface products, and specifically the top five trends in 2018. Also, we have industry experts sharing their views on what’s in and what’s out. They also tell us how the industry is poised for growth and what interesting products are being launched to keep pace. Surf through!
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TIME TO BE FLOORED!
Beauty and function go hand-in-hand in these amazing range of parquets. Take your pick from natural stone or wood, subtle shades or snazzy prints, luxury or understated!
V4 WOOD FLOORING ALPINE LOCK This palette of wood floors offers subtle shades with soft, understated warmth and character. Its glue-less locking system provides an easy and versatile installation option. Precision milled from the highest quality European oak, the surface of each wooden plank is lightly brushed to bring out the natural oak character, and then finished with colouring techniques and a smooth lacquer coating. www.v4woodflooring.com
BEAL INTERNATIONAL BEALSTONE The Bealstone system is a customizable mineral coating that offers your projects and renovations a unique look. The finished appearance of the coating evokes vintage terrazzo and goes perfectly with the surrounding decor, whether modern or vintage. Its thickness is adjustable to each project, from 2 mm to several centimetres. It can cover floors, walls or furniture, both indoors and outdoors. www.bealinternational.com
ARTURO RESIN SCREED Arturo Unique Flooring specialises in resin-based flooring systems, creating a unique floor that opens endless possibilities and determines the perfect atmosphere. Resin Screed is suitable for industrial buildings, commercial kitchens, workshops and locations where high demands are placed on floors in terms of their mechanical loadbearing capacity, chemical resistance and hygiene. Its available in various colours and bespoke designs. www.arturoflooring.com
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DECOSPAN PAR-KY Par-ky is a multi-layer parquet combining the warmth of real wood with the advantages of laminate. It’s easy to install and maintain as laminate flooring, but the top layer is made of real wood. Par-ky consists of 8 collections, for every budget and taste. Thanks to its unique production process, it’s available in a wide species of wood including oak, walnut, ebony and teak. www.decospan.com
ITC NATURAL LUXURY FLOORING SANCERRE Sancerre is the ultimate luxury carpet from ITC’s wide selection of rugs, carpets and carpet tiles. The soft deep pile construction represents the height of underfoot comfort, while a choice of 7 subtle colours and tones fits perfectly with contemporary tastes. This faux silk carpet is the newest addition to the highly successful Campeone collection of Cannes Chablis and Kensington. www.itcnaturalluxuryflooring.com
FINSA FINFLOOR SUPREME Finfloor Supreme is the FINSA laminate flooring range with a synchronized structure and an innovative plank format. The strips give a stylish and elegant look; Together with the matt wood impression finish and longitudinal bevel, these achieve the depth, feel and look of natural wood planks. The flame-retardant laminates are characterised by high moisture resistance, high density and low formaldehyde content. www.finsa.com
INNERSPACE CHESHIRE WOVEN VINYL FLOORING Woven vinyl is a new hybrid type of flooring that is textile in nature, but manufactured from innovative materials, vinyl and fibreglass. Woven vinyl is remarkably robust, functional and yet highly elegant. All product lines achieve the highest wear and durability ratings, the best fire ratings, and are moisture and stain resistant for ease of maintenance. www.innerspacecheshire.co.uk
NORA NORAPLAN® SIGNA Connect to the calm of every indoor space through the adaptable, multipurpose design of noraplan® signa. Begin with the universal benefits of lasting, high-performance rubber flooring and embellish with a range of accessories that offers complete flexibility and balance. Round out your design with a tranquil selection of colours to compose a truly versatile and unique solution for your facility. www.nora.com
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WALLS TO WOO!
Arguably, the showstopper in any room, wall panels are no longer subtle and introverted. They are being designed to show off, to stand out and to impress.
COLOURGRAIN COLOURGRAIN SURFACES WOOD CLADDING ColourGrain Surfaces Wood Cladding is a beautifully painted tactile wood cladding product. It goes through different processes, including 8 coats of lacquer, to result in a practical, softly reflective textured surface in over 50 stunning shades and in a range of timbers. Suitable for exterior and interior use, walls and flooring, ColourGrain was launched in February 2018 at the SurfaceDesign Show. www.colourgrain.co.uk
ARMOURCOAT ARMOURCOAT SCULPTURALÂŽ
ARNOLD LAVER LIGHTBETON LightBeton is a creative surface for walls, ceilings and floorings with a control panel 90% lighter than a solid concrete wall. When the 2mm LightBeton real concrete layer is applied to various panels such as plywood, MDF or particle board, the possibilities are unlimited for architectural and design applications. It comes in 6 different versions. www.laver.co.uk
Armourcoat SculpturalÂŽ designs are created by combining computer-aided design with traditional hand sculpting. Some of the designs are based on a single panel that creates a repeating pattern; others are made from a sequence of different panels that can be integrated together in different ways to create unique sculpted walls. These nontoxic panels are dense and hard with a smooth ceramic-like surface. www.armourcoat.com
KATHKRITI TEAK DECO COLLECTION KathKriti Handicrafts group focuses on the production of solid teak wood wall panels. Its Teak Deco collection draws inspiration from rustic shades, geometric shapes and the warmth of teak wood grains. These inspirations lead to some very exclusive and admirable composition with a modern interpretation of the excellence of contemporary living and style. www.kathkriti.com
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MAARS LIVING WALLS LINEACUBE LineaCube with its minimalist design addresses the increasing demand for cells in open plan offices, to allow people to work and meet in a concentrated way. It’s an independent architectural space with its own ventilation, acoustic insulation and absorption with power, data, audio and lighting integrated into the ceiling. Its layout can vary from a one-person office to a consulting room with separate compartments. www.maarslivingwalls.com
DKT ARTWORKS ILLUMINATED ART PANEL This illuminated wall panel beside a subterranean pool in a private residence in Sorrento demonstrates that wall decor doesn’t have to stay conventional. The refreshing design is a signature of DKT’s works that have their roots in decorative arts. With in-house expertise spanning painting, sculpture, industrial design, carving, restoration, gilding, textiles, signwriting and graphics, the firm has an interestingly diverse portfolio. www.dkt.co.uk
BLACKHEATH PRODUCTS MAZAN GLASS EFFECT PANELS Mazan® acrylic glass is an innovative modern wall, shower and feature panel. Ideal for a diverse range of applications throughout commercial and residential projects, Mazan® can be used as an alternative to both glass and ceramic walls. It has the stunning look of reflective colour-backed glass but is quicker to accurately shape and install on site and comes at a lower cost. www.blackheathproducts.com
SIENNA BLEU OCHRE LAJA STONE PANEL Sienna Bleu offers an interesting variety of wall panels to choose from. Their panels faithfully reproduce the texture and colour of stones, wood or slate, as needed. The panels made of lightweight polyester and reinforced with fibreglass are waterproof and insulating. These are simple to install with a charming visual appeal. Along with indirect lighting, they elevate your design beyond imagination. www.siennableu.com
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Ceilings are not those ignored corners anymore. From printing custom images to magnificent 3D forms and interesting textural options, ceilings are adding to the glamour quotient of a space.
PRINT ACOUSTICS INVISIBLE ACOUSTICAL PANEL Print Acoustics specialises in acoustic absorption panels. The invisible series is shock resistant, easy to clean and has woven vinyl as the top layer on perforated acoustical panel for class A absorption. It’s perfect for ceiling applications in hotels, meeting rooms in offices, auditoriums and schools to correct the disturbing reverberation inside a room. An ideal aesthetic and durable solution for optimal room acoustics! www.printacoustics.be/en
SOUNDTECT CLASS CIRCLES SoundTect Class Circle panels reduce reverberation by offering Class A absorption to increase speech intelligibility in a specific area while reducing background sound noise levels. The circles, available in both 1200 and 800 diameters, are highly absorbent, visually appealing and easy to install. An educated combination of design, affordability and performance, it’s the perfect choice for architects, clients and contractors. www.soundtect.com
Texaa’s new Strato range offers a number of efficient solutions for dealing with the complex questions posed by ceiling design in buildings today. Born from the firm’s expertise in the field of transparent textiles and acoustic object solutions, Strato floating ceilings absorb sound waves and lower the reverberation time in the spaces in which they are fitted. www.texaa.com
3FORM CLARIO Clario is an award-winning ceiling design that transforms an overhead space with its soft texture and geometric patterns. This suspended, dimensional baffle diffuses and absorbs noise to create more intimate and welcoming environments. It has a high Noise Reduction Coefficient of 0.7. Clario is an ideal solution for conference rooms or high conversation areas. www.3-form.com
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TEXAA STRATO THE BREATHING CEILING
BARRISOL 3D FORM STRETCH CEILINGS Barrisol’s 3D stretch ceilings allow for many architectural forms such as rings, waves, cones, pyramids, vaults, warheads, corbellings and semi-circular arches to be created. These 3D ceilings have found interesting expressions in various projects like multi-coloured waves in a restaurant, a gigantic cylinder in an airport, a cubic display unit in an exhibition and a humanoid form in a shopping mall. www.barrisol.com
LED SKY CEILINGS CLOUD CEILINGS Cloud ceilings are a unique way to invite a slice of nature into your workplace. LED Sky has created them in more than 1500 companies including hospitals and education centres. Standard LED ceilings are available off-the-shelf. For a unique cloud ceiling with a deviating dimension, a different colour profile or a special finish request, Plus LED ceilings work their magic. www.ledskyceilings.co.uk
ARMSTRONG CREATE! CUSTOM IMAGE AND PATTERNS Create! helps to print custom images and patterns on your favourite Armstrong Ultima ceiling panel to complement any project design. Artistic designs and images on ceilings with premium visuals and unique themes can be printed. In addition, you also gain the high-performance benefits of white Ultima tiles. Typical application areas are classrooms, libraries, media centres, lobbies and restaurants. www.armstrongceilings.com
GYPROC GYPSUM PLASTERBOARD FALSE CEILING SYSTEM The gypsum plasterboard false ceiling is a monolithic suspended system that helps achieve a beautiful, homogeneous appearance and a smooth finish without any visible joints. Curves, steps and other designer ceiling options can also be achieved with plasterboard. Different kinds of gypsum plasterboard are used for the false ceiling system depending on the application area. www.gyproc.in
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THE TILE STORY
Artistic expressions, quirky shapes and tactile surfaces are a few common themes wading their way through the world of tiles. Be ready to be stunned with the incredible number of options to choose from!
