MY SPACE : DHARMESH JADEJA
vol 14 issue 03
MARCH 2015
total pages 146
VD& C UNCOVERED
DESIGN DESTINATION : LISBON
RS 100 HOME-REVIEW.COM
CLASS CONSCIOUS BY Rooshad Shroff Rakeshh Jeswaani’s BESPOKE ELEGANCE
THE OLD AND THE NEW RAJIV SAINI’s CONTEMPORARY aESTHETIC IN london
MAISON & OBJET NOVELTIES PAR EXCELLENCE IN THE HOME DECOR SPACE
Photo: Cyrus Dalal
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ajiv Saini recasts an aging London home into one with a classy contemporary elegance. Rejigging the floor plan, he reinvents the interiors with a blend of natural light, bespoke pieces of furniture and a muted colour palate that together breathe new life into the residence. Rajiv’s reworked spatial plan infuses a sense of inter-connectedness opening up volumes to interaction and dialogue. His clever manipulations allow for an added sense of space, while his uber sense of aesthetics creates a sophisticated dwelling that is sure to be a topic of conversation for many in Notting Hill. Rakeshh Jeswaani revels in exploring traditional craft, though interpreted in a contemporary idiom - a sprawling home in Indore designed by him is rooted in this ideology. Here Rakeshh experiments with ‘tekri’ mirror work from Udaipur, wooden pieces from Bali, stone carvings, mother of pearl inlays and other handicraft - expertly managing to stitch together these varied influences into a unified narrative. His work aims to meld tradition with modernity, while also showcasing his penchant for creativity and a love for painstaking customisation. Rooshad Shroff too is a strong proponent of personalised creations. An unthinkable timeline of six weeks and a target to infuse some real character into a residential ‘show’ flat, had Rooshad pulling out all the stops. His team worked with teak wood (their material of choice), custom designing and hand making almost all the interior elements using skilled craftsman from across India. The end result is a deceptively simple setting, a sublime interior with thoughtfully created elements that invite you to take a closer look as well as marvel at the genius of its talented designer. Anish Bajaj, Editor anish@marvelinfomedia.com
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The time has come when we start redefining our notions of luxury, space, experience, etc and see what quality of life our modern comforts have led us to
dharmesh Jadeja
Bhutan draws on the script of colours to express itself. The interplay of this engaging visual attracts people to come and experience its spirit
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Cover Story Using vintage furniture and accessories, Rajiv Saini creates a 3-level contemporary paradise in London which has palpable echoes of tradition
44 This 3BHK flat in Mumbai has been designed by Rooshad Shroff and team as an elegant expanse peppered with customised handcrafted furniture and innovative 3D-textured surfaces
art form
MARCH
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Australian artist CJ Hendry creates stunning true to life, black-and-white images using paper, a long ruler and black pens
55 Novelties par excellence in the home decor space, right from Paris!
89 78 Architecture in horizontal linearity was never etched more beautifully, and set alongside nature as Casa Redux, a ‘floating’ house designed by Studio mk27 in Brazil
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RJIA Studio designs a luxurious bungalow in Indore where Indian crafts are reinterpreted in a contemporary idiom, to create a home which is rooted in its time and place and yet timeless
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designer
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Bird-shaped spoons and beehive lamps; Mermelada Design Studio shows us how it is possible to balance wit with functional design, perfectly
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LISBON
A DESIGN DESTINATION
Building from scratch, ZZ Architects have created a four-level bungalow in suburban Mumbai, combining that intangible element of style and technology
112 Designed by Design Office, a Mumbai based practice; a dance studio rendered in the French style, brings old world charm waltzing into the modern world
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117 GREEN PROJECT
MARCH
‘Emporia’ in Sweden, designed by the Sweden-based firm, Wingårdhs is a shopping complex that is environmentally sustainable and architecturally innovative
125 128 Led by Vivek and Upasana Popli, Vipasna Designs and Contracts’ (VD&C) projects are distinguished by their homely charm
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THE MARKETPLACE Get your hands on the latest products to hit the market
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138 With its colourful and multi-functional design, a kindergarten school in Germany elucidates how clever planning is important in such a space
Fun, quirk, travels, stories, fashion and design - these are just some elements of “Maalgaadi”, a spell-binding concept store in Chennai
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Editor & Publisher Anish Bajaj Creative Director Natalie Pedder-Bajaj
Devyani Jaykar Freelance Writer Devyani Jayakar has been the Consultant Editor of Inside Outside magazine for six years. She also writes for several magazines on a variety of lifestyle topics.
Features Editor Mala Bajaj Assistant Editor Shweta Salvi Sub Editors Vikas Bhadra Rehana Hussain Contributing Writers Chryselle D’Silva Dias Christabelle Athaide Dhanishta Shah Himali Kothari K Parvathy Menon Shruti Nambiar Designers Asif Shayannawar Snigdha Hodarkar
Sujay Das Furniture Designer A trained architect, Sujay Das ventured into furniture design, post the completion of his industrial design course from NID Ahmedabad. He has designed a number of products to his credit which have been appreciated at numerous design competitions.
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Editorial & Marketing Mumbai Mr. Ganesh Gurav, Mr. Vivek Jadhav, Mr. Rakesh Kini (Digital), B-62, Cotton Exchange bldg., Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033 T 022 23736133/1, 32958501 F 022 23743069 E response@marvelinfomedia.com
Rajiv Saini The Old And The New, Page No 30 Rajiv Saini is a Mumbai-based, self-taught architect and designer. In 2003, Rajiv Saini was awarded by the magazine Wallpaper as one of Five Young Talented Inventionists. His current portfolio encompasses an array of architectural and interior design projects such as hotels, resorts, high-end homes, office buildings and a school.
Delhi Ms Sumita Prakash Flat F 304, Rajasthan C.G.H.S. Ltd, Plot No. 36, Sector 4, Dwarka, New Delhi 110075 Tel 09899179540, Email: sumitabiswas63@gmail.com Chennai Mr S. Venkataraaman Flat No. 2, 3rd Flr, E-Block, Hansa Garden, 30 Madampakkam Main Rd, Rajakilpakkam, Chennai 600 073 Tel 044 22281180 / 09444021128 Email: svenkat@marvelinfomedia.com Kolkata Mr Subrata Mazumder 2, Nabapalli (Bidhanpalli). Kolkata 700084 Tel 033 2410 4296 Mob 9831131395 Telefax 033 2410 7605 Email: subrata22@rediffmail.com Publishing Director Mr. R.I. Bajaj Distributed in India by India Book House Pvt. Ltd. 412, Tulsiani Chambers, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021.
Rooshad Shroff Class Conscious, Page No 44 Rooshad Shroff studied architecture at Cornell and Harvard Universities in USA. After working on several interesting projects in New York and London, he is now back home. A couple of years ago, Rooshad started his own studio for furniture, architecture and interiors; he also dabbles in many other creative ventures.
This issue has a total of 146 pages comprising of a 6 page cover and 140 inside pages. We welcome unsolicited material but do not take responsibility for the same. Letters are welcome but subject to editing. All rights reserved. Nothing may beprinted in whole or part without written permission of the publisher. The editors do their best to verify the information published but do not take responsibility for the absolute accuracy of the information. All objections, disputes, differences, claims and proceedings are subject to Mumbai Jurisdiction. Editor Mr. Anish Bajaj. Published and Printed by Mr. Anish Bajaj on behalf of the owner Marvel Infomedia Pvt. Ltd, B-62, Cotton Exchange bldg., Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033
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Wing책rdh Arkitektkontor, Green Project, Page No 117 Wing책rdh Arkitektkontor is an architectural firm based in Sweden. The practice is led by its founder, Gert Wing책rdh. Known to pick up new trends in architecture quickly, Wing책rdh interprets them with a personal expressive language which integrates the surrounding landscapes into the projects.
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emails + feedback Cheers! Your article on Bombay Sapphire was an interesting read and the images had an aura of reminiscence. Cheers to that! Omkar Bandagle Mumbai
Simply Amazing Kunal Barve made use of simple things to ensure his office space stands out; a perfect union of uniqueness and design sensibilities. Snehashil Oberoi Kolkata
The finished built structures are made from eight hundred and ninety three individually-shaped two-dimensionally curved glass pieces.
Powerpacked Newbie The projects by LSDA architects featured in your ‘Uncovered’ section were well designed, considering these young guys are fairly new to the trade.
Gin of the Mill On the banks of the River Test in Southern England, a derelict paper mill gets a new lease of life - it is now the stunning, award-winning home of Bombay Sapphire.
Text By Chryselle D’Silva Dias Photographs By Iwaan Baan; Technical Drawings Courtesy Heatherwick Studio
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Let us know what you love and hate about this issue. Mail us at letters@marvelinfomedia.com
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Arpita Sagar By Email
Quaint Yet Vibrant Cafe Nemo brings to the fore the factor of quaint yet vibrant interiors which your article captures very well.
The simplest of visages sometimes hide great nuance, and that is certainly true of this exposed brick home in Noida. Built for an NRI family, the structure had to be good enough for tenants when the family members are away, and be warm and ready if and when they returned.
New Delhi-based Layers Studios for Design & Architecture (LSDA)’s projects are solid pieces of work realised through meticulous planning and sensitive use of building materials. Layers Studios for Design & Architecture (LSDA) espouses an almost old-world approach to work - well-researched, intensively involved, and realised with a disciplined use of building materials that prioritises function over frill.
Katerina Leka Andheri,Mumbai
The New Delhi-based firm is led by Neha Bhardwaj and Gaurav Kapoor, and dabbles in architectural, interior and landscape design. The following three projects provide a good peep into the team’s originality when it comes to concept design as well as execution.
It also had to be cost-effective and lowmaintenance. To this fairly uncomplicated mix of demands, LSDA decided to add its own ingredients of original ideas. The team infused the home with an overall vibe reminiscent of modern earth structures - all stripped down natural hues with a plenitude of pergolas, and whimsical peppering of subtle colours for contrast. The exposed scheme also helped save on painting and plastering costs. And, of course there is that timeless inspiration of the ‘jaali’ form, here realised with brick stacks. The home’s entire form was inspired by the architectural legacy of old Delhi, and applies its cantilevered layout to good effect. “Such kind of architecture is losing its relevance primarily as it requires much extra efforts and detailing from the architect’s end, but we feel that the results are worth the effort,” states the team.
Text By Shruti Nambiar Photographs Courtesy The Architect
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Corrigendum In the Surfaces special segment of our February issue, the Elementto Wallpaper Collection was erroneously cited as a D’Decor product. The product is actually from Elementto, by Rohit Gupta and the correct website to refer to is www.elementto.in. Any inconvenience caused is highly regretted.
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PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S 27The Goa 28 FEBProject TO
Goa
This lecture aims to bring the design of the new building into focus and to introduce the city of Mumbai to Holl’s ongoing and past projects. Considered to be one of America’s most important architects, Steven Holl has been recognised with architecture’s most prestigious awards and prizes. The lecture will be held on Tuesday, 10th March 2015, in the Education Centre, at The Museum Plaza, Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum. www.bdlmuseum.org
TO 10Maison 13 MARCH & Objet Asia The Goa Project is not a conference, but rather an unconference - all the attendees come together for sessions that are crowd sourced topics, having been chosen on what others want to learn about. Everyone shares and learns and exchanges ideas in an open, easy and dynamic flow.
Singapore
The event also has an online funnel wherein an interested individual can go ahead and propose a talk or workshop. It can be accessed at www.funnel.thegoaproject.com.
www.thegoaproject.com
10Lecture MARCH By Steven Holl Mumbai
Internationally renowned architect Steven Holl will discuss the winning proposal for the new Mumbai Modern wing. Widely recognised for his ability to blend space and light with great contextual sensitivity and to utilise the unique qualities of each project to create a conceptdriven design, Holl seamlessly integrates new projects into contexts with particular cultural and historic importance.
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Highlights for 2015 in the Asia edition include the staples which make up salon’s distinctive traits; Designer of the Year and Rising Asian Talents, as well as the Interior Design & Lifestyle Summit which will feature keynote addresses by renowned industry personalities and presentations on market trends. www.maison-objet.com
TO 10Singapore 22 MARCHDesign Week Singapore
There are 6 different tracks to choose from including Design, Interactive Media & Cinema, Music, Society, Performing Arts and Fringe. The over arching purpose is to create a confluence of interesting and diverse people to network and exchange ideas.
There are a number of interesting discussions already posted about Visual Arts & Design, and additional ones are definitely welcome.
This time, the team visited the cities of Jakarta, Seoul, Taipei, Shanghai and Beijing promoting Maison & Objet Asia to cultivate a strong Asian visitor base to the salon and to attract even more Asian brands to showcase their works.
Maison & Objet Asia returns to Singapore for its second edition from 10 to 13 March 2015. This second edition will feature an expanded selection of the best of high-end decoration and home fashion by prestigious brands and designers in the interior design and home decoration sectors. The very same spirit of creativity and sophistication that characterises its Parisian event and which distinguished the first Asia edition, will continue to be evident in Maison & Objet Asia 2015. The salon will bring together the arts of living, gather together players in the sector, decipher new trends, offer new sources of inspiration, unveil new talents, stimulate the market, promote creativity and provide a springboard for brand enhancement…all under one roof. To reinforce their commitment to the region, the Maison & Objet Asia team embarked on its second pre-salon tour; the first being in 2013.
The Singapore Design Week (SDW) brings together a collection of local and international design activities in Singapore. Open to the design community, businesses, design students and the general public, the SDW aims to raise awareness of good design, deepen the appreciation and understanding of design innovation and encourage the use of design for innovation and productivity. The Singapore Design Week will feature local and international design trade shows, conferences, showcases, exhibitions and workshops that span various design disciplines. Many of the activities will take place at the National Design Centre, the hub of SDW. These activities will also provide opportunities for business, international collaboration and knowledge exchange. The anchor event of SDW is SingaPlural 2014, a dedicated platform to celebrate Singapore’s design talents across creative industries which includes the Singapore Design Business Summit and the Singapore Good Design Mark Exhibition. Other design events that are part of the SDW include the International Furniture Fair Singapore 2015, Maison & Objet Asia 2015, Value of Design Forums, Design Thinking and Innovation Workshops, Design Trails and Design Films. www.designsingapore.org
PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S
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PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S 25 MARCH 23 AUGUST TO
Designs Of The Year, London
Now in its eighth year, Designs of the Year celebrates design that promotes or delivers change, enables access, extends design practice or captures the spirit of the year. The international awards and exhibition showcase design projects from the previous 12 months, across categories of: Architecture, Digital, Fashion, Product, Graphics and Transport. Design experts, practitioners and academics from across the world are asked by the Design Museum to suggest potential projects, from which the museum selects over 70 for nomination and display in the exhibition. A specially selected jury chooses a winner for each category and an overall winner - to be announced at the Design Museum in May. www.designsoftheyear.com
31 MARCH
Deadline To Submit Bid World Design Capital The World Design Capital (WDC) designation is conferred on cities that exhibit exceptional progress using the varied tools design offers. These cities demonstrate how their government, industry, educational institutions, designers and population are working individually and in concert to revitalise and reinvent their urban environment.
