MY SPACE : RACHITA SAREEN
vol 15 issue 05
May 2016
ART FORM : JOZEF SUMICHRAST
UNCOVERED : BRIC DESIGN GROUP
total pages 144
RS 100 HOME-REVIEW.COM
STUDIO US DESIGN’S MOROCCAN MANTRA INDUSTRIAL ECLECTISM BY THE BUSRIDE DESIGN STUDIO
SPACE NINJA
ARCHITECTURE BRIO’S CLUTTER-FREE HOME WINDOWS, ROOFING & FACADES INNOVATIONS THAT ARE REDEFINING THE DESIGN WORLD
Photo: Cyrus Dalal
A
n architect’s own home in many ways is a reflection of their core beliefs. Shefali Balwani and Robert Verrijt of the Mumbai based firm Architecture BRIO showcase their creative leanings with the ingenious design of their new apartment. Their urban pad (unlike most Mumbai flats where dimensions of rooms are constrictive) is where the couple has used their inventive mindset to completely re-imagine space. The pair problem-solve by ensuring a duality of functions for a range of elements. Here cabinets double up as partitions, doors are made to open and fold away and walls are made to slide. Their interventions allow spaces and volumes to be expressed in numerous ways, allowing the family to enjoy a varied set of living scenarios. This home is where clever detailing meets a classy minimal aesthetic - what a fab way to live! The Busride Design Studio is known for their edgy thinking. They always manage to surprise and delight with their unique take on design and their latest release, The Brewbot Eatery and Pub Brewery is no exception. This time the inspiration stems from the mechanical and robotic character of the microbrewery equipment which plays the protagonist in this design tale. The scheme is utilitarian and raw, with features like electric cables, air conditioning ducts and other service fixtures highlighted and made to complement the microbrewery paraphernalia. The Busride Design Studio team knows how to have a good time and with this new hangout they dial up an industrial chic warehouse ambience that engages you on many levels. The space encourages you to let your hair down and ensures you have a few pints of fun. Anish Bajaj, Editor anish@marvelinfomedia.com
The Charleston Chair from iconic Dutch brand Moooi turns viewer expectations and mindset on its head!
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MY SPACE : RACHITA SAREEN
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vol 15 issue 05
Wings of social change have landed upon Dharavi with a novel exhibition, Design Museum Dharavi being harboured in this urban settlement
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May 2016
ART FORM : JOZEF SUMICHRAST
UNCOVERED : BRIC DESIGN GROUP
total pages 144
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RS 100 HOME-REVIEW.COM
STUDIO US DESIGN’S MOROCCAN MANTRA INDUSTRIAL ECLECTISM BY THE BUSRIDE DESIGN STUDIO
The technique of cutting, layering and laminating paper made it possible to present these same houses in a way that really expressed their beauty and character
Rachita Sareen
22
SPACE NINJA
ARCHITECTURE BRIO’S CLUTTER-FREE HOME WINDOWS, ROOFING & FACADES INNOVATIONS THAT ARE REDEFINING THE DESIGN WORLD
Cover Story ‘Casa BRIO’- a masterpiece of intelligent space usage and multi-purpose interior designing - is the personal home project of Shefali Balwani and Robert Verrijt of Architecture BRIO Laidback Café in Delhi designed by Sumeet Nath of Studio US Design has a contemporary ambience with a Moroccan aesthetic
46 art
form
Artist Jozef Sumichrast plays with unique materials like compressed cardboard, bronze and hardware materials to create one-of-a-kind, spectacular sculptures
May
52 Contemporary art and sustainable architecture converge at Kyodo House, Japan by multi-disciplinary practice SANDWICH and architectural practice team Low Energy
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By Ankita Singhal
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Eclectic styles, varied themes, upcoming trends come together in our newly launched segment!
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The Brewbot Eatery & Pub Brewery in Mumbai by The Busride Design Studio emanates a hearty, wholesome appeal with its industrial styled aesthetics
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JORDAN A DESIGN DESTINATION
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product
designer
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Superlative Exterior Shells
The entries of new technologies have made it possible to design buildings with innovative exterior shells. We bring a rundown of the latest products in the windows, roofing and facades segment
Its convenient location and ample rejuvenation facilities make Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort the ideal place for the well-travelled looking for luxury and comfort
Argentinean designer Cristian Mohaded experiments with materials and texture to produce simple yet unusual lighting and furniture
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may
111 116 Designed by legendary architect Piero Lissoni, the Neo-Gothic Conservatorium hotel stands in all its glory in the heart of Amsterdam’s distinguished museum district
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THE MARKETPLACE Get your hands on the latest products to hit the market
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GREEN PROJECT The concept of ‘regenerative architecture’ forms the very essence of the King’s House project in Bangalore designed by The Purple Ink Studio
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Mumbai-based BRIC Design Group is an expert hand at realising projects that are smart amalgamations of minimalist interior design and green architecture
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Indian at heart and yet free from nostalgic reference, Nicobar, the new lifestyle store at Kala Ghoda is aptly located right in the middle of Mumbai’s cultural heart
Home Review April 2015
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emails + feedback What An Anniversary issue! MY SPACE : RACHITA SAREEN
vol 15 issue 05
May 2016
ART FORM : JOZEF SUMICHRAST
UNCOVERED : BRIC DESIGN GROUP
total pages 144
RS 100 HOME-REVIEW.COM
STUDIO US DESIGN’S MOROCCAN MANTRA INDUSTRIAL ECLECTISM BY THE BUSRIDE DESIGN STUDIO
Young Talent It is young designers these days who are creating defining works in the country; it’s a fresh wave of talent. Sankraman’s novel design sensibilities for an office cafeteria was an interesting read.
I have visited both the La Folie outlets and they really stand out in their design, the attention to detailing and the way they have amalgamated their creative skills to bring out a delightful gourmet experience. Home Review has done justice by giving them a cover story.
Simple & Elegant Kumpal Vaid has always outdone herself and I love her work, be it offices or homes. The residence designed by her is so simple yet refined.
Vishal Advani By Email
ARCHITECTURE BRIO’S CLUTTER-FREE HOME WINDOWS, ROOFING & FACADES INNOVATIONS THAT ARE REDEFINING THE DESIGN WORLD
Let us know what you love and hate about this issue. Mail us at letters@marvelinfomedia.com
Anahita Seth By Email
Detail In Design
Mihika Pai By Email
SPACE NINJA
Your anniversary issue was enlightening. It was an amazing experience to read about Gurjit Matharoo’s thoughts and views on the architecture in India and we gained an insight into this creative genius’ work.
Shreya Naik Bengaluru For the dining table, Pinakin custom designed a table top in back-painted glass which rests firmly on finely carved marble legs.
With a concept that revolves around a painting, Purple Backyard has changed the definition of luxury from opulent, grand and extravagant to muted, minimal and elegant in the interiors of a 3 BHK residence in Bandra, Mumbai.
MADE TO ORDER
Founded by Kumpal Vaid, a graduate from Rachna Sansad School of Interior Design in Mumbai, Purple Backyard’s approach since its inception five years ago is driven by aesthetics and a keen attention to detail. Their innovative and eclectic design ideas play with natural light and new textures. Working with the finest artisans and vendors, the firm strives to reinterpret luxury and create refreshing experiences for brands and spaces of varying scales. “With all our projects, we have one key objective - bespoke,” says Kumpal, when asked to throw light on her design ideology. “Whether it is the side of the bed you wake up on or the feel of a texture that exudes elegance, our meticulous attention to detail creates a completely bespoke design that is both practical and luxurious while emphasising on the atmosphere you want to achieve.”
WHETTING APPETITES
She has specialised in Visual Merchandising and Styling at UAL Central Saint Martins, London. Her love for travel and her childlike fascination for the stories that each new place tells her are the foundation of her detail-oriented mindset. For the interiors of the 1500 sq ft apartment, the client put forth an intriguing brief to the designer - a painting that she had inherited from her father. Taking cues from the soothing and not very flashy colour scheme of the artwork, the client sought an understated feeling of luxury.
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Text By Priti Kalra Photographs By Biju Gopal
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Subtly maximising the appeal to our senses, these two eateries for La Folie in Mumbai designed by Rooshad Shroff are contemporary in their design, with an emphasis on detailing. The complexity of sights and smells support the main star - the food - as they all come together to create a satisfying gastronomic experience.
Text By Devyani Jayakar Photographs By Taras Taraporvala (La Folie, Palladium); Pawan Manglani (La Folie Lab, Bandra) Home Review April 2016
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Chryselle D’Silva Dias Freelance Writer Chryselle D’Silva Dias is a freelance writer and blogger currently based in Goa. She writes about places, people, interiors, books and green issues. Her work has been published in national and international publications including TIME, Marie Claire and The Guardian. Visit her at www.chryselle.net.
Editor & Publisher Anish Bajaj Creative Director Natalie Pedder-Bajaj Features Editor Mala Bajaj Assistant Editor Shweta Salvi Senior Sub Editor Rehana Hussain Contributing Writers Chryselle D’Silva Dias Christabelle Athaide Devyani Jayakar Dhanishta Shah Himali Kothari K Parvathy Menon Shruti Nambiar Designers Asif Shayannawar Darshan Palav Pooja Modak Snigdha Hodarkar
Ankita Singhal Product Designer Armed with a Masters in Ceramics & Glass Design from NID, Ankita uses her knowledge of colours, forms and aesthetics with the material to create inspiring home décor products.
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Editorial & Marketing Mumbai Mr. Rakesh Kini (Head - Marketing) Mr. Ganesh Gurav, Mr. Vivek Jadhav, B-62, Cotton Exchange bldg., Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033 T 022 23736133 / 23736131 / 23743069 E response@marvelinfomedia.com
Architecture BRIO Space Ninja, Page 26. Architecture BRIO is actively engaged in the creation of contextually appropriate solutions within an increasingly changing world. Set up in Mumbai in April 2006, it is a design-based practice focusing primarily on the fields of architecture and interior design. Its principals are Robert Verrijt (TUDelft, The Netherlands) and Shefali Balwani (C.E.P.T, India).
Delhi Ms. Sumita Prakash Flat F 304, Rajasthan C.G.H.S. Ltd, Plot No. 36, Sector 4, Dwarka, New Delhi 110075 Tel 09899179540, Email: sumitabiswas63@gmail.com Chennai Mr. S. Venkataraaman Flat No. 2, 3rd Flr, E-Block, Hansa Garden, 30 Madampakkam Main Rd, Rajakilpakkam, Chennai 600 073 Tel 044 22281180 / 09444021128 Email: svenkat@marvelinfomedia.com Kolkata Mr. Subrata Mazumder 2, Nabapalli (Bidhanpalli). Kolkata 700084 Tel 033 2410 4296 Mob 9831131395 Telefax 033 2410 7605 Email: subrata22@rediffmail.com Publishing Director Mr. R.I. Bajaj Distributed in India by India Book House Pvt. Ltd. 412, Tulsiani Chambers, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021. This issue has a total of 144 pages comprising of a 4 page cover and 140 inside pages. We welcome unsolicited material but do not take responsibility for the same. Letters are welcome but subject to editing. All rights reserved. Nothing may beprinted in whole or part without written permission of the publisher. The editors do their best to verify the information published but do not take responsibility for the absolute accuracy of the information. All objections, disputes, differences, claims and proceedings are subject to Mumbai Jurisdiction. Editor Mr. Anish Bajaj. Published and Printed by Mr. Anish Bajaj on behalf of the owner Marvel Infomedia Pvt. Ltd, B-62, Cotton Exchange bldg, Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033.
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Busride Design Studio Industrial Eclectism, Page 66. Ayaz Basrai set up The Busride as an independent design studio specialising in the design and creation of built environments, ranging from hospitality and entertainment venues to film and production environments; from exhibitions and temporary installations to institutional and architectural environments. Its team of architects, interiors and industrial designers, pride themselves in looking for solutions ranging from the macro to the micro.
The Purple Ink Studio Green Theory. Hence Proved, Page 123. The Purple Ink Studio is an award winning, young architectural practice which believes in constantly exploring the parameters of design whilst blurring the boundaries between architecture, landscape and sustainability. The studio constantly engages in the practices of ‘regenerative architecture’ that focuses on conservation and performance through a focused reduction on the environmental impacts of a built structure.
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PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S 18 MAR
Spread over 650 sq. ft, this new store offers products with the unique combination of high culinary performance, design, functionality and looks. With a showcase environment that allows customers to interact with the product, the store uses the new design ethos that has been launched successfully in Le Creuset stores in other established international markets.
Häfele Sanitary Store Launch, Delhi
Häfele, one of the leading providers of architectural hardware, furniture and kitchen fittings has launched its speciality Häfele ICONIC sanitary store in Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi. Being a German company, its foremost concern has always been to offer customer’s premium quality products at competitive prices paired with solution based services. Häfele is taking this concept to the next level with the introduction of the Häfele ICONIC brand which signifies the “Best of the Best” from each product category. The 600 sq. ft. store comprises products that have been curated based on four key aspects: superior quality, break-through innovation, exciting designs and class leading technical features. In this showroom, faucets and wash basins from Webert, Italy, cutting edge shower systems from Edelbad, a completely new approach to washbasins from Boing and designer faucets and bathroom fittings from Aqua Trendz will be displayed. www.hafeleindia.com
23 MAR
Launch of Home Improvement Store By Asian Paints, Coimbatore
To enable homeowners make smart and convenient home improvement choices, Asian Paints, one of India’s leading paint companies has launched its first multi category home improvement store, AP homes. The store offers consumers multiple home improvement concepts for living, bath and kitchen spaces under one roof.
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AP homes offers consumers a wide array of products ranging from paints, latest wallpapers, wood finishes, decorative lights, bath fittings, sanitary, curtains and upholstery, furniture, tiles and modular kitchen. Determined to make consumer experiences rewarding, AP homes offers in-store designers to provide free consultation on colour and décor to consumers. AP homes also offers digital visualisation which enables consumers to get a 3D look for the living, bath and kitchen space. Speaking on the launch of AP homes, Mr. Amit Syngle, President - Sales, Marketing and Technology, Asian Paints Ltd. said, “AP homes is the first multi category store of Asian Paints. The store stands out as a true décor store and is the first of its kind in recent times.”
Ankur Damani, Commercial Manager India quoted, “I am very pleased to launch our fifth store, and we have many more in the offing in key markets across India.” Le Creuset was established in 1925 and is renowned for innovative, durable and attractive cookware. www.le-creuset.in
TO 15Maahi 25Roj APRBy AnanTaya, Jaipur
www.asianpaints.com
12 APR
Le Creuset’s Store Launch, Noida Le Creuset, an iconic French cookware brand, famous for its cast-iron products has launched its new store at the DLF Mall, Noida. With this store, Le Creuset aims at providing its customers a onestop solution for a perfect kitchen.
Maahi Roj, a ten-day cultural event organised by AnanTaya, an interdisciplinary lifestyle studio, included exciting designer-led workshops and intriguing talks. It was held at the Narain Niwas Palace Hotel, Jaipur and focused on people’s profound relationship with Mother Earth and AnanTaya’s ability to inspire amazing art with an Earth Day theme collaborating with like-minded designers and artisans from across India. Director Geetanjali Kasliwal says, “At Maahi Roj, we have brought together innovative ethical design brands from different parts of the country along with grass root initiatives of master artisans and NGOs who have displayed their products that are close to nature and are eco-friendly.” From clothing to food, accessories to art, a variety of products that champion the cause of saving the earth were spotted at Maahi Roj. There were workshops on spinning and weaving and scrap metal sculptural creatures while talks were held on subjects such as ‘Repurposing History through Heritage Hotels’ and ‘Generating Participation from W Idea and the Foster n Forge Foundation’. www.maahiroj.com
PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S
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PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S 22 APR
Unveiling Of Somany Ceramics Studio And Showroom, Delhi Somany Ceramics Ltd, an Indian ceramic player, inaugurated a Somany showroom and a Somany studio in Delhi. The showroom ‘Somany Exclusive’ was inaugurated by Mr. Abhishek Somany, MD, Somany Ceramics Ltd. while Mr. Sanjay Kalra, President, Sales & Marketing, Somany Ceramics Ltd. inaugurated Somany Studio.
Design Through Desire called upon artists and designers to showcase their creative works that are material translations of their innermost desires at their Worli Studio. The new found perspective allowed the artist to create a new collection of designs which leads to the fulfilment of their deep rooted desires. This unconventional show has been put together by Arpita Agarwal and Nakshi Satra (both certified Theta Healers by practice) of A Toast To Life. Every artist and designer showcasing at Design through Desire went through a special healing practice to identify their innermost desires and then went ahead to create a collection inspired from their desires. The participating designers include decor by Arjun Rathi, Bhisham Chawla, Bobby from Port side cafe; by Kriti Soni, Triptee Jain and many more.The free flowing showcase allowed consumers to experience a direct connect with the artists’ inner most desires and enabled them to pick up creations they truly relate to.