BEDROCK TILES IMPERIAL Imperial is the pinnacle of porcelain tile production. An immaculate replication of natural stone, this family of residential, commercial floor and wall tiles ticks all the boxes. Available in 6 colours, each product imitates with true realism a particular type of popular natural stone. Truly an exhaustive range inclusive of mosaics, shapes and an accompanying wall tile collection. www.bedrock-tiles.com
LA FABBRICA ORCHESTRA
LITHOS DESIGN OPUS Opus is a revolutionary collection of designer marble tiles for luxury wall and flooring. It makes its debut with a series of ready-for-use ensembles consisting 44 types of marble, 6 patterns and 25 colour ranges. With Opus, Lithos Design switched its production focus from a sculptural to a pictorial approach, continuing its search for 3D results and exploring colours and shapes. www.lithosdesign.com
La Fabbrica specialises in high-quality ceramic tiles for floors and walls. Their products range from indoors to outdoors, classic to contemporary. Orchestra is part of their contemporary collection. It begs to be gazed upon, touched and experienced, and its warm shades create a welcoming, relaxing atmosphere. Unleash your creativity by adding personal touches, teaming different textures and laying arrangements. www.lafabbrica.it
SILO STUDIO DYED MARBLE Silo Studio’s works are based on industrial processes and materials using their own style of hands-on approach, which they call ‘handmade hi-tech’. Dyed marble seems like a quirky concept but the melange of colours against the white background create an authentic, sophisticated experience. The marble is dyed by hand using a unique production process. www.silostudio.net
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VICALVI KAZA CONCRETE COLLECTION SHINGLE Striking an impeccable balance between artistry and technology, the Kaza Concrete collection from Vicalvi incorporates tactile 3D elements. Shingle is the second 3D wall tile designed as part of this collection. It derives from the fusion of a leaf and a roof shingle. The colour chart emphasises its organic character in shades of green, light grey, white, blue and black. www.vicalvi.eu
ORNAMENTA MANIFESTO
SOLOMON AND WU FORESSO
Manifesto is a bold response to the ever-prevailing debate on the use of ornamentation in the architecture communities. In Manifesto, ornament is assumed to be the absolute protagonist. The impressions are on hand painted canvas where the author expresses his creativity in two sizes and five colours using a synthesis of experimentation on the materials and stylistic fronts.
Foresso, an example of the recent terrazzo trend, has a durable timber composition ideal for a variety of interior applications including wall panels, flooring, countertops and bespoke joinery elements. Since it’s cast directly onto Birch plywood substrate, it’s very nimble. Available in interesting shades such as redorange clay, deep green and naval blue, Foresso makes a space sparkle like no other.
www.ornamenta.com
www.solomonandwu.com
WAXMAN CERAMICS GEO COLLECTION Creating a patchwork of print and colour on floor and wall surfaces, the Geo range incorporates a number of designs to ensure abundant application possibilities. From wood-effect floor tiles in both hexagon and chevron shapes to decorative wall tiles in unique metallic tones and textures, this range has everything you need to beautify a space. www.waxmanarchitectural.co.uk
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DAZZLING DRAPES
Here is our absolutely stunning selection of blinds and drapes featuring bold and bright shades, a variety of fabrics and textures and smart technology systems.
CAMBRIDGE ARCHITECTURAL SECURE DECORATIVE CURTAIN Architectural mesh systems are virtually indestructible, can withstand hurricane-force winds, easily support a person’s full weight to restrain a fall and can be lit such that they can only be looked through from one side. The strength and open area of this metal fabric lends itself to safety and security. Ideal for open areas, kiosks, lounges and many other applications. www.cambridgearchitectural. com
HUNTER DOUGLAS DUETTE® ARCHITELLA® COLLECTION Here is a revolutionary window covering that dramatically reduces heating and cooling costs without compromising style! Duette Architella honeycomb shades provide three insulating air pockets that deliver superior energy efficiency in every season and can reduce energy loss up to 50%. Combine this with other Hunter Douglas products such as LiteRise®, UltraGlide’s retractable cord and EasyRise™ for enhanced child and pet safety.
Sivoia QS, the next generation of shading technology from Lutron, is the ideal solution for total light control. This shading product family includes roller blinds, curtain tracks and skylight blinds. Its simplified wiring and common communication language allows for easy integration with Lutron lighting controls, including the GRAFIK Eye®QS. Anusha Technovision is the authorized shade fabricator for Lutron in India. www.anushagroup.com
www.hunterdouglas.in
D’DÉCOR COMMERCIAL BLINDS D’Décor’s latest range of commercial blinds are not just aesthetically pleasing but also technologically advanced. The blinds come with both motorized and manual operating systems, a 5-year warranty program, and are antibacterial, flame retardant and water repellent. The ‘fit-to-perfection’ service allows complete customization with over 800 fabric variations including sheer fabrics, blackouts, sunscreens and translucent fabrics. www.ddecor.com
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ANUSHA TECHNOVISION SIVOIA QS
BOLTON TEXTILES GROUP VOLTAIRE COLLECTION Voltaire collection is from Sinclaire, a Bolton Textiles Group brand, which offers the highest quality in upholstery and drapery fabrics. Sinclarie is known for its original designs and for mixing beauty with practicality and function. With close to 40 options available to choose, the Voltaire collection illustrates royalty with its intricate patterns and striking stripes. www.boltontextilesgroup.co.uk
IDAM SHAPE SHIFT
R R DÉCOR AZURE
IDAM’s new collection of cushion covers, rugs and curtains boast of bold contrasting graphics translated onto textiles. Using straight lines and grids, further transforming their original contours and shift with the classic trend of black & white decor, IDAM brings an array of illusory prints that make an audacious statement and also works as a fascinating aesthetic corner in your home.
This newly launched collection is an expressive and textural amalgamation of contemporary fabrics with delicate floral patterns and bold geometric motifs united through a sophisticated neutral colour palette. Exquisite digital prints have been tinted in shades of blue, lime and copper. The soothing and skin friendly linen base is suitable for a variety of uses from upholstery, drapes and blinds to cushions.
www.idamstore.com
www.rrdecor.com
ZYNNA VELVET AND CHENILLE FABRICS Zynna’s Velvet and Chenille collection offers a unique range with colours such as hues of silver and gold on artificial leather as well as natural weaves. The indulgent looking velvet fabric catches light in the room, giving the curtains multiple tonal effects. Matching up with the velvet, the chenille retains the shine and brightens up the living room with its radiance. www.zynna.in
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CEMENT FLOORINGS PAR EXCELLENCE In conversation with Firdaus Variava, owner of Bharat Flooring, that has made its mark in the surface industry with its fascinating, unique and trendy designs. Their newer collections take inspiration from a myriad of sources such as nature, origami and heritage. Read on to know more.
Mr. Firdaus Variava, owner, Bharat Flooring
Can you talk about some of your new product launches? We’ve recently launched many collections: Micro Topping Collection, which is a very thin 2mm layer of concrete that can go on top of any other existing surface such as ceramic or stone. These are known as resurfacing materials. Macaron Collection, launched in collaboration with StudioSCD. These are round tiles. Aranya range of tiles that have rainforest motif designs such as birds and butterflies. Inspired by origami, they’ve an unusual look. ‘Made in India’ collection, developed inhouse, that reflects our country’s diversity of arts and culture. Our wall cladding product called Shatkona (meaning: ‘hexagon’). These claddings are very small, hexagonally shaped and come in different profiles.
What are some of the recent interesting trends in the floor industry? Based on my interaction with customers, I’m observing this recent trend of people getting nostalgic. A few years back, people wanted more European designs. But, now, there is a sense of saturation on that as there is the same look everywhere. People are asking for more traditional stuff. They want to relook at floors from the past.
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Earlier they wanted pastel shades, but now, they want strong and bold colours from our ancient designs. We’ve come a full circle. This is one of the reasons we launched our ‘Made in India’ collection, as we wanted to do something based on our own culture. This fits perfectly with what people are asking us now.
How was your experience participating in India Design 2018? Were there any key takeaways from there? Our experience was fabulous. One interesting thing for us was that people were asking us more for outdoor tiles. It’s a segment that we had moved away from as it was a crowded and commoditised space with mostly standard paved and chequered tiles. But, now clients want designer outdoor tiles, and they’re willing to pay the price for that. Perhaps, this is because there is a lack of choice in this market.
What is the future roadmap for Bharat Flooring? There are a few aspects that we’re focusing on: Continue our collaboration process with designers but also develop in-house capabilities. Look at how to make our tiles easy-to-install. Right now, the process is complex and relies on local knowledge. Expand our exports market, but we need to simplify our installation process before that. Experiment with funky and designer textures; expand from the mimicking of natural materials.
www.bharatfloorings.com
Can you comment on the growth potential for flooring industry in the next few years? Ours is a niche market, and for us, the growth potential has been very good. We’re expanding our marketing and distribution throughout India. GST reducing from 28% to 18% has made a big positive difference to us.
