Photo: Cyrus Dalal
A
rchitecture & Beyond work their self-assuring charm on a farmhouse in Surat. Denied of any flashy and unnecessary embellishing, their creative and plain speaking ideology shines through in this countryside residence. With an earthy lure and clever manipulation of areas and volumes, this getaway has a free flowing disposition where rooms breathe inside-out. The home is simple and basic, and one that performs its functions dutifully. Adding a quotient of intrigue is an adventurous winding staircase that stitches together the sub structures of the home, also managing to add a surprising optical illusion. Architecture & Beyond introduces ingenious swathes of colour which help break the monotony, while appointing the interiors with clever detailing that doesn’t go unnoticed. Architect Saket Sethi’s studio captures his associations with people and places that have left a lasting impressions on his life and practice. It is a haven that blurs the boundaries between a work space and a dwelling - enveloping the many that work there. Loosely divided into a section which deals with architecture and another which handles interiors, what unites this creative workshop is assemblage of art, collectibles and relics of finished projects that infuse an air of nostalgia and inspiration wherever you look. Peeling back years of architectural changes and unwelcome additions, designer Sian Pascale reinstates the timeless beauty of a two-storey building in Colaba, re-purposing it as a boutique hotel. Restoring features like the antiquated teak wood floors and beams, iron girders and brick masonry, Sian reinvents the interiors with a range of eclectic ‘Bombay-style’ furniture and artefacts. Finding a spot in this inimitable setting are novelties like vintage electrical switches, sari fabric for upholstery, ceramic lamps and even bedside tables inspired by Bhel Puri! Sian has made every effort to source and produce fascinating elements locally and has been wholly committed to finding inspiration for her designs from the extraordinary and diverse city that is Bombay.
Anish Bajaj, Editor anish@marvelinfomedia.com
10 Home Review May 2015
Home Review May 2015
11
40
30
Shonan Trehan
Welcome to the ‘Grand Bazaar’, one of the many bazaars of Istanbul which has been an integral part of the city
44
Every project is an invocation of inquiry.
26 Cover Story A farmhouse designed by the firm Architecture & Beyond is a collection of semi-autonomous structures that are eminently functional and at the same time aesthetically remarkable
Right in the centre of Mumbai’s touristic haven Colaba is located Abode, a hotel just overflowing with old-world charm yet infused with modern hospitality
art form
MAy
50
Artist Himanshu Agrawal unfolds new possibilities within the ancient Japanese art of origami
56 Saket Sethi of ADPL designs a 2,200 sq ft office for himself in suburban Mumbai with an informal feel, accessorised by a personal collection of art and artefacts collected over the years
Splendid solutions for windows, roofings and facades
EXTERIOR IMPRESSIONS
85
Page 62 Patkau Architects make spectacular use of steel and glass to design a house which resonates with the landscape, while amplifying the character of the site itself
12 Home Review May 2015
By Rohit Harip
91
86
94
Home Review May 2015
13
94
81
product
designer
105 114
ZURICH
With studios in Tokyo and Milan, Nendo is one of the most sought after design studios. Their products aim to bring small moments of “!” into everyday objects and they do it with both charm and élan
100
A DESIGN DESTINATION
109 GREEN PROJECT Passive House Che in Romania designed by Bucharest-based Tecto Arhitectura sits in the midst of a beautiful forest and manages to be a model of a non-intrusive, modern green structure that is constantly in touch with nature
118
MAy
Landscapes
Landscape architect Kalpak Bhave shows us how, with a bit of thoughtful planning, nature can be brought to your office
124 Architect Dhaval Patel blends contemporary and rustic elements to design a house which epitomises a multicultural mix of design influences tied together with a refined sensibility
128
130
134 Turkish Architectural Studio Autoban, designs an airport full of cosy cocoons. The resulting space not only challenges the typical airport aesthetics, but also gives everyone stepping into the airport, an unforgettable, thought provoking experience
14 Home Review May 2015
THE MARKETPLACE Get your hands on the latest products to hit the market
144
140 A silent and grand spectacle, Pinakin Retail, the 3000 square feet store owned by renowned architect Pinakin Patel and Piyush Raj, exudes quiet glamour
Home Review May 2015
15
emails + feedback Not a Haveli Your feature story on the villa designed by architects Shourya Patel and Dexter Fernandes is a space which imbibes rustic charm on the lines of minimalism (considering it uses straight lines and a sleek design); it is not a modern version of a haveli.
Precise Representation Your cover story featuring VGDA Studio was an interesting article; the office space acts as a picture-perfect caricature of the architects design sensibilities.
Jhanvi Advalpalkar By Email
Rajan Darji Mumbai
Knowledge Spiral Considering that knowledge has become a weapon of manipulation, it would be precise to tag The Dalarna Media Library as a colosseum of knowledge considering its design. Kshitij Seth By Email
Let us know what you love and hate about this issue. Mail us at letters@marvelinfomedia.com
Cosy Afternoons Coast CafĂŠ is a wonderful space, the sublime interiors and the perfect grace of sunlight in the afternoons makes it an alluring destination to eat and relax. Your article nevertheless captured the true spirit of this otherwise unknown restaurant. Susanne Neotia Shimla
Corrigendum
In our April 2015 issue, the abbreviation of Rushabh Parekh Design Studio (RPDS) was incorrectly cited as RPDF. The error is highly regretted.
16 Home Review May 2015
NEWS FROM DURAVIT The new Duravit products shown at ISH are all about two essential human needs: Individuality and Comfort. This is reflected in every detail, combined with perfect design and innovative features. ISH, the world’s leading trade fair for sanitary ware, heating and air conditioning was held in Frankfurt this March. Here Duravit presented its new products true to the motto of More Individuality, More Comfort, More You. At ISH, Duravit unveiled two exciting new ranges, ME by Starck and P3 Comforts. With his new ME by Starck range, the French designer has succeeded in creating a collection that satisfies the desire for pure aesthetics and can be introduced into all manner of style worlds. The P3 Comforts bathroom range created by Phoenix Design has implemented a modern concept of comfort for a young, sporty target group without compromising on design. The geometry of the sleek, rectangular L-Cube furniture series was also showcased at ISH as well as the Cape Cod bathroom range. With
Cape Cod, Starck and Duravit have reinvented the bathroom as a place of rejuvenation for the mind, body and soul. Ceramic wash bowls with distinctively thin edges are available in round, square and tri-oval shapes. Additionally, Cape Cod washbowls are made of Dura Ceram - a patented ceramic material which gives it characteristics of extra-high impact strength.
Duravit also introduced an addition to its Paiova bathtub family and presented the new shower-toilet seat, SensoWashÂŽ Slim. All these new launches made a fascinating impression to the many who visited its booth at ISH in Frankfurt. tel: 079 66112300 respond@in.duravit.com www.duravit.in
Advertorial Home Review May 2015
17
Editor & Publisher Anish Bajaj Creative Director Natalie Pedder-Bajaj Features Editor Mala Bajaj
Kunal Bhatia Architect and Photographer Kunal Bhatia is an architect, photographer and travel writer based in Mumbai. He finds inspiration in cities around the world, the people that he meets and fleeting encounters. To experience more of his work visit kunalbhatia.net.
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
Rohit Harip Product Designer Currently a student of Product Design at MIT Institute Pune, Rohit Harip believes effective communication helps him to gain an insight to design better products. Apart from designing cool products the young designer takes time out for photography, trekking, travelling and socialising.
18 Home Review May 2015
Home Review May 2015
19
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
Architecture & Beyond Brick Cape, Page 30 Architecture & Beyond headed by the young duo of Aashish and Bhavesh Patel believe in the transformative power of architecture. They stress on engaging in the creative interpretation of their client’s needs, budgets and cultural values.
Delhi Ms Sumita Prakash Flat F 304, Rajasthan C.G.H.S. Ltd, Plot No. 36, Sector 4, Dwarka, New Delhi 110075 Tel 09899179540, Email: sumitabiswas63@gmail.com Chennai Mr S. Venkataraaman Flat No. 2, 3rd Flr, E-Block, Hansa Garden, 30 Madampakkam Main Rd, Rajakilpakkam, Chennai 600 073 Tel 044 22281180 / 09444021128 Email: svenkat@marvelinfomedia.com Kolkata Mr Subrata Mazumder 2, Nabapalli (Bidhanpalli). Kolkata 700084 Tel 033 2410 4296 Mob 9831131395 Telefax 033 2410 7605 Email: subrata22@rediffmail.com Publishing Director Mr. R.I. Bajaj Distributed in India by India Book House Pvt. Ltd. 412, Tulsiani Chambers, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021. This issue has a total of 146 pages comprising of a 6 page cover and 140 inside pages.
Sian Pascale An Ode To Bombay, Page 44 Sian Pascale was born in Melbourne, Australia in 1983, graduating with a Master of Architecture after completing her studies at the University of Melbourne and The Royal Danish Academy of Arts, Copenhagen. She currently lives and works between Melbourne and Mumbai, where she is able to combine her international aesthetic and love of vernacular craft to create unique design experiences.
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
20 Home Review May 2015
Tecto Architectura Green Project, Page 109 Tecto concept seeks through its design to find meaningfulness and receptiveness’ to innovation and aesthetic expression. Through in-depth studies of contemporary architecture, Tecto pushes the limits to the most inspiring, intriguing and innovative concepts.
Home Review May 2015
21
PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S 30Registration MAR TO 19 AUGfor NATA
The need of the day in India is infrastructure, design and development. This task will dominate the coming century. Architects will be leaders in creating a new India! While all new software will eventually drift into oblivion, architects will leave behind the indelible footprints of their times. While other professionals are narrowing their scope and specializing, architects are continually broadening their horizons, working on a multitude of projects, with a plethora of clients and supporting consultants. The National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) measures the aptitude of the applicant for specific field of study, i.e. architecture. The test measures drawing and observation skills, sense of proportion, aesthetic sensitivity and critical thinking ability that have been acquired over a long period of time and that are related to aspecific field of study, i.e. architecture. NATA 2015 Registration forms can filled and submitted online from this website by payment of NATA fees of Rs. 1250.00 (+ Processing Charges) using Netbanking / Credit Cards / ICICI Isure Bank Challan.
To celebrate this rich and diverse community, Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW) has created a showcase of leading UK and international brands and companies presented in a series of showroom events, pop-up exhibitions and special installations that take place across the area.
This new, upscale showcase - created for interior designers and decorators, hoteliers, restaurant owners, retailers, investors and journalists is steeped in the unmatched savoir-faire of Maison&Objet. It also enjoys the active support of Reed Americas, the top conference and trade show organiser in the US and Latin America. As is done at Maison&Objet events in Paris, Maison&Objet Americas will be presenting a Designer of the Year award in Miami Beach. The Maison&Objet Americas 2015 Designer of the Year will be selected from among top American designers who have distinguished themselves in their design fields. The winner will be invited to design a dimension of the Miami Beach show and serve as an ambassador for Maison&Objet Americas.
Celebrating its 6th year in 2015 the awardwinning CDW has firmly established itself as the UK’s leading independent design festival and annually attracts the international design community to this small area of London for three days of exciting events. In 2014, the design community flocked to Clerkenwell with 32,300 attendees and over 300 exhibiting brands. www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com
TO 20Smart 22Cities MAY India 2015 Conference New Delhi
www.maison-objet.com
TO 19Clerkenwell 21 MAY Design Week United Kingdom
www.nata.in NIUA (National Institute of Urban Affairs) is supporting the Smart Cities India 2015 Conference that will provide a common forum to discuss and deliberate some of the most challenging issues ranging across smart governance, smart transportation, smart energy, smart it & communications, smart environment and smart buildings.
12Maison&Objet 15 MAY Americas TO
Miami Beach, USA
The Maison&Objet Americas concept will recreate and intensify the singular, creative, sophisticated Maison&Objet atmosphere. The 250 stringently selected exhibitors will exemplify the multidisciplinary perspective of Maison&Objet as they present, under a single banner, the very best in interior design with an unprecedented close look at the brands, designers and artists from throughout the two Americas.
22 Home Review May 2015
Clerkenwell is home to more creative businesses and architects per square mile than anywhere else on the planet, making it truly one of the most important design hubs in the world.
The conference will include plenary sessions, meetings, demos, presentations, projects and solutions. It will also give opportunities for one to one meetings, group discussions and networking and highlight new areas and upcoming technologies with stakeholders who are developing smart cities.
PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S
Home Review May 2015
23
PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S The conference will attract public and private enterprises, engineers, architects, consultants, suppliers and buyers of relevant technologies, system integrators, NGOs, telecommunications and IT professionals, banks and financial institutions. www.smartcitiesindia.com
TO 21What 22Design MAY Can Do Amsterdam
“Many people are now convinced that design is much more than an aesthetic exercise. With this fifth event, we want to explore if we can not only talk about social design but also actively tackle problems,” says Richard van der Laken, founder of What Design Can Do. www.whatdesigncando.com
22 MAY
Deadline for Entries World Architecture Festival
01 TO 30 JUNE
London Festival of Architecture London The annual London Festival of Architecture (LFA) - a month-long, citywide celebration of architectural experimentation, thinking and practice - will take place at venues across the capital throughout June 2015. LFA will address the theme ‘Work in Progress’ and feature a programme of events organised with London’s leading cultural and academic institutions including the Design Museum, Royal Academy of Arts, Royal Institute of British Architects, Serpentine Galleries and Victoria & Albert Museum. The London Festival of Architecture is a time for speculation, public debate and new ideas. Professionals and students, organisations and individuals can participate in the festival through the Open Calls for Associated Projects and Open Studios. The 2015 festival will also feature an expanded international programme which includes the Serpentine’s 15th annual summer pavilion designed by Spanish architects SelgasCano and the introduction of an international Focus Country - Ireland - presented in partnership with Irish Design 2015, a year long international celebration of Irish Design and the British Council.
This year’s jubilee What Design Can Do, the annual event that highlights the social importance of design, focuses on both the soft side of design - What Design Can Do for the Senses - and on the hard reality: What Design Can Do for Politics. The expanding scope of the event is reflected this year in its collaboration with the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, the Balie debate centre, the Apple Flagship Store and a second installment of its own film festival packed with films about design. More big names are joining the event this year. In addition to graphic designers Sagmeister and Magallanes, guests include the Campana Brothers, the first Brazilian furniture designers to exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Steve Rura, from Google Creative Lab, branding specialist Michael Johnson and Paul Hekkert, an expert in the field of design and emotion, are other top names on the bill.
24 Home Review May 2015
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 22nd May 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
Alongside a programme of exhibitions, installations, talks and debates, film screenings, family activities, architecture evenings, walking tours and cycle rides, LFA provides unprecedented access to architects across London - through the RIBA London’s programme of Open Studios - and the next generation of architectural talent as all the major London architecture schools present their student shows. www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org
PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S
Home Review May 2015
25
LAB – Language. Architecture. Body. The name itself echoes the work code of the Mumbai-based firm Labwerk. Founder and principal architect Shonan Purie Trehan, who established the firm in 2010 boasts of a strong academic foundation - with a Masters in Architecture from London’s Bartlett School of Architecture and a degree in Architecture from Rhode Island School of Design. The firm indulges in rigorous research and in each project they diligently explore the line of inquiry. The pedagogy of the practice involves study of socio-cultural systems, spatial narrative and behavioural patterns. And none of the discoveries get lost in translation as they eventually find a place in their future projects. LAB doesn’t believe in playing it safe and the proof of the unpredictability of their spaces resonates in the playful design of Roti Kapda Makaan and distinctly, in their technicallystrong Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon. In a short span of five years the firm has developed a laudable oeuvre that ranges from residential, commercial, healthcare and hospitality projects, and has earned wide recognition along with several design honours. They also offer comprehensive design solutions and craft bespoke furniture, lighting and accessories. Some may call their approach a quest to upend conventional thinking, but design is a field where one needs to be intuitive, failing which the work appears uninspired. Here, Shonan discusses design philosophies, inspirations and directions.
