The Inside Track August 2016 by The Inside Track

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Volume 10. Issue 8. August 2016 Rs. 25/-

INSIDE TRACK CONNECTING THE DESIGN COMMUNITY Now view our web edition at www.theinsidetrack.in

TIAARA: BRINGING A SENSE OF MYSTIQUE TO THE IDEA OF A FAUCET The Tiaara faucet designed in collaboration with ace product designer Michael Foley brings a combination of functionality with a difference in a category saturated with conventional processes and techniques. The concentric rings of the Tiaara faucet originate from the play of echoing ripples of water and give the faucet a unique sense of mystique. The inner ring swings to give access to running water and seamlessly ends when swung back without a drop spilt. With Tiaara, Michael Foley aimed to reinterpret the faucet according to an ergonomic design language, meant to accommodate user habits rather than the other way around. Tiaara attempts to redefine its user experience with simple innovations that use conventional mechanisms in a different context to create a sculptural quality to a commonplace function yet retaining a memorable usage pattern. “Artize Tiaara has been created for patrons who seek to engage with water in exciting new ways. This unique and novel product delivers flawless functionality with a unique sense of mystique that will stay with everyone who sees it or uses it. Artize Tiaara is also much more than a just a breathtaking form of a faucet,” expresses Michael Foley of Foley Designs.

The faucet is crafted with a sense of precision yet with the sensibilities of jewellery. It is designed to create a sense of dynamism when in use, unlike a conventional faucet that largely remains static. The overall feel is fluid, free-flowing yet exceptionally simple in function. This interaction and play makes the faucet unique in its technological complexity balanced with its purity in sculptural ethos. Tiaara moves away from the traditional concept of a basin mixer swinging left and right to affect the temperature, it aims to redefine the user experience according to the natural response.

The Tiaara faucet has also made a mark on the international stage receiving global recognition from design labels that include the Plus X Award, Germany and the Good Design Award, Chicago. It has also received the prestigious EDIDA Award.

Michael Foley is the founder of a unique multi-disciplinary design studio where he leads a creative team building cutting edge, holistic and intelligent design solutions in diverse categories ranging from lifestyle products, smart wearable technology, branding, and spatial experience. Foley Designs has been involved in landmark projects such as the design of the Queen’s Baton for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, ‘Violet’- the world’s first wireless surround sound system, Formula one

trophies in 2012 and 2013, and a Smart Watch innovation for a global market. He has garnered a plethora of design awards in an ever expanding cabinet of recognition.

The quality of materials also plays an incredibly important role in the design of Tiaara. The ceramic cartridges allow for a smooth flow of water, while the brass body gives it a durable and reflective surface. The product is, in its entirety, a reflection of the ideology that defines Artize – not just a luxury product, but also an entirely unique experience. Contact web: www.artize.com

Tiaara is crafted with a sense of precision yet with the sensibilities of jewellery.

Tiaara is designed to create a sense of dynamism when in use, unlike a conventional faucet that largely remains static.

Volume 10. Issue 8 . August 2016 Rs. 25/-

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INSIDE TRACK CONNECTING THE DESIGN COMMUNITY Now view our web edition at www.theinsidetrack.in

Photo courtesy:Wonderland Homes

ith property prices climbing quickly, it is no surprise that spacious houses are increasingly giving way to studio apartments. In this upheaval of sorts, rooms are shifting shapes and re-aligning their boundaries. The one trend that has risen from this flux and made us look up with great delight is that of the ‘Open Kitchen’. Cooking areas in modern homes are no longer cubbyholes filled with smoke and soot, but neither are they required to be aloof ensconces cut off from the rest of the rooms. In fact, the space revolution is breaking down all cumbersome walls, and merging the living rooms and the kitchens. The divisions between may be glass, retractable, or completely absent. Open Kitchens have become a legitimate trend, and with homes shrinking and innovative designs expanding, this trend seems like it is here to stay. While creating an open kitchen - be it single-walled or L-shaped -modular cabinets are the favourite storage choices. They are hyperefficient at their primary job, and along with chic new kitchenware, can double up as statement pieces as well. Kitchens have long been experimenting with different types of surfaces. The ‘K7 Kitchen Island’ launched by the Austrian wooden

Open Kitchens Are Trending

Modern kitchens have become fluid spaces that wish to be seamlessly joined with living rooms. BY LATIKA PAYAK

Cooking areas in modern homes are no longer cubbyholes filled with smoke and soot

furniture firm, Team 7, is a good example of this change. Wood, stainless steel and Corian surfaces abound today, and the ubiquitous granite counter-tops are fading into the sunlight. Great looks aside, these new surfaces are also more durable, and have greater heat and cold resistance. They also cut down maintenance costs and time, making them highly compatible to fastpaced nuclear family homes. The greatest, most obvious advantage of having an open kitchen

Photo courtesy: www.arttdinox.com

Kitchen Spl.

is the fluid, contiguous scheme of room arrangement it helps establish within the home. Cooking, serving, eating, entertaining, socialising, and so much more becomes one happy amalgamation instead of compartmentalised activities. Families bond over food, so breaking down walls around cooking is almost a romantic idea. And, if you have a sumptuously decked, glamourous kitchen, then an open scheme becomes all the more tempting to lay out inside your home. Like every aspect of home design though, it makes sense to match the trend with your personality. For many cooks, peace and privacy is essential, so for them an open kitchen would be a troublesome idea. Open cooking zones would also mean that the messes, spills, smells, aromas, fumes, and smokes of the process will get greater space to waft and leak into. And, if you like cleaning up after a meal in private, and can’t imagine a dirty kitchen to be in full public view, it is advisable to keep the walls around your kitchen up and solid. An open kitchen would also mean lesser wall space for storage, so interior designers and architects

will need to fill the gaps with discreet enclosures and multi-purpose units on or within existing walls. Overall, the drawbacks needn’t be too distracting. There are few things about a kitchen that a good chimney, an exhaust apparatus, and a smart organisation system cannot solve. Alternate Smart Kitchen Layouts If the open kitchen plan doesn’t work here are some layouts that make the cut. When renovating your cooking section, start with deciding the most convenient kitchen layout for your family and entertaining needs. The layout can set and alter the tone of your kitchen, making it more social or private, or even a smart mix of both. A good kitchen layout can transform the interactions you have with your family. Here is a lowdown of the most prevalent kitchen layouts available across the world. One of them could be your dream kitchen layout. Gallery Design This traditional kitchen layout is used extensively in commercial kitchens, where people work in long, narrow passages between multiple appliances and kitchen surfaces. It is easier to multi-task here, but of course, the scope for socialising is limited. To overcome this limitation, designers often resort to the opening up this gallery from one or even both ends. But the fun is in the limitation itself; this layout is perfect for the hyper busy kitchen, where preparations are concocted, assembled, and rolled out like at a food factory. A kitchen like this would be a good idea if your home is committed to high-end cooking. continued on page 4

