SPECIALIST : ODYSSEY
vol 15 issue 09
ART FORM : JEAN-MICHEL BIHOREL
September 2016
total pages 136
LANDSCAPE : KALPAK BHAVE
RS 100 HOME-REVIEW.COM
WHERE IDEAS BECOME REALITY BY W DESIGN STUDIO DEFYING GRAVITY BY DIPEN GADA & ASSOCIATES
LOCALLY ROOTED
A VERNACULAR DESIGN SENSIBILITY BY VDGA
RENOVATE & DECORATE FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES TO AMP UP YOUR HOME THIS DIWALI
Photo: Cyrus Dalal
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arsha and Deepak Guggari’s work celebrates design sans any forced embellishing and accessorising. Their plan for the Jadhav House in Pune bears testimony to this simple yet thoughtful vision that embraces vernacular sensibilities, making a mindful connect with its location. The design program espouses the virtues of a traditional courtyard layout which on-boards effective circulation patterns and spaces that gaze at each other increasing interaction and dialogue. The material palette is made up of wood and stone with earthy hues complementing the predominantly traditional furniture. This home doesn’t fall prey to treading the contemporary middle path, instead it stakes its claim by professing an indigenous identity which it expresses so wonderfully. A government funded start-up workspace in Hyderabad sets a benchmark in terms of its size and design. The six storey facility envisioned for entrepreneurs has a variety of design typologies that mingle across its floor plates. The W Design Studio has experimented with flexible seating options, multiple break out areas and large interaction spaces to craft this hub of creativity. Complemented by open ceilings and exposed ducting, the team have even designed one section entirely using stacked shipping containers echoing an industrial theme. In this workspace, metal and wood combined with grey and black tones stitch together diverse attributes of rustic, contemporary and industrial styles that create a vibrant backdrop fuelling innovation and entrepreneurship. Anish Bajaj, Editor anish@marvelinfomedia.com
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emails + feedback Resplendently Green
Abstract Impressions Spaces Architects’ new-age office sets new standards in office design; when our take to everything is contemporary, chic and edgy, so why not our workspaces, where we spend most of our lives? A restrained material palette, colours and patterns have been utilised to create this abstract wonder. By Email Krutika Shastry
Black Magic Reigned!
Let us know what you love and hate about this issue. Mail us at letters@marvelinfomedia.com
This couldn’t be a better place to unwind and relax either in the morning or at the end of a tiring day. The brilliant, stark interiors are nothing like we ever see in our day-to-day life. Oh, and the façade! What a gorgeous, rippling surface it is. It is a pleasure to look at in our monotonous views of life. By Email Ashish Sethi
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Vo Trong Nghia’s concept pavilion was a breather to read about in a landscape where you majorly witness glass and concrete. His concept is inspiring and very much attainable; hope this is actually emulated by architects worldwide. By Email Bharat Shenoy
A Serene Home This is the kind of home I would want for myself. Soothing colours, comfortable floor plan and cosy furniture all come together to create a lovely, liveable experience. Hats off to Design Office for giving life to such a wonderful, warm home! By Email Ruchi Mehta
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The Vitra Campus is an amalgamation of utilitarian, industrial, commercial and cultural structures
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Cover Story Designed by Varsha & Deepak Guggari Associates, the Jadhav House in Pune has a distinct vernacular design sensibility. It is a luxurious but simple home, cut-off from the world outside
The energy efficient community space called T-Hub in Hyderabad offers consummate support to start-ups, all facilitated by W Design Studio’s thoughtful design
42 art
September
form
Jean-Michel Bihorel’s digital sculptures give new meaning to the phrase ‘Body Language’ with his aesthetically fascinating and cerebral work
48 Designed by Dipen Gada, the distinctive façade with one block leaning outwards draws much attention in this home in Gujarat
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RENOVATE & DECORATE A curated selection of furniture, furnishings and accessories to redo your home this Diwali Hilton Prague is undoubtedly identifiable as the glass box on the Vltava in a city otherwise dominated by traditional buildings
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By Subi Suman and Poulami Biswas
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Eclectic styles, varied themes, upcoming trends come together in our newly launched segment!
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Despite its unusual plot shape and size, The Gallery House is a place where everything comes together - architecture brilliance, airy spaces, functional ease and innovative use of textures
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product
designer
A curious mind is a designer’s dream. Meet Italian designer Alessandro Zambelli, whose innate curiosity allows him to create beautiful products
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September
Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort is designed to fit its surroundings, so that its luxury amenities and guest-centered services strike the perfect note
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PORTO A DESIGN DESTINATION
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THE MARKETPLACE
124
Landscapes
Get your hands on the latest products to hit the market
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GREEN PROJECT
Cyberwalk is one well planned structure that reflects economically sound decisions, thoughtful environmental decisions and smart human impact decisions Mumbai-based architect Kalpak Bhave has turned the lawns of Mazar-e-Fakhri in Rajasthan’s Taherabad, into a source of visual delight best appreciated from a distance
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Kanchi Designs is the story of a creative mother and an industrious son who have together woven beautiful magic. Their flagship store in Mumbai stands testimony to their passion
Ramya Srinivasan Freelance Writer Hailing from Bangalore, Ramya Srinivasan is an IIM-B graduate, who worked in the corporate world for twelve years before switching to writing full-time. She has written features, travelogues, book reviews and personal essays for multiple online and print magazines.
Editor & Publisher Anish Bajaj Creative Director Natalie Pedder-Bajaj Features Editor Mala Bajaj Assistant Editor Shweta Salvi Senior Sub Editor Rehana Hussain Contributing Writers Chryselle D’Silva Dias Devyani Jayakar Dhanishta Shah Himali Kothari K Parvathy Menon Kanupriya Pachisia Ramya Srinivasan Shruti Nambiar Designers Asif Shayannawar Darshan Palav Pooja Modak Snigdha Hodarkar
Shruti Nambiar Writer Freelance Writer and Photographer In 2010, Shruti quit three years of corporate drudgery in Bengaluru to start on a career in writing. A little over two years ago, she joined The Indian Express, Pune, as a Feature Writer. Currently based in Pune, she is pursuing freelance writing and photography.
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Editorial & Marketing Mumbai Mr. Ganesh Gurav, Mr. Vivek Jadhav, B-62, Cotton Exchange bldg., Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033 T 022 23736133 / 23736131 / 23743069 E response@marvelinfomedia.com 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.
Deepak Guggari (VDGA) Locally Rooted, Page 20. Varsha and Deepak Guggari Associates (VDGA) is a leading architectural and interior design studio based in Pune. The studio’s principal is architect Deepak Guggari and Varsha Guggari is the partner architect. The design philosophy of the studio lies in creating “timeless meaningful spaces” through the means of art and architecture which in turn would induce harmony, happiness and peace in the lives of the end users.
Dipen Gada Defying Gravity, Page 48. DGA, an architectural and interior design firm is headed by founder Dipen Gada. The firm boasts a versatile body of work ranging from architecture, interior, landscape and product design. Dipen Gada has made his presence felt through innovative and timeless designs that strive to maintain a balance between aesthetics and functionality.
This issue has a total of 136 pages comprising of a 4 page cover and 132 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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Kalpak Bhave Landscape for a Bird’s Eye View, Page 124. After graduation from the Academy of Architecture - Mumbai in 1989, Kalpak Bhave started his own practice as a landscape architect in 1992. Since then he has rendered services for several landscape projects of varied scale. He is currently involved with an amusement park in Panchgani as both an architect and landscape designer.
PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S 5 AUG
Besides, they also offer collections for bathroom towels, bathroom accessories; kitchen - gadgets, glassware, oven to table range, kitchen to table range, dinner sets, table linen, serveware, glassware, etc.
Casa Colour Launches Retail Store, Noida
Talking about this collection, Ms. Lyndsay Smith, Category Head, Westside Home says, “Our new collection has been designed with a mix of classic and contemporary styles keeping in mind the Westside consumer. Westside Home provides easy home solutions which are aesthetically great looking and perfect for modern homes.”
Casa Colour, the unconventional furnishing brand known for out-of-the-box designing and colour treatment in furniture and home furnishings launched its first retail store last month. The spacious 6000 sq. ft. store is full of designer furniture, soft furnishing, and luxurious accessory. The vast product range complements every section of a house, be it a bedroom, living room or a dining hall. Apart from its own original furniture, the new store consists of beautifully crafted statement furniture and other home decor accessories. Its interior is stylish, comfy and individualistic, providing an assortment of the finest quality merchandise and experience. Samira Chopra, Creative Head, Casa Colour, said, “We are thrilled with our debut in the market. The innovative use of colours in furniture is unique to Casa Colour’s vibrant concepts.” With an aim to change the tastes and preferences of urban furniture concepts, Casa Colour has introduced colourful varieties of furniture for modern homes.
Occupying two floors of the four-storey Tarun Vadehra Interiors showroom, the new 3600 square foot gallery brings alive the romance of past eras and British heritage with a daring, modern energy in the storied furniture and home accessories. Make yourself at home on warm, buttery leather sofas, run your hand along the characterful surfaces of reclaimed wood tables, surrounded by dramatic chandeliers. Tim Oulton says, “New Delhi has this incredible blend of rich heritage with modern vibrancy, it’s that contrast of tradition with innovation that’s also reflected in our designs. New Delhi’s been evolving over recent years; people today live a much more global lifestyle and want to come home to somewhere that inspires them. It’s those ideas that are really at the heart of our collections.”
23 AUG
Home Range Launch At Westside Cafe, Mumbai
Grohe Unveils Showroom, Lucknow
Spread over 2,000 sq. ft. at Hi-Style, Lucknow, the latest showroom boasts of an exquisite display zone showcasing the entire range of Grohe bath and kitchen fixtures and faucets, notably the much awaited AquaSymphony display. The launch is aimed at tapping the evolving demands of an increasingly aspirational market housed in the city of Nawabs. The display showcases Grohe Smart Control, Integrated Shower Toilet- Grohe Sensia, Power & Soul and EuroDisc Joy, which is in perfect synchrony with Grohe’s brand proposition of offering the most exquisite products for one’s bathroom. With this launch, the company aims to enhance the propensity amongst the denizens of the city to upgrade their bathrooms into areas of pure luxury, sophistication and style.
20 AUG
Store Launch Of Timothy Oulton, New Delhi
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30 AUG
www.timothyoulton.com
www.casacolour.in
British furniture and interiors company Timothy Oulton opened the doors to its first gallery in India. Partnering with Tarun Vadehra Interiors in New Delhi, the Timothy Oulton gallery showcases the brand’s signature relaxed yet sophisticated aesthetic in a space packed with drama, intrigue and quirky vintage curios.
www.mywestside.com/WebPages/Home/ Home.aspx
Westside Home has recently launched its curated collection of home and lifestyle solutions. Extend your sense of style to your home through their home wear range available under 5 categories: furniture - living, dining, bedding; living - décor, rugs, lighting, cushions; bedding - pillows, comforters, bed sheet sets, bedcovers.
Ms. Renu Misra, Managing Director, Grohe India Pvt. Ltd said, “Replete with mock-up bathrooms and live shower display, our consumers now have a one stop shop to create their own spa in their homes.” www.grohe.com/in/
PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S 2Maison 6 SEPT& Objet, TO
This group exhibition provides a platform for artists including Anuradha Sarin Khurana (Delhi), Ashish Kushwaha (Madhya Pradesh), Bijay Biswal (Nagpur), Bipasha Sen Gupta (Delhi) and many more.
Paris
A leading event for lifestyle professionals around the world, MAISON&OBJET PARIS shows a comprehensive product offering twice a year, at the Paris-Nord Villepinte Convention Centre: home decor, home design, furniture, accessories, textiles, fragrances, children’s design, tableware, etc. The event combines all styles with a crossindustry approach. This major hub for the lifestyle industry attracts some 70,000 visitors and more than 3,000 brands from around the world. MAISON&OBJET PARIS is both an inspirational and businessoriented crossroads, where professionals can meet and share their experience and ideas. The theme of the Paris show is House of Games: “step into the game, a world full of signs, shapes, colours and tales, to reinitiate the creative mind. The rules of this game are to bring drama to décor, to bet on joyous and elegant maximalism, to play the card of strange beauty. In the luxury of this new decorative art, the colour red trumps all others.” www.maison-objet.com/en/paris
7 10 SEPT TO
CIFF Outdoor & Leisure, Shanghai CIFF-Shanghai, the September edition of the China International Furniture Fair, will present CIFF Outdoor & Leisure 2016, a platform specialising in outdoor furniture and that offers a wide range of products to meet the needs of those spending time outdoors. The major Chinese brands will propose innovative furnishing systems for the garden, and the most suitable equipment for leisure activities.
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Furthermore, buyers can find and purchase outdoor and leisure products from the largest industry-based furniture fair in China. The display at the National Exhibition & Convention Center , focuses heavily on product design, quality and sustainability. The garden furniture product range is completed and enriched with furnishing themes in order to give the visitor an overall view of this unique and intriguing sector. The products presented range from wooden sheds to sun awnings and sun-blocking systems, from gardening equipment to camping gear and apparatus for cooking outdoors.
Amrita Varma, CoFounder, The Egg Art Studio, says, “The reason behind me curating this exhibition and evaluating every work for its validity is the fact that landscapes are as much a part of the contemporary world,deserving their status as a visual rendition of the beautiful world we are fortunate to be a part of within and outside.” www.galleryegg.com
TO 26Cersaie, 30 SEPT
Bologna, Italy
www.ciff.fairwindow.com
19 AUG TO 15 SEPT
Lands Within Exhibition By The Egg Art Studio, New Delhi The Egg Art Studio, a one of a kind art gallery that promotes significant young and upcoming artists from the Indian subcontinent and across the world, is hosting its first exhibition of the season, Lands Within, an exhibition on actual and imagined landscapes. The exhibition showcases around 70 works on both real and imagined journeys by 18 Indian artists. The works will challenge the audience to decipher the narratives as they weave the inspiration of travel into their own visual stories. The artist’s eyes looks at the world as he experiences it and in doing so adds subtle dimensions of meaning and sensations to that world.
With more than 900 exhibitors from almost 35 countries, Cersaie in Bologna belongs to the most important trade fairs of the world. The latest products and trends on the ceramic and sanitary sector will be shown there. Yet this event represents much more than any usual industrial fair. Four factors - the exhibition, the meeting place, interactions between people and knowledge of the material - are the foundation stones of Cersaie 2016, the international exhibition of ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings. The new image is focused on the concept of exhibition, as a place in which the various levels and spaces of ceramics, in all its manufacturing and expressive variety, can meet and intersect, but also a place for meeting people interested in knowing, innovating and designing this extraordinary material. www.cersaie.it
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Designed by Varsha & Deepak Guggari Associates, the Jadhav House in Pune has a distinct vernacular design sensibility. It is a luxurious but simple home, cut-off from the world outside and not even interested in being inspired by it. “He travelled in order to come home.” - William Trevor. The homes of well-travelled people live in different realms. Their language of aesthetics is almost always incorrigibly eclectic, their inspirations net always spread wide. Some of them hold these visual cues so close to the heart that totems of them will be everywhere – as framed photographs, decorative urns and what-have-you. Then there are these other homes, deeply in love with all past and prospective travels, but extremely nuanced in that expression. The Jadhav House belongs to this category.