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Each biennial is launched with a call for applications, open to all cities interested in becoming the next World Design Capital. The final selection is made based on the individual qualifications of each applicant city, irrespective of other applicant cities, as well as of the region of the appointment in prior WDC terms. The WDC designation is appointed to any city that can prove its commitment to design as a component of social, cultural and economic development and is not restricted to national capitals. The application form comprises a series of questions that seeks to determine applicants’ eligibility, financial commitment and capacity to execute a high-quality programme of events. Contrary to what are traditionally considered “design cities” - places where design industries have evolved over several decades – the label World Design Capital is not intended to be a status designator. Rather, it is appointed to those cities that have most effectively and, more importantly, creatively used design as a tool for progress. The next World Design Capital may not be the most well-known or most visited global capital. An innovative, medium-sized city with a commitment to design has just as much chance at becoming the next World Design Capital as a high-profile national capital.
The Salone Internazionale del Mobile is the global benchmark for the home furnishing sector. An invaluable tool for the industry, the Salone made its first appearance in 1961. The Salone has been designed to promote Italian furniture and furnishing accessories on the export market, and it has continued to do so impeccably, ensuring that the quality of Italian furniture is known to all four corners of the earth. The 54th edition of the Salone Internazionale Del Mobile is ready to go, along with the biennial EuroCucina and International Bathroom Exhibition. Some 2,400 exhibitors are expected, bringing the very latest furnishing solutions to Milan. There will also be a major cultural event at the Milan Fairgrounds involving leading international architects. The Salone will be open to the public on Saturday and Sunday. www.cosmit.it
25 APRIL
Last Date Of Submission World Architecture Festival
www.worlddesigncapital.com
14 TO 19 APRIL
Salone Internazionale Del Mobile, Milan
The annual search has begun to find the best new buildings on the planet as the World Architecture Festival (WAF) awards 2015, the world’s largest architectural awards programme, is now open for entries. The submission of entries is completely online and the deadline for all entries is 24th April 2015. Architects of every shortlisted project are invited to attend the festival to give a live presentation to a panel of judges, asserting their case for why their project should win. The winners of each category compete for the World Building of the Year award, which is presided over by the festival’s super-jury. The USP of WAF lies in the fact that it opens the door to global media coverage, peer and client recognition and projects that may not have been in reach before. www.worldarchitecturefestival.com
PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S
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The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do. ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach And Dharmesh Jadeja has done both, dream and do. A civil engineer by education, Dharmesh is an inspiration to those who think dreaming big is too much hard work. Decades back he questioned the wrongs in the field of construction and architecture and set off in search of the solutions. Over 25 years later, that has still not changed, his studio Dustudio, formerly BuildAur, has been broadcasting the flagging glory of indigenous practices, traditional techniques and reinforcing their relevance in a contemporary setup. The firm indulges in thorough research of local material and techniques and consistently engages with artisans to blend the ancient art of building with progressive designs. Each project by Dustudio is a pure craft of perseverance and their practice a meditative expression. Rather than discarding traditions they choose to aesthetically celebrate them through their work. Their designs are so eloquent that they merely don’t take traditional practices forward but put them on a pedestal. The basic language is minimal but the execution is tediously intricate. Apart from their mainstream practice that comprises of residential, hospitality and urban design they also collaborate with several organisations and institutes to orchestrate change on a larger scale. One of their ambitious commitments is the Dhrafa Studio in Dharmesh’s home town, initiated in association with Shaurya Foundation, which aims to establish creative ties between urban and rural communities through research and study programs.
Interview by Shweta Salvi
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Dharmesh is also one of the most celebrated calligraphists in the country; for him calligraphy is a personal expression that allows him to balance out the demands of his architectural profession. Here Dharmesh divulges the strengths of indigenous practices and its versatile nature to adapt to the current contemporary scene.
From securing a degree in civil engineering to choosing architecture as your vocation, it’s been an interesting journey. Please walk us through it.... After securing the degree in late 80s, like most professionals, I too, was looking for a direction to pursue in my work, but was not satisfied with what was going around in the mainstream construction and architecture industry then; that is when my search brought me to Laurie Baker’s work. Though very brief, my interaction and study of his work, inspirations, approaches and projects in Kerala, completely changed my outlook towards architecture as well as opened up a whole new direction to pursue. I decided to explore indigenous practice, materials, principles in architectural design and its applications along with new forms for contemporary use. I moved to Auroville; attracted by its ideals and the character, and I have been here since over 22 years now.
Our processes in design and detailing are primarily based on local strengths of materials, culture, artisans, design principles, and whatever it involves.
I have enjoyed this journey full of challenges and surprises while being fulfilling at the same time in a very deep sense. A judicious effort for detailing is distinctly visible in your work. What is Dustudio’s design philosophy? How does the choice of materials, construction techniques and their application finally take shape on the drawing board? Our processes in design and detailing are primarily based on local strengths of materials, culture, artisans, design principles, and whatever it involves. We do try and learn a lot from the local skills and materials used in local context as well as aesthetics, which grounds our work and makes it one’s own.
Our designs and buildings involve a lot of interaction with the owner, thereby making it their creation, rather than ours. Our strength lies in the acceptance and merging of our work in local community or individual context rather than being a reflection of our skills.
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The environment and community structure here nurtures, challenges and inspires at the same time while one finds their own path for expression of their creative potential.
The time has come when we start redefining our notions of luxury, space, experience, etc and see what quality of life our modern comforts have led us to.
Auroville has been tagged as India’s answer to a utopian city. What role has the spiritual and experiential vibe of the society played in your studio’s practice? I believe strongly in the principles of Auroville and its inspiring idealism; however, as the world and India has changed in last decades, Auroville has to keep up with the pace with which the change is taking place around us, within and outside the country. To be relevant, Auroville will need to look very deeply within its own organisations to live up to the ideals it is founded upon. I give all the credit to Auroville for a challenging and wonderful environment that it has created where one’s capacities are put to test, whatsoever your field of work is.
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I have always taken Auroville too seriously and continue to do so; while I have learnt from my experiences here in several fields, I do get the strength to innovate and experiment simply by being in this environment. Fearlessness and putting yourself out of your comfort zone, according to me, are two main characters of our learning process at our studio. We love operating on the edge, taking challenges and charting our own path for creative processes through actual projects; our village studio at Dhrafa, my native place in Gujarat, is one such initiative where we do part of our work from our village base for a few months in a year; equally inspiring and challenging.
We need to study their ways of operating and create opportunities for them to demonstrate in various ways that suit our requirements, aesthetics and context in today’s world. Richness, diversity and resilience of our traditional building materials and techniques is unmatched, we simply need to understand it better and learn new ways to create forms and processes that integrate it, rather than make it exclusive or unviable in today’s context. Owing to lack of appreciation the legacy of crafts and arts is gradually declining, as a result the artisans community of India is dramatically shrinking. How can architects and designers play a role in encouraging and enhancing their lives? One of the simple ways is to create demand for their skills, supply will follow soon; much of the artisans community in building trade is not using their skills, they are underutilised and following the mainstream thoughtlessly. There will always be some projects that can create resources, possibilities and space for these artisans with a bit of an extra effort.
We need to create the systems that reward such efforts rather than look at it as indigenous or vernacular expressions. Our contemporary projects need to integrate the resilience and restraint of our traditional systems, thereby creating a space for such expression in design. Earth architecture has been an indigenous practice in India, yet we rarely see it being practiced today, especially in an urban setting. What would make it more universally practical? I would say earth architecture has always been universal; we simply need to see where in an urban setting an earthen architecture can be applicable. Surely it is possible in cities like Ahmedabad, where outer limits have regulations that encourage low rise buildings as well as it is in vicinity of villages with a lot of resource.
It is evident that a lot of effort has been taken to turn to traditional methods in your work. Are these techniques easily substitutable vis-a-vis our modern materials and techniques? Designers today need to move out of their comfort zone and explore new ways of expression in various fields while creating space for craftsmen and traditional systems. Rather than looking for substitutes for just materials and techniques, we need to create opportunities for our building artisans. Home Review March 2015
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It is challenging to find its purely urban applications but I am sure designers can do a bit more of brainstorming on this and come up with creative applications. The time has come when we start redefining our notions of luxury, space, experience, etc and see what quality of life our modern comforts have led us to. Let us find some space for earth in this; architecture is just one of that, art can be another.
An architect whose work has inspired you deeply... And why? Apart from Laurie Baker, I am very much inspired by the genius of Geoffery Bawa and Luis Baragan for the ways they have redefined their own traditions through contemporary practice.
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Also, I recently visited the work of Banmu Tang in Taiwan and found it truly inspiring in today’s context especially the way they have integrated nature, landscape and minimalism in their architecture, scale included. There are many more young practitioners who also inspire me in many countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Africa, and of course India. I follow many of their projects to learn from their approaches and experiences.
A heritage structure that displays idiosyncratic construction techniques and has made a lasting impression on you? The various techniques in Mandu, use of local innovations and resources in the architecture throughout Saurashtra in Gujarat, the perfection of terracotta temples in Bishnupur, West Bengal, ecological integration in Rajasthan, the scales in Nalanda and rural innovations in mud, thatch and bamboo in Bihar, etc have been a great influence on the processes of our design and understanding of traditions along with its deep linkages with environment, culture and issues of sustainability.
You are one of the most eminent calligraphists of the country. In what way does your art collaborate with your architecture?
The calligraphy practice complements my architectural practice by making it complete by integrating personal expression and search with the responsibility of being an architect whose work is much more on a community level, and their contribution to the society, in general. When out of your creative space what do you enjoy doing the most? I write articles and poems sometimes, if that is not creative space..!! However, I enjoy “chai pe charcha� and company of my inimitable friends in Porbandar; and I am getting into farming soon in my village of Dhrafa where you will find me at my studio, sitting and chatting on a khatla soon, like a true Rajput!!
dharmesh@auroville.org.in
My calligraphy practice is much more of a personal expression to practice restraint and resilience that I wish to learn from architecture. It teaches me discipline, minimalism and rootedness of a creative process that one experiences while on this journey.
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How do you use vintage furniture and accessories to create a contemporary aesthetic? Sounds impossible doesn’t it? With his customary flair, Rajiv Saini reconciles this contradiction in the remodelling of this 2,000 sq ft three-level home in London. Text By Devyani Jayakar Photographs Courtesy Nick Gutteridge
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Imagine being able to gut a house entirely and retain only its shell - all the way through three floors. And then rebuild at will within its four walls. Sounds like the next best thing to building from scratch. This is precisely what Rajiv Saini has done in this three-storey home at Portobello Road, located in London’s bohemian Notting Hill area. All this was possible because there were only joists inside - no slabs, beams or columns. A midnight blue façade with white windows and a red door gives an indication of what lies within. Rajiv says they were lucky that the property was not listed by the town planning authorities - except for the outside, which had to maintain the same character as the rest of the street, in the interest of symmetry. “In that, lay a lesson for us regarding building a city,” says Rajiv. The client was a developer who intended to sell the property, so the exact requirements of a future buyer were unknown apart from the fact that it was more likely to be someone from the creative industry. Obviously, the key words in the brief were ‘multifunctional’ and ‘flexible.’ “We always try to bring in a maximum amount of light and the initial layout of the space bothered us,” says Rajiv.
There was a small 10ft x 10ft room at every half level which served no purpose and the location of the traditional staircase divided the spaces. Extremely narrow and tight with turned wood balustrades, it was crucial to rebuild this staircase at the back of the house, to consolidate the spaces. And the new stairwell, with its ethereal glowing light not only fits into the entire scheme but also adds its own charm to the space.
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These days, uber luxury seems to be going the dark wood way. The aesthetic here though, is more Scandinavian, with blonde timbers and a white and grey palette which includes brushed steel and anodised aluminium. The Douglas fir floor boards are from the Danish company Dinesen, known for its passion for wood and respect for nature. “They document the forest and even the tree and from which the timber has come,� says Rajiv. Unusually for London, a contemporary feel pervades the space. The ground floor has an open plan with living, dining and kitchen areas flowing into each other. A green wall at the far end spans two floors. In the living area, an old redwood sideboard and vintage chairs in dark upholstery set the mood.
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Since the front windows can’t be kept open on weekends (the neighbourhood is taken over by a flea market, pedestrians and tourists), the glass roof at the back serves a very important function, being the only source of light. A long slit window behind the kitchen goes up to the first floor, but stops short of the upper storey. “From there, it would have been visible from surrounding buildings and would have marred the conformity of the aesthetics in the neighbourhood,” says Rajiv. The aforementioned staircase folds around a central void which is used for storage. It houses the meters, boiler, refrigerator and microwave. Unlike dog-legged staircases which turn back on themselves, this one has three flights of steps, before reaching the next level.
The spacious master bedroom on the first floor has a glass deck as a spill over area; the glass roof of which and the green wall beyond it are visible from the ground floor.
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A multi-use side table by Corbusier sits on one side of the bed, while a chair on the other doubles as what should be the other side table. A glass and iron cupboard makes a style statement, with its studiedly casual contents on display.
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The real storage, though, is provided by a bank of wardrobes which separate the bedroom from the ensuite three-point bath. The room on the upper floor has a terrace which is great for entertaining or lounging. In the attached bath, a quirky touch is provided by a ladder which functions as a towel rack. Rajiv’s rather rigorous retrofit has transformed the space into a light-filled home, much of its sober elegance coming from the restraint of its restful colour palette. And in spite of being very much of our times, it has palpable echoes of tradition.
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As in all good design, Rajiv intuitively as well as consciously understands that his work has to acknowledge the past, look the present unblinkingly in the face, and serve as a sound foundation for the future. www.rajivsaini.com
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The colourful script of Bhutan TEXT BY VISHANKA GANDHI PHOTOS BY IRA GOSALIA ira@phxindia.in
Bhutan is a country that draws on the script of colours to express itself. The specific use and combination of colours, patterns and designs is a metaphor for Bhutan’s indigenous tradition, culture and beliefs. This playful expression is what gives Bhutan its visual identity; inevitably forming a characteristic element of its architecture. Reminiscent of traditional architecture, each element is treated individually with a unique combination of colours and motifs.