He said, “Baaya has helped us to display the art form through paintings and workshops. It has reached the grass root level to uplift the art and artisans like us and has played an important role to provide a sustainable income to our families.” This Warli workshop received great interest from art lovers of the city and has encouraged the brand to host more workshops. Baaya has also initiated a series of cultural tours where the patrons would get to visit the Warli villages and experience this art form. www.baayadesign.com
TO 14Design 19 JUNE Miami,
Basel, Switzerland
www.facebook.com/atoasttolife Both, the showroom and the studio display the widest range of tiles, sanitary ware and bath fittings for the home and workplace to address the fast growing demand for internationally acclaimed designs and superior quality. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Somany said, “The locations of these outlets have been strategically decided so as to reach out to our customers in West and South Delhi. Somany endeavors to keep pace with the rapid growth of the city and the increasing demand for tiles, sanitary ware and bath fittings that are a blend of tradition and modernity.” www.somanyceramics.com
22 23 APR Design Through Desire, AND
Mumbai
23 APR
Warli Art Workshop by Baaya Design, Mumbai With the purpose of getting connected with the beautiful Warli art and their unique culture, Baaya Design launched the ‘Life & Art of The Warlis’, an interactive workshop which provides an experience that is authentic, experiential and educational. This is the first of the series of workshops and cultural tours which will be conducted throughout the year. Baaya documented an in-depth research on Warli culture and presented some interesting facts about the history of Warli lifestyle. Renowned Warli artist Raja Ram Hengadi personally addressed the participants during the workshop and introduced them to Warli paintings.
As the global forum for design, Design Miami/ brings together the most influential collectors, gallerists, designers, curators and critics from around the world in celebration of design culture and commerce. Occurring alongside the Art Basel fairs in Miami, USA, each December and Basel, Switzerland each June, Design Miami/ has become the premier venue for collecting, exhibiting, discussing and creating collectible design. The world’s top galleries gather to present museum-quality exhibitions of 20th and 21st century furniture, lighting and objets d’art. Each show balances exclusive commercial opportunities with progressive cultural programming, creating exciting collaborations with designers and design institutions, panels and lectures with luminaries from the worlds of design, architecture, art and fashion, and unique commissions from the world’s top emerging and established designers and architects. Design Miami/ broadens awareness of modern and contemporary design, fuels the market for collectible design, and provides an exciting yet accessible destination for collectors and enthusiasts alike. www.designmiami.com
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The Inside Track Now on Apple and Android
DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE COPY* OF The Inside Track and stay connected All you need to do is download the free Magzter app. Apple users can download Magzter from the App Store. Android users can download Magzter from Android Market. Try it out today.
* Limited Period Offer
Founded by Rachita Sareen in 2015, Tarasha Designworks is an Ahmedabad based studio that is emblematic of our nomadic times. By reinterpreting a myriad collection of traditional imagery from across the country, Tarasha invites us to celebrate the nostalgia of our recent past. With ‘designworks’ that are chiefly composed of multiple layers of brightly coloured paper, Tarasha’s pieces are quirky but thorough. Framed as dreamlike snapshots, you are offered refreshing cultural fragments that banal urban life robs you of experiencing. Trained internationally in architecture and furniture design, Sareen is conscious of the balance required between handcraft and laser-technology to arrive at a piece that is meticulously assembled. And it is through this analogy of tectonic assembly, which both architecture and furniture design exact from its creators, that Tarasha Designworks’ mastery of material and cultural sensitivity manifests itself and their expanding repertoire holds much promise.
Interview By Aftab Jalia
22 Home Review May 2016
Please tell us more about your background and training.
There’s a regional flavour in your work – Churches of Goa, House in Palanpur, the Chabutro - is this a conscious attempt to seek beauty in history or a celebration of places you’ve experienced? The very first set of drawings that were converted into the Goa Collection were drawings I had made as a student. My love for Goa, its architecture, its culture, expresses itself in the details of my work. It’s been a similar case with Ahmedabad and the journey of creating both the collections has certainly been personal. Until now, this personal perspective had been a necessary catalyst for ideas and inspiration. From here on Tarasha Designworks will be paving its own way ahead!
My early years were spent in various parts of India, till my family decided to put down roots in Goa. I completed most of my schooling and earned my Bachelor’s degree in Architecture while in Goa and it is here that I call home. After working for a couple of years in Bangalore, I joined the Masters programme in Furniture and Interior Design at the National Institute of Design in 2006.
I am presently the Founder and Creative Director at Tarasha Designworks and teach at CEPT University as Asst. Professor and Programme Coordinator of the Masters programme in Furniture Design.
The exquisite Tarasha 2016 Calendar which changes with every new month (and flap)
Hussain ni Gufa
The technique of cutting, layering and laminating paper made it possible to present these same houses in a way that really expressed their beauty and character.
Since then I have completed a Masters programme in Strategic Design Management from Politecnico di Milano, interned in a furniture company in the Philippines; worked in a furniture design firm in London and as an interior architect in Singapore. On returning to India in 2012, I moved to Ahmedabad and began teaching at NID as visiting faculty, while also leading the team that established Herman Miller’s presence in Ahmedabad.
What prompted you to start Tarasha Designworks? Tarasha was a culmination of a lot of ideas and interests I had developed over time. It all came together quite unexpectedly while I was relooking at my work as a student and during my early professional years.
I came across a number of drawings I had made of Indo-Portuguese houses in Goa during my final year at college. After all these years, I was able to look at these drawings with an entirely fresh perspective. This, together with my interest in laser-cutting and other CNC technology, led to the creation of a unique product. The technique of cutting, layering and laminating paper made it possible to present these same houses in a way that really expressed their beauty and character. The Goa Collection was a very personal journey in that sense, and eventually led to the establishment of Tarasha Designworks, in Ahmedabad, in February 2015. Home Review May 2016
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Our products are hand-assembled and yet unlike crafts, we use and are constantly in search of new technology to make our products better, more viable and easily accessible to customers.
Does the name Tarasha Designworks have a story? The name came through a search for something that evoked detail and quality; something that symbolises the rigour and time that is devoted to each piece developed at Tarasha. The words ‘tarasha hua’ mean ‘chiseled’ in Urdu and I felt it perfectly represented the ideology of the company. My rigorous training as a furniture designer had involved training in carpentry and I knew all too well the rigours of using the chisel and this made the name especially appealing to me. Designworks represents a conscious effort to make designed objects rather than art objects, in other words, the attitude is more a designer’s rather than an artist’s. What drives product development at Tarasha? Now that Tarasha has carved a niche for itself through its ‘Design Collectibles’ series, the drive comes from wanting to offer customers a much wider range of products that are uniquely ‘Tarasha’! Detail and quality are very important aspects of the company’s work and certainly major driving forces. So far the product line has been more about beautiful objects – now product development is geared towards creating beautiful as well as functional objects. We recently achieved this with our highly successful Tarasha 2016 Calendar earlier this year.
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Palace in Ribandar
There is a distinct tectonic language to your works - is this owing to your training in architecture? My training in architecture has played its role in nearly all my work, whether it’s the language of my work, or even the way in which I approach a design problem. But my training as a furniture designer has had a larger impact in terms of my attention to details, an eye for precision, finishes and the overall quality of my work.
Similarly, is the style of overlaying cut paper inspired from a traditional craft or is it derived from the boon of lasercutting technology? The techniques and style of production have been my own. It comes from a belief in using technology appropriately as a means for achieving quality and not as a pre-determined design factor. So the idea was not to create a product using laser cutting, but to create a good product for which laser cutting happened to be the most efficient tool. At the same time, laser cutting has made Tarasha’s products possible so it has definitely been an intrinsic factor in design considerations and product development. There has been no influence of traditional crafts, except in sharing a similar respect for material, technique and quality that craft traditions have. As in crafts, our products are hand-assembled and yet unlike crafts, we use and are constantly in search of new technology to make our products better, more viable and easily accessible to customers.
Where can people buy your products: in-store / online / directly from you?
What new projects does Tarasha have in the pipeline? Which contemporary artists and designers have inspired your work? My professional work in furniture and interior design has been inspired by many masters over the years. At Tarasha, however, the idea came before the inspiration. After that initial idea, there have been many artists who have helped raise my benchmark of quality and detail. Some of the paper artists whose work I admire are Jen Stark, Elsa Mora and Hina Aoyama. I also have a weakness for highly detailed miniatures, whether these are traditional European doll houses or works of artists like Randy Hage, who recreates New York shop-fronts to an unbelievable detail. Another artist I greatly admire is MC Escher, in particular the rigor and precision that ultimately become what is beautiful in his works.
We focus on a clientele largely from the home and hospitality sector and are working on a range of objects for this area, in particular a range of wall clocks and table objects. We also continue to work on existing and new themes for our ‘Design Collectibles’ series, through which we will feature other Indian (and perhaps international) cultures, architecture and heritage. Currently, we are working on a collection of classical dance forms and traditional architectural styles of Kerala. In the future, we plan to add lighting and other lifestyle products to expand our product range.
Currently Tarasha runs out of a studio workshop in Ahmedabad, where we run office operations as well as production. We sell our products through stores in Goa, Ahmedabad and Delhi but we hope to expand our store outreach further in the near future. We are also in the process of setting up an online store. Presently, we accept orders over email, phone or through our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ tarashadesignworks/). rachitasareen@gmail.com
Aftab Jalia Aftab Jalia studied architecture at Pune University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is presently pursuing his Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge.
Chabutro
Houses of Gujarat
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SPACE NINJA 26 Home Review May 2016
‘Casa BRIO’ is the personal home project of Shefali Balwani and Robert Verrijt of the Mumbai-based firm, Architecture BRIO. It is a masterpiece of intelligent space usage and clutter-free, multipurpose interior designing. Space constraint has become as synonymous with Mumbai as vada pav. It has become somewhat of a blessing in disguise for designers and architects too, pushed as they are to re-imagine the limits of their creativity to realise projects in the city. Shefali Balwani and Robert Verrijt of the Mumbai-based firm, Architecture BRIO, came face-to-face with this challenge when designing their 7th floor apartment located amidst the bustle of Bandra.
Text By Shruti Nambiar Photographs By Jignesh Jhaveri, Photolink Creative India Pvt.Ltd. Home Review May 2016
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They had to turn 80 sq m of precious space into their dream home. “The floor plan was a clean slate with only external columns. In that sense we had complete flexibility to rearrange spaces and look at it as a blank canvas. The challenge was really how to connect the apartment with the park in front. We love nature and the outdoors. But how do you connect with the surroundings in an urban setting? You’d like to open up the apartment to the view but at times, you’d also like to isolate yourself from all the noise and dust. It’s something that most people struggle with and we solved it here by designing windows that can completely disappear into the walls when you don’t want them,” say the architects. Purportedly, the home had to be minimal, classy, and devoid of clutter while of course also accommodating all the essentials. And for the benefit of their young daughter, it also had to be fun, with a bit of colour and whimsy. These are fairly common, reasonably divergent expectations a family demands from a home. Besides the BRIO duo had professional experience to their advantage.
As a result they have used their collective mettle to create a home whose different sections play hide-and-seek with a viewer. As the architects put it themselves, “by opening and closing, sliding and folding it up, the home is restructured, expanded, fragmented, connected or isolated.” The brilliance of the space division here indeed is in the extremely thoughtful detailing.
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“So, for example, the yellow-stained birch ply bookshelf is actually a wall and it also hides a secret door that leads to the master bathroom. Or, behind the master bedroom, a graphite stained birch plywood wall hides a his-and-her walk-in wardrobe, and even a shaving sink. Or, on a different scale, the electrical points for example don’t appear like the usual white plates with switches but are actually customised with just a metal toggle placed on the timber wall.” Aside from breathy, open-ended spaces, the home is livened up by the use of building materials that are allowed to exist in all natural glory - grain, tints, et al - sometimes splashed with unexpected colour. Sunlight is aplenty, and the living room especially is party to it due to an attached veranda-cum-dining room overlooking the park. Practically every wall space, nook and surface have been put to multiple uses. The storage segments double up as partitions, and sliding doors crop up wherever walls’ underbellies have to be covered up to form an unbroken surface. “We liked the idea of designing elements that look different from what they actually are.”
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“The house itself is west-facing and allows us to capture the south-west sea breeze. All the spaces in the house get cross ventilation and natural light. We have used insulated glass in our windows which are protected from direct light for most of the day, so we can do without airconditioning for about 4 to 5 months of the year. We recycled wood from some old furniture we had to make the bathroom vanity and dining table. Other than that, more at a user level we do composting of the wet waste from the kitchen.� The open kitchen in this section is remarkable for its bar unit and island that are of custom blackened steel panelling. Contrasting this is a solid oak wood counter, and an oak wood panelled wall that can slide open to reveal the pantry, and also holds the fridge, freezer, oven, microwave, and a shoe cabinet. The main door is fashioned after the split, 2-part Dutch doors.
There is a slight
harry potter-ish
excitement
wizardry going
on
here!
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The home re-design saved more space by placing one common bathroom wedged between 2 bedrooms. But for the master bedroom, “we did feel like an additional shower would be useful to have. We can now shower in a large space while being able to look out onto the park over the shower curtain without the bedroom getting wet.” The lighting scheme of the home relies on natural bounty as much and wherever possible. The gaps are filled by rimless fittings from Easy Kap by Flos. “The lamps were bought in from the Netherlands and belong to different Scandinavian and Dutch design brands. The door handles are from Emtek and sourced from Simons hardware in New York.” The architects designed the bed, side-tables, the dining table and the study table themselves.
A dash of whimsy is the canary-toned birch plywood bookshelf. “The edges of the bookshelf show the detail of how the shelves are joined together. It is a simple detail but just adds a layer of sophistication to an otherwise ordinary shelf. For the surface grain we wanted to give it a stain which would bring out the grain as opposed to paint that would have completely hidden it,” explain the architects.
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The child’s small bedroom is understandably the most playful, and it features a modern interpretation of the traditional medieval Dutch ‘Bedstede” or Closet Bed. Casa BRIO is what all homes should be - warm, spacious, green inside and out, modern, prosperous, and, capable of pulling off magic tricks. info@architecturebrio.com www.architecturebrio.com
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report An exhibition focused on showcasing Dharavi's thriving potential and creative prowess, Design Museum Dharavi seeks to encourage social change and innovation in this urban village. Initiated in February 2016 in Dharavi, Mumbai, Design Museum Dharavi is a platform for creating, designing, manufacturing and commercialising all kinds of goods and their makers, so they can be recognised by the local community, the city of Mumbai and the rest of the world. Its main mission is to employ design as a tool to promote social change and innovation, and to challenge the negative perception of informal settlements around the world. Over the past decades, local makers, entrepreneurs and innovators have contributed to turn Dharavi into a story of success and self-improvement. The Design Museum Dharavi aims to establish new links between Dharavi and the rest of the city, promoting a greater exchange through a cultural program that features several workshops and exhibitions. Their mission is to focus on Dharavi’s potential and, through design, showcase it as what it really is: an exciting and promising creative community, full of potential and room for development. It is funded by two Dutch cultural foundations, Creative Industries Fund NL and The Art Of Impact. Amanda Pinatih, co-founder of Design Museum Dharavi says, “Dharavi is reinventing itself on a daily basis. This inspired us to create a nomadic exhibition space that operates as an exhibition venue and meeting point for cultural exchange and innovation.�
Text Compiled By Rehana Hussain Photographs By Design Museum Dharavi
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1 1. Poster for the broom makers’ exhibit. 2. The exhibition was inspired by local themes such as brooms, of varied styles. 3. The compelling logo of the initiative. 4. An aerial view of Dharavi. 5. New typologies were created around the variety of chai containers. 6. One of the water containers in the making. 7. Hand-carved cricket bats of all kinds of different shapes and colours were made by a local carpenter. 8. A trophy in the shape of three golden stumps was awarded to the winning team of the street cricket tournament.
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“The museum travels on a pushcart, similar to those used by locals to distribute and sell all kinds of goods and products. Absolutely everything, from the cart wheels to its metal frame, wooden doors, plinths, lights, Museum sign and of course the products exhibited, are proudly made in Dharavi.”
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Design Museum Dharavi engages with local makers in new collaborations, exploring their creativity and designing new objects for public exhibitions. The showcased objects reflect new creative directions for these local makers, portraying their identity and that of their communities in surprising and original ways. The museum opened with an exhibition inspired by local themes and everyday symbols such as chai and water containers and brooms. The second exhibition featured a street cricket tournament, where richly hand embroidered uniforms and stunning hand carved wooden bats were not only displayed but also put into action. 7
“Our first exhibition mostly featured ceramic pieces. We worked with the Chauhan family who were into the pottery business since several generations and together focused on two central themes around Dharavi: chai and water containers,” shares co-founder, Jorge Mañes Rubio. New typologies were created around the variety of chai containers used in Dharavi, while water containers that were mostly chubby and bulky with minimum room for improvisation were given a new twist by stacking them on top of one another. The next exhibitions and workshops are programmed for the next couple of months in Dharavi (the themes will be ‘houses’, showcasing models made by real contractors from Dharavi, and design/castes); and a conference will be held in summer 2016 in Amsterdam, where the results of the Design Museum Dharavi will be exhibited and discussed. info@designmuseumdharavi.org www.designmuseumdharavi.org
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1. The museum opened with an exhibition of brooms, water and chai containers. 2. The fervour during the street cricket was apparent. 3. The cultural program featured several workshops and exhibitions. 4. Design Museum Dharavi engages with local makers in new collaborations, exploring their creativity. 5. Old pieces of reclaimed wood were used to make the cricket bats. 6. The taller water containers were inspired by the idea of stacking pieces in a space-constrained workshop. 7. Jorge Ma単es Rubio and Amanda Pinatih are co-founders of this innovative exhibition. 8. Design Museum Dharavi works as a recognition platform for local products and their makers. 9. The museum travels on a pushcart, similar to those used by locals to distribute and sell all kinds of goods and products.