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Taking it ahead with spaN floors In conversation with Satinder Chawla, Managing Director, Span Floors, who shares his insights on the recent growth trends in the flooring industry and his firm’s contribution to this.
Mr. Satinder Chawla, Managing Director, Span Floors
Can you comment on the growth potential of the flooring industry and specifically, for Span Floors, in the next few years? We see a lot of positive growth for sure. As housing expands, the need for flooring rises. On top of that, there is a strong renovation need where wood floors are the floors of choice for the premium segment due to high quality aesthetics, durability as well as ease of installation without mess. At Span Floors, we are well geared to take advantage of the growth in the wood floor market. Our strong distribution tie ups with top international brands plus our local infrastructure in terms of our own well-trained team as well as the expanding dealer network across India and most importantly, the trust that the specifier segment like architects, designers and end users have put in us over the years, puts us in this excellent position.
What new products have you recently launched? New product launch is a routine thing at Span Floors. Our latest introduction is a highly advanced engineered flooring collection, a beautiful exterior decking system which looks exactly like wood but actually is not and a super waterresistant laminate flooring collection.
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Can you share the future roadmap for Span Floors? Expansion across India and deeper into the Delhi/NCR market, which is our key home market. We also intend to create more awareness about the impact of bad quality products on indoor air quality and damage to the environment. As it is, we have enough pollution outdoors. Why use inferior products that use cheap and harmful chemicals which off-gas later when installed in a building? As regards sustainability, since the wood is imported it can be easily said that what difference does it make to India or to us as Indians as far as damage to the environment is concerned. Well, my answer is ‘what goes around, comes around’. Even though the forests, where the wood is cut from, are not in India, global warming is real enough to all. If a project owner decides to use a cheap wood floor from a non-sustainable source, he may save money. But why should the other people and our children suffer because of that?
www.spanfloors.com
What are some of the recent trend shifts you’re observing in the floor markets space? The main trend that I am seeing is the growing awareness about the quality levels. People are now able to recognize differences between materials in technical construction, the impact of the material on indoor air quality as well as the green credentials. At Span Floors, we ensure all our products meet the following four criteria: design, durability, health and sustainability.
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Five TRENDING Surface IDEAS Surface trends in 2018 clearly reflect a sense of saturation with the past and a need for rejuvenating designs. Although classics like stone and wooden finishes continue to dominate, the audience of today wants everything with a ‘twist’; a refreshing look is the need of the hour. The trends below have emerged to the top because they break the existing monotony and challenge the status quo both from a visual and textural perspective. Here, we look at five recent design trends in the surfaces segment: Terrazzo Taking its name from the Italian word meaning ‘terrace’, terrazzo refers to the idea of chipped marbles set in cement. The chipped marbles give an assembled, abstract look rather than something neatly carved out. Today, terrazzo is not just restricted to marble, but can be easily engineered with other materials such as granite or quartz. Moreover, as the individual pieces can be of various patterns or colours, the design options are unlimited. In the Surface Design Show held in London in February 2018, terrazzo got many eyeballs rolling.
Designer Textures On one end of the spectrum is a demand for raw surfaces that are purely functional and deliver an authentic experience. On the other end, experimentation with finishes and textures are leading to innovative, bespoke textures such as leather tiles, laminate and wood hybrids, and denim, vinyl, resin and metallic finishes. Mimicking natural textures like wood in the form of tile claddings is another practical offshoot of this trend. Big and Bold Surface designs are no longer in the side-lines. As you enter a room, there is at least one element such as the floor, wall or ceiling that stands out seeking attention. And one of the ways, designers are achieving this is by translating big, bold geometric prints and patterns onto surfaces and combining them with neutral paint shades. For example, hexagon and chevron patterns are a trend of the season.
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3D Expressions Tactile surfaces have created an appeal among a wide segment of people, especially for commercial spaces. Office spaces are not just buildings running a business; they have become an expression of a firm’s identity, a space that is interactive with employees and clients. 3D has helped accomplish this demand. It also produces an edgy, contemporary look that is hard to replicate. With infinite combinations woven through the use of advanced technology, the 3D concept has made its mark and is here to stay.
Local Flavour As people travel across the world and gain better exposure to international trends, designs have lost their novelty. In search of building a distinctive character and creating an excitement for their audience, designers are looking to add a local flavour and a regional context to their creations. In India, specifically, the rich cultural heritage as a theme is being explored extensively. For example, bandhni, batik, kalamkari and other such local fabrics and patterns are finding their way back onto surfaces in a big way.
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GREENLAM PARTNERS WITH INDIA WOOD 2018 Greenlam Industries Ltd. marks its presence at India Wood 2018 by showcasing the best in decorative surfaces. Marking its presence at the India Wood 2018 in Bangalore, Greenlam Industries Ltd. among the top 3 surfacing solutions brand in the world showcased its leadership in decorative surfaces. Known all over for its superior design and quality, the Greenlam exhibit showcased an exquisite range of decorative products for laminates, veneers, engineered door solutions, engineered wood floors and veneers. Under its umbrella Greenlam Industries Ltd has marquee brands like - Greenlam laminates, Greenlam clads, Mikasa floors, Mikasa doors and Decowood Premium Veneer Collection.
Speaking about the company’s participation at India Wood 2018, Mr. Saurabh Mittal- Managing Director and CEO, Greenlam Industries Ltd., said, “At Greenlam Industries Ltd., it is our constant endeavor to offer the best décor trends to our consumers and redefine interior spaces with superior quality products. Platforms like India Wood gives us the opportunity to showcase our finest decorative surfaces and highlight our advances in the Industry. It also gives us a chance to share optimal standard practices with some of the world’s leading players in the décor and interior sector.”
Greenlam Industries Ltd., re-affirmed its commitment to bring the best of global trends to India at the exhibition and drew in curious crowds who witnessed all that the brand had to offer. The Greenlam exhibit, saw heavy footfall from the numerous patrons at India Wood 2018.
Taking place once in two years, India Wood is one of the world’s leading exhibitions for the furniture manufacturing and the woodworking industry. It offers its audience a comprehensive overview of the prevailing technological innovations and the latest manufacturing trends.
The show floor of India Wood 2018 spanned over approximately 50,000 sqm with more than 850 exhibitors from 40 countries. The participants showcased the latest machines, technological innovations, equipment, smart manufacturing trends as well as materials, fittings, tools to the projected 60,000 attendees from across the globe. The show is renowned for its many live demonstrations and product launches during the show. www.greenlamindustries.com
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A brand that curates art and aesthetics with functionality, Masala Works strives to bring you the latest print trends in the form of a cushions, fabrics, coasters, runners and many other products. It brings you the electric magic of digitally printing tempered with the elegance of vintage living.
Masala Works creates art and aesthetics with functionality.
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CURATING ELEGANCE TEXT BY ANINDITA GANGULY
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The range of digitally printed home and lifestyle products is a true delight.
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Founded by Mansi Nathani Barasara, Masala Works designs and creates a range of digitally printed home and lifestyle products like table runners, mats, coasters, cushions, trays, bins, boxes and trunks and fashion and travel accessories like wallets, passport covers, luggage tags, shoe bags, kits, slings and much more.. All the products from Masala Works are designed by an exclusive team of experts in-house, right from visualising and creating the print to the final construction of the product. Since all the products are manufactured inhouse only, the brand is able to keep the price of the products extremely low, thus making the products increasingly affordable. In the words of Mansi, “We have a strong influence of classics in our designs. Our personal favorites are the chintz, art deco, kilims and ikats�. The idea behind the brand is to create a unique and affordable brand with design aesthetics that appeal to a large number of people.
All the products are designed by an exclusive team of experts in house.
Masala Works visualizes itself in the near future with a chain of its own retail stores pan India and the brand also aspires to venture into bulk exports, whilst keeping the prime focus on India. According to Mansi, “Some of our top selling products are placemats, cushion covers and runners.
There is a strong influence of classics in the designs.
The cushions from Masala Works exhibit an amazing riot of colours.
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Placemats are easy maintenance as they can be easily wiped clean. The placements have been an instant hit. The cushion covers and runners are immensely popular for their unique design, impressive quality and affordable price. We also cater to corporate gifts and wedding favors and gifts”. When asked how the brand plans to deal with competition from other brands, Mansi says, “We believe in providing a good quality product with latest design trends at affordable prices”. The riot of colours and the amalgamation of a subtle style and functionality in combination with extremely affordable prices make Masala Works a favourite destination for those who have the eye for detail. Placemats, cushion covers and runners from Masala Works are immensely popular. Masala Works
152-B KEWAL INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, S.B. MARG, LOWER PAREL. MUMBAI-400 013 +9122 24980771/774 shop@masalaworks.com www.masalaworks.com
Masala Works is a favourite destination for those who have an eye for detail.
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VIEGA SCALES NEW HEIGHTS Viega, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of plumbing and heating installation technology, has opened a manufacturing facility in India.
Viega has invested 20 million euros in the approximately 1,60,000-squarefeet facility which also includes a logistics centre, research & development department, and a customer experience centre. The new facility is an important building block in the growth plans of the international group. At the new Viega location in Sanand, around 30 km from Ahmedabad, floor drains and toilet cisterns are currently being manufactured for the Indian market. At the opening ceremony, Manoj Maithani, Vice President Sales and Marketing, at Viega India Pvt. Ltd., welcomed customers and employees of Viega India along with the representatives of the executive board of the Viega Group.