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The layering adds depth to the structure and also renders a graphical quality to the facade, as seen in the Denchen Phograng monastery in Thimpu. This layered use of colour is also seen in the micro-cosm of the prayer wheels. The interplay of earthy browns, ochre, greens and blues become a picturesque backdrop for the colourful prayer flags, constantly fluttering in the wind. But the stand-out feature is the vivid marooned robed monks occupying the streets and breaking the uniformity of the hues of this mountainous landscape.
Colour is also very intricately tied with expressing the beliefs and customs. Bright reds, greens, yellows and blues are used to paint fiendish masks with satanic eyes and apical, bared teeth; a combination to ward off evil. The colourful script of Bhutan is an honest expression of its unique culture. This engaging visual is a powerful tool that attracts people to come and experience its spirit.
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CLASS CONSCIOUS
This 3BHK flat at Oberoi Exquisite in Mumbai has been designed by Rooshad Shroff and team as an elegant expanse peppered with customised handcrafted furniture and innovative 3Dtextured surfaces.
The almost-resplendent calm of this 3BHK show flat belies the frenzied rush that informed its design and execution. “Logistical nightmare” are the words that Mumbai-based designer Rooshad Shroff repeats while describing the 45-day whirlwind of activity that preceded the realisation of this 1200 sq ft of the sublime at Oberoi Exquisite, Goregaon. Working on a threadbare brief provided by the client, Oberoi Realty, Shroff and his team decided to infuse the project with a distinct character, in spite of the cramped deadline and the Diwali timing. “The show flat was an opportunity for us to have a residential interior where every aspect of the apartment could be custom designed and manufactured by the office using local craftsmen from around India,” states Shroff.
Text By Shruti Nambiar Photographs Courtesy The Designer Home Review March 2015
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The most eye-catching of these design aspects in the flat are the 3-dimensional textures. This starts with the main door, whose wooden surface is a delightful series of small squares that have imploded at the centre, with their edges opening up and jutting out slightly in the middle. This pattern repeats itself throughout the flat, setting up an interesting visual reference point for the viewers of the show flat.
}
It also serves as a creative spurt of whimsy in the mostly sedate segments of the house. Look for the gold-bordered 3-D textured wall made of marble that at the same time complements and breaks-away from the ethereal white and dim-blue tones of the living room. This effect comes together beautifully in the master bedroom, where the bed headboard and the wardrobe doors are clad in similar patterns realised in grey-ish leather. Some of the eye catchers in this room incude the overhead lamps, that resemble luminescent crumpled paper balls. Or the bedside-table installation that is a larger-than-life, slightly well-fed replica of the classic Edison’s bulb. Another distinguishing aesthetic quality of the rooms is the play of light and shadow, a factor that was deliberately allowed to cultivate by the team as a cause and complement to the varied textures. Adding to the sublime aura of the interiors are the glass and polished surfaces, including the stone flooring and the brass hangings.
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The French windows, sheathed in slender curtains or blinds, let in an acreage of sunlight, which then proceeds to light up all the smooth and textured surfaces. The furniture pieces are extensions of Shroff and his team’s personal commitment to researching on handicrafts. This has resulted in interesting wooden dining chairs with semi-circular and wavy backs.
But the strongest evidence of innovation is in the living room. Solid Burma teak wood is the preferred choice of material here, and it has been transformed into unconventional, angular chairs with flat seats and arms that stand out like pincers. The centre table is not even a table but rather a collection of smaller flat-topped stands, which look more like an art installation than a drab utilitarian piece. These are well-contrasted by handembroidered cushions. Even the duvets in the bedrooms have been specifically crafted to create themes in the rooms. This flat at the Oberoi Exquisite may seem deceptively simple on the surface, but it is actually composed of carefully thought-out design elements. The visual humility of the space probably works to its advantage, as unlike putting up an in-the-face show for the visitors, it invites all to explore and infer the various design elements for themselves.
rooshad@rooshadshroff.com www.rooshadshroff.com
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Hendry’s interest in luxury began in her teens.
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art form
DOT BY DOT Australian artist CJ Hendry creates photorealistic black-and-white images using just the simplest tools - paper, a long ruler and black pens. The result? Stunning trueto-life images that will knock your socks off.
This is the stuff real-life fairy tales are made of. A young, unknown artist puts up her work on social media, gets discovered and is now the toast of town. Australian artist CJ Hendry creates remarkable photorealistic black-and-white images on paper. The almost-photographic images on large sheets of paper are dramatic in themselves but a closer look reveals the stunning secret - the images are done entirely in pen and ink. Based in Brisbane, Australia, CJ Hendry enrolled in Architecture School and fell in love with the joy of drawing by hand. Lines, rendering and hand-drawn architectural plans (she couldn’t figure out how to navigate CAD) made studying easier. In her second year, she dropped out, however her love for drawing by hand didn’t go away though.
Translating a photo into drawing involves creation of grids on a large sheet of Arches paper.
Text By Chryselle D’Silva Dias Photographs Courtesy Coolhunter
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Her years at art school previously meant that she has had some training in drawing and art. These days, though, she uses only one medium: pen In an interview with You The Designer, CJ Hendry reveals the reason for this current preference. “Nowadays, I only use pen. The reason for this is that I really don’t like getting my hands dirty. My nature is certainly obsessive-compulsive so anything that smudges or is not permanent freaks me out.” This obsessive tendency translates well to her chosen format and indeed, her choice of subject. Large format drawings of luxury products - paper bags from the revered fashion houses of Gucci, Hermes, Prada, iconic items like shoes and scarves, and even the occasional skull and gun. Hendry’s interest in luxury began in her teens when she began “buying products she could not afford.” A stint at a Chanel dress shop only fuelled that and she now invests in classic pieces that are undoubtedly expensive, but will last a long time. This love for luxury translates naturally into her drawing. From the beginning, her work has focused on a singular object of attention, because of the simplicity of the picture and the effect the negative space around it has on it. Her drawings are painstakingly detailed. She begins the process by selecting an object. She then photographs the object in different positions and lighting, sometimes taking more than one hundred images. The final selected image is then printed in black-and-white. Hendry then creates a grid on a large sheet of Arches paper.
As soon as an image of one of her pieces is posted on Instagram, it is reserved and sold in a few hours.
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After that, the backbreaking work of translating the photo into drawing commences. Depending on the size of the drawing, this can take 100-200 hours of work using only black UniPin pens. “Once I start on one that is all I do every day until it is finished. I work 16 hours per day until it is completed.”
Hendry found a pair of stuffed zebra heads in a Brisbane shop and combined them with the very-recognisable Louis Vuitton logo to make a strong contrast.
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After years of drawing small sketches CJ graduated to the larger format of the art. “They looked more like fashion illustrations rather than captivating and inspiring pieces of art. I kept on seeing stunning oversize paintings by famous artists and I really wanted to move to a larger scale. Part of me wants the viewer to see my work and be blown away by the sheer size of each piece,” explains Hendry in an interview to online design magazine buro247. CJ Hendry’s images of her process and finished drawings on Instagram have steadily drawn a lot of interest which skyrocketed after she was ‘discovered’ by Coolhunter. They now exclusively represent her work, which are sold, interestingly enough, through Instagram. “As soon as we post an image of one of her pieces on Instagram, it is reserved and sold in a few hours. But her current project of creating massive (1.8 x 2.4 m), photo-realistic, original pen-on-paper works of shopping bags of iconic brands - from Tom Ford and Hermes to Lanvin and Chanel - really has had us gasping for air,” says the Coolhunter.
This Gucci twisted scarf is CJ Hendry’s favourite drawing which she believes resonates with her in many wonderful ways.
Her first show in March 2014 was ‘The Art Hunter’ (organised by the Coolhunter) and had six pieces on display - all of which sold before the show. Today she commands as much as $50,000 for a drawing and her list of admirers (and owners of drawings) includes Kanye West (for whom she drew a bespoke piece called ‘Kash Kurrency’ with the singer’s face on a crumpled $100 note) and Gwyneth Paltrow. For someone who dropped out of college to follow her passion, the journey has just begun. And what an exciting one it promises to be.
bill@thecoolhunter.net.
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MAISON & OBJET: THE HOME DECOR SPECIAL Page 62
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ACTUEL
CRAFT
Page 64
Page 68
NOW! DESIGN À VIVRE
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DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
INTERIOR DECOR & HOME ACCESSORIES
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TALENTS À LA CARTE
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MAISON & OBJET EN VOGUE
A joie de vivre that pervades the design world; novelties par excellence; à la mode and en vogue; a rendezvous and tête-à-tête with the best minds. All this and more took place in Paris, the fashion capital and now, one of the design capitals of the world!
The famed Maison & Objet fair needs no introduction. With more than 3,000 exhibitors spread across 2.7 million sq ft, representing every imaginable interior design sector, the 2015 edition of the mammoth fair brought together key players. It has been a twenty year old journey, since its inception in 1995. During which period, the fair has garnered tremendous interest, evolving from a Europe-wide event to a global one. In 2015 Maison & Objet was held in Paris at the Parc des Expositions from January 23 to 27. The event was divided into two hubs and ten sectors each dedicated to a creative industry or genre.
“Now! Design À Vivre” was a platform for new and established designers presenting highly creative concepts. The Ethnic Chic Mic Home Decoration section showed creativity in mix-and-match décor while the Interior Decoration section showcased exclusive décor. The Craft, MéTiers D’art area showed exemplary artisanal excellence. The Actuel sector was dedicated to customised interior design while the Home Accessories area displayed leadingedge accessories.
Text By Dhanishta Shah
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Twenty years of success deserve to be celebrated with great zest and pomp! True to the spirit of encouraging exceptional creativity, the show presented the theme ‘Make’, expressed in areas entitled ‘Nature Made’, ‘Human Made’ and ‘Techno Made’. Oki Sato of Nendo fame won the Designer of the Year laurel for the January edition. There was also a dedicated area for the “Talents À La Carte“, six young and emerging designers from Mexico. The fair bustled with activities. The Cook+Design Studio hosted a culinary event replete with tastings and presentations. The Houzz brand enthralled visitors with workshops, conferences and filmed interviews.
Taking the realm of business networking notches higher was “Le Club”, a space with scenography by Cédric Martineaud. All players of the industry showcased their creations and innovations here, from designers and purchasers, to the global media and consumers. The year 2015 will see the second Maison & Objet Asia (10-13 March) in Singapore and the launch of Maison & Objet Americas (12-15 May) in Miami Beach. The following pages capture the essence of the fair. Read on to discover our curated picks from the various sections and a peek into the creations of the Designer of the Year. www.maison-objet.com/en/paris
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ACTUEL
Luxury is the new necessity. Actuel was the epitome of all that is luxurious. With its monumental stands, finely designed looks, polished atmosphere and high-end furniture and accessories, Actuel provided a new vision of the luxury lifestyle.
ACRILA TĂŠTE DE MORT
Acrila designs modern furniture made from acrylic, where shapes, images, light and transparency play subtly. This chair, designed by Jean Christophe Bernard makes a bold statement and is easily the centre of attraction in a room. The design and motifs are imprinted on the back of the material and this gives the effect of depth. www.acrila.com
ATLAS CONCORDE MARVEL FLOOR DESIGN
The company, a benchmark player in the ceramic tile industry produces appealing and technically sound ceramic solutions. The Marvel Floor Design exudes the prestige of the most precious marbles from the Italian tradition. It is a ceramic project that blends aesthetics with perfect quality. It proposes porcelain stoneware floors and a coordinated white body with it. www.atlasconcorde.com
BIO-BLAZE ORLANDO
The family owned Belgium company offers a range of revolutionary fuel-less fireplaces. Indeed, an out of the box solution to get the cosiness and warmth of a fireplace without the inconveniences of a chimney, gas and smoke as they run on bio-ethanol fuel. Orlando is an elegant fireplace design available in black or white. Now there can be fire without smoke!
www.bio-blaze.com
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MARIE’S CORNER LA FAMILLE LAGUNA
The brand offers a vast range of contemporary classic chairs and tables in a combination of comfort, quality and colours. This seating from the Laguna collection offers comfort with great style and good looks. It is available in three versions - chair, lounge and ottoman. It is designed to withstand any external weather elements. www.mariescorner.com
FLAMANT VERONICA
BY ULTRA ÎLOT
Flamant’s collection includes a vast range right from furniture and accessories for every room, to paint, wallpaper, fabrics, linens and taps. The signature look of the brand combines a harmonious blend of the past and present, the classic and the modern. Veronica, a versatile piece made from recycled pinewood reflects the same spirit.
The company specialising in objects and furniture with a contemporary look brings forth creations of designer Amaury Watine. The island coffee tables are made by hand with mirror-polished stainless steel. They have been treated with special finish that gives the gloss and a lasting flawless reflection.
www.flamant.com
www.byultra.com
Photo Courtesy: ultraconfidentiel
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SHARDA EXPORTS PATCHWORK RUG
The manufacturer and exporter of designer home furnishings launched “The Rug Republic” at the fair. Catering to a global aesthetic, this rug made from recycled wool has been designed using patchwork in order to create a wonderfully textured and colourful product. A pleasant concoction of style and vibrancy makes it an eye-catching piece. www.shardaindia.com
ZHED SPIRIX
Originating from the Chinese term “Zhe” meaning “the art of folding” Zhed designs furniture with a succession of folds made in a sheet MY of metal. The products are handcrafted FRENCH in France. Spirix is designed by Zhed’s FAB creators Guillaume Rémond and TABLE Timothée Barbier and features MURALE clean lines and a strong frame. ESCAMOTABLE It exudes a unique serenity The products of the company and sophistication. It is are born from a collaborative available in 15 colours. approach and are fabricated in France. This table meets the modern www.zhed.fr demands of small spaces. The striking orange is a great choice of colour, but many more options can be provided. With a customisable height, this is a great design coupled with convenience. www.myfrenchfab.com
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SPAZIO 08 DIVA PLUS
The company specialises in glass products manufactured in Italy and distinguished by their quality, design and elegance. The Diva Plus mirror oozes refinement, grace and style. It gives a luxurious look to any setting and can be customised in size as well. Its elegant border frames the crystal-clear mirror and gives the perfect finishing touch to the piece. www.spazio08.it
LUXARI TIAN TAN
Luxari creates magnificent limited edition handcrafted crystal sculptures and home decor made with Swarovski elements. Tian Tan is a large Buddha modelled after the world’s MULLAN second largest Buddha statue found LIGHTING on Lantau Island outside of Hong TIMELESS Kong. The piece involves 1,220 LIGHTS hours of painstaking work and is Exquisitely handcrafted produced in a limited edition lights are the USP of this of 18. It adds a pop brand. One finds timeless pieces of bespoke art to that illuminate a room with the the home! flattering light! This little chandelier is an investment in beauty. The solid www.luxari.com brass frame and protective steel cage encase the bulb. The piece carries an oldworld and vintage charm, coupled with an industrial style resulting in the perfect accent piece. www.mullanlighting.com
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CRAFT
Craftsmanship is irreplaceable. It is indeed the stamp of a cultured mind and a civilised society. The spirit of craft took over the l’espace métiers d’art sector. There was a veritable celebration of unique work by designers, artisans and artists who mixed different materials, techniques and personal interpretations to provide a refreshing take on craft!
