MY SPACE : VIBHOR SOGANI
vol 13 issue 11
NOVEMBER 2014
SALT UNCOVERED
total pages 144
DESIGN DESTINATION : LOS ANGELES
RS 100 HOME-REVIEW.COM
gET #social AT colaba Neer Bungalow A Traditionally modern Abode By Usine Studios
MUMBAI UNPLUGGED SHABNAM GUPTA’S ode to THE CITY OF DREAMS
The World of Cersaie 2014 NOVELTY IN CERAMICS & BATHROOM FURNISHINGS
Photo: Cyrus Dalal
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habnam Gupta and her team at The Orange Lane play tribute to the cacophony that is Mumbai at Bombay Bronx. This restobar is a reminder of the stark contrasts and contradictions synonymous with ‘aamchi’ Mumbai. Shabnam communicates the city’s complexities, symbols and eccentricities with some clever detailing and a mélange of props and accents. She succeeds in infusing the Mumbai vibe in a décor scheme that is kitsch and revels in inconsistency - just like the city we all love! Social, a new hangout in Colaba, Mumbai is a space that you can work and network in, grab a drink or enjoy a meal. Intended to provide a safe asylum to anyone who walks through its doors, Social is unpretentious and completely bare bones. Designed by Sanya Desai, the walls have been stripped back to brick and the ceiling exposed. The designer has also unraveled the original architectural features of the old building it resides in, highlighting its mosaic floors, windows and old shutters. The warehouse-chic look is a refreshing change and a perfect backdrop to someone looking for an easy going space where they can work or play any time of the day. Cersaie, the annual tile and bathroom furnishings exhibition held in Bologna, Italy is where the world of ceramics and design meet every year. This event is a launch pad for global manufacturers to showcase the latest related to flooring and bathroom products. Our editorial team brings you a first-hand special report on the very latest from the world of ceramics and bathroom furnishings. Turn to page 42 to read all about it. Anish Bajaj, Editor anish@marvelinfomedia.com
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38 New York-based Matthew Hoffman and Francesca Giuliani-Hoffman, explore the possibilities of architecture in their illustrated tale, ‘Blank Space’
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Expecting a craftsman to come up with a design which is suited to the urban environment is itself a fallacy
Vibhor SOGANI
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Cover Story The Bombay Bronx at Breach Candy, Mumbai, is a bar-restaurant dedicated to all the familiar sights a Mumbaikar experiences on a typical day
42 Cersaie 2014, a global event of ceramic and bathroom furnishing products saw a blend of creativity and design. We present you the latest novelties displayed
60 Looking for a place where you can work, be connected and at times just hangout? Then look no further, check out the new Colaba Social. Some call it a boardroom with attached bar
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A DESIGN DESTINATION
84 74
Designed by Usine Studio, contemporary style meets traditional ideas to create a feel-good vibe in a sprawling bungalow in Vadodara, Gujarat
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81 By Bandana Jain
The Exhibit House by WeBe Design Lab is a contemporary ethnic Indian residence that spells opulence inspired by regional context and traditional elements of design
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product
designer
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His quiet and elegant designs cover a range of products from trays to trams and he is considered one of the world’s foremost industrial designers. Meet Jasper Morrison
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125 92
Lego bricks make an unexpected entry into fine art galleries and museums with sophisticated brick sculptures and portraits by artist Nathan Sawaya
GREEN SPEAK
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115 ‘It’s different!’ in Hotel Daniel Vienna; the unusual is usual and the usual doesn’t exist. The hotel espouses a medley of styles to create a unique yet sophisticated look
122 Kolkata based SALT (Sustainable Alternatives for Living Together) believes sustainable architecture encompasses social, economic, vocational and financial parameters in addition to the more obvious environmental one
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Maison&Objet, the home fashion and design fair in Paris gives an opportunity to observe rising talent, creativity and changing trends
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130 Serendipity is a store that oozes an aura of peaceful and surprising magic and offers much more than mere home décor
134 152 Designed using the essence of its neighbourhood and strong references to the building’s erstwhile role, is the hotel The Dominican situated in the very heart of the city of Brussels
THE MARKETPLACE Get your hands on the latest products to hit the market
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Editor & Publisher Anish Bajaj
Shruti Nambiar Freelance Writer and Photographer In 2010, Shruti quit three years of corporate drudgery in Bengaluru to start on a career in writing. A little over two years ago, she joined The Indian Express, Pune, as a Feature Writer. Currently based in Pune, she is pursuing freelance writing and photography.
Creative Director Natalie Pedder-Bajaj Features Editor Mala Bajaj Assistant Editor Shweta Salvi Sub Editors Vikas Bhadra Ulka Vartak Rehana Penwala Contributing Writers Chryselle D’Silva Dias Christabelle Athaide Dhanishta Shah Himali Kothari K Parvathy Menon Shruti Nambiar Designers Asif Shayannawar Snigdha Hodarkar
Bandana Jain Designer An Applied Arts alumnus from the J.J. School of Arts, Bandana Jain is the founder and principal designer at Sylvn Studio, her studio specialises in designing eco-friendly, handcrafted lamps, furniture and home decor items.
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Editorial & Marketing Mumbai Mr. Ganesh Gurav, Mr. Vivek Jadhav, Mr. Rakesh Kini (Digital), B-62, Cotton Exchange bldg., Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033 T 022 23736133/1, 32958501 F 022 23743069 E response@marvelinfomedia.com
Usine Studio At The Intersection, Page No 74 Principal designers & founder of Usine Studio Yatin Kavaiya and Jiten Tosar have studied at INIFD, Baroda, Gujarat. A boutique design studio focusing on providing end to end interior design solutions, they create contemporary and elegant interiors that are functional and timeless.
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.
Shabnam Gupta Mumbai Unplugged, Page No 28 Principle designer at the firm The Orange Lane, Shabnam Gupta, doesn’t fall in line and drudge the beaten path; she maintains a close connection with nature which is evident in the acute sensitivity with which she approaches a space. Her ability to visualise and transform mundane objects and reclaimed materials into a collector’s item has fast become her signature stroke.
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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Djuric-Tardio Architects Green Speak, Page No 107 Djuric-Tardio Architects or DTA for short is an architectural firm based in France which believes in first thoroughly analysing the interaction between the users and their house. Thanks to the variety in their clients in terms of social origins, the firm is always given a chance to improvise with each project.
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PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S 31 OCT Submission Deadline Architecture at Zero
of mere aesthetic values, design should be an instrument of interaction between the creation and its user. It would then become a tool for play, as well as for education and socialisation. During four days, Jeux de design will present several design projects that, by the means of play and games integrated into everyday activities, will spark curiosity and invite the public to think of new uses and implementations. The collaborators for this event include popular names like Karim Rashid and Matali Crasset. www.jeuxdedesign.com
This Architecture at Zero competition is open to students, architects, landscape architects, urban planners, engineers and designers anywhere in the world. In its fourth year the event seeks creative and feasible approaches to (Zero Net Energy) ZNE building.
5Deadline NOV for Research Papers 2015 Design for Business
By encouraging innovative design solutions to site-specific design challenges, the competition aims to broaden thinking about the technical and aesthetic possibilities of zero net energy projects. Further, it seeks to raise the profile of ZNE among built-environment professionals, students, and the general public in California and beyond.
www.architectureatzero.com
29JeuxOCTDesign 2 NOV TO
Jeux de design showcases a selection of international design manufacturers and studios specialised in children’s interior and exterior design. The theme for this first edition is “Curiosity is a pretty virtue”. More than a display
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www.ideasondesign.net
3Registration NOV for Red Dot Award
The registration phase for the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2015 starts on 3 November 2014. The hallmark of good design which is recognised all over the globe will be awarded to today’s best products and projects. The winning products are presented in the Red Dot Design Museums, in the online presentation and in the Red Dot Design Yearbook. They also become part of Red Dot’s PR work.
The site for the 2014 competition is The Jack London Gateway project site in Oakland, California, which is comprised of two adjacent parcels, each to be developed as mixed-use housing over commercial. Parcel 1 is to be developed as affordable family housing over a childcare centre or wellness clinic. Parcel 2 is to be developed as market rate housing over a grocery store. Each entrant or team will produce a proposed design for each parcel that is as close to zero net energy as possible. The competition jury will review each entry for documentation of energy performance as well as the architectural integrity of the design.
Based on recommendations from the review panel, you will be invited to present in either the Research Forum as a speaker or in a panel session at the moderated Round Table Symposium. Research Forum presentations will last up to 20 minutes and will be followed by up to 10 minutes of questions and/or discussion. The Round Table Symposium will include brief presentations followed by sessions of moderated group discussions.
The Design for Business Research program is a key event of the agIdeas International Design Week, one of the largest and most prestigious design festivals in the world. The program is interested in papers that are placed on the intersection of design and business. If you are engaged in research or work at this intersection, agIdeas is seeking submission of abstracts of no more than 300 words that address the theme of the conference by November 5, 2014. Authors of accepted papers will be invited to present at the Design for Business: Research Conference. The presentations will be delivered over two days and across two different formats: Research Forum and a Round Table Symposium.
At the Red Dot Gala on 29 June 2015, the winners of the top individual award, the Red Dot: Best of the Best, will be honoured in the Aalto Theater in Essen, and all award-winners will subsequently be celebrated, photographed and interviewed many times at the big Designers’ Night after-show party. Each year, these two events are attended by more than 1,200 top international guests from design agencies, corporate brands and the media. At the same time, the four-week winners’ exhibition “Design on Stage - Winners Red Dot Award: Product Design 2015” opens in the Red Dot Design Museum Essen. The exhibition presents new, award-winning design achievements to tens of thousands of visitors in the midst of the historical industrial architecture of the UNESCO world heritage site of the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex. www.red-dot.org
PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S
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PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S 5 9 NOV TO
Istanbul Design Week Istanbul
Sleep is an annual meeting place for the global design community, where designers, architects, hotel owners, developers, operators and investors join with one common objective - to source and share knowledge for the design and creation of stunning hotel environments. The Sleep Event in 2014 will represent the very best in hotel design excellence, with an edited exhibition of the finest international product suppliers, curated concept spaces and the high-level Sleep Conference. With speakers who include Jeremy King, George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg, the Conference is free to attend and an unparalleled and exclusive opportunity to meet and mix with world leaders in hotel design. Join us, network with your peers and build new business relationships to take you through to 2015 and beyond.
Istanbul Design Week has contributed to Istanbul’s reputation in many ways by showcasing Turkey and its designers to the world, forming an international network through design and improving the power of Turkey’s reputation in the field of fashion. Since 2005 Istanbul Design Week has created a full week of activities for designers, design students, companies and design enthusiasts, setting up an environment for exchanging ideas, finding new opportunities of marketing.
The six resulting collaboratives will also address potential changes in the roles architects and urban designers might assume vis-à-vis the increasing inequality of current urban contexts. The workshop and exhibition will consider how emergent forms of tactical urbanism can respond to alterations in the nature of public space, housing, mobility, spatial justice, environmental conditions, and other major issues in near-future urban contexts. www.moma.org
15 DEC
Deadline for Entries Hansgrohe Design Prize 2015
www.thesleepevent.com
22Uneven NOV TO Growth: 10 MAY 2015Tactical
Urbanisms for Expanding Megacities New York
This year the event celebrates its ninth anniversary with special events, established brands and young designers from various countries. International Design Fairs undertakes the organisation of Istanbul Design Week with the support of project partners; Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Hürriyet and dDf; Dream Design Factory.
Hansgrohe SE, located in Schiltach in the Black Forest in Germany, is a bathroom and sanitary fittings specialist. This year, the company will once again present the Hansgrohe Design Prize for design students and young professionals for the fifth time.
www.istanbuldesignweek.com
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London
Uneven Growth: Tactical Urbanisms for Expanding Megacities, is the third iteration in MoMA’s Issues in Contemporary Architecture series. Uneven Growth is organised around a series of workshops, followed by an exhibition at MoMA (opening in November 2014), with six interdisciplinary teams each working on an urban case study. The design proposals coming out of Uneven Growth will seek to address this unequal urban development. Twelve teams around the world have been asked to collaborate, so as to challenge current assumptions about the relationships between formal and informal, bottom-up and top-down urban intervention.
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What’s different this year is that the competition is being organised as a separate competition in its own right for the first time. iF, a company that has decades of experience in carrying out international design competitions, is in charge of the organisation. Young designers from all over the world are invited to submit bathroom concepts that are as creative as they are sustainable on the topic of “Efficient Water Design: Small Space - Big Shower Pleasure“. A panel of experts will decide which entries will get a share of the prize money totalling EU 5,000 and be invited to the two-day awards ceremony in Hamburg. www.ifdesign.de
PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S
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Art is the best form of expression no boundaries or stigmas should be associated with the medium. And that is precisely what can be said of designer Vibhor Sogani. A graduate from what’s considered the temple of contemporary Indian design - NID, Vibhor through his work has attested that creativity is truly boundless and a designer solely should be instrumental in deciding its scope. His studio, since its inception in 1994 has dabbled in several sectors and designed products, trophies, exhibition spaces and now he has gradually ventured into art installation space. Largely known for his surreal looking lighting collection, Vibhor unabashedly pokes holes into the nation’s structured commercial sector and presents creative variants. His fascination with metal is not only present in his product lines but also reflects in his installations. It would be totally justified to say Vibhor has a gift for alchemy where creating awe-inspiring art is concerned. Here, he talks about the lack of recognition for art in India, his future aspirations and his desire to resurrect dwindling Indian craft.
my space
Interview by Shweta Salvi
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Could you walk us through your journey from choosing design as a profession to finally setting up your own practice? My journey started after my schooling in Jaipur. Despite being a very good student studies never excited me. A session with a career counselor and an aptitude test later, I was told my 3D imagination is good and I could do well in a creative field. In 1992, I graduated from NID with a degree in Product Design & Industrial Design. After that, I worked for a year with the furniture division of Godrej in Mumbai. Though I did get wide exposure and experience, working with industries could get creatively restricting. So in 1993, I moved out and took up freelance projects which somehow weren’t easy to come by. Finally in August 2002, I launched my collection of table top accessories under the label Studio Vibhor Sogani.
People want better products, good technology and this awareness is nicely trickling down to the tier III cities.