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The Design Museum Dharavi has been created as an experimental project to explore the impact that design may have in the perception and future development of areas such as Dharavi. 4
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After sunset, the mid-eastern ambience is enhanced as the lights come on and create the drama of light and shadow.
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MOROCCAN MANTRA Remaining true to the lineage of a previous restaurant on the same premises, Laidback CafÊ in Delhi designed by Sumeet Nath of Studio US Design has a contemporary ambience with a Moroccan aesthetic. It clearly harks back to the luxury bar which once occupied the space; bringing back the brand and making it current was a significant part of the design team’s exercise.
Text By Devyani Jayakar Photographs Courtesy The Client
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Interesting planning has provided an indoor modern dining room, with an outdoor space visible in the background. The pattern on the floor evokes a mid-eastern feel.
“We toyed with the idea of using white for the outdoor spaces, but gave up the notion because of maintenance issues. So we finally settled for beige,� says Dhiraj.
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Moroccan style, a mix of Moorish, Spanish, French and Berber influences, may be hard to pull off - usually because most sites just don’t have the architectural detail associated with it. At its best, it is dramatic, vibrant and heavily patterned. But make a few wrong moves and the look begins to feel kitschy. Hinting of Morocco, without necessarily going the full distance, is like walking a fine line. But Sumeet Nath has managed to pull it off with élan. “We executed this job without any drawings…all the work was done completely on site, kind of in an organic manner,” says Sumeet. “In fact, when we applied for licences after completion, we had to start creating drawings to submit to the authorities,” he laughs. Part of the Qutub Hotel, the space previously housed a restaurant with a luxurious look. Dubbed ‘Laid Back Waters’, it was an iconic bar cum nightclub cum restaurant which shut down about six years ago, at the peak of its success. “But thanks to the brand recall and loyalty, diners have returned,” says owner Dhiraj Arora, who had good reason to orchestrate a comeback. Because of the Mughal context of the architecture, a Moroccan theme was decided upon. The sensory assault which this kind of aesthetic is associated with, together with the related colours and textures, has been toned down for contemporary consumption. It reflects the dichotomy which is Delhi...at times structured and formal, whilst cool and laidback otherwise. Different attitudes sit side by side in the same atmosphere. Since two adjacent buildings were joined, levels had to be matched. And where they couldn’t, opportunities to create different levels resulted.
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“Primarily an outdoor space, the first impression is the spatial interest created by the various smaller sections through the space plan. Through interesting planning and the levels, the space is divided into an indoor modern dining room, outdoor terrace café, indoor luxurious bar and an upper level, covered hookah terrace. The indoor and outdoor spaces are interwoven. There are different private dining areas that intertwine within each other, seamlessly integrating into the lounge space – thus maintaining privacy, yet connecting to the main vibrant area,” says Sumeet. The Arabic imagery abounds, with jalis and intricate detailing in the lighting which casts lacy patterns on walls and floors, together with arabesque patterns in the upholstery. Shades of crimson and gold in the fabrics, carpets, rugs and printed tiles for flooring, cushions and wall hangings - all contribute to the mid-eastern experience, adding layers to the Moroccan vocabulary. Rough-hewn sand-coloured wall textures enhance the look and feel of the whole area. “We toyed with the idea of using white for the outdoor spaces, but gave up the notion because of maintenance issues. With all the wear and tear due to dust, white can look quite tacky in bright sunlight. So we finally settled for beige,” says Dhiraj. The seating is a mix of large and small groups. The options of seating vary from comfortable dining to casual lounge seating and an area with high tables and stools. Each area lends a different look, adding charm to the overall experience. “A good deal of the furniture was sourced from China, where every style of furniture is available. Even the outdoor furniture has an Arabic jali, rather than the typical rattan mesh. But when we spotted the lamps that we were scouting, in Dubai and realised they were made back home in Moradabad, it made life easier for us. We promptly came back and ordered whatever we needed,” says Sumeet.
}
“The vividly coloured and patterned crockery was also sourced locally. Dhiraj tells me that guests often want to take a couple of pieces home. Maybe we should have set up a shop,” he laughs. Adds Dhiraj: “Though we did pick up the hookahs from Dubai. And they’re rather special, as is the plush hookah lounge.”
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Sumeet recalls that his first breakthrough project was for Dhiraj, making them old friends. Since Sumeet lives just a couple of kilometres away from the site, it was possible for him to drop in almost every day. “We didn’t even bother with any 3D presentation,” he says. “I’d love to do every project like this.” Dhiraj recounts how the entire design was very handson. “I was privileged to have Sumeet come to the site every day. We even participated in slapping on the plaster ourselves,” he says.
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The vividly coloured and patterned crockery was also sourced locally.
Plants add a touch of green, while the lamps cast lacy patterns when lit at night.
“But we were mindful of two earlier references in this design. My earlier hotel which stood here in 2005 was ahead of its times. Even 10 years later, there isn’t another restaurant in Delhi with that sense of space and a 30 ft high ceiling,” he says. But the spaciousness has been reconciled with a cosy feel, contrary though it may seem. “As an extension of my other restaurant, ‘Shalom’ in Greater Kailash, the vibe has to be one of a lifestyle…it has to convey a feeling, even though Laidback Café is now a multi-cuisine fast food place,” says Dhiraj, content that the pedigree and DNA of his brand has a continuity and that the legacy has been successfully passed on. info@studiousdesign.com www.studiousdesign.com
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The yearning to explore something ‘more’ has resulted in the creation of this tangible and spectacular art form.
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art form
Cardboard Wonders Artist Jozef Sumichrast plays with unique materials like compressed cardboard, bronze and hardware materials to create one-of-a-kind, spectacular sculptures.
Exotic and lustrous horses have always been Josef Sumichrast’s favourite muse since times immemorial. From metal sculptures to oil paintings and every conceivable form of art in between, Josef has presented varied renditions of horses and stallions. If you think you have seen it all, turn to the unorthodox works of Jozef Sumichrast, who creates multi-layered sculptures with cardboard. Having experimented with figures inspired by people, objects and animals in the past, Jozef turned to his all-time classic muse, the horse, for the first time in the year 1995 and has since used his unique calling to create sculptures that are a manifestation of his distinct perspective of the animal.
A chemical patina like silver nitrate has been used here to add a metallic finish to the sculpture.
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Explaining his motivation to create horse figurines, Jozef says, “Because a horse has four legs, I take its leg movement as an inspiration. When a horse moves it is shifting its weight from one side of its body to the other. This simple act of walking changes the horse’s entire anatomy. I also like man’s interaction with a horse. When riding, for example you use your body to control the horse’s body. I have sculptures like ‘S Horse II’ and ‘C Horse’ which do not have legs. This is because horses can swim like big dogs. Their legs are under water, and at that moment you do not see their legs.” Drawing from this inspiration, Jozef presents the Horse series as a representation of the perfect symphony between different elements of nature. When asked about the techniques used to blend such intricate details and asymmetrical patterns in the same art form, Jozef explains, “The form comes first. Then, the material the form has to be created from and finally, the patina.” “The patina could be merely sanding the cardboard and leaving it in its raw state, as seen in my work ‘Narrow Horses II’; or finishing it with a chemical patina like silver nitrate as seen on ‘Elevation 5#’ and ‘Elevation Triptych’. I use cardboard to construct my original forms. The forms are then moulded. Following which, I either follow the traditional lost wax process or my unique urethane process.”
“Because a horse has four legs, I take its leg movement as an inspiration. When a horse moves, it is shifting its weight from one side of its body to the other. This simple act of walking changes the horse’s entire anatomy.”
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Jozef, who compares his art to the technique of mechanical drawing that is completely flat and bereft of a vanishing point, started out with two-dimensional creations and gradually, moved on to threedimensional sculptures. Speaking of the aesthetics that propelled this transition, he says, “Sculpting is like jazz for me, there is a never ending supply of variations on a theme. You change your original idea to a new one and then maybe even change that one. As your mind moves further away from your original thought a completely unique form is created.”
Jozef uses his art form to create sculptures that are a manifestation of his distinct perspective of the animal.
“Sculpting is like Jazz for me as there is a never ending supply of variations on any single theme,� explains Josef Sumichrast.
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This state of transition from one form of art to another seems to be a constant in Jozef’s journey as an artist. Before venturing in to the unexplored realm of creating art with the use of compressed cardboard, bronze and other hardware-like materials, Jozef has tried his hands at graphic designing and painting, besides a brief stint as a draftsman. So what kept him moving and why did he pause at sculpting? “More. I was looking for something more than two dimensions, something more than three dimensions. It could be the sense of touch, which I found in sculpting. You can touch a sculpture but not a painting. It could also be shadows, which change as you move around the sculpture, or gravity, as in the case of my suspended sculptures such as ‘String Theory’ and ‘Susan’s Dance’. It could even be looking through the sculpture like ‘M Theory’ or ‘Expanding Gravity’.” The yearning to explore something ‘more’ has resulted in the creation of his tangible and spectacular art form. The journey of transforming compressed cardboard, drywall screws and shellac into exceptional pieces of art, however, isn’t an easy one. His most recent collection, based on horses, for instance, took more than three years to complete.
The patina is built from sanding the cardboard and then finishing it using the unique urethane process.
Talking about the various stages these sculptures go through before getting their final form and shape, Jozef says, “The process and stages vary from sculpture to sculpture. Sometimes, I do a drawing and use it like a pattern. Tracing it onto a piece of thin cardboard, then bending the cardboard and laminating more cardboard on the form. At others, I might find a material such as PVC drain pipe fittings in a hardware store, and make them an integral part of the design. For instance, pipe fittings became the arteries for my sculpture called ‘Heart’.” For Jozef, the journey to the creation of sculptures brings a sense of release and he earnestly hopes his audiences will be able to experience it too. www.jozef.com
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The Horse series is a representation of that perfect symphony between different elements of nature.
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Multi disciplinary practice SANDWICH and architectural practice team Low Energy uses recycled timber to describe sustainability employing a spatial vocabulary that heralds a totally new architectural style.
Text By K Parvathy Menon Photographs By Nobutada Omote, SANDWICH
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SUSTAINABILITY BY ART
The interior spaces are a result of overlapping boxes that also reflect in the external facade. The juxtaposing allows for simulated airflow patterns within the house, keeping the spaces cool and also providing unobstructed views to the surroundings.
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Contemporary art and sustainable architecture converge in the most brilliant fashion at Kyodo House in Japan. This is a collaborative work amongst SANDWICH and Team Low Energy. The team created this design by following the principles of natural ventilation. SANDWICH and team Low energy considered many aspects of environmental parameter whilst reflecting upon orientation, materials, and facade treatment that reflects onto the floor plan in order to make the house as energy efficient as possible as well as providing comfort to live. The layout of the house was conceived for a family with the basic format of bedrooms, living room and kitchen-dining space. The spatial volume in Kyodo House has been designed as numerous overlapping boxes - volumes stacked above the ground floor, including one jutting out at an angle. The position and size of these ‘boxes’ does not only have dictated the internal zoning, but also reflect in the external facade, presenting an interesting geometric composition to the viewer.
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Geometric planning of the residence pivots on a central ‘box’, the living room, which stretches up to form a tower. The open plan of this large double height central space includes a dining and kitchen area along with the main living room space, and is oriented to face the southern sun, thus outlining a natural light path which strives to achieve maximum efficiency.
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The centrepiece of the owner’s living style, the central atrium living space features a two storied high library wall and a central staircase. Accommodating a tea room and a study space in the elongated tower, the designers carved out a narrow ceiling void which has become the ideal spot for the children to play on a swing.
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Control of the air flow has attributed the central atrium living space the function of a ventilation tower. It produces a chimney effect in the airflow, assisting and improving the interior ventilation. In winters, the air warmed by the streaming sunlight cosies the interiors, while in the summers the windows allow fresh breezes to cool the spaces. Further, the architects explain, “a simulated airflow pattern is created by stacking the volumes whose juxtaposition has been orchestrated by the views, sceneries and surrounding greeneries.” This geometric planning also ensures that the natural light filtering through is carried throughout the space in a continuous mode. All bedrooms are located on the upper floors and an alternative space in the basement has also been providing for events so that the family can host the community. The layout include a terrace; this allows the residents an elevated view of the green neighbourhood and this also contributes to the communal activities that are hosted here.
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One of the most striking features of Kyodo House is its facade, for which the designers have taken inspiration from sculptor Kohei Nawa’s ‘Direction’ series of paintings. The art work, explores a visual representation of gravity, and the design team has interpreted this abstract art onto the external canvas of the house in an architectural language.
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The distinctive lumber composition of the external wall uses recycled timber arranged in alternating widths and colours at angles, consequently generating a unique textured surface. The designers tell us, “Old timber that is originally cut from different trees growing in Japan, is often left out in the timber yard, and we merely reused this left over timber. Our aim was to produce an impression that is warm and rustic while still being contemporary.” The timber composition is contemporary and abstract at first glance, but the warm and aged hues of the material lend a rustic charm to the structure. For this unique facade, the most challenging aspect according to Sandwich team “was the division of timbers according to the assembly rules, and physically constructing the facade while maintaining the continuity of the diagonal lines around the corners of the volumes.”
1 LIVING 2 ENTRANCE 3 TOILET 4 BEDROOM 5 WORK ROOM 6 SPACE
Section of the Kyodo House.
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Sustainable architecture is the need of the hour and designers around the world are striving to create the perfect green design. In Kyodo House, Sandwich and Team Low Energy have used layout, orientation and material palette to create a volu The mix of robust built-in seats with wooden tables and classic café metal chairs with long tables is a perfect hangout space for larger groups. me that does not require artificial air conditioning, instead it uses all of nature’s resources to save energy and decrease the carbon footprint. Kyodo house is a natural energy machine that proves to be as sustainable as possible, effectively and efficiently using natural energy all year round. office@sandwich-cpca.net www.sandwich-cpca.net
Material Matters “Life is a great big canvas; throw all the paint you can on it!” - Danny Kaye After starting off as a commerce student, a much-desired career in design seemed far-fetched for me. I always had a passion for drawing and loved colouring as well; both were my childhood hobbies. I gave up B.Com after daydreaming in accounts class in the first year and saw myself giving wings to my dreams. I applied for Bachelors in Fine Arts and pursued my four year course.
By Ankita Singhal
DESIGNQUEST
With the end of the final year when I saw my friends applying in colleges for post graduation, I had no idea what I had to do but definitely saw creativity around me. Along with them, I filled the form and applied for Masters at National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, specialising in Ceramics & Glass Design. And I got through. With no time, I was packing my bags and leaving for my Masters in Design. From hand painting and working on software during my graduation I suddenly realised that this course was all about material and was no piece of cake after all. Moulding clay or developing forms out of it didn’t seem easy as I started.
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Working on projects in different materials and aspects and having a reason for the development of a certain product, is an important factor. It took me a while to realise my strengths and weaknesses. I combined my learning of colours, forms and aesthetics with my current material. My design journey from surveys to explorations to prototyping is a pool of knowledge where I learnt at every step.
The whole idea of designing a product in ceramic or glass and having the endless opportunities to create something, inspired me. The various field trips we had then, helped me to understand the market, the user, the process and the materials in a much better way.
Tealight Holder The teailght holder is made from terracotta.
While interning with Titan, I got an opportunity to explore and experience their fine craftsmanship in bone-china and with the amalgamation of my thoughts, gave birth to a new pursuit for a beautiful tomorrow.
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Chip N Dip Platter Ideal for gifting, this platter is made out of bone-china and is inspired by the form of a lotus.
Tiny Perfume Bottles With the illusion of the long neck as the opening, the stylishness of the bottles comes from the off edge opening.
The cutting of glass with tools; creating a product out of molten glass through glass blowing; or chiselling out P.O.P to create a form; developing samples in thermocol; or the surveys and researches; all this made me realise what I was doing.
To create anything, an inspiration is always a must. For me, my inspiration came from the art of hand paintings of the past: the intricate motifs, the beautiful elements such as the paisleys, the flowers or the leaves, the twigs and the swirls. While sketching them one realises its form, its texture, the colour and what beauty lies in it. I also get inspired by the abundance of nature such as the beautiful flowers for my form. It’s incredible how a flower can make you develop a form for a platter! Creating tableware and developing different ranges for the company, helped me understand the user and the market and most importantly, the material. I was sure that after I complete my course, home decor is the field that I would love to design for and incorporate my material and surface development knowledge.
Doughnut Vase The vase forms a part of the collection from Ankita’s brand The Home Story.
Dinner Set The tableware is completly handmade and handpainted with brushes and sponges to create vibrant looks.