ALEXANDRA HAJEK DANS LE COURANT
Playing with temperature, the artist gives porcelain a personal expression. This piece resembles a plant and is indeed inspired by nature and life. The purified form of fine-grained porcelain, treated with the sensitivity of an artist in love with the material, is what makes it really special. www.alexandra-hajek.com
JÜRGEN CHAUMARAT BESPOKE GLASS
Working with UV treated extra-white glass and using cold glass techniques the artist evokes curves and movement. Despite the colour, this piece is reminiscent of an underwater world. The use of orange conjures a little eccentricity, instilling a feel of dazzling motion that can indeed be quite meditative. www.jurgen-chaumarat-verrier. odexpo.com
PASCAL OUDET BOWLS TRIO
Inspired by weathered wood, the bowls measure 7.5 to 11.5 cm in diameter. They have been created out of turned and sandblasted oak. A part of the “sand collection”, they have been made out of lace derived from the wood. Here, transparency revels the history of the tree. The colour gives a contemporary feel, without compromising on its inherent rustic nature.
www.lavieenbois.com
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MANOLI GONZALEZ PORCELAIN TREE BARK
This ceramic artist captures nature into installations that mimic its essence. The translucency of porcelain allows her to gently arrest the play of light. The music that accompanies the movement of these strands enables the observer to experience a mélange of two senses while interacting with the product. www.uneautrelumiere.com
DOMINIQUE DARDEK VESTIGE
BENOÎT AVERLY SCREWBALL
Bronze and glass is the preferred material for this sculptor. Human forms find their way in a lot of his work. But, “vestige” (a trace of something that no longer exists) teases the observer. There is a resemblance of a human form that seems to have disappeared into thin air. Vestige captures that very moment!
The artist’s experiments with woodturning have naturally extended to sculpture. Measuring 14 centimetres, the screwball exhibits a minimalist style with strong contrasts and plays with light, lines and textures. This is a piece that has multiple elements but retains its harmony. It does justice to the nobility of wood as well as to the creative technique of the artist.
www.dardek.com
www.benoitaverly.com
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NOW! DESIGN À VIVRE
Living design and the art of living, now! design Ă vivre presented a selection of a new generation of designers who took inventiveness and ingenuity in design to new heights, playing with forms and materials and giving a full reign to their creativity.
RETEGUI BIGUN COFFEE TABLE
Elegant marble furniture is the USP of this brand. The understated lines of its designs are classic indeed. The Bigun coffee table designed by Jean Louis Iratzoki unites the hard and the soft; two contradictory states. The moulded foam coffee table is covered with padded fabric and has a generous monochrome marble amenable to colour variations. www.retegui-marble.fr
Photo Courtesy: James Merrell
PINCH YVES
The design house known for graceful furniture with attention to detail celebrated their tenth anniversary at the fair. Yves is a modern interpretation of a traditional office desk, designed by Russell Pinch. It features an elegant leather surface and access areas for cables. The dimensions are 83h x 120w x 65d cm. www.pinchdesign.com
SIKALINDI MANTEO
The South Italian design firm uses Cactus Wood through an exclusive ecological and patented technique. No surface remains identical to the other, and each creation is a story in itself. Manteo, a cabinet and bookcase is modular and hence provides great flexibility in terms of arrangement. Subtle elegance and versatility of use, makes this one a winner! www.sikalindi.it
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ADDINTERIOR ANGEL
The young Danish company couples traditional Scandinavian design with a modern clean and functional style as well as careful selection of fine and reliable materials. Angel, designed by Gry Homskov, is best described as a poetic and sculptural stool evoking an angel with outstretched arms! Steel rods support the minimalistic seat-base. www.addinterior.dk
Photo Courtesy: Pedrali Spa
PEDRALI ESTER
RILUC MOUSSE COFFEE TABLE

The Italian company produces contemporary furniture based on research that aims to create industrial design products with original shapes. Ester, by Patrick Jouin is made of polyurethane foam with elastic straps on a steel structure with the foot in dye-cast aluminium. This armchair version can be described as a monolithic precious leather piece that is ergonomically sound and charming indeed!
Riluc, a company with its headquarters in Portugal, combines engineering with design to create distinct and timeless products that speak of high quality. Designed by Toni Grilo, this coffee table is made of polished stainless steel with new titanium coating. Handcrafted with utmost precision, it oozes a rare sophistication.
www.pedrali.it
www.riluc.com
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JAN FALTA ON THE LINE
The Czech glassmaker and artist uses and combines great variety of glass techniques and technologies in creative and innovative ways. This glass tumbler impresses with its finesse. “On the Line� is a part of the engraved glass collection. A simple utility object transforms into an art piece in one creative stroke, enabling us to drink from a masterpiece. www.faltadesign.com
LABEL VAN DEN BERG KRIS
This family business combines a passion for craftsmanship with professional skills. Gerard van den Berg designed this basal couch, Kris that is open to a personal interpretation. The colours of the borders, wooden legs and upholstery can be customised. Loose cushions in various formats help determine individual seating comfort. Kris is available in leather and fabric. www.label.nl
SENTOU BRONTI
The French design house addresses the modern of design. The table uses classic oak wood and merges it with a contemporary design. The oval shape is refreshingly different and the slight cavity within is practical and adds its own special touch to the entire look.
www.sentou.fr
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ANGLEPOISE TYPE 75 DESKLAMP, PAUL SMITH EDITION The iconic British company produces practical, energyefficient and highly good-looking task lamps. This new edition is a stunning new interpretation of the classic Anglepoise® Type75™ table lamp, which carries the benefits of 80 years of research into what goes in a good task lamp. What we get is a mélange of the legendary functionality, flowing movement, full adjustability and classic looks of an Anglepoise creation with an exclusive handprint of the designer. www.anglepoise.com
ANTONIO LUPI STRAPPO
VONDOM VELA DAYBED
When it comes to bespoke bathrooms and bathroom furniture and fittings, look no further than Antonio Lupi. This encased corian sink is designed by Domenico de Palo. Its beauty lies in the fact that it merges with the surface where it is installed. The LED lighting looks magical when included!
Vondom is a young and innovative www.antoniolupi.it company in the realm of avant-garde indoor and outdoor furniture. The modular daybed designed by Ramón Esteve offers great flexibility. Combine it with a sunshade or pavilion, or use the unique lighting ambience features. It is upholstered and includes a wine cooler. With its elegant and balanced proportions, the creation gets the warmth and cosiness of indoor furniture wherever one wants it! www.vondom.com
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INTERIOR DECOR & HOME ACCESSORIES
Fashion and décor, concepts and looks - these sections had it all. Leading design and home décor brands converged to provide an eclectic and yet comprehensive mix of what the world of décor has to offer.
SERIP ORGANIC LIGHT
Serip finds inspiration in nature for design. Trees and flowers are taken from nature and transformed into pieces of unique lighting. This handmade product combines bronze, glass and crystal. It has a distinct and unique form that echoes forms of nature and an organic growth. Exclusive design and precious materials make it a luxurious lighting piece all set to sparkle interiors! www.serip.com.pt
ARTERIORS DALLAS CHANDELIER
Founded by Mark Moussa in 1987, Arteriors is a leading provider of luxury residential and commercial lighting, wall décor, decorative accessories and furniture. Mid-century designs inspired this 18-light, brown nickel take on “Sputnik”. The smoked glass globes soften the light and the adjustable arms allow for changing the silhouette of this chandelier. www.arteriorshome.com
CONDOR ARC EN CIEL
Condor is a major designer and manufacturer of coordinated soft furnishings in India. This collection of cushion covers is rightly named “arc en ciel”, meaning rainbow. Designed by Gaurav Katyal, the cotton based covers showcase beautiful embroidery in the most vibrant colours to liven up the atmosphere, just like the rainbow!
www.condor.co.in
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INKA PAISLEY
INKA brings hand made products that are made using the traditional technique of hand block printing on textiles. In collaboration with artisans, the group wants to promote this ebbing craft. The Paisley collection features intricate Paisley motifs that have been hand carved on wooden blocks and transferred onto fabrics. The pastel palette exudes a softness leaving the decor feeling light yet vibrant. www.inka.co.in
LIBRETTO TOWER STACKING BOXES
ADONDE MATCH BOX LIGHT
Libretto has collaborated with leading fashion designers, brands and institutions to tell stories with paper, with the premise that stationery should be inspiring. Using long-neglected printing techniques like gilding, flocking, pop-up, embossing, they give paper a new life. The Tower stacking boxes make for a pretty utility item.
The French design house designs modular objects with basic materials. Minimal, functional and colourful aesthetics with ecological tones are the defining factors. Inspired from the humble matchbox, this light is fun and quirky, as much as it is useful. It is made from recycled cardboard and can be picked and placed anywhere at ease.
www.libretto-group.com
www.adonde.fr
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LITOGAMI NIGHT LIGHT
The company is known for innovative and decorative objects, which use solar energy and sustainable materials. All products are made in France. This light is from the award winning Casagami Family. It depicts a house of the region that still carries the values of sustainable development and is still made in France. It is designed by Marc Lebas. www.litogami.com
AMAZONAS HANGOVER
The company offers classic hammocks, handcrafted in Brazil. Hangover, designed by Sagi Ahiel, is an award-winning piece. The hammock has the comfort of an armchair. The unique construction allows for it to be hung anywhere. Moreover, it is easy to clean and resistant to light. The bright colour only adds to the magic! www.amazonas.eu
8 SEASONS DESIGN SHINING TREE 2D LED
Here is an all-season expert of decorative synthetic lights! With the Shining Collection that is made in Germany, one gets high class and longliving lights in both bulb and LED versions. Made from polyethylene and typically designed in the shape of a Christmas tree, this light changes the traditional notion of Christmas trees.
www.8-seasons-design.de
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ZAK!DESIGNS SORBET DE ZAK! DESIGNS
Zak!designs offers a collection of table and kitchenware made from high-quality plastic featuring modern designs and vibrant colours. It seems as if the products are wearing the colours of spring! The delicate floral shape of the bowls adds to the charm already furthered by the lively colours. www.zak-designs.eu
ANTARTIDEE HORLOGE TEMPS PERDU
The group has a creative (and surreal!) set of furnishing accessories such as clocks, vases, lamps and hangers. The products are all handmade in Italy. This clock can easily become the statement piece of the ASIATIDES
 room. Made from synthetic resin, it GLASSWARE is entirely fabricated and handThe company hosts decorated in Italy. It measures a vast array of products 13x15x35 and is designed including home accessories, by Mauro Montermini and tableware and furniture. It also Roberto Ferioli. provides veritable designer takes on porcelain. This delicate glassware www.antartidee.it has a refreshing design where the blue, yellow and green colours are just enough to tease the user and draw him into some really enticing patterns! www.asiatides.com
Photo Courtesy: Woratat Ongkittikul
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DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Creativity and creation are the sources of inspiration for the Maison & Objet fair. This finds expression in the strategy of encouraging innovative designers and exhibitors. This year, the “Designer of the Year” was awarded to Oki Sato from Nendo.
HIS philosophy The philosophy of Oki Sato is reflected not only in his designs, but also in the name “Nendo” which means ‘modelling clay’. True to the name, the design philosophy of the house exudes flexibility and the ability to reinvent oneself. Japanese uncluttered style has also influenced the designer and finds expression in his clean, straight and fuss-free design concepts. But there is always a touch of humour and an element of conviviality in these creations. He transforms interactions of people and their relationships with the objects surrounding them into an expression of creativity.
Blown lamps made from a rip proof, thermoplastic non-woven polyester fibre.
His work is exhibited in museums such as the Museum of Modern Art of New York, the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. He has collaborated with brands like Cappellini, Moroso, Starbucks, Puma and recently, BoConcept to create the “fusion” concept. Harcourt Chess board creates the pieces from Harcourt glass and isolates six distinct elements from the glassware pattern.
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The Dia mo nd cha ir a bso rbs
The person Oki Sato may have been born in Toronto, Canada, but he shows a deep Japanese influence. He studied architecture at Waseda University in Tokyo. In 2002, he completed his degree, and coincided this milestone with another feat - Nendo. The Nendo studio was born in Tokyo, but has now spread to Milan. Some of his numerous awards include Good Design Award, German Design Award and Elle Deco International Design Award.
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Oki Sato
Nendo at Maison&Objet At the fair, visitors got a chance to consume Nendo’s design and philosophy in a refreshingly alternative way. The entrance of now! Design à vivre, held a delicious surprise for the visitors at the fair in the form of a multi-sensorial Chocolatexture Lounge designed by Nendo. Chocolate was the weapon of choice here! A grid of thin sticks that appear to have been dipped in chocolate surrounded the lounge area. They encapsulated a white resting area, where chocolates designed for the event were also presented. 2000 aluminium pipes were painted in brown gradations to different heights to form “a rippling large molten chocolate wave”.
The furniture within was created to exude a soft melting feel, in accordance with the theme. The pieces were customised to resemble chocolate. There were nine sets of chocolates created in unusual shapes and displayed in a glass vitrine. The Chocolatexture collection of chocolates included treats with pointed tips, hollow interiors and varied textures and shapes such as spikes and sticks. Each chocolate was named from a Japanese expression used to describe texture. The limited edition was for sale at the lounge. Neither a cafe, nor an exhibition, nor an installation, this area was but a place to experience and enjoy Nendo through the five senses. www.nendo.jp/en
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TALENTS À LA CARTE
Talented Mexican designers found their way to Hall 7, where the world saw their flair! The Talents à la Carte space symbolises one of the fair’s objectives of seeking out creativity in the sphere of design. True to the motive, these hidden gems were selected for their originality and creative skills.