Till 2005, I was involved in my accessories line; somewhere down the line I realised this stream was far too commercial for my creative sensibilities. Fortunately, in 2006, I got an opportunity to do some work in lighting. The response to that was encouraging at various levels. My lighting portfolio started growing and as a designer I felt more satiated and involved. In terms of competition also the segment was more specialised. There were lesser people in my category from the Indian subcontinent and that allowed me enough room to expand. In 2007, I was invited to do an art show and in March 2008, I did my first solo show - God & I - an exhibition of wall arts and installations, done in stainless steel and other materials. This show was liberating - I was doing this for myself and didn’t have the stress of charting its functionality. The shift from design to art was an internal struggle for me. But I did have an advantage as I was technically equipped. Home Review November 2014
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My focus is now on these two verticals. As an artist, I like to feel involved…Every day I look forward to not doing a business deal with someone but having conversation with like-minded individuals.
in the city, be a part of the IT boom. Somewhere down the line, they would of course do well monetarily in the city, but the impact will be on our country and culture.
What is your biggest strength as a designer which also helps you in life, in general?
It’s a big loss, which we as individuals realise but are incapable of dealing with it. This issue involves each one - the individuals and the country as a whole. The contribution has to be at each and every level.
As a designer what helped me was the struggle that I went through. Typically when a person steps out, you work with a company and dedicate about 5 -7 years to it. That’s the normal practice. I broke away early and that gave me grass root exposure. I did a lot of hands-on work - sat with the welders and craftsmen to guide them through my designs. Had these modern day technologies come in earlier, we could have made designs on paper. That exposure helped me grow as a designer, stay rooted and simple. As Gandhi says - “May I live simply, so that others may simply live” - this is what I learnt, live simple, live beautiful. It has helped me immensely in life today. You can give me a complex project it doesn’t rattle me anymore because I know it can be broken down to the basics. So I know,
when a client walks in through the door I am not under pressure, I am up for the challenge. Our nation has been blessed with diverse crafts and techniques and yet Indian crafts have not seen remarkable design highs. What should be done to empower India’s rich craft culture? This is in fact a very serious issue. Culturally in terms of talent we’re very strong. It is said that in a family of craftsman, it takes three generation to kill the skill from your system, post the third generation it tapers off. The new generation of these craftsmen wants to make money, they want to be
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Unfortunately, the help the crafts sector gets from the government is ineffective or very little. The institutions, ministries and offices involved are probably not doing this the right way. For example, in Indonesia, they have something called the ‘Craft Trail’. It’s a trail that covers a few villages and takes you to the backyards of these craftsmen and shows you how crafts are made. It’s part of their tourism. Other countries have gone all out to promote their crafts. The furniture from the Far East has been in vogue for the past ten years. Where is our talent? Our talent is way better.
What’s gone wrong is that, while we’ve always had the talent, the skills have to evolve to cater to new needs. Design intervention is not happening. The craft needs to become a little more functional. In today’s age, one doesn’t need a decorative piece in the corner. They want their chair to become decorative. They want things that they use and yet be beautifully crafted. Life has become more minimalistic today. Our resources are being underutilised. Italians, given our resources will become world leaders in this segment. They’ll immediately make a product coupled with our talent for today’s world. Design intervention at the grass root level is needed. Expecting a craftsman to come up with a design which is suited to the urban environment is itself a fallacy. Somebody who understands the international scenario, architectural scenario, the urban scenario needs to be brought in. Marketing the product is a different story.
Can you name one craft, which is underexplored, and you would like to work on it? There’s a craft called damascening from Udaipur. It’s a beautiful craft that involves amalgamating two or more irons. Layers of different metals are put on one another, beaten and forged. It gives such beautiful textures. There are very few families in Udaipur working on it. Talking about design, modern India is slowly waking up to the possibilities that can be explored within this realm.
Design intervention at the grass root level is needed. Expecting a craftsman to come up with a design which is suited to the urban environment is itself a fallacy.
What will it take to instill the idea of good design being a practical and aesthetic requisite for all objects and classes? Multiple things are happening. With the internet, extensive travel, people in India are already waking up to it. It’s not like we really have to make any efforts to make them realise the value of design across the board - from accessories, furniture, to public works. The good part is people want better products, good technology and this awareness is nicely trickling down to the tier III cities. They’re already up and alive on this subject. In fact, fifty percent of the people who come to me are from Ranchi, Indore and Bhopal. Their knowledge base and demands surprise me. They are very categorical with what they want. It’s a matter of designers meeting clients. There’s a gap there: people want great designs, but they don’t know where the designers are; we want good clients but don’t know where they are.
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That connect is missing apart from media and shows that do bridge that gap, given the size of our country, given the number of designers in the market, this is a problem. However, I do feel in the coming decade, we will see a lot of change. A material you find is difficult to work with but would love to explore anyway? Steel is a very tricky material and I am working with it already. Dealing with steel requires a lot of technical knowhow. However, I would love to work with concrete too someday. Is there a person or a medium (not related to design per se) that has inspired you in some way? Honestly, I have no idol. I look for inspiration from various tangible and intangible sources. In terms of medium, steel has inspired me, which is why I’m here. Talking about designers, Anish Kapoor is inspirational because the scale that he works with is monumental. I also find Richard Serra who essentially works with iron, exceptionally gifted. I can connect more with his language. Yes, I admire both of them. From having a statue to commemorate a public figure at every square to now gradually moving towards accepting public art installations, India has come a long way. What role according to you does public art play, apart from its aesthetic novelty? I don’t agree that India has come a long way. Public art in India is lacking big time. Yes, there are statues at every square and that’s what is limiting. Again in this case, connect is missing.
There are industries that are willing to sponsor and there are spaces that want installations, so why is it not happening? When it comes to installations, even an artist won’t charge his regular fee. This is an issue that needs to be addressed. The public wants it, companies are willing to sponsor it and artists are dying to put out their work. Given the amount of opportunity, the art we see is negligible. What are you currently working on? Besides working on my regular projects what is keeping me excited is a series of works that I’m preparing for a show, and if all goes well a solo show is also on the anvil.
Your design portfolio has steadily multiplied and diversified over the years. What exciting ventures should we look forward to from your studio? We actually plan to enlarge our collection, not just lighting but beyond that as well which would include accessories and furniture. Practically speaking at this point in time, I’m focusing on expanding my lighting portfolio and reaching out to a wider market locally and overseas. When not designing, what do you enjoy doing? I am currently dabbling in organic farming. I’m reading about plants, trees and the technicalities of farming. I’ve just finished up ploughing my patch of land and soon will start sowing.
www.vibhorsogani.com
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MUMBAI UNPLUGGED 28 Home Review November 2014
The Bombay Bronx at Breach Candy, Mumbai, is a bar-restaurant dedicated to all the familiar sights a Mumbaikar experiences on a typical day. The trick is it even manages to make them look fresh. Text By Shruti Nambiar Photographs Courtesy The Designer
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The city of Mumbai seems to almost encourage hustle bustle and madness, just so that it can astound you with the method that can spiral out of it. And indeed, for ages, photographers, artists, poets, writers, designers, animators and so many more have found boundless limits of creative energy from this city. Because who can escape inspiration in the midst of all the flamboyance of colour and conversations? And so there is The Bombay Bronx at Breach Candy, another project paying a loving tribute to the cacophony of Mumbai, but still succeeding in making it look fresh and accessible. To ape a landscape that is riddled with contradictions and filled with micro design details, this bar-restaurant’s insides have been built to be slightly overwhelming to a new-comer’s eye. The wash of warm yellow light is not just for illumination but to make all the reds, greens, yellows, and blues of the décor stand out in full ‘hip’ glory. And the bare concrete and brick walls are there not just for aesthetic contrast but to also remind you to revel in inconsistency, just like how the city of Mumbai does every day.
The team from Mumbai-based firm, The Orange Lane, worked a fine eye of detail here to achieve the holy grail of a café design template - a mix of the rough and the refined; a safe place for caffeineguzzling genteel folks to appreciate artificial ruggedness. The Bombay Bronx’s smorgasbord of props and accents succeeds in achieving the client brief, which was quite simply the creation of “a vibe called ‘Bombay’”.
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So representations of the usual suspects may all be found here - the fastidious dabbawalas; the never-waning charm of the Irani cafĂŠs, the phalanx of railings and tin sheets and metal meshes and the inescapably mighty Bollywood, whose kitschy charm continues to spawn pop art prints and products. And all the shiny faux leather upholstery is no unplanned oversight, but a clever comment on the class divide that splinters the landscape. But the fun here will be in appreciating the presence of the unsung character actors. Look out for the brilliant, lit-up gola stand. Regale yourself by reading the impish graffiti, strewn all around in loopy, sleepy text, exactly like it should be. Soak in the different perspective that a dismembered, fluorescent-bellied rickshaw offers, and of course, also take a selfie in front of it. Marvel at the impish painting of a voluptuous fisherwoman, posing exactly as all the modern super heroines do, challenging you to reconsider her image.
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Recognise the familiar comfort in the Devanagari script spelling out Marathi words and numerals. All small details that are easily missed every day, but so much more profound when looked at while relaxing with friends. The interior design followed an open policy for even the important elements of the 1,900 sq. ft. space. The RCC roof is exposed, with the conduits showing through, and hand bars like those found in BEST buses hang from the ceiling. “There is a large central installation of naked bulbs with their wires entangled and connecting to an open electric metre box, talking about the “electricity chori” that everyone in Bombay is well versed with,” the team adds.
The tables are lit by lamp structures that look like clusters of the famed dabbas. The washrooms have faded plastic crates which act as garbage cans. The wall with the giant graphic of a Coolie-era Amitabh Bachchan, is intentionally scraped and left unpainted.
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A barbed wire mesh runs from end to end, with a row of pigeon installations hanging by it, a philosophical take on the life of “every Bombayite and how the city consumes all.�
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The Bombay Bronx had to have started with a tough agenda. It is an uneasy task for a cafĂŠ to stand out nowadays; no matter how good its grub-and-drinkserving skills are. An entire range of looks, from refined to semi-formal to irreverent, has already been adopted and experimented with in Mumbai, ad nauseam, so a theme centred on familiarity with the city is a tricky call. But The Bombay Bronx manages to look good. And the reason for that is its simplicity of representation.
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It wisely pre-supposes the guests’ deep understanding of the props, and so just lays them around for them to gawk at. Even its subtle messages on the city’s complexities are non-declarative and elegantly restrained. It is a smart mix, thus bringing together of shiny colour and edgy concrete and making it all look like a fond city. theorangelane@gmail.com
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PERISCOPE Is architecture supposed to tell a story? Or is it destined to make the telling of other stories easier? Or is it to be a story? At the risk of sounding dramatic, it is not a stretch to imagine many an architect having pondered over these profundities while solemnly staring at drawing boards. Slowly sipping a preferred caffeinated beverage, they may have patiently hunted for a higher purpose among the lines and the numbers.
Building Fairy Tales Text By Shruti Nambiar Photographs Courtesy Blank Space
New York-based Matthew Hoffman and Francesca GiulianiHoffman, the creators of Blank Space, may just have done the same before dreaming up the online platform in 2013.
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The aim of this initiative is to make architecture the source of more inclusive, dynamic, and well, interesting creations. In appropriately boundary-pushing form, Blank Space launched an inaugural competition inviting submissions of “architectural fairy tales” from firms across the world.
“The competition challenged entrants to develop visionary, narrative based design proposals that unlock the power of architecture through storytelling,” according to the team. The 300 competition entries from 50 countries were sifted through and 24 among them were chosen to be featured in ‘Fairy Tales: When Architecture Tells A Story’, a 256-page paperback peppered with intricate architectural designs that build imaginative bridges between the disparate worlds of architecture and fairy lands.
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The book’s pages hold fascinating stories that toss together political statements, dystopian dreams, and tales of love and growing up, expressed through architectural sensibilities.
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The illustrated stories represent the entry of architecture into a space where dance, painting, performance and so many more art forms claim the ability to communicate the joys and fears of humanity. Beyond its academic clique, architecture is, and wants to be known as, bold, inventive, irreverent, and gloriously aware of its surroundings. These stories lead the way to realising that identity.
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THE WORLD OF Bathroom Furnishings Page
CERAMIC TILES Page
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BUILDING DWELLING THINKING Page
54 THE BEST OF DESIGN AT CERSAIE Page
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CERSAIE 2014
A blend of creativity and design was displayed at Cersaie 2014, the landmark international event for ceramics, bathroom furnishing products and innovation. Text By Rehana Penwala and Shibani Punekar
Cersaie 2014, the international exhibition for ceramic tiles and bathroom furnishings was held in Bologna from the 22nd to 26th of September. It saw more than 100,000 visitors, also marking an increase in the number of international visitors from last year. The event was a global get-together of the ceramic trade with creative minds from the world of architecture, interior design and consumers also in attendance. Bisazza Contemporary Cement Tiles designed by Jaime Hayon
Icon collection by Ceramica Rondine
Since inception, Cersaie has received salutations from the world over for providing design lovers with a platform for discussion and debate. Cersaie showcases the finest work from the ceramic tile and bathroom sector giving enthusiasts an opportunity to witness the latest trends. The 2014 show saw 945 exhibitors including 339 international companies from 38 countries.
Serie Trio by Alpi
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Cersaie is a prime location for development of global business related to the field of ceramic floor and wall tiles and the bathroom furnishings sector. Visitors originating from more than 150 countries appreciated the show’s powerful role as the perfect medium for international trade. The event consisted of several stimulating sessions providing visitors with a new sensory experience. Tiling Town which was a location for training young tile setters and presenting installation techniques saw several interesting meetings and activities. An initiative called ‘Cersaie Designs your Home’ also received great appreciation from consumers, many of whom came equipped with plans for their home renovation.
Olympia’s Formosa collection of washbasins
Gallery 3000 new, a shower enclosure by Duka
A new event launched was Cer-Sea, which explored ways of utilising spaces at seaside resorts at all times of the day and throughout the year (so to improve their capacity to generate revenues and attract tourists). There was also strong interest at the ‘Building Dwelling Thinking’ cultural programme which for the first time allowed training credits for the architects who participated in the show.