Interview by Shweta Salvi
26 Home Review May 2015
What design fundamentals define LAB’s practice? Every project is an invocation of inquiry. The compass of each inquiry is unique for each project. At LAB we play a lot with narrative and inhabitation of space. Extensive dialogue with the end user is often a departure point. We distil inspiration from these conversations and cull the essence of the project. In response, we conjure up an idea book, which is then a directory for the project. The LAB team is committed to creating unpredictable, interactive and joyous experiences. We are faithful to the belief that form follows spirit.
LAB puts in substantial efforts in research and investigations to develop new geometry and structural systems. Could you briefly explain the process? Our research focuses are typically driven by the context of a project but, occasionally by a wilful interest. The translation of our research into applied systems is never a linear process. Often the research which takes flight in one project will nest in another. We have two categories of research in our practice: material development and spatial narrative.
The LAB team is committed to creating unpredictable, interactive and joyous experiences. We are faithful to the belief that form follows spirit.
Home Review May 2015
27
On the subjects we work with constantly, is the translation of narrative from the imagination to spatial structures. We study behavioural patterns, social systems and challenge them through design.
Few design with consideration for the hands that will actually build the project. The existing skills and craftsmanship available are often discarded for the misguided aspirations.
The first category requires extensive investigation, rigorous analysis, modelling, simulation and prototyping through the development process. In search for emergent building systems we experiment with materials; such as integrating bamboo with concrete. We have invented a self-structuring brick system, which is still looking for an application in a project.
28 Home Review May 2015
Your firm works on a diverse range of projects, right from large scale institutional campuses to retail design. Which project for you has been the most challenging till date? Working on a large 1600 bed multispecialty hospital was extremely complex from a technical and an anthropological perspective. Both the planning and execution of this mammoth project was an education. Designing spaces that spoke to vast cross section of users was the biggest challenge.
What according to you is the most ignored aspect of design today? The people which translate design from the drawing board to a built environment are the most ignored aspect. Few design with consideration for the hands that will actually build the project. The existing skills and craftsmanship available are often discarded for the misguided aspirations.
Textures and materials play an important role in your work. Any particular material that you would like to work with?
In a very short span your firm has received recognition from the design industry. What does this success mean to you and what immediate goals have you lined out for the practice? LAB is a team of young, passionate architects. The energy of this team has enabled us to deliver a large number of projects in a short span of time. The recognition propels our momentum. At this stage we would like to compartmentalize more time for research and invention.
Could you list a few architectural practices across the globe that according to you would define the architectural scene of tomorrow? Renzo Piano, Thomas Heatherwick and SHoP What do you do in your spare time…any other interests?
What are you currently working on? A wide range of projects that include: villas, hospitals, corporate HQ building and villa development.
I love reading, running, cycling. I just had two kids in less than two years, so spare time has evaporated.
info@labwerk.in www.labwerk.in
We push the boundaries of material use, by deploying fundamental building materials such as brick, concrete, thermoplastics and timber in inventive formats.
A structure designed by another architect which continues to have an impact on you every time you visit… The depth, rigour and spirit of Gaudi’s work is mind blowing. Lewis Carroll always transports me as well.
Home Review May 2015
29
BRICK CAPE
30 Home Review May 2015
A farmhouse in Surat, Gujarat, has been designed by the firm Architecture & Beyond as a collection of semi-autonomous structures that are held together by one, simple aesthetic. The farmhouse in Surat, Gujarat, is an archetype of the firm Architecture & Beyond’s design aesthetic. The main farmhouse stands as a calm sentinel in the sprawling plot. It has a solid, self-assured aura about it, and at first glance, one will be hard-pressed to find any flashy elements. Even the brilliant brick wall, shaped like the quiff of a flamboyant hipster, doesn’t seem like an anomaly in an otherwise straightforward-looking expanse. But, like most of the firm’s projects, this one too is defined by details that lie beneath the skin.
Text By Shruti Nambiar Photographs Courtesy Pankaj Anand Home Review May 2015
31
The farmhouse’s real charms are not to be found in frills but in carefully planned substance created out of earthy, often colour-averse brick and concrete, and in the generosity of space allocation, both vertical and horizontal. This project breathes in and out, and is unencumbered by decorative furniture. Admittedly, the brief asked for a basic, functional space, and the farmhouse fulfils that demand dutifully. However, the team decided to surround this utilitarian spread with a mix of the urbane and the bucolic. In an effective display of rusticity, the entryway is paved with granite cobble stones.This leads up to the lounge area which, thanks to an encasing of wide and tall glass walls is awash with light and air and hearty views of the manicured greenery of the rest of the plot. At the back, a sublime little lotus pond snakes about with a sweet bridge bending across it, bringing to the space another favourite design element of A&B.
The floor space at the ground floor is minimally occupied by a sofa set and a rug, and a dining area, while the rest lies basking in the sunlight that streams through in abundance from the three light wells. This sparse interior scheme repeats throughout the structure. A single bedroom occupies the upper floor, along with an attached terrace.
32 Home Review May 2015
But between the lounge and the private upper floor is an interesting element - a winding staircase that sets up an unexpected optical illusion. The dark stone stairs are flanked by a shower curtain-like swathe made of corrugated galvanised iron sheets, giving the whole ensconce a queerly rotary motion feel. This brief section has a deliberate rough-hewn, under-construction feel that is intended to make it look distinct and independent from the two spaces it connects.
The low-rising wooden bed leans against a side wall, leaving the rest of the space to again loll in the largesse of natural light and green views. Some flashes of colour pop up here. The deep blue wall, and the glazed yellow bathroom door that lives in it, stand in slightly startling contrast to the languid simplicity of the rest of the space. Inside the bathroom is some more colour surprise in the form of some red detailing.
Home Review May 2015
33
This minor autonomy among the substructures in an otherwise technically homogenous building is best highlighted by the pantry. The short, stout block’s façade has been created out of slate stone, making it one of the most in-yourface rustic elements in the farmhouse.
Inside though it is a picture of more modern elegance, all deep red mosaic walls and polished counter-top that is surrounded by glass windows that open up to the facing garden’s air like giant helmet visors.
34 Home Review May 2015
The geometrically adventurous shape of the masonry wall is not just an affectation but also critical to allowing an array of natural light and air conduits in favour of the interiors. The contiguous wall and ceiling thus formed also accords the expantry space an embrace of solidity.
Home Review May 2015
35
Architecture & Beyond’s success here is in making the 116 sq m of built-up area stand out as well as stay detached in the 2006 sq m of total plot area. The structures are eminently functional and at the same time aesthetically remarkable. That is a deceptively hard balance to strike in a project of any size. anb.firm@yahoo.com
36 Home Review May 2015
Home Review May 2015
37
38 Home Review May 2015
Turkish lamps made of pieces of coloured glass are omnipresent in the bazaars of Istanbul and are a great buy to bring home a piece of this incredible city.
The Bazaars of Istanbul TEXT AND PHOTOS BY KUNAL BHATIA kunal@kunalbhatia.net www.kunalbhatia.net Dating back to the 15th century the many bazaars of Istanbul have been an integral part of the city’s urban structure, not only contributing to its economy over the centuries but also shaping an identity that has slowly become synonymous with the city. Historically, the Grand Bazaar had its origins as a textile trading centre and by the 1600s it had already expanded to become a hub of trade, with goods being ferried both from Europe and Asia.
40 Home Review May 2015
Over the centuries, fires and earthquakes destroyed various sections of the bazaar but it was always rebuilt and continues to thrive till date. The Grand Bazaar today is spread across several kilometres of vaulted shopping lanes with over 4000 shops located in different zones, broadly categorised as per the products that they sell. At the very centre lies the Ceuahir Bedesteni or the Old Bazaar that specialises in antiques, semi precious stones and jewellery. Around this are dozens of stores that stock only Turkish lamps and equally as many that deal exclusively in carpets.
In between the artisan-products, are also scores of daily use items ranging from spices and soaps to handbags and tea cups. Amongst the treasures to be discovered is the books-bazaar dating back to the Byzantine era and the Kalpakcilar Caddesi - a street lined with gold merchants. A shopping experience at the bazaar is an intensive affair, best spread across many leisurely hours. Beginning with cursory glances at the many products, be prepared for friendly beckoning and over the top sales pitches. And although intense bargaining is de rigueur, a cup or two of Turkish coffee can usually seal the deal.
Statues of the ‘whirling dervishes’.
One of the several kilometres of internal vaulted streets within the Grand Bazaar, with shops on either side.
Stop by the Spices Bazaar for the sights, tastes and aromas of a number of spices, from saffron to peppers and garam masalas.
An entrance gateway to the Grand Bazaar, or Kapalicarsi as it is known in the Turkish language.
The display windows of gold merchants within the Grand Bazaar are lined with piece after piece of dazzling jewellery.
Home Review May 2015
41
Visitors walk past shops within the Bazaar that are brimming with lamps, scarves, tea cups and other products.
Handbags made of colourful textile are hung for sale on the outer walls of one of Istanbul’s Bazaars.
Lamps are one of the most popular buys and can be found in a variety of shapes and sizes.
A motley of hookhas in different shapes, colours and sizes are available in the Grand Bazaar.
42 Home Review May 2015
Home Review May 2015
43
The grand entrance and lobby is beautifully restored with its wood and iron facade. A 19th century chandelier takes pride of place above the communal table while hand-made tiles glisten below.
44 Home Review May 2015
AN ODE TO BOMBAY
Right in the centre of Mumbai’s touristic haven Colaba is located Abode, a hotel just overflowing with old-world charm yet infused with modern hospitality.
South Mumbai has its fair share of hotels set in its historic Victorian age buildings, many of which are now being restored to their former glory. One such gem has been uncovered in the shape of Abode, the city’s “first real boutique hotel” a stone’s throw away from the Gateway of India. The Lansdowne building dates back to the early 1900s and was originally built for David Sassoon, a name inextricably linked to the history and architecture of Bombay. The building, now owned by the Sham family, needed several months of restoration to peel back years of architectural changes.
Text By Chryselle D’Silva Dias Photographs Courtesy The Designer Home Review May 2015
45
Sian’s studio Young Citizens Design created the Bhel-Puri bedside tables, wall lights and ceramic lamps adding to the vivacity of the space.
46 Home Review May 2015
The bronze mirrored wall, booths and vintage lights are inspired by the art deco heritage buildings found throughout Bombay.
For designer Sian Pascale, the first step was stripping it down to its bare bones. Over the years, many of the heritage features of the building like iron girders and teak beams had been hidden under false ceilings and plastering. Sian’s vision for the building meant unravelling these modern additions and seeking the history hidden underneath. Abode’s unique character stems from its use of quintessential Bombay-style furniture and artefacts. As part of her design process, Sian broke down the city into four parts - “the coconut grove and fisherman’s village, the British Colony and the Raj, Art Deco Bombay and the Mumbai of today - crazy, air conditioned covered buildings, with pipes in all directions and lots of plastic.”And this became her inspiration for the interiors and the ‘look’ of the hotel. The lobby is the centre-piece of the space with its grand and open interiors. The idea was to make the lobby seem more like a café than a hotel reception and the first step towards that was to do away with the traditional reception desk completely. Sian knocked down a disused lift-shaft and restructured the space completely. Much of the designing happened as the designers were building - so when the plaster walls in the lobby uncovered the beautiful original brickwork below it was decided to keep the bricks exposed and paint them white. The space was also completely landlocked, so a big round steel window was created, echoing the shape of the original iron girders that are scattered across the building.
}
The round window opened up the lobby to natural light that came in through the lift shaft. Furthermore a communal table encourages guests to move away from their little bubble and mingle. Next to the lobby is the Library – a cosy room stuffed with books reminiscent of the pavement booksellers around Flora Fountain and other streets in Mumbai. Book covers with arresting artwork were framed turning them into one-of-akind art.
Home Review May 2015
47
The two-storey, 20-room hotel has bespoke traditional hand-made cement tiles throughout the ground floor. The lobby and public spaces have a black and white palette while each of the twelve bedrooms downstairs has a different colour combination. “In this way a guest can come and stay at the hotel repeatedly and have a different experience each time, with each room having a different ambience.”
}
Upstairs, the floors are of reclaimed Burma teak, which were left unfinished. The eight bedrooms on this floor are nested among the original iron beams of the building, giving it a vintage feel. Abode’s popularity also stems from the quaint pieces dotting the hotel, making it easy on the eye. Wicker furniture, vintage electrical switches and sari fabric for upholstery shows the effort taken to maintain the period look. Commendably, what Sian didn’t source, she had made locally. “Almost everything in the project was sourced from within the city itself, which made things extremely difficult, but the client and I were 100% committed to the concept and also the resulting environmental brownie points,” says Sian. Sian’s studio Young Citizens Design created the Bhel-Puri bedside tables and also most of the lighting including the Bhel-Puri wall lights and the hand-thrown ceramic lamps, with turned wooden tops modelled on Mughal domes.
Bedroom suites feature vintage wicker furniture sourced from the flea markets of Mumbai.
48 Home Review May 2015
British graphic designer Katy Buckley put together the art work including the signage which was created in collaboration with local truck-art painters; this added a whole lot of fun to the rooms.
}
Creating a fantastic contrast to this hand-drawn aesthetic is the neon signage at the entrance (a quote from Rudyard Kipling) and the neon lighting in the bathrooms. Other vintage elements like a large ‘Hotel’ sign, enamelled tea-pots or copper water-jugs add to the charm. Abode aspires to be a “soft landing in one of the most intensely overwhelming and fascinating cities in the world”. For the millions of tourists who visit Mumbai, this slice of old-word Bombay will surely be something to look forward to. sian@youngcitizensdesign.com www.youngcitizensdesign.com
Home Review May 2015
49
Infinite patience, a mind for mathematical equations and strong visualisation powers are the stock-in-trade of a professional origami artist.
50 Home Review May 2015
art form
A Wonderfold World Artist Himanshu Agrawal unfolds new possibilities within the ancient Japanese art of origami.
On the face of it, the ancient Japanese art of origami appears to be the least demanding art form of all. With just a piece of paper - even a bus ticket - it’s possible to create a charming work of art. A fold here, a fold there and voila, you have a paper boat in seconds. Then again, if you want to progress beyond the elementary paper boat you’ll need a lot more than just a scrap of paper. Himanshu Agrawal, a professional origami artist, says, “Origami is all about having infinite patience, a mind for mathematical equations and strong visualisation powers.” For many of us who may have struggled with an origami rabbit or butterfly in the past, it comes as a relief to hear Himanshu assert that origami demands practice and perseverance. At the same time, it’s hard to shake off the lingering suspicion that some hands are unfairly more blessed than others.
Paper has memory and a crease wrongly made stays on forever. As an art form, origami is best suited for those with a cautious, serene disposition.