THE INSIDE TRACK August 2016

Photo courtesy: www.grandeurinteriors.com

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INSIDE TRACK

CONTENTS continued from page 3 U-shaped This is an extension of the gallery kitchen layout, where the kitchen surface joins two parallel surfaces at one end. This layout can be broad or narrow, depending on how many people you want to let in. Many open kitchens nowadays employ this layout because it is efficient and provides for a lot of storage space. Single-walled This kitchen layout offers just one wall to hold all the amenities needed for cooking - be it the stove, or refrigerator - as well as all the storage. So to fit it all in requires judicious use of space, and consistent organisation. Usually, the basic amenities are fit into a

wall, while the storage does spill over to nearby cabinets. But that is perfectly acceptable, as long as you do not employ another wall. Single-walled kitchens fit well in houses with space constraints, like in a studio apartment, where one wall in the living room doubles up as a kitchen. L-shaped These are the most commonly found kitchen layouts, because they are movement-friendly and offer ample storage possibilities. Everything in an L-shaped kitchen is within the reach of an average hand, and it also leaves enough spaces for people to interact in. continued on page 5

AUGUST 2016

COVER Open Kitchens are Trending 3 STORY Make your Kitchen a Water-Saving Powerhouse 6 Rise of the Single Surface Kitchen 7 Wienerberger Brick Awards 2016 8 Delhi’s Dharampura Haveli 10 Sulwhasoo Store’s Lattice Interiors 12 Supreme’s Thermal Insulation Solutions 14 The Return of the Mellow Yellow Metal 16 Kludi Bullish On India 17 Making Homes Unique 18 The Latest On Recent Launches And Products 20 Set To Chill 24 Herman Miller’s Reach 26 The Surprise and Many Delights of 3D Tiles 28

Owner, Publisher & Printer Mr. Anish R. Bajaj for Marvel Infomedia Pvt. Ltd. Printed at Marvel Infomedia Pvt. Ltd., B 62, 1st Floor, Cotton Exchange Building, Cotton Green Road, Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033. Published at B 62, 1st Floor, Cotton Exchange Building, Cotton Green Road, Mumbai 400 033 Tel (022) 23736133/1, 23743069 Editor Mr. Anish R. Bajaj THE INSIDE TRACK Volume 10. Issue 8. August 2016. English - Monthly. This issue contains 28 pages including both covers. Creative Director Natalie Pedder-Bajaj Assistant Editor Shweta Salvi. Sub-Editors Rehana Hussain LayoutDesign Asif Shayannawar, Darshan Palav, Priyanka A. Dhumal, Snigdha Hodarkar Marketing: Mumbai, Ganesh Gurav, Vivek Jadhav. B 62, Cotton Exchange Bldg, Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033 Tel: (022) 23736133/1, 23743069 Email:response@ marvelinfomedia.com. Chennai Mr. S. Venkataraaman, Flat No. 2, 3rd Flr, E Block, Hansa Garden, 30 Madampakkam Main Rd, Rajakilpakkam, Chennai 600 073 Tel: (044) 22281128 Mob: 9444021128 Email: svenkat@marvelinfomedia.com. Europe 282, Rue du Noyer, bt 16, 1030 Bruxelles, Belgium.

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THE INSIDE TRACK August 2016

In-sink dishwashers have been making a big splash in the international kitchen appliance market, with their size appealing to even singleton homes and bachelor pads

continued from page 4 L-shaped kitchens fit well with an attached dining arrangement as well. What is more, such kitchens also have the storage capacity that can fulfil the demands of an Indian kitchen. Island An ‘island’ is an isolated surface that pops up in the middle of a kitchen. It offers a table-top to keep appliances and kitchen items, or just becomes a make-shift dining table within the kitchen. Islands go well with all kinds of layouts, except the gallery one because of space constrains. While setting up an island, space is of key concern, so consider it only if you are sure movement wouldn’t be obstructed. But if you have ample space available, then an island can add a fabulous dose of elegance or even colourful whimsy in your kitchen, while also making small meals and small talk more fun. Alert: Get an In-sink Dishwasher Traditional dishwashers are impractical for space-crunched Indian homes. But compact and multi-purpose in-sink dishwashers may change all that. Twenty years ago, India was just waking up to a new way of washing clothes. It took another decade for the mechanised washing of kitchen utensils to come into its own. Manufacturers of dishwashers had to bend over backwards to convince Indian consumers, used to the grime and effort of scrubbing used vessels by hand, of the hygiene and dependability of a dishwasher. The dishwasher revolution has been a slow moving one, with even middle-class Indian homes still averse to it. But in high-end kitchens, it is fast-becoming a must-have accessory. Modern modular kitchens even come with a built-in space for dishwashers. One of the reasons for the dishwasher’s slow ascent in India is space constraint. Homes in metropolises are shrinking, and trying their best to make the most of available space. In this scheme, a bulky dishwasher may appear to be an impractical addition.

But things are about to turn around. Some rather intuitive technological innovations have created a very amicable solution

for the space-crunched kitchen - insink dishwashers. As the name suggests, an insink dishwasher fits just beside the sink. The door of this dishwasher opens upwards. When closed, this door can be used as a chopping board. The greatest advantage, aside from space-saving, of using an insink dishwasher is the maximum usage of the wet area around the sink. With this, the washing and cleaning of dirty dishes can get compartmentalised to one area, preventing unsightly spills and drains.

Moreover, in-sink dishwashers come in compact sizes and are a viable option for even small kitchens that cannot house the traditional dishwashers. These newbies are space-efficient, easyto-use and convenient, even if their compact size may at times demand 2 rounds of washing instead of just one. In-sink dishwashers have been making a big splash in the international kitchen appliance market, with their size appealing to even singleton homes and bachelor pads. In India, the concept has found limited and exclusionary appeal, though a wider acceptance may happen soon.