“The opening of the plant in Sanand is a major highlight in our 119-year company history, which began in 1899 with three employees in a backyard in Attendorn, Germany,” says Anna Viegener, Chief Strategy Officer and Viega Shareholder. Since 2016, the company has been supporting the ‘Team Swachh Bharat’ initiative, which is the official partner of the Indian government’s ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’. The Viega Group has been active in India since 2005. Following the opening of the first sales offices in Gurgaon and Mumbai in 2009 and 2012 respectively, the subsidiary Viega India Pvt Ltd. was founded in 2015 with
headquarters in Ahmedabad and currently employs around 85 people. Moreover, a 30-strong sales team ensures proximity to the customer. “India is a major pillar for our global growth plans. With 1.3 billion inhabitants and a rapidly growing economy, offers enormous potential for us to grow in the Indian market. In line with our sales growth, we intend to expand the local team by 120 employees over the next few years.” emphasizes Claus Holst-Gydesen, CEO of Viega Holding GmbH & Co. KG. www.viega.in
Speaking on the occasion Manoj Maithani, Vice President Sales and Marketing at Viega India Pvt. Ltd. says, “’Make in India’ is not only the eponymous Indian government initiative but also the mark of quality that will characterise ever more Viega products for the Indian market from now on. In the coming years, we want to locally manufacture products that we currently import into India. To this end, we have designed the plant so that it can always be adapted to changing production requirements and market needs.” Home Review March 2018
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Books. Books. And more books! While this may look like a shot of a library, this veritable bookshelves lined wall is the interior of the Albert. Can you spot the hidden staircase?
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THE HOSPITALITY EQUATION In downtown Chicago’s Streeterville neighbourhood, embodying art and science, is Hotel EMC2, a part of the Autograph Collection. It is an outcome of a well balanced collaboration between Marriott International and SMASHotels, an award-winning hospitality management company.
Not even Einstein could have posited that his theory of relativity would inspire New-York based Rockwell Group to design a 195-room hotel in Chicago’s downtown area! Home Review dives in deep into the world of relativity to discover more about the 21-storey Hotel EMC2. Greg Keffer, Partner at Rockwell Group and Studio Leader on the Hotel EMC2 project says, “We wanted to capture a moment produced by the intersecting worlds of art and science.” The design which is a collaborated effort between Rockwell Group and Koo & Associates, in a way, brings to life ‘a sense of discovery, creativity and innovation’, thereby inviting visitors to explore.
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Guests can immerse themselves in the eccentric mix of art, objects and books throughout the hotel. The well - balanced colour palette of the lobby and reception area adds to the overall warmth and welcoming vibe of the hotel.
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The base is a geometric pattern inspired by a four-dimensional representation of a cube called a Tesseract. At the entrance, lies a two-storey volume centerpiece and a freestanding assemblage of bookshelves piled on top of each other. Inspired by Einstein’s interest in collecting, the installation creates a first place of exploration for guests as well as conveys a sense of discovery and wonder, quite akin to an unexplored attic or a contemporary cabinet of curiosities. This attention to detail and design leads guests to explore and discover more during their stay at Hotel EMC2. What adds to the overall charm of the lobby and entrance layout is a curated collection of original artwork by local and international artists that is featured throughout the hotel’s public places. Perhaps the most interesting feature of the reception and lobby area is the folding fabric screen depicting a state of cloud formations. Sitting behind the reception desk, this feature is a custom design by Rockwell Group in a bright polished rose gold and glass. The elevator lobby is a mélange of surprising elements, with twoway mirrors above and concealed video screens inside the elevator. This creates quite the illusion of ink dropping from the panels above into the elevators as the doors open. The Archive Lounge and event space are located on the second floor. The former is a comfortable space with opulent seating and contemporary fittings in shades of rose gold and tints of brown and green. A custom over-sized vintage steamer trunk opens to an intimate breakfast nook as well as a cocktail bar at night. The communal kitchen is set alongside a glasswalled multi-purpose room that serves as a private dining room, and the lounge can be reconfigured into a VIP area or prefunction space for conferences, business meetings, etc.
Another angle of the Albert. Ideal for cocktail hours!
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The Albert Restaurant is the hotel’s tribute to Einstein and his immense contribution to modern science. An airy, double-height space that seats 120 guests, the restaurant serves globally inspired cuisine and handcrafted cocktails. With a delightfully casual ambience, Albert has intimate seating options to enable a quiet and private dining experience.
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“Two-storey spaces can sometimes be uncomfortable for diners,” adds Greg Keffer. “So the question becomes how do you bring the scale down while introducing the art and science themes to guests.” So a grand bookshelf made up of smaller, repurposed furniture pieces was installed to serve as an entrance to the restaurant. Considering Hotel EMC2 is an exploration of the cross-pollination of science and art, it is natural that the bar will play a significant role in the overall dramatic narrative. A custom chandelier comprised of glass cylinders filled with house-made infused liquors is suspended over a copper and enamel clad-bar.
The phonograph can be quite the ideal spot for guests to keep their phones!
The real reenactment of Einstein’s interest in discovery, invention and creativity is in the 195 guestrooms that are located on floors 4-21 of the hotel. The verandahs leading to the rooms have custom carpet inspired by images of molecules studied under a microscope, thereby creating vibrant and abstracted patterns. Video art installations screening the processes of painting and drawing are projected onto a canvas panel in a metal frame hung across from the elevator banks. The rooms are inspired by laboratories from the 1920’s - simple and aesthetically balanced with imaginative and custom touches. Well-appointed rooms filled with quirky and unusual details. A metallic horn-shaped analog sound amplifier is just one of the many eclectic features of the rooms. Each room is equipped with a smart TV and an Amazon Alexa device. The fixtures in the rooms and bathrooms are throwbacks to Einstein’s era. Lined with mosaic tiles, the bathrooms, which could be dubbed as wet labs, lie behind sliding doors and curtains concealing ribbed glass shower walls.
Brass and copper fittings that don’t take away from the overall simplicity of the bathroom, the mosaic tiled flooring in the shower area is in keeping with the time and space conundrum of the hotel.
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Copper is a common element in all bathroom designs, including a vanity made from metal tubing, a curvilinear utility pole outfitted with lighting, mirrors, a towel rack, and a showerhead with exposed copper pipes. Playful graphics on the ceilings augment the space and a sense of humor to the bathrooms.
Books seem to be everywhere at Hotel EMC2. Seen here at the conference room, that overlooks Chicago’s downtown area.
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Inspired by the four-dimensional cube called the Tesseract, the outward façade of Hotel EMC2 was designed by Rockwell Group and Koo & Associates.
Hotel EMC2 is the first of its kind “geared toward both left and rightbrained guests.” It is a refreshing development in the hospitality industry and a departure from the usual norms. Rockwell Group’s interior designs have added layers of explorative discovery to the hotel and have ensured that guests will have an experience that is unparalleled, and out of this century! www.rockwellgroup.com
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Design Neurology Foundation Design Inc, a young firm started by Architects Kunal Khandelwal and Khushboo Sanghavi, have evolved as a design practice and now encompass projects of various scales and interests, spanning architecture, interior design and landscape design. Given the project brief to design a 1000 sq. ft. nerve centre of the neurology foundation, they devise a warm and welcoming space, with transparency and connectivity as its key design elements. The area in addition to being adaptable, has spaces for interaction and collaborative discussions. The architects have also made it a point to take into consideration the socio-economic diversity of the people visiting the centre by planning different zones without a sense of hierarchy. A simple and orderly design creates the vibe of a clean and hygienic space which is reflected in the facility. Graphics, colour and textures are used as quiet design elements for awareness, movement and adding vibrancy to the otherwise calm space. Additionally, a minimalist design approach and subtle tones lends a modern aesthetic to the space.
reception@adelaide.designinc.com.au www.designinc.com.au
Text By Avani Patwardhan
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Intelligent design need not be restricted to mammoth-sized spaces. Sometimes, even a small idea can lead to stunningly brilliant interior themes.
Mixology Design Mixology spotlights innovative design in various domains such as showrooms, bars, clinics, spas and much more.
Kathrani Villa “The more I saw foreign countries, the more I loved my own.” - De Delloy Rendering the Kathrani family’s dream to reality, Cetati has built them a Rajasthani styled haveli at Houston, Texas. A stroll around the villa will take you back through the lanes of a palatial haveli you might have seen on a trip to Rajasthan. To keep the villa as native as possible, the materials used in the construction were shipped from India, with detailed instructions and blueprints so that they could be assembled by the construction team at Texas. Sandstone, pink marble and wood enhances the look of the facade of the single-storey villa making it resemble a traditional haveli. The ground-level plan includes three guest bedrooms, one master bedroom, a formal living room with dining area, a family room and a kitchen. It also has a courtyard with a pond and fountain, an outdoor kitchen with a barbecue pit, a lake and a vegetable garden. A royal house in a foreign setting, the Kathrani Villa feels like a little Rajasthan amidst the suave Texas state.
www.cetati.in
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CHINA HOUSE LOUNGE The revamped China House Lounge has now been transformed into something much more. The gallery walkthrough clad with brick and lattice work creates a sense of mystery and an interesting entry way that resembles a bylane of China-town. The interesting shadow patterns created on the ground and a coin wall at the entrance greets you with an ambience which resonates with the Chinese trading routes of the 40’s and the 60’s. The overall design is contemporary yet ornate, and evokes a feeling of the old times yet with a modern sensibility. A play of light being the forte of the design, the ambient lighting used in the lounge are placed so as to create an enthralling experience. The wooden floor, dark ceilings, and wall hangings create an illusion of a treasure trove in the rest of the lounge.
info@stable.in www.thestable.in
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In the office of MuseLAB Design Engine in Mumbai, natural light filters through a screen to animate its interiors. This creates an unpredictable dynamic with the changing patterns of light and shadow which never fail to enliven the space. It’s all about the screen. Well, almost. If you’re prepared to disregard the customary meticulous attention to detail in the interior, that is. “We were looking for a studio and were delighted to find this double height space which also had a loft…it had such a New York feel,” says Huzefa Rangwala of MuseLAB Design Engine. “Our studio consists of just eight people, so the size didn’t deter us, although it was only 175 sq feet, with the mezzanine,” adds Jasem Pirani, also of MuseLAB.