Text By Christabelle Athaide Photographs Courtesy Himanshu Agrawal Home Review May 2015
51
The Mumbai-based artist reveals that he was first bitten by the origami bug in 1989 when gifted with a book on paper planes. Since then it’s been a magical adventure of learning to fold two-dimensional sheets of paper into three-dimensional butterflies, frogs, lizards and other animals. While elaborate, large-scale origami models are Himanshu’s forte, his elegant horses, birds and other creatures too frame a vision of loveliness. It wasn’t easy getting here though, he confesses. “The biggest challenge for me was lack of instruction, interaction, books and material. Over the years, I built up my origami library one book at a time and today I have more than 1500 books. I have papers collected by me from all over the world but I actually began with the humble notebook paper, bus tickets and the like.” Despite its popularity, origami remains an underrated art form and artists like Himanshu are often compelled to take on alternative jobs to bolster their income. Working as a writer, voiceover artist and ELT trainer, Himanshu has nevertheless been fortunate to be featured across leading dailies, décor magazines and design journals. He has even appeared on television and is often invited abroad to display his consummate paper-folding skills. Now his latest preoccupation is with pushing the boundaries of origami, of taking it into the realm of sculpture or perhaps vice-versa. He says, “Now I focus more on the sculptural aspects of origami and am one of six people in the world who have explored folding masks in the style of classical sculpture.” This new, hybrid version of origami is far more challenging than the original rigid and linear style because it cannot be pre-planned entirely. “You have to have a very clear vision”, elaborates Himanshu, “and then improvise on the go.”
Himanshu is currently exploring folding masks in the style of classical sculpture and is one of a rare group of six people experimenting with this hybrid version of origami.
52 Home Review May 2015
Himanshu has broken five records in the Limca Book of Records for the largest origami sculptures. Seen here is the artist with his 13 ft origami elephant.
Home Review May 2015
53
In addition to talent, Himanshu’s passion and stamina for the art form are helping him push the boundaries of origami and take India onto the world stage.
54 Home Review May 2015
An origami artist must also be well-informed about the raw material at his disposal. “The paper chooses the model,” says the artist. “I travel a lot in search of the perfect paper. I recently visited Jaipur to check out the banana and cotton paper being produced at the paper mills there.” His favourite, he reveals is the handmade Lokta paper from Nepal. As a material, paper has a strong memory and a crease in the wrong place is impossible to undo. What’s more, paper is also springy and once you start you simply have to keep going till it is done. “I once took 12 hours to fold a frog,” says the artist matter-of-factly. There’s not a shred of doubt that Himanshu is immensely talented. What he also possesses in dollops is passion and stamina to keep pushing the limits of origami. The prolific artist has five entries in the Limca Book of Records, one of which is for creating the tallest origami dinosaur; a 30-foot creature that was completed with 103 moves and 70 creases in a period of 12 hours. It’s in the battle against plagiarism that he finds himself on the back foot. As a member of a global council initiated to protect the intellectual property rights of origami artists, Himanshu looks forward to soon being able to copyright his original designs. If the council does indeed succeed in passing their copyright laws, origami artists like Himanshu will finally get the respect and recognition they deserve.
info@orukami.in www.orukami.com
Home Review May 2015
55
Saket Sethi of ADPL designs a 2,200 sq ft office for himself in suburban Mumbai with an informal feel, accessorised by a personal collection of art and artefacts collected over the years.
Cognisant of the fact that his office was located in a bungalow, Saket Sethi was careful to maintain an informal feel, in sync with the volume of the space. The expansive Sanjay Gandhi National Park unfurls outside the windows, making the view rather special, being located in Mumbai. The outdoor spaces include a courtyard, side yard and a rear courtyard which is a private, meditative space.
Text By Devyani Jayakar Photographs Ishaan Raghunandan Courtesy The Architect
56 Home Review May 2015
Integrating Favourites
Home Review May 2015
57
58 Home Review May 2015
“The studio is an experimental thinktank, where I want my staff to be happy to come to every day. We take on only a few projects every year, and our work is modern as well as classic. I wanted the office space to reflect that,” he says. “People come from different parts of the world to work in this office. From Spain, France, London, Los Angeles and even places like Jharkhand and Vidyanidhi Academy. So the atmosphere had to be comforting for all of them.” Looks like it has worked. Instead of a to-do list, one board breezily declares in a handwritten script, ‘You don’t have to be crazy to work here…we’ll train u.’ Says Saket, “I didn’t want anyone to feel alienated. Moreover, in the US I worked in a loft, so I’m happy that this office has a similar feel.”
}
Saket is also an artist. And of course his works hang on the walls, rubbing shoulders with an MF Husain gifted by his mother. The latter, strangely, has been displayed rather unobtrusively. Distressed walls add a gravitas to the office, with their ‘always been there’ aesthetic. Dark green and brown could be used for the finishes, because the space was a large open one. Saket discloses, “I have surrounded myself with artwork which inspires me and there are bits and pieces of my favourite things all around. It could be a detail in the fabric, or a remnant from a site which I’ve worked on.”
}
Saket explains that he habitually retains some left-over objects from his projects and displays them in his office, rather like memorabilia.
Home Review May 2015
59
A wall was pulled down to half its height and voila, the office is loosely divided into a section which deals with architecture and another which handles interiors. The lighting is basic, mostly drop lights sourced from Chor Bazar. In-your-face is the quirky picture of a pug in uniform, painted by Chinese artist Naka, which the staff has fondly dubbed ‘Chairman Mao.’ A vintage wooden Irani cabinet with a marble top and sunburst carvings on its shutters, is painted an eye-popping lacquer red and stands below ‘Chairman Mao’, subliminally Oriental in its imagery. The same red is echoed in the upholstery of the chairs at the work desks. A charcoal study by Saket hangs over a single-seater table meant for quick sketches. Above the sketch, a wall bracket holds aloft a single book by JRD Tata. An antique carved panel and even Aloe Vera plants have been displayed much the way one would in a home; this adds warmth to the space. In the stairwell, a Buddha shrine with mirrors occupies pride of place, flanked by suspended wooden ‘dwarpals’ and Balinese masks.
}
A painted section of Diocletian Roman baths and Saket’s own certificates add an official authenticity to the otherwise informal space. Saket repeatedly uses the word ‘comfort,’ when he talks about his design for his office. Clearly, that was a priority, rather than creating a slick showcase filled with the spoils of a frenzied shopping binge. This space is filled with objects that recall fondly held memories, associations with places he has lived in and with important people in his life. In essence, Saket has created a home away from home, enveloping in its warmth. Blurring the boundaries between work and relaxation, one could curl up with a book as easily as design an edifice within the walls of this office.
60 Home Review May 2015
}
Like the famous song from the glorious 1965 Hollywood blockbuster musical starring Julie Andrews - ‘The Sound of Music’ - these might not be, ‘raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens,’ but these are a few of Saket’s favourite things. info@archilogics.com www.archilogics.com
Home Review May 2015
61
EXTERIOR IMPRESSIONS The first element that you notice of a building is definitely its form and profile. The main factors adding up to its profile are its exterior facade, its roof and the windows. These exterior components are important for structural stability, improved performance and an appealing look.
SONALI RASTOGI Page 64
62 Home Review May 2015
MANISH GULATI Page 66
This month Home Review brings products in the windows, roofing and facades categories from villa windows that can fit a grill in a uPVC window to those that have dust and sound proofing properties.
NURU KARIM Page 68
ROBERT VERRIJT & SHEFALI BALWANI Page 70
HEATHERWICK STUDIO Page 74
BIG BJARKE INGELS GROUP Page 76
WINDOWS
Page 78
FACADES
ROOFING
Page 81
Check out different roofing options that protect from all harsh elements such as green roofs and colourful roof tiles. Then there are facades that block the sun and are appealing as well, thus setting the benchmark in terms of design, comfort and energy efficiency.
Page 83
Architects in India and worldwide have been innovating in interesting exterior infrastructure materials and structural looks. We highlight the best of their projects along with their thoughts on the latest stimulating exterior building solutions.
Text By Dhanishta Shah and Rehana Hussain
Home Review May 2015
63
SONALI RASTOGI
MORPHOGENESIS
What is the importance of a building’s facade and roofing system? A facade is essentially the skin of the building which is holding it together, visually. So, yes facade and roofing is what essentially makes the building. What are the best materials available for facades and roofs in terms of quality, strength and aesthetics? Which one is your favourite? Given the diversity of climates, given the diverse needs of sustainability, and given that the skin of the building which is the facade and the roof are the interface between the inside and the outside, to pre-determine what is the best material will be unfair. Architecture is contextual and the context varies on place, on climate, on sustainability, on the identity we wish to achieve and on the economic criteria. So to particularly choose one favourite is inappropriate premise to begin with. But quality is what matters, if a facade and roof is qualitative and if it responds to the above mentioned facts, it is the best one for its purpose.
64 Home Review May 2015
The building facade of the Apollo Tyres Corporate Office, Gurgaon is fragmented, a series of broken angular planes in glass and aluminum. While varied and tectonic material is used in the sculptural fire escape staircase in rippling stainless steel. Brick, brick jaalis and other simple finishes form the interface between the interior conditioned space and the outside environment and act as insulators and light filters to control and modulate inside conditions at the Integrated Campus for IILM.
As for aesthetics, it’s a subjective matter and it can be derived out of any of the contexts sustainability, local culture, local craft, imageability. So to be able to pin down aesthetics is very difficult. Please name a project with an exceptional exterior (windows, roofing and facade solution) by an architect that you admire. Choosing one thing from the plethora of built environment around the globe is almost impossible. But yes, I admire contextual responses of Rajasthani architecture which dealt with the extreme environment in a very beautifully optimal way. Sometimes when the technology itself is a generator of an interesting new form, I admire that. I also admire, when the building skin performs to all the desired criteria and yet makes the inside-outside of the building almost one.
www.morphogenesis.org
The Pearl Academy of Fashion has a double skin ‘jaali’, prevalent in Rajasthani architecture which acts as a thermal buffer between the building and the surroundings. The outer skin reduces the direct heat gain through fenestrations. The facade of JRE Group of Institutions was designed with Jaali screens in the shape of louvers that closely follow the summer path of the sun across the facade providing maximum shade during summer while allowing in maximum light during winter.
Home Review May 2015
65
MANISH GULATI
M:OFA STUDIO
How important is a building’s facade and roofing system in accordance with the Indian climate? India is predominantly a country of a harsh climate. Here the buildings not only provide habitats but a much needed respite from the extreme temperatures, dust and humidity. So the facades and roofing systems here are not merely about aesthetics or the face of the building but become an interface between the external and the internal. What comes inside as light but stays outside as heat. What flows through the openings as a breeze to provide ventilation but keeps the dust outside. What provides shade and insulation yet lets the building breathe keeping the internal air quality healthy. It’s not constant nor it is a variable based on patterns but an organic requisite of paradoxes. Rain facades, dry cladding, sandwich panels, louvers, terracotta insulation, perforated facades, parasol roofs are just some of the innovations of basics that work very effectively as the facade and roofing system in India providing passive cooling. The idea is to take it forward and develop it as a modern language and expression. What factors should be considered before choosing the material/s for a structure’s exterior? One of the foremost considerations ought to be the aesthetics and durability over a period of time. Economy plays a huge role in construction.
66 Home Review March 2015
The Head Office for Delhi Pollution Control Committee boasts of a parasol roof that collects rainwater and passes it to an underground reservoir, while the clay lined foam concrete cavity walls lined with filters help in cleaning out the polluted air. The exterior cladding at House B 123 is of precast concrete panels and reclaimed wood planks, while the external walls are filled with polyurethane foam to control the inside vs outside temperatures.
And at a given time, a building facade may continue anywhere from a minimum 10 years up to even 30-40 years. Certain foreign materials illsuited to the Indian climate become ungainly and deformed within a couple of years on the facade. The materials used should be more local which should let the building and the material itself breathe and weather through the variations in climate and age gracefully. So the materials and the technique of using them are both as important. Materials like brick, concrete, stone, jaalis, green facades, reclaimed wood, double glass work extremely well in India. One project by you that is close to your heart. The Head office for Delhi Pollution Control Committee in New Delhi is a project close to our hearts for the very same reasons. Here, the building has been designed to sustain off the grid being present in the centre of New Delhi. The roofing system and facade apart from passively cooling the building, actively interact with the environment in providing electricity, water and also help in combating air pollution through its facade. This takes the system to a new level all together. The NIFT campus in Kangra comprises of a dry cladding of local stone with cavity walls and double insulation glass with clerestory. The roof is composite track deck sheeting covered with green roof. The textured Dholpur sandstone walls exclude Gwalior’s harsh sun at the ITM School of Business, but the jaalis and lightweight steel roof creates openings, expansiveness and gets in plenty of light.
The parallel cavity walls constructed with bentonite clay lined foam concrete blocks act as filters to help in cleaning out the polluted air of the micro climate. Also the vertical green walls in various parts also greatly help in the oxygen exchange. Mechanical filters in the basement force the polluted hot air from the basement through the hollow walls in winters to act as a heater while cleaning the pollution alongside and in summers infused with fresh air from roof mechanical filters to keep the pollution in check. www.mofastudio.com
Home Review March 2015
67
NURU KARIM NU.DE
What is the importance of a building’s facade and roofing system? The building facade and roofing system are critical components/elements of an architectural design system. They have a special role to play where sustainable design interventions are concerned, most notably in their role and performance in combating issues such as climate change and global warming. They have a role in reducing incident solar radiation and roof top rain water harvesting initiatives to mention a few including concepts that explore ‘skins’ that are ‘live’, ‘breathable’ and ‘mutable’. ‘Live’ green elements such as green roofs and green walls are being explored widely by designers across the globe. What factors do you consider before choosing the material/s for a structure’s exterior? It’s important to select materials where ‘performance’ criteria are concerned beyond purely material ‘appearance’. Usage of intelligent materials enhanced by 21st century digital means of production and fabrication offer several opportunities where a performative criterion is concerned. Natural materials offer numerous possibilities as well and several strategies have been deployed by designers across varied contexts and scales.
68 Home Review May 2015
At the Shopprix mall, Kerala, lines are extrapolated connecting retail nodes across the volume of the mall. Dynamic intersecting lines form the rich matrix of experiences that users are confronted by. The Emporio showroom is wrapped in a crystalline skin of solid panels from DuPont Corian and natural stone veneer. The glacier white crystalline surfaces and coloured LED lighting embedded in the skin compose a continuum of fluent and continuous dynamic space.
One project by you that is close to your heart. The Charkha, a competition winning entry and nominated for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2013 cycle is a very special project. The spiral trajectory of the proposed monument is analogous to the spirit of the spinning wheel. Its multiple members echo ideologies such as unity and diversity as built form comprises variant sections. The Master Jury that announced the Charkha as the competition winning entry commented, “As Indians sitting in the midst of an emerging India, for us the story of this spinning wheel holds immense significance - from a form that transpires from the Ashok Chakra to the Charkha and that, which had imploded earlier has now exploded with vigour and vivacity to capture the dynamism of the momentum of India with the material of the future.” The structure is permanently sited at the Cross Maidan, South Mumbai, courtesy of the OVAL Trust Foundation.
www.nudeoffices.com Kakad Heights, Mumbai attempts to reduce its carbon footprint through the usage of sustainable technologies such as sliding “sun screen” systems, minimising the effect of incident solar radiation and solar energy for lighting shared spaces. The sense of adventure, dynamism and the inherent spirit of exploration and discovery amongst children is harboured within the playful striated skin of Ryewood International School, Lonavala. The vertical fin elements also act as solar shading devices.