THE INSIDE TRACK August 2016

Photo courtesy: ZiggZiggy

ain or no rain, it makes perennial sense to own a kitchen that values water. Modern kitchens, even with their gadgetr y and sophistication, or some times because of it, =can become spots of criminal wastage of water if used without careful planning. The acts of cooking, washing, and clean-up demand different quantities of water and often result in spills and backsplashes that cannot be re-used. So the key is in prevention rather than recycling. And thanks to design innovators, the markets are starting to fill with accessories that can aid in creating water-efficient kitchens. Most of these products are variations of tap aerators that help regulate the amount of water flowing out from the kitchen taps. By arresting the heavy flow and dispensing the available water in a diffused form, these accessories help in making all kinds of washing a low-water-supply endeavour. A tap aerator can help save up to 10 percent of the water used in a household. Armed with this fact, the Indian Plumbing Association has set out on a mission to make people more aware of the tap aerator and its massive benefits. It started the ‘I Save Water’ campaign in Pune, Maharashtra, by installing pressure-regulating devices in the taps of the city’s railway platforms and airports. This initiative is estimated to save approximately 5 crore litres of water by March 2017. Certain modern faucets also come equipped with settings that can customise the amount of water

Make Your Kitchen A Water-Saving Powerhouse When planning to create a kitchen that

is water-efficient, start accessorising and tweaking at the source - the taps. BY LATIKA PAYAK A tap aerator can help save up to 10 percent of the water used in a household Armed with this fact, the Indian Plumbing Association has set out on a mission to make people more aware of the tap aerator and its massive benefits

that the user wishes to save. Some faucets can save up to 32 percent of water at their most judicious setting. This is achieved using a multi-functional

spray, a feature that can also be achieved manually and on a shoestring budget by plugging plastic shower-heads onto the mouth of pipes.

Photo courtesy: Ecostar

Kitchen Spl.

Photo courtesy: American Standard

Saving water in the kitchen involves simple yet thoughtful kitchen accessories and tricks. All we need is some awareness, and some daily discipline.

By arresting the heavy flow and dispensing the available water in a diffused form aerators help in making all kinds of washing a low-water-supply endeavour

THE INSIDE TRACK August 2016

Kitchen Spl.

Rise Of The Single Surface Kitchen Gone are the days when kitchen surfaces undulated, with the rise of a stove and the drop of a sink. Now, houses flaunt countertops that are seamless and flat. But how do they achieve that look? Here’s an insight.

vegetables. So when not in use, the sink is out of sight and covered with the multipurpose board. To make new kitchen surfaces fit into this versatile mould of ‘Single Surface Kitchen’, architects are making use of a variety of materials like Corian, back-painted glass, stainless steel and wood. “The entire counter-top merges with the backsplash, sink, and facia into one entity and feels like one unit,” explains Durgesh Pal Singh, Quality Network Leader of DuPont India. Granite, the traditional favourite, has now taken a back seat because of the introduction of these new surfaces. As innovative and low-maintenance layouts, appliances and practices emerge, kitchen surfaces are undergoing a long-overdue metamorphosis. Are you in on the trend yet?

Photo courtesy: www.dupont.co.in

ho would have thought that a counter-top in the kitchen would look completely, evenly flat one day? But it has happened. Kitchens these days are flaunting unprecedented flatness, and ‘Single Surface Kitchen’ has become the hot new look of the season. Kitchens in modern homes are working hard to erase the stereotype of a space dominated by a chunky gas stove and a holed-up sink.

the cumbersome gas stove has had to be bid goodbye. The rising popularity of induction stoves has helped speed up this exit. New-age kitchens now come equipped with induction surfaces, making cooking as fuss-free as possible. Next to go has been the dipping sink. Single surface kitchens now cover the sink with a board that doubles up as a cutting-board for

Photo courtesy: K7 by Team 7

Counter-tops now come with adjustable height features, are scratch-proof, stain-resistant, and can withstand much higher temperatures than before. So bring out the flambés in full force! The cooking areas of homes have now opened up and become almost seamless parts of the living rooms, making neatness and aesthetic uniformity essential. And naturally,

THE INSIDE TRACK August 2016

Spot light

or more than one decade now, Wienerberger AG has hosted the international “Wienerberger Brick Award” every two years, providing a stage for excellent brick architecture and its architects. Wienerberger initiated the Brick Award for the first time in 2004 in order to put this natural building material into the spotlight. On May 19th 2016, Wienerberger hosted the seventh Brick Award in Vienna. It was an evening of celebration where two projects were awarded the Grand Prize. One went to 2226 by baumschlager eberle, located in Austria, while the second Grand Prize winner, House 1014 located in the historic city centre of Barcelona, is an excellent example of how to use “left-over” space in urban areas. The Termitary House in Vietnam, by Tropcial Space, won in the Residential Use category while the auditorium of the AZ Groeninge health centre in Belgium was the winner in the Public Use category due to its extra ordinary detailed design. The winner in the Re-Use category is the Marília project by Studio Super Limão in São Paulo, Brazil. A Special Prize also went to Duplex architects from Switzerland for their project Cluster House in Zurich. Auditorium AZ Groeninge is a ‘Hide-out’ for tired Hospital Staff A Belgian hospital decides to build an escape for its weary-eyed staff, and ropes in Dehullu Architecten for the job. The resultant structure becomes a marvel of elegance, and sweeps the ‘Public Use’ category of the Wienerberger Brick Awards 2016 It is a hide-out,” states the design team from Dehullu Architecten, referring to Auditorium AZ Groeninge. The structure stands at a corner on the site of the AZ Groeninge general hospital in Kortrijk, Belgium, and from its vertically-laid mottled grey brick façade on provides a muchneeded visual break in scenery to the medical staff. The aim of the construction was to build a space that broke the strict Cartesian rules of the hospital building’s construction, and provided the hard-working hospital staff a space for entertainment and de-stress. The façade, though unconventional, doesn’t set up a culture shock by being overthe-top flashy in its zeal to be un-hospital like.

Wienerberger Brick Awards 2016 This award recognizes how exciting and

exceptional modern architecture can be using brick as a key component. BY LATIKA PAYAK Photo courtesy: Dehullu Architecten website

Auditorium AZ Groeninge: The vertical brick placement creates a beautiful, natural chequered pattern across walls that rise and taper off, and are cubical and fluid in places

The building sinks a little into the hill-side site, creating double entry points for the floors, with the upper level holding a lobby and a bar, and the lower one, all the catering spaces. The trick of the visual shift is not in the colours here, but in the patterns and the shapes. The vertical brick placement creates a beautiful, natural chequered pattern across walls that rise and taper off, and are cubical and fluid in places. For breaking the mould of the stern Cartesian grid and realising a bewitching escape for professionals used to sterile surroundings, Dehullu Architecten was chosen the winner at the Wienerberger Brick Awards, 2016, in the ‘Public Use’ category. A feel-good ending for a feel-good project! Award-winning ‘House 1014’ in Barcelona Sits Narrow but Packs Big Features (Grand Prize Winner) This Barcelona home, designed by H Arquitectes, fits into a tight space, has well-defined private and public zones, and is an energy-efficient power player. I n 2 0 1 4 , Sp a i n - b a s e d H Arquitectes achieved something commendable. The design team from

the firm successfully re-imagined a dilapidated structure that sat squeezed between ancient buildings in the historic Spanish town of Granollers and transformed it into an energy-efficient modern home fit for minimalist heaven. The brilliance of the project is not just in the re-making of it, though it is an unmissable facet in a neighbourhood of uneven walls stripped of paint and decked with an assortment of features gathered over many decades of unfocused growth.