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Neisha Crossland’s Navajo Collection of tiles for De Ferranti by Studio Le Nid
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CERAMIC TILES
The newest innovations and latest styles to enhance the aesthetics of your living space
VILLEROY & BOCH CENTURY UNLIMITED Century Unlimited combines vilbostone porcelain stoneware tiles in the fashionable cotto cement look with a decor inspired by historical 19th century Mettlach tiles. The result is a concept with 27 porcelain stoneware décor tiles in the classic 20 x 20 cm format, which can be combined into distinctive patterns or laid as a random patchwork. It’s divided into three décor series in three tones around the basic tile colours: restrained and warm to match creme, beige and brown tiles, contrasting and cool in light, medium and dark grey and indigo, and colourful in a combination of all colours including cotto. www.villeroy-boch.com
FIANDRE NERO SUPREMO Nero Supremo adopts the timeless classical nature of traditional marble. It includes materials incredibly similar to quarry materials that give any space authentically natural surfaces. The veins, cloudiness and fine variations in the tile collection bring ethereal, timeless nuances to spaces. All tiles are available with a polished finish in a variety of sizes from 75 x 75 cm to 300 x 150 cm large formats. www.granitifiandre.com
BISAZZA CONTEMPORARY CEMENT TILES From modern geometric designs to classic motifs – the new decorative tiles from Bisazza feature a contemporary, sophisticated interpretation of traditional cement tiles used in palaces during the latter half of the 19th century and early 20th century. The collection, made entirely by hand and available in square and hexagonal formats, is designed by Paola Navone, Jaime Hayon, Carlo Dal Bianco and Bisazza Design Studio. The rich palette of colours and the contemporary and classic graphic motifs lend a bold, modern and expressive identity to the products. With this collection Bisazza has expanded its product portfolio for the interior decor of both private homes and public venues. www.bisazza.com
KERAKOLL KERAKOLL DESIGN HOUSE The Kerakoll Design House is a complete interior design project featuring innovative materials coordinated by a warm and fascinating palette of colours. As the art director of the project that premiered at Cersaie, Piero Lissoni blends spaces together where the walls and coatings all become one seamless surface. It is composed of ten innovative materials ranging from cement and resin for seamless floorings and coatings such as Cementoresina®, Cementoflex® and Cementocrudo®; to the Legno+Color® parquet in the three sizes of small, medium and large; the microresina® coatings – Wallcrete® and Wallpaper®; the decorative paints – Paint®, Patina®, Decor® and finally the baseboard Invisibile®. www.kerakoll.com
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DE FERRANTI & STUDIO LE NID NAVAJO COLLECTION Handmade and handpainted, Neisha Crossland’s Navajo Collection of glazed terracotta tiles for De Ferranti by Studio Le Nid has a unique distressed matte finish. In earthy hues, each design is available in several colour ways, ranging from black and cream to combinations of henna with denim, and mossy yellow with reds. Yet the designs are quite clean with small geometrics that work well in both traditional and contemporary interior schemes. The collection includes 18 varying types of designs and patterns in different colour shades. www.deferranti.com www.lenid.it
COTTO NEW ITALIA COLLECTION 2015 Cotto’s booth at Cersaie was decorated under the Urban East concept which aims to capture the imagination of the new generation who are proud of the oriental lifestyle and spiritual traditions. The highlight for 2014 was the introduction of the New Italia Collection 2015 that comprises four series – Bianchezza, Terroir, Woodlands and Cementum. Besides being made in Italy and available in an extra-large (Grande) size, the tiles in this collection have been developed for the brand to also expand its customer base from the commercial group further to the residential group.
DEL CONCA LUPIN THE 3RD Dedicated to the most demanding customers who are attentive to modern trends, the exclusive collection of ceramic tiles is inspired by the legendary Japanese manga series – Lupin The 3rd, the gentleman thief. Cool, with decisive lines and colours, expressed in three different decors, the collection includes and portrays the entire gang: in addition to the legendary gentleman thief, other protagonists are Fujiko, trusted sidekicks Goemon with his katana and expert gunslinger Jigen, and the ever-present and luckless inspector Zenigata. This inclusion of comic art and vintage inspiration in ceramic tiles brings on a whole new dimension to interior design. www.delconca.com
www.cotto.co.th
DG MOSAIC TILLA Tilla® is an exclusive glass picotessera (1.5 x 1.5 x 0.75 mm) created by DG Mosaic for mosaic applications. Having the hallmark ‘Made in Italy’, Tilla is compact, refined, smart and lightweight and includes 17 nano layers of minute thickness. It offers virtually unlimited durability and flexibility, along with high-performance uniformity and adhesion due to one sq.m. of mosaic weighing approximately 2.5 kg, thus making it the most lightweight glass mosaic component in the market. DG Mosaic’s glass picotessera is designed to be the ideal solution for indoor and outdoor architectural and design applications, interior design and high-end decorations. www.dgmosaic.it
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DUNE GROOVE COLLECTION
Ceramiche Piemme URBAN Inspired by ‘urban style’, the Urban full body coloured, porcelain stoneware collection presents a concrete effect, available in a number of different shades specially designed for interior decoration. Threedimensional, with minimal aesthetics and high performance, this line is available in five finishes: Naturale, Scultura, Tratti, Velvet and Ciottoli; and various shapes, from 30 x 60 cm to 60 x 120 cm to decorate interiors and outdoors with solutions of contemporary taste.
Groove is an exclusive design by Michael Golden for Dune where sensitivity is expressed by the design using tiles differently, giving importance to the movement of the glass and the graphic effect in general. Groove is created by mixing colours of molten glass, forming unique and perfect arrangements that create a unique as well as balanced visual effect in the tiles. These half curved, wavy chips bring out the beauty of the multi-coloured mixed glass effect. It is an authentic, motif-free, modern design that suggests an artisan’s production process. Reggae, Salsa and Blues are the result of more than 20 tests of colour combinations where each individual chip is unique, adding to the overall richness of Groove’s designs. www.dune.es
DADO CERAMICA STARDUST The new Stardust range by Dado Ceramica boasts an eye-catching architectural impact and is today able to offer the market a highly innovative product that can be used on both floors and walls. Available in four strikingly contrasting colours, in the sizes 30 x 60 cm, 15 x 60 cm, 30 x 30 cm and 44.25 x 44.25 cm, the tiles can be mixed and matched to create lively, original installation layouts. What sets these tiles apart is a manufacturing process known as NokokeTM. Involving a number of different phases of physical and mechanical conversion using vitreous substances, this process guarantees total and permanent protection for the surface of the material, making it immune to the toughest of dirt and grime.
www.ceramichepiemme.it
www.dadoceramica.it
DECOCER Decocer presented a new collection of metallic effects and textures in many formats at the Cersaie 2014 fair. The most prominent is the 17.5 x 17.5 cm porcelain format which can be used for floor and wall applications as well. Available in solid colours like matte and glitter, metallic textures and decorations, the collection offers wide scope for variations. Decocer was established in 1988 in Spain as a manufacturer of porcelain and white body ceramic borders and listellos, decorations and wall/floor tiles. Currently it offers a wide range of products making sure that the very best materials are used in the manufacturing of each individual product. www.decocer.com
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CERAMICA VOGUE SHADE The Shade collection, made up of 14 colour ‘shades’, is the result of Ceramica Vogue’s in-house laboratory research aimed to offer new colour shades in line with current colour and design needs. Made of enamelled and frostproof porcelain stone, suited for both floors and coverings, they come in the rectified 50 x 50 cm size. The 14 base colours are accompanied by Shade Cut, four etched formats made in all colours that enhance surfaces with pleasing decorative geometries. Moreover, five modular and combinable accessory families complete the collection that enrich the product range with different materials and textures. www.ceramicavogue.it
VILLEROY & BOCH LODGE Launched as a harmonious solution to the Lodge floor range, the standalone Lodge wall concept is the new non-vitreous range with a restrained wood look, soft structure, co-ordinated colours and expressive mosaics. The decor tiles for the Lodge floor and wall range are in a 20 x 120 cm format, inspired by historical Mettlach tiles. They come in five multicolour shades and can also be provided with Villeroy & Boch design branding. The basic tiles on the other hand are in a slim rectangular 30 x 90 cm format for creating a wood effect laying pattern.
SOMANY GLOSSTRA Somany presents Glosstra, India’s glossiest tiles for walls. Somany’sGlosstra comes in a wide range of bright and vibrant colours, accentuated by an extraordinarily shiny surface. It reflects light and propagates a sense of wideness and openness. Options in Glosstra include fabric texture, undulated surfaces and stone finishes, and use of motifs and florals in patterns. They are available in the 30cmX60cm size. www.somanyceramics.com
www.villeroy-boch.com
VITRA Vitra presented a new collection of porcelain tiles to reflect the full spectrum of nature under daylight. The textures of basic building elements such as metal, cement and wood are represented by three categories splitting the day and the concept: Awakening, Life and Serenity. The Ice & Smoke collection indicates the Awakening; the discreet and modern design of glossy cement available in warm grey tones. A rich mix in wood, cement and natural stone with matching shade palettes and natural textures and grains, Fango Mix – representing Life – is good for spaces with homey and modern styles. While Hot Chocolate, a porcelain collection with a high gloss surface finish, is a romantic and rich interpretation to the natural wood look falls under the Serenity category along with Terra Nova and Experi-Metal. in.vitra.com.tr
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Bathroom Furnishings
The latest in bathroom furniture and accessories to help you relax in your personal retreat
VILLEROY & BOCH VENTICELLO With Venticello, the focus is on design; slim line edges and contemporary aesthetics characterise the new collection. The collection has a wide range of sinks: asymmetrical, surface mounted and a ground version. Venticello can be combined alone or with matching furniture. The vanity units offered have one or two pull out compartments along with three solitary side furniture units for additional storage space and are available in a variety of colours. www.villeroy-boch.com
ANTONIO LUPI FUORI_STRAPPO Unconventionality, style and elegance define the Fuori_Strappo sink which is a revised version of the Strappo sink designed in 2012 by Domenico de Palo. The upgrade of the project was done due to the desire of offering a sink that seems to come out of the wall and for whom brickwork is not possible. Fuori_ Strappo comes out of the wall in a single piece with free installation and can be personalised in colour and wall finishes. www.antoniolupi.it
DURAVIT SUNDECK A pool and a sundeck at the same time, the Sundeck by Duravit guarantees all round relaxation. It has been designed by the Australian designer trio EOOS, to be used in the bathroom or terrace. It comes with a replaceable filter that ensures the water remains clean for up to three months. A shelf of about 30 cm width is provided, which also conceals the integrated technology. The pool features slim, elegant panelling, and is covered by a leather-upholstered cover. It also comes with advanced water temperature control technology. www.duravit.in
COTTO URBAN EAST COTTO, one of the global leaders in surface covering and sanitary ware from Thailand, premiered its new 2015 collection at Cersaie in co-operation with its Italian partner Florim Group. They had a ‘Smart and Innovative Solutions Room’ which showcased new sanitary ware such as the Urban East decorative basin. It represents a unique, distinctive design of refined handicraft and industrial arts with three variations of the Sense of Scirocco faucet: Sunrise White, Sunset Gold and Midnight Black. www.cotto.co.th
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ACQUABELLA CONFORT & SILENCE Acquabella manufactures a wide range of shower columns, rain shower heads, shower sets, shower enclosures and screens enabling you to custom design your exclusive shower area. Its latest addition is bespoke shower trays in Confort & Silence finish that enables you to enjoy a warm, comfortable and quiet shower. It is a slightly flexible, ergonomic and noise absorbing shower tray that accomplishes Swiss norm SIA 188:2006 regarding noise absorption. www.acquabella.com
DUKA PURA 5000 CONCEPT Duka, an Italian manufacturer of shower enclosures has achieved an important role in the market due to its precision and love for product and technique and dedicated to the development and research of innovative proposals for the shower corner. The pura 5000 concept has been upgraded to pura 5000 new for solutions without wall profiles and pura R 5000 new for solutions with wall profiles. The shower enclosure has a unique hinge consisting of more than 50 components and covered with a thin layer of glass, enamelled in white or black, which makes it valuable and aesthetically admirable.
VILLEROY & BOCH OUTDOOR WHIRLPOOLS Villeroy & Boch’s Outdoor Whirlpools have a special energy-saving design. The spas are equipped on all sides with a full-foam insulation, which ensures that no energy is lost. The patented JetPak™ II technology optimises the use of heat by having up to 90% of the water lines run through the warm pool water. Thus the heat from the water in the lines is transferred to the water in the spa and does not uselessly escape into the surroundings. The air intake system also heats the water by using the air from the preheated ‘engine room’ and not the cool air from the outside. www.villeroy-boch.com
www.duka.it
OLYMPIA MY BAG Olympia Ceramica bathroom brings innovative, bold and complex design to the fore, where the end result is efficiency. My Bag is a wash basin system that can be closed away where necessary, turning into a functional vanity counter. The taps, featuring clean-cut silhouettes and mainly two-tone, can be folded down to close it all away swiftly and the wash basin can be accessorised with a soap dispenser. Additionally, the leather side storage compartment works as a convenient organiser, while the small wooden pull-out compartment includes a practical make-up mirror. www.olympiaceramica.it
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ANTONIO LUPI ARMONIA Armonia is a console made of solid American walnut. It’s a strong emotional line that with the wood texture and clever use of lacquered colours creates an intimate and sought out atmosphere. In combination to the structure, there is a matt or glossy finish Ceramilux sink or glass sink. Being a Roberto Lazzeroni designed accessory, it gives a modern, appealing look to the bathroom. www.antoniolupi.it
GATTONI RUBINETTERIA COLOR
Designed by Marco Pisati, Flower is a washbasin unique in its organic shape inspired by the world of nature. Thanks to its asymmetric design, the washbasin can be installed with various kinds of faucets, depending on the position chosen for the same. The washbasin is produced in PertR, a technological polymer with exceptional quality, combining a low specific weight with high mechanical resistance.
In order to bring colour to Cersaie 2014, Gattoni Rubinetteria relied on the longstanding experience of Florence based architect Marco Pisati. He designed Color as a challenge, positioning it as a democratic product aimed at meeting the requirements of a broader audience. It is an object full of character, carefully designed in all its details in order to skilfully combine aesthetics and functionality. Color is a tap with a minimalist design. This is why they have focused on removing elements and reducing sections and volume to a minimum.
www.glassdesign.it
www.gattonirubinetteria.com
GLASS DESIGN FLOWER
COTTO TUNIO Tunio is a masterpiece in faucet engineering combining soothing aesthetics, superb functionality and entertainment. It flows as gentle and relaxing like a waterfall, and a special sound device incorporated enhances its aesthetic pleasure and ensures users’ maximum comfort in bathrooms. It has touchscreen-controlled functions which can be easily controlled by the fingertips. www.cotto.co.th
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OLYMPIA TEXTURE Texture is designed by the Ldesignconcept Studio, inspired by the idea that sanitary ware shape and colour create a very strong environmental identity. Texture is, therefore, an extremely apt name for this project embodying in its meaning a unique opportunity to create a customised individual scheme with a nuance of ceramic finishes for both classical and modern tastes utilising colour and geometric ceramic decoration. Texture, therefore, offers an individual concept to create your own personal space and colour scheme. The multiplicity of decoration possibilities gives rise to the name Texture enhancing both the design and structure of this project www.olympiaceramica.it
LASA IDEA BELLAGIO At Cersaie, it presented the Bellagio collection – a choice of bathroom furnishings suited to both classic and modern settings. It is magnificence and wealth, past and present combined along with the brilliance of modern crystal that creates this collection. The beauty of glossy lacquered colours and decorations enhances the shapes. Bellagio base units can be completed with free-standing crystal washbasins of the handmade collection, handmade and decorated by master glassmakers from Tuscany. The handles contain genuine Swarovski crystals, or the curled handles are decorated with an antique-effect gold or silver finish.