Home Review May 2015
69
ROBERT VERRIJT AND SHEFALI BALWANI ARCHITECTURE BRIO
What are some innovative materials that are available for facades and roofs these days? Too often we see that architects have started using new materials for the sake of them being new. It’s resulted in crazy cityscapes with bland, plastered concrete framed boxes wrapped in brightly coloured plastics and an array of different types of glass. The worst are the ones that had just enough money to highlight one facade: of course the one facing the main road. For us, materials, whether they are new or tried and tested, become innovative when they are used as an integral part of a design, when they perform more functions than one, and when they relate to a place culturally and historically. What are the materials (with reference to roofs and facades) that you would like to work with? We prefer to work with materials that age well, not in the sense that they stay perfect forever, but that they retain their beauty even under the ravages of time. The modernist perfection of abstract surfaces and volumes often don’t take very well in the harshness of the Indian climate. We often shy away from painted surfaces so that the material out of which something is made is exposed. You still get to see the same material underneath a
70 Home Review May 2015
This house in Alibag is cast in plank-finished concrete with a vertical grain which emphasises the sculptural quality of the house. Concrete being left exposed in the humid Indian climate, attracts a patina that becomes more rich and alive over time. The deep incisions in the facade at Camac Tower, Kolkata emphasise its verticality and allow light and ventilation to pass through the centre of the floor plans. The deep recessed windows forming semi verandah’s create an abstract pattern.
dent, crack or chipped surface. The propagated forever newness of new, so called low maintenance materials coming on the market is often an illusion. Instead materials that allow nature to act on it and create a beautiful patina over it become richer over time. Exposed concrete, timber, blackened steel and stones such as slates and granites do just that. In one of our projects we are working on we promote nature to literally take over. We imagine that a building is a success that even once it has become a ruin it is still beautiful. Please name a project with an exceptional exterior (windows, roofing and facade solution) by an architect that you admire. We have a lot of respect for what Anna Herringer has accomplished with the Handmade School in Bangladesh. The school is built entirely with the most basic materials imaginable: earth, bamboo and rope. Every material used utilises its maximum characteristics and at the same time the result is very sensual. www.architecturebrio.com
The use of steel columns and a lightweight roof, allows the Laureus Learning Pavilion, Karjat to remain open from all sides. This creates a comfortable environment since the natural breeze flowing from the river will cool the covered spaces. This under construction house hidden in a steep sloped hill has a roof slab level that merges with the level of the plateau allowing one to walk onto the roof from the top of the land giving an additional gathering space; an extension of the natural landscape.
Home Review May 2015
71
Fascia Exterior Cladding Fascia Exterior Cladding High Pressure Laminate (HPL) panels have a decorative surface that is suitable for exterior applications. Special quality resins provide extremely effective weather protection to external facades. These HPL’s are produced in lamination presses under high pressure and temperature. They are resistant to colour fading and are weather-proof with special protection against inclement weather. Fascia Exterior Cladding panels are extremely durable with international styling and have a wide range of colours available in both horizontal and vertical designs. Its excellent technical properties make it suitable for the building industry as an ideal alternative to traditional materials.
SPECIAL PROPERTIES Ageing Performance And Weather Resistance • Fascia Exterior Cladding panels can be exposed to combined action of sunlight and atmospheric agents such as rain, hail and wind deposits. • Exhaust fumes and acid rain can have mild effect on the surface. • Not affected by thermal shock and maintains its physical & mechanical properties. • Extreme climate changes such as from -10°C to +60 °C or from a dry climate to 90% relative humidity do not affect the appearance or the properties of the panel.
Dimensional Stability The compactness of Fascia Exterior Cladding panels provide excellent mechanical properties such as flexural, tensile, compressive and impact strength. The homogeneity and high density of the panels ensure maximum retention of screws or inserts fasteners. Important Instructions For Care Fascia Exterior Cladding panels can be mounted in a variety of different designs as panels for balconies,railings or fencing. Basics During construction and installation, care is to be taken that the material is not exposed to standing water. This means that the panels must always be able to dry out.
72 Home Review May 2015
Connections of Fascia Exterior Cladding panels to one another always have to be made in the same panel direction. Fascia Exterior Cladding panels can show deviations from being flat and this is to be compensated for by the sub-construction being executed so that it is stable and flat. All connections to other components or to the background must be executed firmly. Elastic intermediate spacers to the sub-construction elements and also
between sub-construction elements which permit a greater tolerance than ¹ 0.5 mm must definitely be avoided. Fascia Exterior Cladding panels can be mounted with rivets or screws. Due to the material properties of Fascia Exterior Cladding panels, fixed point and sliding points need to be made to mount the panels. Technical Notes The sub-structure is to be protected against corrosion regardless of the material or system used. Anchoring elements for installation on walls or for installation of the panels must be suitably dimensioned to withstand the local wind loads and meet the local structural requirements. Verifications are to be submitted to the client. The necessary space for expansion according to the manufacturer’s recommendations must be taken into account when installing Fascia Exterior Cladding panels. Cleaning Fascia Exterior Cladding panel has a hygienic, sealed surface - it needs no looking after. Cleaning is necessary under certain circumstances. This is most easily done as follows: for cleaning use clean, warm water, clean clothes or rags, and soap (household cleaners which are sold in shops). Avoid scouring substances. For Fascia Exterior Cladding panels surfaces,solvent cleaners can be used for removing stubborn marks such as varnish, paint sprays (graffiti) etc. Production Fascia Exterior Cladding panels consist of lengths of natural fiber - about 65%
ofZenta the weight - and Wash synthetic Line Electronic Bowl resins. Sensor Faucets The panels do not contain organic halogen(chlorine, fluorine, bromine etc.) compounds, such as occur in propellant gases or PVC. They contain neither asbestos nor wood preservatives (fungicide, pesticide etc.) and are free from sulphur, mercury and cadmium. The precisely managed production processes have no negative effects whatsoever on the environment. Waste Disposal The shavings which arise when machining (cutting and milling) are not hazardous to health. Consequently, even with the thermal disposal of waste - assuming modern heating plants - no environmental poisons such as hydrochloric acid, organic chlorine compounds or dioxins can arise. Fascia Exterior Cladding panels combust - with appropriately high combustion chamber temperatures and dwell times of the combustion gases in the combustion chamber, as well as an adequate supply of oxygen - into carbon dioxide, nitrogen, water and ashes. The energy which results from this can be utilised. Disposal on well-ordered commercial landfills is not problematic. Always observe the country-specific rules and regulations which apply to disposal. inquiry@stylam.com www.stylam.com tel: 172 5021555/666
Advertorial
Home Review May 2015
73
HEATHERWICK STUDIO Established by Thomas Heatherwick in 1994, Heatherwick Studio is recognised for its work across numerous design disciplines. Today a team of 160, including architects, designers and makers work from a combined studio and workshop in Kings Cross, London, and deliver projects across the globe. At the heart of the studio’s work is a profound commitment to finding innovative design solutions, be it architecture, urban infrastructure, sculpture or product design. Through a sense of craft and focus on materials, the studio brings a special ability to combine design disciplines. The studio’s work includes a number of significant architectural projects across the world, including the award-winning UK Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo 2010, the contemporisation of Pacific Place in Hong Kong and the Bombay Sapphire Distillery in the UK. www.heatherwick.com
Photo Credit: Hufton and Crow
LEARNING HUB, NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, SINGAPORE The Learning Hub at Nanyang Technological University is designed by Heatherwick Studio and executed by lead architect CPG Consultants. It is designed to be a new multi-use structure that creates a dynamic environment more conducive to casual interaction between students and professors. Twelve towers, each a stack of rounded tutorial rooms without corners or obvious fronts or backs, taper inwards at their base around a generous public central atrium. The sixty one angled concrete columns have a distinctive undulating texture developed specially for the project. The curved facade panels are cast with a unique horizontal pattern, made with ten cost-efficient adjustable silicone moulds, to create a complex three-dimensional texture. The result of the building’s various raw treatments of concrete is that the whole project appears to have been handmade from wet clay.
74 Home Review May 2015
UK PAVILION, SHANGHAI EXPO 2010, CHINA For the UK Pavilion, Heatherwick Studio created the Seed Cathedral, a box, 15 metres high and 10 metres tall. From every surface protrude silvery hairs, consisting of 60,000 identical rods of clear acrylic, 7.5 metres long, which extend through the walls of the box and lift it into the air. Inside the pavilion, the geometry of the rods forms a curvaceous undulating space. There are 250,000 seeds cast into the glassy tips of all the hairs. By day, the pavilion’s interior is lit by the sunlight that comes in along the length of each rod and lights up the seed ends. At night, light sources inside each rod illuminate the seed ends and also the tips of the hairs.
Photo Credit: Iwan Baan
BUND FINANCE CENTRE, SHANGHAI Bund Finance Centre (BFC) is a prominent new mixed-use destination in Shanghai designed jointly by Foster + Partners and Heatherwick Studio. The 420,000-squaremetre development of eight buildings includes two 180-metre landmark towers, and combines premium ‘grade A’ offices with a boutique hotel, an arts and cultural centre and a wide variety of luxury retail spaces, all arranged around a generous landscaped public plaza. A palette of crafted stone and bronze details gives the buildings a jewel-like quality. The edges of each volume are made of richly textured, hand-crafted granite and become slimmer as they rise, giving the impression of solidity at the base and transparency at the top. Photo Courtesy: Foster + Partners
Home Review May 2015
75
BIG BJARKE INGELS GROUP BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group is a Copenhagen and New York based firm operating within the fields of architecture, urbanism, research and development. BIG’s architecture emerges out of a careful analysis of how contemporary life constantly evolves and changes. They believe that in order to deal with today’s challenges, architecture can profitably move into a field that has been largely unexplored - a pragmatic utopian architecture that steers clear of the pragmatism of boring boxes and the naïve utopian ideas of digital formalism. Like a form of programmatic alchemy they create architecture by mixing conventional ingredients such as living, leisure, working, parking and shopping. They have been known to create meaningful structures with stupendous facades, from their 8 House in Copenhagen which creates a threedimensional urban neighbourhood with horizontal layers of typologies connected by a continuous promenade and cycling path up to the 10th floor, to the proposal for an apartment block in the Bahamas featuring a honeycomb facade where every balcony contains a swimming pool. www.big.dk
76 Home Review May 2015
SHENZHEN ENERGY MANSION, CHINA Shenzhen Energy Mansion has a classic shape with an organic pattern. A folded curtain wall with ‘open’ and ‘closed’ parts shades the building from the sun and creates a comfortable interior climate. On the outside the closed parts are fitted with solar thermal heat panels that block direct sunlight and power the air conditioning. The folds create special niches and unique spaces inside the office floors as well as on street level around the building. By combining maximum daylight exposure with minimal sunshine exposure and using integrated ways of limiting the need for cooling, the structure is ideal for the 21st century skyscraper.
CITé DU CORPS HUMAIN, FRANCE Cité Du Corps Humain or the Museum of the Human Body in Montpellier, France is conceived as a confluence of the park and the city – nature and architecture. Rather than a single perimeter delineating an interior and an exterior, the façade is conceived as a sinuous membrane meandering across the site, delineating interior spaces and exterior gardens in a seamless continuum oscillating between the city and the park. The roofscape is conceived as an ergonomical garden – a dynamic landscape of vegetal and mineral surfaces. The urban pavement and the parks turf flow together in a mutual embrace forming pockets of terraces overlooking the park and elevating islands of nature above the city.
WEST 57TH STREET, USA West 57th is a hybrid between the European perimeter block and a traditional Manhattan high-rise. By keeping three corners of the block low and lifting the north-east corner up towards its 450 ft. peak, the courtyard opens views towards the Hudson River, bringing low western sun deep into the block. The courtyard, inspired by the classic Copenhagen urban oasis can be seen from the street and serves to extend the adjacent greenery of the Hudson River Park into the West 57th development. The highly visible sloping roof consists of a simple ruled surface perforated by terraces - each one unique and south-facing. The fishbone pattern of the walls is also reflected in its elevations, while the sloped facade of beadblasted stainless steel gives it the finishing touch.
Home Review May 2015
77
WINDOWS
Traditionally used for day lighting and ventilation, windows are now increasingly playing a role in sustainability, look and overall design. Here is a look at the latest window product technology.
ENCRAFT TWINSASH WINDOW
BEAUTEX PONZIO WINDOWS Beauty and engineering come together seamlessly! The product is available in various designs, great finishes and vivid colour schemes. The company’s enormous capabilities and ever-growing expertise have led to the design and production of high-quality casement and sliding window systems. Designed to meet different levels of acoustic and thermal insulation, the new range is available in 600 shades and 12 finishes. www.beautex.in
FENESTA VILLA WINDOW The Fenesta Villa window is the first window in the world to fit a grill in a uPVC window and to allow a mesh that can be opened at the same time. The advanced uPVC blend makes it weather proof and provides insulation against noise and dust. It saves on air-conditioning costs and has negligible maintenance. Add to that the various wooden finishes, it offers the best of traditional window designs, a rich finish and the benefits of uPVC. www.fenesta.com
78 Home Review May 2015
Here is a versatile uPVC window product geared for India’s varied climatic conditions. Through its quadruple weather seals it offers excellent dust and sound proofing thanks to Encraft’s solutions. It consists of two Encraft sashes joined by a deep outer frame section, which is truly a unique concept in uPVC. It also enables incorporation of a security grill into the window itself. www.encraft.in
fenesta: better by design What sets Fenesta’s products apart from other companies’ product offerings in the windows and doors categories? (Kindly comment on aspects related to insulation, security, aesthetics, fire protection, ease of installation, etc) Fenesta pioneered the introduction of uPVC profiles in the country and led the way for adoption of uPVC windows at the time when wood and aluminium were the pre-dominant materials for the construction of windows. Fenesta offers a very special product, S-3000, especially meant to withstand high wind speed in high rises by imparting additional strength. Fenesta innovated a hurricane bar that imparts additional strength especially for the upper floors of a high rise building which faces high wind velocities. The company has engineered special windows for heavy torrential rains. For heavy rains, a clip on rain track can be fitted to the windows that act like a dam and do not allow rain water to seep inwards. Fenesta has also introduced a product offering called the villa window which is first of its kind in the world. The villa window integrated the traditional Indian window design of grill and mesh (popularly made out of wood in India) with uPVC. Fenesta is the only company in India that controls the entire supply chain from blending of raw material to installation of product including post sales service, thus ensuring quality at every step.
What have been some of your biggest challenges in marketing your products this past decade? One of our biggest challenges in the past decade has been a mindset where customers show reluctance to go in for uPVC windows over traditional windows. There are perceptions that conventional windows are much stronger, but modern windows prove these perceptions wrong. Products made by traditional carpenters might be cheaper but they do not even come close to providing the benefits that Fenesta windows come with.
How does the brand differentiate with regard to customer service?
The other challenge is the unorganised market in this industry. A lot of customers go in for cheaper windows through local, unorganised players which might look like a good option initially, but these windows fail in the long run.
Fenesta’s brand strategy is to provide a superior window solution backed by hassle free service for the customer. Fenesta’s target audience includes end users who are making new homes or renovating existing ones. Our service infrastructure is critical for end users who often get home improvements done while staying at home.
The concept of ‘going green’ has gained immense popularity in India. Can you tell us something about Fenesta’s green window solutions?
What are the solutions/services you offer for large scale projects? Do you work a lot with the building community?
Individuals and corporations alike must act responsibly and understand how the products they purchase and manufacture will affect the environment today and tomorrow.
Fenesta has won the trust of prominent builders like DLF, Brigade, Raheja, Shobha, Mahagun, Godrej, Lansum, etc. executing over 1000 orders from them including several repeat orders. More than 100 hotels in India like Le Meridien, Leela Palace, the Lalit, Ashoka, Lemon Tree and several leading hospitals like Wockhardt, Leelavati, Hinduja and Gangaram have installed Fenesta windows.
uPVC is an eco-friendly product and is gradually replacing wood and aluminium across the world. Using uPVC for window and door frames therefore helps in conserving natural resources (wood). Energy required to manufacture uPVC profiles is far lesser than that of aluminium. Besides, uPVC can be recycled and reused.