The real credit for H Arquitectes is in having managed to rebuild so much in such little space - the designers had a tight, street-facing space of 6.5 mt. width at hand where to build a new home for a family which valued privacy, but also wanted some guest-friendly spaces. To accommodate the family’s need for a tightly segmented home demarcated on the lines of privacy, the team assigned the main streetfacing east side to be the domestic areas, and the quieter entrance on the west to be the exclusive area for guests. Within the house these two zones are connected by a central garden. These zones have separate entrances, making them functionally independent and aloof from each other. So entertaining guests wouldn’t ever disrupt the household chores, and vice versa. The public zone is also more conducive to vehicle movement. But having an east-west access presented a case of disrupted sunlight. And if the entrances were to be opened for natural illumination, then the privacy of the ground floor would be heavily marred. H Arquitectes devised an innovative solution by moving the house further away from the street line with the help

Photo courtesy: www. http://clay-wienerberger.com

‘House 1014’: The designers had a tight, street-facing space of 6.5 mt. width at hand where to build a new home for a family which valued privacy, but also wanted some guest-friendly spaces

THE INSIDE TRACK August 2016

The Termitary House’s awardwinning Look is Modelled after a Termite Hill This home channels the architectural genius of a termite hill. Its brick walls are porous, but its privacy levels are well-honed. And, it stands proud and protected in the extreme weather of Vietnam.

Architecture is a discipline that has sustained itself on the belief that inspiration can hit any time, and it can be drawn from an unquantifiable set of visuals and words. Traditional Chinese lamps? Sure! A bird’s nest. Why not? A Renaissance poem. Definitely! Is it any surprise then that some architect somewhere in the world saw a humble but genius termite hill and thought that that deserved to be inspired by? This happened to Tropical Space, a Ho Chi Minh city-based firm that had been roped in to reconstruct an old home in the historical playground of De Nang. De Nang is a coastal city in Vietnam, and subjects its residents to tough weather conditions. Here, it is either hot and dry, or wet and stormy, and little respite in the middle. Designing a house, thus, is tricky, and getting creative with the façade and shell is even trickier. But in 2014, while the design team sat pondering the project, the cooling bricks of De Nang’s legendary Champa Towers and

the ingenious shape dynamics of a termite hill pooped up and gainfully merged together in the collective imagination. The Champa civilisation flourished in the coastal regions of Vietnam from 500 to 1500 AD. The populace left behind beautiful brick-walled constructions, built to survive Vietnam’s summers. The bricks acted as insulators and kept excess heat out. In this scheme, Tropical Space found a great answer to their most pressing question - how to make the rooms of the house cooler. The team followed Champa’s example and renovated the old, two-storeyed house using bricks, and formed the shell like a porous termite hill. These inspirations informed the design of an open living-cumdining area at the centre, and master bedrooms, bathrooms, storage and staircase that remain connected to the centre. These brick walls allow ample natural light to stream in during the day. And at night, artificial lights illuminate the home from behind the perforations. “The house looks like a giant lantern at night,” the architects opine. In complement to the rusticity of the bare brick walls are the naked concrete ceiling and the flecked terrazzo floor. Even the plants from the original garden of the house have been relocated onto a gravelled landscape. Timber from the ceiling of the old home has become furniture pieces at the new home. For this perfect blend of ancient and innovative architecture, the Termitary House was awarded a prestigious Wienerberger Brick Award 2016 in the ‘Residential Use’ category.

Termitary House2: These brick walls allow ample natural light to stream in during the day. And at night, artificial lights illuminate the home from behind the perforations

Photo courtesy: www. http://clay-wienerberger.com

as could be made possible. Naturally, the last factor is a key ingredient of the heating mechanism of 2226, aside from the external walls made up of 36cm-thick layers crafted out of hollow Wienerberger Porotherm clay blocks. All through summer nights, the vents remain open, naturally cooling the building. When winters hit, the vents remain mainly closed, opening only to balance the carbon dioxide levels in the building. The air spaces created by the outer wall blocks serve as fantastic insulators, maintaining an inside temperature range of 22 to 26 degree Celsius - now you know the source of the building’s puzzling moniker.

Photo courtesy: www. http://clay-wienerberger.com

Zero Technology Building ‘2226’ (Grand Prize Winner) Austria-located office building ‘2226’ knows how to keep itself warm, cool, and awesome with zero technological help. The project’s energy-efficient genius recently fetched it a ‘Special Solution’ Wienerberger Brick Award. ‘Simple’ is a loaded word in architectural parlance. Because achieving simplicity of looks in construction asks for a complicated mix of deft design, material use, and foresight. Case in point is ‘2226’ (nomen est omen), an office building located in the industrial zone of Millennium Park in Lustenau, Austria. This sixstoried structure has a forbiddingly spare white façade, and a giant cubelike form that gives few hints of what it holds inside. Its windows are deepset, and tall, slim, and rectangular, suggesting to a first-time viewer some sort of careful consideration, with nothing seeming really obvious. Then there is that beguiling name. All the mystery impressed the eminent judging panel of the 7th Wienerberger Brick Awards, held in Vienna in May, 2016, though, and it ultimately awarded the project its ‘Special Solution’ category honours. So, really, what is this 2226 building about? Apparently, a lot! It may look like the secret headquarters of a cult, but what it actually is is a testament to the power of architectural design and passive building principles. Building 2226 can achieve suitable heating and cooling conditions for its residents with minimal reliance on technology, and all the trickery is in its brick walls. Architect Dietmer Eberle of the firm, be baumschlager eberle, wanted to eliminate the use of external heaters or coolers through this personal office project. The answer was found in 76 cmthick double layered walls, 3.5-mt. high floors, and vertical windows that pull in all the precious sunlight

Zero Technology Building ‘2226’ : This six-storied structure has a forbiddinglyspare white façade, and a giant cube-like form that gives few hints of what it holds inside Photo courtesy: Office building in Lustenau,Austria

of bio-climatic patios. This allowed enough light into the property, even as the facades religiously protected the privacy. Another notable feature of House 1014 is the way it regulates temperature. For this, double-layered brick walls with an isolating wooden fibre have been put in place. These help insulate the house naturally. Indeed, inspite of sitting within a cramped space bookended by party walls, House 1014 sure packs in a lot of character. It isn’t surprising then that it won a prestigious Wienerberger Brick Awards, 2016 in the ‘Urban Refills’ category. In a fair world, accolades must come to the deserving!