Text By Shruti Nambiar Photographs Hemant Patil Home Review September 2016
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This home is sumptuous. Its deep wood-and-stone hue palette is capable of relaxing even the weariest bones. It is a rare piece of architecture and design where the rooms seem to breathe, and breathe easy, not groaning under pointless props and frills. It is tempting to view this home purely allegorically. But allegories are often products of great pragmatic intellectual labour. To create the ambience of this home, all energies were primarily focussed on simplicity. This simple direction led to the adoption of the traditional Indian style of courtyard-like layout, material-use, and a reliance on natural elemental largesse to animate the home. The team even wisely eschewed the offer of a big spend on the interiors, instead deciding to focus on gravitas. “A simple approach paid a lot in enlivening a simple plan and circulation pattern; for we believed in creating a culture for the family that will be enjoyed by at least three generations,� it states.
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The Vaastu-compliant environs of the 15,000 sq. ft. home encompass an opento-the-sky courtyard, where a lilies-andfish filled water body keeps perennial track of the weather movements, and welcomes natural breezes of various temperaments into the interior. “This court binds the house along both longitudinal and transverse axes. A series of spaces look into each other, courtesy the presence of the courtyard,” attests the team. The carefully-planned window placement is a key factor in the elemental depth of the house. “All fenestrations have three layers: the outer most is louvered to enhance cross ventilation and maintain privacy; the middle one is a glass sliding panel which keeps the air-conditioning intact and yet allows the entry of light and views; and then the sliding curtain panels with stretched fabric which cut-off the heat and light.”
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The ample influx of natural light and ventilation is helped along and complemented by the sublime interiors, dominated by Indian stone cladding and leather-finished travertine. The house shell is a mix of RCC and post-tensioned slab work, with a country like tiles-steel-andwood roof that slopes to accommodate the force of weather changes. The basement parking zone is topped by a gazebo; the ground-floor garden connects to the dining section. The basement is where a luxurious home-theatre is too, enjoying the company of a courtyard wall that has a cascade running down it. “The house has two entrances. The entry at the NE side is used for driving in cars, while the NW entry is for pedestrians,� the team adds.
The whole project was
as a
conceived resort amidst the
cosiness of
A HOME.
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The two-level living room on the ground floor is wedged between the family room and an informal sit-out, and is designed to be a constant beneficiary of the central water structure’s charms. Three bedrooms exist on the first floor, along with a study, a gym, and a semi-open terrace. Up another stairwell is the terrace fit for parties. Every aspect of the interiors, though simple, is in fact making dexterous efforts at maintaining the overarching Indian traditional look template. Parts of this scheme are customised tower bolts and door handles, and handpicked Indian and Balinese artefacts.
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The Jadhav House is an exemplary specimen of home-design that is globally inspired but locally-rooted. “Every effort has been made to ensure that the house remains true to its context and testifies itself to the norms of vernacular architecture, instead of vying for an identity amongst modern buildings.� The team says it the best! mailvdga@gmail.com www.vdga.in
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The conscious design decision to leave half the site unbuilt has created a fabulous plaza providing an interface for the building.
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Guts and Glory: Centre Georges Pompidou Few buildings in the world come close to being as original, offensive and remarkable as the Parisian Centre Georges Pompidou.
Ever since this highly unconventional building opened its doors to the public in 1977, the Pompidou Centre has been a topic of controversy. Despite the many credits this building deserves, it is of sorely awkward proportions in its surroundings, appearing clunky, massive and outlandish even when viewed from the hilltop of Sacre Coeur. So outlandish is the building that its architect Richard Rogers reported being hit on the head with an umbrella by an old French woman when he confessed to her to having designed the building as they stood facing it. And even though the building first received such unfavourable reception, opinions have undoubtedly largely changed since then. The Pompidou Centre’s story started in 1971 when French President Georges Pompidou championed his vision to build a Cultural Centre in the heart of Paris in the rundown neighbourhood of Beaubourg. The Centre ambitiously aimed to combine four institutions: a Museum of Modern Art, a Public Library, a Design Centre and the Institute for Contemporary Music.
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The designers enthusiastically used space exploration nomenclature for various building components – a particular steel boss was referred to as Sputnik.
An international architecture competition was declared open and a stellar jury comprising nine personalities including renowned architects Jorn Utzon, Philip Johnson, Oscar Niemeyer and Jean Prouve was assembled. Receiving a staggering 681 entries, project number 493 belonging to the young and unknown team of Renzo Piano & Richard Rogers and the already reputed Ove Arup as engineers was adjudged the best. The design proposed three main ideas: a virtually transparent building, a large plaza by leaving half the site unbuilt and a structural system that gave column-free spaces inside to allow maximum flexibility.
Stravinsky Fountain: a surrealist, postmodern design completed in 1983 is largely considered an extended part of the Pompidou Centre.
To achieve the intended transparency, all building services had to be exposed thus resulting in ‘gutted’ exteriors. The exposed service pipes have been painted green for water, blue for air, red for transport and yellow for electricity, colour-coded for ease of maintenance and not just stylization. This unprecedented ensemble was a radical and bold architectural statement even for a city that was no stranger to the sort. The building and plaza work remarkably well together. Always peppered with locals, tourists, street vendors, the forecourt is the main interface of the building with its immediate setting; arguably a precedent for subsequent projects in the city such as the Institut du Monde Arabe (1984) by Jean Nouvel.
The façade opposite the plaza is articulated by two main elements: a suspended tube escalator that snakes diagonally and white cross-ties which create an illusory plane that is all but solid. Without this porous façade, the building would have no distinct personality and also lends itself to an easily identifiable logo. Its ‘other’ façade on the busy street flaunts exposed pipes as if they were deliberately contorted to make a composition of shapes and colour. The gutted exposition also extends indoors. As the building’s designers wanted to maximize usable space in the building, the idea was to locate the structural assembly on its perimeter. With all the structure and circulation thus pushed onto the periphery, the Pompidou Centre provides ultimate flexibility but also dramatically limits the variety of interior spaces that could have been created through its unique structural assembly. In fact, its veritable Modern Art collection in particular is reported to have suffered a great deal due to the original open-plan exhibits and exposure of artworks to direct sunlight. Within a decade, the Centre found itself engaging Gae Aulenti to rearrange the collection through a system of corridors and rooms that hid the exposed services and created more functional display zones.
A viewing gallery on the top floor of the Pompidou Centre.
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Despite the numerous changes within, the Centre continues to attract over 8000 people a day – after 40 years of completion. There is no doubt that the building is as much a spectacle as the artwork within.
The Jelly Piano for Swatch (inset) designed by Renzo Piano in 1999 and the Accutron Spaceview that Rogers has worn since the early ‘70s.
The terrace for visual and spatial relief also provides spectacular views to the city beyond.
The creative forces that shaped the Pompidou Centre’s design principles can be traced to several threads: the assembly details of the wildly successful Crystal Palace, Viollet le Duc’s theories for iron trusswork, the new architecture of oil rigs, the triumph of space exploration in the 1960s, Archigram’s ideas for a city within a city and most importantly to the sociopolitical climate in France at the time that was recovering from the student riots of the late 60s. However, for me, the most fetching analogy in the design’s evolution is the Pompidou Centre’s likeness to the Accutron Spaceview wristwatch, which was sold between 1960 and 1977. Gifted to him by his mother around 1969, Richard Rogers has expressed his love for the watch as ‘it wears its machine on the outside, has a certain scale for different components and is filled with vibrant colours’ – much like Rogers’s own work. To stretch the analogy further, Renzo Piano designed the Jelly Piano watch for Swatch in 1999 inspired by the Pompidou Centre’s colour palette and arguably by the Accutron itself.
It is important to also note that both architects have pursued the same aesthetic in their works over the decades: consistently exploring the limits in engineering and architectural expression through a language that refuses to be typecast. It was perhaps owing to this predisposition that the formidable team of Piano & Rogers alongside exceptionally talented engineers Ted Happold and Peter Rice (both worked for Ove Arup at the time) that structural details of the Pompidou Centre were developed with such clarity. Together they exploited advancements in steel from allied streams of shipbuilding and large-scale mechanical engineering projects for the Pompidou. But not everyone involved with the building was as optimistic about it. When Georges Pompidou died in 1974, the new President d’Estaing was not the most supportive of the project and closer to site the contractors had long deemed the building too radical to be well-built hampering the general sentiment. It was observed only later that what left Piano & Rogers unaffected by the glum was their limited interaction with Paris at large.
Today, the Centre’s infectious vibrancy effortlessly extends to its surroundings. Within stone’s throw is the eclectic Stravinsky fountain surrounded by graffitied walls. What could at once be an eyesore to some may find solace in Banksy’s comforting words: “They say graffiti frightens people and is symbolic of the decline in society, but graffiti is only dangerous in the mind of three types of people; politicians, advertising executives and graffiti writers.” Very much like the gutsy Pompidou Centre.
Aftab Jalia Aftab studied architecture at Pune University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He loves graphic novels and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. from Cambridge University.
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Concrete Manifestations TEXT AND PHOTOS BY KUNAL BHATIA kunal@kunalbhatia.net www.kunalbhatia.net
Located in the German town of Weil am Rhein, close to the Swiss and French border, the Vitra Campus is an amalgamation of utilitarian, industrial, commercial and cultural structures, created by some of the most renowned architects from across the world. The variety of architectural styles and philosophies that these buildings originate from can be illustrated by comparing two of the structures that were completed in 1993 - the Conference Pavilion by Tadao Ando and the Fire Station by Zaha Hadid.
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Positioned carefully in the midst of cherry trees and sunk partly into the ground, the Conference Pavilion was Tadao Ando’s first work outside Japan. Not only is it immediately reflective of the zen-like quality of traditional Japanese architecture, but is also characteristic of the calm and restrained nature of Ando’s buildings. A sunken courtyard anchors the Pavilion’s many conference and meeting rooms, some of which look into the courtyard itself while others look outwards to the cherry trees. The material palette comprises of concrete, wood and glass; and a tranquil, monastery-like peace and order is radiated by all the spaces.
Further inside the Vitra Campus, Zaha Hadid’s fire station stands in complete contrast to Tadao Ando’s Conference Pavilion, though both the structures date back to the same time period and were constructed predominantly of the same material ie cast in-situ concrete. The structure was envisioned by Hadid as a linear extension to the surrounding landscape, with a series of concrete planes that tilt, skew, converge and diverge to define space rather than occupy it. These give the Fire Station a rather dynamic spatial quality akin to frozen motion, perhaps as a nod to its intended-program that would require inhabitants to be in a constant state of alert and attention.
Images on this page and the previous: Tadao Ando’s modernist Conference Pavilion at Vitra Campus. Home Review September 2016
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Images on this page and the previous: Zaha Hadid’s deconstructivist Fire Station at Vitra Campus. Home Review September 2016
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The view from the brainstorming spaces towards the containers, at the third and fourth mezzanine levels and the skylight on the third level slab show the play of heights and interactions between them.
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WHERE IDEAS BECOME REALITY The energy efficient community space called T-Hub in Hyderabad offers consummate support to startups, all facilitated by its design. Thoughtfully conceptualised and detailed by W Design Studio, the invigorating building is perfect for investors, incubators and accelerators in India. Dreamers and thinkers may have many ‘ideas’ which only go on to die a premature death…with lack of nurturing being an important cause. The catch line tagged to the T-Hub office, ‘Walk in with an idea and walk out with a product,’ more or less explains what it’s about. Standing at the intersection of the start-up, academic, corporate, research and government sectors, this space is dedicated to entrepreneurship. The building is used for collaborative working spaces, meetings, mentoring, networking sessions and conferences. T-Hub provides access to mentors, investors and academia all under one roof.
Text By Devyani Jayakar Photo Credits Chocolate Box Home Review September 2016
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Frequent breakout zones provide a pop of colour needed to enliven the daily routine of work. Comfortable furniture and interactive surfaces help bring down stress levels and increase employee retention.
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Funded by the government of Telangana, this incubator is the largest in the country for start-ups and is located at the International Institute for Information Technology (IIIT) at Gachibowli. The first phase of T-Hub is housed in an expansive 70,000 sq ft space called CatalysT and is spread across six storeys, with 1350 seats, of which 200 are flexible, making it the largest incubator in a single location. The Indian School of Business provides business mentorship and the National Law University guides through the legalities of intellectual property rights protection. “The elevation of the building is a combination of a very industrial as well an institutional look. The façade has glass, exposed brick and green wall grids. The envelope of the building enables cross ventilation through the green walls and the sliding window panels. The bricks are hollow with insulation material to minimise heat gain,” says Gokul Krishna of W Design Studio. Highly energy efficient, T-Hub has been rated a green building by the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC).
}
“In this larger than life space, we have designed an assortment of different typologies of work areas across each floor plate. Every floor plan layout is different and creates interest through mix massing of the cubicle spaces and open office spaces,” says Gokul. The look and feel is industrial with open ceilings and exposed ducting. Unfinished metal and wood give the space a raw look and the use of grey and black is appropriate to the way the branding was visualised. “The elements of rustic, contemporary and industrial come together seamlessly in the aesthetic,” says Gokul. The ground floor houses the pantry and conference rooms, while the rest of the floors are connected visually, necessary for businesses in the ‘incubation’ period. Two extended mezzanine levels offer open workstation spaces at the internal central atrium. The latter is the central core of the office and doubles as an amphitheatre for lectures and talks.
In the cafeteria on the ground floor, rough unfinished surfaces of concrete and steel coupled with raw wooden furniture provide an informal ambience to unwind in.
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The furniture was customised to suit the spaces. “There are no ‘brands’ here, least of all recognisable ones,” says Gokul. “One section has been created entirely from stacked shipping containers, which impart their industrial feel to the space” he adds. The art on the walls is inspirational and motivational, connected to the thought that life is about a journey. The graphics are also connected to India, depicting Charminar or the Taj Mahal partially hand painted and partially executed in metal. Famous quotes have been used in creative ways, part of them as metal imprints on the floor. The design intent in creating the invigorating spaces is to encourage collaboration and exchange of ideas. Each floor has a different character and feel, the open seating infusing a sense of energy into the spaces. Working at three levels, designated ‘Launch Pads’, ‘Accelerators’ and ‘Propels’, the spaces facilitate work in different stages of completion. Start-ups willing to pay a fee may use the facility for a year, during which they have to establish themselves. “After this time period, the office cannot continue to be rented,” explains Gokul. T-Hub positions itself as a growth hub that increases the chances of success for as many as 150 start-ups at a time and facilitates a smooth path for them. It offers several intangibles, such as the unique experience of being part of a larger community with similar goals as well as a set of well-known mentors and investors, whose guidance is readily available. Business incubation helps start-ups reduce the uncertainty, financial burdens and resource issues they are usually fraught with. Providing a nurturing and supportive environment, access to intensive business support along with financial and mentorship support, incubators help realise the true prospects of what was merely an idea.
“The elements of rustic, contemporary and industrial come together seamlessly in the aesthetic,” says Gokul.
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With a fluid back wall and a digital interactive wall, the reception on the first floor welcomes employees and visitors alike with modern finishes and timeless furniture.
“With its ‘New York grunge look,’ this office has a global appeal. Most of the people who worked on the art and branding in this project were in the 21 to 24 year bracket. We required something fresh, which we thought the young might be better equipped to deliver. Most of all, we wanted people to talk about this dynamic building. And we’ve succeeded,” says Gokul. bdm@wdesignstudio.in www.wdesignstudio.in
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Flower Figures is all about delicateness and subtlety. It depicts both a woman’s beauty and softness.