I love visiting home stores of any genre from quirky products to the ones that have luxury products. I get extremely inspired with their themes. Each product speaks for itself and that’s what makes me understand the happiness it gives to its user.
To start with something new, is not easy. But when you know your dreams, the possibilities are limitless. With a new start-up under the name of ‘The Home Story’, I started with the concept of material possibilities. The aim is to provide quality and elegant home decor products at affordable prices. Targeting the audience, understanding their needs and delivering to them what they want is the answer to a good design.
Lumiere About 4 feet tall, this corner floor lamp was created with the concept of re-usability of glass bottles.
Home decor has always been fascinating for me because since my childhood, I’ve seen my mother picking up items for each corner she could possibly decorate. The want of creating quality products that make a space beautiful has always been present in me.
The core elements for the design inspiration are clean and simple forms, which are functional, user friendly and aesthetically rich. I created a few range of multi-purpose products in terracotta that users only see as a planter. I have also developed a range of mirror trays and a variety in space enhancing items. While designing these, I got an incredible opportunity to create chip in dip platters for a wedding invite. The Home Story offers unique, handcrafted and contemporary home decor products to enhance users’ personal spaces. The products, with their simple and minimalistic design sensibilities, bring life to any space, both interior and exterior. The label is currently developing range of dinnerware, serveware and decor products.
ankitasinghal@hotmail.com
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Design Hike’s Headquarters, New Delhi The HQ of Hike has been built by the people of Hike, is for the people at Hike and encapsulates the company’s people, philosophy and vision. Conceptualised as a ‘temple of excellence’ by the Founder/CEO Kavin Bharti Mittal, who set the vision and personally led a small crossfunctional team of designers and engineers, the office space sets the bar for what offices of tech companies should look like. The office creates an environment of flexibility, productivity and creativity by identifying six kinds of spaces: service areas, open workspaces, green parks, spaces of solitude, collaborative spaces and recreational spaces. While open workspaces create ‘a paradigm shift from the archetypal closed cubicle’, spaces meant for solitude emphasise the people-centric aspects of Hike, that are facilitated by means of the wall pods that can be found all around the office. Spaces for collaboration can be found at nooks and corners, giving way to productivity and idea generation. Recreational spaces include a 70s cafe themed cafeteria, a gymnasium and showers, meditation room and a nap room. In line with the overall vision of the CEO, the green spaces or parks transform the office into a more campus-like atmosphere that fosters imagination and creativity.
Text Compiled By Rehana Hussain
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Intelligent design need not be restricted to mammoth-sized spaces. Sometimes even a small idea can lead to stunning, brilliant themes in the designing of interiors.
Mixology Every month, Design Mixology - our latest entrée in the design arena will spotlight innovative design in various domains such as showrooms, bars, clinics, spas and salons and much more.
L’OrEal Professional Academy, Mumbai Professional Products Development Academy for L’Oréal is a state of the art academy to train professionals and educate them in the latest product offerings by L’Oréal. The design by DCA Architects creates interactive spaces for these professionals to work in multifunctional zones that blend together seamlessly. A proactive approach to sustainable design is demonstrated through water efficiency and energy consumption along with innovation in design, especially in creating a space which has the ability to transform itself into a huge space for promotional events and then re-transform itself into classrooms. Parametric planning results in a focal space in the centre. With doors opening into this spill over area, the studios are defined by a series of sliding and folding partitions made in glass that help in augmenting the visual connection and ensuring that natural light permeates deep into the central space. The moveable wall system when folded and parked, create a unified space which caters to a stage and seating for about 150 professionals. A cohesive approach to sustainability is adopted where all the parameters of the Platinum LEED Certification are met efficiently. www.groupdca.in
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Odeon Social, New Delhi As the third Social in Delhi, Odeon Social is an ode to the timeless stories embedded in the walls and pillars of Connaught Place. Designed by Saheba Singh, Social stays committed to the creation of innovative and easily accessible workspaces across the city. Social’s design ethos represents minimum intervention and maximum up-cycle and all elements used in the space have been sourced from schools and offices in and around CP and Central Delhi. The entrance is a grand wooden staircase with rounded balusters and grand posts and the Social hashtagengraved capitals. You are transported back to another era the moment you enter; the era of typewriters, landlines and handwritten notes. It comprises a mix of old school furniture, complete with table tops that can be opened and a teacher’s desk for the DJ console, with church pews from prayer rooms aligned alongside long community tables. The 42 ft long bar counter looks somewhat like a chemistry lab with beakers and flasks lining the bar. Carefully aligned art deco lights and table lamps are what complete the look. www.thisisit.net.in
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The Brewbot Eatery & Pub Brewery in Mumbai is the outcome of a cleverly executed concept by The Busride Design Studio; it emanates a hearty, wholesome appeal with its industrial styled aesthetics. Text By Prachi Nikam Patel Photographs By Kevin Nunes
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INDUSTRIAL ECLECTISM
The shell has a “future-grunge vibe and rusty tarnished materials, with the shiny new brewery as the heart of the space�.
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The story of the design for Brewbot began with an inspiration and a fantasy. The inspiration came in the form of the microbrewery equipment, with its robotic and mechanoid character and the entire brewpub was visualised as a “mech installation”. Designer Ayaz Basrai shares the fantasy which takes one into a “dystopian world after humans, where robots are nurturing the planet back to life, replanting the first few plants, saving the planet with beer.” This post-apocalyptic atmosphere sets the tone for the design and informs the palette of materials for the shell where the brewing equipments stand out as “beacons of hope.” The shiny brew vats take centre stage in this expansive space split in two levels, which can accommodate a large crowd. The utilitarian, inside-out features like electric cables, air conditioning ducts and other service fixtures complement the microbrewery equipment with all their piped extensions. Ayaz states, “The idea was to create a fun, engaging direction that would synergise with the equipment, yet add a new dimension to the space.” This industrial styled, chic warehouse ambience creates the perfect setting for a home brewing experience. The main entrance is well appointed with an outdoor seating area which overlooks the framed brewery indoors. The glass partition visually connects the two spaces and allows for the stainless steel brewing vessels to act as points of intrigue for the people sitting outside. The mix of robust built-in seats with wooden tables and classic café metal chairs with long tables is a perfect hangout space for larger groups. The smaller outdoor seating area extends inside to a more pronounced casual retro vibe. As one enters the main area, the vibe is reinforced by the bold, eye catching graphics on the glass panes and the graffiti on the wall surfaces. The shell, made using “rough-hewn, aged and distressed materials” in the form of unfinished concrete walls, floors and the ceiling, in contrast to the exposed red brick accent walls creates a beautiful background for the brew vats. This area is articulated by well thought-out seating options.
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The bar area with bar stool seating at one end gives one a chance to be up close to taste the extensive variety of the in-house classic brews. On the other end, a more formal table seating arrangement suits diners which is separated from the bar by an interesting stand-up table arrangement supported by bar stools.
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There is a lot of attention to detail here, which is evident in the foot rest element made up of metal pipes attached to the free standing tables as well as the very rustic and robust set of raw industrial metal pipes which form the door handles. As one lingers around longer, the little add-ons to the decor which reflect the bygone-era, like the box television sets stacked behind the bar, the shiny metal casing inlay within the concrete floor and the tiny money plants become evident. The bright yellow staircase works as a beacon indicating an active space above. The stairs are clad with perforated metal grating - again an industrial cast-off - which not only goes well with the ambience but also creates a sense of lightness and transparency. The upper level has its own set of brewing vats which allows the space to function independently. This space has been planned in a way to accommodate an array of functions. The smart design of this multi-faceted space allows the management to remodel it as per the call of the day. It can transform from a typical beer pub to a space for intimate events or private parties. A raised platform along the exposed brick wall becomes a stage for live performances. There is also a provision made for a projector screen - a mini theatre for cosy screenings. The upper level also has a small outdoor extension in the form of a tiny balcony which overlooks the open to sky seating at the ground level.
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The charm of the space is in the palette of materials which retain their true-toform character and the little discreet details which just cannot go unnoticed. The simplicity and perspicuity of the design style lends the place ‘true to character’ uniqueness. Overall the place has a great ambience and the team at The Busride Design Studio has been able to truly achieve a stand out new age microbrewery in the form of Brewbot. thebusride@gmail.com www.jointhebusride.com
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DESIGN DESTINATION
JOR WHERE Jordon is a small country with a strategic location in the Middle East. This ancient land is rich in culture and beauty, and is a hub for tourists who flock here to experience its many offerings, especially a dip in the Dead Sea!
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DAN WHEN
WHY
March to May, when days are warm and nights are cool is the perfect time to visit. What’s more, Northern Jordan is literally blanketed in wildflowers in April!
The country boasts of a wealth of natural resources and therapeutic sites. It hosts world-class resorts and this makes Jordon a haven for those who seek wellness. One can pursue a wealth of activities in and around the capital Amman. Ancient ruins and heritage buildings also dot the landscape, making it a treat for history junkies.
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CAPTURING ANCIENT GLAMOUR Petra in Jordon is synonymous with ancient architecture. The Mövenpick Petra Nabatean Castle stays true to the essence of the area. It is a 10-minute drive from Petra’s entrance and is situated at an altitude of 1400 metres. The architecture facilitates views over sweeping hillsides. The hotel was designed by the recipient of the Agha Khan Award for Islamic Architecture, engineer Rasem Badran.
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All the hotel’s 90 rooms and suites are spacious and most have extraordinary views over the Great Rift Valley. The design of the rooms combines the warm hues of the surrounding landscape and elements of Jordanian heritage with a contemporary language and modern amenities. The 110 sq m indoor heated pool is designed beautifully, keeping with the historic charm of the place. The hotel’s Al Madafa main dining room and the Al Nadeem Bar, each have their own terrace. The design thus allows the guests to explore the rich views as they dine. The use of stone and especially the choice of colours reference the rosered coloured old ruins present around the area. These public areas in the hotel reassert the balance between modern design and a certain loyalty towards the local heritage.
HIGH ON THE HILL The capital city of Amman is built around seven hills and on the highest one lies the Citadel of Amman which is historically considered to be among the oldest inhabited places. Since the Bronze Age, the site has witnessed the evolution of mankind and ongoing excavations continue to evoke more stories from the past. The Temple of Hercules is a striking sight here. The depiction of the ‘Hand of Hercules’ points to the magnificence that the temple’s past would have held. The Umayyad Palace also bears testimony to the grandiosity of the ancient civilisation that thrived here. The palatial complex has a restored domed entrance chamber. The large cistern at the Citadel is a wonder to marvel at.
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A DIFFERENT KIND OF A FIG . . . The Blue Fig Café finds a mention in several guide books of Jordon. The hip and contemporary café offers a well-curated gourmet world cuisine. This glass-and-steel restaurant near Abdoun Circle in Amman sits coolly in an elegant brown building. It is a mix of varied seating nooks that truly make up the ambience. Cosy arrangements occupy the terrace, the upper levels, the ground floor as well as the outdoor area, jostling for space. Great world music that’s fits in well with the fusion theme wafts through the air!
STREET LIFE To know a place one needs to get into its markets. Downtown Amman is where the life of the city is. One finds tons of shops and restaurants, as well as a large mosque and the old Roman theatre in this area. Narrow cramped alleys are connected by colourful stairways. One may find it quite stereotypical with traffic, noise, plenty of street shops and music blaring from the little stalls, but a mindful stroll will show you that this bustle belongs quite uniquely to Amman! And it is here that the heart of the city lies.
Text By Dhanishta Shah
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CRISTIAN MOHA0E0
Argentinean designer Cristian Mohaded experiments with materials and texture to produce simple yet unusual lighting and furniture.
Text By Chryselle D’Silva Dias Photographs Courtesy The Designer
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Andes lamp It may not be amiss to say that Argentinean industrial designer Cristian Mohaded brings the sensuousness of his country into his designs. Armed with a graduate degree from the National University of Cordoba, Mohaded started his own studio in the creative environment of Buenos Aires. His designs have won several awards and are now finding permanent homes in reputed museums in Europe. Mohaded has an intriguing Manifesto, which in part says, “I feel that today objects are becoming schizophrenic and losing their simplicity. The objective is in a conceptual simplicity and sensitivity...and therefore there’s only one way to play: believe and trust. Imagining a life project behind a table, a chair, a lamp or a painting - where every gestation is a cause for new joy.”
Volta lamp
It is that sense of joy that sweeps through his design irrespective of the materials he uses. The choice of materials is wide, too right from concrete to PVC. Here is a designer that loves playing with texture and you’ll see what a wide repertoire he has. Mohaded has a range of elegant lighting designs. The Andes lamp was part of his first collection in lightweight concrete. Andes is a fluid lamp, that works with the idea of “weightlessness”.
Cerro lamp
It was inspired by “observing stressed structures such as membranes and shells. An appearance of stretchiness was created that transmits fluidity and makes the lamps appear almost weightless.” Concrete lamps are not your everyday fare, and for one to be seemingly so flexible is lovely to see as well.
Bonaparte lamp
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The aluminium Volta lamp is equally simple with minimum parts and reminds one of the large lamps on a film set. This smaller version has seemingly accordion-pleated sides and is playful yet severe. The Volta comes in a ceiling and desktop version. The Cerro lamps, on the other hand, go back to natural textures using basketry techniques to create the silhouette.
Half & Half
Created as part of the Simbol collection, this design harkens back to traditional basket lamps and gives it a new lease of life. The Bonaparte lamp has the iconic shape of its famous namesake. This family of three pieces is made from high-density polyethylene fibre with a base in aluminium.
T Chair
Mohaded’s Hula and Pilla ceiling lamps are part of his brush-inspired designs. You’d never think that the humble brush could also be an elegant light source. Don’t rush off yet to create a DIY version for your own home – it’s probably not as easy as it looks! Twist Chair
The Half & Half collection has a floor lamp, a table lamp, a wall clock and carpet. All four designs are characterised by sharp geometry – cones, circles and polygons. It is about “the balance of its component parts, about proportions and material exposed in each of the products designed.” Mohaded’s designs for furniture are also classic, but with a twist. The T chair elevates iron pipe products to a new level while the Twist chair by Mohaded reworks the classic Twist chair by Ricardo Blanco. The chair’s distinctive back and seat design make it immediately recognisable. In the new version, the seat seems to disappear “almost like the line of the horizon.”
Zambo
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Once Chair
The arms of the beautiful Once chair remind me of toothpicks balanced precariously against one another, or the pincers of a crab. The simple design is balanced against beautiful upholstery making it even more elegant.
Elephant Vase
One of my favourite products from Mohaded’s studio is the Elephant vase. The asymmetrical shapes are created from joining different sized PVC rolls. The end result is stunning and very much reminiscent of pachyderms everywhere. The texture of the vases and the sense of movement reminds you of wrinkly elephant skin, constantly in motion. Mohaded also designed a range of handwoven carpets called “Malla”. 2D geometric designs are put together to create “a 3D optical effect when moving or transforming the junctions between the lines”. The placement of the joints results in an optical illusion, creating a sense of fluidity and relief work.
Malla Carpet
Cristian Mohaded’s work continues to evolve as do his experiments with texture and materials – certainly cause for more joy. mohadedc@gmail.com www.cristianmohaded.com.ar
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Miss Chair and Circus Lampara
HAPPY TOGETHER - SHARING LIVING BATHROOMS Duravit bathrooms are much more than just a place to have a quick shower, they are a place to relax, refresh and also enjoy a private chat with your loved ones. Enjoy the pleasure of bathing in a pool? Now with Duravit’s Blue Moon you get a pleasing and awesome bathing experience. Designed by Jochen Schmiddem, with its square body, circular tub and an immersion depth of 500 mm, the elegant Blue Moon embodies design in its purest form. A water proof floating remote control enables functions such as underwater lighting and the three cycles – Power, Relax and Emotion – which can be controlled separately or in conjunction with one another. The Duravit Sundeck would make a great addition to any home that enjoys lounging around in a high-quality pool. Designed by EOOS, Sundeck is a luxurious pool that provides ultimate relaxation, both indoor and outdoor. Sundeck also has three cycles with the feature of Durapearl jets – use water, air, or a combination of the two to create a bubbling surface. It also has underwater lighting controlled by a water proof remote control. So all you have to do is lie back and relax.
Paiova
Duravit intelligently displays a series of authentically stylish and marvelously practical washbasins under its DuraStyle range. With a variety of sizes, shapes and finishes, DuraStyle blend seamlessly with your existing bathroom decor.
Blue Moon
The Duravit Happy D.2 range is styleconscious, versatile and timelessly modern. It brings a fresh, feminine chic to the bathroom. The Happy D.2 collection is immaculately-designed and the washbasins present the features of the range with their smooth edges and a clean-cut architectural design. tel: 079 66112300 respond@in.duravit.com www.duravit.in For Professionals: www.pro.duravit.in
Sundeck
Happy D.2 Advertorial
The ingenious Paiova corner bathtub offers lots of room to relax and enjoy – even side by side.The tub’s characteristic trapezoid form – wide at the top, narrow at the bottom – and compact dimensions offer new possibilities with minimum water consumption and maximum bathing pleasure. The optional soft neck cushion adds extra comfort.