AMBIANCE BAIN WATERCONCEPT Waterconcept is a suite of French manufacturer Ambiance Bain’s bathroom sanitary or decorative elements made from SMOTM Synthetic Resin: worktop, basin, shower-tray, wall cladding and shelves. SMOTM Synthetic Resin is an exclusive material made from a mixture of natural stone, polyester resin and an antibacterial surface gel coat. Waterconcept is an aesthetic and hygienic solution with no visible silicon seals, a wide range of colours for harmonising the furniture and shower and is equipped with antibacterial treatment in all colours while being resistant to daily cleaning products. www.ambiancebain.com
www.lasaidea.com
REMER RUBINETTERIE TOUCH-ME Touch-me faucets with integrated technology are a project born from the collaboration between Remer Rubinetterie and S.T.S.R. – Electronics Division (Studio Tecnico Sviluppo e Ricerche, Italy). Touch-me models represent one of the best innovations for Remer Rubinetterie included in their 2015 catalogue. The patented technology Touch-Me allows activating and interrupting the water flow simply by touching any part of the mixer. Remer Rubinetterie dedicates this new comfort to the kitchen environment, integrating the elegance of the design the important additional functionality of touch control. www.remer.eu
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BUILDING DWELLING THINKING
Building, Dwelling, Thinking, the cultural programme at Cersaie 2014 witnessed many breakthrough ideas from some of the world’s best architects and designers.
For the first time in 2009, Cersaie introduced a cultural event of architecture and design named ‘Building, Dwelling, Thinking’. The name is distinct, stating all the actions performed by a human being during his life on Earth. In the last few years, ‘Building, Dwelling, Thinking’ has hosted many speakers, especially from the world of building design. These include a number of Pritzker award winners, upcoming Italian and other international designers, academicians, professionals and other intellectuals. Several design, technical and cultural concepts have been explored ranging from pure architecture to design and ceramics.
The eminent Catalan architect Carme Pinós spoke about her unconventional career.
Thanks to ‘Building, Dwelling, Thinking’, Cersaie is more than just an annual international event, and a place where students and design professionals can obtain the latest information on ceramic tiles, discuss contemporary design issues. The four day event started with a talk on the future of ceramics by Ar. Stefano Mirto, Marco Lampugnani, Egidio Lomi, Anna Bernagozzi, Martin Azua and Claudio Musso.
The Building Dwelling Thinking event at Cersaie 2014 witnessed a huge turnout and was greatly appreciated by students and professionals alike.
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Renowned architects like Javier Corvalaan and Francesco Dal Co gave the visitors a peek into their fascinating worlds of architecture. One of the events in 2014 also addressed the theme of architecture in musical spaces in the presence of Spanish acoustics expert Higini Arau, bassist Saturnino Celani and architect Lorenzo Palmari.
Architect Riccardo Blumer conducted a seminar called ‘Lesson in Reverse’.
The keynote lecture was conducted by the Japanese architect Toyo Ito.
The icing on the cake was the Keynote Lecture by Toyo Ito, which was held on 25th September at the Palazzo dei Congressi. The Japanese architect was awarded the Pritzker Prize in 2013 for his extraordinary work. He was interviewed by Francesco Dal Co, who is an architect and has been professor of history of architecture at the IUAV. Toyo Ito discussed his approach to construction and design in front of an audience of more than 1,700 eager listeners.
The ADI Ceramics Design Award acknowledged the winners of the competition that was intended at showcasing the Italian ceramic industry’s most innovative products.
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THE BEST OF DESIGN AT CERSAIE
In a spectacular display of product innovation and design content, Cersaie 2014 was host to the ADI Ceramics Design Award – the first ever edition jointly organised by ADI (Industrial Design Association) and Cersaie to honour the most innovative Italian ceramic products on display at the show. The projects picked out for the ADI Ceramics Design Award will make up a shortlist for the 2015 ADI Design Index yearbook of Italian design published by ADI. We bring you the seven winners who were endowed this prestigious recognition for their immaculate and beautiful product novelties.
AZZURRA CERAMICA FOR AZZURRA ART Azzurra Art is created with the ambition to go beyond decorating ceramics traditionally - and originates from technology and craftsmanship to offer an unrestricted scope for customisation. The collection is inspired by believing that ceramics are not just a subject to paint and decorate, but a raw canvas to be turned into a narrative. The fluid brushstrokes, abstract motifs and hugging shapes of Azzurra Art create a harmonious visual unity, thus turning everyday objects into works of art that become part of everyday life. www.azzurraart.com
CERAMICA FLAMINIA FOR BONOLA In a perfect balance between flowing lines of organic inspiration, avant-garde manufacturing systems and Italian know how, Bonola is an open-ended project that allows for the collection to be amplified in the course of time, in terms of elements and finishes. The achievement of the award is largely due to the success of the Bonola project designed by Jasper Morrison for Flaminia. This first saw the light as a collection of washbasins, in the pedestal and counter top versions and this year has been extended to include a new oval-shaped model, also for counter top assembly, along with a wall-mounted toilet and bidet. www.ceramicaflaminia.it
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TAGINA CERAMICHE D’ARTE FOR ESAGONA The unique process of manufacturing Esagona - the 3D hexagonal tiles from Tagina Atelier maintains a strong focus on ceramic material and involves a high level of engineering and product customisation, taking problem solving as a key element of the design. Tagina stands out because it is able to combine the most modern techniques of industrial production with the legacy from the ceramic tradition and culture of craftsmanship. www.tagina.com
CERAMICA FIORANESE FOR URBAN_AVENUE Urban_Avenue is porcelain stoneware with the look of brick that plays homage to industrial design, loft living and the high rises found in the large metropolises in the industrialised West. It is a comprehensive, wide-ranging art direction project characterised in 2014 by the prefix Urban, of which Avenue is a particularly effective element both technically and aesthetically. www.fioranese.it
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HOM FOR PIASTRELLA SINTERIZZATA This project for a heated ceramic tile has a dual focus on material and surface, opening up a wide range of potential uses that have already been explored at a nascent stage. Hom’s products use an innovative sintered ceramic tile with embedded electric resistive wire, based on a self-developed technology that can be used as a standalone shelf to keep towels dry or your coffee warm. www.homwarm.com
RUBINETTERIE 3M FOR 22MM The inspiration for the design of 22mm designed by Oco Studio is born from the attempt to create simple shapes, which are easy to use and have a recognisable personality. 22mm is in fact the constant diameter for all parts of the tap, the dispenser and their controls. This diameter ensures great aesthetic lightness, clean lines and flexibility meaning it can be inserted into many different types of washbasins. The controls, which have been made specially to make them easier to grip, can also be made from wood and Corian. www.rubinetterie3m.it
FLORIM CERAMICA FOR FLORIM OVERSIZE MAGNUM The Oversize Magnum multi-brand project confirms the innovative spirit of the Florim group, which, through the installation of new production technologies, is now able to offer very large size slabs: the largest formats ever seen. This innovation can be found in several stone, marble, concrete and wood effect collections. The culmination of this development of super formats reaches 320 Ă— 160 cm: a record in the world of ceramic slabs and a thickness of just 6mm. www.florim.it
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Looking for a place where you can work, be connected and at times just hang out? Then look no further, check out the new Colaba Social. Some call it a boardroom with attached bar.
Text By Chryselle D’Silva Dias Photographs Courtesy Impresario Handmade Restaurants
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ABSOLUTELY #SOCIAL
The Cocktail Kitchen which occupies pride of place at Social. You can sit by the bar and have your bartender-chef whip up your favourite concoction.
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Freelancers, take note. When working from home gets too distracting and the loneliness (or chaos) eats into your work, it may be time to pack up your laptop and head to your nearest Social. This online-offline chain of restaurants doubles up as a clever workspace for freelancers and you might as well find your muse lurking behind the bar. The Social chain is run by Riyaaz Amlani and his Impresario Handmade Restaurants the people who brought us Mocha, one of the first cool hangouts for young people in Mumbai. Social steps in to offer a space that you can work in, network and enjoy a meal. Amlani says, “For the first time in restaurant history, we have introduced the ‘second place’ concept, an inspiring space where you can work and play.”
Hashtags show up everywhere. They are etched in black on the white brick wall.
Riyaaz wanted minimal use of materials and minimum intervention in the existing space, he also wanted to use old furniture in innovative ways. This resulted in a bare space where most of the old architectural features were left intact, as also retaining the property’s original floors, windows and doors.
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The new Colaba Social is the third in the chain, with other restaurants based in Bengaluru and New Delhi. Designed by Sanya Desai, the restaurant is decidedly laid back and with a good dose of warehouse chic, Colaba Social takes bare-bones decor literally. The walls have been stripped back to brick and the ceiling lies exposed.
Original architectural features like the old mosaic floor and window shutters were left intact to enhance the upcycled look.
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Retaining the original architectural features led to the mish-mash of old mosaic floors, windows with shutters and high ceilings to get the desired informal look.
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For seating, Desai went with comfy leather sofas and colourful folding metal chairs in blue and orange, both around tables and on walls; the chequerboard tables paired with a swing adds to the quotient of upcycled innovation. The overall ambience is dark, but welcoming. Naked bulbs hang from the ceiling and table clamp lights provide additional illumination. The only intervention has been the Cocktail Kitchen which occupies pride of place at Social. One can sit by the bar, look at bottles on the walls, that stand-in for pans and have the bartender-chef whip up the choiciest concoction. The kitchen with its white subway tiles, hanging bottles and hashtags is the heart of the space. Given the nature of the space, hashtags show up everywhere. They are etched in white on the red brick wall (#WIP near the workspace) and also show up on pickle jars and in the bathroom. Some hashtags are in Devnagri, which takes some deciphering to figure them out. Even the water is called #paani.
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The food encompasses a wide-range of cuisines and is served in unusual containers including gramophone records, enamelled plates, wooden spiked boards and even chocolate in a mini bath-tub. The menu is another quirky touch - it comes in the shape of a newspaper.
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Encouraging people to work together in a communal space is a long table surrounded by other work areas, equipped with hi-speed wi-fi, printer, scanner and even a boardroom for conferences. There’s even an app (in beta) that allows you to view and order food from the extensive menu. All this is included in a monthly membership, available by application via their website. For a restaurant that has opened only a short while ago, Colaba Social has certainly climbed up the popularity charts. That is perhaps an indicator of how big the need is for cosy, welcoming spaces in the city, where working in cafes is common and not frowned upon.
www.socialoffline.in
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DESIGN DESTINATION
LOS WHERE Los Angeles is located in Southern California and is the second most populous region of the United States of America. Popularity is a trait that is synonymous with the city. It first became a boomtown when the transcontinental railroad was completed in 1876 and it has not stopped attracting crowds ever since.
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ANGELES WHEN
WHY
Los Angeles has something to offer the visitors throughout the year. The spring months from March to May are a good time to visit as the temperatures are pleasant and crowds are fewer. The winter season brings with it frequent showers, but in October and November the weather is ideal for a visit.
The City of Angels has much to boast of, from natural beauty to man-made attractions, but it is regarded most for being home to Hollywood. The diverse ethnicities here have brought with them their food, shops, places of worship and their traditions which all contribute to the buzzing cultural vibe of the city.
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AN ACE UP THE SLEEVE Ace Hotels are known to opt for locations in emerging neighbourhoods and ensure that their design syncs with them. The Ace Hotel in Los Angeles is no different. Here, the Hotel is housed in the United Artists building from the 1920s and its restoration toes the line with its district, the Broadway Theatre. The team at Commune Design tackled the project with the question - what would the building have looked like if it had been a hotel, restaurant, or theatre in the heyday of the Broadway Theatre District? The exterior was stripped off the original paint and many original features like the iron grillwork and other details were restored.
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There is a conscious difference in the design approach towards the public and private spaces at the Ace Hotel. The rooms and suites are minimalist; the original poured concrete walls and ceilings are maintained. The colour scheme is muted; furnishings and wall art are used to provide the occasional burst of colour. The dĂŠcor of the public spaces is eclectic and flamboyant. Renowned designers were roped in to create customised pieces for different nooks in the hotel - like the gigantic wall hanging fashioned from grey blankets or the ceramic hanging lights in the lounge, etc. The most stunning feature of the Hotel however is the theatre with its elaborate carvings that gives it a stunning likeness to a church in a Spanish Gothic style. The 1600 seat theatre is spellbinding, even when the stage is silent.
FOR THE LOVE OF DESIGN If design was a religion, then a visit to the Pacific Design Centre would be a pilgrimage. Three large buildings take up the 110,000 square metres occupied by the Centre. One red, one green and the largest blue; the three glass-clad buildings look like they have been put together with a gadzillion Lego pieces. More than a hundred showrooms, exhibition spaces and a museum make the Centre a one-stop shop for designers and decorators. But, the centre does not stop at being a marketplace; it takes its devotion to design further by serving as a venue for events, lectures, exhibitions, etc. For all design worshippers, the road to salvation passes through here.
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FROM THE HEARTH
Heath Ceramics’ mission is to create objects ‘that enhance the way people eat, live and connect’. For their Los Angeles location they wanted the space to showcase not just their unique designs but also the creation of the designs. Thus, besides the expansive highceilinged showroom, the space also accommodates a studio where the creative process takes place. Additionally, there is a dedicated space for a gallery where artists and makers are invited to display their handiwork. Another unique area at this Heath Ceramics is the ‘Tile Showroom’. Myriad hued tiles cover walls, counters and installations for one to peruse and select the perfect one.