Here is a designer, for whom the emotions involved in design take centre stage. It is not surprising then, that in addition to heading the Industrial Design Department at the Centre for Higher Learning of Design, in Monterrey, he also co-founded ‘The Emotion Lab’. This is a collaborative exercise that stimulates research on the value of emotions in the design process. Mexico’s history, Mediterranean everyday life and Japan’s nature-oriented culture are three major sources of influence for this dynamic young man. This small jar is inspired by the Uruguayan poet Mario Benedetti’s work. It’s a jar for one or two glasses of water, perfect for sharing in simple moments. www.christianvivanco. com
CHRISTIAN VIVANCO PAUL ROCO
It is wood and a passion for woodworking that excites Rodrigo Berrondo and Pablo Igartúa. This shared interest got them together to establish Paul Roco, a Mexican workshop dedicated to design and manufacturing of furniture, with a speciality in woodworking. After four years of working together in bespoke furniture design, since 2008, the duo have been harnessing their creative energies in Paul Roco, creating contemporary pieces that exude an appeal that lasts forever. This product may look like a simple lamp, but it interprets a wood version of the fragmentation of a hand grenade the instant after it explodes. www.paulroco.com
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Observations from the urban environment find expression in Liliana’s creations and are translated into her work in form of themes such as “incomplete” and “unrehearsed”. Incorporating subtle elements of styling, her designs evoke an urbane vibe. This collection, ‘Totem’ consists of a set of containers that stack vertically to create multiple configurations. The ceramic containers are printed in black and silver patterns in both the inside and outside surfaces. As the tower blocks rise up the linear graphics coincide and divert adding a sense of distortion to the vertical compositions. www.lilianaovalle.com
LILIANA OVALLE STUDIO DAVIDPOMPA Here is a studio that encompasses the tale of two regions - Mexico and Austria. Founder David Pompa Alcarón studied product design in London and went on to open his first retail store in Mexico City, in 2013. David strives to reveal the unanticipated and astounding magic of traditional materials by juxtaposing them with new techniques and ideas. The built-in LED panel of this lamp is covered with a structured surface to generate a perfect light distribution in a soft directional beam. It is completely handmade and painted by Mexican artisans with traditional patterns. It is perfect as a single pendant or as a glamorous chandelier! www.davidpompa.com
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Six young Mexican designers form the Cooperativa PanorĂĄmica. The vibrant group explores new design territories. In a true cooperative effort, they work on specific design exercises. They see to interpret different perspectives and rationales on design. Design, for them, is a means of expression. Design is at the same time critical, inclusive and diverse. The group demonstrates a true example of collaborative genius. Here is a product that furthers a contemplation of nature. The bird feeder made COOPERATIVA PANORĂ MICA in terrazzo and configured to be suspended, saves vital space and also provides the much-needed opportunity to experience nature in urban environs. www.wearepanoramica.com
FOAM & PERLA VALTIERRA
When creative collaboration is based on shared values, the result is exceptional, as can be seen from the unique association between FOAM and Perla Valtierra. FOAM, founded in 2011 by Mexican designers Omar Ramos and Alejandro Grande, uses locally sourced materials for their creations. Perla Valtierra, a Mexican designer and ceramist, also experiments with natural and local products and techniques. This installation has a bit of tradition translated into a utility object - light, colour and wood combine to form an object of beauty. www.perlavaltierra.com
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THE ‘BEST TOILET’ BY DURAVIT Making Duravit one of the best in the toilet segment is its revolutionary SensoWash® e shower-toilet seat and the efficient Duravit Rimless® flushing technology The ‘Best Toilet’ by Duravit is one that meets the highest requirements. Duravit wants to provide an answer to many questions, requirements and wishes - including those related to flushing technique, design, sustainability, comfort, hygiene and even value for money! This ‘Best’ category includes, of course, the innovative SensoWash® e shower-toilet seat and the efficient Duravit Rimless® flushing technology available in the Durastyle and Happy D.2 design lines. SensoWash® e and Duravit Rimless® combine design, function and optimum hygiene. Duravit offers seven unbeatable advantages - outstanding flushing results even with small volumes of water, internationally multi-award winning design, economical and energy saving, great comfort, optimum hygiene, easy handling and the ‘Best’ value for money. tel: 079 66112300 respond@in.duravit.com www.duravit.in
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PARED-BACK ELEGANCE
Architecture in horizontal linearity was never etched more beautifully, and set alongside nature as Casa Redux, a ‘floating’ house designed by Studio mk27 in Brazil.
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Perched on the edge of a native forest and looking downhill into the open green countryside, Casa Redux is any architecture enthusiast’s dream haven. The structure seems to float on the gentle contours, striking a conversation with nature in harmonious co-existence. Designed by Studio mk27, an internationally credited design firm based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the house is a statement of linearity in simple expressions. Good architecture always respects its setting, as is evident in Casa Redux, and Marcio Kogan, founding architect of Studio mk27 further explains, “The open land, downward slope terrain and native forest, are aspects which determined the placement as well as the residence’s architectural parti.” The residence owes its name ‘Redux’, which means ‘reduced’, to its simple minimalist design concept, that is simply a combination of boxes and lines. The clients desired a vacation home that had the least amount of lines and elements as possible, and the design team complied by conceptualising the home as a ‘series of boxes sandwiched between two layers’. Marcio Kogan felt that “space should always be the central character, since architecture has the ability to transform humans and their relationships.” Hence each box has a separate spatial quality to it which is enhanced by the interiors rendered under the lead of Diana Radomysler from Studio mk27. Location on site was paramount due to the gentle contours and Samantha Cafarado, co-architect of the project expounds, “We built the house on the highest level possible, without disturbing the existing topography, and thus could gain the view of the sunset and environs without upsetting the green surroundings.”
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Sandwiched between two slabs, the stark contrast of the visual qualities of the material palette - transparent glass and opaque timber, augments the arrant linear and unfussy design approach. A clear demarcation of the spatial zoning becomes obvious in the choice of materials used to encase each of the four program boxes.
The timber slats encasing the bedrooms open almost completely to let in as much light as desired.
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The functions of the boxes also have determined the ‘inside-outside’ relation which the designers have strived to achieve in every aspect of the structure. Glazed walls enclose the public spaces, and contribute to a never ending dialogue between the built space and open countryside, while the timber louvers encasing the private spaces open almost completely to strike a conversation with the surroundings whenever necessitated. These boxes, existing as individual forms between the slabs, have created many interstitial volumes that don the role of circulatory spaces bridging the various rooms and also as connections to the exteriors.
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The corridors have a ‘perspective’ appeal, due to the uniform linearity and contrasting quality of the materials lining their sides.
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At some places, a setback of the boxes gives rise to decks that strengthen the inside-outside dialogue, which the designers deemed as mandatory right from the beginning. A similar dialogue is evident in the living-dining space where structural lines become transparent as the expanse is flooded with sunlight through its glazed wall; another reason for the ‘floating vision’ of the house. There is little doubt that the thin parallel concrete planes stretching over a gently curving topography, is the key to the design which gives a 360-degree experience within and around the home.
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Natural light and illumination have been used as tools to appraise the beauty of the built mass. Explain the team to us, “The two main volumes that include the bedrooms are completely clad in vertically slatted wooden panels which open almost entirely. In the day, the panels filter the sunlight creating a texture of light and shade and, at night, it transforms the boxes into large lanterns which light up the land.” Taking the ethereal feeling outside the main rectangular base is a pool contained in a concrete volume that extends out horizontally, with the tip cantilevering off the sloping ground, thus conforming to the floating design philosophy of the main structure. ‘Infinity’ is the term that comes to mind as we watch the water of the pool touch the sky at the floating edge.
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The purity, simplicity and integrity of architecture are clearly outlined in the lines and geometry of the unassuming design that the team at Studio mk27 chose to execute. Casa Redux, is not a house merely set on a beautiful locale trying to be one with its surroundings; instead the architects have given the house a separate identity, that does not overwhelm or undermine nature but is at par with the beauty of its surroundings.
info@studiomk27.com.br www.studiomk27.com.br
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There are lighting solutions and then there is Klove; a single look at the collection designed by the studio and there is perhaps only one way to describe it all... simply awesome! A boutique luxury studio, Klove Studio specialises in custom lighting solutions, incepted and run by duo Gautam Seth and Prateek Jain. The products you see are not a result of any formal training that they have received in India or abroad (as such is the case with many other designers) but their inherent creativity, which speaks for itself.
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TRANSLUCENT
DREAMS TEXT BY VIKAS BHADRA
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Located in Green Park, Klove Studio is perhaps a space where you will be spoilt for choice. The products in the offing are not just lighting solutions but experiments and experiences with glass which are ready to adorn your living and office spaces. And if you thought a customised version would be more appealing then there is scope for that too. The timeline for the delivery of the end product is 4-6 weeks.
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Klove was incepted in 2005, by Gautam Seth and Prateek Jain. The creative duo was always interested in doing something that would help people beautify their homes, and it was their first collection that led them to become lighting solution experts. The first collection titled “Transparent, Translucent and Opaque” was an exploration of different forms and materials like glass, metal and mesh. In this collection the same form was designed using different materials and its response to light and space were studied. “In this entire experimentation,” says Prateek, “we found that interaction between glass and the play of light was far more intriguing than anything else. This in turn focused our thinking towards glass and light and led us to devise more and more products using these two parameters.” The lighting solutions devised by Gautam and Prateek encompass installations, chandeliers, lamps, pendant lights and outdoor lamps. These are developed by highly trained karigars at the Klove workshop based at Delhi Karnal highway. Gautam explains, “We hire trained people who know glass blowing since it’s a process which almost all our products use. It also gives me a lot of satisfaction to add that our small team of karigars have become so adept at work that once we explain the requisite design using detailed sketches, the end product gets designed as per the requirements cited.” The products offered by Klove are truly glocal, locally made for a global audience; a strong Indian aesthetic with a global touch. A testimony to the fact is the appreciation they received at Maison and Objet Paris, an international trade fair for lifestyle fashion and trends.
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Prateek says, “After showcasing our work at the international fair, we are consolidating our presence in the Indian market; having said that we are also open to doing business internationally and will be showcasing our work in Dubai, Milan and Frankfurt.” Having exhibited their creative streak abroad Gautam and Prateek never miss an opportunity to impart their contemporary design skills in the Indian projects they execute. Of the various themes the duo has worked on, they designed the lighting solutions for a restaurant whose interiors were based on the theme of a roadside dhaba. “As lighting solution providers,” adds Prateek, “we too had to think differently and devise solutions which would adhere to the look of the space and yet look good. Using cutting glass and tyres we devised the end products, the solution was different from what we do otherwise but it did fit the bill and seamlessly integrated with the overall ambience of the space.” Klove Studio also offers its products online and through other well-known decor stores like Apartment 9 and BoConcept. From hi-end restaurants to the Mumbai International Airport, Klove has a number of milestones in its design journey and your house could be next!
Klove Studio J-2 Green Park, New Delhi, 110016 +91 11 46109351 +91 9810273388 reception.klove@gmail.com www.klovestudio.com
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BESPOKE ELEGANCE
Rakeshh Jeswaani of RJIA Studio designs a luxurious 12,000 sq ft bungalow in Indore, replete with courtyard, garden and pool. Like a leitmotif, Indian crafts are reinterpreted in a contemporary idiom, to create a home which is rooted in its time and place and yet timeless. Text By Devyani Jayakar Photographs Courtesy The Designer
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Approaching this home is through a huge wooden canopy which slants over the porch, appearing to slice through the top of the main door as it enters the space within. The solid wood door with an enormous round beaten metal handle, has glass replacing what would usually be a wall around it. “There were no security issues,” says Rakeshh. Inside, the canopy folds over the ceiling in repeated pleats of solid timber which run the length of the corridor. Its dark hue is in stark contrast to the white flooring and walls, as it sets the tone for the voyage of discovery in the design. The courtyard has a water body with a champa tree in its midst - a connect with nature which is established right from the centre of the house. The skylight above brings natural light to the inner core of the space. Traditional Indian crafts repeatedly find their mojo in the décor. A console with ‘tekri’ mirror work from Udaipur aligns itself with the wall in the entrance lobby. A plank from Bali offers seating in this area, while a stone carving adorns the glass wall at the far end. The backdrop of the mandir is in mother of pearl and steel inlay, while the doors are in wooden carving with a silver foil covering. The bar, living and dining spaces are interconnected. Sliding panels in aluminium leafwork come together to conceal the contents of the bar when not in use. Customised bar chairs in wood have purple upholstery and a swivel base for convenience. The living room has two seating arrangements, with simple contemporary sofas and an onyx top coffee table. A Seema Kohli painting animates the space with its brilliant colours.
The property also houses a Mandir, not to meintion the intricate pattern on the doors which gives this space a temple like demeanour.
The second seating arrangement has three round tables topped with black mirror. ‘Morning Glory’, an 8 ft tall sculpted floor lamp (made of treated silk laid on a metal structure) by Ayala Serfaty, stand tall in one corner, provoking conversation.
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Purple accents abound, in the cushions, sofas and accessories. A Paresh Maity in blazing hues effortlessly holds its own against the purple. In the dining room, Italian chairs and a mother of pearl runner on the dining table do their bit to up the luxury quotient. The walls are covered with a grey veneer and a serving counter replaces a sideboard. Wooden doors in brown lead to the kitchen and a powder room which has a chunky customised basin in Italian marble with a floor mounted tap. The lift is positioned behind the water body in the courtyard, so it’s not visible from the entrance. A cabinet adjacent to it is an intriguing combination of mirror and beaten copper strips. But its modern treasure chest detailing merely encases the motor and machinery of the lift. True to form, only all things beautiful are visible in this house. The staircase has thick marble slabs for treads and a glass railing, except at the base, where wooden panels with lotus carvings provide a contrast to the airiness of the glass. The family room overlooks a large stone sleeping Buddha with a water body behind it. “Curtains are replaced by sliding wooden jaali panels which look good from the exterior,� says Rakeshh. The TV room is an extension of the family room. Four recliner cinema chairs in brown leather, wooden flooring and coffee table blocks from Tranceforme collude to provide a cosy den-like feel.
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The master bedroom has a solid wood floor in a large herringbone pattern, while the wall behind the bed has been upholstered from end to end. The chest at the foot of the bed is from Pinakin.
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The daughter’s bedroom has a large purple sofa placed on a grey marble platform at one end of the room, contrasting with the rest of the flooring in wood. Inviting closer inspection is the artwork by an artist from Bali, created from scrolls of paper. In the bathroom, the piece de resistance is the bar code design consisting of pink, white and purple stripes painted on wood and given a polyurethane coating for a mirror-like gloss. The son’s room is in red, white and blue, with a bed from Fimes, an Italian company specialising in bedroom furniture. Only one bedside table is backed with a shiny red lacquer, the asymmetry upping the design ante. A large acrylic bulb provides illumination. The adjacent bath has small white squares in rough white marble, with blue accents.