DuraStyle
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Kuta is one of Bali’s first tourist developments and is best known for its Indian Ocean surfing and party-centric atmosphere. Conveniently annexed to the Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort is the Beachwalk shopping mall which is a shopaholic’s haven with over 200 shops in an open air architecture setting and a movie theatre.
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BALICIOUS
The best aspect of the Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort is its extremely convenient location on the Kuta beach in Bali. By adding diverse facilities for the guests to rejuvenate and relax, Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort has become just the ideal place for the well-travelled looking for a good time amidst pure luxury and comfort. A gust of sea breeze can be invigorating on any beach in Bali but the Kuta Beach located on the western side of the island’s narrow isthmus is considered special. One of Bali’s first tourist developments, Kuta is best known for its Indian Ocean surfing and party-centric atmosphere. Kuta’s long, consistent waves make it a popular surf spot, particularly for beginners, and plenty of outfitters offer board rentals and surf lessons.
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Overlooking the Indian Ocean, the Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort is centrally located on Jalan Pantai Kuta, making it the perfect base from which to enjoy multifarious activities. It is just minutes away from the Ngurah Rai International Airport in Tuban and the Beachwalk shopping mall, a shopaholic’s haven with over 200 shops in an open air architecture setting and a movie theatre is conveniently annexed to the hotel.
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Vacation days are precious and your getaway should leave you inspired and recharged and this is exactly where Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort scores in a big way. It is the only 5-star resort in Kuta offering spacious rooms with glorious views of the Indian Ocean and from where Bali’s golden sunsets can be enjoyed in the ultimate of comfort, all year round. 203 guest rooms and suites exuding a warm and contemporary elegance are fitted with either a king sized or a double Sheraton signature bed, a spa themed bathroom with a free standing rain shower and a deep soaking tub with deluxe amenities. The architectural design is pointedly contemporary, albeit with Balinese touches that are handled with restraint. The rooms have ceiling high glass doors leading onto a terrace or balcony which offers views of the Indian Ocean and the social courtyard landscaped with native plants and full of exotic tropical birds. The presidential suite not only offers breathtaking views of the Kuta beach but also has its own private sun deck and Jacuzzi. The Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort offers an astonishing range of activities and dining options.
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The outdoor infinity edged pool with sundeck overlooking the Indian Ocean is the veritable heart of the resort. It lets you truly experience indulgent living and an invigorating and fun time can be enjoyed by the entire family with refreshing beverages and snacks from the Italian restaurant next door only adding to the pool’s magic. Feast, the 160 seat restaurant plays around with bold magenta and an eclectic décor style to create a contemporary ambience best suited to discover international and local favourites. Perfect for families that want a little bit of everything, from fare inspired by many different cultures, to dishes that incorporate the local cooking traditions of Bali. The restaurant’s signature unique design also allows diners to interact with culinary masters who share each cuisine’s specialty and even prepare cook-to-order dishes.
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Set against the oceanic backdrop and the Kuta Beach skyline, Bene serves up authentic Italian cuisine with a modern twist. A wide range of signature dishes are created by fusing rich imported and fresh local ingredients with a family sharing food concept in mind. Bene offers three venues for dining: air conditioned indoor dining with show kitchen, an alfresco option by the pool and finally a breathtaking rooftop terrace option, amidst the most romantic of sunsets and star studded skies. Play@Sheraton is the newest addition to the Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort. The kid’s club becomes a focal point for families travelling with young children. It is designed to enhance their holiday experience where it is not only about being able to leave your young ones in a child-safe and fun environment in the hands of expert hostesses, but also about learning. One of Bene’s, the Italian restaurant’s dining venues, a breathtaking rooftop terrace lets you dine amidst the most romantic of sunsets and star studded skies.
Shine for Sheraton is a spa for people who love life, and is a sanctuary for travellers to revitalise and indulge in signature treatments ranging from east to west, blended with local Balinese touches. In spite of the blissed-out pleasures that the Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort offers it doesn’t forget the importance of a professional workout. The gym, Sheraton Fitness at the resort features state-of-the-art equipment to keep you vigorous and healthy, while you indulge in a holiday of a lifetime. Link@Sheraton, is another signature facility on the premises and offers the full Microsoft experience. It features a connectivity hub with free Wi-Fi, PC workstations and complimentary printing. Celebrations and conferences are handled with consummate ease at the Sahid Ballroom. It is a pillar-less meeting space of 700 sq m with an option to divide the room into two, allowing guests the choice of holding both big and small gatherings.
The social courtyard is a relaxed zone and lets you enjoy the Ocean breezes and views in ultimate comfort. Native vegetation and the twittering of birds enhance the experience.
It’s time your ‘Out-Of-Office’ message truly reflects the amazing time you are having on your vacation, so go ahead and think up a cool one before leaving for the Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort. www.sheratonbalikuta.com
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WINDOWS ROOFING & FACADES With the entry of new technologies in architecture meeting challenges to design innovative buildings is becoming more exciting. We take a look at how designers and companies are re-imagining windows, roofs and facades.
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96 Vo Trong Nghia Architects
92 Practice Design Pvt. Ltd.
98 Keeping It Current
94 Mad Architects
100 A Window To Your Soul
102 Roofs: What Lies Above
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SUPERLATIVE EXTERIOR SHELLS On looking back, we realise that the advent of civilisation started with a series of material innovations. The Bronze Age and the Iron Age set the path rolling towards where we stand today. Thus it would not be an exaggeration to state that the history of architecture is deeply rooted in technological build-ups of the time. In an age that is reverberating with specialised industrial reinforcement, we cannot help but shift our focus towards material prospects that are constructively surfacing in the architectural world. One of the most prevalent trends in the architectural domain today is a deviation towards reduction in the consumption of energy. In the same vein, architects are looking to cut down the use of hypoallergenic and carcinogenic materials while establishing buildings of the future. Leaky single-glazed windows have matured into double-glazed insulated glass units with their signature green tint to aid in indoor climate control. While roofs have evolved to beat violent temperature contrasts, bituminous surfaces and bitter winds, facades have become more than ‘just a pretty facade’ these days. Rendering of a tensile canopy shed shelter roof.
Panel screen by Hunter Douglas.
Home Review walks you through emerging window, roofing and cladding technologies that are leaking into the architectural horizon through this special issue that focuses on bringing innovations that are redefining the concrete world, to the forefront. Do not miss our story on entrance automation and how wireless technologies have opened new doors. Also do browse through our pages that translate how architecture is being transformed into inhabited sculptures via distinguished work executed by Indian and international architects.
Text By Kanupriya Pachisia
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Home Review Now on Apple and Android Devices
All you need to do is download the free ‘Magzter app. Apple users can download Magzter from the App Store.’ Android users can download Magzter from Android Market.
Try it out today.
SHROFFLEÓN ARCHITECTS Kayzad Shroff and Maria I J Leon of ShroffLeón Architects offer comprehensive architectural planning and consultancy services to civic, municipal, institutional and private clients. A young and dynamic creative studio with a burgeoning reputation for its innovative solutions, their methodology is characterised by a deep enquiry and an intellectual collaborative exchange.
What do you think of weathering steel as a rustic contemporary surface finish ?
Weathering steel or Corten steel in our opinion is an excelled material for usage as a contemporary material, that is fast gaining in popularity among architects in India. Rather than term the material rustic, we prefer to use the words raw and honest what you see is what you get. The appeal of the material for us lies in our inability to affect its wear and tear, it is a natural process that is dependent on multiple factors beyond our control. More so, the material continually ages with time, constantly changing with the changing seasons and therein lies its charm. Kayzad Shroff, Principal Architect, ShroffLeón
One roofing material that you think will set the trend in the near future and why ?
Zinc is a material we feel is as of now under utilised as a roofing material, due to either the high costs involved or simply a lack of awareness. The fixing details on offer allow for a speedy, dry and waterproof mechanisms. Add to this the ease of maintenance, the sharp aesthetic and ‘green ’sustainable quotient, zinc is heading toward being the default material of choice for both roofs, as well as facades.
Maria I J Leon, Principal Architect, ShroffLeón
Shroffleón has used weathering steel for this extension to a home in Bandra.
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The use of solar control glass in windows is rapidly trending? Have you used the same in your projects? How effective have you found this product ?
We are yet to implement the use of solar control glass into any of our projects to date but it is definitely a product we not only hope to use in the future, but have as a default case option.
You recently won the NDTV landscape design award for Longpool Beach house. Could you tell us about some surface finishes that you used and why you chose them ? In an effort to blend in seamlessly with both the existing structure, and the landscape, the materials we chose mirrored the natural ones that were already present - treated basalt, stone, random rubble masonry and teak wood and complimented these materials and textures with the addition of corten or weathering steel - a material that ages texturally with time.
info@shroffleon.com www.shroffleon.com
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PRACTICE DESIGN PVT. LTD. Practice is an upcoming architecture, urban and interior design firm rendering its services across varied verticals in the industry. Sandip Agarwal and Manash Sinha Roy, lead a team that possesses expertise in a range of building types. The firm understands the interplay of creative design with technical skills, and the influence of physical spaces on people’s lives, drives all projects. You’ve used architectural terracotta to construct a one-of-a-kind facade for the Bharat Chamber of Commerce (BCC) building in Kolkata which also exhibits a unique design concept. Could you tell us about this experience? Architectural terracotta became fashionable as an architectural ceramic construction material in the 1860s. Apart from being cheap and light, it is resistant to UV fade. The facade of the BCC building was worked upon from a visual and climatic aspect. Terracotta louvers called baguettes spanning across 3.5 metres with a single layer of glazing inside helped reduce heat gain within the building. The screen inbuilt with a unique gradation concept, made the everyday pedestrian visualise it differently from whatever angle he viewed it from. Dense at the top, the louvers trickled down as they moved away from the South-West, which gained the maximum heat. Architectural terracotta baguettes and the terracotta tile base helped to blend the building seamlessly into its surroundings yet gave it a monolithic and unified character.
Sandip Agarwal, Director, Practice Design Pvt. Ltd.
‘Esplanade’ - a mixed use development programme for Bhubhaneshwar boasts of another eye-catching facade which you interestingly call ‘the shawl’. How did this come about?
We did not want to look at the mall in a standard way - jazzy or shouting to make its presence felt. ‘The wrap’ or ‘the shawl’ with traditional ‘ikat’ patterns, wraps the lower segment of the building. It is made of zinc on a MS structure. Its presence in the mall segment, demanded it to portray the concept of feminity and the consumption profile. Zinc adds a subtle shade of bling to the building because of its shiny and attractive nature and forms a protective patina that self-repairs imperfections and scratches throughout its life. While the rest of the building facade rests on a neutral concrete base, it allows the shawl to stand out and be appreciated from a distance. Bharat Chamber of Commerce (BCC), Kolkata. Manash Sinha Roy Director, Practice Design Pvt. Ltd.
Terracotta louvers used in the BCC building.
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Nowdays a combination of architecture and photovoltaic solar energy has resulted in a new kind of architecture. You have also used photovoltaic glazing in ‘The Chlorophyll Project’ in Kolkata. Could you please throw some light on the subject? We had the opportunity to work with a material we had never used before! BIPV - Building Integrated Photovoltaic cells were used on the entire Southern facade of the building that was exposed to maximum sunlight. Proper solar shading helped in protection from the sun during over-heated months. Phytoremediation and photovoltaic structural glazing help the building to breathe on its own without a ventilator.
Esplanade, a mixed-use development in Bhubhaneshwar.
What is your design philosophy?
Sensitive, active and layered. We strive to create outstanding architecture. We feel that driving design through pure function and context is extremely simplistic, hence we make place-making effort through a more complex design process with interplay of layers, patterns, textures and light.
info@practicedesign.co.in www.practicedesign.co.in Terracotta louvers are light, cheap and resist UV fading.
‘The shawl’ design of the Esplanade.
The Chlorophyll Project, Kolkata.
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MAD Architects from China and Vo Trong Nghia Architects from Vietnam have played with texture on many occasions with varied scales and intensities. Their projects intentionally elicit the use of interesting and innovative elements that write a more complex architectural language, the juxtaposition of which emphasises a unique rhythm in the construction of the buildings.
MAD ARCHITECTS MAD Architects founded in 2004, by Ma Yansong is a studio that builds futuristic architecture based on contemporary interpretation of the eastern spirit of nature. Based in Beijing and Los Angeles, MAD gained international attention in the year 2006 when it was commissioned to design two residential towers in Mississauga, Canada. MAD’s designs embrace the advent of a new era and its research concerning the synthesis of digital media into architectural design, validates a unique approach towards architecture. Committed towards exploring flexibility and unusual prospects, intrinsic in uncomplicated and conventional functions, the company compliments these via new organizations and logics, evaluating value, desire and culture in present-day China and America. By employing a trajectory that manifests a fluid and dynamic exposition of a new fangled life, MAD’s structures are no longer individual pieces studded in architectural modernity but those that have become rational, meaningful units of human life and the environment.
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The Harbin Opera House Harbin, Heilongjiang, China - home to the Harbin Opera House is heralded as the ‘Ice City’ for its bitterly cold winters. In 2010, MAD won the international competition for Harbin Cultural Island, a masterplan for an opera house, a cultural centre and the surrounding wetland landscape along Harbin’s Songhua River. The anfractuous opera house has acquired the status of a focal point of the Cultural Island occupying a built area of about 8,50,000 square feet of the site’s total area of 444 acres. It features a grand theatre that can house over 1600 patrons and a smaller theatre to accommodate an audience of 400. Ma Yansong, the founder of MAD Architects, responded by conceiving and executing a design concept that would instantly strike a conversation with the fierce and frigid climate. The northern city of Harbin is well reclaimed for its ice sculpture festival and MAD’s sculpture seamlessly blends into the topography as if it were sculpted by the wind and water. The opera house is a winner of the 2016 WAN Performing Spaces Award.
The arcuated facade made of smooth, white aluminium panels becomes the song of the brink and surface, with soft and sharp notes to complete the piece. The undulating architectural mound, wrapping a large public plaza is an experience in itself as it melts into the snowy winter. Large transparent glass walls inside the lobby connect the interiors to the swooping clean facade and exterior plaza. A crystalline glass screen hangs over the grand lobby space taking the support of a lightweight diagrid structure. Made of glass pyramids, the surface oscillates between smooth and faceted imitating the very nature of snow and ice as it makes another attempt to befriend the brutal winter. Visitors are greeted with an innate hospitality born out of the warmth of natural light and material. At the apogee, visitors are welcomed by an open exterior performance space that serves as an observation deck to applaud the beauty of panoramic views. The grand theatre is finished in rich wood, mirroring a wooden block that has been gently eroded away. Configured with world-class acoustics, a subtle sky-light allows you to peep outside into the real world. A wall of sound-proof glass provides an inherent scenic backdrop that pronounces the stage as an extension of the outdoors. All in all, a theatrical piece that captures your attention for long! office@i-mad.com www.i-mad.com Home Review May 2016
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VO TRONG NGHIA ARCHITECTS
Founded in 2006, Vo Trong Nghia Architects is a leading architectural practice in Vietnam with a footing in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Buzzing with a team of more than 60 international architects, engineers and staff, the team works closely on cultural, residential and commercial projects worldwide. By experimenting with light, wind and water and using natural and local materials, the company employs a contemporary design vocabulary to explore the realms of green architecture while maintaining the essence of Asian architectural expression. With several awards in their kitty, this year they bagged The Green Era Award 2016 for their Sheraton Phu Quoc Resort. Through a series of award winning projects, Nghia Architects have developed sustainable architectural design by integrating inexpensive local materials and traditional skills with contemporary aesthetics and modern methodologies. Their project, Naman Retreat Resort is yet another example of prolific architectonics as it combines vernacular elements and verduous greens to publish a new chapter in the Vo Trong Nghia Architects series. Natural ingredients like wind, light and vegetation, interweave textural experiences that render meaningful effects inside the building.
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The Babylon, Naman Retreat Resort Stationed beside the main linking road between Danang City and Hoi - an old Vietnamese town, the Naman Retreat Resort is a coastal property located 16 kilometres away from the Danang International airport. A thriving resort, budding from the seeds of providing physical and mental relaxation to tired travellers, the coastal retreat offers a friendly and leisurely purlieu under various guises of which yoga, spa facilities and water sports are some. To achieve a perfect encompassment that enables the guests a maximum body and mind purification and recreation, the resort was built by using a harmonious mix of greenery, natural stone and bamboo. The first phase of the project site was defined by 3.4 hectares of land between the direct road and sprawling beach. The bounteous landscaped area, implanted with a diversity of space and privacy efficiently grips three kinds of accommodation on the coastal soil. Beach villas, bungalows and the hotel building were constructed in order to entertain guests.