Text By Devyani Jayakar Photographs Sameer Tawde
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THROUGH THE SCREEN, SOFTLY
It is after stepping into the office, that the magic the screen creates becomes evident.
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Located on the ground floor, the premises provided an opportunity to design a frontage which would create a brand identity. “However, the restriction - the office is a rented one - was that the original T-shaped profile should be maintained. We would have loved to take away the waist-height walls flanking the steps in order to create a square frontage…but the T-shape worked too,” says Huzefa. The duo decided that an MS screen with round cut-outs of different sizes would be the ideal means through which to achieve privacy, create an identity and permit light as well as ventilation. “Several panels containing three different kinds of cut-outs have been put together in this screen,” says Jasem. “All three have been laser cut in a 16 mm thick metal sheet.
All the furniture is in birch ply with legs of Burma teak for strength.The computers are all-in-one, so that there is no external CPU.
Some of the perforations are ‘through and through,’ while others are either pivoted or hinged.” The pivoted perforations are connected at two points to the rest of the sheet and have been manually folded, while the hinged ones are connected only at one point. Viewed as a whole, the screen reveals a distinct pattern created by the perforations, imparting an abstract aesthetic. Easy on maintenance, the panels can be dusted off regularly, or even removed for painting when required. “They were also cost effective, the size of the panels being dictated by what the laser machine could accept,” says Huzefa. It is after stepping into the office, that the magic the screen creates becomes evident. “It is not only the slowly changing angle of the sun, but also every passing car which alters the patterns of light and shade inside, reaching the walls with their dynamism. We hadn’t anticipated the movement of these bubbles of light…it’s a pleasant surprise which we really enjoy,” says Jasem. MuseLAB’s corporate colours are evident in the palette - grey, with a dash of fuchsia in small doses. The latter appears in the handle of the door to the office as well as the handrail of the staircase which connects the ground floor to the mezzanine, while the polished kota steps contribute to the neutral canvas. “The floor is in cement because we needed to do a quick job. It does crack, but ages well,” says Huzefa.
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Fuchsia, one of the corporate colours, appears in the handrail of the staircase which connects the ground floor to the mezzanine, while the polished kota steps contribute to the neutral canvas.
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“All the furniture is in birch ply with legs of Burma teak for strength. “Birch ply is a favourite of ours. It is so beautiful even when it is unfinished that it just needs a coat of water based PU.” The duo was also careful to design furniture which could be disassembled and moved to another location, if needed. The double height part of the space has no furniture. Two pendant lights sourced from chor bazaar provide illumination. Further inside, there are four work stations. The computers are all-in-one, so that there is no external CPU. The backs of the desks have vertical panels to hold office paraphernalia, so that the desktop remains clutter free. A slit on each side of the desk functions as a wire manager. “That’s our take on the customary round cut out that all of us are used to seeing,” says Jasem. The ground floor houses a six seater conference cum lunch table and a pantry, complete with a nook for the office boy. LED tube lights have been customised with a birch ply frame. “Within this small space, we are happy to have the juniors listen in to our discussions with clients and offer their own suggestions,” says Huzefa. “Jasem and I have both come from very large practices where details can sometimes get overlooked. In this office, there is more control over who does what.” On the mezzanine, a large library unit functions as a railing. “We removed the floor to ceiling glass which was there earlier, replacing it with this unit which carries forward the idea of the screen at the front. Consisting of a series of stacked boxes with perforations which echo those of the metal screen, the unit holds the material palette which is shown to clients,” says Jasem.
On the mezzanine, a large library unit functions as a railing and also carries forward the idea of the screen at the front.
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“Our office is a contrast to the kind of work we do for clients. It’s rather ‘nude,’ both in terms of colours as well as the material palette, although it offers a mix of warm and cool tones,” says Huzefa.“Our projects are more a reflection of the brief which the client gives us.” However, this office is populated with a collection of creatures from other cities, personalising the space – a wooden bird, a cow from Pondicherry and a giraffe from CEPT, all have become permanent residents.
The double height part of the space has no furniture, the colour palette being a sparse one.
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Several panels containing three different kinds of cut-outs have been put together in the screen. All three have been laser cut in a 16 mm thick metal sheet. Some of the perforations are ‘through and through,’ while others are either pivoted or hinged.
Reminiscent of Japanese design, this work area has flexible spaces, yet a place for everything. “Even the staircase is occasionally used for seating,” says Huzefa. As for the screen which articulates the brand identity? It won the Kyoorius Design Award in the temporary/permanent installation category. Filtering and regulating natural light, it articulates the design sensibility of the architectural practice within. Clearly, Huzefa and Jasem have the knack of turning their attention easily from space to object and from surface to detail, creating a beautifully layered experience. curious@muselab.in. www.muselab.in
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In April 2017, the American Institute of Architects’ Committee on the Environment named Ng Teng Fong General Hospital as one of the year’s ten best examples of sustainable design.
GREEN PROJECT
GREEN HEALTHCARE IN SINGAPORE
The Green Mark Platinum Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, part of Singapore’s first medical campus, is an exemplary role-model for how performance based sustainable design can support resource efficiency and also promote health and well-being in the community.
Text By Ramya Srinivasan Photographs Rory Daniel and CPG Consultants Courtesy HOK Home Review March 2018
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NTFGH is the first hospital in Singapore to use a cross-ventilation scheme that allows for high ventilation rates at every patient bed without cross-contamination.
Design and medical planning consultant, HOK collaborated with the Singapore Ministry of Health, CPG Corporation and Studio 505 on the Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH). This proficient team set out to build a hospital that would leverage energy efficiencies to offer a holistic, costeffective and quality healthcare to patients. It was a tough ask, but with meticulous planning and intelligent design choices, NTFGH was built to consume 38% less energy than a typical Singaporean hospital and 69% less than a typical U.S. hospital. In April 2017, the American Institute of Architects’ Committee on the Environment named it one of the year’s ten best examples of sustainable design.
The focus on greenery is unique for a healthcare facility - dense vegetation covers low roofs and much of the site, even growing vertically up the building, both in planter boxes and along wires linking floors.
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By providing patients with access to nature, daylight and natural ventilation, the design dramatically improves the patient experience with only a modest increase in square footage and cost.
In this design, passive principles are in play creating an environment that uses natural factors and materials to conserve energy. 70% of the facility is passively cooled and naturally ventilated. Thermal mass, ceiling fans, cross ventilation and exterior shading ensure that the temperature remains comfortable throughout the day with a minimal use of energy. The saw tooth design plan not only responds to the position of the sun and prevailing breezes but also revolutionises the traditional healthcare model by providing every patient with a window.
As a ‘hospital without walls’, it neatly integrates the large public facility into the city’s urban context with a public pedestrian thoroughfare and a retail mall traversing the centre of the first floor. Bringing neighbours and shoppers through the campus to access the light rail creates a more transparent, less daunting environment, positioning the hospital as part of the community fabric. “We envisioned the hospital as an oasis in the dense city of Singapore,” says Bill Roger, regional director of Healthcare based in HOK’s San Francisco studio. “The design incorporates parks, green roofs and vertical plantings throughout the campus and offers each patient an operable window with views of the greenery.”
This extensive focus on greenery is unique for a healthcare facility with dense vegetation covering low roofs and much of the site, even growing vertically up the building, both in planter boxes and along wires linking floors. Water conservation is another important strategy that supports the sustainable design of this building. The main water reduction strategy occurs in the HVAC system. Natural ventilation and passive cooling in most of the building significantly reduces both water and electricity use. For the remaining cooling needs, the mechanical system uses NEWater, a pillar of Singapore’s water sustainability strategy. This municipally scaled wastewater treatment system returns reclaimed water to high-grade, potable standards.
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The hospital uses a combination of strategies such as passive cooling, wastewater treatment and rainwater harvesting.
At the heart of NTFGH is the idea of better healthcare by hosting a happy patient in an optimistic ambience.
Because of its low mineral content, NEWater is more effective than standard tap water in the HVAC system and can be used for more cycles before it is discarded. Behind the scenes of this green design lies thorough research. “We used detailed computational fluid dynamics models, shading analysis, climate analysis, daylight modelling, acoustical studies and energy modelling to optimise energy efficiency and patient experience,� explains Roger.
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For example, the facade design is unique to each orientation. Custom external shading devices include sliding sunscreens and light shelves. This optimised design provides at least 60% shading for critical facades and 40% for others. Selection of sustainable project materials that are long lasting and low maintenance was another important focus area for the design team. Using the Singapore Green Labelling Scheme and Singapore Green Council Certified Product list, they selected materials with high levels of recycled content such as carpet tiles, porcelain tiles, composite timber, cast-in-place rubber flooring and steel.
Executed with the vision of a ‘hospital without walls’, it brings neighbours and shoppers into the campus to access the light rail, thereby becoming a part of the community fabric.