THE INSIDE TRACK August 2016

Spot Light

Photo Courtesy : Space Architects@ka

harampura Haveli in Delhi’s famed Chandi Chowk neighbourhood is sure to inspire the poet in you. This Mughal relic today stands gleaming in the afterglow of a masterful refurbishment and conservation project that was recently picked as a finalist in the ‘New and Old (Completed Buildings)’ category of the World Architecture Festival, to be held in Berlin in November this year. Chandni Chowk, as any Delhifamiliar person would attest, is that delightfully confusing maze of narrow streets and claustrophobic housing where winds of the old and new city intermingle and waft to this day. It is not a huge surprise for this neighbourhood, where random cables and wires hang like cheap bunting, to hide a veritable gem like Dharampura Haveli in its midst. The potential for conservation of the haveli was first noticed and considered by architect Kapil Aggarwal, of Delhi-based Spaces Architects, and Vijay Goel, a member of the Rajya Sabha. “Without any plans or drawings, we had to develop a program even before starting the design which involved the building survey, preparing measured drawings, and structural repairing and strengthening of the building,” recalls Aggarwal. The preparation included an intensive 2-year trek around the Chandni Chowk kaleidoscope to study its enmeshed cultural peculiarities and legacies.

Delhi’s Dharampura Haveli The Dharampura Haveli used to be a

dilapidated relic lying hidden in the Chandni Chowk clutter. Today, it is a gleaming heritage hotel and restaurant that expertly bridges the Mughal era with modern times. BY SHRUTI NAMBIAR This led to a unique mix of motifs from the Hindu, Mughal, Jain, and Rajasthani schools of architecture to be included in the refurbished haveli. Also involved was an exhaustive sojourn of the country to study the nuances, repercussions, and challenges of a conservation effort of this size and importance. It also helped the project acquire a team of highly skilled artists and workers well-versed in the haveli construction style. From point go, the aim was to restore and re-imagine if need be, but not to eclipse the original Mughalstyle form of the Dharampura Haveli. “Beautiful jharokhas (windows), chattris (umbrellas), small decorative balconies, fluted columns, welldesigned chabutras (platforms), traditional baithaks (drawing rooms), and marble floors are features of the Mughal Architectural style,”

Photo Courtesy : Space Architects@ka

The potential for conservation of the haveli was first noticed and considered by architect Kapil Aggarwal, of Delhi-based Spaces Architects and Vijay Goel, a member of the Rajya Sabha

explains Aggarwal. And all of these features have been renovated and re-calibrated to create interiors that dress modern but have the sensibilities of an old soul. Here there is that familiar preponderance of light brown hues of Dholpur stone, brilliant arches that are perpetually engaged in light-and-shadow games, strikingly coloured doors, and expert carvings that drip with images of pageantry of an era gone by. The courtyard structure, as has always been, remains the nodal point of the haveli. Its octagonal-pattern flooring and central water fountain set the tone for the whole structure. The Dharampura Haveli today is a heritage hotel, with a Lakhoribrick adorned restaurant. The whole structure’s demeanour has tastefully accommodated modernity, without making it seem incongruous. The rooms have individual themes and custom-made furnishings, but they

THE INSIDE TRACK August 2016

remain unmistakably resistant to modern cookie-cut styles - the ceilings differ in heights, the floor area contracts and expands, and the number and styles of the arches, vaults and columns disobey any need for uniformity from room to room. The original Ground +2 structure has today been transformed to a Ground +1 building with the erstwhile unusable 2nd floor reclaimed, and a new 3rd floorcum-terrace area added in.

‘Gali Anar’ and its ever-enchanting charms. All the spaces are resplendent with flushes of sunlight and natural air, pristine paint work, and lots of delicate patterned upholstery and wallpaper-accenting. Tapestries, both stained and undecorated glass, framed black-and-white photographs, and Photo Courtesy : Space Architects@ka

Photo Courtesy : Space Architects@ka

The main structure was strengthened by epoxy grouting, FRP wrap addition and columns, while all the slabs were repaired and micro-concreting was done

“We had to retrofit various spaces like restaurants, a museum, shops and different types of rooms. The main structure was strengthened by epoxy grouting, FRP wrap addition and columns, while all the slabs were repaired and micro-concreting was done at places,” explains Aggarwal. What remains constant throughout is a palpable and sumptuous sense of luxury. The windows open out to views of

lovely chandeliers and warm lighting dot the eating sections. It is indeed difficult to sum up the charms of Dharampura Haveli in words. This place needs to be experienced, with its sights and smells filling your senses, never to be forgotten.

THE INSIDE TRACK August 2016

Spot light

he South Korean herbal cosmetics powerhouse, Sulwhasoo, was setting up its gargantuan flagship store in the commercial beehive of Seoul’s district of Gangnam (yes, that one!), and it was a given that the establishment would become a one-stop tour through the brand’s legacy as well as of all its current product offerings. The challenge was to integrate this time- travel through a company’s growth, and to make an unforgettable impression on visitors most likely immune to the charms of just huge buildings encased in steel and glass. Lyndon Neri and Rosanna Hu’s answer to the challenge were three words - identity, journey and memory. This troika they decided to express in part through a mindbending array of brass lattice-work that looks somewhat a scaffolding and somewhat a set-piece from a movie’s dream sequence. The lantern effect is here in these fascinating and vision-mocking installations that are lit up on the inside with custom-made warm yellow lighting. Adding to the optical illusion is the inclusion of glass within parts of this lattice work. The effect is surreal, and the spaces inside seem be in motion - splitting and dividing but still continuing in one endless stretch. We strongly recommend you don’t step into this store with a coffee cup in hand! The climb up from the basement spa to the third-floor spa and then onto the roof terrace lounge on the fifth level has been built as a trip. The spaces are distinct in make, juggling wood, brick and stone, and looking Photo Courtesy : Facebook Sulwhasoo Seoul

Sulwhasoo Store’s Lattice Interiors The Chinese designer duo of Neri&Hu

has made the Asian cosmetics giant’s Seoul store a masterpiece by creating a latticed network of slender brass rods for its interiors. BY LATIKA PAYAK Photo Courtesy : Facebook Sulwhasoo Seoul

The South Korean herbal cosmetics powerhouse, Sulwhasoo set up its gargantuan flagship store in the commercial beehive of Seoul’s district of Gangnam

strikingly different from each other. This genius creation of an ‘era’ effect using design materials is no surprise coming from designers who have in the past made the cabinets inside a

fashion house retail store to look like metal cages. In the Seoul store too, the brass lattice array subverts expectations by being intimidating and slender

at the same time. The installation greets you outside, and pops up periodically inside, drilling into your imagination an unforgettable vision of geometric trickery.

Photo Courtesy : Facebook Sulwhasoo Seoul

A mind-bending array of brass lattice-work that looks somewhat a scaffolding and somewhat a set-piece from amovie’s dream sequence

THE INSIDE TRACK August 2016

Co. Profile

hy do in buildings need thermal insulation? India with extreme climatic conditions where difference between peak summer temperature and cold winter temperature is more than 20 degrees in many regions of the country, providing comfortable indoor climate is a necessity, rather than luxury. In India most of the buildings are built with brick walls with cement plaster or Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) with width varying between 125 mm-250 mm. The roof is usually made of Reinforced Cement Concrete with thickness varying from 100 mm to 150 mm.