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Bringing together tradition and modernity while combining the detailing of Indian craftsmanship with Western sensibilities, it appears that Rakeshh has a recipe for a timeless aesthetic.
contact@rjia.in www.rjia.in
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DESIGN DESTINATION
LIS WHERE Located along the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and has been the political, economic and cultural epicentre of Portugal for over nine centuries. The city’s historical charm combined with the upsurge in contemporary culture has made it one of the most visited European cities.
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BON WHEN
WHY
Lisbon enjoys one of the mildest climates in Europe making it a year round destination. However, high temperatures during summer and frequent bouts of rain in winter make springtime most popular. Lisbon’s proximity to the ocean means that a visitor here must be prepared for sudden weather changes.
The birthplace of the famed mosaic Portuguese Pavement, Lisbon continues to sport examples of the art on most of its walkways and streets. Monuments and buildings chronicling the architectural styles through the years reiterate the rich history of Western Europe’s oldest city.
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DOWN MEMORY LANE In the 12th century the Moors occupied the Alfama district of Lisbon. The Moorish castle, the Cathedral with its twin belltowers and some red roof houses are all the signs that remain of those days. At the end of a cobbled street in this neighbourhood stands the Memmo Alfama, striving to invoke memories of the original neighbourhood by recreating the same sights, sounds and ambience. Memmo Alfama is a member of Design Hotels (TM). The catchphrase in the design aspect of the hotel was - authenticity. The original 19th century building that was chosen to house the Memmo Alfama has been left as it was. This has ensured that the building’s chemistry with its surroundings has remained unaltered.
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At the same time, it was crucial to renovate the inside to provide for the comfort of the patrons. Old spaces are maintained in their original avatar but have been assigned a new role. For instance, the original bakery with its brick-ceilinged dome which has been turned into a reading nook stacked with books on Lisbon and its history. Calm, muted colours dominate the colour palette of the Hotel, through its public areas and the rooms. In the rooms too, the design concept continues in the same minimalist vein. The furniture, furnishings and artwork blend into each other with no one element screaming for attention. The large windows frame the views of the neighbourhood and carry the vibe of the Alfama into the interiors of the hotel.
A LA MODE Imagine a miniskirt in a museum. Sounds odd? Most of the articles in the Design and Fashion Museum aka MuDe may not find a place in a typical musuem but fit in well into the MuDe story. Here, the objects on display trace the evolution of design. In the early 20th century design served a functional role, later the concept of ‘Good design’ was expressed. It also shows the role history, politics and innovation played on how we interacted with design. From a miniskirt to Junya Watnabe’s coat and skirt and from the 1959 BMW Isetta to the Bocca Sofa better known as Marilyn’s Lips, the MuDe’s permanent display consists of works of 230 designers. The display of innovative creations by the best of the 20th century has made the MuDe a must-visit in Lisbon.
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IN THE NAME OF DISCOVERY
The year was 1497. Vasco Da Gama and his crew were ready to embark on their voyage to India and the previous night was observed in prayer at a hermitage in Lisbon. At the same spot, five years later a grand monastery was built to commemmorate the success of that voyage. The structure is built in a Manueline style, which is a complex architectural style that includes maritime motifs and sculptural details and objects found during naval explorations. Coils of rope, coral, sea montsers and other nautical elements decorate the cloisters. The presence of Vasco Da Gama’s tomb within the monastery further adds to its significance in Portugese history.
COFFEE BREAK When Café A Brasiliera opened at the turn of the 20th century, it quickly became a hangout for the intellectuals. Famed poet Fernando Pessoa was one such regular so much so that a bronze likeness of his, sitting at the table with his cuppa has been installed on the pavement outside. The decorated façade with carvings and inlay work sets the tone for what lies within. The interiors are ornate and glitzy in line with the Art Deco style they were originally planned in. Gold, red and ochre dominate the colour scheme and brass fixtures add to the opulence. The black and white mosaiced floor adds to the glamour quotient of Lisbon’s oldest café. Text By Himali Kothari
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mErmela0a estU0io
Bird-shaped spoons, Beehive lamps and a Barbecue in a suitcase. Mermelada Design Studio shows us how it is possible to balance wit with functional design, perfectly. Text By Chryselle D’Silva Dias Photographs (Various) Courtesy The Designer
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Once in a while comes along a design studio that conjures up everyday products so full of charming wit that you wonder why no one thought of those designs before. Mermelada is a design studio founded by designers Laura Blasco, Juanmi Juárez and Álex Estévez. The trio met in Barcelona and formed the studio with the common aim of “finding the extraordinary in the ordinary”. The studio is still fairly young, but their body of work is receiving accolades and mentions worldwide. One of their first products ‘Maya’ (2009) is a beehive inspired modular lamp that can ‘grow’ to a user-specified size. The lamps can be slotted together to create a beehive-like design as big or as small as you like. There’s a lot of scope for customisation and for playing around, allowing users to create an ambience of their choice.
Maya Modular Lamp
If you like to surprise your guests, try the ‘Campana’ (2011), a mini-bar disguised as a traditional cake-cover. Its conical shape allows it to hold 6-8 bottles. Your guests might expect cake, but might be pretty happy with drinks too. One of my favourite Mermelada products is ‘Birds’ (2011), a set of six handmade birdshaped knives with their own charming personalities. Represented in their quirky glory are the Colibri (Hummingbird), the Oca (Goose), Pelican, Toucan, Garza (Heron) and Jilguero (Goldfinch). Each knife has a bamboo handle, a tempered stainless-steel blade and a screw with a graphite finish.
Campana
Birds Knives
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Another elegant design I’d love to see in stores here is the ‘Welcome’ (Kvadrat, 2011). Call it an igloo, a tent or a playhouse. Inspired by the traditional Chinese paper lantern (and childhood memories of the designers), a skeletal structure of rings holds a skin composed of two colours of the Hallingdal 65 fabric. Inside, little geometric graphics embroidered onto the fabric add a special dimension to the playful interiors.
Welcome
In 2012, the studio designed ‘Pipes’, a floor candelabra that gets its inspiration from “the pipes and pipelines we encounter every day”. Made from six tubes of different diameters joined together on a highly-polished disc of Carrara marble, the candelabra reminds one of a tree in winter, bare branches elegantly reaching out to the sky.
Pipes
A new idea for displaying things is the ‘Senyoret’ (2012), with its five multi-level polished stainless steel tubes rising out of a painted steel base. These tubes are topped with plates of different shapes and sizes allowing endless variation for showcasing your choicest objects. Moving away from their usual design is the ‘Nansa’, a swing with a wicker-basket design (albeit with gold-plated steel slats), that comes with or without a backrest. The Nansa is a pretty departure from the usual swings available and the minimalist look and upholstery might make it an ideal fit for a contemporary home.
Senyoret
Nansa
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Showcasing their wit and trademark charm is the ‘Mon oncle’ (2014), a barbecue hidden in a vintage suitcase. You can carry it everywhere with ease and your guests will be delighted with the illustration and design. Available in three beautiful colours, the ‘Mon oncle’ will get you invited out much more often, for sure. The amateur gardener in me approves of the ‘Dom’ vase which is designed to contain just one beautiful thing inside of it - whether it is a fruit, flower, feather or cactus, say the designers.
Mon Oncle
The laborious and imperfect plastic dome is produced by 3d printing. The rule of thumb is “You can see but can’t touch.” The 3D printed plastic dome is futuristic already and combined with the metal, glass and wood forming the base, thus becoming a sculptural piece for your home. The simplicity of Mermelada studio’s designs makes you smile. Their products are all very useful and practical, but that tiny bit of quirk present in each one of them makes you want to stock up and hope that the poetry will spill into other aspects of your space as well. info@mermeladaestudio.es www.mermeladaestudio.es
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Dom Vase
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Building from scratch, Krupa and Zubin Zainuddin of ZZ Architects have created a four-level bungalow in suburban Mumbai, combining that intangible element of style with all that technology has to offer. Text By Devyani Jayakar Photographs Sebastian Zachariah Courtesy The Architects
No, not minimalistic. And not back-to-roots either. If you’re looking for contemporary, with all the hi-tech bells and whistles of modern day living, then Krupa and Zubin Zainuddin of ZZ Architects have much to offer. Slick styling, with carefully handpicked accessories, their aesthetic enables clients to unabashedly live out their dreams. No cutting corners. Not even a little bit. This 8,000 sq ft bungalow in suburban Mumbai is spread out over four levels. As if this is not luxurious enough, a garden unfurls from its windows, seemingly extending as far as the eye can see. Which it doesn’t, obviously. The illusion is possible only because of a forestlike army of trees on the neighbouring plot, which serendipitously appear to be part of the aforementioned garden…and rather than circumscribing the space, they make it appear to extend to infinity.
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FROM THE GROUND UP
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The bungalow has an unusual genesis. Explains Krupa, “The owners of two neighbouring plots came together and commissioned us to create individual bungalows for them. So we razed the existing structures to the ground and built afresh.” Who wouldn’t want that, unless you’re sitting on a heritage property? “In our design, the new structures meant for unrelated owners, have a common wall. This way, the space on the site has been maximised.” A green wall flanks the entry, one path leading directly to the garden. Quite convenient for guests to use when there is a large party on the lawns. Lending support for large scale entertainment is an outdoor bar and seating in civil work. A jogging track and outdoor dining facilities ensure that the garden is not only eye candy, but gets used more often.
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The concept embodies modern-day living with its sometimes irreconcilable needs of privacy and togetherness. The guitars and the drums in each space spell out the hobbies of the boys. Each floor has the feel of a suite, with a bedroom, walk-in closet, bath and lounge spread out over approximately 2,000 sq ft of carpet area. All balconies overlook the garden. Private libraries, puja room, a study with an internet station, you name it and its there. And yes, the terrace has the mandatory spa and massage room.
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The living room has very few walls. Those that are there are covered in works of art which extend from the floor to the ceiling, in scale with the space. The different grouping of sofas provides a combination of formal and informal seating. The chequered marble flooring adds to the ambience.
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The dining table sits on a slightly higher level with no pattern, in a reversal of the expected. Soffit lighting on the periphery of the ‘platform’ provides the intended visual lightness, making the entire space appear to float. An inclined backlit marble covers the wall adjacent to the dining table, adding a new plane to the space. The lighting is from Flos and Established & Sons, the loose furniture from many different brands. “We just picked up pieces off the shelf, choosing whatever we liked without any pre-conceived plan of where to place them,” says Zubin. “The beds and side tables, on the other hand, are customised. Marble with a strong grain has found its way into many areas of the design including the area surrounding the headboard in the bedrooms, making a statement with both its colour and pattern. “There is intense detailing in the civil work,” adds Krupa. The piece de resistance, though, is the home theatre room in the lowest level of the bungalow. But that is not a complete description, because it also houses a 20 ft long pool which runs the length of the screen, which easily measures 10 ft on its longer side. Slide out a motorised cover over the pool and voila - you have an instant dance floor. Seating for a couple of dozen people easily converts this space into a party zone, with yellow tables providing a punch of colour. Swim while you watch a movie? Kind of redefines leisure, entertainment as well as exercise, blurring the boundaries between them so that you’re not sure where one ends and the other starts. In the words of the architect, “It is needless to add that there is immense value which is added to a space by customising it and this makes a project not only challenging but immensly satisfying.”
contact@zzarchitects.com www.zzarchitects.com
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A quirky set of accessories and elegant wallpaper enhance the style quotient of this space.
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A dance studio, rendered in the French style, brings old world charm waltzing into the modern world.
Tucked away in a basement in bustling Bandra, is this quaint, elegant, multidisciplinary space aptly named House of Wow (HOW). Designed by Design Office, a Mumbai based practice; this 1100 sq ft space oozes a quaint charm from every nook and corner of the cabin, studio and other spaces accommodated within. Rishita Das and Rushda Hakim, principal architects at Design Office explain to us, “It was a generic requirement that the decor contributes substantially to the USP of the studio.� A delicate French vintage theme was adopted which emphasises superior quality and opulence, and gives HOW a distinct statement.
By K Parvathy Menon Photographs Courtesy Abner Fernandes
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SHALL WE DANCE?
The epitome of French beauty - the main cabin is small and compact, yet all its features lend it a cosy appeal.
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Situated in a basement, the only external facade was the entrance, which the designers gave a full vintage look to; a white wrought iron door with white name plates were designed in accordance with the style. The short descent down a few steps towards the foyer becomes interesting with the ceiling illumination spelling out the word ‘HOW’. The vintage look in continuum is attained through a soft colour palette and curvy furniture; waiting in the foyer is a pleasure as unique decor elements keep one engaged. As we stand there, we realise that a lack of an external facade did not hold back designers Rishita and Rushda. Explain the duo, “The studio wall is treated like a ‘house’ facade with a French arched door flanked by two vintage windows, complete with flower baskets below.” The studio, carpeted in hardwood flooring and lined with mirrors takes the theme to a crescendo. A fireplace fits perfectly into the style and houses the audio visual equipment while moulding on the ceiling, floral prints, lush trims and carved wooden furniture add to the sophisticated French theme. Mentions Rushda, “Our client, a passionate dancer herself, had simple requirements which have been included into the layout. She was particular about just two things sound insulation and a good audio-visual system - which are paramount in any dance studio.” To ensure this, fabric has been used to line the walls as an added feature for sound insulation and absorption. The main cabin is the epitome of French design, and we can find all elements associated with the style in it. Though small and compact, the flowery wallpaper and antiquated furniture accents that include a vintage desk, Irani chairs and a bench upholstered in flower patterned fabrics, give the space a cosy appeal. Rishita points out to us one of their many ‘chor bazaar buys’ - “the suspended brass lamp makes for an interesting visual and creates amazing light and shadow patterns.”
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The studio wall is treated like a ‘house’ facade with a French arched door flanked by two vintage windows, complete with flower baskets hanging below.
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But ask them their favourite space, and they will take you to the washroom where you are transported straight back to a French Mansion from the 60s. A pedestal vintage basin, floral wallpaper and white surfaces merge into a beautiful backdrop for the cut glass chandelier - the true show-stopper. “A beautiful play of shadows occurs constantly thanks to the chandelier,” shares Rushda. The beauty of HOW does not just lie in the excellent execution of the delicate and elegant theme, but also in the quirky accessories placed around to give that interesting twist to the décor. Rushda and Rishita elaborate, “Knick knacks from chor bazaar contributed to the styling - brass bracket lights are used for illumination, an old typewriter becomes a pamphlet holder, a ‘tin peti’ doubles up as a centre piece and bird cage lights line the studio wall.” The need to make a unique statement with the built space was a requisite for the multipurpose studio, and by selecting a theme that exuded luxury, elegance and style, Rishita Das and Rushda Hakim not only gave HOW a graceful sophisticated French look but also an old world appeal that charms every visitor. The melange of quirky knickknacks in conjunction with the thematically planned interiors, create a spatial experience that is nothing short of ‘parfait’.
www.designoffice.carbonmade.com
The external facade is rendered in a true French vintage theme - floral motifs on wrought iron and name plates designed in accordance.