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A FRENCH TWIST Bo Nuage takes its image as a French pastry shop very seriously, which is why the Frenchness is not restricted to the delectable goodies for sale, it encompasses the dĂŠcor too. Classic French design gets a twist in this eclectic cafĂŠ like the use of the signature moulding of Parisian buildings but painted in black to make it stand out against the white walls. In stunning contrast to the monochrome colour palette are the rose gold accessories in the form of bar stools, light fixtures and some wall accents. A visit to Bo Nuage trumps the Concorde, in being the fastest way across the Atlantic. Text By Himali Kothari Home Review November 2014
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In this sit-out, a flowering Kailashpatti or Cannon Ball tree and the artificial water body come together to provide a charming, relaxed ambience.
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AT THE INTERSECTION Contemporary meets traditional to create a feel-good vibe in this sprawling bungalow in Vadodara, Gujarat.
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Amidst a cluster of high-rise buildings on a residential street in Vadodara stands Neer Bungalow - a quiet, unobtrusive structure that commands attention: for its linear and contemporary design. Designed by Usine Studio, the bungalow embraces contemporary design with ease while discreetly including traditional Gujarati elements that are inextricably linked to the client’s everyday functioning. Yatin and Jiten, co-founders of Baroda based Usine Studio describe the basic structure of the bungalow as two cuboids stacked atop each other to create a visually appealing intersection. Their main aim, they disclose, was to create a residence that reflected modern trends, had minimalistic interiors and was essentially maintenance-free.
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The jhoola at the entrance of the bungalow encourages socialising during early mornings or late evenings when the weather is cool; but there is little else that marks this residence as a typical Gujarati household. Usine Studio’s success in delivering a contemporary residence is apparent right from the entrance where an uncluttered corridor leads visitors to an open foyer in the centre of the ground floor. From here, the foyer radiates into a formal living room, family and dining room, kitchen, puja room and guest room.
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The family room and dining area is located by the front lawn allowing the bungalow’s residents a prime view of all who enter the premises.
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The beauty of the concentric layout lies in the way each room opens out onto a patch of green, erasing boundaries between indoor and outdoor living spaces. This openness is further accentuated by glass walls and doors that invite light in and offer a soothing vista of green. Facing the front garden is a large space that doubles up as a dining room and family room. Says Yatin, “Here, the residents come together to interact as a family - to dine, socialise, or just watch TV.” A clever layout positions this room adjacent to the kitchen and servant’s quarters making it easy to interact with the staff or to fix a quick snack during TV breaks. The designers appear to have saved the best for last with the real scene-stealer on this level being the formal living room at the far end of the house. A rich, formal atmosphere is built into this room with the help of elegant white sofas, assorted colourful cushions, an eye-catching copper mural from Bali as well as gold and silver foil work on two wall panels. This formal space spills out onto a private lawn allowing guests to marvel at a mature, flowering Kailashpati or Cannon Ball tree and revel in the calming presence of artificial water bodies. There are, if you stop to count, three sit-outs in all on the ground floor itself. Yatin justifies this saying, “Gujaratis socialise a lot in their spare time with their friends, relatives and neighbours. These sit-outs and including the jhoola at the front entrance make it conducive for the family to sip tea and chat comfortably.”
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In keeping with the contemporary, minimalistic theme, the designers have favoured a warm colour palette across the house with soothing shades of brown and cream being the dominant colours. Wood as a material is consciously used across furniture, ceilings, flooring and for doors and windows, lending a unifying element to the overall décor.
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Bright colours, textures and motifs seep into the first floor bedrooms expressing the owner’s personality and private tastes.
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Where the ground floor remains pleasantly formal, the first floor exudes personality and character. In the master bedroom as well as children’s bedrooms, the designers have allowed bright colours to seep into the walls and upholstery. Bold colours, floral motifs and a slew of textures suddenly take over from the muted browns and creams of the ground floor. A feature to appreciate, even emulate here is the spacious dressing room with storage that is attached to the bathroom. The huge dressing area provides ample storage to stack clothes, shoes and accessories thereby keeping the bedroom more spacious and free of clutter. The son’s bedroom, reveals Yatin, received the most luxurious treatment of all with a huge walk-in wardrobe, bathroom and large window overlooking the greenery. Furniture for most of the house was created on site, including a few artifacts and small pieces of furniture sourced from Bali as they fitted in perfectly with the theme. At heart, Neer Bungalow is a bright, airy and comfortable residence that ultimately strikes a pleasant chord between contemporary and traditional lifestyles. info@usinestudio.in www.usinestudio.in
The design team envisioned a residence that was contemporary, minimalistic and maintenance-free. The team steered clear of colours, furniture or motifs that were typical of Gujarati culture.
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GREEN BY DESIGN From the start my artistic endeavours have allowed me to follow my passion for arts and I furthered it professionally by pursuing a course in Applied Arts from the J.J. School of Arts. Post the completion of my course I started designing my new house; for which I wanted to create a plush new lounge atmosphere.
By Bandana Jain
DESIGNQUEST
After going through the designs available in the market, I realised there is a need for a new textured decor. That led me to creating furniture from corrugated paper sheets. After a lot of experimentation with designs and colours, I was able to create a beautiful unique look for my lounge. The appreciation that I received, inspired me to take it up on a bigger scale and this became the root of Sylvn Studio. At Sylvn Studio, we specialise in designing eco-friendly, handcrafted lamps, furniture and home decor items. I craft my products using recycled material which are hand painted to give them a unique texture.
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Colosseum Table Lamp The Colosseum table lamp is a perfect synthesis of innovation and history at play
Rondeur Table Lamp The subtle bend in its structure scatters an enchanting pattern of light across the wall
Starting with the lamps the Rondeur table lamp has a unique design; the subtle bend in its structure scatters an enchanting pattern of light across the wall.
The Colosseum table lamp is one such example: a perfect synthesis of innovation and history at play, the asymmetric blocks emit a beautiful texture to the wall when lit and create an aura of brilliance and splendour. A larger version, the Colosseum floor lamp takes us back to the days of the gladiators. The non-uniform and natural structure represents the uniqueness of the art emanating a sense of antiquity.
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If Colosseum is reminiscent of the gladiators, the Sonsie brown floor lamp ignites an aura of temptation. The curvaceous and amorous body of this floor lamp is reminiscent of Hollywood heroines of the yesteryear. The dazzling patterns of light that it dissipates on the walls and floors recreates the scenario of a diva dressed in a black gown walking down the red carpet amidst the flashes of paparazzi’s cameras. Sonsie Brown The curvaceous and amorous body of this floor lamp is reminiscent of the Hollywood heroines of the yesteryear
The name of my studio Sylvn has been derived from Sylvanus, the God of the forest as per Roman mythology. It was but natural for me to include some designs inspired by Roman architecture.
Diva-N The Diva-N is a two-piece sofa made from a block of cardboard sheets
Lattice The cuboid lamp is made from strips of corrugated paper
The Loop is a pendant lamp which quickly changes the character of a small space into a larger area whereas the Lattice lamp has a cuboid structure. Made from strips of corrugated paper and overlaid in a regular pattern the design forms windows in between to cast beautiful light patterns all across.
Loop The Loop is a pendant lamp which quickly changes the character of a small space into a larger area
Colosseum Floor Lamp The natural structure of the lamp represents the uniqueness of the art emanating a sense of antiquity
In other lamps too I have taken into account the beautiful caricature created by the reflection of the unique designs, two lamps Lattice and Loop are perhaps the best testimony to prove the point.
With furniture pieces too, I have been experimental. The first product that comes to my mind is Diva-N, made from a block of cardboard sheets this two piece sofa set is not just irresistibly sexy, but also a head turner and a show stopper. Whereas Settee an elegant bench made from the same material is capable of transforming the look of any place be it office, lounge or home.
You won’t be able to hide your smirk as you watch your guests thinking twice before carefully resting their bottoms on it. However it’s sturdy enough to seat an elephant. I really feel proud every time when people come and appreciate my work thanking my eco-conscious efforts. A lot of heart goes into developing each of these products, qualitatively. To top it all, the carbon footprint of these products is negligible. My aim is to continue creating beautiful visual experiences in varied spaces such as homes, restaurants, lobbies and business centres; and with the response and feedback I have received till date, I am confident that I can take Sylvn Studio to newer heights.
www.sylvnstudio.com
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The Exhibit House embraces the South Indian culture in a modernist way; hence inspiration for the design were derived from elements and material palette of the Dravidian culture.
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INFORMED BY THE PAST
The Exhibit House is a contemporary ethnic Indian residence that spells opulence inspired by regional context and traditional elements of design.
Text By Kruti Choksi Kothari Photographs Courtesy Maniyarasan
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The house breathes through its double height pool area which includes a bar overlooking the pool.
One of the steps of the staircase extends as a platform and culminates into the study space, thereby maximising the view of the stunning sea even below the staircase.
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Chennai based WeBe Design Lab endeavours to provide sustainable solutions. The firm focuses on an idea-centric approach supported by strong research and a collaborative practice, which then evolves into a unique solution. Their recently accomplished alluring residence, the Exhibit House located at old Mahabalipuram road is a testimony to the same. The Exhibit House is a penthouse on the topmost floors of the eighteen storey luxury apartment offering bewitching views of the twinkling city as well as the mesmerising coastline. The lower level of the penthouse accommodates public areas like the entrance foyer, living room, dining space and kitchen along with a guest room. The upper level comprises of the private bedrooms. The house breathes through its double height pool area which includes a bar overlooking the pool. Subtle impressions of leaves on the concrete panels have been artistically juxtaposed with the fire clay brick inlay work to create a pseudo-landscape
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“The client’s instinctive response was to opt for minimalistic and functional modern interiors. At the same time, he had a strong desire to hold onto his reverence for traditional Indian style, elements and crafts around which he grew up,� reveal Yogesh and Padmakshi, the principle designers of this project. Hence, a modern space was created by contemporising traditional elements. The idea was to embrace the South Indian culture in a modernist way; hence inspiration for the design were derived from elements and material palette of the Dravidian culture. The very entrance of the house is marked by a simplified composition inspired by the stone detailing of the historic Meenakshi Amman Temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in the temple city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
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The wall mural, which is partially carved and partially line diagrammed in an unconventional composition on variedly sized rectangular natural stone slabs, adds a distinctive character through its projections and recessions which render visual depth.
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Further deeper inside the house, one confronts an alluring adaptation of a very elementary yet symbolic attribute of all traditional South Indian homes. ‘Kolam’, which is a geometric pattern usually drawn with rice flour on the ground, gives inspiration to an interesting design element for the wall running from the living room to the dining space. The iconic pattern is etched in two different types, namely frosted and clear on the champagne mirror which clads the wall. This wall also accommodates randomly placed ledges of different thicknesses and depths to display the unique and diverse artefacts collected by the client during his sojourns. A new tactile element in the form of a traditional ‘Kanchipuram’ silk sari, an ancestral belonging, was intricately incorporated into the décor. The sari, symbolic to the region, was cut into strips and set in the wooden ceiling; this aggrandises the primary transition passage of the house. The typical rural houses of Tamil Nadu are marked by a raised platform, usually on the either sides of a passageway at the entrance, known as ‘Thinnai’. Inspired by this vernacular style, one of the steps of the staircase extends as a platform and culminates into the study space, thereby maximising the view of the stunning sea even below the staircase.
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The wall at the staircase is further adorned with yellow marble stucco finish to reflect the colour of turmeric which is considered a sacred and auspicious connotation in South India. The brass lights above the stairwell evoke the images of temple bells thereby rendering an auspicious ambience to the space.
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The heart of the house is the double height swimming pool deck area. The idea was to imbibe nature by incorporating water and fresh air to create a tranquil space. A bar, overlooking the pool area, features a black Corian countertop and a wooden bar stool custom-made in Auroville. The fabric ceiling over the pool incorporates blue and while LED lights to offer different moods to the space. The teakwood and rosewood furniture is carefully handpicked to blend into this dialogue of tradition and modernity. A subdued colour palette in beige and white tones is preferred throughout the house to recreate the setting of a modern art gallery. Due care has been taken that the overall design retains the essence of its basics while being projected in a contemporary style.
www.webedesignlab.com
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‘Let there be light’ declared a celestial voice from the sky and two purple turtles radiated in the darkness ...no, that is not how this firm started...that’s a different story out here in Domlur, Bangalore - come join me in this investigation. TPT. At first when I heard this term it took me back to my academic days when I would sweat it out proving x = y in my mathematics paper; thankfully with TPT or The Purple Turtles I had to interact more with design and less with mathematics.
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the purple turtles TEXT BY VIKAS BHADRA Home Review November 2014
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A look at the store is good enough to convince you that it embodies design - a one stop solution for customers and corporates alike. Quirky and attractive pieces of light and furniture catch your attention here, in addition the store is also home to other artefacts put up for display. Initiated by Radeesh Shetty, The Purple Turtles was incepted as a lighting solutions provider. Prior to his entrepreneurial debut, Radeesh worked with Mudra and JWT as a Sales Professional besides which he also had a brief stint with the Star Television Network.
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A while back, while helping a friend move houses and sourcing interiors for her, he noticed that when it came to lighting, the market was flooded with expensive German and Italian varieties and the mass produced Chinese varieties. The customised version for the Indian mindset which was reasonably priced was not available - and this led him to tap the opportunity and thus ‘The Purple Turtles’ was born. Just like an architect receives a client brief which allows him to understand the needs of his client Radeesh believes in the importance of the design brief. Once the concept is approved, the design is worked upon and detailed out; in many cases the firm works on scaled down mock-ups of the fixture to give clients an idea of the finish and quality of light. The Purple Turtles has worked on a number of theme based lighting projects like the Indian dhaba, elements of nature, a European street and so on. Having worked on many themes Radeesh believes customised lighting is not necessarily theme based, it’s also to do with the size (if the space is too large or too small to accommodate readily available fixtures) or sometimes a smart option to work around architectural limitations. To cite an instance Radeesh points out the example of a restaurateur he worked with, “Recently we worked on a restaurant where the client was stuck with a pillar in the middle of his space; we worked along with the interior designer to design a light fixture which wrapped around the pillar, making it a design element.” The Purple Turtles has a rich pool of handicrafts and craftsmen which ensures the end product is truly embedded with Indian contemporariness. Besides, since the firm is adept at multi-tasking, this also helps them deliver the end product within the agreed timeline.