Mr. Atul Khanna GM - Insulation Division

While walls are built to withstand the building and wind load, roofing is finished with just water proofing. Thus, thermal insulation is rarely considered essential in traditional Indian buildings. However, times are changing and with that people’s tastes and preferences are also evolving. People have started recognising the benefits of thermal insulation

Supreme’s Thermal Insulation Solutions With temperatures swinging more than

20 degrees between seasons, providing comfortable indoor climate is a necessity, rather than luxury. and as a result, insulation in buildings is assuming tremendous importance. Thermal insulation helps in energy conservation by reducing heating and or cooling load on the building envelope. Also by keeping temperature under control, insulation helps in enhancing human comfort and eventually contributing to increased efficiency. Further by controlling the extremes of the climate, thermal insulation mitigates damages that might be caused to the building. Extreme caution should be exercised while selecting materials for thermal insulation as the requirements vary from building to building and also from region to region depending upon the weather conditions and materials used in construction. Supreme Industries’ INSU range of products a re m e a n t t o f u l f i l t h e r m a l insulation requirements. Supreme’s ‘INSUshield’ is a nonfibrous, fire retardant (FR), closed

cell, tri-dimensional chemically crosslinked polyethylene foam and is an ideal environment friendly insulation material, with a perfect solution for all insulation needs for ducts, roofs, pipes, vessels etc., and is a better alternative to conventional glass wool insulation material. Another product, ‘INSUflex’, a fire retardant closed cell flexible elastomeric tubing thermal insulation product, offers a high water vapour transmission resistance factor which ensures a low stable thermal conductivity, thereby saving energy and ensuring efficiency of the system for ensulating split air-conditioner copper tubings for addressing typical heat ingress issue in PEB structures. ‘INSUreflector’, a radiant heat reflective insulation material made of polyethylene air bubble film (ABF) laminated with aluminium foil on one or both sides is used to block the radiant heat transfer. It should be noted that these products are included in the GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat

Assessment) Product Catalogue, signifying the highest quality of the products. Also these products can be used on any of GRIHA rated projects and the application of approved products on such projects. Contact web: www.supreme.co.in email: insulation@supreme.co.in tel: +91-9810529116

THE INSIDE TRACK August 2016

Spot Light

n India, the presence of brass in a home isn’t really a news-worthy idea. It is in fact an idea that has existed for centuries, and for the purpose of a host of activities - from water-heating vessels and paraphernalia, to bathroom buckets and taps, to the entire kitchen range of vessels, to items used for prayers and ceremonies. But in the modern design world, with minimalism and low-frill dominating most sensibilities, highsheen brass soon lost favour, as it had to be given chrome additions, or high-gloss finish jobs, to make maintenance and cleaning easy. In this form, brass was also a loud entity, sitting on the edge of gaudy incongruousness. It gradually fell from favour as more clinical materials like stainless steel rushed into the spotlight, relegating yellow metal to ostentatious interiors. But brass, fortunately, belongs to that hardy category of trends that boomerang back into relevance every few decades. The metal is now being celebrated anew the world over for the calm gravitas and deep sense of visual heritage it can accord a space. Brass art installations, lamp shades, chandeliers, show-pieces, doorhandles, stairwell railings, and many other home features are popping up at interior design exhibitions and in home make-over schemes, marking a well-deserved return into prominence for this unassuming metal. At the outset, it may look like appearance is what is driving designers towards brass, but its advantages go deeper. Brass can outlast any other plated non-metal and can withstand the assault of hard water for years without deteriorating. Coupled with any finish that prevents deterioration, like electroplating, brass fittings can literally survive a lifetime.

The Return Of The Mellow Yellow Metal Modern homes have been building a renewed relationship with brass accessories. So let’s marvel at the unmatched old-world charm of brass kitchen faucets. BY LATIKA PAYAK

White subway tiles and a rustic farmhouse sink overlooked byan un-lacquerred Easton brass faucet set the tone here

In the kitchen, brass brings multiple benefits with it. This alloy has proven germ-killing abilities due to the presence of copper in it. Copper tends to de-activate certain enzymes in micro-organisms, thereby killing them, and raise brass to the stature of one of the cleanest metals that can be used in areas that come in contact with food.

Brass has made an entry into kitchens in the form of stylish Victorian faucets that come with a plethora of accessories to customise the force and temperature of water. The famed conservative swan-necked brass faucets are much in demand too, with additional taps and sprays available as attachments or separate fixtures, as the choice may be. Brass fixtures today come in a variety of finishes too, like polished, satin, un-lacquerred, and antique. These items are affordable, durable, and stylish, but it helps to practice caution while buying them. Many fake and plated fixtures can give the exact appearance as of a real one. The most striking character that sets a fake apart from the real is the weight. A real brass fitting will be heavy and so will cost marginally more than ordinary faucets. For designers who have been tracking this remarkable rise in brass designs, the answer is in the ‘warmth’ that the metal imbues within a room. Brass, unlike gold,

is more earthy in its demeanour, a fact that makes it fit easily within high-slick as well as more Bohemian set-ups alike. Within more high-end interiors, well-polished brass faucets can help catch light, transforming dull spaces and also helping make small rooms look a tad bigger. Some home-owners, however, are in love with the organic wearing-off of brass, that lovely patina that forms on the metal with regular use. In either form, there is a distinct welcoming quality about brass that cannot be matched by any other metal, a factor that highlights our collective visual association of history and happy home-making with brass. Victoria Redshaw from UK-based firm Scarlet Opus, a trend forecast agency that dwells on all things interior design, had commented on the brass-v/s-gold question a couple of years ago. “Gold still has a place, but it tends to be ‘affected’ in some way - hammered, brushed, blackened or etched,” she had stated. We couldn’t agree more, and we are on the brass side of the debate!

THE INSIDE TRACK August 2016

Interview

he luxury bath segment is booming in India with many international brands competing for a slice of the pie. German firm Kludi is actively targetting this market with its new range of products. We spoke to Sanjay Bankeshwar, Director - Kludi India about the company’s design philosophy, its retail strategy for India and the challenges of the Indian market.

Kludi Bullish On India Kludi banks on its success formula of

design-innovation-service-value for the Indian market. with increasing acceptability of our brand, I am confident that we will grow at over 40% year on year for the next 3-4 years. Are there any new business partnerships, collaborations or expansion plans in 2016?