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This energy efficient mall fits in well in the district of Hyllie, which aims to be an energy-efficient district.
GREEN PROJECT
Shopping Good
‘Emporia’ in Malmö, Sweden, one of the largest malls in Europe, has been designed by the Sweden-based firm, Wingårdhs. It is a sprawling example of a shopping complex that is both environmentally sustainable and architecturally innovative. Text By Shruti Nambiar Photo Courtesy Tord-Rikard Söderström
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The mall’s roof-park is open to public and is a critical part of its green credentials.
Emporia in Malmö, Sweden, is the country’s first environmentally-certified shopping complex.
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The mall’s design and working are highly energy-efficient and reduce wastage.
Arguably, the most ardent refrain of every urban dweller the world over is this - how many malls are too many malls? Most cities, suburbs, towns and half-way-toanywhere are landmarked by hulking malls, arcades and shopping complexes that often seem to have slid off the same assembly line of glass and steel. In this sometimes upsetting landscape of repetitive drabness stands ‘Emporia’. Located in Malmö, Sweden, this gigantic mall is a statement in realising sprawling but highly environmentallyconscious architecture. At the helm of the project, which was commissioned by Steen & Ström Sverige AB, and completed in 2012, was Swedenbased firm, Wingårdhs, led by Gert Wingårdh, Johan Eklind and Joakim Lyth, who infused the breath-taking expanse of the building with remarkable sensitivity of both the sustainable and the aestheticallypleasing kind.
The overhead park provides plenty of greenery, open spaces, great views and surface water reduction.
Emporia has two entry points - made up of over 800 film-covered panes of glass - the most remarkable of which is the ‘Amber Entrance’, formed of gleaming, glazed glass panes of brilliant amber framed in steel. The architects decided to break the monotony of a regular, flatfaced façade by puncturing this one in the middle to show a sudden slump, making it look like a superhero flew through it on his way to work. The overall effect is startlingly original and establishes the architectural ingenuity of the structure, as well as its intention of detouring from a well beaten path. The second entry point is the serene, marine blue counterpoint to the bling of the amber, and is aptly named the ‘Sea Entrance’.
In the design process, the architects were inspired by the openness of the sky. This influenced the team’s reliance on natural materials, spacious layouts and the suffusion of light, air and greenery within the mall. “Our goal was to create a place where everybody would feel at home and yet find surprises around each corner,” the designers state. The fulcrum of the green credentials here is the coveted BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) Certification, Emporia has been awarded, making it Sweden’s first environmentally certified mall. The certification assesses material, technique and effect before awarding a structure its approval.
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The expansive interiors of the mall have been colour coded into five different ‘galleries’.
Emporia features two glass and steel entrances, which were made using more than 800 panes of glass.
Emporia’s design incorporated the Geberit Mepla piping system, which is reputed to be highly durable, leak-resistant and allows for faster installation; this greatly helped the certification assessment process. The mall is topped by a 26,000 sq m spread of a public park that features hillocks and spectacular views of Malmö and the Öresund Strait. This unusual addition to the exterior is also a part of the mall’s green identity, as it provides natural pollution-control, temperaturecontrol, and just lots of precious breathing and relaxation spaces. The mall’s holistic approach to green design also factors in the easy access to the mall from most significant transport mediums around and it has made provisions for a total of 2,700 parking spaces.
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To ease the senses of the roughly 25,000 daily visitors around the 68,000 sq m area of the 200 stores of the mall, the interiors have been divided into five brilliantlycolour-coded ‘galleries’. Adding a sense of natural whimsy to the place is a ‘Flower Court’, which features seven floor-toceiling ropes with plants crawling up them. There are also the elevator towers, wrapped in flowers and looking like resplendent newly-weds. There are about 3,000 plants in total in the interiors, making it more naturally placid than what any mechanical machine array could have achieved.
Emporia’s interiors feature more than 3,000 plants.
Of the mall’s total floor area of 93,000 sq m about 11,000 sq m on the 4th, 5th and 6th floors are reserved for office spaces. The mall’s presence and potential for employment, exemplary environmental commitment and architectural finesse are also significant for the developmentfocused district of Hyllie, which has a bigger aim of becoming the most environmentally sustainable area in the Öresund region.
At Emporia, the Swedish curator, Claes Söderquist, picked art pieces ranging from photographs to glass paintings to a bronze sculpture to help create an ambience of elegance and vitality. A rare touch for a rare kind of mall indeed. wingardhs@wingardhs.se www.wingardhs.se
Emporia defies a lot of conventional wisdom to stand at an essential design and sustainability meeting point. Its size may seem too unwieldy to support green aspects, but it achieves that balance with much careful detailing. It also reminds us that shopping complexes, however big or small, needn’t rely on just blinding light for aesthetic effect. The mall’s BREEAM Certification is a unique achievement for such a building in the area.
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PATTRA
Right up till now if there was a need for disposable dinnerware the options were those made out of paper, poly-coated paper or polystyrene. All these options incur a carbon footprint and are a direct cause of cutting down trees or the use of petroleum based products. But now things are different and we have quite a few setups manufacturing eco friendly dinnerware out of an easily renewable plant, the Arecanut Tree. One such company is Pattra. The word Pattra literally means ‘leaf’ in Sanskrit and so this sustainable venture started by a family of doctors known for their humanitarian work was named just that. The company employs fair wage workers who fulfill their aspirations and secure a better life by working for them. It is a women oriented industry, and especially those women who are below the poverty line are employed.
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Pattra recognising the need for environment friendly products has set up several micro factories in the rural areas of Karnataka. The dinnerware is manufactured by using the locally abundant fallen Arecanut tree sheaths without causing any harm to the trees. No chemicals, toxins, gums or lacquers are used at any stage of manufacturing.
Pattra has its main factory in Mijar near Mangalore, Karnataka, where low cost technology has been developed in a rural set up. It also has a few small manufacturing units in a few villages in Dhakshina Karnataka to which it supplies machinery and technical assistance. A 100 per cent buy back guarantee is provided to the producers of leaf plates in these units.
The products are purchased from individual producers on a weekly basis at a fair trade price jointly decided by the company and producers.A highly interactive training course lasting 3-5 days is required to develop skills of operation and the manufacturing process. The training is required right from the installation of the machines, to the production and processing of the quality products.
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These elegant dinnerware products manufactured by Pattra are also microwave and oven compliant and can be stored in refrigerators and deep freezers too. With today’s fast pace of living, Pattra’s dinnerware can replace any home’s regular china crockery and even eliminate the need to hire help for dish-washing purposes.
The fallen Arecanut sheaths are first collected, sun dried and stored. Just before processing begins, the sheaths are carefully cleaned with a brush and washed with water and dried. With the help of heat press machines and the use of a number of different molds an assortment of dinner plates and bowls are churned out. No other processing makes the whole range completely compostable and therefore very eco friendly. The leaf remnants too are not wasted, instead they are used for fencing, mulching or composting.
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Pattra’s vision is to bring uniqueness to the way the world dines with this incredible product of India! www.pattradinnerware.com
MY DESIGN YATRA “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.� These famous words from one of the best designers Leonardo da Vinci serves as an inspiration for most of my works. My design philosophy always drives me to focus on the simplest solution first. The inception of my design journey started during my school days; I still remember the Sunday morning drawing class. Those drawing classes were the foundation of my design journey. But my formal introduction with design happened during my under graduation course in architecture at Jadavpur University.
By Sujay Das
DESIGNQUEST
After finishing my graduation I joined NID for further studies in Industrial Design (furniture design). NID opened an array of exciting opportunities for me. It was a great learning experience which helped me fine tune my design direction towards user centric design and synchronisation between the design and manufacturing process.
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Post NID, I thought of starting my own studio but on the basis of the feedback I recieved from genuine quarters I postponed the idea and felt it would be precise to put the plan on hold. After that I came to Bangalore and started working with an online furniture start-up. During the last two years, apart from my involvement in my present work place, I tried to participate in different design competitions. For me it was the key to understand my capability and limitation.
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The Pod is designed to be used as public outdoor furniture. The furniture has four components. I tried to design each component separately not only to give it a complete look but also from a functional point of view. “Palla“ was another product which I had designed for another competition. It was not selected but its a product which is close to my heart. Palla, is a height adjustable bookcase consisting of a modular shelf with flexible storage capabilities. The effort was to create a complete system to provide adjustable storage for the user. It is observed frequently that a bigger book or a magazine cannot be fitted vertically due to height constraints. To solve this problem, Palla has been made where one metal rod is fixed with the tie member (circular member between two vertical posts) and it can be rotated and plugged into different grooves of the wooden panels (bottom surface) to get multiple heights.
Palla Palla, a height adjustable bookcase consists of a modular shelf with flexible storage capabilities
Pod The Pod is designed to be used as public outdoor furniture
Fixo An interactive piece of furniture for children, Fixo was made out of injection moulded plastic which is light weight and adjustable
“Fixo” was one of the first products I had designed during my NID days. An interactive piece of furniture for children, Fixo was made out of injection moulded plastic which is light weight and adjustable. It was based on the concept of the see saw .
In 2014, I participated in an international furniture design competition called “Garden Unique“. My creation Pod was selected among 16 other entries submitted worldwide.
My next furniture collection titled “Dhun” derives inspiration from Indian musical instruments. I like to listen to a variety of music; right from the instrumental versions to different genres of Indian folk, Bollywood and their western counterparts. The collection is a tribute to those numerous musicians who have kept me alive.
Bongoo Bongoo is a combination of different furniture pieces inspired from the “Tabla”
Ruby Chair Ruby chair is inspired from the Hindustani musical instrument “Esraj or Dilruba”
In the initial stages I had designed an accent chair and stool called Iktar, which derives inspiration from “Ektara“ a traditional folk music instrument used in Bengal. Later on I added some more products to make a full collection. Ektara is a single-string instrument used by travelling poets known as Bauls in Bengal. From a functional point of view Iktar can be used as a chair and also a stool. Two extensions from the back pole provide back support and can be used as hanger.
Through my creative journey, I have always tried to focus on rediscovering Indian design through culture, city, architecture and craft. The search continues and in doing so it continues to shape my design process.
sujay.d@gmail.com
Iktar A part of the Dhun collection Iktar can be used as a chair and also a stool
Iktar An accent chair, Iktar derives inspiration from “Ektara“ a single-string instrument
“Iktar“ an accent chair, which is a part of the Dhun collection was one of the successful entries at a competition organised by Godrej Design Lab & Elle Decor. This year Iktar chair and Bongoo was also exhibited in India Design Id 2015.
“Ruby” Chair and ”Bongoo“ coffee table are also a part of this collection. Ruby chair is inspired from the Hindustani musical instrument “Esraj or Dilruba”. On other hand Bongoo is a combination of different furniture pieces inspired from the “Tabla“.
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Mumbai-based Vipasna Designs and Contracts (VD&C) firm’s projects are distinguished by their homely charm. VD&C likes to talk about “transformations� of spaces, as opposed to just building of projects, while talking about its work. Founded in 1999 and operating in the spheres of architecture, interior design, and planning, the team prefers to direct all its focus on providing holistic solutions to client requirements. While working on specific briefs, the team, led by Vivek and Upasana Popli, never lose sight of the macro aspects of the project, i.e. how every building can ultimately kick-start the metamorphosis of a street or a locality or perhaps move from a conservative lifestyle that is more liberal and globally-relevant.
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For anyone who thought that the cluttered culinary landscape of Mumbai needed a New York’s West Village type infusion of style, with a cosy heart to boot, look no further than Open House located at Shivaji Park. Right from the façade, the focus here is to present to diners a café and bar that feels like home. Study table lights; sofas that could comfortably belong in an English home; somewhat impetuous splattering of colours; and a mixed bag of seating options do indeed conjure up a homely charm. Then there is the bar, with its shock of a bright, candycoloured table. This combination of disparate elements is what makes the design scheme here so special. There is something endearingly chaotic about the prospect of guests standing and guzzling drinks at some of the tables, even as convivial groups huddle by the bench seats and share meals quietly. However, if this mix isn’t your style, then head to the comfort of the relative uniformity of the mezzanine floor dining area. This section overlooks Cadell Road and is bathed in the sublime hue of polished wood. On one side of the elongated space is an upholstered wall; while on the other is a railing that looks down to the lower dining area. Privacy options are a many at this café.
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“Homes are extensions of people who inhabit them. This has been our dictum for every residence we do,� says Popli. This particular home in Mumbai seems to have been fashioned out of warm light. The dominant colour combination of white and polished wood here is enhanced by the lamps and the hidden illumination streaming from under the false ceiling. But apart from the aesthetic restraint of the design, space allocation is the key winner here. By dedicating specific wall accents and textures and spotlights, to different segments of the home, the design team has smartly overcome any space constraints. In the living room, for example, the sweeping smooth white floor adds to the effect of a space larger than what it must calculate to on paper. And the team was also not shy of bringing in slightly surprising breaks from the dominant tenor, as is evidenced by the lightly whitewashed peeps of brick wall that accent the dining area. Even in the rest of the rooms, low-seating, multiple-slotted storage spaces mounted on the walls, and minor departures in wall textures mark out specific corners. This is an effective trick in any Mumbai residential project.
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The predilection towards colour, detail, and unabashed ‘kitschyness’ of fashion designer Manish Arora has evaded a strict definition for the entirety of his stellar career. So it is a definite challenge to design a store, stall, or any sort of exhibition space for his ‘Fish Fry’ creations. But the Vipasna team is an experienced hand at collaborating with the designer. The stores and fashion week stalls designed by the firm are chock-full of brand Arora - covered in deep shades of red, maroon and fuchsia; explosions of prints covering the walls; and montages of beautiful women decked in the blinding bling of Indian bridal finery. “The creative genius of the man translated to wall finishes in his stores and extended to the changing rooms too. Translating all his techniques for clothes to the interiors was achieved by a close collaborative between the fashion designer and us,” explains Popli. info@vipasnaliving.com www.vipasnaliving.com
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A kindergarten school in Germany elucidates how clever planning is so important in such a space. With its colourful and multi-functional design the architectural firm establishes that it was the right choice for the job at hand.