Mr. Saket Jain, Business Head, Fenesta
for the Indian climate. They are double sealed to provide excellent insulation. This sealing helps to prevent outside hot air from coming in and inside cold air ( when AC is on) from flowing out. This helps in reducing air conditioning costs. Besides, Fenesta products are low on maintenance and do not need any painting, thereby reducing VOCs (Volatile Organic Contents).
Fenesta uses only uPVC to make its windows and doors, therefore Fenesta products are by default green. The windows and doors are custom designed
No other company in India has world-class facilities and has complete control over the entire supply chain of window manufacturing and installation like Fenesta. www.fenesta.com response@fenesta.com Home Review May 2015
79
ALUPLAST ENERGETO® SYSTEM This has high thermal insulation that cuts down air conditioning costs and CO2 output and consequently protects the environment. With the aluplast technologies “bonding inside” and “powerdur inside” energeto® is the perfect energy efficient window system solution. The bonded glass units in the glazing rebate prevent thermal bridges typical for conventional windows. Fibre-reinforced powerdur strips, developed jointly with BASF, replace steel reinforcements. And by filling the profile chambers with special polyurethane foam, outstanding insulation values can be realized.
GEETA ALUMINUIM NEW ALUMINUM COLLECTION The group focuses on use of aluminium as a basic raw material for windows, thus providing the full advantage of a ‘green’ product, as it can be recycled a number of times. They also use latest technologies like thermal breaks, which directly proves a barrier for green gas emission by controlling room temperatures and thus increasing efficiency of air conditioning units. The new windows are fabricated in almost infinite shapes and sizes, and are able to withstand wind loads and heavy showers. www.geetaaluminium.com
www.aluplast.net
ASAHI INDIA GLASS LIMITED VUE Functionally and aesthetically sound, the comprehensive product offering is further complemented by an expert service proposition that offers consultation along with pre and post-installation support. It offers profile designs for different applications - casement, awing, top hung, tilt and turn, french and sliding windows. The uPVC profiles are also available in wood finishes – dark oak, golden oak and mahogany. www.aisglass.com
80 Home Review May 2015
FUNDERMAX: FOR PEOPLE WHO CREATE In India itself, we have done over 5000 projects till date which by itself is a testimonial of our market achievement which has happened only because of our customised solutions to the customers. Where are FunderMax’s manufacturing facilities located?
Dr. Prashanth Reddy, MD & CEO, FunderMax
What are the salient features of FunderMax’s products? FunderMax offers an extensive range in both exteriors and interiors and also in specialised industrial applications like lab furniture, etc. We are an innovative companion for discerning architecture and we give buildings character. We have Max Compact F-Quality, Max Alucompact which can adorn applications like facades, gates, fences, balconies, soffit, pergolas, louvers, signages, etc. For exteriors, our products come with a complete system support and we also customise and engineer our products and cladding systems for functionality and performance as per the design requirement. We are aficionados of customisation and can give shape to any design conceived by architects by imparting design freedom to their architecture. You name it and we have a very wide range of sustainable products “for people who create.” How does FunderMax stand out from its competitors? What is its USP? FunderMax is “for people who create” and hence we aim at and strive for continuous innovation in our products, the features, applications, processes, technology... all of it. One major differentiating factor and also the USP is that we are complete solution providers offering both product as well as installation service support (Presales and Post-Sales) through our trained business partners’ network across the country and also Sri Lanka. Our company has a strong lineage of over 125 years in innovation.
FunderMax is a global player present in over 70 countries and is supported by all its manufacturing facilities which are all located in Austria, its global headquarters. The company has five manufacturing facilities in total and do not have any other facility anywhere else in the world currently. So, here in India we import from Austria and carry stocks required for the Indian market based on the architectural preferences. It’s been 8 years since FunderMax entered the Indian market. How has the response been so far? The response has been very encouraging so far and the manifestation of the same is our being the numero uno in the segment we operate. We are not only a manufacturer and supplier of high pressure laminates but we are a complete solutions provider which makes us command the position we are in and we continuously strive to innovate to remain in a leading position.
Since the beginning of 2015, we have introduced a diverse range in interiors and also a very specialised product for sensitized environments like laboratories in terms of lab furniture, hospitals for clean room and interior wall cladding applications, etc. Where would you like FunderMax to be in India, ten years down the line? The journey so far has been heartening and we want the same to continue by providing our target audiences, delighting customers with the best in exteriors and interiors and retain the leading position in segments we operate. We want to be the trendsetter in design and aesthetics, a great brand to associate with, an inspiring place to work and also as CSR, continue to contribute to the cause of education for the underprivileged. This is in line with our vision and we strive to achieve these without any compromises. officeindia@fundermax.biz www.fundermax.at
What are the product categories that FunderMax operates in? FunderMax offers a very wide portfolio of products both in exteriors and interiors. Currently in India and SAARC countries we are focused only on exteriors. The products we offer for exteriors are Max Exterior F Quality, Max Alucompact, elements like lap siding, perforated panels and also different surfaces like glossy, matte, textures, individual and customised digital prints etc. We have varied exterior applications like facade claddings, balcony claddings, partitions, fences, attic claddings, outdoor furniture, public facilities, playground facilities, sports facilities, sun protection, awnings and functional constructions and in interiors, there are specialised applications like cubicles, table-tops, lab furniture (for table tops) and kitchen furniture segment (tops & shutters), etc.
Home Review May 2015
81
ROOFING
Roof construction is as much a science as it is an art. The synthesis of practicality and aesthetics makes it an important category. Here are three diverse roofing options.
ELT INDIA EXTENSIVE GREEN ROOFS M&B GROUP THE ADVANTAGE PROFLEX This is a self-supported structure with a distinct arch-shape giving it a strong aesthetic appeal. The roofing panels are mechanically seamed and are free from holes, nuts, overlaps or sealants ensuring zero maintenance and are resistant to extreme weather conditions. This unique mechanical seaming of panels ensures 100% leak-proof roofs as well as incredible installing speed. www.mbproflex.com
Generally done for thermal insulation and visual effects these are also enrich the environment by providing habitat to birds, insects and others. Soil depth is relatively thin (between 5 to 8 cm) with single type of plantation. The saturated weight of ELT extensive system is between 3.5 to 8 kg per sq. ft. depending on soil depth and plantation. www.eltindia.com
MONIER PLANO The first flat concrete roof tile manufactured in India has redefined roofing aesthetics in the country. Meticulously finished and having glossy efflorescent preventive coating makes them fungi and algae resistant. They have a low water absorption rate and complete watertightness. They come with a complete set of roof fittings and components . www.monier.in
82 Home Review May 2015
FACADES
Facade design has evolved to encompass truly creative looks and systems. The use of newer materials and technologies has much-enhanced the industry. A look at some facade options‌
ASAHI INDIA GLASS LIMITED (AIS) ECOSENSE
H&R JOHNSON (INDIA) ENDURA PAVERS Endura Pavers are made in a unique size of 204x204 mm. The fully vitrified paving tiles have a range of colours to enliven exteriors and take care of their design as much as one details the interiors. They are maintenance-free and their uniqueness lies in being impact-resistant, scratchresistant and anti-stain as well. www.hrjohnsonindia.com
The range of high-performance energy efficient glasses offer a unique range of natural shades under three categories – Enhance (Solar Control), Exceed (Solar Control Low-E) and Essence (Low-E). Ecosense is the most advanced way to achieve that delicate balance between the outdoors and the indoors, aesthetics and economics, function and finesse. These ranges are designed to deliver superior performance that allows architects and builders to set a higher standard of green architecture. www.aisglass.com
SAINT-GOBAIN SUN BAN GLASS The range is specifically designed to control the sun from heating up the interiors. Thus one can cut up to 75% of the heat from entering the home, thereby reducing the cooling cost. It comes in a range of appealing colours - light gold, green, bronze, dark grey, sapphire blue, royale blue, imperial blue, forest green, adding aesthetic appeal to the house as well. The ease of installation and maintenance are added benefits. www.aisglass.com
Home Review May 2015
83
NOTION SUN SHADE LOUVERS This product is customised during the design phase and can be fixed on different inclinations. They are perfect to be used as a sunshade, fence, facade balcony fence, louvers, etc. These shades are made from solid wood and fixed on special aluminium clips, which add aesthetics value to the facade. It protects from direct sun rays but allows wind to pass through. A perfect alternative to the old wooden facade or cladding!
BEAUTEX WEATHERTEX Australian owned and manufactured with a better than zero carbon footprint, Weathertex‘s external timber cladding is an ideal environmentally conscious and high quality material, the only product of its kind in the world. The quick and easy install systems, self-lock systems and beautiful 12 feet long panels make it a very versatile product. www.beautex.in
www.notion.net.in
KAWNEER AA100 A niche curtain walling solution, it is suited for vertical, sloped and faceted applications. It also has concealed zone and mullion drainage option and features like range of mullion, transom and facecap options with 50mm sightlines, Horizontal cap, PFLL capped system, fully capped and SSG options. It is mostly used for its thermal and weathering comfort for buildings in tropical countries like India. www.kawneer.com
84 Home Review May 2015
ARCHITECTURAL ORIGAMI
This 5,000 sq ft award-winning home designed by Patkau Architects, Canada, is located on a difficult wedge-shaped site. With the jagged asymmetry of its futuristic aesthetic, the snow-country house in British Columbia resonates with the landscape, while amplifying the character of the site itself. Text By Devyani Jayakar Photographs James Dow and Patkau Architects Home Review May 2015
85
86 Home Review May 2015
‘A normal house but with no curves or circular forms,’ said the client brief. One, which the architects took rather seriously. In avoiding the forbidden curves, Hadaway House, as this home is called, breaks the rules with aplomb…in several ways, as we will see. Mountain homes have long recalled Swiss chalets, log cabins and back-to-nature rusticity. For obvious reasons, the carbon footprint was small, much before ecological considerations became fashionable. Locally sourced materials (such as timber and stone), and an efficient integration of material and form, built to withstand severe snow loads and wind exposure, was mandatory. In a departure from the norm, Patkau Architects have made rather spectacular use of steel and glass, with the peaks and shards of the elevation being conducive to interpretation as architectural metaphors for the mountain terrain which the house occupies. The mid-20th century saw architects such as Marcel Breuer and Richard Neutra begin to introduce large expanses of glass as well as sophisticated structural elements including the cantilever - so that mountain architecture could engage with the site in unprecedentedly dramatic ways. Patkau architects have taken this several leaps further. Check one, for breaking the rules. Says John Patkau, “Construction is hybrid. The slabs and walls which enclose the lower floor are concrete construction while the uppermost levels are a composite steel and heavy timber structure with wood-frame infill. The entire structure is sheathed with a monolithic screen of open-spaced 2ft x 6 ft cedar boards over conventional roof and wall assemblies.
}
Home Review May 2015
87
}
88 Home Review May 2015
He continues, “The thermal mass of the lower concrete structure dampens temperature swings within the house in summer and winter. In summer the interior is naturally cooled and ventilated by drawing air from the lowest level on the north side of the house to vent at the top of the central rift.” Now let’s come to the Golden Rectangle, revered and enshrined since the time of the ancient Greeks. With an undisputed sanctity in structures worldwide, few have deviated from its diktats. In the recent past, De-constructivist architecture such as that of Daniel Libeskind has been an exception. And now, we have Hadaway House, which is an unabashed delight in irregularly shaped spaces. Walls, ceilings and windows are all subject to jagged shards and facets, but with a pristine sculpturesque beauty which holds its own.
}
Are all the rooms irregular in shape and many of the walls off plumb? “Yes. The locals call it ‘Origami House’,” says John. Is it unsettling for the users, to move away from the calm of standard rectangular spaces? “Not at all,” he says, “the interiors are dynamic, luminous spaces without unnecessary articulation.” Denying any Deconstructivist leanings, he adds, “The form of Hadaway house is driven by the constraints of the zoning, the slope of the site and the enormous annual accumulation of snow, which needs to be shed into appropriate storage areas.” Check two for breaking the rules. Say the architects, “The main level is essentially one large space with living, dining and kitchen areas and an outdoor deck - all of which open up to the valley view.
Home Review May 2015
89
}
A vertical crevice of space runs under the highest roof ridge, bisecting the warped volume and bringing light to the deepest part of the section and plan. Stairs rise within this rift and a bridge crosses it at the upper level connecting the master bedroom suite and study.
}
On the lowest level, are the more intimate spaces, housing guest bedrooms and a second living area, as well as a large service space. Accessible directly from the garage entrance to the house, the service space supports life in snow country where wet clothes are hung to dry or thrown directly into the laundry; where skiers can store all the paraphernalia of their day outside. Now, for the third departure from the norm. Traditionally, entrances have been accorded special treatment, to provide a sense of ‘arrival’ and to proclaim status. “The site is a difficult wedge shape which offers just enough room for a garage and narrow entrance on the street side at the top of the slope,” discloses John. This has resulted in a rather inconspicuous, easy-to-miss entrance, overshadowed by the breath-taking presence of the house itself, which looms large. Check three for Hadaway House. Fourthly, who would dispute that colour and art are the dance partners of architecture? But supremely confident of its own sculpturesque presence, Hadaway House eshews the support of these two stalwarts, famed for adding ‘soul’ to spaces. In this exceptional space, there is no colour and no art. Check four for Hadaway House. So what exactly does this structure do, which is so special? That it celebrates technology in an excruciatingly complex way is evident at one glance. This is not simply regionalism in the sense of vernacular architecture. It is a progressive approach to design that seeks to mediate between the global and the local languages of architecture.
info@patkau.ca www.patkau.ca
90 Home Review May 2015
CHOSEN BY DESIGN
By Rohit Harip
DESIGNQUEST
How did I follow the path of design? It’s a funny story as I come from a family that didn’t even know designing as a career existed. I was never interested in academics in spite of being sent to a boarding school. My mother once came to visit the principal after being worried about my marks. The principal calmly replied, “Don’t worry about him, he’s creative than other people. Try for NID.” Thanks to my principal, his feedback served a turning point in my life. Thereon I realised what designing was and also the fact that colleges existed for such a discipline.
Home Review May 2015
91
Slent The Slent is a combination of a sleeping bag and a tent.
Transformers Transformers actually transforms into a truck (manually, just like a toy), a chopper with a USB headlight and a small car.
There is another project which me and my friend worked on called the Slent and we hope to reach a new bar for this project in our career. It is mainly targeted towards trekkers who like to trek alone and/or people who go for wildlife photography.
I was always the artistic kind. Other than that my love and curiosity towards household scrap was growing stronger. It gave me immense inner peace every time I made something useful out of waste. Be it an installation or solving a problem faced in daily life; scrap came in very handy.
Like Transformers, Zephyr too involved manipulation of forms, ‘movement’ was introduced as a fourth dimension of form. Zephyr involved studying the first three dimensions and discovering how one dimension “folds” into another leading to creation of credible and innovative forms. The form in this project was inspired by the wing of a bird and 46 such wings come together to form a rhythmic movement. You can see the video on YouTube - scan the QR code or type ‘Zephyr - A small gust of wind’.
92 Home Review May 2015
Zephyr
Transformers actually transforms into a truck (manually, just like a toy), a chopper with a USB headlight and a small car. Pen refills was one of the main ingredients of this design element.
Zephyr involved studying manipulation of forms.
This later inspired me to become a product designer. My projects are quirky and functional; to begin with I want to tell you about Transformers!
The Slent is actually a combination of a sleeping bag and a tent, but for one person. The form of the slent is inspired from ‘armadillo’, an animal found in the wild which transforms itself into a hard shelled ‘ball’ to save itself from predators. Being a photographer and a trekker myself, I could relate it to all the problems and situations faced on an outing and how this ‘Slent’ would solve it.
Vertex Vertex is a special joinery for bamboos.