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art form
Body Language Artist Jean-Michel Bihorel’s digital sculptures, give new meaning to the phrase ‘Body Language’, pulling viewers in with work that is all of aesthetically fascinating, cerebral and expressive.
French 3D artist, Jean-Michel Bihorel, has been working in the computer graphics industry since the last eight years. After his brief stance at a 3D animation school, he began working for films and commercials. Despite his demanding commitments he still kept his interest in his personal creations flowing in his free time. Months of indulging in awaiting ideas gave shape to his first series of work called the ‘Flower Figures’. Bihorel shares, “It’s still an ongoing process of creation and I believe it is the first of many series of mixing and exploring different techniques.”
His creative and innate mastery over digital art brings a different life and spontaneity to a more precise anatomically based methodology.
Text By Kanupriya Pachisia Photographs Courtesy Jean-Michel Bihorel Home Review September 2016
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The French artist has a knack for creating haunting, incredibly life-like structures embedded with flowers. His figures impress with the naturalness of their features and beauty of volume. The ideation behind this splendid series started when Bihorel found a dried hydrangea on the street. He says, “The structure was so fascinating to me that I decided to do something with it. It almost came as evidence that I should mix the subtle delicateness of the dried flowers with a woman’s body.” His sculptures may even disturb the onlooker a bit, as the intensity of their creation wrought from a confluence of digital art and life is revealed. It takes a great deal of expertise to transform mere fantasies into digital art. Bihorel tells us how he chose 3D as a tool to realise his visions. He says, “After I got the first idea, I started the process of modeling the main structure with roots and branches, then scattered flowers on it and subsequently started playing with light and materials.” The process being time consuming his ideas kept evolving as new ones blossomed along the way. His creative and innate mastery over digital art brings a different life and spontaneity to a more precise anatomically based methodology. The deliberate use of sweeping meshes of flowers, which may look randomly placed are actually only in favour of the final drama. This is not due to a tendency to impress but is dictated by the authenticity of his art, where the inside is part of the outside. He shares, “Talking about it with my wife, we realised that the expressions of well-being depicted as a skin made of flowers made a lot of sense as a metaphor because skin is actually an interface between someone’s inner world and the outside.”
Solitary creatures with an inclination, they stand detached yet mesmerise with their prevailing introversion.
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The skin of the figures is obtained from the accumulation of a guided stratification. This stratigraphy is evident through the fragile delicateness of the key component that builds these figures and contributes to the truthfulness of the forms, revealing an intense fiction of the mind that comes alive through art.
“The structure of the dried flower was so fascinating to me that I decided to do something with it. It almost came as evidence that I should mix the subtle delicateness of the dried flowers with a woman’s body,” shares Bihorel.
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Bihorel tells us, “Flower Figures is all about delicateness and subtlety. It depicts a woman’s beauty and softness. My goal with this series is to create calm and delicate images, ones that appease the viewer. I have no messages to send or claims to make with my images. I only pursue an aesthetic purpose and want to make it accessible to everyone.” His figures co-exist in space, with similarities and shared features which characterise them with respect to technical, aesthetic and conceptual development. Solitary creatures with an inclination, they stand detached yet mesmerise with their prevailing introversion. Bihorel relies on the simplicity of the materials to speak their own language. Vulnerability coincides with the robust, authenticity with the improbable, realism with flights of fantasy, hinting towards the offbeat, they open up a new enquiry. Taking us behind the scenes literally, he shares, “After using 3D for many years, it allows me the power to create without any boundary,” something that is so beautifully captured in the execution of his vision through both medium and technique. The sculptures are metaphors for not only the vulnerability of one’s physical body but also one’s emotional and mental state. 3D art has been most adeptly used to create a subtle balance between the subjective and the objective. Bihorel signs off saying, “It is very important for me to divert attention to 3D media and give this tool back the status that it should rightfully have.”
This stratigraphy is evident through the fragile delicateness of the key component that builds these figures and contributes to the truthfulness of the forms, revealing an intense fiction of the mind that comes alive through art.
“Making a picture using 3D art shouldn’t have a negative or positive impact on the perception of the picture. Digital art still has to gain recognition in the art community. Even if everything happens in a virtual context, the expertise required to output an image is no less important than that of a painter or a sculptor. I’m not sure people realise that just yet.” jmbihorel.myportfolio.com www.behance.net/jmbihorel
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Defying Gravity “That wall is slanting just for the look it creates,” is an expected reaction to anything that veers off plumb. But Dipen Gada had a very sound reason for this design decision. Combining form and function, the distinctive façade with one block leaning outwards draws much attention in this home in Bharuch, Gujarat. When one block slants out of a perfectly conventional structure which appears to respect right angles, a gimmicky, attentiongetting motive may be ascribed to the gesture. Viewed from the outside, it strikes a pleasing visual balance. But Dipen Gada explains the functional basis of the design. “It simply provided a larger floor plate on the first floor. Who doesn’t want more space?” he asks. Vitrified tiles clad part of the exterior, resembling the rust-orange tones of corten steel.
Text By Devyani Jayakar Photographs Tejas Shah
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In the living room, functional furniture lends the space a casual air. The lighting is divided into distinct linear segments. A row of cone shaped pendant lights are strictly for ambience, with their 1 watt bulbs. Parallel to this, two tracks provide functional lighting which can alternate between warm or cool white, as desired.
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Faced with an oddly shaped triangular plot, Dipen designed the house in two blocks, connected with a courtyard which provides a central interactive area. “Although it is an indoor space, it has the feel of an outdoor one because of its skylight,” says Dipen. Housing the dining room and topped by a sloping roof with large cut-outs in an abstract geometrical pattern, the space is graced with the slow dance of light and shadow, dictated by the journey of the sun in the sky above.
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Of course it can get hot in the blistering temperatures of Bharuch, when the sun floods in for much of the day. “Motorised curtains enable the sunlight to be cut off when required. This double height space is filled with a generous sight of the sky, plenty of light and a gently floating wooden staircase.” says Dipen. The staircase hugs the wall but is as transparent as possible, with the space between the treads – where the riser would be – left empty. Designed at a low angle, it offers an easy climb but makes a visually bold statement in the space. This dramatic space is flanked on one side by a block which houses the living and puja room, five bedrooms, a library, home theatre and kitchen. “The kitchen cabinets were fabricated on the site to save costs, since a modular kitchen to fit the requirements would have been exorbitant,” says Dipen. The stark white palette is relieved by a shot of yellow in the shelving below one counter. The ceilings in most of the rooms are RCC. “We’ve avoided false ceilings as much as possible. In general, we are going back to basics and avoiding superficial treatments in our practice,” he adds. In the living room, functional furniture lends the space a casual air, without looking studied. “I like to leave some scope to add more pieces at a later date, or even to change the look of the space,” says Dipen. Sensibly, colour comes through the upholstery, which is easily changeable without having to spend too much money. The lighting here is divided into distinct linear segments.
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A row of cone shaped pendant lights are strictly for ambience, with their 1 watt bulbs. Parallel to this, two tracks provide functional lighting which alternate between warm or cool white, as desired. The doors of the puja room at the far end are adorned with the thikri mirror work of Udaipur. The intricacy of workmanship endows the doors with the status of an artwork, drawing the eye towards the sparkle of the small pieces of glass.
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A two poster bed holds centre stage in the room of the daughter, a young adult. In place of the ubiquitous canvas artwork, a photograph is mounted on the wall behind the headboard. Its soft blues are echoed by the carpet and the upholstery, providing a soothing colour palette. In the attached bath, a complex geometry comes together at the floor level in the tub enclosure, on the steps leading up to the tub, on the counter of the washbasin and on the ledges.
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The master bedroom has wooden panelling in a warm honey tone for the headboard, its top aligns with the windows on both sides of the bed. Floating bedside tables are visually light and in tried and tested manner, conspire to create an illusion of a larger area, by freeing up floor space. The energising presence of nature is omnipresent in this home as it embraces the spaces with its warmth. The windows offer abundant views of the distant outdoors. “In a dense, busy neighbourhood, the client wanted a personal space within the very urban fabric; something like a refuge from the outside world. The sunlight, of course, is everywhere. We’ve celebrated light in this design, with all its variations and the patterns which it casts through the dining area,” says Dipen. What started as a solution to the unconventional shape of the plot has become the veritable star attraction of this home. dipen317@gmail.com www.dipengada.com
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Deck up with élan
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Make Your Kitchen Sparkle
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Luxury Meets Utility
RENOVATE & DECORATE
A curated selection of an enviable range of products to choose from.
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Luminaires And Accessories Galore
It’s Makeover Time
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A Step Closer to Nature
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A Rejuvenating Corner To Work From Home
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Ready For An Outdoor Makeover?
Text By Ramya Srinivasan
Welcome to the Renovate and Decorate special edition! The festive season is here bringing along abounding energy and enthusiasm to redo home spaces. Along with the sweets and savouries comes the fervour to festoon homes with not just flowers and diyas, but also with a range of beautiful products in the interior design market. Both Indian and international brands have gone that extra mile to introduce a variety of products, some stand-alone and some part of an impressive collection. These products give you an opportunity to redecorate different rooms and corners of your dream abode. By adding these catchy embellishments, you can redefine the story that your home conveys. Side table by Casa Pop
Tresorie’s Outdoor collection.
You can make it an extension of your personality by choosing from different themes that include classical, contemporary and edgy. Or you can interweave bright and bold coloured artefacts to welcome the celebratory cheer. From the designer furniture pieces that steal away the thunder in your living and bedrooms to furnishings that add the oomph factor, from laminates and tiles that revamp your floorings, wall and ceilings to fanciful yet functional products that light up your outdoor spaces, from an alluring range of lighting and other accessories to stunning bath and kitchen pieces, we bring you a curated selection of an enviable range of products to choose from. Just rest your feet on the couch and read on to discover more. Lamp by Baaya Design.
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Deck up with ĂŠlan
Variety is the word with our curated collection of furniture and furnishings. With a range that includes aristocratic sofas, home workspaces, inspired fabrics and prints and even banquet counters, every need of yours is now taken care of.
SHANTANU GARG DESIGN DESIGN FABLES OF INDIA Shantanu Garg re-ignites the episodes of historic India with his design renditions. An artistic adaptation of ancient warriors, noblemen and horse guards, traditional folklore, Indian textiles, Mughal gardens, architecture and paintings define the theme for this collection of prints. You can adapt them into accent wallpapers, wall art, upholstery, furnishings or furniture design. www.facebook.com/ studiosgd
SCARLET SPLENDOUR AELITA & EASY STREET Scarlet Splendour launches Aelita and Easy Street as part of the Vanilla Noir collection designed by Italian maestro Matteo Cibic. This hand-crafted collection uses traditional methods of bone and horn inlay, interlacing modern polymers and pigments. Aelita and Easy Street (eight and two seaters) have a stunning graphic top in resin inlay with a fleeting glimpse of red on the edges and legs. www.scarletsplendour.com
KNOCK ON WOOD THE HOSPITALITY COLLECTION The fine art of good food and service come together in this exclusive collection designed for stylish and luxury banqueting. These trolleys and buffet counters, created for live cooking, take bespoke banqueting to a new level. You can use them easily in the hospitality sector or in the closer confines of your homes. Contemporary wooden furniture has been KNW’s signature style and here is another splendid way to show it off. www.knockonwood.in
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HANDS LOST HERITAGE COLLECTION These hand knotted weaves are inspired by forgotten heritage elements such as a motif, an old wall that shows the play of time on it, a tree or even the sands of a deep desert lying forgotten somewhere. Made of the finest silk and wool, these are as perfect for a wall as it is for a fine living room floor. www.hands-carpets.com
OTTIMO GREY AND WHITE PRINTED FURNITURE Ottimo, the luxurious furniture brand, launches its new printed furniture collection merging design and architecture with an Italian touch. The shades of grey and white lend a classic outlook bringing refreshment and lightness to your home spaces. With a strong visual impact and a one-of-a-kind look, every piece in the range is handmade, balancing the classical charm of the past with the allure of the contemporary. Mob: +91 8527009355
ZYNNA CTA FABRICS COLLECTION IDAM IDAMknits IDAMknits is an initiative towards sustainable design using jersey fabrics made from lightweight cotton yarn. Commonly used for clothing such as T-shirts and hoodies, jersey fabrics are soft, cosy and durable, and ideal to snuggle as sweatshirts, blankets or pillows. The Summer Murmur collection as part of IDAMknits is a set of hand illustrated prints and patterns that bring a sunny, optimistic feel.
Zynna brings the recently introduced collection by CTA Fabrics from Italy to India. It offers a wide range of textile composition in cotton, linen, viscose, polyester and silk in varied tones of olive, blue, green, turquoise, red and dove grey. It combines soothing colour palettes with varied designs and finishes in stripes, damask and floral patterns. Ideal for light upholstery, window treatments and bedcovers. www.zynna.in
www.idamstore.com
HERMAN MILLER THE KEYN CHAIR GROUP Herman Miller’s brilliant collaboration with the design company ‘forpeople’ resulted in the Keyn Chair Group, a range of meeting and side chairs that offer responsive movement and immediate comfort. The design uses four key parts to create every model in the group, so each retains the same visual appeal. For extra comfort, Keyn’s CradleFlex movement responds to shifts in posture, reclining up to 10 degrees. www.hermanmiller.in
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TANGERINE SCARLET SUNSET & PLUM PLEASURE COLLECTION Tangerine products bring a festive cheer with bright and sunny shades in bedsheets and pillow cases. Predominantly in peppy colours of red, orange, yellow, gold and purple, this collection is made of soft quality fabric and 100 percent cotton. Not only can it liven up your bedrooms, but can also be a great gifting option at affordable prices. www.facebook.com/mytangerinetree
IDUS SOLACE
HAFELE EXTENDABLE TABLE FITTINGS
This centre table belongs to the Sculpture furniture collection from IDUS. The collection aims to bring a rustic appeal to modern spaces by blending sculptures into utility furniture pieces such as coffee tables, dining tables and centre pieces. Solace has a steel frame base with driftwood and glass top. What a creative way to capture the essence of the outdoor and bring it indoor!
Häfele brings its spontaneous range of Extendable Table Fittings that grants you the liberty to design your dream abode and helps create more space. These fittings simply blend into the interiors when closed. Lunch is a space-saving system that consists of a pull-out table top fitting stored in a space normally used for a drawer. The table fitting pulls out instantly by simply opening the hinged front of the drawer space. Created to cater to the needs of functionality in small spaces, this runner is ideal for small kitchens and kitchenettes needing a table top for breakfast.
www.idus.in
www.hafeleindia.com
RR DÉCOR VERSACE 19.69 CORAL BEDSPREAD COLLECTION This luxurious bed linen collection takes your breath away with a range of exquisite quilted patterns designed and artfully embroidered on cotton satins. Fine detailing with borders, flanges and hemstitching and classic shades of cream and grey mark this collection as timeless and classy. One of the fastest growing brands in Milan, Versace 19.69 specializes in bed and bath linen for the residential and contract markets. www.rrdecor.com
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BOCONCEPT SCANDINAVIAN DESIGNS This winter collection from the international brand BoConcept has it all. From pillow cushions and knit throws to add warmth to your living room to swivel chairs and sofa to beat the winter blues, it creates the right setting for you to relax. The sheepskin throw in this range is an interesting combination of the quirky and comfortable. www.boconcept.com/ hi-in
THE GREAT EASTERN HOME SOFA COLLECTION Give your home that extra zest and plush factor with the stylish sofa collection from The Great Eastern Store. Expertise, perfection and painstaking craftsmanship is what makes this limited edition collection different from the rest. Leather, fabric and wood come together in this mix of classical and contemporary sofas that display elegance and comfort. www.thegreateasternhome.com
FURNCRAFT DECOLLAGE HECTOR Aristocracy is back with a bang with Hector. Its design effortlessly showcases the Furncraft brand objectives of style, exclusivity and high-end solutions. With its contemporary look, this high back lounge chair is all about elegance and luxury. The curved legs and dramatic upholstery pinned with brass make a unique statement. www.facebook.com/furncraft-decollage116707791692029
URBAN LADDER WALLACE DESK Made of engineered wood, the Wallace desk is an inspiring idea with neat, laddered shelves on the side. The simple colour shades complement the sleek, functional look ideal for a workplace. With a spacious table top to setup your computer, compact shelves to arrange your books and stationery and accommodative legroom, this is perfect for workaholics and students alike. www.urbanladder.com
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Make Your Kitchen Sparkle
Technology lends a hand as refined kitchen designs emerge with sleek and easy-to-maintain finishes. Read on to discover how brands have an accurate pulse of the customer mind set.