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The Purple Turtles has done a great deal of work for biggies including Google India and TCS Cochin, with Google India they worked on different themes ranging from sports and murals to classic vintage. At TCS Cochin instead of importing fixtures, locally sourced materials were put to use in response to the needs of the client and the architect. A lot of local elements like fabric, handmade paper, lacquer ware, brass and so on were put to use. Though the core focus of TPT remains lighting, the firm aspires to be a onestop destination for home products, making furniture the next most obvious move. Since its inception the firm has networked with a chain of furniture suppliers to source unusual and quirky furniture that is not available easily. After having conquered lights and furniture, it sounds ideal to venture into full scale interior design consulting, ask him that and Radeesh quickly responds, “For now I’m happy with what we are doing and I’m hoping we only get better, once I’m satisfied with that, maybe then I’ll think about the taking on interior projects. I do help family and friends when they are working on their homes and offices, the day I decide to charge a fee (smiles) then I’d become an interior design consultant.”
The Purple Turtles #128, 1st main, Domlur 2nd stage, Indiranagar, Bangalore 560008 +91 80 4152 8039 www.thepurpleturtles.com
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art form
THE BRICK ARTIST Lego bricks make an unexpected entry into fine art galleries and museums with sophisticated brick sculptures and portraits by artist Nathan Sawaya.
A couple of years ago when jobs in New York were hard to come by, Nathan Sawaya did the unthinkable. He chucked up his comfortable day job as a corporate lawyer for the freedom to pursue Lego art on a full-time basis. Traditionally considered a child’s plaything, Lego bricks are an unconventional art medium by any standard. As an artist, Nathan wanted to elevate this simple childhood toy to a place it has never been before: into fine art galleries and museums. Nathan says he appreciates the cleanliness of the Lego brick besides the right angles and the distinct lines. “Up close, the shape of the brick is distinctive. But from a distance, those right angles and distinct lines change into curves. That is what drew me to the brick,” adds Nathan. Nathan’s sophisticated art introduces Lego into the hallowed hallways of fine art galleries and museums.
Text By Christabelle Athaide Photographs Courtesy Nathan Sawaya and brickartist.com Home Review November 2014
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Earlier this year, Nathan collaborated with pop artist Lady Gaga to create a sculpture for her music video G.U.Y. He relates, “One of the main themes we discussed was about making art accessible. And one of the main reasons I use Lego bricks is to make my art accessible. So it felt like a natural fit to include my artwork in her new video.” The next time the video plays on TV or you watch it on YouTube, keep your eyes peeled for a yellow brick torso with Lady Gaga’s head superimposed on top. It is a replica of one of Nathan’s iconic pieces titled ‘Yellow’, and features a man ripping his chest open, out of which come cascading hundreds of yellow bricks. Nathan’s art primarily takes shape in 3-dimensional sculptures and oversized portraits and covers a wide range of subjects ranging from a T-Rex and famous personalities to architecture and food. His artistic sensibilities and evolution as an artist becomes apparent in the project ‘In Pieces’, which is a collaboration with photographer Dean West, wherein Lego art blends seamlessly into the American landscape making a subtle commentary on culture as a social and literal construct. “Often my art is a re-enactment of my personal feelings,” discloses the artist whose work has travelled to galleries across the world entertaining and inspiring viewers in its wake. Possibly the first artist to take Lego into the realm of art, Nathan displays an exceptional talent for spatial visualisation combined with a keen sense of scale and colour. Lego crazed fans struggling to scale the high peaks of excellence that Nathan already has may find it inspiring to hear him talk about perseverance as an important ingredient for success. “Every sculpture brings its own difficulties and challenges. Some of these challenges take longer than others to overcome, but I rarely abandon an idea once I have fully started working on it.” Nathan exhibits a keen eye for scale and colour and says that his creativity is not hindered by Lego’s limited colour palette.
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Nathan chucked up a lucrative career in corporate law for the freedom to pursue Lego art. Today he is an icon for Lego crazed fans around the world and a minor celebrity in his hometown of New York.
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Like any successful artist, Nathan approaches his work diligently and with discipline. He says, “Once I am inspired I draw out my idea. I am always carrying my sketch pad so that I can draw out my ideas as they come to me. Before I start building, I try and plan out as much as possible. I want to envision in my mind what the finished sculpture will look like before I put down that first brick. Once he starts building, he actually glues the bricks together as an added precaution against accidental falls. But the glued bricks can pose a problem if he makes a mistake. What then? “Well, I’m good with a hammer and chisel too,” he responds cheerfully.
After snapping the bricks together the artist secures them in place with glue. This helps prevent any damage to the sculpture due to accidental falls.
While typical reactions to Nathan’s art range from awe and disbelief to sheer curiosity about how he does it, Nathan recalls a memorable incident wherein an onlooker was moved to tears by his sculpture of a figure holding a child in its arms. “She no longer saw the sculpture as a child’s toy, but let the emotion of the piece come through,” he says summing up the essence of his contribution to Lego art. With roughly four million bricks to his name across his art studios in New York and Los Angeles, Nathan is perhaps the envy of most children down his block. But it’s not just kids who look up to him as an icon. Last year as his travelling exhibition ‘The Art of the Brick’ debuted in New York, even adults sat up and took notice of Lego as a legitimate art medium, a medium capable of doing more than just building toy cars and trucks. Nathan signs off saying, “I want to inspire others to create. I hope that when they see my artwork they are inspired to create art on their very own.”
nellie@brickartist.com www.brickartist.com Nathan’s art takes shape primarily in 3-dimensional sculptures and oversized portraits, covering a wide range of subjects ranging from a T-Rex and famous personalities to architecture and food.
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Photo Credits: Kento Mori
JASP E R MORRSI SON
His quiet and elegant designs cover a range of products from trays to trams and he is considered one of the world’s foremost industrial designers. Meet Jasper Morrison. Text By Chryselle D’Silva Dias Photographs Courtesy The Designer
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Jasper Morrison is one of those designers whose work you have probably seen either in person or online. Fuss-free, elegant and understated products are the hallmark of this designer who is now considered one of the world’s foremost industrial designers.
The Knife Fork Spoon
From trays to trams, Morrison has an impressive portfolio of useful and creative designs. Born in London in 1959, he received a postgraduate degree from the Royal College of Art, London, followed by a scholarship at Berlin’s HdK (Berlin University of the Arts). In 1986, he set up his ‘Office for Design’ in London and now has offices in London and Paris. Morrison is a crusader of the “super normal” design, a term he coined for unpretentious objects that simply do what they are meant to. This ethos comes across in his pared-down designs for tableware and kitchen items. No fancy flourishes or unnecessary trappings here to distract you. One of Morrison’s popular designs for the table is the Knife Fork Spoon (2004) for Alessi. This simple stainless steel cutlery does what it says on the box - and nothing more. The elegance of the finish and the shape of the spoon, though, elevate it to another level. His stainless steel ‘Tray Family’ (2001) may seem familiar to Indian readers as would ‘Serving Dishes’ (2000), a range of stainless steel trays for restaurant and home use and ‘Utensil Family’ (2001), complete with steel rack and moulded hooks. Morrison’s simple yet witty furniture designs have made the leap into iconic. One of his first designs for chairs was the ‘Air Chair’ for Magis (1999), which pioneered the use of the gas-injection technology for furniture. Using this technology allowed Morrison to improve the quality of the ordinary plastic chair by giving it a smoother surface. The Folding Air Chair (2003) was designed with a wooden folding chair in mind and is a three-piece gas-injected polypropylene folding chair for outdoor use.
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Tray Family
Air Chair
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Morrison says that a real chair is one you can drag to a bookshelf and stand on. His chairs certainly seem sturdy enough to fit that bill. The Plywood Chair
Innovation in furniture design continued with the Sim Chair (1999), a twopiece stacking chair that can easily be dismantled. The Plywood Chair (1988) is one of Morrison’s favourite chairs and you can see why. Constructed out of plywood, glue and screws, the Ply Chair is emblematic of Morrison’s no-nonsense design. The HAL range of chairs has also been very popular. These simple chairs are available in a wide range of textures, combinations, a variety of legs and arms and can be stacked easily. Contrary to most of his straight-forward designs, though, is the ‘Thinking Man’s Chair’ created for an exhibition in Japan. This is an outlandish design very different from his usual ones and had curved arms reminiscent of an archery bow.
Thinking Man’s Chair
Morrison also designs tables and sofas. The Park Sofa (2004) follows the straight lines of his other furniture designs but has cast aluminium legs which make the sofa ‘float’. The ‘Orly’ Sofa (1998) breaks the mould with its upholstered seating units constructed from injection moulded soft polyurethane foam, stainless steel legs and optional armrests. The Vitra Sofa (1993) is an updated version of the classic Chesterfield Sofa and looks perfectly in place in a period or contemporary home.
The Orly Sofa
HAL Armrest Chair
Photography Knife Fork Spoon Cutlery and Glo-Ball by André Huber, HAL Armrest Shell, Rotary Tray and Orla by Miro Zagnoli, Air Chair by Walter Gumiero, Plywood Chair by Studio Frei, Thinking Man’s Chair by James Mortimer and DP01 Telephone (Punkt - The Cordless Phone) by Jasper Morrison Studio Home Review November 2014
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Morrison’s designs for lighting are contemporary and hit the mark every time. The Glo-Ball series (1999) is a handblown glass diffuser and is available as a table or ceiling lamp. The Smithfield pendant light in powder coated steel (2009) has an elegant contemporary shape with a plastic diffuser. Apart from furniture, Morrison has also designed electronic products like cordless telephones, mobile phones, refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. His urban designs include bus-stops for Vitra, public benches in Tokyo and even a tram for Hannover City. The multi-faceted portfolio of Jasper Morrison and his continued popularity proves that design need not be flashy to be successful. Quiet and witty design will always make a mark and Morrison’s serene aesthetic bodes well as a benchmark for good industrial design. mail@jaspermorrison.com www.jaspermorrison.com
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Punkt - The Cordless Phone
The Glo-Ball Series
In 2012, feedback from several eco-sustainable family house projects started to nourish their theory of an innovative urban-suburban development, based on densification and the respect of the historical scale of districts. Importance to the quality of life of the inhabitants is held before the excuse to merely create an urban sprawl, which the firm partly considers as an excuse for a schizophrenic optimisation of the land.
GREEN SPEAK
For the firm it is definitively not about selling a catalogue of green technologies to people, but about liaising between the authorities and the client to create something valuable for both the environment and the future generation.
DJURIC-TARDIO ARCHITECTES Djuric-Tardio Architects or DTA for short is an architectural firm based in France which believes in first thoroughly analysing the interaction between the users and their house. Thanks to the variety in their clients in terms of social origins, the firm is always given a chance to improvise with each project. However a suggestion for the need of energy management in the project is always very assertively put forth. Starting from family houses and housing the firm imagines an urban landscape of the future, DTA does not aim at building emblematic projects, but instead believes at finding solutions to change city controls and regulations to create smart cities based on intelligent energy management.
DTA has participated in various international competitions in architecture and design and has also collaborated with different architectural offices on different programs. DTA’s creation ‘The Helsinki Library’ is exhibited at the MOMA in New York, and the temporary, modular and urban nursery concept ‘Sticks’ is being shown at the MAXXI museum in Rome. DTA won the prize for wood constructions “Lauriers Bois 2012” in Grenoble, and the 2012 Prize for Emerging Architects, Wallpaper London. DTA recently shared with Home Review the firm’s ethos and its views on several issues regarding the environment and the imminent need for energy management.
Compiled By Mala Bajaj Photographs Courtesy Clément Guillaume Djuric-Tardio Architectes Home Review November 2014
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What made you want to be an architect? I wanted to create, through my profession, places and spaces where people would feel this soothing state of being in wonder, almost like in their childhood memories. What’s the best lesson you have learnt in your career? To be receptive to all sensations and intuitions and to not give too much importance to what you feel at first. In a way, to remain aware of the surroundings and to constantly question oneself.
Nevertheless, we are able to conceive long-lasting constructions, intelligent and modular buildings that people will use better and longer. It’s not an easy task, especially if you want the inhabitants to learn from architecture (about energy consumption, grey energy, sustainability etc). We believe that architecture is a vector of consciousness of the fact that resources are a precious gift. If your architecture is good, and if it respects these resources, it will naturally educate the people in this way.
Could you throw some light on your approach?
What do you think is the best thing you have ever designed?
We always believe in fully analysing the site and its environment at first, to catch and capitalise upon the un-spoilt “nature” around it which we feel is really its wealth, and its particularities. Therefore, the project is really an amplification of our perception of the site, our respect for its direct environment, and the sincere commitment to sustainability through the entire building.
My grandfather’s grave, made of stone and natural wood, both materials coming from his beloved mountain. A mountain that he used to work on himself, and which he respected immensely.
Do you think building green is really easy; one should just want to build sustainably? To build green, as you say, is impossible. We should do everything to make our buildings impact the environment as less as possible though building has become “polluting by definition”.
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What are sustainable design’s key issues and common misconceptions? According to me, there is a misunderstanding about the fact that one could consider a building truly “ecologically friendly”. One might be more ecologically friendly than another, but it will always produce some carbon. Talking about urban planning; to think that the Hyper Centres are the solutions to urban sprawl, is totally wrong.
It is not good for people’s perception of their city and it literally erases the place’s /city’s /area’s history. The key concept for a sustainable design is which integrates the environment and a local, renewable energy production. Free (passive) elements such as the sun, the wind or the rain, are able to optimise a building’s energy consumption as long as it is conceived with a certain amount of intelligence.
Sustainability has to do with long term experience and a visionary commitment to the environment.
Sustainability has to do with long term experience and a visionary commitment to the environment.
cmathieu@djuric-tardio.com
ECO GREEN UNIT
Eco Green Unit is an organisation based in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu which works in the fields of women empowerment, environment awareness, organic farming sectors, Eco Tourism and other such income generating activities for women groups through the ‘wealth from waste’ concept and rural upliftment. The organisation makes various products out of banana fibre, coconut shells, Kora grass and Areca palms. The products are made from the waste parts of the plants; extensive training is provided to women in natural fibre crafts who design them, besides which they are also offered help in marketing these products.
The organisation believes that, “Embracing a greener lifestyle should not just be about helping to preserve rain forests, it can also mean improving one’s health, environment and ultimately the overall quality of life.”
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To many people, recycling conjures up the blue plastic bins and bottle drives. But for Eco Green Unit, recycling is a design principal, a law of nature, a source of creativity and a source of prosperity. By their relentless ground work and collective organisational activities the socially downtrodden section can avail of several benefits by participating in the various projects that are aimed at developing their livelihood.
There is a long list of products made by Eco Green Unit, and these include objects like various types of bags, boxes, trays, mats, curios and disposable plates and bowls.