The multi-storey hotel building, The Babylon illustrates a facade of concrete louvers interspersed by greenery creating a visually interesting landmark from the direction of the coast. If one looks at it from the road, then the green layer provides for an optical barrier that detaches the property from the road enhancing the privacy of the resort. The finishing material retains the natural appearance of its base in order to procure harmony with the surrounding ambience. The hotel consists of three floors with thirty-two rooms. Plotted on an L-shaped layout, the floors embrace the swimming pool. Balconies overlooking the pool side bring you in connection with fun activities while the discreet green facade allows you entry into a personal zone. The grid of concrete louvers (5 x 15 cms) camouflaged by vines reduce direct sunlight and induce wind flow. The facade not only helps to minimise thermal radiation but also acts as a buffer space for plants to grow. A combination of trees and vines such as Quisqualis Indica, Vernonia Elliptica, Spathiphyllum Wallisii and Aglaia Duperreana are planted across the hotel. This combination aids in construing the diversity of the otherwise vertical landscape. hcmc@vtnaa.com www.votrongnghia.com
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KEEPING IT CURRENT Automated entries have become the latest aspirational accessory; they raise expectations as they gently swing open, massage the psyches of returning commuters and keep burglars on their toes.
Today no self-respecting new development is complete without automated entries. They add exclusivity and security, the buzzwords of modern living. New technologies and standards have made entry access more affordable, easier to maintain and safer than before. The market in gate automation is said to be increasing by a bewildering 30% a year.
Bi-Folding gate
Automatic sliding gates are harder to force open and space efficient as they can cover an expanse of 15 metres and also are the best option if floors are raised inside the property. Bi-folding gates, also coined ‘speed gates’ due to the short amount of time they take to open and close are gaining rising popularity. They are ideal for organisations that are permitted to allow access for a limited period of time and where there is continual vehicular traffic such as schools, banks and the like. Telescopic gates are ideal for smaller properties as its individual sections overlap each other making the gate occupy lesser space. They require even ground for installation. Gates can be manufactured using various materials but if they are to be automated, they should be built of higher quality materials as the automatic operators thrust much higher forces upon the gate. There are exciting new advances in wireless solutions, home automation integration, solar power, smartphone apps and PC programmability that make gate automation a smart and green addition to the landscape plan. Whether it’s a private dwelling or a public property, automated entries have become the norm. Apart from security they induce hassle free lifestyles. Automatic swing gates are a great option for parks and stately homes where the attention lies on aesthetics and functionality. Automatic sliding entrance door
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State of the art solutions are catering to the industrial and commercial sectors as well. Insulated sectional doors are designed to provide maximum safety and quality for industrial warehouses, factories and large sheds enhancing both thermal and acoustic insulation. Entrance rolling shutters or doors are traditional solutions that have now undergone modernisation and are available in a variety of colours and materials such as MS, GI, galvalum, aluminium etc.
Automatic industrial insulated doors by Toshi Group.
Automatic sliding entrance doors are specialised for smooth and fast operations and ideal for installation in shopping malls, airports, residential and commercial complexes. Thanks to their advanced microprocessor based technology, their operational speed can be adjusted.
Equipping metros, bus stations and office spaces with automation are the flap barriers that can control movement of 40-45 persons per minute. Quoting the Toshi Group, “We are geographically well placed to meet the needs of our wide customer base around the country, which spans individual homes, manufacturing and service companies, leisure operators and local authorities,” it is no exaggeration to state that automation is one of the most burgeoning industries today. Talking about implementing evolving technology, Faac India tells us that, “In 1965, we introduced hydraulics in the gate opening sector, and through the years, we have perfected this technology, adapting it to a multiplicity of needs.” When professionally designed and specified these systems add great value to a landscape project and residence.
Motorised sliding gate by Faac India
Automatic swing gate
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A WINDOW TO YOUR SOUL As buildings veer towards contemporary architecture, windows play a huge role in giving them a whole new dimension. Today versatility in window design is adding new perspectives to modern day architecture.
FENESTA BAY WINDOWS A bay window is a combination of three or more windows projecting outside at various angles, to form a bay inside the room. Fenesta offers up to eight sides in combination of fixed, casement and sliders. They are equipped to offer sound insulation. Dual sealing keeps out rain and dust. It is weather resistant and built to last.
LINGEL CASEMENT WINDOWS Casement windows from Lingel can be built for interior or exterior openings as they are hinged at the sides. It has a compatible glazing and gasket structure that accepts glass from 4mm up to 32mm of thickness. Equipped with a colour co-extrusion technology it is weather resistant and provides for good heat and sound insulation. www.lingelwindows.in
www.fenesta.com
ASAHI INDIA GLASS LTD. AIS VUE WINDOWS
SAINT GOBAIN SGG NANO SOLAR CONTROL WINDOWS SGG NANO is a high performance coated glass with advanced energy efficient solar control and thermal insulation properties. It makes for an ideal sustainable glazing solution with the desired functionalities. It has a neutral appearance in spite of its unique properties, making it aesthetically appealing. It is a trending window system and an environment friendly product that helps reduce energy consumption. www.saint-gobain.co.in
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AIS Vue is a range of high performance UPVC windows by Asahi India. It offers various profile designs for different applications. Arched and triangular windows, louvers and a combination of all are also a part of the dynamic product range. Apart from white, its profiles are available in wood finishes of dark oak, golden oak and mahogany. www.aisglass.com
REHAU ROLLER SHUTTER SYSTEM The Roller Shutter System from Rehau is a front mount PVC system. The top mounted roller shutter box can be used in combination with all kinds of windows. These can also be installed with integrated fly screens and can be operated by a belt or electric motor. It is 10 mm thick, hollow chambered and allows for sound and thermal insulation.
RAYNAERS ALUMINIUM CONCEPT SYSTEM 86 ‘HIGH INSULATING’ WINDOWS Concept System 86 HI by Raynaers is a highly insulated system for inward opening windows, which meets the highest requirements concerning safety and stability. It exhibits elevated water and air tightness. Its unique properties make it suitable for triple glass applications. It can also comply to burglar resistance offering an ultimate level of security. www.raynaers.in
www.rehau.com/in-hi
ENCRAFT TILT AND TURN WINDOWS
KOMMERLING CASEMENT WINDOWS
The Encraft Tilt and Turn window is designed to provide a state of the art inward opening fenestration solution. It provides maximum design freedom due to the large opening sizes that can be achieved. It has a contemporary soft line profile appearance. It is equipped with latest weather seals and heavy duty hinges and a multi point perimeter locking device.
Casement windows by Kommerling are among the most popular window designs that suit any house, whatever be its architectural style. The hardwearing material used in these windows is virtually maintenance free. Not only can they be customised to any requirement, their outer glass panes are also easy to clean. It is equipped with both multi point and single point locking systems.
www.encraft.in
www.koemmerling.co.in
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ROOFS: WHAT LIES ABOVE Sturdy enough to tolerate extremes of temperature, the construction of roofs today is being dictated by technical, economic and aesthetic considerations.
SCUDO TILES SCUDO COOL ROOF TILES Scudo Tiles, from the house of Eurocon Tiles, offer a temperature drop of 12°C on the top surface and 9°C on the bottom surface. Satisfying green building norms for Cool Roof Solar Reflective Index, they are maintenance free, durable and long lasting. Water absorption being less than 4%, the moss and algae are completely absent, making these tiles a desirable roofing option.
EVEREST DURASTEEL ROOFS These are made using metal panels along with high tensile steel. Its high grade aluminium zinc alloy coating allows four times higher resistance to corrosion as compared to a galvanized coating. The Anti-Capillary Groove and Return Lap make the sheets leak-proof. Two stiffening ribs between the pitch allow better load bearing properties. They are lightweight and available in a palette of colours. www.everestind.com
www.scudotiles.com
ELT INDIA GREEN ‘LIVING’ ROOFS
MONIER ELABANA TRANSLUCENT ROOF TILES Made of Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA), these tiles prevent leaks and are perfectly integrated into the architecture of a roof. Naturally building a free skylight, they help save money and reduce power consumption. The tile can resist heat upto 80°C and allows 90-95% natural light transmission. A soap, sponge or soft cloth is all you need to keep it clean. www.monier.in
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Popularly known as living roofs, a green roof is far more complex than simple insulators. Soil thickness and moisture content, plant coverage and air gap influence tremendously aid in reduction of heat gain. ‘Evaporate cooling’ is one of the cooling effects of a green roof. Each component of a green roof is either recycled or renewed to conserve the environment. www.eltindia.com
PORTA FINESTRA MOTORISED SLIDING ROOFS These roofs are the perfect way to transform your outdoor structures, attics or skylights into a transparent space where you can enjoy fresh air and sunshine. All sliding roofs are motorised and available with thermal break or normal profiles. The system is composed of a modular structure in aluminium profiles permiting flexibility of use as each pair of modules open and close independently.
PIONEER CAPS AND SLOPES BORAL ROOF TILES These roofing tiles can suit the needs of all homes. These tiles not only cater to the aesthetic quotient but also to the weather demands of a place. They can withstand maritime and coastal climate, the monsoons and summers with equal ease. They are long lasting and available in shingle, French, proshake, proslate and swiss series. www.pioneercaps.in
www.portafinestra.com
HINDALCO INDUSTRIES EVERLAST ALUMINIUM ROOFING SHEETS Available in a versatile range of roofing sheets – circular, corrugated, industrial trough, stucco embossed and tiled sheets, they have a classical look serving all kinds of basic roofing needs. Pre-painted sheets in a variety of colours are also available, giving them additional aesthetic value. They can withstand the harshest of weather conditions, are 100% rust proof and corrosion-resistant. www.hindalco.com
FUSO GLASS TEMPERED / TOUGHENED GLASS ROOFS Tempered or toughened glass is part of the architectural glass range offered by Fuso. It has increased strength and is used for its safety as it usually shatters into small fragments in the event of an impact. It assures greater uniform load strength. It resists high temperatures and offers optical clarity. It is fast becoming a popular choice for building roofs. www.fuso.in
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A FLATTERING SEMBLANCE A building’s facade is the first thing that announces that the structure has something special to offer. A plethora of finishes today are all set to illustrate unexpected surprises.
BEAUTEX WEATHERTEX Weathertex from Beautex is a reconstituted natural hardwood timber panel used for exterior cladding of residential and commercial buildings. Boasting a twenty five year guarantee, it blends in beautifully with other building materials like brick and stone providing limitless design options. Weathertex joiners allow for expansion and contraction caused by changes in relative humidity, minimalising the possibility of buckling between studs.
ASAHI INDIA GLASS LIMITED EDGE SERIES - ECOSENSE GLASS FACADES One of India’s leading integrated glass companies expanded its portfolio with the introduction of the Edge series under its Ecosense range of high performance glasses. Edge combines functionality and eco friendly features. It is a solar control glass with thermal insulation. Ideal for use in structural glazing it is available in three shades - clear (Natura), blue (Electra) and green (Chroma). www.aisglass.com
www.beautex.in
KALCO ALUMINIUM COMPOSITE PANELS
HUNTER DOUGLAS QUADROCLAD METAL FACADES QuadroClad is a unique, ventilated and open-jointed cladding system based on the principle of rainscreen facades. Each panel sandwiches a stable metal honeycomb between two skins of smooth coil-coated aluminium. It represents a total solution that combines a customisable line of panels with a versatile structure that is fire and corrosion resistant, enables insulation, ventilation and offers good wind-load performance. www.hunterdouglas.com
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These panels from Kalco are two millimetres thick, aluminium coated curtain walls anchored to the walls by means of suitable brackets made of aluminium or stainless steel of suitable thickness. The system of fixing the substructure to the wall is adjustable in three directions to allow for a perfect alignment. It can withstand all sorts of stresses transmitted by the ventilated facade. www.kalcoindia.com
GALLINA ARCOPLUS INTERLOCKING POLYCARBONATE PANELS The Arcoplus line of structural, multiwall modular building panels are designed exclusively for vertical walls, skylighting, canopy applications or any application that enables improved day lighting. This group of modular systems are based on a tongue and groove connector system. Equipped with thermal and acoustic insulation, it makes for great vertical translucent walls. It also displays high load resistance.
DUPONT DUPONT CORIAN SOLID SURFACE Corian solid surfaces can pleasantly surprise your imagination with its wide range of patterns and colour textures. A solid, non-porous, homogeneous surfacing material, one third of it is composed of acrylic resin while the remaining is natural minerals. It stands up well to daily wear and tear and has good mechanical, thermal, electrical and other surface properties. www.dupont.co.in
www.gallina.in
SAINT GOBAIN DIAMANT - CLEAR FLOAT GLASS Valued for its attractive appearance and optical qualities, Diamant is an extra clear glass from Saint Gobain with a low iron content that produces higher light remittance. Low iron content also reduces the green tint which is otherwise inherent in glasses. Its excellent clarity makes for optimum vision quality. It can be cut, shaped, drilled, edge-worked, laminated, toughened and enamelled. www.saint-gobain.co.in
AXIS FACADES CAST BRONZE METAL FACADES With a vision to balance the creative process with the technical aspects of facades, Axis is engaged in developing new and interesting materials to create more distinctive and higher performing facades. Their cast bronze range not only wraps buildings in a natural patina but also lends glamour and shine, thus making the structure a notch above the rest in the world of contemporary architecture. www.axisfacades.com
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“Design can be art. Design can be aesthetics. Design is so simple, that’s why it is so complicated.” – Paul Rand Design is an all-encompassing phenomenon that captures the intricacies of life, the bounty of nature and all things in between. Good design gives a different perspective to mundane things in our lives while being powerfully evocative at the same time.
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A DRAMA OF DESIGN TEXT BY REHANA HUSSAIN
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The Japanese design philosophy is a branch of design that follows a simple and modest approach. It reminds one of the calm, understated Zen aesthetic that the Japanese are so well-connected to. Reshma Chhabria Kumar scooped up these Japanese design sensibilities, added a dollop of Indian values to them and conjured up an exquisite concoction by the name of HIIH. Pronounced as H2H, the young home artefacts and decor brand brings a collection of well-crafted, beautiful decor pieces for those selective in their interior design pursuits.
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Reshma Chhabria Kumar, an interior designer by profession with a Diploma in Interior Design from P.V. Polytechnic, Mumbai, has 14 years of experience in the field, having worked with eminent architects such as Shaukat Mukhi and Pronit Nath for six years and then establishing her own design consultancy, Design Studio in 2006. But with interior designing, she felt that she couldn’t always put her ideas and concepts into practice. She shares, “Sometimes the freedom of expression can get curtailed when designing for a client. Being an interior designer, I always felt a void in being able to design every small detail including the décor pieces. This was my avenue of expressing and filling that void.” This is what inspired her to start out as a product designer. But it was when she moved to Tokyo that she eventually gave wings to her dreams of forming HIIH. At present, HIIH retails products in the categories of vases, candle stands and dining decor pieces. However, they are geared up to launch their next product range this month which will add lamps, clocks, statues and other varied decor pieces clocking a total of 100 odd new designs. Each product by HIIH has an uncommon twist to it, thanks to the Japanese aesthetics involved in the designing process. The seven core Japanese aesthetic principles of asymmetry, simplicity, austerity, naturalness, subtleness, tranquillity and breaking away from convention are seemingly at play in HIIH’s products. They possess a minimalistic quality combined with intricate details, well-known to India. This forms a brilliant, good-looking decor piece which also has all the qualities of being a conversation starter. For Reshma, it’s the “Japanese people and their culture” that have made the most profound impact on her designs. The brand’s ideology is simple - the belief that every piece in an environment has a purpose, and that it must be well selected, well crafted, and beautiful.
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Her experience in interior design gave her an edge, as she has worked with some of the best artisans. She adds, “I’ve met a lot of extremely talented artisans who didn’t have the platform of the design knowledge to push their expertise. We have tried to channelise that, and the experience has been fantastic so far.” The extent of her rapport with the artisans, both Indian and Japanese, is evident in the fact that they are given the freedom to source the apt raw material required for the products they create. A typical HIIH artefact takes a maximum of four weeks from start to finish and they tend to customisation requests from patrons who order regularly. These one-of-a-kind decor accessories can be procured from their own website or www.engrave.in. However, there’s good news for those keen to touch and feel these collectibles in person, before making a purchase, as a little birdie tells me that it might be a gleaming possibility in the near future.
HIIH admin@h2hshop.com www.h2hshop.com
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Decoding Design At IFFS
The International Furniture Fair Singapore concluded with an impressive spectacle of noteworthy furniture collections that opened up fresh horizons for the global furniture industry.
Text By Rehana Hussain
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The International Furniture Fair Singapore (IFFS), held from 10-13 March, 2016 saw a spectacular fanfare of avant-garde designs at Singapore EXPO. It attracted world-renowned stalwarts of the design community as well as upcoming designers who opened their wares to their interested audience. The design-centric exhibition saw a repertoire of furniture exhibited by 423 participating companies from 29 countries. IFFS was held along with the 33rd ASEAN Furniture Show, The DĂŠcor Show and furniPRO Asia, co-located events at the Singapore EXPO. Being the gateway to original designs and high quality pieces, IFFS became the predictable backdrop for retailers, importers, exporters, distributors, e-retailers and hospitality consultancy services to discover the latest trends. It registered an 8% increase in the overall turnout, comprising over 20,000 unique visitors from 92 countries. The fair emerged as a win-win situation for both sides of the spectrum: the exhibitors and visitors. The exhibitors viewed IFFS as an opportunity to showcase and promote their inspiring collections to the world and thus be noticed by potential buyers; on the other hand, the visitors had designs of a high-calibre with originality seeped into them, to look forward to.