What makes the NTFGH project distinctive is how it successfully translates sustainable measures into financial and health benefits. “By providing patients with access to nature, daylight and natural ventilation, the design dramatically improves the patient experience with only a modest increase in square footage and cost,” says Shiva Mendez, senior medical planner in HOK’s San Francisco office.
For example, the fan-shaped floor plan and high-performance facade create spaces that are comfortable without air conditioning or much electric lighting during daytime hours, reducing operating costs. Support spaces for materials, management and kitchens are shared by the general hospital, community hospital and outpatient centre, eliminating redundancies. The icing on the cake of course is happier patients with access to better healthcare. “Healthcare research repeatedly demonstrates that providing access to daylight and views of nature improves patient care,” says Mendez. “It also enhances alertness and reduces errors by physicians and nurses.”
NTFGH’s sustainable design makes it the first project in Singapore to combine continuing care from outpatient to post-acute care on the same campus. By leveraging staff across the continuum, this model improves followup for patients. It is a successful prototype for other healthcare campuses and clearly elucidates that high quality, affordable care is possible using green design principles.
hokcontact@hok.com
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GENCORK
The sustainable process of production and the easy recycling of cork products and byproducts are two of cork’s most distinctive aspects. Cork oak forests also prevent desertification and are a particular habitat in the Iberian Peninsula which is the refuge of various endangered species.
Cork is an impermeable buoyant material and is harvested from the phellem layer of the bark tissue of the Quercus suber tree, also known as the cork oak. Cork is composed of suberin, a hydrophobic substance and, because of its impermeable, buoyant, elastic, and fire retardant properties, is used for a variety of products, the most common of which has been wine stoppers. However due to an advancement in innovation a huge functional range has now been added that not only looks elegant but also treads lightly on the consciences of individuals who care for our planet. Cork production is considered sustainable as the cork tree itself is not cut down and only the bark is stripped to harvest the cork. The tree continues to live and grow.
Text Compiled By Mala Bajaj
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But, what happens when you explore cork through generative digital processes? What happens when you bring together technology, innovation and sustainability? What happens when young creative talent comes together in perfect harmony in an industry with over 50 years of existence?
Gencork has dared to articulate multiple elements, techniques, processes, people, strategies, feelings and dreams, all with a single purpose: to create a unique, innovative product, with both thermal and acoustic properties while simultaneously‌ beautiful and sustainable! What happens when a brand decides to create locally and think globally? What happens when a product unites form, function and aesthetics?
Gencork manufactures several wall covering solutions made out of cork, apart from furniture, lamps and other household products that explore the symbiosis between a low-tech material and high-tech processes. The 100% natural and sustainable expanded cork agglomerate is transformed through generative design algorithms, inspired by nature and advanced digital fabrication processes, expressing new formal aesthetics.
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This creative and sophisticated system not only optimises cork’s thermal and acoustic properties, but also adds artistic value to traditional spaces. With this process, it’s now possible to produce a huge range of different variations of a pattern, adapting it to any size or form. The designing is the function of Digitalab a subsidiary of Gencork. That arm of Gencork responsible for manufacturing the various elegant and sustainable products is Sofalca.
It is only the cork of the branches or ‘falca’ that is used for the manufacture of cork granules. These are turned into cluster blocks in an autoclave; this process is 100% natural and is carried out without the use of additives. This technology, developed by Sofalca, consists of injecting water vapour through pellets that expand and agglomerate with the resin of the cork itself.
This “cooking” also gives the resulting cork a dark color, very similar to chocolate. For the production of the steam required for this procedure, biomass is used, which is obtained by milling and cleaning the falca or branches of the cork trees. It is exactly this practice that makes this a truly ecological production carried out without creating any waste and with a 95% energy self-sufficiency.
This super-material, cork, offers a huge range of advantages, because in addition to being an excellent thermal and acoustic insulator it is also has anti-vibration properties. Moreover cork is also a CO2 sink and therefore plays a key role in the enhancement of the environment. In 2016 Gencork was the winner of the Green Product Award. www.gencork.com
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Classic Marble Company Presents A Luminous Experience The launch of ‘Stone & Luce’ Collection by Classic Marble Company marks a new milestone. Classic Marble Company (CMC) has launched its range of translucent marble as ‘Stone & Luce’ collection under its flagship brand KalingaStone. Designed on the backdrop of the ancient mosaic patterned stone Terrazzo, the Stone & Luce collection can be backlit for creating a spectacular visual and to bring out the beauty of the stone. Redefined for modern architecture, the collection is a unique offering that combines the exquisiteness of mosaics and the elegance of marble. The exceptional feature of the Stone and Luce collection is its luminous character. With translucence as its main characteristic, the marble allows light to pass through the small pieces of stones or chips embedded in the surface. If panelled as a room divider the marble perfectly melts into a designer wall, adding an incomparable glamour quotient to the installed area.
The marble as flooring highlighter is certain to allure guest in the ante room. For connoisseurs this is a classic piece with its favourite mosaic patterns while for an ace designer it’s a framework to create superlative designs in a bare room.
The lucent marble also makes for a perfect table top in a dining area lending the space a classic look in daylight while transforming it into a stunning dining area in the evening. The products are available in variety of colours and can be customized as per ones interior needs. Besides being visually gratifying, the products also feature the characteristics of being less porous, more flexible and harder than natural marble making the marble an obvious choice for different types of interior and decor applications like flooring, walls, table tops, etc. in commercial as well as residential areas. Classic Marble Company Pvt. Ltd. 15, Bhandup Village Road, Subhash Nagar, Bhandup (W), Mumbai 400078 contact: +91 22 4140 4140 Web: www.classicmarble.com
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The seating design has been rendered with different elevations creating a layered space.
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LILLIPUTIAN LUXURY In one of the swankiest lanes of Alkapuri, Vadodara, Fainy Thakor, a young architect, has lent her design sensibilities to a trendy bakery franchise, Mr. Puff. It is a fascinating example of how an intelligent design can aptly embellish a limited space of 500 sq ft.
Design can add several things to a place draw out its aesthetics, create a structure, plus cater to the functional needs. In Mr. Puff, a commercial establishment from six decades ago, Fainy Thakor’s design demonstrates all these facets but also adds a differentiating character to the popular brand. Thakor says, “Mr. Puff is a renowned bakery chain in Vadodara. Until now, they’ve had small retail shops with no café ambience to go with. In this new store, they wanted to change their brand identity and have a retail store cum café.” Other than an informal café seating, the requirement was to have a kitchen, cash counter and shelves to showcase retail products. All of these had to be done inside an area of 500 sq ft. At first, Thakor tackled the seating design with different elevations, creating a layered space that was not monotonous to the eyes.
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“We didn’t want to place the customers at the same level of flooring as it would make the place look smaller. So, we used different seating heights. For example, as you enter, there is an informal lounge with low height tables and four accent chairs. Next to this, in the corner, there are high stools facing the wall that occupy minimal space. Overall, there is an interesting play of heights,” explains Thakor. There is also another raised level, where Thakor has employed sleek, white chairs to contrast with the bulkier, multi-coloured accent chairs. To retain an uncluttered look, only eighteen chairs have been placed in all, with sufficient open space for customers to move about and check the retail counters. There are two focal points in the bakery - the brick lined wall with face murals and the product shelves. The brick textured wall adds a dash of red to an otherwise sober colour scheme. Also, the implicit correlation between a bakery and the earthiness of bricks brings a cosy ambience to the store. The four face murals with quirky expressions symbolise a youthful sense of abandon.
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Next to the brick wall is an L-shaped product counter with a light-yellow pinewood background. The pinewood offsets the red and its light shade works its charm in enhancing the volume of the room. Additionally, it doesn’t overwhelm the products but lets them dominate the space, as they rightfully should. As the client’s brief included the need for the store to be interactive, there are a few product shelves offset against a blackboard. There is a tasting counter with the doodle “Don’t forget to grab a bite, it’s free!”
Mr. Puff, a well-known bakery chain in Vadodara, wanted a cosy store that had a café ambience in addition to its usual retail products section.
The specials of the month or any other products that need to be highlighted are stacked here. Many design choices in the bakery have been executed with care and skill, so as to underplay the room size. For example, the tiny kitchen is neatly tucked away behind the cash counter. Thakor shares, “Behind the counter, there is a grey laminate partition with a ‘secret’ window at its centre. This window is only opened when an order needs to be passed on. Otherwise, it’s closed and looks like a plain partition.”
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As “looking at a smaller space would make the overall space appear small”, she chose to conceal the kitchen skilfully behind a window decorated with vertical grooves. The colour scheme, too, is in cognizance of the footage area. Grey, white and black with occasional shades of red and wood manifest a soothing effect. The flooring is a soft black kadappa stone that complements the decor without siphoning off attention from the important focal points. The ceiling, too, extends this sentiment with a neutral grey and interspersing red pipes. Thakor chose to leave the ceiling exposed and not cover it using a false one in order to retain the height. Ambient lights from the red pipes integrate the ruggedness of the ceiling with the structured, clean theme below. Thakor graduated from college just three years ago, and her firm was established just a few months later. However, in a short span of time, she has done many residential and commercial projects. Although Mr. Puff was her first retail project, she managed to wrap it up in just 40 days. Her story on the creation of the face murals truly speaks of her dedication to her work: “When I called the artist to my studio to create the face masks, we were discussing what sort of expressions to have on them. Finally, I made those facial expressions myself, which the artist took pictures of and turned them into masks.” Her joie de vivre is seen echoed in every element of this project in abundance. fainythakor@yahoo.com
The flooring is a soft black kadappa stone that complements the deor.