ECO TOURISM
Wild nest is a new concept of Eco Tourism and is designed to create awareness towards conserving nature. Promoted by Eco Green Unit, this provides a complete experience of the Western Ghats of India, in the Indira Gandhi Wild Life Sanctuary and National Park located in the Anaimalai Hills of Tamil Nadu.
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PAPER CARRY BAGS
BEE KEEPING
Due to mass pollution, a rampant use of pesticides in Agro sector and deforestation, the ecosystem is under a major threat. Honey bees which are really friends of the farmers are ever decreasing and in great threat of extinction. In this scenario, beekeeping is the need of the hour.
House wives, self-help groups, individuals, school children and anyone interested can try their hand at beekeeping. Beekeeping is an art, apart from being an industry. Beekeeping can be done, in farms, backyards and even in urban environments. Eco Green Unit, has a long experience of over 7 years in the above mentioned field and maintains 8500 bee boxes and helps 10,000 beneficiaries all over India.
Due to the high pollution caused by plastics and polythene, the awareness in the usage of eco friendly products, is growing day by day. Eco Green Unit has launched the Paper Carry Bag project, as an income generating activity for women groups, individuals and entrepreneurs.
Moreover honey has a wealth of benefits for human beings. Nowadays pure and quality honey has a vast demand in the market. The beekeeping industry has a vast history and in India there is a wide potential, due to a suitable climate, weather and location.
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The carry bags and other products such as scribbling pads and other stationary items are made out of paper instead of plastics and polythene. The paper carry bag manufacturing process is an easy method using simple machinery which is pedal operated. These machines don’t need electricity and can make several kinds of paper bags, envelopes and covers of superior quality with low investments.
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Training for the paper carry bag manufacturing, raw material and machinery is supplied by Eco Green Unit.The organisation also provides marketing support and guidance.
ARECA LEAF PRODUCTS
At present only 3,000 units are established all over India, of this 2,500 units are established by Eco Green Unit for the benefit of self help groups, small entrepreneurs and farmers in India.
Due to the qualities of being biodegradable and eco friendly items there is a growing demand for Areca leaf plates and cups at the global level. Eco Green Unit has been monitoring this project since the last nine years. This project has been aimed as a community based development programme, which is both income generating and poverty alleviating.
BANANA FIBRE PRODUCTS
In India, 4 lakh hectares of land have been cultivated with Areca Catechu or Supari plants. Nearly 5400 million Areca Catechu leaves are discarded and treated as Agro waste. Eco Green Unit converts these leaves into valuable products such as eco friendly plates and bowls.
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The Banana plant is a gigantic herb, and a food fruit crop which is an ancient species and cultivated all over the world. Next to Brazil, India is the largest banana producer. The leaves and other waste parts of the tree are used to make several innovative products.
The fibre for the most part was being extracted by a manual process and the yield was very low. After a brief study of Banana fibre extraction, Eco Green Unit developed a Banana fibre extracting machine, which can be operated easily by even unskilled labour. Several attractive, useful and sturdy products are made using the Banana fibre. Banana fibre is extracted from the waste parts of the plant after harvesting the fruit. The leaves of the Banana plant too are used to make bio plates. In India we have about 5 lakh hectares of Banana cultivation and only 10% of the Banana waste is extracted as fibre.
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www.ecogreenunit.org
A true to character reception area is made up of a glass fronted desk, a bicycle hanging on the wall and a variety of mismatched casually arranged objects.
IT’S DIFFERENT!
‘It’s different!’ in Hotel Daniel Vienna; the unusual is usual and the usual doesn’t exist. There is a medley of styles that fits into a perfect picture which is quite opposite of heavy and grand. The simple spartan appeal is termed ‘Smart Luxury’ adhered by architecture and hospitality alike. Text By K Parvathy Menon Photographs Courtesy The Architects
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Old fashioned aluminium curtain walling with a boat plunging from the rooftop, Vespa bikes in the parking, tomatoes in the gardens - these are the first glimpses of Hotel Daniel Vienna. Quirky, eccentric, unconventional, whacky, bohemian adjectives fall short to describe its truly unique spirit; an antithesis of everything a typical hotel brags about. Owner and Hotelier, Florian Weitzer believes that ‘exaggerated hospitality and pompous designs are unnecessary, especially for the modern traveller. What people want is simplicity and a place where they can feel comfortable and welcomed.’ So ‘smart luxury’ came into being, and the architecture followed suit. German architectural firm, Atelier Heiss Architekten renovated the building originally designed by Georg Lippert and Roland Rohn, to accommodate 115 rooms and other spaces. The new architecture retains most of the frontal facade, and has recreated selected facade axes on the rear side too. For Atelier Heiss the gentle and sustainable treatment of the architectural structure was a matter of great importance. Hence after much thought and effort, the team devised the final design which is much like a trinket box, with a bit of everything, set in a style that may seem random in the beginning but slowly fits into the full picture perfectly.
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The world of Daniel Vienna begins at the ground floor lobby that shares its space with a melange of explorative opportunities - bar, coffee shop, bakery, the hotel shop and lounge areas, adhering to ‘smart luxury’ principle. The large warehouse-loft like space is carpeted in rustic oak floor boards, a white ceiling and open services; the glass facade renders a light and airy look. To set the urban hotel in the former Hoffmann-La Roche building, the architects had to redo and reposition several structural elements. In order to restore the original monolithic appearance, the connecting stairwell to the rear adjacent building was taken down.
The Vespa bikes in the parking add to the style quotient of the hotel.
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This granted a proper positioning within the urban landscape. Then, a second staircase was added in the middle of the building that served as additional reinforcement and as an escape route. The predetermined axis of the original plan, though redesigned, required some inventive solution to accommodate the desired number of rooms; hence the final floor plan has a succession of rooms with alternating bed side views and bath side views.
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For rooms, there are five choices Smart, Hammock, Panorama, Belvedere and Trailer, each characteristic to its namesake. The rooms are an epitome of minimalist and comfort oriented styles, reduced to essentials - white spaces in combination with warm wooden furniture and open service elements. Devoid of heavy interiors, the spaces drenched in sunlight are intriguing in their bucolic and familiar countenance. The team elucidate, “The individual merits of each room type exemplify contemporary luxury. ‘Smart’ is simply smart - with regard to its relaxed price and room décor, ‘Hammock’ features a hammock and ‘Panorama’ offers plenty of light and panoramic views.” But by far the best and most unique room of the hotel is the ‘Trailer’, placed directly in front of the patio.
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Known as the ‘island’, this 1952 22ft Silver Creek Clipper has been converted into a room, complete with all modern facilities and a perfect match to the building facade. The polished aluminium mirror finish reflects the green spread rampant around it, and gives an illusion of camping out.
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The urban garden where the trailer is parked is another example of how ‘different’ things are at Daniel Vienna. Detailed topiary, colourful flowerbeds or manicured green patches do not make the landscape, instead eccentricity materialises in the form of vegetable patches and vines. Added to the crazy ideas, are live honeybees that make their home on the 7th floor rooftop and keep company with the plunging boat. Created by Artist Erwin Wurm and his team. this boat has now become a symbol and the most widely visible part of the hotel. Hotel Daniel Vienna is singular in expression and is a one of a kind hotel; one wonders exactly what the theme is out here, only to realise gradually that the designers have given us the perfect potpourri thereby conceiving a charming, warm and welcoming space, much like the city of Vienna itself.
office@atelier-heiss.at www.weitzer.com
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Kolkata-based Sustainable Alternatives for Living Together (SALT) eschews frills and instead believes in infusing minimal elegance and high functional efficiency into their wide-ranging repertoire. Founded in 2011, the firm works across a wide range of interests that includes residential buildings, commercial projects, installations and custom furniture. As committed in its name itself, the firm tries to find sustainable solutions to every project’s demands, and their repertoire is marked by carefully planned, serene spaces. Led by three partners - Jassu Singh, Animesh Nayak and Amit Sinha, SALT has a more holistic and substantial understanding of the term ‘sustainable’. The team believes that sustainability should encompass social, economic, vocational and financial parameters in addition to the more obvious environmental one.
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Families in contemporary times prefer a nuclear living setup and the inherent privacy it offers, at the same time these families, for both practical and emotional reasons, are also gravitating closer towards their extended familial relations, especially in cramped urban centres. These disparate functional pulls were critical to deciding the design of the multi-generational home project by SALT in Bengaluru. Built for three brothers and their families, the building was subject to spatial and financial restrictions, so verticality became a necessity, and so did the smart use of every inch of available space. As a means of relieving the social, formal and environmental impacts of the given scenario, the vertical section of the three storied building was manipulated to create three multi-floor, common spaces at three strategic places in the plan. The central and side courtyards, form common areas to gather in and bump into each other. As is prudent in any constricted space, the team has allowed for generous influx of natural light, ventilation and views. The facade of the building is appropriately restrained in shades of beige and brown, with cascading wooden screens that seem to hold all the levels together, creating a seamlessly unified look.
Text By Shruti Nambiar Photographs Courtesy the Architect Home Review November 2014
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SALT designed this wall in the atrium of the Rice Institute of Kolkata, a project that must have required more dexterity than what the final result potrays. Research institutes have long shed their pedantic colours, increasingly willing to adopt more whimsy on the walls and floors. Every design team that wants to figure out a note-worthy addition to such buildings must keep in mind this new predilection, but without forgetting its aesthetic origins. SALT walked this line by sticking to a simple, solid form and enhancing its effect with careful accents and lighting. To create a “monastic feel” in the space, the two walls were made to stand faceto-face in minimal, brick-coloured glory. The bricks jut out in perfect harmony, forming two-layers of built space cutting the light that rises from fixtures on the floor. The black baffle ceiling finds a cousin image in the smooth black stone floor, with its black seating area, and elegant punctuations formed by shallow tubs of white pebbles. The atrium’s elements come together to form a sublime but friendly space, surely a good sign for all the students who would want to unwind or think things through here.
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Salons are supposed to be relaxing places, but more often than not, are actually mind-numbingly sterile. Pink Tree in the Topsia district of Kolkata aims to be an exception and succeeds convincingly. The space takes a break from pristine whites and all black/grey surfaces, favourites of its ilk, and relies on swathes of smooth planks of polished wood as the highlight element. The focus of the team from SALT was to realise the client’s express demand of creating a peaceful place from where content customers could emerge. Wispy white curtains and the plenitude of natural light ensure this in good measure. It also helps that the shelves are unencumbered by departmentstore-like rows of beauty products. The careful masking of the commercial totems of the establishment actually helps elevate its charm further. The black ceiling slats have light fixtures embedded in them, while the rest of the space’s warm yellow light oozes out of fish-bowl, and cone shaped lamps. And, as is expected of a venture dedicated to looking good, there is a show-stopper here - a ceiling feature made up of 12-inch-deep cylindrical needles that hover over the main section upping the design quotient of this space. info@saltarchitects.com www.saltarchitects.com
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report Maison&Objet,the homefashion and design fair spreads an aura of creativity and sophistication in Paris this September.
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The organisers of Maison&Objet Paris presented the autumn edition of their iconic show from the 4th to 9th of September 2014 hosting more than 110,000 visitors. The five days of exhibition revolved around the concept of sharing. Retail consumers, manufacturers and retailers assembled together in Paris to observe rising talent, creativity and changing trends. All this knowledge is brought together to bring expansion of business ideas. Over the years, Maison&Objet has transformed the basic layout to provide a complete, transparent and strategic plan, allowing visits, organisation and contacts. This has made it one of the three most prominent events in Europe for interior design, offering creativity and innovation under a single roof.
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This year the fair well represented an era of connectivity, controlled by social network and development of multichannel commerce. The central concept of ‘sharing’ explored the dynamics of creative exchange, pre-paving the bright future of the compassionate world. The event blended design and trade, redefining ways of living together, exchanging thoughts, products, services and information. A spirit of unity was instilled by forming a global community which remains connected all around the year with several Maison&Objet shows in different places all around the world and also through social networking. It worked effectively as a one-ofa-kind platform for premium designers like Tom Dixon who was awarded the Designer of the Year 2014, to share their priceless ideas.
Text By Shibani Punekar
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1. Maison&Objet Paris 2014 presented the Autumn edition of their iconic show in Paris in September 2014. 2. The architect Jean-Philippe Nuel has designed the reception spaces in halls 1-6 inspired by the concept of a catwalk or procession. 3. Suzusan Luminaires blends modern design with the traditional textile finish creating three-dimensional lamps. 4. Tom Dixon was awarded the Designer of the year 2014 for his contribution to the home accessories field through his stunning designs. 5. La Lampe Petite by Maiori. 6. The Mini Lampe by Mathieu Challières is handcrafted and the copper wire pieces house delicate birds in varied colours. 7. The flying pendulum table clock by Ardavin. 1 2
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Maison&Objet has developed services like the L’Espace Retail where retail experts can learn about unusual commerce tactics and the MY M&O which is instrumental at helping anyone put together a well customised visitor experience. Several designers made their presence felt strongly with exemplary designs. The old techniques are being ventured into and are utilised to create bespoke pieces of timeless art. Carlos Fernandez Ardavin is one such designer who works at manufacturing clocks that are identical and work exactly the same way as antique gothic clocks did.
1. The Cog collection of home accessories by Tom Dixon. 2. The aluminium bench Hawax by Zhed thwarts the laws of gravity. 3. The NI parasol by Fox Cat design stands tall all day illuminating both interiors and exteriors. 4. The Derome Lamp by the British company Pinch Design. 5. The Manifold clock by Studio Ve presents a new sculpture on the wall with every passing hour. 6. Simplicity is redefined by the Pure Mold lamps designed by the three designers at BMIX, a design oriented company. 7. Air by Mannuti is an elegant outdoor sofa, made with exotic Iroko wood or aluminium top plate. 8. The Plum collection by Tom Dixon.
Certain design oriented companies have their belief strongly embedded in the principle of minimalistic design. BMIX is one such company that displayed cutting edge pieces like the Oclock and Pure Mold lamps at the Maison&Objet 2014. Designer of the Year Tom Dixon presented two stunning collections of luxury accessories for the modern home at the fair. The range included candle holders, tea light holders, containers, candelabrums and desk studies in offbeat materials like copper. He also displayed a collection of fragrances specially designed for the home named Scent Elements.
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A piece of art that definitely stood out at the design event was the Mini Lampe designed by Matheiu Challières. The handcrafted, cage shaped lamps houses delicate birds in varied colours. The spectacular piece adds a pretty touch with simplicity. 7
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A British company that definitely deserves a mention is Pinch. The design studio is run by husband and wife team Russell Pinch and Oona Bannon. The couple launched the company in 2004 with the intention of designing furniture they would love to live with. The quiet simplicity of every design justifies all the success they have achieved.