The Cube is a small SD card holder, both the parts which create the cube are similar.
Cube
Bamboo structures have been a part of our lives for a long long time. Be it a wedding, a reception or an emergency shelter, a bamboo structure always comes to the rescue. But looking at the whole process of erecting one, it’s tiring, consumes lot of time and also needs man power. So I came up with a special joinery called the Vertex for bamboos, Vertex requires only two people to make a ‘cube’ made of bamboos in less than ten minutes.
The Bumblebee Bag is a suitable backpack for college students and travellers alike.
Bumblebee Bag was a part of my third year elective. I had opted for ‘hands on working with the sewing machine’ and I was a person who didn’t even know how to turn it on.
Taking this opportunity, I designed and stitched my own bag. The Transformers merchandise inspired me so much so that I decided to name this creation as the Bumblebee Bag.
Now there are different types of structures which you can build using the same joinery and save time and you won’t even require a helping hand. Working solo has evolved me to pursue all my creative endeavours, though talking to people and getting their creative insights has always helped me. I believe solving problems faced in daily lives and making life more easier to live is what I want to achieve. Technology has evolved so much in the last ten years that there is a very little scope to invent or create something that no one ever did. But you never know. I’m waiting for that day to come where I can contribute something to the world which really matters.
rohit.harip28@gmail.com www.behance.net/RohitHarip
Bumblebee Bag
The Cube is a small SD card holder for photographers who need to carry many SD cards at a time. This cube can store upto 4 SD cards and 2 MicroSD cards. Looks just like a normal product right? But it ain’t one. Both the parts which create the cube are similar. The second part is the mirror image of the first one. So to manufacture it, you don’t need two different moulds which usually you would. Thus saving money and energy and making it more greener to the environment.
Home Review May 2015
93
DESIGN DESTINATION
ZUR WHERE Located at the tip of the lake that goes by the same name, Zurich is the largest city of Switzerland and, over the years, has often topped the list of cities with the best quality of life. Permanently settled for over 2000 years, the construction of the lakefront in the early 20th century laid down the foundation of its journey from a medieval town to a modern city.
94 Home Review May 2015
ICH WHEN
WHY
The summer months from June to September offer the best climate to visit Zurich, but peak season prices and crowds can be deterrents. For those who can brave the chilly spring and autumn temperatures, these are the best months to enjoy the sights of Zurich unhurried and unhustled. The Swiss Alps in the vicinity attract skiing enthusiasts during winter.
Zurich has been the venue for several art movements through the year, and it continues to remain a leading art-trading city. Besides the many museums, the city is home to more than 100 galleries. High quality orchestras, theatres, film festivals, dance and music parades, art and sculpture fairs tend to attract a culture-hungry audience throughout the year.
Home Review May 2015
95
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW The original Dolder Grand was built in 1899. Perched atop a hill just outside Zurich; with the turrets and the red and ochre colour palette it was designed to resemble a Swiss chalet. The recent reinvention extends far beyond a superficial makeover, resulting in a worldclass luxury resort that straddles the past and the present with panache. The extended wings are more fluid and contemporary but the colour scheme helps maintain harmony with the original structure. The balustrades are an interesting addition to the glazed façade of the extensions. Fashioned from aluminium, the stencilled tree pattern, on them, resonates with the surrounding forests.
96 Home Review May 2015
The interiors too are an eclectic mix, frescoed ceilings and high arches refer to the Dolder’s elegant past while plush fabrics and ambient lighting connect it to the contemporary present. The spa in the new wing is one of the highlights of the hotel. The canyon-like space for the pool and an earthy colour tone create a cosy ambience in the 4000 square metre space. The walls are perforated in some areas to draw the sunlight in and create a play of light and shadow. For art lovers the Dolder provides the additional pleasure of being surrounded by over 100 masterpieces strewn across the property. The Dolder Grand may span two eras but the Swiss eye for perfection serves as the binding factor.
SHOWING ITS TRUE COLOURS A slender aqua-blue spire rising amidst the Zurich skyline heralds the location of the Fraumunster Church known for the stained glass windows created by Mark Chagall. The church is not the most impressive in the city in terms of size or structure, but the magnificent windows draw in the crowds. All of Chagall’s set of five stained windows are 10 metres high and a different Christian story is portrayed in each window. The artist’s use of one dominant colour in each of the windows is considered to be symbolic by art historians. The stained glass rosette and the frescoes in the foyer are the other attractions.
Home Review May 2015
97
REBORN, REDEFINED It all started with old truck tarpaulins, used bicycle tyres and seatbelts. They were washed, designed, cut and voila the Freitag bags were born. The Freitag shop in Zurich, much like its products, has been designed by finding a new use for something old. Created by stacking 17 freight containers, the structure looks like the handiwork of a giant baby at play with his blocks. Stocked with over 1600 unique handmade Freitag products, this 85-foot tall ‘recycled skyscraper’ is a fitting tribute to the process that fetched this label a cult status.
98 Home Review May 2015
STATE OF THE ART For those who have not had their fill in the many art galleries that the city has to offer, the experience can extend into dinner at the Kronenhalle restaurant. Open since 1921, the restaurant has maintained its original ambience with the dark-wood walls and elaborate chandeliers. But food and ambience take back seat here as the eyes move from one masterpiece to the other on its walls. Sketches and a self-portrait by Picasso, paintings by Matisse and Miro, stained glass windows by Chagall and works of many other masters; it is a wonder that the fork is able to find its way from the plate to the mouth whilst seated in this space. Text By Himali Kothari
Home Review May 2015
99
It is one of those days when the temperature has shot up to the level of ‘stay under your AC all day,’ but a conversation with a co-owner-cum-designer is good enough to change my mind and prompt a visit to her design abode. Once I reach the area mentioned I see myself staring at a Youth’s Girl Hostel opposite Cathedral and John Connon School, which happens to be the school where Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the father of Pakistan, studied. Call it a dash of passion and history.
100 Home Review May 2015
COLONIALLY CONTEMPORARY TEXT BY VIKAS BHADRA
Home Review May 2015
101
A watchman guarding the premiseswho must have dismissed me as a roadside Romeo, informed me that my destination was located on the other side of the building. And there it was, Colonial Collections, home to custom-made furniture and more!
102 Home Review May 2015
Though the name may evoke images of the kind of furniture used during British rule, what you see in the store is different-furniture across different genres from classic to modern to contemporary. “We started by restoring old colonial furniture and hence the name,” explains Nilofer, who along with her husband Reshad, owns the store. Later the couple realised that they would like to design furniture, and this led to the transformation of Colonial Collections from a furniture restorer to a furniture maker. Nilofer and Reshad are both involved in designing the furniture available at the store. The duo has a small team of karigars who have been working with them since they started Colonial Collections. Says Nilofer, “We constantly brainstorm with our karigars to come up with exquisite design ideas that can herald contemporary interiors; over a period of time this designbased knowledge transfer has also been a great learning process for all of us.” Nilofer and Reshad service both individual and corporate clients, and because the volume of work can touch the ceiling the couple set up a 10,000 sq ft manufacturing unit at Sewri in Mumbai. Chairs, divans, sofas and the like, reflecting different periods, create a feeling of chronological continuity at the store, while the brass antiques which are also around remind us of the distant past. At this point Reshad informs, “We have been collecting these for quite some time. The sheer detailing that has gone into designing each of these miniatures has captivated us because we too follow a similar procedure while designing our furniture pieces.” The various articles of furniture at Colonial Collections reveal the meticulous attention paid to line, form, detail and comfort. The designers are also very particular about the materials used as well as the finish applied thereon.
Home Review May 2015
103
So let’s say you order teak wood furniture; you will be informed about the timeline of the delivery and also about the choice of different finishes that can be used to give the product a stylish and classy look. Adds Nilofer, “From linseed oil to lacquers we are quite well-known in the market for the finishes we provide.” The couple also has stores in Goa and Hyderabad. In Goa the idea is to go beyond furniture design, while the Hyderabad store is run by a franchisee who has been associated with the couple for 10 years. Colonial Collections has catered to corporate biggies as well as individual clients. As a brand it has established itself as a distinct presence in the mass-produced and machine-driven world of interiors. Besides, through its several international projects, it has proved that ‘Made in India’ furniture can hold its own anywhere across the globe.
Colonial Collections Trafford House 6, Ghanshyam Talwalkar Marg, Opp Cathedral High School, Fort, Mumbai - 400 001. +91-22-2209 0129 colonialcollections.india@gmail.com www.colonialcollections.com
104 Home Review May 2015
oki sato
With studios in Tokyo and Milan, Nendo is one of the most sought after design studios. Their products aim to bring small moments of “!” into everyday objects and they do it with both charm and élan. Text By Chryselle D’Silva Dias Photographs (Various) Courtesy The Designer
Home Review May 2015
105
Earlier this year, Japanese design studio Nendo was named ‘Designer of the Year’ at Maison&Objet 2015. For one of the world’s most sought after design firms, this was one more feather in their already crowded cap. From Cappellini to Moroso to Disney, Nendo has an enviable list of clients that support its brand concept: Giving people a small “!” moment.
Softer than Steel
The studio was established in 2002 by architect and designer Oki Sato and now has offices in Tokyo and Milan. Their portfolio includes award-winning furniture, lighting, products, graphic design, interiors and architecture. Nendo furniture stands out among other contemporary designs. Many of their designs work with existing products, but these are usually turned on their head (sometimes, literally) and a new and beautiful item is created.
The Su Range Of Chairs
The Su range of chairs (2014), for example, was conjured out of the 1006 Navy Chair used by the US Navy’s ship and submarine fleet. Nendo took this much-loved aluminium chair back to its basic state and turned it into a simple stool in three varying heights. The seat of the stool can be removed with a coin and the legs stack together. How’s that for space saving? The Sudare (2014) range is a collection designed for outdoor use. You might think the design is familiar, with its slats and folding legs. There is a twist, though (but of course). The Sudare seats and table fold and turn into a partition, like stand-alone window blinds or a screen. There is also a high-back chair and a lounger, plus trays and containers that fit onto the rods as well. The Softer than Steel (2014) collection for Desalto includes flipped, wrapped and bent details to the metal furniture, as though it were paper or cloth. Still playing with texture, the Transparent Chair (2011) is made out of polyurethane film, which renders the seat of the chair almost invisible. The intriguingly named Cabbage Chair (2008) is full of sumptuous layers of pleated paper that would not look out of place on an haute couture gown.
106 Home Review May 2015
The Sudare Range
Cabbage Chair
The chair is shipped as a single roll of paper (in beautiful colours) with the user having to ‘peel’ back the layers to get to the chair. Talking about twists, the Akimoku chair brought on board Japan’s only specialist bentwood furniture maker Akimoku (Akita Mokko). Nendo took pieces from the firm’s 102-year archive and modified them to create distinctive new designs by interchanging table legs, adding new upholstery and paint colours. Akimoku Chair
The Splinter chair (2012) is literally made from splintered wood where the backrest of a chair divides to become armrests and legs, and the top of a coat stand peels away to provide coat hooks. The Fishline Chair (2012) uses dyed fishing line as a top layer over a wooden chair. The line gives the chair an added lustre and texture, and is an interesting exploration of new finishes.
The Splinter Chair
The Eigruob Light The Aram Stool And Low Table
Fishline Chair
The Aram stool and low table (2012) might seem familiar to Indian readers as it is inspired by the woven drum stool still commonly found in our villages. The Nendo version however, has metal wire woven around a metal frame, making it more durable. The Zabuton chair (2012) also takes its inspiration from traditional furniture, this time though from the Japanese futon. The chair is “in the form of a futon mattress casually draped over a wire frame.” The Nendo stable has some interesting lighting designs as well. The Eigruob light (2014) was created for the tenth anniversary of Kartell’s iconic Bourgie lamp. “We created a new table lamp by inverting and rotating the Bourgie lamp’s silhouette so that when two of the new lamps are lined up together, the space between them forms the upside-down silhouette of the Bourgie lamp.” And to keep that sense of “up and down”, the lamp got an upsidedown name too.
Home Review May 2015
107
Other notable lighting designs include the Semi-wrinkle Washi lamps (2012) made from three-dimensional washi paper; the Nuno light (2013) with layered cloth over a resin-formed frame; the Surface lamp for Louis Vuitton’s first ever travel collection (2013) where the lamp can be rolled up for travel; and the Hood lamp (2012) that hides the light like a hood. The twist-in-the-tale continues with quirky products like the Head or Tail series of dual-purpose dog accessories; Umeplay and Karakusa-play porcelain that is inspired by traditional Japanese patterns; the Sekki range of cutlery which recalls prehistoric implements but keeps your inner Neanderthal well-behaved and BirdApartment, a collective tree house with 78 nest entrances.
The Nuno Light
Semi-Wrinkle Washi Lamps
More recently, Nendo has made a foray into chocolate architecture and yes, they are all very edible. For Maison&Objet 2015, Chocolatexture showcased nine different types of chocolate morsels with various textures, fillings and tastes. From cubes to crowns, to mere slivers of chocolate walls, these intricate bits of scrumptiousness are works of art in themselves and you might want to photograph them before you eat one. There’s another “!” special moment in your life right there. info@nendo.jp www.nendo.jp
Photography
Splinter Armchair by Yoneo Kawabe
108 Home Review May 2015
Karakusa
Passive House Che in Romania stands in the midst of a glorious forest.
GREEN PROJECT
The Wild Child
Passive House Che in Romania sits in the midst of a beautiful forest and manages to be a model of a non-intrusive, modern green structure that is constantly in touch with nature. Text By Shruti Nambiar Photographs Courtesy The Architect
Home Review May 2015
109
Solar thermal collectors and a heat buffer tank take care of the hot water needs of the household.
The glazed core of the house lays the foundation of the house’s inwards-outwards relationship with nature.
110 Home Review May 2015
The house is a two-storied, single home unit.
Like all true children of the wild, this one never completely cuts off the umbilical cord. It stands in the middle of a picture postcard forest setting of Suceava in Romania, and eschews unnecessary doors or enclosures so as to be constantly in touch with the elements. This flamboyant embrace of the forest is not without grave risks in the oppressively chilly environs of Romania, but Passive House Che not only manages to achieve its goal of connectedness with its surroundings, but does so while looking great and with solid green credentials to boot.
Realised by Bucharest-based Tecto Arhitectura, this home is a two-storied unit that has its fulcrum at its inner courtyard; on the outside, it has the sturdy, calm demeanour of an unflappable hermit. Its façade is an intermittent play of swathes of dark glass, bulwarked by slats of cedar on the ends, a combination that is guaranteed to never stand out garishly in the forest setting.
The house’s most strident wall system is just its encasing, as its insides are glorious breathing spaces with minimal closings and an almost uninterrupted communion with nature afforded by the glazed surfaces. This home is for true nature-lovers, who can’t bear to miss a second of the ever-changing beauty of nature around them. On the ground floor, only the toilet and the technical room have doors.
The central block of the whole structure is entirely glazed and affords glorious side-long views from the leisure areas. The hulking form of the building undulates slightly, to match the topography of the site. Colour is decidedly missing on the exterior; this luckily enough leaves room for impetuous shadows and reflections to become its attributes.
The provision of heat is the most important energy investment of this house, and the set-up for it also critical to the Passive House, Che’s green identity. “According to preliminary PHPP calculations, the estimated energy demanded for heating and hot water is lower than 14 kwh/sq m in a year,” states the design team.
Home Review May 2015
111
The home’s interiors are fashioned around an open courtyard.
The glazed surfaces let in an abundance of natural light and heat. Backing up this natural largesse is the use of natural insulation materials, the extensive use of wood, a strategicallyshaped green roof and highperformance windows. There is also a resource management system for electricity and heat supply in place. The green roof also rehabilitates the vegetation that had to be removed during the home’s construction. Photovoltaic panels will be laid out on the roof subsequently.