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INNOVATING AESTHETICS WITH FLOU Flou has delicately innovated and invented the “Total Living” Experience.
The foggy winter morning of 20th January 2018 marked the welcome of the Luxury Italian Brand Flou, into the Indian Market with the inauguration of their showroom at Mahipalpur.
Managing Director and Chairman Flou India, Capt. Mukesh Kumar with his team gleefully took it forward detailing about the USP of the Flou Culture of Sleep.
- Dynamic bedsheets with duvets, elegant wardrobes, marvellous interior décor which doubles up as a coat rack, technological answers to the storage woes of the Indian consumer were only the tip of the iceberg.
The store launch at Mahipalpur had the Italian ambassador Lorenzo Angeloni, president of Flou -Massimiliano Messina all the way from Milan, trade commissioner Francesco Pensabene and his wife. The store had spaces designed akin to a high-end exclusive exhibition, with renowned names establishing their relationship with the brand and the furniture with child-like curiosity.
The customisability, ease of selfmaintenance, the idea of taking home a full-package sleep culture where there is no need to fret about the accessories and adjoining furniture for their bedrooms is what summarizes a “Complete Suite” experience of Flou.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony of the store was succeeded by an intense panel discussion on the most relevant architectural question of the year 2018: “What should the Interior trends of 2018?” The Panel discussion included celebrated architects - Ar. Sabeena Khanna - established epitome of design - Founder Studio KIA, Ar. Prachish Vasudeva - the man of distinct vision and a fountainhead of illuminating ideas for a high end real estate firm, Ar. Abhigyan Neogi - an idol of knowledge and innovation incorporating in his designs - Founder Chromed Design Studio, Ar. Rohit Suraj - Founder Urban Zen - the hub of new age designs - blending his global design vision into designs in India- also the proud designer of Flou showroom Delhi.
In addition to excellent beds, Flou offered all that one could desire for their bedrooms
They provided their expert opinions on: What the modern (sometimes millennial) client of 2018 interiors desire from the architect? The ideas of “Instagram-able spaces”, what is the color of the year 2018, which bold statements are here to stay, the shift of desiring an eclectic mix of modern and tradition rather than the minimalistic approach, how sustainability plays a vital role and the client-awareness to do what is right for the planet. www.flou.it Home Review March 2018
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While front gardens are more for curb appeal, rear gardens are more for relaxation. The main focal point of the front garden is its neatly kept lawn.
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Landscapes
A MIXOLOGY OF STYLES Mixing traditional and contemporary styles can prove to be a challenge, but it’s also always fun to experiment with contrasts. Winner of the 2017 Landscaping Victoria Industry Awards for Residential Landscape Construction, the Bayside project showcases the success of this tricky concept with élan.
Dubbed to be the slowest of the performing arts, gardening can be trend proof. Well, you can’t hasten the progress of an oak tree from being an acorn to a shade tree - neither is it like buying a new rug for the house. Rather, it’s about stitching a few glimmering threads of your own into nature’s rich tapestry.
Text By Kanupriya Pachisia Photographs Claire Takacs Courtesy Bowerbird Home Review March 2018
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Risen to being exponentially popular in recent years, garden decking provides a clean, visually appealing look in the back garden as it provides a textural relief to the paved floor.
Set in Bayside, within the southern suburbs of Melbourne, carved out of the same piece of land that holds a house with a traditional front and a contemporary back extension, Ian Barker and his team have gone about with an explicit ease in complimenting the architecture by planting not one but two gardens that merge with the design style dominating over them. While it may seem, that traditional and contemporary styles cannot work together within the same space, it definitely takes an expert designer to blend the two propitiously.
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The team has carefully chosen those threads that tie the plot together. The Bayside project is not only a complete architectural spectacle but also a landscaped wonder that takes its cues from the evergreen trends of the two contrasting styles. Expressing his satisfaction over another hallmark project, Ian explains, “When all the parties are detail focused, the end result can be nothing but truly spectacular and this is definitely one of those jobs.�
Embellished with diversions and picturesque twists, the garden paths run around the house connecting narrative moments.
The brief given to them was also one of the challenges the creative brains beautifully buried under the theme employed by them. “We were asked to construct the two gardens, to align with the exclusive and varying architecture. The challenge was to make the gardens work together to form a cohesive landscape.� The front garden is traditional in layout and contains bluestone paving and a soft perennial planting palette, perfectly accentuating the architecture of the heritage house. The rear garden is however, much more streamlined and contemporary in design matching the strong architecture of the modern house extension.
While front gardens are more for curb appeal, rear gardens are more for relaxation. The main focal point of the front garden is its neatly kept lawn. Buxus spheres embedded in customised steel containers, formal hedging and pleached trees, create a structured backdrop for the perennials and give the overall garden a manicured look. When the architecture of a house, boldly expresses the spirit of a particular period, there is always a corresponding genre of plant palette and style to be employed.
Mimicking these garden expressions is a very sophisticated way to emphasise the architecture. In the rear garden, beds focus more on foliage textures than flowers and keep the look more restrained and architectural, flattering the minimal architecture. Large Ginkgo trees help to soften the overall space with their sculptural leaf shape. Embellished with diversions and picturesque twists, the garden paths run around the house connecting narrative moments. While sawn bluestone pavers frame the edges, crazy bluestone paving takes another constructed approach.
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Sharp angles and contours reference the form of the building behind as they intercept the surroundings.
A fenced gate marks the threshold between the old and new styles of architecture. It blends seamlessly into the landscape as it establishes both a modern and traditional feel depending from where you see it. A basketball court marks the foyer of the back side of the house. A swimming pool acts as a bridge between the two distinctly styled gardens, while an accent wall clad in blue-green ceramic fish scale tiles adds an element of interest. Lights at dusk cast a soft shadow and make the pool seem more inviting with the lounge chairs near the pool making for a perfect afternoon nap spot.
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A concrete slab juts out of the cooking counter to create a cozy nook to enjoy a bite. Risen to being exponentially popular in recent years, garden decking provides a clean, visually appealing look in the back garden as it provides a textural relief to the paved floor. “With regards to the back garden, all planting on the decking needed to work on top of a concrete slab. There was limited area where plants with large root systems could grow.” To soften the hard surfaces like the cooking area, dining table, sit-out area and swimming pool, pockets of foliage were tucked into the decking and height was added through big trees to balance the architecture.
Glamour of the past welcomes you into the heritage house through spruced green lawns. At the same time, sharp angles and contours reference the form of the building behind as they intercept the surroundings. Let’s say that, Ian’s team has expertly mixed the traditional with the modern and done away with both the labels by creating an individualistic multi layered space.
www.landscape.net.au
A fenced gate marks the threshold between the old and new styles of architecture. It blends seamlessly into the landscape as it establishes both a modern and traditional feel depending from where you see it. Home Review March 2018
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DESIGN DESTINATION
OS WHERE Tucked in the southern pocket of Norway, its capital city Oslo resembles the shape of a giant amphitheatre with wide forested hills rising above it to its north and east. It is neatly bisected by the Nesodden peninsula in the south and comprises of forty islands within the city limits.
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LO WHEN
WHY
In order to experience ‘The Land of the Midnight Sun’, June and July are the best months to plan a visit. While January may come with freezing temperatures it also makes Oslo a wonderland for winter sports enthusiasts. The months from May to August are warm, proposing the best time to visit Oslo.
Oslo is a mixed bag with something to offer to all its visitors. Surrounded by mountains and sea, this compact and cultured postcard city is Norway’s palpable sense of reinvention. This architectural innovation is also overwhelmingly green and with buzzing pubs, museums and outdoor activities it attracts varied personalities.
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STEALING THE SHOW Tjuvholmen - once the island home of criminals or the ‘Thief Islet’ as the name translates is home to The Thief Hotel - a hotel with a passion for art, a modern hideaway set right in the middle of downtown Oslo. If anything gets stolen here nowadays, it’s usually the guests of The Thief, from their everyday lives. This high-end contemporary art hotel has pieces of art that are carefully selected for The Thief Art Collection. ‘Horse Thief’ - a photo based work by Richard Prince dominates the double height lobby space.
The nine story hotel maintains its own identity while merging into the urban fabric. Its faceted façade has a sculptural quality, extracted from its projecting triangular balconies bordered by nearly invisible glass railings. All 119 rooms have floor to ceiling windows and private balconies. The extravagant suite rooms feature a curated selection of artwork and furniture and some are even named after their designers. The elevators sport colourful animated films by British artist Julian Opie as they transport you to from one arty level to another. Inside the hotel, one may not witness classic Scandinavian minimalism but neither is it crowded with gold taps and other style trappings. The dark, warm palette with wood and abundant gold accents was inspired by the maritime look of classic Riva yachts. Latest technological solutions and reduced water and energy consumption contribute to the hotels environmental profile.
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A CULTURAL FOCAL POINT Home to the Norwegian National Opera, the architecture of the Oslo Opera House is as stunning as the performances inside. Snohetta’s prize winning design was conceived as a synthesis of three parts - ‘The Wave Wall’, ‘The Factory’ and ‘The Carpet’. Its low slung form became a link within the city rather than a divisive sculptural expression. The building is split in two by a corridor running north-south called ‘the opera street’. While public and stage areas are located to its west, the eastern part houses production areas simpler in form and finish. The four storey building also has a basement and the sub stage is a further three storeys deep. It is also equipped with a brasserie and several bars. A marble clad plaza leads to the foyer while the marble clad roof forms a large public space. White stone, oak timber, metal and glass were selected as the choice of materials.