HAFELE CHEF PANTRY PULL-OUT SYSTEM Häfele’s Chef Pantry pull out unit is used to organise your kitchen space. It has adjustable height facility and soft close mechanism which ensure noiseless closing experience. It is made from steel and has a bright chrome plated, chrome silver finish. It is equipped with 28 large baskets which can swing out completely along with 14 small baskets on the door in the sides.
www.hafeleindia.com
SOMANY CERAMICS GLOSSTRA Created using Ultra Gloss technology, the Glosstra brand by Somany Ceramics adds colour to the interiors. Kitchen-specific motifs, created with digital printing, can be used to create backdrops to liven up the walls. The high gloss finish reflects natural light and gives a bright, airy and spacious feel to the kitchen space. www.somanyceramics.com
DUPONT™ CORIAN DuPont™ Corian® solid surface is nonporous, durable, non-toxic, easyto-clean and NSF/ANSI Standard 51 Certified for food contact making it ideal for use where food is prepared and served. Its innovative DeepColor® Technology delivers greater depth of colour with improved durability, reduced scratch visibility and increased resistance to impact whitening. www.dupont.co.in
KAJARIA WALL TILES Kajaria’s 25 x 75cm digital ceramic wall tile collection is designed to make kitchens look more spacious with their unique elongated size. Bigger tiles appear to give a space an open and breathable ambience. However with the limitation and shortage of space in residences today, big tiles are seen as a less economical alternative, which is where Kajaria’s range of 25 x 75cm digital ceramic tiles come in. www.kajariaceramics.com
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GROHE EUROCUBE FAUCET The Grohe Eurocube kitchen faucet, in either dazzling chrome or sophisticated matte SuperSteel, with professional spray offers the very best in terms of both form and function. The 360 degree rotating spring neck maximises the range of the spray and the two spray modes can be selected - a conventional flow of water from the mousseur and a powerful spray for efficient cleaning. www.grohe.com/in/
FRANKE TECTONITE SINKS The state-of-the-art Centenary design is formed from patented materials. Tectonite comes with three tiered accessories and fits perfectly in functionality and design with 3rd generation material. Tectonite sinks are durable as they can resist temperatures of up to 300°C. Due to the exclusive tectonite texture, the sink can be easily cleaned and automatically repels liquids and dirt from the surface. www.franke.com
HETTICH INDIA PVT. LTD. CARGOFLEXI WIRE-BASKETS CargoFlexi which has recently been awarded as the most innovative product for kitchen by Indian Kitchen Congress 2016 is a unique system that takes concept of modularity to the next level. The chrome plated finish system provides flexibility to adjust to different widths thereby facilitating the optimum utilisation of available space. www.hettich.com
HAFELE CAESARSTONE Hafele’s latest innovation, Caesarstone, allows you to improve the visual aesthetics of your space and is made from 93% pure quartz stone and can be created in any imaginable colour by adding colour pigments and additives into the mix. It is extremely scratch resistant, heat resistant, anti-bacterial and absorption free and is four times stronger than granite surfaces. www.hafeleindia.com
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Luxury Meets Utility
From fancy products such as lamp showers and designer furnishing to utility items like drains, sinks and faucets, the bath area gets an upgrade. Look no further for ideas to redecorate.
AXOR LAMPSHOWER BY NENDO Axor impresses its customers with this unique shower designed by Oki Sato called the Lampshower. The concept underlying the Lampshower is the natural fusion of light and water to add a sense of homeliness to the bathroom. This hybrid of light and shower offers a perfect personal spa experience. The elegant Lampshower can be combined with a range of other Axor collections. www.axor-design.com
DURAVIT LIGHTS & MIRRORS
VITRA ISTANBUL FAUCET Designed by Ross Lovegrove, the Istanbul Collection by Vitra is inspired by nature. Drawing cues from the diverse ethnicity, architecture and custom of the region, Lovegrove also studied ottoman geometries and calligraphy which are graphic yet liquid, organic and highly sensual to create surface patterns and two dimensional applications. These put together lead to the eye catching Istanbul Collection. www.vitra-india.com
With the new mirror program, Duravit shows versatile design solutions which add value to the bathroom while also providing optimal illumination. There are three different variants available: single light field at the top-edge, dual light fields at the sides and indirect ambient light on all four sides. All mirrors are available in three different variants: Good - wall switch operated, Better with light via sensor operation and Best - with light via sensor operation, mirror heating and downlight. www.duravit.in
KEUCO EDITION 400 With the newly developed Edition 400 bathroom furnishing, Keuco is pushing new boundaries in the area of bathroom planning and design. The Edition 400 overall concept of bathroom furnishings includes bathroom furniture, light mirrors, mirror cabinets, fittings and accessories. You can choose a concept based on your spatial need and also can set an atmosphere within a bath space based on your whims and moods. www.keuco.in
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VIEGA BATHROOM DRAIN The bathroom drain by Viega is the first on the market to be completely frameless. It has been engineered with a low installation height of just 5mm which makes it ideal for high-quality bathrooms and spas. There are versatile design options through the unrestricted use of different floor coverings like tiles, natural stone and even glass mosaic. Any material can be used, from 5 to 30mm. The water drains out through the narrow circular slot between the cover and the flooring. Despite a low width, it has a capacity of around 0.4 - 0.5 litres/second. www.viega.in
KLUDI KLUDI PUSH ARTIZE TIAARA The Tiaara faucet designed in collaboration with ace product designer Michael Foley brings a combination of functionality with a difference. The concentric rings of the Tiaara faucet originate from the play of echoing ripples of water. The inner ring swings to give access to running water and seamlessly ends when swung back without a drop spilt. www.artize.com
Kludi Push is a sophisticated operating concept for shower and bath. The flow of water is started and stopped by a simple touch of the ergonomic push buttons, and the temperature is preselected with the knob. At the heart of Kludi Push is the magnetic valve technology. Kludi Push is available in two design elements – round and square, with a convenient thermostat or a practical ceramic cartridge. This makes for really simple operation for the young and old alike. www.kludiindia.com
STERNHAGEN SANI-Q Just as in nature no two crystals are of the same shape, no two facets of this centre piece sink are alike. Sani-Q is a patented high-tech Quartz material with silk finish. While the crystal‘s high-gloss top captures the delicate elegance of a brilliantly polished stone, Sani-Q technology allows the crystal to sport finely rounded edges for easy upkeep. www.sternhagen.com
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Luminaires and Accessories Galore
Colours, eclectic textures and inspirations from across the globe define the recent product releases in the lighting and accessories segment. Welcome the festive spirit with a chic lamp or a funky accoutrement.
TISVA CONCRETE RANGE Tisva’s latest collection highlights pendant lights made from concrete. Concrete, a material containing in itself all features of sturdiness and industriousness, creates a perfect luminaire to be displayed in an area of activity and dynamism. Designed for ultramodern rugged interiors these fixtures come with aluminium reflector on the inside to ensure high efficiency with minimal light loss. www.lightsbytisva.com
ANEMOS COLOURFUL LAMPS Inspired and named after the Greek God of Winds, Anemos, known for its stylish yet functional fans, have come out with a colourful home decor collection for this monsoon season. Classic, colourful royalstyled lamps from the collection introduce a sense of merriment to interior design. They can be used to add a contrasting and cheerful element to neutral and sober themes. www.anemos.in
GREGGIO ARGENTO AFTERNOON TEA SERVICE SET This beautiful product is a part of the brand’s Royal Collection which represents the excellence of the production of silver plated products. It is created from high quality materials like premium stainless steel moulds and dyes. Each piece goes through a unique production cycle undergoing a hardening process with hand finishing carried out by highly skilled chisellers. www.greggio.com/en
CASA POP MALACHITE COLLECTION This vibrant home and fashion accessories collection from Casa Pop energizes your space like no other. From the ottoman and the pillow cushions in your living room to the bold-patterned emerald green crockery set in your dining, this collection makes its way into every corner of the house. Even everyday artefacts like the dustbin and tissue box get an attractive makeover with Malachite. www.casa-pop.com
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BAAYA DESIGN MOROCCAN CANDLE LANTERNS These exquisite Moroccan candle lanterns are an interesting amalgamation of earthy look and pops of colours. The base and frame has a dark coloured perforated metal that creates a mesmerising effect when the candle is lit inside. The lantern has a handle to hang or carry and is ideal for indoor or outdoor use as the candle is enclosed within the lantern. www.baayadesign.com
FRAZER AND HAWS DÉCOR MARVELS THE GREAT EASTERN HOME DIVIDING SCREENS The intricacy of this royal collection of room diving screens from The Great Eastern Home is functional, versatile and dynamic. These screens are made from wood, leather and stained glass which can be customized as per clients’ needs. All these screens are practical, beautiful, with ornate details, strong materials and bold colours. Available in various shapes and sizes they add a point of interest in your home.
Embellish your table and corners with this designer vase collection by Frazer and Haws, a design led British brand with an Indian soul. Inspired by quirky conceptualization and bold colour and textural combinations, these vases garner instant attention and give a unique design twist to interior spaces. Each product has a distinctive contemporary style that adds to the creative quotient of your home. www.frazerandhaws.com
www.thegreateasternhome.com
WISMA GOLDEN TABLE CLOCK ANTIQUE COLLECTION Nomita Kohli’s antique table clock collection creates an attractive visual focal point for your home décor. Designed in golden polish, these nuanced artisan pieces signify a timeless elegance. They blend easily with any design theme or wall colour but still stand out due to the stunning metal finish. This is a perfect example of artistic creativity combined with modern design technology. www.wismaatria.in
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It’s Makeover Time
Try our choosy picks of laminates, tiles and other floor, wall and ceiling products and watch as the world around you transforms into a cosy haven.
STYLAM INDUSTRIES FASCIA EXTERIOR CLADDING Fascia - high pressure laminates used for exterior cladding is another one of Stylam Industries’ ground breaking products. They have a decorative surface suitable for exteriors. Resistant to colour fading and weather-proof with special protection, they have been designed keeping in mind international design requirements. Its applications include wall and façade lining, partitions, fences, etc. www.stylam.com
SQUARE FOOT ARTIFICIAL TURF FLOORING Square Foot’s artificial turf/landscaping grass is made from high quality synthetic fibre (25 and 40mm) which makes it indistinguishable from natural grass. It can withstand heavy traffic and is child and pet friendly. It requires zero maintenance, helps conserve water and is resistant to varied climatic conditions. With easy installation it is a popular choice in the sports industry. www.squarefoot.co.in
GREENLAM INDUSTRIES LTD. MIKASA PRISTINE OAK COLLECTION Greenlam launches Mikasa real wood floors, produced in India for the first time at their plant in Behror, Rajasthan. Mikasa Pristine is a distinctive selection of 15mm hardwood flooring. Crafted to perfection, the latest offering in the range captures the natural strength of Oak. With a collection of 7 different Oak finishes it offers freshness to your space. www.greenlam.com www.mikasafloors.com
NITCO NITCO MAGNIFIED 2015 With an ideology to carve out a distinct recognition through innovation and excellence, Nitco launched Nitco Magnified 2015 across categories like glazed vitrified tiles, ceramic wall tiles and vitrified heavy duty tiles. To meet the consumers’ demand of amplifying the enormity of space, Nitco launched tiles that are larger than standard sizes. Aesthetically inspired from natural elements, they are anti-skid, scratch and chemical resistant. www.nitcotiles.in
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BISAZZA CEMENT TILES - TOM DIXION Bisazza’s new collection designed by Tom Dixion puts a contemporary spin on the traditional cement tiles. The collection includes square and hexagonal tiles. The hand-made tiles are made using highstrength cement which is blended with coloured oxides. They are available in 25 colours and in a vast range of multicoloured decorations. They are suitable for internal floors and commercial floors with medium traffic. www.bisazza.com
GRESCASA CERAMICS LTD. THE PARISIEN COLLECTION Grescasa boasts of a collection that will help you keep up with the pace of ever changing styles. Parisien by Grescasa only goes to reinstate them as connoisseurs of style and quintessence of quality. Available in a size of 60x60 cms they can be applied on walls and floors. Emblems of digital technology, these are frost resistant. www.grescasa.com
ASAHI INDIA AIS SECURITY GLASS & AIS SECURITYPLUS (FLOORS & STAIRCASES) AIS Security Glass (intrusion-resistant laminated glass with 1.52 mm PVB interlayer) and AIS Securityplus with a Dupont Sentry Glass interlayer that is 5 times stronger and 100 times stiffer than conventional laminating materials from Asahi India Glass Ltd. can be used for designing glass floors. The PVB (polyvinyl butyral) interlayer increases tolerance and enables aesthetic and complex designs with minimal structural support. www.aisglass.com
BHARAT FLOORINGS MICRO CEMENT FLOORS With virtually unlimited design options and quick installation time, micro cement floors can turn any space into a vibrant and beautifully designed area. These can be overlaid over existing floors and are cost effective. With a sealer coating, the floors last years with minimal need of periodic maintenance. Micro cement floors are made to withstand heavy traffic. www.bharatfloorings.com
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A Step Closer to Nature
Intelligent products that combine comfort and durability with visual brilliance make their way into the landscapes segment. Take a peek into the world of funky outdoor furniture and charming planters.
FURNITURE REPUBLIC OUTDOOR FURNITURE Whether you have a spacious lawn, a compact patio or a balcony, The Furniture Republic has a range of outdoor furniture designed to get the most out of your space. They have outdoor tables and chairs in advanced plastics and metal construction. Colour finishes thrive in a world of outdoor furniture with bright blues, summery yellows or bold reds. It is also becoming more popular than before to contrast neutral colours with brighter colours. Priced from Rs. 4000 onwards, they are available at TFR’s exclusive megastores in Delhi-NCR at MG Road and Noida. www.tfrhome.com
TRESORIE OUTDOOR GARDEN COLLECTION This collection from Tresorie has an array of planters and potters which will give your balcony or garden a new look. Rendering a natural, unstructured feel, this versatile collection has everything from a popular country house look that is both durable and weather proof, picket fence style planters which reflect a happy, homecoming mood, to a colourful sea of blossoms on your terrace in bright country style window planters. Tresorie (‘treasure’ in French) is definitely a hassle-free way to beautify your garden. www.facebook.com/Tresorie448866791969050/
URBAN LADDER CORSICA ADJUSTABLE PATIO ARMCHAIR Your search for the perfect armchair as your patio companion ends with the Corsica armchair from Urban Ladder. Made of Acacia wood, it is weather friendly and can stay outside as long as you want. Adjustable to five positions, it is designed to let you make the most of your balcony or patio. Sit up and read your morning newspaper or lie back and bask in some sunshine. Or, if you prefer, fold and carry this lightweight product indoors to make way for some additional seating. www.urbanladder.com
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PATIO BANGALORE FIBRE GLASS FURNITURE These funky fibre glass outdoor furniture by Patio Bangalore are easy to maintain as they do not warp, rust, crack, corrode or shrink. Not only are they waterproof but can also take temperatures up to 53 degrees. It’s easy to keep them clean as the non-porous fibreglass resists algae growth, making it difficult to accumulate dirt. Over the years the fibreglass products do not change their appearance retaining a smooth and attractive finish. www.patiobangalore.com
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A rejuvenating corner to work from home
Home office spaces are no longer an ignored segment in home design. They are in the spotlight with the increasing number of hours people spend working from home.