Text By K Parvathy Menon Photographs Michael Schnell Courtesy The Architect
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SMALL AND BEAUTIFUL
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“We are small, but important!” These were the opening lines of Bernd Liebel, Principal Architect at Liebel/Architekten BDA, when tasked to design a kindergarten school for the St. Vincent Catholic Church. Says project leader, architect Steffen Kainzbauer, “that statement became the team’s guiding principle in the conception of the Kinderhouse”. The church wanted to extend its school to include a kindergarten block and through a competition picked the German design firm, whose style according to them was ‘child-friendly’. The first views of the school are ambiguous - a wooden sheathed wall speckled with windows of varying sizes; it is only as we come closer that colours, spaces and structural geometry come to the fore, promising us a fun adventure. Very early on, Architect Steffen Kainzbauer and the team consisting of Carmen Jochim and Britta Neumann, realised that the location of the project in an industrial zone, next to two high traffic roads and a rail line caused numerous issues like, raised noise levels, security risks and uninspiring vistas. The team explains, “We had to design around these location challenges. The new building reacts to the environment: it is closed and compact, opening only to the garden. Also the single-storey building supports the St. Vinzenz pedagogic concept, where kindergarten groups are periodically changed.” So, the team by removing and retaining some of the old structure derived a story that narrated the spatial architecture travelling through restricted, confined spaces or Baufensters as the Germans phrase it.
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The new building is set alongside the old structure and a central path between the two leads you towards a fenced garden courtyard at the end. The floor plan of the new building created a central courtyard in this path which helped the designers a great deal as ‘the focus was on short distances’; this they felt was necessary to ensure maximum supervision and a minimum risk of accidents. The design started by creating a good barrier in the form of a large wall which would block out unwanted noise coming from the railway track. The wood clad walls got a touch of chaotic charm with their irregular fenestration pattern - windows, varying in size were placed at different levels, reflecting the child friendly scale the designers used in the interiors.
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One of the most notable feature and a justification for the Church to pick out Liebel/Architekten BDA as winners was the child friendly scale used in the school. As we walk through the bright yellow street like corridors, it is hard to miss how the design fuses architectural scales, both big and small, to accommodate adults, kindergarten children and tiny toddlers. Inside there are niches and recesses at ground level for the children to enjoy the garden views from almost everywhere. Yet another interesting aspect is how the team divided the major rooms into subregions using different ceiling heights, open spaces, niches and corners. Colour schemes identify different activity areas in different rooms, giving the children a clear sense of orientation and a variety of spatial experiences. Planned skylights, fully glazed walls, atriums and windows flood these rooms with both the southeast and the southwest sunlight, allowing the children to experience the progression of the day using all their senses.
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The roof has been a decisive element which the team used to realise their design concept. Extending from the lateral wooden sheathed wall it reaches the old structure; en-route it covers the central spine, courtyards and integrates the two distinct structures. The architects folded and sliced the roof plate, altering the geometry that filters ample natural light not only into the new building but also into the old structure. The design team expounds further, “The folded reinforced concrete ceiling has greatly affected the design. It is not just the illumination, but the form also reflects the interior functions; high ceilings in the central multipurpose room and classes while lower heights in the sleeping rooms.”
Despite the lesser footprint on ground, the designers went for a single storied structure to maximise supervision and minimise accidents.
It is no surprise that the interactive and explorative interior spaces of the school have been a recipient of many awards including the Hugo Haring Award 2014. Working the constraints to their advantage, Liebel/ Architekten BDA designed the school in a simple and clear spatial narrative, involving the children to experience the changes happening around them in an ocular and tactile setting, proving ‘We are small but important’.
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The arrangement of the products enables the customers to come in and explore at leisure.
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Retail Therapy
Treasures Galore Fun, quirk, travels, stories, fashion and design - these are just some of the elements of a spell-binding concept store in Chennai, which does not merely intend to sell stuff, but would rather weave a story‌
Text By Dhanishta Shah Photographs Courtesy Maalgaadi
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The merchandise is arranged on the basis of themes, colours and textures rather than genre.
Maalgaadi is the dream child of fashion entrepreneur Sakina Ansari and her daughter Shahin Ansari, a fashion management graduate from the University of Southampton. The large space welcomes the visitor with an open invitation to experience 3000 square feet of something different. The huge door and transparent windows at the entrance almost take up the entire height of the ground level, making it a majestic access indeed. The enormous windows on the first level carry the inscription “You are curious. We approve.” This sets the tone for something that is not the normal, run-of-the-mill kind of a store.
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The store may take off from the fashion arena, owing to the background of the owners, but it fuses this beautiful world with the field of home interiors quite seamlessly. Shahin says, “We wanted Maalgaadi to be a space where anything that’s high on design and has an element of quirk can be retailed, thus creating an experience and not just a trip to a store.” She adds, “Fashion and interiors fuse together in so many ways, one of the foremost being that any fashionable person would want to live and work in an artistically curated and designed space and vice versa.” Within this store, the boundaries between art and design are thus questioned by the use of functional pieces that also hold sculptural and artistic qualities. Hence, installations take up a good part of the store and contribute to the look.
The store houses an eclectic mix of high-end merchandise.
Take for example, a cash counter which is wrapped with panels of old keys welded together, or a sewing machine or wheel-cart repurposed as a table. There is a perfect merging of art and functionality. The flooring is a very natural cement finish and the walls carry the same finish. There are a few chequered metal panels that are laid out in a random pattern on the first floor; this adds to the industrial look and feel of the store.
The products are very much a part of the story, and are necessarily fun, quirky and edgy.
Creativity flows through in the manner of visual merchandising and arrangement of displays as well. “We wanted shopping at Maalgaadi to be a special experience. A less segregated space helps with the same. For example, a garment might be hung on a wall with a pair of shoes, a cushion, a piece of art and a bag, which are coordinated in the form of colour and texture,” explains Shahin. This is a welcome break from the ghettoized segments that one often sees in most stores. This kind of arrangement also helps a customer discover products in a different manner and with a different eye. Visual merchandising is one thing that the store takes very seriously. The layout is changed every other month so that each time a customer enters it’s a whole new feel and look.
The arrangement of the products enables the customers to come in and explore at leisure.
The products are very much a part of the story, and are necessarily fun, quirky and edgy. They are curated by designer duo Shreya Kamalia and Vivek Karunakaran. The store houses an eclectic mix of high-end merchandise from few of the best fashion, interior products and lifestyle accessories labels in India. Many of the brands and designers displayed have not been seen in Chennai before. “All our products are handpicked by me and my mother keeping in mind the character of Maalgaadi. We make sure that they all have a striking look with an element of quirk or edge,” says Shahin.
The arty yet functional installations are the USP of the store.
In effect, the décor of the store does have the intended influence on the customer it makes one go, “Wow that’s so cool!” and also exudes a very warm and welcoming vibe. Maalgaadi is a refreshing store that explores and houses several concepts be it a crossover between fashion and interiors, interesting juxtaposition of materials, scale and form or for that matter quirky installations and creative product arrangements. The result? A store that allows you to be a part of a story and unravels a unique vision of design time and again! info@maalgaadistore.com www.maalgaadistore.com
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THE MARKETPLACE Hindware Introduces The Element Range Of Faucets faucets can deliver smooth water flow even when the pressure of water is low. In design terms, the ‘Element’ range is a homogenous blend of bold lines and curves. Mr. Sandip Somany, Joint Managing Director, HSIL Ltd, said, “The opportunity in the faucet category is there to be optimised and with our automated faucet plant, a first in the country equipped state-of-art machines and robots, we are confident, Hindware faucets will be a strong contender.” A combination of attractive design and efficient functionality is driving consumer demand and ‘Element’ meets both these parameters. Inspired by the masterful interplay for stylish shapes, durability, eco-friendly and made in India matching international standard, it is a smart product from Hindware’. Strengthening its impeccable portfolio, brand hindware from HSIL Limited, introduced ‘Element’, an exquisite range of faucets in the market. A contemporary classic, ‘Element’ is manufactured at HSIL’s most modern Greenfield state-of-the-art automated faucet plant commissioned recently at Kaharani.
Made of virgin brass and use of technology at each stage of its manufacturing process is one of the hallmarks of ‘Element’ faucets. Automation guarantees uniformity in design, specification and everlasting shine in every piece. Additionally, fitted with best quality cartridge and aerator of international repute, the ‘Element’ range of
The ‘Element’ range includes a collection of faucets, smart showers and world-class water closets too as a complete bathroom suit. It is available across the country through a robust dealer network. www.hindwarehomes.com
Eternity Wood Collection By Kajaria
Kajaria has launched a wooden collection called, “The Eternity Wood Collection” in its gamut, which gives a feel of nature along with its strength, agility and durability.
way. Eternity wood by Kajaria lends its signatory beauty to the rich interiors of the home to make a statement. The collection is zero maintenance and gives outstanding aesthetics to any ambience.
The range is a perfect way to enjoy the natural textures in an eco-friendly
The Eternity Wood Collection is available in two finishes: Satin and Real Wood. It
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has got the natural random variation, to give it a perfect real look of wood. It also has diamond shield coating in both the finishes. It is stain proof and has got almost zero percent water absorption and also high scratch and abrasion resistance. www.kajariaceramics.com
THE MARKETPLACE Klite Launches New LED Architectural Lighting and the expertise gained over a period of three decades. The fixtures are designed to provide value technology, ideally suited to Indian Conditions. The LEDs used comply to LM 80 testing requirements and from internationally reputed makes such as Nichia / CREE. The luminaires are RoHS, LM 79 and CE certification compliant. The luminaire efficacy (lumens/ per watt) is much above 100 for all luminaires. Varied optical options for lighting distribution and correlated colour temperature (CCT) for cool white, neutral white or warm white are available to suit specific requirements.
K-Lite Industries an ISO company, manufacturing indoor and outdoor luminaires have launched a new series of LED Architectural Lighting. Being the trend setters in outdoor lighting and inspired by the “Make in India” vision, K-LITE, through their innovative outlook, have showcased an all new product portfolio under Architectural Lighting.
The application includes facade lighting, pathway lighting, in-ground luminaire, uplighter, up-down lighting, billboard lighting, vertical light bars, wall washers, area lighting poles and above all popular sleek polar lighting solutions. The solutions offered are backed by extensive understanding of illumination in urban spaces
The outstanding item of the series viz., the Sleek Polar Lighting Solutions is a contemporary design that is both timeless and unique in its impression. Compact without visible mounting equipment and optimised integration, Polar Lighting is in perfect continuity with the geometric lines of the square column. These assemblies are ideal for surroundings of contemporary architectural constructions. www.klite.in
Violam Decorative Laminates ‘Partners’ In Success Meet’ Held The ‘partners in success meet’ of Violam Decorative Laminates was held at Hotel KLG Starlite, Industrial Area, Chandigarh today. Over 150 dealers from tricity, Haryana and Punjab took part in it. The meet was aimed to share the company’s vision, mission and goals to capture more market share in the region and also to strengthen its dealer-Violam brand relationship in the state. The company officials led by Mr. Manit Gupta, Director - Stylam Industries Limited which owns Violam Decorative Laminates said, “Our dealers and the distributors have played a very vital role and have closely been associated with us and also discussed the way forward for the organisation, formulated forwardlooking strategies for the brand.” By strengthening its dealer connect, Violam aspired to reach greater consumer base which is in line with its aim of becoming one amongst the top. Interestingly Violam is the first laminate in India with anti-bacterial and anti-fungi properties. Voilam collection has latest designs and textures available
by any Indian company. Walkon exterior floor boards simply add style, warmth and elegance to any exterior space to balconies, walkway or terraces.
in beautiful eye catching colours. It is also available in chequered metal versions as well. The other products that are discussed in meet included Fascia and Walkon. Fascia fuels ideas of facade, fencing, gate, canopy, etc. It offers functional and aesthetic values for facades. It has more than 45 wood decors, 15 plain decors, 2 customised decors in its portfolio and continuously adding up the decors to enlighten the design needs of the architect community. However “Walkon” is again first
Beautiful to behold yet durable and hygienic, Walkon Exterior Floor Boards are available in a number of colours, designs and grains. Some of the prominent features of Walkon Exterior Floor Boards are bottom-side NT, Black/brown core, slipresistance, long-lasting, high-quality construction product, frost-resistant, easy to machine, slate-free, decorative and environment friendly. The company also announced arrival of the range of new products in the next three months including Unicolor Laminates, Digital Laminates and Post Forming Laminates. Dealers were very happy with the quality and services of the Violam. Special recognition was also given to bealers by way of awards. www.stylam.com Home Review March 2015
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THE MARKETPLACE Exa Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink With Detachable Lids By Nirali Constant innovation and product upgradation has always been pivotal to Nirali, India’s No.1 stainless steel kitchen sink company. The design and engineering teams work in tandem to create products that blend modernity, customer needs, aesthetics, functionality and durability. Exa multi-purpose kitchen sink under Nirali’s Expell kitchen sink range is yet another example of path-breaking innovation. Understanding the pressing constraints of today’s modern homes, Exa kitchen sink comes with detachable lids that cover unwashed vessels and can also double up as an extension of a kitchen platform. What’s more, these lids also give a hygienic touch by not allowing insects to pry around at night. Conforming to AISI 304 quality stainless steel, which is 1.2 mm thick, the Exa kitchen sink has deeper bowls and comes with satin finish to give kitchens that modern aesthetic appeal. www.niralisinks.com
Villeroy & Boch’s Hot Outdoor Tubs Villeroy & Boch offers high quality outdoor hot tubs with individual configuration options, allowing everyone to benefit according to their individual needs and requirements. Thanks to JetPakTM II technology, a choice of massage functions and colours is in the offing to suit all requirements. The massage functions in the outdoor hot tubs from Villeroy & Boch are not restricted to specific seats, but can be freely exchanged and installed on any seat. This is made possible by the patented JetPakTM II technology. The back parts of the seats equipped with massage jets are available with a wide range of jets, colours and forms, additional options and accessories which can be combined with complete flexibility. Choose between 16 different JetPaksTM, all of which can be combined with each other and easily exchanged via a simple click system. Whether deep, gentle or vigorous;
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whether for the neck and shoulder area, the middle back or the lumbar spine, whether for special massage points and muscle regions in your body, as an allover kneading massage or simply just as a relaxing wellness indulgence - JetPaksTM
offer everyone a perfect personalised massage in either a seated or lying position - even when there are several people in the tub at the same time. www.villeroy-boch.com
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THE MARKETPLACE
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