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Touted as the go-to platform for sourcing furniture, IFFS was a resounding success, as confirmed by Mr. Ernie Koh, Chairman of IFFS Pte Ltd, “We’ve managed to ‘marry’ the design and trade aspects of the furniture business at this edition of IFFS. In addition to being an ideal platform for striking deals and penetrating new markets, IFFS is now also the place to spot new design trends or to gain inspiration!” The trade event had all the right ingredients to make it a holistic affair; the various design initiatives (SingaPlural, Furniture Design Platform and Furniture Design Award) offered added depth and dimension to this design-central show. It raised the bar of design with the display of intriguing installations such as the Tree of Influence and Pyramid of Notion. The 5th edition of SingaPlural, brought together an amazing palette of creative installations, tours, workshops thus opening a flood of business opportunities and harbouring novel concepts. International and local brands along with indigenous talents from Singapore put forward a melange of breathtaking installations that represented breakthroughs in design perspectives and material innovation.
The 22nd edition of FDA received over 300 entries from 35 different countries this year, of which 11 finalists received their awards at the IFFS opening ceremony. Katarzyna Kempa from Poland emerged as the grand winner for ‘Sit’, her ‘bodyminded’ furniture set which realigns the human seating posture and relieves pressure points on the feet. Parth Sharma from India was shortlisted as a finalist for ‘Purda’ which means curtain in Urdu. ‘Purda’ replaces cabinet doors with a pleated fabric which can be slid open or closed like a veil, thus re-interpreting traditional cabinet construction. With three decades behind it, IFFS has maintained its stance in being an event that’s focused on bringing forth stimulating design concepts and pathbreaking product solutions for the industry. The next edition of IFFS will be held from 9-12 March 2017 in Singapore EXPO. www.iffs.com.sg
Project X, the centrepiece of SingaPlural was a collaboration between a manufacturing company Luxx Newhouse and four local design studios to redefine new uses for “LG Hausys HI-MACS” solid surface material traditionally used for kitchen tops. The Furniture Design Award (FDA) – a project of SingaPlural – uncovers promising talents and bridges the gap between furniture manufacturers and designers. Home Review May 2016
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STYLAM INDUSTRIES LTD. Stylam believes in the power of impression, the might of qualityand the effect of exceeding expectations. It was the year 1991, when the idea of making the world of interiorsbeautiful was conceived. We commenced ourjourney as a Luxury Decorative Laminated Sheet manufacturer forboth residential and industrial applications. Within few years, the brandemerged progressive as the manufacturer of some of the mostadvanced Interior and Exterior designing products including Laminates (Post Forming and Antistatic Laminates) and Adhesives.At Stylam, quality and innovation have always been at the helm.
Manit Gupta, Managing Director, Stylam Industries Ltd.
Adherence to global standards has been a philosophy rather thana need. And we have embraced change in all forms, constantlydeveloping new home dĂŠcor designs complying with modern International trends. We have seen high growth in the last decade and our scale of operation has expanded significantly. We have set up manufacturing plant with a capacity of 10 million laminates, making it the biggest laminate manufacturing plant in India.We will continue our quality operations laminates in accordance with the universally acceptable European standards. With the new capacity, we will be expanding our operations in all the cities of India with our Exclusive Brand Stores. Design Space, an exclusive Design Store displaying a wide range of Interior andExterior laminates has been launched in Chandigarh, Jaipur, Amritsar and Ludhiana and we have plans to start more Flagship stores all over India, this year. Currently, Violam Decorative Laminates, Fascia Exterior Cladding and Walkon Exterior Flooring for our home, office or any other premise have been displayed in Application.
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Advertorial
We complete 25 years of growth journey this year and we are looking at major expansion of Product Portfolio. We will be launching exquisite designs of Cubicles and Lockers, using cutting-edge technology. Customer satisfaction will be at the helm of all our activities and we will make sure that our extensive range of restroom products and lockers will be available to ensure timely distribution and installation of ever growing demand of the product. Along with great aesthetics, our product willensure complete health protection and hygiene. We have set up manufacturing facility for Solid Surface in India. We will be the first company in India to manufacture Solid Surfaces. Durable, non-porous and beautiful, it will be a perfect choice for bathroom vanity, kitchen countertop, bar top and worktable. We have a vision to acquire and maintain leadership position nationally and globally in Home DĂŠcor space with an array of new innovative products by adding value to life. www.stylam.com Home Review May 2016
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Located in the heart of Amsterdam’s distinguished museum district, stands the Conservatorium hotel in all its Neo-Gothic splendour. Housed in the former Sweelinck Conservatory of Music, it has been designed by legendary architect Piero Lissoni for a new generation of sophisticated travellers. Text By Natalie Pedder-Bajaj Photographs Courtesy The Hotel
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AN ARIA IN AMSTERDAM
Majestically reposing in the heart of Amsterdam’s museum district, the Conservatorium hotel stands in all its Neo-Gothic splendour.
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The buildings that are now the hotel property were initially designed by the Dutch architect Daniel Knuttel for the Rijkspostspaarbank (Dutch Savings Bank). When the bank moved offices in 1978, it lay empty for five years till it became the Sweelinck Conservatorium, a music school. In 2008, the landmark structures were redesigned by the world famous Italian architect and designer Piero Lissoni, taking four years to complete. Knuttel was known for his skill of blending simplicity with functionality, and the award-winning Milan-based furniture and interior guru Piero Lissoni interlaced this idea throughout the re-creation of the hotel - 100 years later! Renowned for his stark lines, sedate furnishings and shades of grey speckled with bright accents, Lissoni is considered one of the foremost contemporary Italian designers. This masterpiece is an amalgam of his modern and contemporary style that playfully engages with the natural light throughout the hotel’s spaces. The Conservatorium has eight floors with 129 guestrooms and suites, varying from expansive superior rooms to a lavish penthouse suite. All rooms are replete with state-of-the-art in-room technology and sumptuous luxury linens, while brushed oak floors and beige furniture echo a classic autumnal colour palette. The lavish bathrooms have been fitted with large rain showers, marble tubs, LCD mirror TVs and gorgeously plump micro-cotton towels. In deference to the original high ceilings of the building, almost half the rooms have been designed as capacious duplexes with vast windows that frame jaw-dropping views.
A hanging violin installation at the entrance pays homage to the hotel’s past history as a music school.
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The Conservatorium’s Brasserie is located in the breath-taking atrium with dramatic bay windows and a glass ceiling revealing the sky!
The Conservatorium’s three signature suites - the I ♥ Amsterdam Suite, the Concerto Suite and the Penthouse Suite are the perfect balance of ultimate luxury mixed with original structural features, stunningly planned by Piero Lissoni.
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The I ♥ Amsterdam Suite is a très chic triplex with 360° views of Amsterdam’s charming roof scape. This suite has a magnificent sunken bathtub, but the pièce de résistance is the private rooftop terrace (accessed by an original spiral staircase that was found in another part of the building) - complete with sun loungers and a bird’s eye view of the city.
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The Concerto Suite situated at the top of the hotel, is a self-contained duplex with separate sitting and dining, along with a kitchenette. Natural daylight filters through ancient windows onto beams and furniture - the perfect marriage between contemporary and architectural heritage. The spacious bathroom features a freestanding oval stone bath and wonderful views of the Stedlijk Museum. The Penthouse Suite made virtually in glass has floor to ceiling windows that overlook the neo-Gothic building of the historical Conservatorium, the courtyard, the brasserie and the city beyond. Festooned with Persian rugs, the huge living and dining areas have a personalized pantry for special occasions. Featuring an 80 inch screen, the dining room can also be used as a private cinema! Reserved by many celebrities, the Penthouse Suite has a private entrance and garage, along with a fully equipped make-up and dressing area that can be used before big events. Fundamental to the Conservatorium Hotel’s vision of good living and cultural distinction, has been the creation of its refined restaurants and bars, headed by Chef Schilo van Coevorden. Their appeal extends not only to the hotel’s guests, but also to Amsterdam’s elite, as well as the city’s international visitors.
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Taiko restaurant is situated in the spacious historical part of the hotel that overlooks Paulus Potterstraat and the Stedelijk Museum. It has been named after the famous Japanese drum, as it was the percussion classroom during its years as a music school. Taiko’s design stays true to the hotel’s minimalist ethos, with dark lighting, modern furniture, an open kitchen and cleverly juxtaposed traditional Japanese bric-a-brac. With its swanky décor and shimmering ambiance, the Tunes Bar is casually refined with a separate smoking lounge. Gin and tonics are the signature cocktail here, where guests can sip from a variety of 40 types of gins and 6 uniquely distinct tonic waters. At night the cavernous banquettes, tactile fabrics and subtle lighting create a posh intimate space, whilst during the day, the bay windows bathe the room with light reflecting onto Piero Lissoni’s signature transparent bar and folded steel staircase.
The I ♥ Amsterdam Suite is a très chic triplex with 360° views of Amsterdam’s charming roof-scape.
The Conservatorium’s Brasserie and Lounge are located in the breath-taking atrium with dramatic bay windows topped with a glass ceiling revealing the sky! The Conservatorium Lounge is intimately dotted with lush homely sofas and coffee tables, earning the moniker the ‘Living Room of Amsterdam’ by the city’s locals. Furniture from über luxe Italian manufacturers such as Living Divani, Kartell, Cassina and other design classics repose regally in all the communal spaces, while accent pieces such as vintage Asian rugs add to the plushness. On the weekends, guests can enjoy live music from the students of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam (the old music school) - connecting the hotel once again to its remarkable past.
The pièce de résistance in the I ♥ Amsterdam Suite is the private rooftop terrace, complete with sun loungers and a bird’s eye view of the city.
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Tunes Bar is casually refined, the highlight being Piero Lissoni’s signature transparent bar display.
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The Conservatorium has also introduced a spa experience cum wellbeing concept that is completely novel to Amsterdam (including a Turkish Hammam and Amsterdam’s only Watsu pool). Divided into four different areas corresponding with the elements, the Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre promises to relax, restore and rejuvenate even the most harried city soul with signature therapies that blend Western practices and ancient Eastern traditions. The Conservatorium is the first member of The Set, a collection created to redefine the idea of luxury for the cultured, design savvy traveller. Located in existing landmark buildings, each member of The Set (CafÊ Royal in London and the Lutetia in Paris) is rooted in its history and heritage, compounded with ultra-modern amenities that fulfil and indulgence every guest. info@conservatoriumhotel.com www.conservatoriumhotel.com
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GREEN PROJECT
The common lobby is visually buffered from the master kitchen and the family dining area with dynamically designed vertical fins.
Green Theory. Hence Proved.
With the earth’s resources consistently depleting, it has become imperative for architects to look at design strategies that help use less and produce more. This idea forms the basis of ‘Regenerative Architecture,’ a concept which forms the very essence of the King’s House project in Bangalore.
Text By Priti Kalra Photographs Courtesy The Purple Ink Studio
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Bio-walls or vertical gardens introduced in certain portions of the building elevation reduce heat penetration and enhance site biodiversity.
Designed by The Purple Ink Studio, the apartment building is located in the heart of the city, at a convenient proximity with the best medical, hospitality and commercial facilities. Nevertheless, the site is reasonably tucked away from the surrounding hustle and bustle. The client envisaged creating ‘Sky Villas’, giving the architects the opportunity to explore a new definition of luxury in living. From the beginning, the architects and the client shared a common vision for the building to be completely responsive to the context, and generate a low ecological footprint. The challenge posed by the brief was an effective capitalisation of the 30,000 sq ft site without disturbing the existing green cover.
The architects and the client shared a common vision to generate a low ecological footprint.
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Facade generation - responsive to climatology and function.
The architects have always been of the firm notion that architecture, landscape and sustainability are to be viewed as one comprehensive entity and not treated individually. “We have always believed that being sustainable is not a part of the process, but a way of life, and this creates a very strong connect to blur the boundaries between the three,” says the studio’s principal architect, Akshay Heranjal.
The green cover that had been uprooted was replaced in the form of sunken gardens encircling the apartments and merging with the peripheral greens on site. The architects introduced design elements like treed courtyards extending through the full height of the building, bio-walls or vertical gardens in certain portions of the building elevation as well as carefully articulated pathways aligned with shrubs.
Initially, the studio toyed with the idea of designing a tall building, thereby reducing the ground coverage. The prevalent building byelaws, however, restricted the height to a maximum of 12 metres. The master plan was reworked to comprise two main blocks, each housing an apartment per floor.
As a result, they managed to achieve a three-layered system of vegetation comprising trees, shrubs and grass that not only contributes to maintaining the site microclimate, but its biodiversity as well.
In order to maximise the energy savings of the building, an integrated design approach had to be followed. In collaboration with McD BERL, a sustainability and MEP service consultancy, solar and other climatic studies were simulated to generate data on day lighting, shadow analysis, rainfall and wind patterns. These studies gave rise to the building form, the exterior boxing design and the overall planning. The fenestration was designed to best capture the breeze. The vertical and horizontal shading devices were mathematically carved out to protect the interiors from the sun and rain. The aesthetic expression of the elevation also took its cue from this medley of chhajjas and fins. As the architects have rightly put it, “The building, thus, functions as a selective environmental filter, enhancing the best components of the regional climate to address the heating, cooling and ventilation needs of the structure.” Home Review May 2016
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The filleted box element formed by the vertical and horizontal shading devices gave rise to the aesthetic expression and design language of the elevation.
The data generated from the climatic studies played a big role in load calculations, as well as sizing and selection of the mechanical systems. In terms of electrical and cooling loads, the intensive research managed to reduce the total energy consumption by 30-35%. The duplex unit layers a total area of 20,000 sq ft in two floors. The lower floor caters to the public functions of the house – the social spaces or the entertainment zone. The upper floor dedicates itself to the more private functions – the personal/ family spaces. Each unit has been intricately detailed to suit the respective client’s lifestyle. The clients predominantly hail from the Middle East but are Indian in origin.
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The design blends Indian and Middle Eastern styles in a contemporary way. The ‘mashrabiya’ (similar to the Indian ‘jaali’) forms a key element in the design language. The interiors are fluid in nature, each space flowing into the next in a seamless fashion. Spaces have been tied together with monolithic furniture elements for e.g. the kitchen counter transforms itself into the dining table, the wooden fluted wall paneling in the library converts itself into the working desk. Additionally, a meticulous composition of soft furnishings, wall coverings and light fittings creates a harmoniuous and uninterrupted connect between the spaces.
A conscious call was taken for the construction of the building to rely heavily on green materials. Using AAC blocks for the internal walls, double glazed windows, photovoltaic cells on the roof and solar reflective tiles for the external cladding, the design incorporates multiple sustainability features like thermal insulation, solar lighting and high heat reflectance into the project. Permeable paving and rainwater harvesting for ground water recharge further minimise the carbon footprint.
A three-layered system of vegetation comprising trees, shrubs and grass contributes not only to maintaining the site microclimate, but its biodiversity as well.
The wide range of sustainable initiatives bears testimony to the fact that the team has successfully seen their vision through. Looking forward, they say, “We are working with a vision to reach a stage where this idea (of a self-sustained, regenerative architecture) trickles down to each and everyone, and ‘inclusive’ living becomes a way of life.”
www.thepurpleinkstudio.com
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TreeHorn Design
Joe Chester, of Melbourne Australia, is a man who is a master at using a great many tools. Besotted by an urgent desire to pursue creativity, he left his everyday job one day, to indulge in sourcing materials and designing objects that he fancied. Out of this innate passion for creating by taking inspiration from almost everywhere, TreeHorn Design was born. Apart from his love for creating things, Joe Chester cares a lot about the environment too. So, everything that studio TreeHorn Design churns out is made only from reclaimed, recycled or sustainably grown timber. From the off-cuts and trimmings found on the floor of his workshop, some more products are made that are in no way inferior in quality or style than the others.
Text Compiled By Mala Bajaj
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The packaging used for the products is also environment friendly and the studio often runs recycling workshops for anyone who cares enough for the environment to come attend. TreeHorn’s products are inviting, playful, tactile and above all sustainable. Their expansion into home-ware and furniture has seen the transference of this aesthetic into larger, signature pieces that maintain their handmade quality and uniqueness.
TreeHorn’s unique use of colour, shape and form coupled with great craftsmanship has been successful both nationally and internationally and the studio aspires to continue to grow within Australia and expand further overseas.
Raw is a pendant light that is heavy in texture and low on fuss. Made from industry off-cuts ‘Raw’ is the newest product from TreeHorn Design. Handmade to order, this pendant light is worked to best reveal the natural grain and contours present in the wood. Inspired by industrial lighting fixtures, this natural take on a traditional design is bound to enhance any interior space. TreeHorn’s range of kitchen boards is handmade from sustainably grown Tasmanian Oak. These boards are fun and playful with their durable pop of colour, and are finished with a food safe oil to bring out the natural form of wood.
The Round and Oblong trays are made by taking inspiration from classic bending techniques used in timeless designs from the 50’s. The colours and shapes however, are what we are used to seeing today.