Whether you are a freelancer or a 9-to-5 person who also works from home, your home workspace should be an ideal setup to boost productivity and make you feel relaxed. With this objective, let us look at a few ways to bring that much needed joie de vivre to your workspace. GET THE BASICS RIGHT Get the two basic components - table and chair – right in both form and function. For a warm, cosy feel, opt for wooden pieces and for a pristine, sleek look, choose a white corian surface. The trend is to go for minimalistic tables that snug into smaller spaces rather than a clunky furniture piece.
Pick ergonomically aligned furniture to keep your spine happy.
Photo Courtesy: Häfele
Photo Courtesy: Herman Miller
FINDING THE PERFECT SPOT A spare room may be the obvious choice, but you can also make best use of an unused corner. L-shaped corners are great to set up two sides to the working table, one for primary work and the other for storage (books, folders, printer, etc.) In smaller spaces, you can design a pull out table that pops off a cabinet drawer or piggyback on the chest as the base.
Photo Courtesy: Featherlite
Never compromise comfort for appearance when it comes to your workspace. Pick ergonomically aligned furniture to keep your spine happy and ensure there is sufficient arm and leg room. Indulge yourself with height adjustable tables that are optimal to work even while standing.
Save precious space with a pull-out table that only uses one drawer’s space when closed.
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Go for a minimalistic and classy design with an open source platform for paper accessories.
Photo Courtesy: Featherlite
Multiple desk setups help alternate between standing and sitting postures.
White corian table surface is not just functional but also symbolises a modern, professional décor.
Exploit your balcony or deck as an option. This allows you to stay close to nature, but is admittedly not an all-weather solution. Alternatively, place your desk next to a window so it’s airy with access to natural light. To avoid glare, make sure the window is to your side rather than to the front or back. NOW, IT’S TIME TO ACCESSORISE Beautify your work area so you feel energized for hours. The wall is a strong visual point as you tend to stare at it most of the time, so consider a brick encasing or wooden panelling to highlight it. Or, add a collage of your favourite memories. Use vertical spaces or include a corner ladder-shelf to store items and show off your trinkets. A green potted plant or a colourful hanging lamp adds an extra zing. Couple this with a reclining couch next to the table to sit, meditate or stretch. To make your workspace reflect who you are, personalise it with your favourite accessories. Then, it will become your own special, happy place to be.
Ladder shelves hoisted on the corner and against the wall make for excellent storage spaces next to the working desk, especially in smaller spaces.
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Ready for an outdoor makeover?
Want to add some pizzazz to your outdoor spaces? In this Renovate and Decorate special, we tell you how to give a makeover to these oft neglected areas.
Whether you have a spacious porch or deck or a small balcony in an apartment, turn it into a showstopper with these techniques. MAKE GREEN YOUR FAVOURITE COLOUR Based on the available space, you can plan an elaborate garden or restrict to a few potted plants. Think about how much access to sunlight you have before choosing the type of plant. In smaller areas, vertical or hanging gardens work like a charm. With more budget, you can even plan a green wall on one side. Or, buy a greenhouse and station it against the wall. THROW IN SOME BOLD HUES Outdoors normally mean you use durable furniture but that does not have to imply boring. Go for loud, monochromatic colours that stand out. If you have furniture with a white, grey or metal finish, then contrast it with pillow cushions that have floral or ethnic prints. Change your pillow cases every few months to give a refreshing look. BRING SOME CHI WITH A WATER ELEMENT You can make a small fairy garden with a water element as an accessory. Go for a huge vase with blossoms. Or, opt for a wide brass or glass bowl with water and arrange a neat spread of flower petals, candles or diyas.
Here is a simplistic porch with a wooden finish floor, with nature to keep company.
Photograph: Dipen Tandel
USE ONE OR TWO STAND-OUT OBJECTS Rather than overwhelming the space with too many objects, opt for one or two stand-out elements.
A bamboo chair and a snug swing to put your feet up, adorned by a green wall on the deck rejuvenates more than you can imagine.
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Multi-coloured bright planters placed on a the balcony ledge bring playfulness and cheer to your outdoors even as they nudge ‘go green’.
Water is an important element in feng shui a brass vessel with beautiful, ornate flowers can bring that magical charm.
Pick from all-weather seating options - wood, advanced plastics, metal and fibre glass.
You can paint an old trunk and use it as a side stool stand or a book case. Or, have a quirky centre piece with a rugged arrangement of pebbles or painted rocks. LIGHT IT UP Outdoors does not have to always mean dim lights. Dim lights make it difficult to use the space in the late evenings when you actually have more time to unwind. Install a combination of dim and bright lights and choose them based on your activity. Use a metal finish chandelier to bring in a majestic touch or some Chinese lanterns to boost the charm of your balcony. DECK UP THE FLOOR AND WALLS If you want to give a facelift to any space, this is a definite way to go. Use high pressure, all-weather wall laminates suitable for exteriors. For the floors, choose striped tiles or wooden flooring. While adding ingredients is one way to beautify your outdoor spaces, there is another sure trick - remove all the clutter from your balconies to give it an immaculate appearance.
Rather than overburdening the space with too many objects, go for a single stand-out element – the earthy, wooden table here serves as an attracstive centre piece.
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The Hilton in Prague can be undoubtedly identifiable as the glass box on the Vltava River.
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THE GLASS BOX Hilton Prague is the perfect starting point to discovering the splendours of this fairy tale city. Located within walking distance of the centre, it is suitably positioned close to the local attractions, shopping and night life. Undoubtedly identifiable as the glass box on the Vltava in a city otherwise dominated by traditional buildings, it is conveniently placed between the Old Town and the business district.
Text By Natalie Pedder-Bajaj Photographs Courtesy The Hotel Home Review September 2016
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Overlooking the beautiful Vltava River, the Hilton Prague was awarded the ‘Best Hotel in the Czech Republic’ by TGG Travel Awards in 2012, for the 5th consecutive year! Being one of the major modern upmarket hotels in the country, it has become popular with both the business and the leisure traveller. The firm PRD was given the enormous task of transforming the interiors of this 20 year old hotel into a more contemporary and inviting space. Essential design solutions were applied to renovate both the form and the function of existing key areas in this sprawling property. While space planning, the designers ignored the existing layouts and floor plans, determined on creating a footprint for a hotel of the future. Design responsibilities included front of house areas like the lobby and reception areas, plus 867 bedrooms and suites.
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The guest rooms that include both the Presidential and Royal Apartments have been fitted out with up-to-date interiors and facilities - all facing either the scenic river, the city scape or the fabulous lobby atrium with its huge sky light. The hotel has three restaurants and two bars, one of which hangs dramatically 40 metres above the ground. Perched atop the Hilton is the immensely popular and hip Cloud 9 Sky Bar and Lounge, the first sky bar in the city of Prague. This trendy haunt has been awarded the ‘Best Hotel Bar’ at the Czech Bar Awards and patrons can enjoy jaw dropping views of the city while sipping on delicious signature cocktails. Designed by architect Philip Rodgers, the ultramodern and sleek Cloud 9 features lush purple accents, vanguard designer furniture, shimmering mirrors combined with a unique lighting system, large windows and an open terrace with gorgeous views of Prague. But the pièce de résistance is definitely the luxuriously long bar made completely out of glass.
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The Czechouse Grill and Rotisserie offers a unique experience that suitably compliments the interiors also done by Philip Rodgers. The layout creates an elegant visual impact highlighting the skill and legacy of the talented Hilton chefs, while the furnishings display a marriage of contemporary elegance with refined references to Prague’s famous traditions and architecture.
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After sight-seeing, tired guests can head down to the Cybex health club and spa which offers world class treatments that include hot mineral springs, a Turkish hammam, relaxing massages, a fitness centre and also an indoor pool. Whether conducting business or spending time with the family on vacation, the Hilton in Prague offers all the impeccable services and amenities you’d come to expect from this world renowned group. reservations.prague@hilton.com www.prague.hilton.com
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Crafting stories Everyone has a story. Sometimes we are the lead of that story, and sometimes we just witness them. Sometimes they’re boring, while some are utterly fascinating. These stories have been a part of our childhood, when Grandma used to tell them. These stories were a part of our glory when we talked about the good old days. They may be in form of folklore or mythical legends or they may be stories of our daily lives and the little sparks that make our lives interesting and worth living. These stories make us who we all are.
Photographs Poulami Biswas
By Subi Suman and Poulami Biswas
DESIGNQUEST
Space Tale furniture is about such stories that have been an integral part of us. In Space Tale all the products tell a story. These stories are inspired by the great cultural heritage of India as well as the stories of our lives. These are the stories that we want to read and love every day and showcase them as an element of our culture. Furniture and products from Space Tale are meant to reflect a personality that is an extension of a quintessential Indian. Space Tales is a brain child of Subi Suman who passed out of NID (National Institute of Design) in 2009. Subi is a graduate of architecture and following his passion for interiors and space products. Poulami a born artist, dancer and a practicing architect joined Space Tale in the year 2012 as a creative partner and she keeps herself busy in enhancing the esthetical value of our products. Home Review September 2016
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Burgeon Made of pure mahogany wood, this armchair celebrates nature to its fullest.
Bloom This corner table fits into any corner and provides maximum usability.
The little seed found its cosy shelter in the moist, warm soil. The clouds above blessed the tiny seed with rain and the earth enveloped it in its loving care. Thus came out the fresh green baby leaves. Soon it developed into a beautiful sapling. With much love from the sky and the earth the little sapling grew into a big tree, with its branches reaching for the clouds. It showered the earth with gratitude. People received flowers and fruits. They breathed the fresh air and all lived happily ever after. The nature with its various elements of creation always inspires us. Thus, we were inspired by the tiny sapling, the creation of life. Our new range Sprout To Cloud celebrates this joyous event. We tried to capture various stages of the creation in various furniture pieces. And these pieces come together to weave this beautiful story.
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The Shoot Up revolving storage depicts the tree’s nature when it rises above the clouds. This piece has a revolving storage unit and a hanger to hang various day to day things. It can be placed in any of the rooms of the house and it would tell its own story. The sprout finally reached the cloud. The Silverline mirror gets its name from the aura of light emerging behind the cloud mirror.
The corner table, Bloom is inspired by the form of a bud. And the form has been used to its maximum function. This corner table fits into any corner and provides maximum usability. It also comes with a hidden storage with a lid to keep the handy little items nearer and safe. The carved edge also helps in keeping the charging chord in place. The coffee table, Origin is a perfect centre piece for any living area. And it is the perfect balance of form and functionality. The simple circular form incorporates a circular storage in the centre. And the carving on the lid talks of the journey of the tiny seed.
Spin the bud This corner organiser’s spinning nature is inspired by the pattern in which the stem grows.
The story: Sprout To Cloud
Shoot up This piece has a revolving storage unit and a hanger to put up various day to day things.
Rain cloud shelf and Droplet hangers This forms the ultimate solution to any wall.
Origin The coffee table is the perfect balance of form and functionality. Silverline Silverline gets its name from the aura of light emerging behind the cloud mirror.
Taking the story ahead we have the cloud shelf and the droplet hangers. Together it tells the story of the rain cloud. The Burgeon arm chair is the depiction of a young sprout. Made of pure mahogany wood, this hand crafted furniture piece is surely going to be the conversation starter. Lastly comes a revolving corner organizer, Spin the bud. The spinning nature of the product is inspired by the pattern in which the stem grows which adds to its functionality. Our message for afforestation The nature has given us all and now it is our turn to give it back something. Millions of trees get cut every day for human consumption and it is taking a toll on the environment. It is now our responsibility to save our nature. Join us in our journey towards a better world. Plant more trees because it is us who can change the world. More trees, more life‌. info.spacetale@gmail.com www.spacetaledesigns.com
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Despite its unusual plot shape and size, The Gallery House is a place where everything comes together – architecture brilliance, airy spaces, functional ease and innovative use of textures.
Text By Ramya Srinivasan Photographs Ranjan Sharma from Lightzone India
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Architectural Paragon
Many factors had to be considered to accommodate the conversion from farmhouse to permanent residence - size, shape, vaastu and retaining its core objective were just some of them.
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When Bharat Sawhney, the builder, conceptualised the project in Chhatarpur, Delhi, it was meant to be just a farmhouse. But it evolved into a residence - the Gallery House - when Mr. Surinder Sud and his wife decided to make it their permanent home. Many factors had to be considered to accommodate this conversion - size, shape, vaastu and retaining its core objective were just some of them. Mukul Arora, one of the principal architects of DADA Partners, a multi-disciplinary design firm in Gurgaon, discusses the different challenges, “The project needed to have the openness associated with a farmhouse, but also had to be functional for everyday living. The plot size here was much smaller (about a quarter acre) than the usual 2.5 acres parcel of farm land, which made it challenging to incorporate free spaces. To add to this, the plot shape was triangular.” Sometimes, a project’s stand-out features only emerge due to the very constraints that it has. The Gallery House is a fitting example of this phenomenon. To maximise the use of the triangular plot, minimal setbacks were left at the back of the house, allowing for a large frontage that accommodates a deliberately understated driveway and porch along with liberal landscaping. The swimming pool to the tapering right adds to the tranquil appearance of the entrance. Couple of Buddha stones are tactically placed to add interest - one near the entrance door and the other, right next to the pool. White stucco finish along the borders of the building and the roof folds, extensive use of glass as sliding doors and stylishly arranged wooden battens present an arresting picture of the façade.
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Talking about the choice of wooden battens on the exterior, Mukul Arora says, “The battens bring coherence, bind the roof to the floor and provide a balance to the solid void composition, which otherwise leans towards too much open space. They also help with privacy as they help shield the transparent glass doors and panels.” The theme of the solid teak battens extends even to the boxed balcony above the drawing room that juts out of the top floor. Ground floor plan of the Gallery House.
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Heavier sand-blasted and flamed granite slabs are arranged tectonically in the entrance area. As you walk through the grey quartzite cobblestone driveway flanked by potted plants and manicured lawns, you enter the sheltered porch.
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Additionally, there was the challenge of installing the battens delicately. “We fixed steel rods at the top and bottom, inserted the battens and let gravity do its job. To avoid damage and cracks on the edges due to rain, we secured them using metal cover clamps on the top edge,â€? explains Arora. In contrast to this vertical timber composition of the façade, heavier sand-blasted and flamed granite slabs are arranged tectonically in the entrance area. As you walk through the grey quartzite cobblestone driveway flanked by potted plants and manicured lawns, you enter the sheltered porch. The low-rise canopy enveloping this leisure area creates a wonderful sense of intimacy.