112 Home Review May 2015
Any gaps in the natural heating scheme are filled by a ground water power heat pump. All the hot water for the household is channelled through solar thermal collectors and a heat buffer tank. Passive House Che is a family home that has been built on a foundation of natural solidity. It isn’t interested in any flashiness or pizzazz, except for what its forested surroundings can muster. Its efficient energy scheme proves that it is possible to build something basic, fairly large and eminently habitable without distressing natural settings.
So committed is this home to openness, that its ground floor doesn’t have doors, except for the toilet and the technical room.
As the home’s interior layout displays, an inward-outward policy needn’t mean an unwieldy collection of rooms, but that it can also include fun elements like a huge netted lounge that gives the impression of being outdoors while still being indoors. A green structure that looks and feels good is not only a golden combination but is a setting down of a fine example as well. office@tecto.ro www.tecto.ro
Home Review May 2015
113
TAPEgear
TAPEgear’s design ethos is based on the following principles: Innovation through the unexpected use of sustainable materials, keeping product function, purpose and necessity intrinsic to design and using sustainable principles throughout the whole design and manufacture process. TAPEgear is constantly expanding and looking at new technology, materials as well as production processes to stay ahead of the curve and deliver products that live up to its principles.
TAPEgear is a young, environmentally aware design team with Ryan Frank - one of Europe’s leading eco-designers - at the creative helm. Ryan has been designing products for TAPEgear since its inception four years ago and from its studios in both Barcelona and London, TAPEgear has already successfully launched a range of eco-sleeves for laptops, tablets and smart phones. “We see ourselves as a new breed of design companies. Our business model is based around holistic sustainability, not just in the materials we use and the way we manufacture our products, but also in how we work with designers, ensuring that royalties and profit share are split in a fair, representative way,” says Ryan Frank.
114 Home Review May 2015
By ingeniously using resources that have finished their function and mixing it with easily renewable items, TAPEgear has devised a whole range of eco friendly daily use products.
FIBRIBOARD Non-woven mats are made from 100% flax fibers and recycled polypropylene. AGRIPLAST GRPL or Grapple is manufactured from 50% grass clippings and 50% recycled plastic. In line with all the products at TAPEgear, GRPL is all about a zero compromise approach to sourcing natural and recyclable materials, with environmental sustainability at its core.
In the case of Agriplast this means that three times more bio-plastic is produced by mixing in the grass fibres than using conventional recycled plastic. Fibre enhanced bio-plastic such as AgriPlast can be recycled several times before the end of its lifespan. AgriPlast BW is a fibre-enforced bio-plastic developed by Biowert and used for GRPL hooks. By using fibres the overall volume of the new material produced can be extended significantly.
Home Review May 2015
115
SHRED This range is made from Ecotex, a material made from 100% recycled textile waste derived from old, unwanted clothes and household fabrics. Recycling clothing is a fantastic way to prolong a product’s life cycle thus reducing the need to produce new cotton or synthetic fibres. GRASSY This sustainable product uses meadow grass, which is sourced from farms surrounding the bio-refinery in Germany. By combining the grass fibres with recycled polypropylene, a new, resource-efficient material that is fully recyclable and renewable is created. 15 million bottles are used per day in the UK, that’s about 275,000 tons of plastic that heads for the garbage dumps on a daily basis. Polypropylene could be an ideal substitute as it is one of the plastics that can be recycled fully without losing its properties.
CORK Cork fabric, or cork leather as it is sometimes called, is a high quality fabric produced from thin cork shavings obtained directly from the bark of the cork oak tree, endemic to southwest Europe and north-west Africa. Much of the production is hand crafted and ensures that no trees are cut down. Once the tree reaches an age of 25-30 years the cork can be removed for the first time, with subsequent extractions happening from then on every 9 years. The trees continue to live and grow for around 200 years making for a production process that is environmentally friendly and sustainable. Once the harvested material reaches the end of its life cycle it can be readily recycled without creating any secondary waste. Cork fabric is available in a unique assortment of natural textures, patterns, and designs and is produced with different backing material dependent on final use. Its unique characteristics make for a material that is beautifully textured, soft, natural and wholly individual. In addition, its elasticity, durability and near-impermeability make it perfect for protecting your most treasured tech gadgets. TAPEgear’s cork range for tech sleeves comes sourced from a sustainable certified cork farm in Spain. sales@tapegear.com www.tapegear.com
116 Home Review May 2015
Home Review May 2015
117
The lighting and plumbing of the fountains are concealed and these also look like pebbled beds. Being a commercial building with operations exceeding 15-16 hours a day, it was not possible to keep the fountains operative continuously.
118 Home Review May 2015
Landscapes
Harmony Squared Employees in a busy central-Mumbai commercial hub probably have no time to wander about in a garden. Landscape architect Kalpak Bhave shows us how, with a bit of thoughtful planning, nature can be brought to your office instead.
If you spend most of your waking moments in an office, I hope you have something green to look out to. Studies have repeatedly shown that plants and greenery at the workplace increase productivity and also help clean up the air. Commercial buildings in India are increasingly incorporating landscape design in their architectural plans, which allow a holistic design strategy to be considered. In Andheri West, a busy Mumbai suburb, Supreme Chambers is a commercial building on a large plot with about 2500 sq m available for landscaping. Mumbai-based landscape architect Kalpak Bhave was at the helm of affairs of this project.
Text By Chryselle D’Silva Dias Photographs Courtesy The Architect Home Review May 2015
119
The architectural aspects of the building were taken into consideration while designing the landscape. The landscape below reflects the geometry of the façade with a grid of squares and rectangles of different sizes.
The brief to the designers was clear the area was to be purely visual, to be appreciated from the building lobby, driveway and all floors as all these spaces overlook the garden area. The architectural aspects of the building were taken into consideration while designing the landscape. The façade of the building is simple and is broken into squares and rectangles. The landscape below reflects the geometry of the façade with a grid of squares and rectangles of different sizes. “All of these forms have been defined by way of a border clad in natural stones. Every area has a different character by way of its hard surfaces, semi hard surfaces, pebbled beds, lawns, shrubs, ground covers, etc.”
120 Home Review May 2015
Each square, in turn, has one prominent colour by way of its surface and the plants used. Each square has only one plant variety with colours ranging from green, white, brown, grey, red and silver. To add texture, grey and white pebbles were used separately as well. Natural stones like granite, marble, Kota and Jaisalmer were used for the borders of each square, the edges of which are 230 mm wide. Again, the type and colour of plant determined which stone would be appropriate. Plants with bright foliage were used to retain the beauty of the landscape through the changing seasons.
The fountains have been designed in such a way that they can be kept switched off and you wouldn’t be able to know that they exist.
Several fountains add height and soothing sounds to the space. The fountains have been designed in such a way that they can be kept switched off and you would not know that they exist. The lighting and plumbing of the fountains is concealed and they merely look like pebbled beds when not playing.
The landscaped area is a podium with two levels of parking below. “Since we were designing over a podium, we have tried to keep the dead load to the slab down and have used more horizontal elements than vertical. A couple of trees have been added to break the horizontals and add a third dimension,” says architect Bhave.
Being a commercial building with operations exceeding 15-16 hours a day, it is not possible to keep the fountains in operation continuously. Hence the design has been worked out in such a way so as to maximise the visual impact while controlling their use.
Having a major parking area below the garden is cause for additional headaches. Water leakages, especially, had to be taken into consideration while designing. “We provided steep slopes for the water to drain away and used standard waterproofing by adding an eco-membrane on the entire podium. This not only stops soil erosion but also ensures that the drained water is free of soil particles,” explains Bhave. Home Review May 2015
121
The fountains are off, but the pebbles in the square make up for it by adding a decorative look.
All of these measures have given Supreme Chambers a LEED Certified Platinum rating making it a truly green building. “The water used in the landscaping is not fresh water. All the water used throughout is treated, recycled water recovered from the drainage system. As this is a green building, we are not allowed to use any fresh water.” Landscaping a green building has its challenges, for sure. “As we were working on the podium, we had to keep the design light in order to reduce the structural cost.
The architects had a simple and impressive building elevation and to match it we too designed simple squares and rectangles to complement the building. We consciously wanted the building and the landscape to be in harmony - without one overshadowing the other.” For a busy commercial space, this thoughtful harmony between concrete and nature could perhaps make Monday mornings much more bearable.
www.kalpakybhave.com kalpakbhave@rediffmail.com
122 Home Review May 2015
To add texture, grey and white pebbles were used separately as well. Here, a Plumeria Acutifolia breaks the flat line of the landscape and allows the eye to move upwards. Home Review May 2015
123
124 Home Review May 2015
TRADITIONAL REVIVAL URBAN STYLE
Panache reflects in every corner of this residence. This house located in Ahmedabad is somewhat of a riot of colours and design on a canvas. The finished project presents a laidback, multicultural mix of design influences tied together with a refined sensibility.
A home is where one eventually comes back to - seeking shelter, protection and comfort like no other place on earth. A family recently made a shift back from the US to Ahmedabad and keen on infusing life into their two decade old house contracted architect Dhaval Patel for the job. The challenging task was to refurbish the 2,630 sq ft bungalow and turn it into a vibrant mix of energies with a traditional Indian ethos. “The modern family required an evergreen dwelling that would accommodate their urban lifestyle. In contrast, their Indian attitude had a strong predilection towards traditional décor. It was an interesting combination,” remarks Dhaval. The focus was clear - to create a traditional yet modern space. The intention: to revive and reconstruct the age old heritage, art, craft and architecture into a contemporary abode. “The young family is full of enthusiasm and energy. So conceptually it was all about the theme ‘celebration of life’ that had to reflect all over,” states Dhaval. Without hampering the original structure and with just minimal changes the corner plot was tapered to fit in with Vastu principles. The old arches were made to give way to rectilinear openings for all entrances and passages. The family being avid travellers, the two-storey mansion reflects their artistic sensibilities with a three dimensional portfolio of their collection. The alluring semi-covered patio marked with splashes of vibrant colours supplied by the bougainvillea, planters, cushions and artefacts extends a warm welcome. The antique finish of the furniture is in peaceful harmony with the surrounding greenery.
Text By Swati Kapur Photographs Archit Prajapati Home Review May 2015
125
A comfortable seating arrangement in wood surrounded by greens in the porch area is an ideal relaxation spot through the day.
126 Home Review May 2015
The rustic flooring peppered with a few handmade tiles makes for an eye-catching feature and the entire composition graced by an ochre yellow wall is reminiscent of many traditional Indian homes. This makes for an ideal space for a morning cuppa or informal dinners. The entrance door, flanked by wooden louvered windows on both sides is artistically bejeweled with an antique elephant face metal knob. A step inside leads to the double height foyer space, that connects to the entire house. A special focus of interest is created through a framed vision of the dining space. Hanging above the dining table, an opulent lamp inspired by the lotus flower, blends in with the composition aided by the tinted green wall. Recycled containers of kerosene and milk are given a kinky twist and transformed into elements of dĂŠcor for the foyer. However, the centre stage is occupied by the custom-designed antique finished wooden trunk, done in rustic green and adorned with faded motifs to reveal an old world charm.
}
To the right lies the lavish living room which is tactfully divided into two zones, formal and informal and is segregated by the minimalist monochromatic semi-abstract painting by award-winning artist Sanjay Kumar. The low height seating allows children to play and literally jump around in one half while the other half remains quiet and sophisticated, fit to welcome visitors. The drama is heightened with a white brick wall highlighted by the ‘Boat of Life’, a wooden sculpture depicting contrasting emotions of life. A centrally placed Buddha brings in equilibrium.
}
An array of vertically placed wires in tension serves as a railing and also adds a graphical quotient to the overall composition. Along the staircase is a long wall that accommodates the vivid display of monochromatic family portraits. The double height space is ventilated and lit by a small opening above the entrance door and is also graced by a Buddha sculpture.
Home Review May 2015
127
On the first floor, the buffer zone between the two bedrooms is designed as a study cum library with informal décor to accommodate the different leisure activities of the family. The reclining chair offers comfort after a tiring day and the otherwise redundant ceramic bottles of pickles, used traditionally in all Indian households, here serve as designer planters. A quirky artwork, done by Apeksha Agarwal and Maulik Jepiwala, on the opposite wall is actually the narrative of one of the real life moments of the couple on the streets of London. A smart and efficient study table is accompanied by a pooja niche within this space, making it truly multifunctional. Bright colours, textures and motifs seep into the first floor bedrooms expressing the private tastes of the residents. The master bedroom is given a luxurious appeal with a white backdrop adorned with an exquisite art display. The vintage look is all the more heightened with legendary artist Raja Ravi Verma’s original lithograph titled ‘Mohini’ on the rare wall behind the four poster bed.
} }
The basement is creatively considered for design. Without any extravagance, the theme of ‘underwater world’ is depicted to transform a rather dull area into a playful and imaginative zone. The sea blue timber door opens to a world of jelly fish, sea horses, octopus and fishes crafted from thin metal wires through simple twists and turns while the grooves in rough plaster on the walls by Sajeesh Kumar, add the graphical effect. This blend of contemporary and rustic elements makes for a truly vibrant and functional abode.
dhaval@dpadesignstudio.com www.dpadesignstudio.com
128 Home Review May 2015
Home Review May 2015
129
Bengaluru-based CollectiveProject is an architectural and design firm whose mature treatment of projects doesn’t betray the firm’s youth. Established in 2013, CollectiveProject the firm may be a relative youngster in the architectural/design landscape of India, but its oeuvre is already easy to identify. The team led by Cyrus Patell and Eliza Higgins seems to be creatively invested in building spaces that are filled with meditative elegance that relies more on space, colour and connectedness with nature and less on thoughtless props. The following three projects aptly demonstrate this “open and fluid” approach to realising projects of impressive conceptual depth.
130 Home Review May 2015
The team at CollectiveProject clearly possesses an exceptional nuance in re-imagining and re-purposing existing built spaces, and the evidence is Ekya Early Years, located in Bengaluru’s fastcrowding Kanakpura area. “One of the major challenges of this project was stabilising the existing building, which was in major disrepair, so that it was suitable for a school,” the team states. It would almost tire the imagination to think that what is today a happy pocket of sunlight and myriad colours was once an abandoned watch factory surrounded by two acres of overgrown neglect. The exclusive pre-school that stands on the site today embodies both kindergarten and Montessori schools of thought, and has been designed to resemble a favourite childhood book come alive - the 13 classrooms are referred to as “learning environments” The classrooms are accessed by a covered walkway; there is a ‘jungle’ courtyard from which four paths set in a pinwheel-pattern reach out to the outer sections of activity; all spaces are low on barriers, generous in play spaces, and whimsically peppered with coves fit for reading and relaxing. Constant connection with the natural world outside was given priority during the design process, which will serve as a prototype whilst realising other branches of the school’s brand. There is something to be said about the placid, colour-coded charm of the Bengaluru one though, and about its naughty little detours in the midst of careful structure.