Tasmanian Oak is also used to make serving boards called Melbourne boards. Handmade, the Melbourne Board has etched in it, its care and origin info. It is finished with the use of food-grade oil.
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TreeHorn’s wooden candle holders are made from 100% reclaimed material which along with a lot of love has been given a second life. The candle holes are made to fit candles of a standard size. Rather than hide the clues to the previous role of the wood, these have been made into a feature and you most likely will find a nail hole or other traces from its past. Peggy Lou, is a side table made from sustainably grown Tasmanian Oak and has coloured pegs and hinges which enable it to fold flat. Like all products made by TreeHorn Design, Peggy Lou is handmade and has been carefully sanded, cut and oiled for a beautiful finish.
Wooden bangles from TreeHorn Design are made from sustainably grown Douglas Fir (Oregon), which results in them being both light in weight and durable. These have a beautiful finish and more importantly are environment friendly.
Handmade in Melbourne from start to finish this design is one of their oldest and it’s still going strong! A colourful range of wooden earring studs is made from reclaimed Australian hardwood. These faceted earrings have sterling silver fittings, making them good for both the environment and human skin. As these are handmade each pair may be slightly different from another.
A colourful range of faceted pendant necklaces is also designed from reclaimed Australian hardwood. Strung on black suede and finished with a fragrant hardwood wax, this one-of-a-kind wooden jewellery looks and feels great. As a finish on most of their products, TreeHorn Design uses tung oil which not only smells great but is fantastic for reviving, sustaining and protecting wooden objects. www.treehorndesign.com
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The Mumbai-based BRIC Design Group is an expert hand at realising projects that are smart amalgamations of minimalist interior design and green architecture, using the traditional Indian language of art and motif-making. Mumbai-based BRIC Design was set up in 2006 by designer-architect, Brijesh Chinai. Since then, the firm has made its name by applying a highly intelligent mix of ‘contextual design’ and green architecture to its projects. “BRIC Design’s expertise in passive solar architecture/climactic architecture and its use of technologies and systems that are intelligent and responsive, ensure optimal access of wind and sunlight, as well as maximisation of energy performance, water resources and waste recycling,” according to the firm’s official statement. The three following projects display the best of the firm’s talents, as well as its penchant in adding a uniquely global-Indian cultural touch to the most modern or historical of spaces.
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BRIC Design has the right idea here. Too many offices in the world are stuffy, sterile, and anti-creativity. So when handed the project to design the work space of a “major fund house dealing in real estate” in Mumbai, the design team decided to buck all trends. In fact, the team hated the old ideas so much, that it ran in the opposite direction with the speed and enthusiasm of a kid heading to a Jungle Gym. BRIC Design refers to its work here as “corporate madness”, and it is indeed an apt description.
The Piramal Office is a hyper fluid space, with lines between formal and informal spaces dissolving into a melting pot of primary colours. The tone of the rooms is set by the slightly-psychedelic white, grey and black checkered flooring. It invites you to shed formality, while at the same time granting the office a more expansive feel. It also brilliantly offsets the lacquer-sheen of the white ceiling and the workstation divisions. Adding to the madness are colourful furniture pieces, and a huge graphic wall that runs across a big chunk of the space reminding everyone not to forget to be fun.
The wall-length windows are covered in sheer white curtains and just a step away from this are panoramic views of Mumbai’s skyline, which can become a part of the décor itself. A more subdued part of the design scheme here is the dexterous use of solid, polished wood - whether in the library-cum-projection arcade or in the warmly-lit entrance conduit which projects the aura of serious business. The lighting scheme includes simple ceiling fixtures and hanging lamps, but the overall reliance is on a diffused effect rather than spotlighting. This is especially on display at the work stations where the desk is overseen by giant fan-like, double screen flaps that soften the light from the overhead lamps. The BRIC Design team’s success here is having established that tenuous balance between fun and business, without tipping completely over to any one side.
Text by Shruti Nambiar Photographs Courtesy The Architect
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If the Piramal Office established BRIC Design’s talent for fun, then the Daseshwar residential project presents evidence of the firm’s genius for depth. The home’s overall feel is classic BRIC - minimal, compact and elegant, but hiding multitudes in its less obvious details. The flat has been designed to hark back to the floral-print glory days of the London era, realised here with careful selections of antique and modern furniture pieces. Almost everything in the flat suggests that it is happy to belong to an era gone by, because it was just too aesthetically pleasing to be left behind. The living room especially revels in the combined effects of the intricate POP ceiling, jaali accents, woollen Kashmiri carpets, plush sofas, robust wall frames showcasing Indian art forms and figures, chandeliers, and small tables with curvaceous stumps that bring to mind columns and prayer bells of ancient Indian monuments.
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Then there is the formidable door, borrowing all the ebony gravitas of 10 Downing Street. The spaces in fact are all so delightfully nostalgic of a century gone by that the appearances of a flat-screen television or sleek modern bathroom fixtures seem almost jarringly anomalous. But it is to the credit of the design team that nothing of that cognitive dissonance really happens.
“The guiding approach throughout the restoration process was to retain all the parts of the building which were in good condition and specify materials as close as possible to the original for the damaged ones. Local materials, artists and workers were employed to bring consistency and authenticity in detailing the architectural vocabulary of the place. The house has been restored to a level that it appreciates the same grand life style of the Maharajas.” Greenwoods, as it stands today, is everything that an Indian hillside escape is imagined to be – the main texture and hue is earthy and wood-heavy; trees dot the landscape and colourful flowers seem to explode all around; the interiors of the homes have the heavy feel of being from somewhere in the, possibly British, past; and the promise of magical sunrise and sunsets is ever-present. This majestic sprawl became a private summer retreat in 2009, but being one of the early inhabitants of Mahabaleshwar, its architectural legacy is rooted in the aesthetics of pre-independence India. The BRIC Design team decided to keep these aspects of the project alive, while adding a good dose of sustainable elements. “It was Mahabaleshwar‘s first high-profile restoration venture which included conservation of buildings and energy,” confirms the team. “It included restoration of the built mass, adaptive reuse of the underutilised structures and conservation of natural resources like water and energy.” The dark wood interiors pay a handsome tribute to the site’s British history through lots of floral-motif upholstery, tasselled bed linen, and an abundance of cathedral-like arches that hold foldable doors and windows. The Marathas are paid homage through intricate craft pieces in the rooms. A great restoration project prepares an old structure for the vicissitudes of time to come, without compromising its past. With Greenwoods, BRIC Design did just that. info@bricgroup.in www.bricgroup.in
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The aesthetic design of the clothes rails, beautiful arrangements on the tables and neat displays on the shelves help the client savour the products without being overwhelmed.
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Retail Therapy
Tropical Paradise We are all familiar with the lifestyle brand ‘Good Earth’. Get set to welcome its cousin, Nicobar, with Raul Rai and Simran Lal as co-founders. But, here’s where the comparison ends, Nicobar, we find, takes on a life quite of its own… Text By Dhanishta Shah Photographs Courtesy Nicobar
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The products explore the creative edge of a rich Indian culture and yet address a global audience.
Indian at heart and yet free from nostalgic reference, Nicobar, the new lifestyle store at Kala Ghoda is aptly located right in the middle of Mumbai’s cultural heart. The brand is named after the sultry island Nicobar, so expectedly, a tropical ambience is central to the store. “The design reimagines whitewashed walls on a holiday, colonial furniture of the old villas, large tropical palms and exotic safaris. With a design and colour theme that centres on relaxing whites, earthy neutrals, subtly modern visual merchandising and fun pops of tropical greens, the store is modern with an Indian undercurrent passing through the Nicobar looking glass,� explains Simran Lal, Creative Director.
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These are thoughtful products that customers will treasure.
Not surprisingly, an easy, relaxed and joyful vibe permeates the space. It all starts at the entrance, where potted palms hung from the ceiling herald a holiday mood. A quote on the wall, alluding to the spirt of travel sets the tone for this beautiful journey.
The Nicobar store is designed to offer a holistic experience where every detail is carefully implemented, from the signature scent to the lighting and music, through to a selection of carefully curated books that visitors are welcome to flip through.
As one enters, the free-flowing 2000 square feet area enhances the sense of openness. Products are displayed in a clean and uncluttered manner. One wants to pause at the huge swings that break the displays, and soak in more of the vacation feel.
The products from the home, clothing and travel lines are laid out in their own islands of discovery that are floating spaces, interpreting tropical living for urban lifestyles. This invites guests to linger about, slow down for a few moments as they take in the Nicobar idea of mindful living.
In design and through its products, Nicobar seeks to establish a modern Indian aesthetic.
The aesthetic design of the clothes rails, beautiful arrangement on the tables and neat displays on the shelves help the client savour the products without being overwhelmed. As one passes through the store on the cool marble floor, one can also admire the fact that each display unit has a little bit of decoration, in the form of motifs and objects like a pair of binoculars, an anchor, or a coffee table book, which adds to the ambience. An absolute favourite are the walls - some of them with whitewashed bricks and some painted in soothing neutrals.
A quote on the wall, alluding to the spirt of travel sets the tone for this beautiful journey.
The product line covers clothing, home decor and travel accessories. The house and home collection comprises some great tableware, barware, serve ware, bedding, cushions and table linen. “We create the designs in-house and then source the products,” explains Lal. Indeed, this process ensures that the design-story told by the products are true to the aesthetic of the brand.
In design and through its products, Nicobar seeks to establish a modern Indian aesthetic. This is a spirit that is free from the symbolism laden shackles of the past. Its namesake island has also inspired the design aesthetic of the brand. “We have just opened our shop and I think our guests love the vibe! We are humbled and feel lucky at the wonderful reception,” says Lal. www.nicobar.com
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THE MARKETPLACE Veka System Windows & Doors With High Degree Soundproofing
Häfele’s Extendable Table Fittings Häfele brings its spontaneous range of extendable table fittings that grants you the liberty to design your dream abode as envisaged and helps create more space. These fittings simply blend into the interiors when closed but once released they end up making quite a statement. Lunch is a space-saving system that consists of a pull-out tabletop fitting stored in a space normally used for a drawer. The table fitting pulls out instantly by simply opening the hinged front of the drawer space. Created to cater to the needs of functionality in small spaces, this runner is ideal for small kitchens and kitchenettes needing a tabletop for breakfast or simply as an extension of the worktop for preparing meals. Party Mensola is a comparatively larger sized, four leaf, table top fitting which is designed and engineered down to the smallest detail.
Veka India offers window profiles that could accommodate glass with thickness of 40 mm. A first-of-a-kind in India, the profiles will efficiently cut noise levels for residences and commercial spaces in the cities. A glass of 40mm thickness offers the ideal solution for high performance acoustics. There were no suitable profiles available to accommodate glass of such thickness, until now. Veka India has built these profiles specifically for the Indian market and it will be available across all major cities. The main USP of uPVC material or windows is the welded corners, the high insulating properties and excellent weather-ability. These characteristics coupled with the possibility of installing glass with thickness of up to 40 mm can reduce external noise by 42 to 47 DB per cent and can almost completely eliminate the ingress of dust or even water. The profiles have excellent sound insulating properties and can be equipped with special glazing and could be made more effective by using counter sash or boxtype windows. Veka profiles are suitable for all sound insulation classes. www.veka.in
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It can be mounted in a standard drawer compartment without the need for special fittings, guaranteeing a largesized (up to approx. 1600 mm) and high capacity (100 Kg equally distributed) table fitting with an integrated telescopic leg. www.hafeleindia.com
P3 Architectural Solutions Is Sole Distributor of Quasar’s products in India
The brand Quasar, from Holland showed the way lights can change the look of a property - from just a plain simple room to a decorative lighting fixture. The designs are timeless and the choice of materials determines the look which creates either a classical or a modern ambience. Quasar collections are available in various materials such like aluminium, stainless steel, brass, bronze, and other long lasting materials.
They deliver in bulk to lighting specialists and interior designers all over the world. The best part is one can easily customise the products or have a standard item customised according to their own need or demand. Together with the architect/ lighting planner, they look for the best solution for any concerned place. www.pcubesolutions.com
THE MARKETPLACE iRobot Roomba Robotic Vacuum Cleaners
Franke Launches Crystal White Linear Hob
Franke’s Crystal White Linear Hob makes cooking easier and food tastier. The Franke Linear hob comes with four burners that ensure effortless cleaning while maintaining a consistent high performance. In addition, the hobs also incorporate several professional-style features.
iRobot debuted in India with cleaning robots Roomba and Braava. iRobot has introduced distinguished series of Robotic cleaners such as iRobot Roomba 600, 700 and the 800 series, which is one of the most advanced cleaning robots. iRobot Roomba series uses revolutionary technologies such as Cleaning System, Tangle-Free AeroForce™ Extractors, Airflow Accelerator and High-Efficiency Vacuum making it more effortless and effective. Roomba has a self-adjusting cleaning head that adapts to all floor surfaces. It will navigate around your home effortlessly, avoiding obstacles and covering every area of the house floor with the help of a suite of sensors on-board. The Dirt Detect series senses dirt and debris and focuses extra cleaning where it’s needed most. It returns to its Home Base to recharge itself between cleaning sessions. The most interesting feature of iRobot Roomba series is that it can be scheduled to clean at a time that is convenient for you. The iAdapt Responsive Navigation technology enables it to cover every area of the floor multiple times. iRobot Roomba series are perfect for a home with pets, children and senior citizens. www.irobot.in
Franke manufactures its hobs entirely in Europe, from design to production. Extreme care is taken over selection of materials and components, and over monitoring all processing phases, ensuring lasting hob quality and total safety. For people who love to cook it is definitely a unique product with distinctive
technical and aesthetic features, oversize is undoubtedly the ideal hob for anyone who loves to cook. The protection offered by the front edge means the hob control knobs always remain cool guaranteeing greater operating safety. The raised position of the control panel and the gas taps means that oversize has exclusive spacing - the most generous on the market between burners allowing five large pans to be used at once. Although the cooking surface is large, oversize can be installed in standard recesses for traditional hobs. www.franke.com
Alhambra Launches Its New Collection of Furnishing Fabrics Alhambra Internacional is a reference in textiles of high quality and design. This French inspired collection takes its name from the streets of Le Marais, a historic district in Paris which is a home to the best fashionable art galleries and museums. Featuring elegant and glamorous designs, this unique and chic couture collection from Alhambra has a common denominator, the colour white. This pure colour conveys freshness and light to the whole collection. White is combined with 3 different ranges of colours, from the pure black to the light earth colour and an elegant midnight blue colourway. The collection highlights the fabric Jardin du Marais, a digital large flower pattern printed on black, beige and golden backgrounds, which transports us to those beautiful gardens of the district of Le Marais. It also includes a very sophisticated and innovative jacquard stripe with lace application in organza, Nicole.
The art galleries and antiquarian shops that reflect the multicultural and colourful character of Le Marais are reinterpreted in Lucius and Caron. Another versatile fabric from this collection is Marnie, a cotton all over floral design combining black and white shades. www.rrdecor.com Home Review May 2016
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THE MARKETPLACE Pergo Introduces Sensation Laminate Floors Pergo Sensation has water repellent coating on the plank edges ensuring that water cannot penetrate the floor. Being waterresistant, a Sensation floor is also hygienic. Dirt just like water, simply stays on the surface and can be wiped away easily. “Pergo has been a pioneer in laminate flooring and with the introduction of Pergo Sensation; we are re-inventing it all over again. Because our new collection of laminate floors is nothing short of what the name suggests. The new Pergo Sensation floors are not only designed to look great, they are also innovative when it comes to performance. The new Pergo floors are nothing short of a sensation has it is safe to say that in terms of design as well as performance,” said Mr. Naresh Maheshwari, CEO, Pergo India Pvt. Ltd. Pergo reinvents the laminate floor all over again with the introduction of Pergo Sensation. Pergo Sensation, which is water repellent, is not only designed to look great, but is also innovative when it comes to performance. With the brand new AquaSafe technology your new laminate floor is now protected against water.
The surface protection of Sensation floors extends all the way into the bevels to create a fully closed surface. This laminate floor comes with silk matte finish and true-to-nature cracks and knots, thanks to Genuine™ rustic – a surface texture that accentuates details such as cracks, knots and scraped effects.
Room Dividing Screens By The Great Eastern Home Room dividers are traditional and aesthetic to look at and serve a great utility of creating a more practical space within a room itself. The intricacy of this royal collection of room diving screens from The Great Eastern Home is functional, versatile and dynamic. These screens are made from wood, leather and stained glass which can be customised as per the client’s need. All these screens are practical, beautiful, with ornate details, strong materials and bold colours. Available in various shapes and sizes they add a point of interest to your home. The Moroccan room divider can provide the needed artistic flair to the room. The 200 year old vintage Moroccan screen is hand carved in wood that will create a soothing space with a graceful look and resilience. The Stained Glass Screen consists of a wooden frame made of solid hardwood with stained colour glass making it both artistic and durable. www.thegreateasternhome.com
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Pergo Sensation is the perfect combination of beautiful design and performance to revamp a place with the finest flooring with easy maintenance and care. This collection is available with Pergo’s trademark technology PerfectFold™ 3.O for fast and easy installation. www.pergo.co.in
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