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A solid wood pivot door, then, welcomes you to the entrance lobby of the house. The ground floor layout lays emphasis on movement in the north and privacy in the south. It is planned with no big doors or enclosures, instead opting for sub-lobbies and cut-out areas that ensure a sense of natural progression from one end of the house to another. The entertaining zones such as the drawing and dining to the left and the master bedroom to the right earmark the bookends of this stretched out gallery-like space. Other service areas, kitchen and secondary bedrooms are tucked neatly behind. Conspicuous volumes of open space greet us on the first floor. While the stairs begin at the deeper end of the living room at the bottom, as one moves upwards, the experience changes dramatically. Getting off the stairs, the capacious layout that comes with the vertical shift makes it easy to understand why the Gallery House is named so. The roominess here is partly because the ground floor is heavy with the most functional rooms, which is in accordance with the clients’ preference.
Spacious seating spots to merely enjoy the pool view or grab a cup of coffee and a book.
Here, the décor is in alignment with the transition points. At different points as you turn, art pieces and tapestries break the monotony of the openness. A substantial amount of rugs and carpets adorning the space reflect the couple’s taste. Gallery House’s visual language is contemporary and classy, and its architecture has a singular approach of facilitating a better engagement with nature. In that sense, it stands apart from your typical farmhouse with an innovative style. marora@dadapartners.com www.dadapartners.com The typical Gujarati divan provides a colourful foil to the neutral floor and wall shades.
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Design True Blue Store, Mumbai I-AM, an international multi-disciplinary branding and interior design agency, won the integrated branding mandate for True Blue, a premium menswear apparel brand and created and designed the branding and interior concept for their first store in Mumbai. After a research on True Blue’s competitors and target audience, I-AM worked in close collaboration with True Blue to incorporate the results into their brand and concept store. The design process started off with understanding basic attributes within Indian art and architecture, ranging from geometric patterns to architectural forms like arches and columns, which was then interpreted in a modern context. I-AM developed a brand identity that is inspired from geometric Indian patterns found in art and architecture, while holding the initials of the brand name in a mark that is elegant and contemporary. The store is unique in its approach starting from the façade, which was inspired by a simplified and contemporary version of an Indian jaali. Subtle branding details are found throughout the store, such as the use of custom-designed patterns inspired from the identity that add to the heritageinspired interiors. www.in.i-amonline.com
Text Compiled By Rehana Hussain
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Intelligent design need not be restricted to mammoth-sized spaces. Sometimes even a small idea can lead to stunning, brilliant themes in the designing of interiors.
Mixology Every month, Design Mixology - our latest entrée in the design arena will spotlight innovative design in various domains such as showrooms, bars, clinics, spas and salons and much more.
Meuble India, Mumbai Meuble India is a 3,000 sq. ft. studio housing artefacts and furniture that has been manufactured by the founders Hardik Naik, Parikshit Deshmukh, Bhushan Kapase, Harshad Jadhav and Chirag Chopra with designs inspired by the current style trends. Situated inside a loft, the studio is a perfect blend of commercial, home and restaurant decor offering chic and edgy artefacts. The furniture is a fun mix of classic and contemporary designs giving it an edgy and unique look. Ranging from quirky décor for the living space to chic and vintage furniture for the office, this store promises to meet your art cravings. Meuble India is a luxurious interior store that believes in “Furnishing Excellence”. The studio has an in-store café for you to sip on your cappuccino while reading your favourite novel. This multifaceted design studio also comprises of a co-working space which has its doors open to people looking out for an inspiring working environment. At just Rs. 1000 per day Meuble India offers a private desk section inside the store, a couch corner for meetings, free Wi-Fi connection and access to Meuble Café at discounted rates.
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Jamie Oliver’s Restaurants, New Delhi & Gurgaon Jamie Oliver launched two outposts, Jamie’s Pizzeria and Jamie’s Italian, in Gurgaon and New Delhi respectively. Each restaurant is unique and carefully designed to incorporate the history of the building, the personality of the city and to create an atmosphere where the focus is on exceptional food and good company. Designed by Studio Lotus with Jamie’s Indian International (JII) design team, Jamie’s Pizzeria is very similar to Jamie’s Italian; the sites are rustic and have a sense of being a part of the community. They have large open kitchens, displays of hanging vegetables and their planks. Menus and design take into account local ingredients and culture. The walls are scribbled with drawings and paintings giving the place a casual feel.
Jamie’s Pizzeria
The design of Jamie’s Italian takes design cues from the warmth and vibrancy of India yet maintains links to the Jamie’s Italian family throughout the world. A bespoke light fitting designed by Stiff + Trevillion makes a striking focal point as you enter the restaurant, made from many thousands of traditional bracelets found in markets across India. This project was a collaboration between Stiff & Trevillion, Studio Lotus and the team from Jamie Oliver. www.studiolotus.in www.stiffandtrevillion.com Jamie’s Italian
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When one turns a major drawback of a material into its most highlighted facet, it can sometimes lead to unbelievable outcomes. Stone is one such material that architects and designers are shy to use or employ it for fixed uses due to its weight and ineptness to be shaped to the desired proportions easily. Headquartered in Noida, with their branches spread out in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Dubai, Odyssey explores this limitedly used material as a design and architectural element in multifarious projects, installations and products. Odyssey doesn’t believe in restricting the versatility of this indigenous material and has been working with different types of stone for the past nine years.
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EVOKING THE STONE AGE TEXT BY REHANA HUSSAIN
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Ishi Kiri collection
As Founder Ruchika adds, “The ability to understand and re-imagine an extremely hard material to work with is our USP.� India being one of the major exporters of natural stone, there is no dearth of the procurement of the raw material for Odyssey, which mostly uses Indian stone but also imports stone for specific project-related requirements.
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Founder Ruchika Grover was involved in her father’s business of transacting granite and marble blocks and accompanied him to quarries and stone processing units all around the world. This is where she gained the knowledge and hands-on experience which ultimately became the stepping stone to Odyssey.
After completing her post-graduation in Entrepreneurship from University of Nottingham, UK, she sowed the seeds of Odyssey in 2007 for enhancing the status of stone to a better proposition and exploring options for value addition to stone in India. Backed with her father’s experience of over 20 years in the stone industry, Odyssey emerged as the ideal partner for large residential, hospitality and commercial projects developed in collaboration with architects and designers all over the world. Odyssey is more than just about beautiful installations. Ruchika shares, “When one thinks about stone in architecture and design, you think of the typical Rajasthani patterns and floral inlays. This however is a very limited perspective on stone and its application. There are hundreds of varieties of stone available in India and abroad, with different varieties suited to different environments and purposes. Odyssey brings this understanding of stone to the customer.”
Kinetic collection
Odyssey’s journey to this stage has been eventful as they are keen to deliver something novel and not-seen-before. Ruchika says, “Odyssey has evolved simply with a vision to be able to deliver something innovative to the industry. We are constantly ‘work-in-progress”’; eager to create, to surprise and to learn. It’s very important for us to innovate and not be bored in the process and work on repetitive projects. The model we are steering towards brings both design and business together beautifully.” Odyssey has a retail collection for vertical surfaces, which can be customised. These include Crosta, Kinetic, Breathing Surfaces, Ishi Kiri, Aqueous and Foliage (soon to be launched). Crosta is a modular repetitive format; each panel is unique and customised to the dimensions of a project. Kinetic offers a tectonic surface as each panel appears to be in motion and is customised to varying levels of turbulence - mild, moderate, high. Breathing Surfaces takes inspiration from nature and Islamic art and is a form of parametric design. The Ishi Kiri collection is inspired by origami and is intended to be utilised for surfaces, sculptures and cascades. Ishi Kiri can be manipulated for extraordinary results because they have the option of creating backlit and front lit walls using white marble. Both the Ishi Kiri and Kinetic collections were finalists at the Surface Design Award 2015 in London, while holding the distinction of being the sole company in the world to have two of its designs shortlisted. Their latest collections - Aqueous and Foliage - are very organic; being inspired by natural forms.
Aqueous collection
Crosta collection
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Ruchika, who currently heads the design development and marketing initiatives for the company takes inspiration from her travels and surroundings. The stone they frequently use are marble, granite, sandstone, quartzite and travertine but also experiment with agglomerated marble, metal and wood.
Breathing Surfaces collection
When processes are increasingly moving towards digitisation, Odyssey isn’t behind on the trend. Ruchika says, “Technology plays a huge role in our design development and manufacturing process. We are equipped with 45 CNC milling machines and two water jet units, besides the block cutting, tilling, processing and polishing units. We are undertaking digital fabrication through 3-axis and 5-axis CNC milling machines, water jets, etc. All our products are modelled on Rhino and 3dMax.” They also employ skilled artisans, mostly from Rajasthan, who then complete all the finishing, inlay and installation work. Due to the level of intricacy involved, the material being used, its size and thickness and ultimately the scope of the project, it’s difficult to adjudge the time taken to see the final product. So it can take either a month of work on large amounts of stone or over two months for a single slab; there’s no standard time. Odyssey has an impressive repertoire of projects such as the Indira Gandhi International Airport (Terminal 3), Ritz Carlton, Bengaluru and Hyatt Regency, Pune where it worked on the hardscape and water features and has executed the Bio-Diversity Park in Hyderabad and Torana Gate in Malaysia.
Ishi Kiri collection
Stone is a vastly abundant raw material available in India, and it’s time we appreciate its beauty and the marvels it can offer. Odyssey has taken a step in this direction and is creating gorgeous outcomes.
Odyssey Stone Architecture And Design A-106, Sector - 5, Noida 201301, Uttar Pradesh, India. 120 427 9256 / 57 / 58 info@odysseystone.com www.odysseystone.com
Kinetic collection
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ALESSAN0R0 ZAM8ELLI
A curious mind is a designer’s dream. Meet Italian designer Alessandro Zambelli, whose innate curiosity allows him to create beautiful products often inspired by the most unusual ideas. Text By Chryselle D’Silva Dias Photographs Courtesy The Designer Home Review September 2016
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Being passionately curious is a good trait for a product designer to have. Alessandro Zambelli owns up to having a curious mind. His interest in traditional craft and their makers has led to a lifelong interest in ‘old’ things and how they can be kept alive and relevant in today’s world. Zambelli studied industrial design and material engineering in Milan. He then started his career at Agape, Italy’s leading bathroom designers, in 2000. In 2003, he founded his own studio in Mantua. Since then, Zambelli has created some inventive and creative products, most of which have a tangible connection to the past, yet are firmly rooted both in the present and future.
Keytlery
Wire
One of Zambelli’s first big projects was the Estetico Quotidiano for Seletti (2006). A first glance at this collection of dinnerware and glass makes you do a double-take because it looks like it is made out of disposable materials – plastic, paper, wicker. Zambelli took the idea of a “poor” object and changed it into something to be treasured by recreating it in porcelain and borosilicate glass. So you have very authentic-looking porcelain ‘cans’, glass bottles that look uncannily like plastic ones and dishes that resemble the tin ones your grandmother had. The Palace range of tableware (2011, Seletti) is a stunning concept that is museumworthy. You could display this behind glass, under a spotlight, or be brave and actually use it. The modular design makes the porcelain set both stackable and compact. The set of tableware for six people shows palaces and renaissance architecture. The designs are fluid and complex, and make sense even when taken apart. This takes the idea of ‘decorative’ tableware to another level altogether. Similarly, the Keytlery (2011), a set of 24 pieces of electroplated cutlery are recreated in the shape of old keys making it an ideal companion to the Palace dishes or a startling contrast to every-day tableware.
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Affilia
Zambelli’s furniture designs are complex, yet leave you with a deep sense of nostalgia. The Filos chair (2010) has an interwoven design that reminds you of vintage woven chairs. The Beeth rocking horse (2012) is conjured out of wood and cork, a reminder of old board games made from toothpicks and corks. The School Joke Chair (2012) is a modern interpretation of the classic classroom chair and comes only in white but with chair legs and screws available in different colours. The Paniepesci (2012) chair is an exercise in poetry. Made out of panels of curved wood with a graduating colour mosaic, the chair has intent that goes beyond the pleasing colours. There are biblical elements, geometry, history and sentiment.
Woodspot
The Wire (2014) collection for Seletti is inspired by the European Art Nouveau period with strong metal elements and sharp design. Five pieces with brass wire fittings – a chest of drawers, a wardrobe, a cupboard, and two storage units are not only useful but eminently decorative with thin gold lines surprising you as they curve around the furniture. The gold key turns out to be a structural feature, a permanent handle, as it doesn’t turn, but adds an interesting element of whimsy.
Marque
Zambelli’s designs for lighting are also quite special and innovative. The Affilia (2014) is a gorgeous piece of lighting meaning ‘leafless’. The bare, stripped-down light is a perfect rendition of no-fuss design with a simple base of Swiss pine. The lace-like diffuser with its tiny geometric shapes throws out interesting shadows and in itself, makes the light a work of art. The hexagonal Woodspot lamp (2014) is equally sensuous even with its sharp angles that make the lamp stand like a photo frame. Assembled and varnished entirely by hand, the lamp’s unusual profile makes it stand out.
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The Lume (2016) on the other hand, is truly luminous and was created to symbolise closeness and affection. A small candleholder has a parabola on top, a tribute to old bicycle lamps. The Lume is available in several luscious colours making it an ideal little gift. The Tesa (2012) is a leather lamp reminiscent of hats that were long at the sides to protect the wearer’s face from the sun. The Crystaled series of lamp (2012) are designed like gems, not only in their shapes (sphere, cube and diamond), but also their jewelled colours. Conversely, the Coverage (2012) is a ‘bare’ iron lamp with rubberised coating. Its extended arms hold the bulbs out like claws and the mottled iron coating makes it look older than it is.
Lume
Zambelli’s designs for accessories are also pretty quirky like the Dinn clock (2014) that has a bell inserted in the circumference of the clock. Inspired by the originality of Paganini’s ‘La Campanella’ (the little bell), “the minute hand terminates in a tiny hammer which nudges the clapper of the bell hourly, ‘on the dot.’ The clapper swings. It rings the bell. Dinn!” From music to nature, to history and mathematics, Alessandro Zambelli’s designs are born out of curiosity and end up being lovely and quite magical indeed.
Dinn
info@alessandrozambelli.it www.alessandrozambelli.it
Ixorb
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A well-thought out range of curated, decorative yet functional accoutrements in the bathroom can lend a regal look to it, while elevating the bathroom experience. The Happy D.2 range of furniture is chic, versatile and timelessly modern.
STYLE UP YOUR BATHROOM WITH DURAVIT’S ACCESSORIES Due to the perfect blend of chrome, glass and pure form, the accessories from the Karree range are very flexible to use.
Open shelves from the L-Cube range create individual storage for decoration or smaller items.