Text By Shruti Nambiar Photographs Tina Nandi Stephens Courtesy the Architect Home Review May 2015
131
This submission won Higgins, Patell, Chris Starkey and Andrea Vittadini of the current CollectiveProject the second position at ‘The Emerging New York Architects (ENYA) fifth biennial design ideas competition - ‘The Harlem Edge: Cultivating Connections 2012’. The Hudson Exchange had to be imagined as a community space where West Harlem’s local endeavours in everything from food to transport to education/ research could coalesce. The community food-centric vision of the not-for-profit group, Nourishing NYC, had to bulwark the activities at the Exchange. CollectiveProject’s plan made way for a local green market at the basefloor. “A regional network of ‘food barges’ collect and distribute fresh produce along the river promoting agricultural growth in the Hudson River Valley. Farmers sell their produce straight off the barge or trucks in the covered market space,” states the team’s plan. A broad walk promenade links the shore and the Exchange and supports vehicular traffic. There is also a footpath to allow people to walk along and/ or indulge in natural study. The commitment to community participation and education is continued with the help of a multi-purpose lecture hall where demonstrations can be held while allowing for views of the community garden and the pier below. As an example of urban ecological damage control and renewal, the river edge surrounding the sprawl was designed to become a series of stepped restoration plots and a tidal pool.
132 Home Review May 2015
The scale of this project may be small, but it efficiently highlights CollectiveProject’s talent for detailing and conjuring up beauty in even the most limited spaces allowed to the team. Essentially a pergola-like structure built to occupy a single family residential unit’s unused extension in Bengaluru, it covers a 750 sq ft of area to create a deeply mindful reading nook/library space that looks out to a lush little disciplined garden. This elegant ‘inhabitable piece of furniture’, created out of polished strips of reclaimed wood, stands at the centre flanked by a small, grass-clad amphitheatre-like segment on one side, and by a sunken, polished path that was dug-up and dressed in locallysourced black granite on the other side. The walkway comes alive in the evenings with the help of diyas that nestle in the niches that line the stretch. A masonry wall separates this quiet island from the main residence, and stands as an immersive escape from all rigours of the house and the bustling city beyond. info@collective-project.com www.collective-project.com
Home Review May 2015
133
While most of the cocoons are single storied, one type contains two stories. The cocoon structures comprise a latticework of bent wooden beams slotted together, some clad in panels and some left open.
134 Home Review May 2015
OUT-OFTHE-BOX
Turkish architectural studio Autoban, walked away from conventional architectural norms and technology, and designed an airport full of cosy cocoons. The resulting space not only challenges the typical airport aesthetics, but also gives everyone stepping into the airport, an unforgettable, thought provoking experience.
The beauty of the new terminal at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport, is in its scaled down space that feels intimate and welcoming, blurring the lines between ‘fantasy and sensible’. Commissioned to design the 65,000 sq m interiors of the terminal in 2012, Turkish design studio Autoban has created an efficient floor plan, speckled with ‘wooden cocoons’ giving the utilitarian space a contemporary and unique aesthetic appeal. Having designed lounges, cafes and offices at many airports, Autoban is not a newcomer in the field of aviation architecture, though they do point out that it is one of their largest commercial projects to date. Principals, design duo Seyhan Özdemir and Sefer Çaglar elucidate, “The airport was like a huge playground for us to apply our imaginative, idiosyncratic and human-centric approach in hospitality design.” There are many controlling factors in designing such a vast and highly functional space, but the clients were specific about its aesthetic appeal. They wanted it to reflect Azerbaijani cultural values, traditional design elements and also something that would evoke a feeling of warm hospitality, since an airport terminal does form the first impressions of a country. Explain the team, “The new terminal was designed as a forward-thinking, contemporary building that fits the new face of the modern city of Baku.” Text By K Parvathy Menon Photographs Kerem Sanliman & Sergio Ghetti Courtesy Autoban Home Review May 2015
135
As we approach the building from the outside, there is a natural transition in the design elements and spatial appeal, thanks to the strong belief of the principals that ‘architecture and interior design should be coherent’. The triangular geometry of the panels that form the external concave glass wrap, echoes in almost every part of the interior - the flooring, ceiling, wooden cladding panels, the atrium and escalator spaces, skylight... and in doing so has created a continuous singular fluid motion in the spatial design. Deriving inspiration from ‘warm hospitality’ - the client’s decree, the designers worked on the ‘microarchitecture’ within the vast cavernous space, scaled it down to a more human level and gave it a nest like feel, using wooden cocoon like structures. Without doubt the main design element in the airport, the series of custom made wooden cocoons, house everything from a cafe to a cloak room, and even ticket counters to a children’s playroom. Describing them, Seyhan Özdemir tells us, “The cocoons exist at the convergence of architecture and art and create an inviting, intriguing landscape within the huge transportation hub. They promote a sense of welcome and trigger a sense of curiosity and discovery.”
} 136 Home Review May 2015
Flexibility and adaptability is the key to the successful utility of the cocoons, which vary not only in function but also in structure and size. Of the 16 cocoons, 11 are solid shapes completely clad in wooden panels while the rest have see through frameworks. Only a few of them had preassigned functions, like the cafe, but the rest were allocated activities later on, and the nature of the cocoons allow the airport authorities to be as versatile with the utility plan as required.
}
Home Review May 2015
137
“Architecture and interior design should be coherent� says Seyhan Ozdemir. Autoban presented the entire airport as one strong fluid design, by bringing the triangular structural form, from the external architecture into the interiors.
138 Home Review May 2015
Another notable aspect is the creation of circulation patterns within the larger plan thanks to the placement of the cocoons interlaced with trees; this has generated gathering points and also set a course for human traffic. Additionally, this concept has also helped in reducing the massive scale of the airport and made the spaces more personal and relaxed, just as the client had desired and the team had endeavoured to comply.
}
The tactile nature of the material palette, a mix of natural materials like wood, stone and textiles in warm hues, work in tandem with the cocoons to create the desired personal and warm spatial experience. Here Sefer Çaglar points out, “Wood is not considered a practical material for an airport, but we wanted to challenge this and break away from the typology of conventional airports that overwhelm passengers with their scale, standards and technology. As a result, with the aid of innovative production technologies, wood became quite a practical material for the airport in our design.â€? In the dry, arid Caucasus land, the Red Dot award-winning design of the Heydar Aliyev International Airport is like a welcome gateway, modern with traditional elements - a happy conundrum that is warm, functional and playful all at once.
info@autoban212.com www.autoban212.com
{
Home Review May 2015
139
The displays aim at triggering the customer’s imagination and ideas as to how they can use the various forms and pieces of furniture, soft furnishings, carpets, lamps and accessories to create a cohesive held-together look.
140 Home Review May 2015
Retail Therapy
Discerning Luxury Lower Parel, in Mumbai has become a hub for a variety of interior design and dĂŠcor stores. Within this maze, lies a silent and grand spectacle, which relies on a name that has come to embody a sophisticated and elegant design style - Pinakin. Text By Dhanishta Shah Photographs In Store Images
Home Review May 2015
141
At Pinakin, the actual user, his size and scale and his body language is always kept in mind when designing a product.
Owned by renowned architect Pinakin Patel and Piyush Raj, CEO, Pinakin Retail, the 3000 square feet store exudes quiet glamour. As one climbs the flight of stairs that leads to this haven, one may not really sense any of the subtle and yet strong luxurious feeling that the space really evokes. But once you enter, it envelops you completely! Interesting aspects of the décor are the walls and flooring. The flooring changes depending on the look and feel of the store and the merchandise. At the moment it’s a fully carpeted store. The walls are ‘done up’ quite innovatively. This is not surprising since wall treatments and innovative constructions on walls also form a product of the group. What better way to illustrate one’s philosophy than through products themselves?
142 Home Review May 2015
Mr. Pinakin, as a designer, has his own USP and his aesthetics He believes that ‘design’ lives on the periphery of life - if you don’t know life, you cannot design! Design is an essential and not a surplus product; it is not merely a clever or witty idea. That would be fashion and that is mostly seasonal. Products with a high element of design should be useful, as well as stylish, innovative and dependable. Indeed, this philosophy runs through the products of the store. Piyush strongly believes that design is a response to a functional need. Keeping these elements in mind and in the process of design, one cannot forget the core elements - form and functional relevance.
The walls have been treated innovatively to add charisma to the store.
“We have always kept the actual user, his size and scale and his body language in mind. Also, there are cultural influences of each period and a few aspirations that come into every consumer cycle. Therefore, we have produced useful pieces that are beautifully crafted, certainly valuable and not merely flights of fancy or clever ideas,” explains Raj. The relevance of form and function echoes in the collections of the store. Take for example the latest collection, ‘Trendsetters’. With industrial-chic being a top trend this year, the ‘Float’ and ‘Zig Zag’ range of dining and occasional tables create a contrast with their stark lines in soft palettes for muted glamour. Also, key pieces from the collection such as the ‘Facet’ sideboard or the ‘Penta Centre Table’ will grace any space in the home or office with equal panache. The designs make for a creative and delightful experience as the pieces are styled to accommodate varied space concepts.
The objective is to blend the designs and individual pieces of furniture to create a feel of the interiors of a home setting.
The open plan of the store necessitates cosy displays that break the visual scene. The displays aim at triggering the customer’s imagination and ideas as to how they can use the various forms and pieces of furniture, soft furnishings, carpets, lamps and accessories to create a cohesive held-together look. Be it be a small setting of a bedroom corner to a full dining or a formal living room, the objective is to blend the designs and individual pieces of furniture and objects to create a feel of the interiors of a home setting. The displays are refreshed every six months since it is then time for the new collection as well.
Products with a high element of design should be useful, as well as stylish, innovative and dependable. This philosophy runs through the products of the store.
Another aspect that adds to the décor is the lighting. It’s a key element in making a visitor feel comfortable and adding freshness to the space. Dull lighting can bring in a sense of negative energy to the décor, and this store uses lighting to its full advantage. The store décor needs to be geared to address a luxury-oriented clientele and it does just that. The products itself are high in luxury - both in terms of materials used and the finish. They are not highly ostentatious, but reflect understated refined opulence - a trained buyer who understands the difference between these would definitely feel at home and comfortable. Different people with their own interpretations define luxury differently, but the décor does justice to those who are discerning. It is able to hold these products together and present them in the right setting.
Overall, the décor and the ambience of the store infuse a sense of comfort catering to almost every individual’s aesthetic sense and liking. Some people like clean, classic and contemporary interiors, and will not be comfortable in a store which sells only pop, funky and grungy, bohochic designs, and vice versa. Pinakin Retail is definitely a treat for such connoisseurs. Adding to it Raj says, “This comfort translates to the confidence of the customers and encourages them to buy merchandise from that particular store for their homes, since it matches or aligns with their aesthetic sensibilities.” So the next time you are looking for a luxurious and yet ‘real’ haven, you know where to head! www.pinakin.in
Home Review May 2015
143
THE MARKETPLACE Doors And Windows Systems By Veka
Fundermax Launches New Collection 2015 The beginning of 2015 witnessed something ethereal for the design fraternity, the launch of the New Collection 2015 of FunderMax at the Bau in Munich. The curtain was raised and awaiting behind were shimmering colours, expressive textures and millions of possible combinations. The new Max Exterior range of decors consists of 115 decors, from which 50 are new. After many years of research and development, FunderMax presents a production process that can even reproduce neon colors for the first time.
Veka offers a varied choice in windows and door systems to suit both individual and project needs. From its wide range in the home - office deco industry, its premium series offers innovative solutions. Some of the top line window systems include ‘tilt & turn’, ‘top & bottom hung’, ‘crank operated’, ‘lever operated solutions’, ‘pivoted or reversible’ among others and in doors the company offers ‘ sliding & folding’, ‘lift & slide’, ‘special combinations’ among the more popular choices. Veka also offers its expertise on wood finishing and coloured special solutions with ‘lamination on coloured profiles’, ‘3 wood grain shades’, ‘aluminium thresholds for flush door bathrooms’ among others.
This innovation coupled with the proven quality of FunderMax’s compact panels for durability, weather resistance and lightness will astonish you - a never before portfolio in exteriors for varied applications; a portfolio inspired from nature to the wild, earth to the skies, cityscapes to landscapes and more. The new collection comes in different segments of Metallic, Colour, Nature, Material, Authentic and Individual Decor showcasing the unseen.
www.fundermax.at
Villeroy &Boch Wins Management & Krankehaus Award Instead of the flush rim on standard toilets, rimless DirectFlush WCs have an intelligent water management system assuring almost complete flushing of the toilet bowl without splashing.
www.veka.in
Villeroy&Boch were winners at this year’s Management & Krankenhaus Award. The rimless DirectFlush WC won first place in the “Construction and Fittings” category. The newly launched antibacterial glaze AntiBac was placed second in the “Lab & Hygiene” category. “We are thrilled about both awards. They prove that our products are meeting the needs of our customers and are particularly valuable to the nursing and healthcare industries,” says Thomas Kannengiesser, Head of Project Management for CSW Projects at Villeroy & Boch.
144 Home Review May 2015
With a brand new portfolio of 115 decors, in 4 different sizes, varied thicknesses starting from 6mm and above, you have more than 30,000 SKUs to choose from. Tap into this source of inspiration and lend your buildings an unmistakable character.
A special splash protector on the upper edge of the bowl and the higher position of the water jets help make this possible. AntiBac is the innovative hygiene solution for highly frequented areas in public or semi-public facilities. www.villeroy-boch.com
THE MARKETPLACE
Home Review May 2015
145
THE MARKETPLACE Veka Introduces Doors And Windows Systems
Give Your Buildings Character The beginning of 2015 witnessed something ethereal for the design fraternity.. the launch of the NEW COLLECTION 2015 of FunderMax at the BAU in Munich… The curtain was raised and awaiting behind were shimmering colors, expressive textures and millions of possible combinations. The new Max Exterior range of decors consists of 115 decors, from which 50 are completely new. After many years of research and development, FunderMax presents a production process that can even reproduce neon colors for the first time.
Veka offers a varied choice in windows and door systems to suit both individual and project needs. From its wide range in the home - office deco industry, Its premium series offers innovative solutions. Some of the Top line Window systems include ‘Tilt & Turn’, ‘Top & Bottom Hung’, ‘Crank Operated’, ‘Lever operated solutions’, ‘Pivoted or Reversible’ among others and in Doors the company offers ‘ Sliding & Folding’, ‘Lift & Slide’, ‘Special combinations’ among the more popular choices. Veka also offers its expertise on Wood Finishing and Coloured Special Solutions with ‘Lamination on Coloured profiles’, ‘3 Wood Grain Shades’, Aluminium thresholds for flush door bathrooms’ among others.
This innovation coupled with the proven quality of FunderMax’s compact panels for durability, weather resistance and lightness will astonish you. A never before portfolio in exteriors for varied applications. A portfolio inspired from nature to the wild, earth to the skies, cityscapes to landscapes and more… The new collection comes in different segments of Metallic, Colour, Nature, Material, Authentic & Individual Decor showcasing the unseen.
www.fundermax.at
Villeroy &Boch Wins Management &Krankehaus Award Instead of the flush rim on standard toilets, rimless DirectFlush WCs have an intelligent water management system assuring almost complete flushing of the toilet bowl without splashing.
www.veka.in
Villeroy&Boch were winners at this year’s Management & Krankenhaus Award. The rimless DirectFlush WC won first place in the “Construction and Fittings” category. The newly launched antibacterial glaze AntiBac was placed second in the “Lab & Hygiene” category. “We are thrilled about both awards. They prove that our products are meeting the needs of our customers and are particularly valuable to the nursing and healthcare industries,” says Thomas Kannengiesser, Head of Project Management for CSW Projects at Villeroy & Boch.
146 Home Review May 2015
With a brand new portfolio of 115 decors, in 4 different sizes, varied thicknesses starting from 6mm and above, you have more than 30,000 SKUs to choose from for designing yours… Tap into this source of inspiration and end your buildings an unmistakable character.
A special splash protector on the upper edge of the bowl and the higher position of the water jets help make this possible. AntiBac is the innovative hygiene solution for highly frequented areas in public or semi-public facilities where there is an increased risk of bacterial infection. www.villeroy-boch.com