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Maison&Objet Paris 2014 fulfilled its ambition of successfully bridging the distance between the many dynamic designers and visitors hoping to decrypt latest design trends. It worked perfectly as the medium to showcase many new developments in decor, artistries and markets through a complete package of presentations, exhibitions and awards.
Raj Anand & Associates tel: 022 25224081 email: raj_anand59@hotmail.com www.maison-objet.com/asia
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The fair represented an era of connectivity and the central concept of ‘sharing’ aimed at paving a bright future for the compassionate world. 3
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The products are best described as understated classic; most of them are designed in-house.
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Retail Therapy
Delve In Serenity There is something about the name of this store that oozes an aura of peaceful and surprising magic. True to its name, Serendipity is unexpectedly tucked in a quiet corner of Delhi’s rustic Jonapur Village. This is an oasis that offers much more than mere home dÊcor.
Text By Dhanishta Shah Photographs Kuldeep Kaur
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The store offers a varied range of products for home decor.
“Serendipity means a pleasant unexpected surprise, that is, something by chance. The underlying philosophy is celebrating this surprise element in our lives,” explains owner Kuldeep Kaur. The “surprise” starts right from the entrance. A striking courtyard in an old restored Haveli is the way to enter the store. No one can believe that this place was used as workers’ quarters in its previous avatar.
Today, Serendipity is a popular spot for fun events, brunches, coffee and of course, some retail therapy for unique textiles, clothing and home decor. A visitor will immediately sense the old world charm present in the space. The welcoming courtyard surrounds a whitewashed building with tasteful interiors that are spread across three levels that also include an eatery on the roof. The vast 7000 square feet area is surely something to talk about! The dominant use of white makes it appear all the more spacious. For Kaur, it is this colour that is clearly the most favourite element of the decor of the store. “It is such an easy colour to work around,” he says.
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The store offers some retail therapy for unique textiles, clothing and home decor.
The white highlights the striking blue and green doors that are a work of art in themselves. It appears as if these were created to be focal points. It so happened that Kaur fell in love with the blue glass and then decided to combine it with mint green to create a very calm yet colourful space. As one walks inside, one notices that the display is understated and classy; things have been placed as they would be in a well designed large home. This is why the customers are not daunted and are at ease to browse to their heart’s content.
As one walks inside, one notices that the display is understated and classy. This puts customers at ease, just as they would be in their own homes. Kota flooring adds it own special charm.
None of the products are in the face - but instead, they are there to be discovered and enjoyed. Rooms on the ground level carry baby clothing, women’s clothing, and some décor and spa products. The first level is where one finds all the furniture, some home linen, art and lighting. The flooring casts its own spell on the visitors. The regular green kota flooring has a traditional palace design pattern created using white marble inlay in places in the shape of a large diamond. This is indeed a design that is so international and yet so Indian.
Kaur has carefully curated or designed all the products. Indeed, most products are designed in-house though he is now looking at adding other lines with a similar design sensibility.
The huge space has also been a boon in the sense that it is a great location to host events related to design and culture. These are fun ways to get a target audience involved with the store and its activities.
The products have a very international and global feel though they also have a strong lineage due to the use of Indian hand-craftsmanship.
“The decor of a place has a direct influence on how any customer who walks in feels about himself. It mentally elevates a person, influencing him to think better and create a feeling of self indulgence leading him to perhaps spend more time in the store and appreciate things,” believes Kaur. Quite rightly, the store provides a fertile environment just for that!
The products are best described as understated classic. The home decor is very eclectic with strong influences from the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions.
www.serendipitydelhi.com
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The facade of The Dominican is a picture of serenity. Cars may drive up to its front only with prior permission.
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NURTURING THE ESSENCE
Designed using the essence of its neighbourhood and strong references to the building’s erstwhile role, is the hotel The Dominican situated in the very heart of the city of Brussels.
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Locals and guests alike are seen reveling in the food, ambience and parties which spill outside onto the private courtyard terrace located at the heart of the hotel.
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This is not your average cookie-cutter knockoff city/business hotel, this is a hotel set in the centre of Brussels, and standing on what was a Dominican abbey established way back in the 15th century. The Dominican is a member of Design Hotels and this is no surprise, as design is in the very DNA of this urban sanctuary. Centrally located and within wafting distance of the distinguished guild houses of the magnificent Grand Place, The Dominican pays elegant tribute to the history of its past identity and is a unique destination from which one can discover the delights of Europe’s capital city. The interior is a contemporary interpretation of the old cloister, featuring the designs of the prize winning Amsterdam firm, FG Stijl. The Dominican is tucked behind Brussels’ famous theatre and opera house, La Monnaie and is just metres away from Brussels’ busiest shopping streets.
An ecclesiastical pattern inspired by the Dominican Abbey Order shows up on the carpets and complementary art that reinforces the basic design scheme of the hotel.
In spite of this fact once you approach the hotel, the entire atmosphere changes; there is no trace of any hustle and bustle, which is normally seen around city hotels. Cars may drive up to the hotel only with prior permission, leaving the front of the hotel a scene of amazing serenity. It would be no exaggeration to state that we are the most well travelled generation in history, and the more we travel the choosier we get. At The Dominican, it is sought to give this well travelled guest something that is special and at the same time unique, thus the essence of the building’s prior role, that of being an abbey is not masked, but instead skillfully iterated and glorified. The renowned Dutch duo FG Stijl and architect Bart Lens designed the hotel’s sweeping archways with such authenticity that a stroll through the monastery corridor evokes an almost medieval feeling of elegance. Details like Belgian stone used on the floors and the soaring windows and exquisite metalwork, especially in the Grand Lounge brings alive, the decadence of old Europe.
The rich history of the location was a source of inspiration in the exclusive design of The Dominican.
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150 guestrooms and suites have their own distinctive look aided by an effortless mix of rich textiles gracing a contemporary setup. The interiors of the various guestrooms and conference rooms welcome the daylight through the ceiling high windows. There is no separate concierge service and the more than friendly staff manning the reception desk is capable of supplying all the help any guest would need.
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Much emphasis is laid on preserving the history and atmosphere the building possessed initially, thus an ecclesiastical pattern inspired by the Dominican Abbey Order that once resided at this location shows up on the carpets, the ceiling of the elevators and in the wrought iron furniture.
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In the nineteenth century the famous neo-classicist painter Jacques-Louis David had his home here; his spirit too is preserved in the original facade of his abode, which is today seamlessly integrated into the new building that houses the hotel. One of the five suites is named after him, and his paintings are referenced in contemporary design details throughout the hotel. Church music playing softly in the elevators is one more quotient that reinforces the charm that is so arduously created and maintained. An ever changing menu, dishes full of fresh produce and the pick of vintages from a carefully curated wine list keep the guests satiated in the open plan style lobby, bar and restaurant. The prevalent design and atmosphere continues in this part as well. Locals and guests alike are seen reveling in the food, ambience and parties which spill outside onto the private courtyard terrace located at the heart of the hotel. Here a thick old fig tree provides both shade and interest whilst the overstuffed cushions and cosy banquettes keep the guests comfortable. Whether travelling for business or leisure there is one thing guests place very high up on their list of essentials, and that is a good work-out place. The Dominican’s fitness centre, has besides running and cross-training machines, a dedicated boxing room as well, fully equipped with the latest in leather punch bags, balls and swivels. One may indulge in a heat treatment at the sauna and steam rooms before reclining on the ivory leather banquette of the relaxation corner.
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For many travellers, when it comes to picking a hotel, good design and architecture are high up on the list, but a unique experience is always the Holy Grail; after their stay at The Dominican the bench they use is bound to be altered forever.
www.lensass.be www.thedominican.be Home Review November 2014
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THE MARKETPLACE Fisher & Paykel Launches Powerpack Chimneys
Fisher & Paykel appliances, the New Zealand based innovators, has launched a range of Powerpack chimneys, which offers a compact solution to ventilate your kitchen and remove steam, odours and heat that result from frequent cooking. Adding to the wide range of ventilation products, the Powerpack chimneys are designed as the perfect partner to Fisher & Paykel’s hobs and built to perform. Available in 60cm and 90cm models, these aesthetically designed and strongly built chimneys come with many added features including dimmer lights, ducted or recirculating options, multi-layered aluminum filter, soft touch button, timer function and filter cleaning indicator. Fisher & Paykel has designed these chimneysets keeping in mind compact spaces. The compressed size of the appliance is accompanied by elegant streamlined design, giving the option of a fully integrated look. Once fitted into the cabinetry, only the show lights hint the presence of the Powerpack chimney in your kitchen. All in all, this range of power pack chimneys is a neat and clutter free solution to ventilate the kitchen. One can also choose from four different models in black glass and stainless steel (60cm and 90cm) with price range varying from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 57,000. www.fisherpaykel.com/in
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Herman Miller Redefines Space With Kivo Designed by Alexander Lorenz for Herman Miller, Kivo can be used effectively as a boundary or a landmark to provide proper orientation and coherence to workspace design. Kivo tiles form the skin of this impactful screening device and it can be removed easily, allowing users to create a bespoke look and feel.
From aiding acoustical divisons in team clubhouses to creating workspaces for concentrative work Kivo enables users to create compact haven like shelters and surrounds for meeting spaces. www.hermanmiller.com
Kivo is made of less than five components but because it is based on a unique algorithmic formula, the permutations are as infinite as the designer’s own imagination. Herman Miller provides design services with specially developed parametric software algorithms to plan and visualise customised Kivo solutions. The felt covers are available in a wide range of colours and textures. Herman Miller provides additional customisation options for clients who want to have their own bespoke choices. From compact to large-scale statement installations, Kivo can be used to form variety of spaces. Its transformational nature allows users to form unique spatial structures, an almost endless variety of architectural combinations.
Villeroy & Boch’s Lighting Options For The Bathroom Villeroy & Boch’s lighting function in furniture and toilets create a true feel-good ambience. The Legato furniture range even uses the lighting as a design element. The bathroom countertop, which has thin, bevelled edges on three sides, is dramatically illuminated. The bathroom sink cabinet is thus given a unique lightness and the countertop supporting bathroom sink appears to float. The atmospheric lighting is very practical particularly when getting up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom where a strong light would be really unpleasant. The soft light is more than enough to safely guide a person. The Subway 2.0 furniture range has bathroom sink cabinets with drawers in 1:2 ratio which also have a pleasant lighting effect. The lower drawer is large enough for a standard lotion bottle to be placed upright, while smaller utensils can be stored in the upper drawers. All bathroom sink cabinets come with optional interior drawer lighting, which switches on automatically when the drawers are opened. The bathroom furniture in the Joyce Collections also comes with optional interior drawer lighting.
The ViClean-L bidet toilet is an innovative combination of toilet and bidet providing unique comfort in that special place and which also come with a practical lighting function. In addition to the numerous washing functions for intimate areas, it also comes with an integrated night light to provide orientation in the dark. www.villeroy-boch.com
THE MARKETPLACE Somany Showcases Its Exclusive Edition Of Tiles At Cersaie
K-Lite Presents Polar Lighting Poles
Somany Ceramics is a veteran in the ceramics industry and is constantly inspiring innovation by creating new benchmarks in the field of tiles, sanitary ware and bath fittings. Taking the brand to an international platform consecutively for the third year, Somany showcased its products at Cersaie, the international exhibition of ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings in Italy during 22nd - 26th September 2014. Following last year’s success, intense efforts were made to promote the brand in the high-level international trade segment of construction firms and large architecture practices. The stall witnessed a global influx of visitors from Europe, America, Middle East, CIS, Asia and Africa.
K-Lite surface mounted Polar Lighting Pole, integrated with LED lighting module is an exclusive choice of designers. The pole beautifies the city with its varied designs and architectural appeal. The product is designed for a complete range of contemporary designs with single arm, double arm, L-arm, V-Arm, square arm and parallel arm.
Somany’s choice of exclusive colours, designs and latest trends were appreciated in its extensive range of displayed products like the Glosstra tiles of 300 X 600 mm for wall, Glazed Vitrified Tiles in 80x120, 80x80, 60x120, 60x60 sizes, GVT Duragres tiles available in sizes 600 X 600,
The pole is engineered to meet the adverse conditions and the pole sections are duly welded using special grooving techniques and high end MIG/ TIG welding process. The control box is integral and built-in with service door, locking arrangement and safety chain.
800 X 800, 600 X 1200, 800 X 1200 & 190 X 1200 mm and Durastone pavement tiles. www.somanyceramics.com
Parryware Launches Linea-N Concealed Cistern With its unique quality of compression resistance, it can bear extreme temperature conditions, making the tank extremely durable. With a smooth and effortless operation, the Linea-N requires minimal force to operate, rendering it suitable for all age groups. Its carefully-designed wobble-free stop valve provides hassle-free performance for years.
Parryware offers high-quality and aesthetically-appealing bathroom solutions for mass consumption. The company has recently launched the Linea-N concealed cistern that enhances user convenience. A one-of-its-kind product Linea-N, exudes sophistication and contemporary style. The concealed cistern is a pleasure for the eyes as it comes with a slim tank of 80mm that can be easily installed in a few simple steps.
Apart from all these attractive features, it can also adjust its flushing volume to 4.5 litres and 3 litres, making it an ideal watersaving product. The five year warranty on the concealed cistern guarantees superlative performance, true to the legacy of Parryware. The Linea-N Concealed Cistern exhibits quality, reliability and a modern charm associated with each Parryware offering. Its minimalistic appeal metamorphoses the bathroom into an area of style and vibrant comfort. www.parryware.in
The galvanised pole is coated with epoxy zinc phosphate primer and finished using environmentally stable polyurethane based paint. The pole is supplied with necessary foundation hardware for normal soil condition. The Polar Lighting Pole lighting arms are integrated with the LED modular lighting system, which is environmental friendly under green lighting category. The LED lighting offers more lumens with lesser power consumption, the luminaire is IP 68 protected and the various models were evaluated by an extensive research and understanding of illumination requirements for urban spaces. Choice of drivers for LED takes into consideration the harmonic distortion level (not exceeding 10%), power factor greater than 0.9 and surge protection. The LED modules are individually rated 42 watts. The control gear tray is prewired with terminal connectors, MCB and loopin loop-out arrangement and located in the control box, integral with the pole. www.klite.in Home Review November 2014
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