Small changes can have a big impact. Point in case is the accessories that one adds gives a personal, finishing touch to a bathroom. Those who opt for high-quality bathroom accessories are able to raise the tone of the entire room. With a design that is tailored to the Duravit Starck series and materials coordinated with the bathroom fittings, Starck accessories create a complete and harmoniously furnished bathroom. While designing these accessories, Duravit’s focus was on the essentials: the mounts resemble nails hammered into the wall, creating an unconventional means of attaching the chrome glass holders, towel holders and soap dishes. A perfect mix of materials such as chrome and glass and the added value of pure form, make the accessories from the Duravit Karree range very flexible to use. Whether the soap dish, toothbrush tumbler or glass shelf, the angular contrasts bring a dynamic touch to the feel-good bathroom. Combining these with coloured bathroom essentials, like soap and towels, creates an eye-catching look and adds the finishing touch to the colour concept. In addition to practical bathroom aids, decorative elements also play an important part in enhancing the bathroom space. Be it towels, baskets or candles - small decorations stimulate our senses and transform the bathroom into our personal comfortable retreat. Open shelves from the Duravit L-Cube range create individual storage for decoration or smaller items. The shelves can be installed in both, horizontal and vertical arrangements, making them perfect for this purpose. For more information please contact: Duravit India tel: 079 661 2300 mail: respond@in.duravit.com www.duravit.in www.pro.duravit.in (professionals) Home Review September 2016
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REDISCOVER JOY It is only when a hotel is designed to fit its surroundings, that the luxury amenities, comprehensive activities and guest-centered services offered by it strike the perfect note. Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort achieves this balance with élan, making it the perfect choice whenever the need for a ‘disconnect’ arises.
Text By Mala Bajaj Photographs Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort
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Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort situated on a secluded southern coast of Bali, not only compliments the beauty of its surroundings but is an exceptional sanctuary, an amalgam of ingenious design and rugged natural beauty offering a unique way to experience the Island of the Gods.
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Sea. Fire. Salt., the cliff-side restaurant offers magical evenings infused with an elegant yet fun-filled and somewhat casual atmosphere and a menu that includes the best seafood and meat barbecues.
Uluwatu is situated on a large limestone peninsula, called Bukit and pre-tourist development was a real backwater of Bali. It is best known for its cliff-hanging temple and a few of Bali’s very best beaches and top surfing spots.
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Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort situated on this secluded southern coast of Bali, not only compliments the beauty of its surroundings but is an exceptional sanctuary, an amalgam of ingenious design and rugged natural beauty offering a unique way to experience the Island of the Gods. Created by distilling all the beauty of the environs are 74 ocean view suites, pool villas and duplex penthouses. These are idyllically perched and offer a blend of top-notch design, indulgence and priceless Indian Ocean views. Most suites encompass an area of 84 sq m and offer a rich, vibrant waterfront experience. Decadence of a different level is offered as every room’s hi-tech entertainment system includes a 42 inch LCD TV, an iPod docking station and a Bose sound system, along with a double rain shower and signature Jacuzzi for two in the balcony. The villas are further enhanced with private pools, sundecks, greenery and fountains.
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While the ocean view suites are suitable for honeymooners, the 2 or 3 bedroom villas are perfect for families or friends travelling together. Additionally, intuitive staff members anticipate your every need from the moment you arrive. Cold drinks, refreshments and salty breezes may be enjoyed at the cliff edge infinity pool all day. Apart from this, delightful culinary experiences await the guests in all of the 3 restaurants which are open every day. 360, the rooftop restaurant with its panoramic ocean views is ideal for breakfast, lunch and dinner with options of both authentic local and global cuisine. SONO Teppenyaki offers contemporary Japanese cuisine accompanied by a live cookery show that is both interesting and remarkably entertaining. Sea. Fire. Salt., the cliff-side restaurant offers magical evenings infused with an elegant yet fun-filled and somewhat casual atmosphere and a menu that includes the best seafood and meat barbecues.
Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort allows you to de-stress in style, re-wind or even change your life bit by bit, in blissful moments of calm and rejuvenation.
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Time, these days, is the new luxury and here one can expend it perfectly, whether indulging in one-of-a-kind activities or just watching the ocean waves crashing on the famous ‘Impossible Beach’. Cherry-pick what works for you from the comprehensive menu of activities offered here. Revitalising yoga is a part of the pampering world of the Anantara Spa along with a whole smorgasbord of signature rituals that are inspired by Indonesia’s Spice Islands. The ‘Spice Spoons Culinary Journey’ invites you to step behind the island’s traditional gastronomic scene with richly interactive cooking classes that begin with a vibrant market tour. Play golf on world class fairways with breathtaking views; some of the best among Bali resorts. Discover the thrill of river rafting and elephant safaris, and delve into colourful local traditions as you watch the famous Kecak dance at Uluwatu’s seaside temple. Take the easy route to the beach, with an elevator opening directly onto the resort’s Surfari Sundeck on the beach below. A surfer’s paradise, ‘Impossible Beach’ as it is known, is renowned for its incredible waves, offering the challenge of a fast long ride along ‘Impossible Break’ and the daring world famous Padang-Padang Tube, as well as easy take-offs at the nearby surfing beaches of Bingin and Dreamland. Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort allows you to de-stress in style, re-wind or even change your life bit by bit, in blissful moments of calm and rejuvenation.
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The desire to visit faraway shores is deeply ingrained in our psyche, whether the purpose is romantic relaxation, or living the dream of a unique beach wedding with a ceremony. The glass fronted sea chapel becomes just the right venue for that once in a lifetime special occasion and more wedding celebrations can be had on the cliff edged lawn. The seclusion and luxurious privacy along with the royal scale hospitality offered makes it the ultimate venue for a honeymoon in paradise.
It is only when a hotel is designed to fit its surroundings, that the luxury amenities, comprehensive activities and guest-centered services offered by it strike the perfect note.
Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort is a luxed-up destination where one may easily rediscover‌.the joy of life, the magic of moonlight and the gratification derived from a harmonious blend of sun, surf, music and laughter. It is a place that reignites your spirit and enhances your sense of wellbeing, empowering you to head back out to face the city. Off you go, armed with your bragging rights! www.bali-uluwatu.anantara.com
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108 Home Review September 2016
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DESIGN DESTINATION
POR WHERE Located close to the western coast of Portugal, Porto is its second largest city after the capital Lisbon. Built on the hills that line the River Douro, the city has been inhabited since the 4th century when it was a part of the Roman Empire. Porto has always been a mercantile city and its citizens regard it as the economical heart of Portugal.
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TO WHEN
WHY
Porto enjoys a semi-Mediterranean climate; it’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean keeps the temperatures from escalating too much through the year, except during the peak of summer when the temperatures can reach as high as 40ºC. Through the rest of the year the temperatures are moderate with occasional rain.
The hilly terrain of Porto makes it an arduous city to explore on foot but the beautiful skyline which is a blend of the medieval and the modern more than makes up for the strain on the feet. With buildings built into the cliff face and then extending into the hills beyond, the city opens up like a pop-up book, waiting to be explored.
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THE STAGE IS SET “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players” – Porto’s Hotel Teatro, a member of Design Hotels™, has taken these words by Shakespeare to heart. The year was 1859, when the doors of the Teatro Baquet were thrown open to the people of Porto. It was the venue for musical programmes and performances and the meeting place for the city’s artists and intelligentsia. But, its glory was shortlived after a fire destroyed it and razed it to the ground.
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Almost 122 years later, the Teatro Baquet has been brought back to life in the form of Hotel Teatro. The design of the Hotel pays homage to its predecessor by bringing out the drama of the stage from the moment one enters the hotel. The gilded doors engraved with lines of a poem by Portuguese poet Almeida Garret lead on to the inside where keys may be collected from box-officelike booths. Bespoke furniture, plush curtains, towering bedposts and the bronze and gold colour palette infuse drama into both the public and private spaces of the Hotel. Dark mood lighting, faces projected on the walls and the use of appropriate accents keep the theatrics alive despite the contemporary ambience.
PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY A cloth banner heralds the existence of the Portuguese Centre of Photography within the expansive, yet drab, structure. It used to house a court and jail before it adopted its new role as a photography museum. While many alterations have been made to suit the requirements of a museum, some of the old features like iron doors and the minimalist interiors remain and in fact, provide the perfect backdrop for the photographic collections. The museum houses more than 60 collections of which the National Collection of Photography and the Municipal Collection are noteworthy. International photographers who have contributed to the advancement of photography in Portugal are also showcased here. The museum has played a crucial role in reviving the photographic culture of the city. Home Review September 2016
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NOT JUST FOR BOOKWORMS The history of the bookstore, Livraria Lello, goes back by over a century when it was opened by the Lello brothers. The space was frequented by acclaimed authors, was the venue for social gatherings and performances and the library provided for a serene reading atmosphere. The portico of the building with the unique lettering and the carvings hints at the remarkable interiors. A sprawling red staircase climbs up to a higher red staircase and draws the eye to the stunning Art Deco ceiling and walls. One of the most emblematic bookstores in the world, it is believed to have been the inspiration for J K Rowling’s writings, who frequented the bookstore when she taught English in Porto.
COFFEE BREAK In March 2013, the President of Portugal made a special visit to Porto to inaugurate Graham’s 1890 Lodge. His gesture was symbolic of the role that port wine has played in the rise and development of Portugal. The Lodge which includes a museum, shop, wine bar and restaurant is located in a building atop a hill that overlooks Porto’s old town and the river Douro. Some of the original authentic features like the pine roof beams and the cast iron pillars have been retained. Black, white and natural timber make up the colour palette. It is apparent from the layout and the design that the idea was to steer away from elements of folklore and instead create an environment that would be minimalist, spacious and inviting.
Text By Himali Kothari
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GREEN PROJECT
Terrace gardens merge the indoors with the outdoors and act as a shield to solar radiation; a sloping roof gives access to open areas and clean fresh air at soaring heights.
The Future Is Green
Green buildings are a hallmark of economically sound decisions, thoughtful environmental decisions and smart human impact decisions. Cyberwalk is one well planned structure that smartly reflects all of these.
Text By Kanupriya Pachisia Photographs Courtesy Design Forum International
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The first LEED Gold certified building in Gurgaon, Cyberwalk redefines the society it gives birth to by utilising sunlight, water, air and power in the most efficient manner.
‘Man belongs to nature and that is how he has been designed to function.’ Originating from this notion, the architectural firm, Design Forum International explains, “Cyberwalk aims to create green office environs with characteristics similar to trees unlike the regular working spaces or the monotonous cubicle farms that are no place to draw inspiration from.” It stands over a sprawling expanse of 1.4 million square feet and is a part of a 150 acre dedicated IT hub comprising of the Evergreen Tower, Eco Towers and the Eco Suites.
Site Plan
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A society is defined not only by what it creates but what it refuses to destroy. The first LEED Gold certified building in Gurgaon, Cyberwalk redefines the society it gives birth to by utilising natural resources like sunlight, water, air and power in the most efficient manner.
“Use of punched windows with high performance double glazed glass and argon gas fill helped reduce our air conditioning load by almost 30% and induced higher visual light transmission,” inform the architects.
Conceived as a self-sufficient green building, it stands out as a mixed use development enveloped by an oasis of green in the otherwise concrete jungle of Gurgaon. For some years now, glass has characterised modern architecture and in the words of the architects, “In modern architecture there is a tendency to open up our buildings by using large and transparent facades.” Popularly labeled as the ‘green building glass’, SGG Envision, a high performance glass was used. As the architects inform us, “Use of punched windows with high performance double glazed glass and argon gas fill helped reduce our air conditioning load by almost 30% and induced higher visual light transmission”.
The Evergreen Tower is a skyscraper topped with a sloping roof which gives you access to green open areas and clean fresh air at soaring heights. The green roof not only enhances the open air 6000 sq ft cafeteria but also helps in absorbing direct heat and improving the overall energy efficiency by reducing heating and cooling costs within the building. The four floor high central sunlit atrium is an architectural marvel along with the grand entrance overlooking the lush central plaza.
At The Eco Towers, plush, cultivated terrace gardens seamlessly merge the indoors with the outdoors, once again acting as a shield to solar radiation. Food courts and cafeterias, plug and play business centers, retail outlets, pre-strengthened server areas and crèche facilities induce better work-life balance under the limelight of smart human impact decisions. The Eco Suites are twin towers that house 147 serviced apartments which were developed keeping in view the ‘walk-towork’ concept. They not only cater to the increasing lodging requirements of modern day business but also aid in catalysing healthier and simpler lifestyles. A connecting corridor at the ground floor houses the reception lobby.
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Ozone friendly refrigerants come forward as environment friendly substitutes of the conventional coolants.
These days architecture can in some of the most predominant ways direct how people live, and green architecture is most certainly an environmental and social responsibility. Cyberwalk, has effortlessly combined architecture with green ideations to enable a relaxed working environment. While the West façade of the Evergreen Tower is shaded by vertical and horizontal fins to minimise heat gain, Design Forum International tells us how lower depths of floor plates have enabled 75% areas to be day lit. “Large cut-outs in the basement have enabled us to reduce the ventilation requirement and get natural light to the basements,” informs DFI, consequently inducing a reduced carbon footprint.
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Cyberwalk, has effortlessly combined architecture with green ideations to enable a relaxed working environment.
The use of air quality sensors to manage carbon dioxide levels assist in availing increased employee efficiency. The use of local stones and recycled materials levy a positive environmental impact by reducing energy usage. 80% of the used water is recycled and used for HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) and irrigation. Ground water recharging is done in order to engage in efficient management of water resources to enjoy sustainable development and a viable economy. The use of water saving fixtures in toilets helps to decrease the diversion of water. The use of heat recovery wheels in HVACs results in higher heat transfer efficiency.
Conceived as a self-sufficient green building, Cyberwalk stands out as a mixed use development enveloped by an oasis of green in the otherwise concrete jungle of Gurgaon.
Ozone friendly refrigerants come forward as environment friendly substitutes of the conventional coolants. The use of higher COP (Coefficient of Power) centrifugal chillers with VFDs (Variable Frequency Drive) leads to year round energy efficiency. As green buildings gain momentum, India secures third position among the top ten countries to host LEED green buildings. Cyberwalk is another step forward towards a building suited to its time whose relevance will only continue to increase. Eventuating emission reduction, water conservation, temperature moderation, waste reduction, decreased infrastructure strain, increased employee productivity and improved lifestyles it indeed fortifies the concept of green architecture.
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SAVEGLOBE
Suhasan Reddy and Harika Meka completed their MBA courses from Premier B-schools in Bangalore in the year 2006. This duo was very happy with their jobs but filled with a blend of an entrepreneurial spirit and social responsibility they were driven to start a green solutions venture, called SaveGlobe in the year 2011.
The trouble is that we have all gotten used to taking the more thoughtless and easier option which is bound to cost our planet a huge deal and ultimately us. They set out to creating safe and sustainable solutions that would easily replace the use of plastic; solutions that would pamper the Earth instead of harming it.
Suhasan Reddy and Harika Meka took note of the gross disrespect towards the environment which is omnipresent today. They felt that as humans and especially Indians we have survived for thousands of years without plastic and we know how to do that easily.
After developing a large range of well thought out sustainable and green products, SaveGlobe the company met people from numerous hotels, corporations and restaurants in Bangalore to sell them. It was a difficult task to get orders with little awareness and relatively higher prices. But ultimately after a lot of email campaigns and with the support of social marketing the firm started getting orders.
Text Compiled By Mala Bajaj
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SaveGlobe, slowly started building and selling a wide range of biodegradable and eco friendly products that could substitute for plastic. The company’s well made products are not only aesthetically and functionally sound but are now also very affordable. Being fully biodegradable, SaveGlobe products become readily available nutrients or a food source for microorganisms. They eventually become a part of the microbial food chain, when disposed under composting conditions.
Of the many sensible and eye catching products that SaveGlobe makes is reusable tableware and dinnerware made out of rice husk. The reusable bio plastic products are BPA free and being created without the use of any artificial colouring agents, come in a natural brown color.