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SERVING A SLICE OF SPAIN A proud member of Oslo’s restaurant scene, Vino Veritas - an eco-gastrobar combines the two distinct cultures of Norway and Spain. Amalgamating the clean, understated and honest virtues of Norwegian interiors with the more traditional, a vibrant and colourful material found in Andalusia, Spanish creative consultancy, Masquespacio has created a warm and inviting restaurant. Natural wood walls and ceilings painted in white with a solid oak floor resonate Norwegian interiors. Typical old Andalusian balcony railings invite you in. Decorative elements like baskets, blinds, Spanish clay tiles and handmade lamps of raffia, esparto and cord represent traditional craftsmanship. Plants and the soft furnishings impart refreshing touches of green. The solid oak wood used for the furniture imparts elegance, while the cushions designed by Masquespacio highlight the art deco feel of the space.
A MEDIEVAL TRANSITION Strategically located on a rock above the Oslo fjord, the Akershus Fortress has dominated the Oslo skyline for seven centuries. Construction on Akershus began in 1299 to repel invasions from warmongering Sweden. Defended by its main tower, the castle walls are three meters thick and seventeen meters high. Nowadays it serves a more peaceful function of a place where locals walk their dogs and tourists enjoy views of the harbour. Open air concerts are also held here. Its angular buildings and stocky towers appear utterly medieval. The inside of the fortress is less stringent with its majestic ballrooms lending a Renaissance flair to the castle. The complex that extends beyond the fortress walls, houses military barracks and also serves as headquarters to the Ministry of Defence. Apart from its dungeons, royal rooms and castle chapel, Akershus is also home to an outdoor cafĂŠ and two museums.
Text By Kanupriya Pachisia
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K-LITE INTRODUCES LED LANDSCAPE LED Landscape - the latest innovation from K-Lite comes with the promise of improving the quality of urban life. The Essence of lighting is one of the most important things in our lives. At K-Lite we are passionate about creating a distinctive atmosphere that improves the quality of life in the cities and towns by exploring the many potential facets of lighting that supports the wellbeing and safety of all. Founded in 1977 in India, K-Lite has grown to be the leading manufacturer of outdoor luminaires and decorative poles. K-Lite’s proven performance in the landscape segment is because of its ability to stylishly convey the identity of a space with a blend of efficiency and modularity to maximise the visual comfort that is best suited to each specific space. The exquisite Landscape range from K-Lite includes Linear Wall Washer, Up-Down Lighters, LED Strips/ Neon flex, Promenade Lighting, Bollards, Under Water Lighting, Post top luminaires, Bulk Heads, Path finders, Polar lighting and newly added series of Facade Lighting. K-Lite Industries D-10, Ambattur Industrial Estate, Chennai - 600058 Contact : 044-26257710, 48581950, Fax: 044-26257866 Mobile : 95000 79797, 95000 85511 E-mail : info@klite.in Web : www.klite.in
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Kulture Shop has managed to inject a contemporary vibe into Indian art.
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Retail Therapy
‘Kulture’ Redifined Kulture Shop, a boutique start-up business, located in the arty Kala Ghoda precinct in Mumbai, has managed to inject a contemporary vibe into Indian art. This fact makes it accessible to one and all and becomes a venue where you are not only sure to find one-of-akind products but also experience a change in the way you perceive art. Text By Dhanishta Shah Photographs Courtesy Arjun Charanjiva
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The concete effect flooring complements the walls.
It all started in February 2014, when Kulture Shop was launched. Arjun Charanjiva (Founder, CEO), Kunal Anand (Co-Founder, Design Director/Curator) and Jas Charanjiva (Co-Founder, PR Director) had but one mission - to introduce to the world a new genre of Indian art that was accessible, affordable and relatable and also one that reflected a new Indian identity. Indeed, India’s premier graphic artist collective is still going strong on this undertaking. Their latest store is aptly located in the bustling art district of Mumbai.
The designs find their way on art prints, canvas and lifestyle products.
The 700 sq ft area has two levels, offering a growing collection of over 700 artworks by more than 80 artists. The designs find their way on art prints and canvas and across eleven other lifestyle products including cushion covers, mugs, tote bags, phone cases and tees. High ceilings are an increasingly coveted design feature. The 15-foot high ceiling before the mezzanine begins is indeed a highlight. This arrangement makes way for a large wall-space for displaying a range of artworks. The stairway has a gallery-wall arrangement wherein visitors can view artworks as they climb up. Kulture Shop is known for its vibrancy and colour as its main thrust is on graphic art and design created by the most thought-provoking and cuttingedge Indian artists from around the world. It thus makes sense for the shop to be a canvas of white, a blank slate so to say, for the animated creations.
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The concrete effect flooring complements the white walls. In addition to the walls, the furniture racks, also white, are in thin white powder-coated metal. The whole look has been inspired by minimal and clean Scandinavian design. Kulture Shop aims to change the way people discover, experience and purchase art. This approach has even influenced the design of the store. “Our flagship art concept store is a modernday gallery, serving as an experimental lab for our online and offline graphic art movement. The store is rooted in making art created by leading Indian graphic artists accessible, approachable and engaging.
The 100 arts prints and canvases on the walls form an amazing display.
Kulture shop is known fir its vibrancy and colour.
Therefore, it is designed like an easyto-navigate website sectioned off into areas - Art, Home, Tech, Stationery, Accessories, Tees, Books. The 100 art prints and canvases on the walls are displayed across 12 sections to show New Works, Best Sellers, Curator Picks, Artists Series, Collections, and Collaborations. An Art Discovery table in the center of the store allows customers to quickly explore and discover art and the artists through a filtering system,” explains Co-Founder Kunal Anand.
Going with the gallery theme, the store exudes a minimal look so customers can focus on the art whether it is wall art or art seen on lifestyle products which the founders aptly call “the new canvas”. They have also avoided cluttering the shelves with multiples of the same product. For instance, if there are thirty mugs sitting in the ‘Home’ section, then each one of them is in a unique design. The main idea is for the customer to focus on the art and quickly experience all product options on display. There are a few old objects such as cameras displayed around the store. They add to the element of nostalgia and contribute to the overall ambience. “While we specialise in graphic art, we live in the broader world of visual culture. The objects are a reminder of the tools that capture it and have inspired us over the ages,” says Founder and CEO, Arjun Charanjiva.
The aspect of curation is extremely important. The range of graphic art includes graphic design, illustration, typography, patterns and mixed media. This art captures a new evolving Indian identity with both a local and global perspective. The team spends a great deal of time working with artists and in understanding which artworks are best suited on which products. It is but a matter of time that the new Indian aesthetic this brand seeks to promote becomes a part of ‘kulture’ in general! www.kultureshop.in
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THE MARKETPLACE Viega Eco Plus element by Viega
Pergo Sensation Collection By Pergo
PergoSensation takes laminate flooring to a whole new level with the beautiful, authentic Village Oak Plank. Transform your room with the subtle look and sophisticated feel of softly weathered planks of our natural oak texture. Viega has introduced a new Eco Plus element with which the WC can be adjustable in height smoothly at the touch of a button without any subsequent alterations and electronics. Additionally, an attractive design hides the necessary technology behind a glass panel giving it an aesthetic look. The product is designed with Viega ingenuity that has wowed the jury at the “Bathroom Comfort for Generations” product competition for its ease of use and appealing quality. The moveable inner frame with flexible outlet bend and flush pipe are hidden behind toughened safety glass, together with the control system. The WC element is installed in accordance with the principle of all Viega Eco Plus modules. In the same way, the familiar system dimension has been retained with a width of 490 millimetres and an installation height of 1,130 millimetres. At the touch of a button, the seat height of the WC can be individually adjusted in the range from 40 centimetres to 48 centimetres. The moveable but current less technology needed for this is hidden behind toughened safety glass. The flush actuators can be selected from the Viega range. www.viega.in
130 Home Review February 2018
“Pergo totally re-invents the concept of the laminate floor. Pergo Sensation laminate pushes the boundaries of what a laminate floor can look and feel like. The authentic, true-to-nature surface is made possible with a patented, innovative technique that can reproduce the grooves of the wood to perfection.
The sophisticated Village Oak planks give the truly memorable sensation and feeling of natural wood.” says Mr. Naresh Maheshwari CEO, Pergo India Pvt. Ltd. The brand-new AquaSafe technology protects your flooring against water seepage, while water-repellent coating on the plank edges, ensures that water can’t penetrate from there either. Sensation floors are ultra-hygienic as dirt and water stays on the surface and is wiped away easily! The “Genuine Rustic™” surface texture accentuates cracks, knots and scraped effect of wooden floors! www.pergo.co.in
VitrA Introduces S50 Series The S50 collection from VitrA offers solutions with a distinct style and functionality in bathroom spaces, and ensuring superior hygiene and cleanliness with VitrA’s innovative solutions and advanced technologies.Created by NOA design group, S50 bathroom series is designed for the daily use in high traffic public areas such as airports, railway terminals or stadiums pose a challenge in terms of cleaning and upkeep. The innovative designs from S50 provide a wide range of smart & professional solutions. Its smooth contours the solid architectural design creating pleasant and exclusive bathroom environments. It features S50 series with rational and functional qualities. With washbasin options, it is possible to convert the bathroom to functional pleasure place. Due to use of different sizes and options, S50 offers appropriate solutions for every need with a wide range of WC pan space.
The special bowl of the WC pan features a channel free design that rules out germ reproduction and provides superior hygiene. Another innovation is the wall hung WC pan & the undercounter basin. The most appropriate solutions for the hospital are S50 series! www.vitra-india.com