The range of eco friendly disposable food packaging from SaveGlobe is made out of sugarcane bagasse. Since sugarcane bagasse is a natural waste product of sugar factories, no trees are chopped down to create it. This green food packaging is strong and yet biodegradable and therefore becomes a perfect choice for parties especially outdoor events like picnics. They are also conveniently microwavable, freezable, oil proof and water resistant.
“Our husk-made products are chemical free and can be used as perfect replacements for plastic reusable products. Our tableware contains natural rice bran cellulose and rice bran oil. All our products being so sensible, functional and attractive, make great gifts as well,” say the owners of SaveGlobe.
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Coconut coir products too are made by SaveGlobe by using a rapidly renewal resource and whose harvest does not cause any environmental damage. Coconut trees are never infected with organisms that can be transmitted to other plants. When it does biodegrade, coir adds organic matter to the soil and some coir even contains beneficial fungi that help control disease in other plants. As an alternative to products made out of plastic, coir products are clear winners.
Cloth bags are 100% reusable products which are not only fully biodegradable but are extremely durable as well. These bags don’t cost the earth and do not require the cutting down of trees, like the paper ones do. The use of these makes excellent sense as they can easily stand in for and negate the use of the very polluting plastic bags. Based on the client’s requirements SaveGlobe makes a wide range of customised cloth bags.
The world today is intrigued by the domestic Areca leaf products made by SaveGlobe. This very useful and at the same time fully biodegradable option seems to be the perfect answer in the fight against the use of plastic dinnerware and cutlery which does a lot of harm to our environment. Areca plates and bowls are made without bringing down any trees. In fact only the fallen leaves of the Areca plant are used in the manufacture of this very elegant, green and useful product range. www.saveglobe.in
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Downtown Design Returns To Dubai Downtown Design is returning for its 4th edition from October 25th to 28th 2016 at the coveted Dubai Design District (d3). The fair is the only platform in the Middle East for the region’s trade professionals to dedicated to original and quality design. This year, Downtown Design will present a carefully edited roster of over 100 established and emerging brands across 15 product categories; including furniture, lighting, bathrooms, kitchens, textiles and accessories.
Beirut-based product designer Tamara Barrage’s Dead Weight collection encourages us to get more physically engaged with our furniture.
Canvas Carpets Cushions converts original paintings into bespoke carpets.
Stix, a range of portable, fume and smoke-free models, is perfect for outdoor entertaining.
Design studio Flexible Love’s versatile seating solutions are constructed from recycled cardboard and wood fibre.
Fostering greater interaction, connectivity and commercial opportunity, Downtown Design is dedicated to providing a dynamic environment for buyers and brands to do business easily and efficiently. This year, there are over 25 countries participating, bringing in 43 new brands, with an expected foot fall of over 10,000 visitors from across the world. “Creating an authentic and credible presentation of furniture brands is crucial in order to build a sustainable event that will grow steadily and reflect the demands and tastes of the region’s buyers. We take a curated approach to the visitor experience, selecting established and emerging brands that are ‘best in class’ - to create a fair of discovery for all our visitors,” states Fair Director of Downtown Design, Rue Kothari. Downtown Design is a place to see, experience, meet and make business relationships, with the best studios and brands from around the world. With so much to see, Home Review has scoped out the event’s design highlights. This book rack by Icelandic designer Agustav comes in two sizes and four kinds of wood.
The fair is the commercial centrepiece of Dubai Design Week that takes place from the 24th to the 29th of October. Dubai becomes alive with design during the week, with over 150 design-led events, activities and installations popping up across the city, fuelling the creative minds of all visitors and participants. The week will also feature the Global Grad Show, the world’s largest gathering of students from the creative industries, Abwab, a gateway show for six countries from the MENASA region and Iconic City: Cairo Now! City Incomplete a curated exhibition of an intriguing mixture of product, furniture and architecture. www.downtowndesign.com Home Review September 2016
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Explaining the process of bringing about an element of uniqueness in every project, Kalpak says, “To me, the first step toward accomplishing any design project is to study the expectations from the landscape.
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Landscapes
Landscape for a Bird’s Eye View Mumbai-based architect Kalpak Bhave has turned the lawns of Mazar-e-Fakhri in Rajasthan’s Taherabad, into a source of visual delight best appreciated from a distance. Situated in Taherabad, Rajasthan, is the shrine of revered saint Syedi Fakhruddin Shaeed (A.Q.), who has been a symbol for religious conviction and courage for his followers. The shrine situated in the dry and rocky, low mountain ranges and tucked away from the hustle bustle of city life, holds great auspicious value for the Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community in particular. This shrine of Syedi Fakhruddin Shaeed, who was attacked and slaughtered by dacoits in the dark of the night while he was immersed in offering the ‘maghrib namaaz’, attracts visitors of all faiths around the year. The structures of the shrine sprawling over 25 acres of land have been designed to accommodate the large number of devotees thronging to the holy site throughout the year. The complex comprises a roja, mawaid, residential units and other minor structures, and bears semblance to a five-star resort rather than a place of religious relevance.
Text By Arushi Chaudhary Photographs Courtesy Kalpak Bhave Home Review September 2016
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The basic concept was to evolve a landscape where there would be no human interaction up close (of visitors) and create patterns that were best viewed from afar and could be easily sustained year after year.
The beauty of the premises is augmented manifold by the intricately landscaped lush gardens that have been painstakingly developed by architect Kalpak Y Bhave. Kalpak, who started his career as an architect after graduating from the Academy of Architecture in Mumbai in 1989 soon bifurcated to the realm of landscaping and has since used his tasteful creativity to devise many a landscaping marvel in his career spanning over two decades.
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Given the tough terrain, lending the landscape an artistic appeal must have been a true challenge. So how did Kalpak and his team achieve this? “Taherabad being part of a dry and rocky mountainous range required a great deal of upgradation to prepare the land for plantation. Availability of water was a decisive factor in making this project successful.” “In most religious places, landscaping serves the prime purpose of visual appreciation. The basic concept was to evolve a landscape, where there would be no human interaction up close (of visitors) and create patterns that were best viewed from a distance and could be sustained year after year even after the completion of the project.”
“Buildings around the landscape offer the visitors a bird’s eye view of the landscape, and that’s where the real beauty of this landscaping project lies,” he says. Speaking of the several factors that played a key role in turning the landscape into a visual delight, Kalpak says, “The most important consideration was the choice of the right species of plants that would not only survive in the hostile weather conditions of Rajasthan but thrive in its dry arid soil. Since we were creating patterns, it was equally important to select plant species with the right colours and adequate foliage.”
Buildings around the landscape offer the visitors a bird’s eye view of the landscape, and that’s where the real beauty of this landscape design lies.
“The rich, vibrant colours of many ornamental plants present a striking contrast when juxtaposed with one another. We spent a great deal of time studying the water requirements of the plants, as only plants with similar requirements can be clubbed together. The trees used in the landscape were chosen on the basis of their full-grown height and the thickness of their cover, as it is important that the trees do not shade the foliage growing underneath it.”
“With these factors in mind, we decided to use Ivy Creeper on the walls, Bottle Palms along the entry path, Quisqualis Indica creeper for the pergola, besides Duranta Broadleaf, Bauhinia Purpurea and Michelia Champaca. Recently, seasonal plants were added to the patterns to enhance the visual appeal of the space during the blooming season,” he adds.
The landscape architect has recently accomplished another similar project at Dargah-e-Hakimi in Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh. When asked about the key similarities between the two projects, Kalpak explained, “Both the projects are related to the famous, ancient and auspicious shrines that are extremely relevant to the Bohra community. Since the style of landscaping at Burhanpur was well received by the community at large, we have replicated similar patterns at the Mazar-e-Fakhri shrine at Taherabad.”
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The architects spent a great deal of time studying the water requirements of the plants, as only plants with similar requirements can be clubbed together successfully.
Explaining the process of bringing about an element of uniqueness in every project, he says, “To me, the first step toward accomplishing any design project is to study the expectations from the landscape. We work relentlessly to ensure that every project is different from the kind of work we have done in the past. The landscape at Taherabad, for instance, took two to three years to execute from the time it was planned. We had the entire architectural layout ready before we even started the actual work on the landscape.”
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“Contractors are given precise specifications that ensure a square looks like a square and site visits made at regular intervals and specific guidance plays a huge role in the success of a landscape design such as this,” explained Kalpak.
According to Kalpak, landscape design is much more than a group of flowering shrubs and patches of lawn with a waterfall. Landscape design, apart from being good to look at, should also be something that stirs emotions within you.
www.kalpakybhave.com
According to Kalpak, landscape design is much more than a group of flowering shrubs and patches of lawn with a waterfall. Landscape design apart from being good to look at, should also be something that stirs emotions within you. Home Review September 2016
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Just the right amount of furniture has been used to give a sense of what the designs and fabrics would look like in a home-setting, without overpowering the products.
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Retail Therapy
Weaving Magic Kanchi Designs is the story of a creative mother and an industrious son who have together woven beautiful magic. Their recently launched flagship store at Sewri, in Mumbai stands testimony to their passion.
Text By Dhanishta Shah Photographs Kanchi by Shobhna & Kunal Mehta
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This is a unique intricate single-needle quilting design in a classic baroque pattern.
Kanchi Designs was established in the year 1991, by a mother-son duo named Shobhna and Kunal Mehta. “Our family has been in the textile industry for almost a century. We were one of the few key traders in the market. My father was involved in manufacturing. However, we decided to create an absolute niche market, which combined both fashion and home décor,” explains Kunal, principal designer & director, delving a bit into the history of the brand. Kanchi, the name of Kunal’s younger sister, has indeed proved lucky for the company!
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The 1300 square feet space displays their unique products and provides a window to the creativity and design ethos of the company. One of the special features of the studio is that they work on an appointment-only policy. It differs from a store set-up where people just walk in, echoing the belief that the passion with which each design is created must be reflected in interactions with the consumer as well. This personal touch combined with the warmth and variety reflected in the décor somehow enhances the aura of the outlet.
The products are a new line of high-end home fashion products that combine traditional techniques and contemporary inspirations.
A statement brick wall is one of the striking elements of the place that immediately catch one’s attention. Presently this feature wall displays the latest collection named ‘Emblematic’ which was showcased in Paris earlier this year. The collection combines elegance with bespoke handcrafted designs in any piece of furniture or furnishing, and is showcased with much splendour. They chose to retain the space’s original industrial look with a high 14 feet ceiling all in its natural colour. “We have always believed in the strength of the decor of any space - large or small. It does influence the customers’ thought process when they see the display in totality with accessories, lights, rugs, lamps et al,” explains Kunal.
Inspired by natural motifs this brings the outdoors within!
Just the right amount of furniture has been used to display the fabrics and designs. It is enough to give a sense of what they would look like in a homesetting, and yet, it does not overpower the products. The displays change every six months as new collections are introduced. There is also a small mezzanine area that commands attention with its plush opulent set-up showcasing various designs. Regarding the displays, there is a noticeable variety in the manner in which fabrics are displayed. This breaks the monotony of a single kind of arrangement.
Kanchi symbolises the union of Indian heritage in textiles with an ever-evolving global aesthetic.
So, there are displays on the statement wall, as a part of varied set-ups, stacked and shelved as well as neatly hung on hangers just like the traditional way one sees fabrics displayed in most shops. This makes looking around the store an interesting experience of discovery. The products are an entirely new line of high-end home fashion products that combine traditional techniques and contemporary inspirations. From vintage velvets to pure linens, the brand has produced masterpieces through a range of fabrics with the highest degree of perfection, finish and presentation.
They have also introduced bed dÊcor this season with very elegant bed dressings in linen and cotton silk which are available in various colours. Kanchi’s collections are suited for both the domestic as well as the international market. A delicate and careful differentiation between the two is sustained through the use of colours, patterns and textures. Kanchi symbolises the union of Indian heritage in textiles with an ever-evolving global aesthetic. The showroom is a worthy milestone in the ever evolving journey of Kanchi Designs. www.kanchidesigns.com
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THE MARKETPLACE Intelligent Furniture Security Locks From Ozone
Drawers and cabinets are typically used for storing confidential data and documents, cash, laptop and other valuables, and usually secured with manual key locks which are easy to break by robbers. Now secure your drawer cabinets with Ozone Intelligent Furniture Locks. Ozone presents smart, robust and technology driven intelligent furniture locks to secure drawer cabinets to keep inside protected. These locks are made available in a series of options for style, design yet security and safety conscious customers. The range comprises locks with RFID card, numeric password, numeric keypad with knob lock and biometric finger print operating system. RFID card locks can be operated by multiple users using registered RFID cards; registering / deregistering multiple cards is very easy adding to the user-friendly features; these can be used on wooden panels of 16-25mm thickness. Lock with numeric password pad can have 6-8 digit user code which is easy to reset by users and can be applied on 16-35mm thick wooden panels. Biometric finger print lock is the most secure furniture lock as it is not possible to duplicate biometric inputs and suitable for 16-38mm wooden panels. Numeric keypad with knob lock is offered in three variants - vertical numeric keypad and horizontal numeric keypad with RFID option for drawer cabinets and horizontal numeric keypad for sliding door cabinets and wardrobes and these are made to use on 18mm thick wooden panels. www.ozone-india.com
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Franke Launches Tectonite Sinks Franke has been one of the oldest and most renowned brands in the manufacturing of sinks along with other kitchen appliances. The state-of-the-art centenary design is formed from patented materials. Tectonite sinks come with three tiered accessories. These sinks are created to fit perfectly in functionality and design with third generation materials. One of the world leaders in the production of sinks, Franke offers a unique range of products comprising models at the very pinnacle of functionality and design, complete with various accessories that epitomize practicality and efficiency. Tectonite sinks give you the perfect opportunity to bring some style into your kitchen due to the exclusive and elegant colours available. Tectonite as a material is extremely durable. It can resist temperatures of up to 300 °C and impacts of just about anything you could drop on it in the daily kitchen environment.
Due to the exclusive Tectonite texture, the sink can be easily cleaned and automatically repels liquids and dirt from the surface. Franke provides differentiated solutions such as built-in, under-top and top-flush solutions to satisfy all sink integration requirements while enhancing visual appeal and practicality. Franke has always been committed to researching innovative material combining beauty, quality and performance. www.franke.com
Grohe Launches Rainshower® F-Series 40” Aquasymphony Grohe, one of the world’s leading providers of sanitary products has recently launched the Rainshower® F-Series 40” Aquasymphony. This fascinating ensemble of water, light and music is made possible by a shower of unprecedented proportions. More than one metre long and in excess of 75 centimetres wide, the headshower from the Grohe Spa® range delivers a whole new bathing experience. GROHE Rainshower® F-Series 40” Aquasymphony is the latest addition to the GROHE F-Series range of components to transform residential bathrooms into luxurious private spas. It includes head, ceiling-mounted and side showers as well as elements for mood lighting and musical entertainment. Digital controls and interfaces allow personalising the shower experience in accordance with each user’s unique needs and wants for the ultimate well-being in the shower, day by day. Wrapped in an undulating curtain of water, bathed in softly coloured light and accompanied by relaxing sounds, you become part of a composition inspiring all your senses - the symphony of showering.
Refresh yourself under a roaring waterfall? Recharge your batteries being massaged by a bubbly jet of water? Loosen up your tense muscles with a pulsating massage? This water symphony is all about total freedom of choice. To suit the mood of the moment, the lighting can be personalised as well. www.grohe.com/in/
THE MARKETPLACE
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