Mr. Sanjay Bankeshwar Director - Kludi India

The sanitary ware and fittings market is packed with many high quality Indian and international brands. What is Kludi’s strategy to compete and stand out in the segment? Yes, indeed,India is the most competitive market after China. Kludi’s brand strategy in India is very well defined and unambiguous. We have excellent, competitive advantage in terms of innovation and design. The icing on the cake is our Value-for-Money pricing for world-class design and innovation, backed by excellent service. The combination of design-innovationservice-value is our USP. We always project “Value” over “pricing” and our customers have accepted this wholeheartedly..! We also have a distinct advantage of having products suited to Indian usage and consumption patterns in our India portfolio, which a few leading international brands lack. This makes our portfolio very versatile and enables us to compete healthily and successfully with leading Indian and international brands that have production facilities locally. What are the new products by Kludi that have been released in the Indian market in 2016? The new products launched by Kludi in India this year are ranges

Kludi’s E2 range of luxury faucets

like Kludi Plus comprising a package of sanitaryware, mirrors and vanities adaptable to any range of Kludi faucets ; Kludi PUSH an innovative bath and shower concept using on “push button knobs” with magnetic valve technology ; E2 range of luxury faucets ;Zenta Eco Basin Mixers which are energy saving faucets ; Eco-Control shower hoses ; Zenta square and round wall mounted Sensor faucets and many more... How does Kludi plan to develop its identity and positioning in the market in the near future? Our basic brand positioning is Midsegment (Kludirak ranges),Uppermid (Kludirak and Kludi), high-end and luxury (Kludi). We have a huge potential to get well entrenched in this price segment in the next couple of years. Realistically speaking, we have the wherewithal to be amongst the top 5 brands in this particular price segment within the next 3-4 years. However, at this point our priority is not ranking or perception or sheer numbers. The immediate challenge for us is to enhance awareness about our brand and portfolio amongst all influencer groups be it the trade, the plumbers, consultants, architects and interior design fraternity. We began this process in 2014 and are

increasing our intensity and depth of engagement with these groups. We are also focussing on increasing customer base exponentially ... We are already seeing the results, what with, major breakthrough in high-end residential projects and hospitality projects. Acceptability of our brand and organisation is increasing by the day. We will keep working in this direction. How do you see your sales growing in the next 2-3 years ? At the rate at which we are going and

As of now, there are no plans for business collaborations or partnerships - nor do we intend to venture into manufacturing locally. We will pretty much continue the model that we are currently operating on. In terms of expanding geographical markets, we will certainly look at new markets next year, where we are not present yet-like Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Rajasthan. That said, our priority is to consolidate our current customer and market base. The e-commerce industr y is flourishing in India. Does Kludi plan to have an online presence soon? We are looking at this avenue with an open mind. Undeniably, today it is an important channel for any brand in our field. We will be working on it to assess feasibility considering that we need to harmonise this alternative channel with our present trade partners.

Kludi PUSH an innovative bath and shower concept using “push button knobs” with magnetic valve technology

THE INSIDE TRACK August 2016

Dealer Speak

he De Ceramica showroom in Gurgaon has been in business since the last twelve years. The showroom stocks brands like Duravit, Delta and Jaquar amongst many others. De Ceramica deals in a wide range of sanitary ware, faucets and bathtubs. We spoke to the Nilesh Gupta, proprietor of De Ceramica about the move towards hi-tech bathrooms and why consumers still mix and match brands.

Making Homes Unique Consumers are gradually embracing technology everywhere - including their bathrooms.

Which companies are providing high quality water saving bath fittings today? Is there a great demand for such products?

Could you tell us about your business? De Ceramica is a luxury lifestyle brand for all wellness appurentences. With an experience of 12 years as a prominent dealer, we are committed to offer products as per customer’s requirements and the prevailing market trends. Our website is just one small part of what we do. Making your homes unique isn’t just our business, it’s our passion. Our company offers an array of Digital Wall & Floor Tiles, Faucets, Bathroom Accessories, Tiles Adhesives, Modular Toilet Seats, Spa & Wellness, Chimney, Hobs & Sinks Chimney, and much more.

We also have a wide range of Imported Tiles from Italy, Spain, China & Indonesia. In order to have the best products, we are well associated with the Jaquar, Artize, Delta, Brizo, Duravit, Geberit, Oyster, Glocera, Durlax and many more brands from India & International. Our USP is our quality work and reasonable prices.

like Jaquar, Glocera are also in demand. I would say international brands like Delta are able to compete with Indian brands because of price, availability, after sales services, etc.

In the metro cities customers or end users are aware about the water scarcity, but they think about it during the summer season only. The government has to bring awareness among the public. The brands which we are carrying have water saving technology. Delta have introduced H2Okinetic showers. The science behind H2Okinetic Technology creates a shower experience like no other. Each shower head and hand shower contains an internal system that controls the speed, movement and droplet size of the water, which creates the feeling of more water than a standard shower flowing at the same rate.

There are many international sanitary ware companies that have entered the market. How are they performing? How are they competing with Indian brands? International brands like Delta & Duravit, are available in the market and cater to all segments of customers, whereas brands There has been an increase in the premium segment in the sanitary ware industry. Which according to you is the leader in this segment and which are some their best-selling products? The premium segment sales have enhanced in the industry. Most of the end users are looking for concealed version wall mounted toilets and wash bowls. In the top most quality level it’s Duravit, Glocera in faucets Delta, Brizo, Jaquar. Contact webs: www.deceramica.in email: deceramica@gmail.com tel: +0124 - 4048121/22/23, +91 9212313999

THE INSIDE TRACK August 2016

Spot Light

eople who want to give themselves a treat choose a bathroom that is a treat in itself. And those who want to treat themselves to something really special, choose one from Duravit. Duravit develops and manufactures premium quality products using state-of-the-art technology and incorporating original design to meet all its customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; requirements.

The Latest From Duravit

Here is an insight into Duravitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest products that are sure to inspire you!

Darling New c-bonded Using a radically new technical solution developed by Duravit, the washbasin is bonded to the vanity unit in an innovative way. Manufactured with millimeter precision, the ceramic of the washbasin fits accurately in the furniture. The materials bond seamlessly and appear to be a single unit. Darling New c-bonded allows you to create new puristic washbasin solutions. Darling New now available with L-Cube Eve n w i t h o u t t h e c - b o n d e d technology, the Darling New ceramic furniture washbasins and washbowls combined with L-Cube furniture allow for beautiful bathroom solutions. Choose from more than 30 different furniture finishes for almost limitless freedom of design to give your bathroom a completely new look. Light & Mirrors from Duravit With the new mirror program, Duravit shows versatile design solutions which add value to the bathroom in private and

Advertorial

c o m m e rc i a l b u i l d i n g s w h i l e also providing optimal and beautiful illumination. Choose from three different variants to realize your individual ideas:

Single light field at the top-edge: In this version, a light field on the top edge of the mirror provides direct illumination. Dual light fields at the sides: Here two light fields at the left

and right mirror edges provide direct illumination. Indirect ambient light on all four sides: The mirror with ambient light provides agreeable indirect light from all four sides. All mirrors are available in three different variants: GOOD - All models are operated via wall switch. BETTER -With light via sensor operation. BEST - With light via sensor operation, mirror heating and downlight. Discover the latest products in the duravit.in/news08. Contact Duravit India Private Limited tel: 07966112300 respond@in.duravit.com www.duravit.in For Professionals: www.pro.duravit.in

THE INSIDE TRACK August 2016

It Products Stylish And Efficien Shower Cubicles By Ozone

Ozone, one of the leading architectural hardware solutions providers offers a wide range of shower cubicle fittings and accessories to create stylish and

awe-inspiring frameless glass shower cubicles. Its shower cubicle fittings range includes hinges and connectors in different angles for wall to glass and glass to glass applications, shower door handles with towel bar and knobs, reinforcing bars, shower thresholds, plastic profiles and accessories such as shower seats. Using these hinges and connectors, frameless toughened glass shower cubicles can be designed in different shapes like square, rectangular or other angular shapes for varying door styles. These hinges and connectors are available in different design and finish options like PSS, SSS, CP or SN meeting varied aesthetic needs. These fittings are suitable to use with 8mm and/or 10mm toughened glass. Apart from adding style, comfort and elegance to your shower space, these glass shower cubicles separate the dry area from the wet one, hence maintaining the bathroom hygiene. Glass being transparent, frameless toughened glass shower cubicle retains the spacious look of your personal space, yet they are easy to clean and maintain. Contact www.ozone-india.com

The Eurocube Joy Faucet By Grohe Grohe, one of the world’s leading providers of sanitary products announces the launch of the Eurocube Joy faucet. Thanks to the GROHE StarLight® coating, the faucet is scratch-resistant, translating to a mark and tarnishfree surface. The overarching concept of Grohe Eurocube Joy evokes the dynamic lifestyle of busy people: straightforward, attractive and always focused on the essential, and celebrates the dramatic beauty of the cube. Tap operation is as light as a feather. The joystick’s smooth handling calls for an effortless precision and ultimate convenience to last a lifetime. The brand new Grohe feather control cartridge brings joystick control to a whole new level. Using state-of-the-art coated ceramic discs and an innovative sealing, Grohe has created a joystick cartridge with a wider volume and temperature angle - for a more precise

control - with the same silky smooth operation. It is Grohe’s mixers that deliver the unique Grohefeather control experience. The solid smooth handling of their joystick-lever mixers expresses the quality and superiority of the brand. Contact www.grohe.com/in

Hansgrohe Presents Talis Select

Venus Home Appliances’ Lyra Water Heaters Venus Home Appliances, one of the foremost manufacturers of water heaters in India has launched a new range of instant water heaters LYRA in 1 and 3 litre capacities and with 3 and 4.5 kW heating element options. This new range is aesthetically designed with bold colours on the front and can be affixed in modern bathrooms and kitchens. Its superior features include a porcelain enamel glass lined tank manufactured in a modern, automated plant using European technology which protects the tank from rust and corrosion. A high quality copper heating element in the 3R30, 3R45 models ensures a long life and better performance, and the Glasslined Incoloy 800 element withstands temperatures up to 1000°C. It lasts long, even in hard water. The 3R30Y, 3R45Y models reduce scale formation and prevent premature element failure.

The range also has a high working pressure of up to eight bars to ensure smooth working in multi-storey buildings or those with pressure pumps. Contact www.venushomeappliances.com

When we turn on the water to wash up and leave unsightly marks on the handle and the mixer itself. This is now a thing of the past with Hansgrohe’s latest - the Talis Select. The secret lies in a simple button on the upper side of the washbasin mixer. It can be easily an intuitively operated using your hand, elbow, wrist or arm. To take things up a notch, Talis Select mixers are available in a range of different heights. From early on we learn to use and push buttons intuitively. So why not in the bathroom

too? Easily turn water on and off at the touch of a button and regulate the temperature by turning it. Hansgrohe Talis Select products all have easy-to-read symbols and are available in two versions, either with a flat or round spout, giving you the freedom to select one that best suits your personal preferences. Hansgrohe Talis Select mixers bring together form and function with their high quality design, Hansgrohe Select technology and a range of mixer heights. Contact www.hansgrohe.in

THE INSIDE TRACK August 2016

It Products Roca Presents Its Latest Inspira Range Roca has unveiled Inspira, an ultimate sleek and contemporary range of basins and wall hung WCs in three shapes - square, soft and round that are an ideal fit for any kind of bathroom space. The designs are inspired by creativity and innovation, with an aim to redefine relaxation and rejuvenation. All the Inspira products are manufactured with Fineceramic - a new, superior quality material used exclusively by Roca. The wash basins incorporate sleek

and defined walls and are 40% lighter and 30% harder than conventional basins. The products are built in a way that they are easy to clean and are scratch-free. The rimless - wall hung version of Inspira WCs are easy to clean, hygienic and come with dual flush system of 4.5/3 litres. Inspira also includes an exclusive range of seats and covers of the WCs that are manufactured with Supralit - an exclusive resin manufactured by Roca. Commenting on the new collection, Mr.Pau Abelló Pellicer, Managing Director, Roca Bathroom Products Pvt. Ltd. said, “At Roca, we have always anticipated the future and provided products before the need arises. The compact and well-defined shape of Inspira makes it an apt choice for innovative bathrooms owing to its space-optimization quality.” Contact www.roca.in

LineaBox From Salice By Ebco

Ebco’s latest, LineaBox from Salice, is one of its revolutionary drawer systems. LineaBox is an innovative metal drawer system of the future, characterised by clean and simple lines and streamlined aesthetics. Its elegant finish and style helps LineaBox to embellish furniture. Ebco’s LineaBox has a variety of features to boot. It is extremely thin with a thickness of 9mm which makes it one of the thinnest drawer systems. It comes with an easy and hassle free assembly without any special working on the front or bottom panel.

It has a unique and unparalleled drawer which can be three-sided in metal or also two-sided. It ensures silent and fluid movement with the help of Salice Futura Slides and is available in two different heights. The back dimensions can be personalised according to the width of the cabinet. LineaBox is suitable for all types of applications including kitchens, living rooms, bathrooms and office furniture. LineaBox, Salice is a perfect blend of innovation and smart design. Contact www.ebco.in

Nippon Enters Into Strategic Alliance With IVM Chemicals; Launches New Division

Häfele Brings In A New Range Of Ovens Häfele presents an exclusive range of Asko Pro Series™ ovens that deliver nothing less than a perfect cooking result. The range is inspired by the heritage of Asko - a design that is robust and carries the hallmarks of Scandinavian design, minimalism and functionalism. Inspired by traditional woodfired ovens, all Pro Series™ ovens have a distinct vaulted ceiling in the cavity to provide a more efficient circulation and an even distribution of heat. With the new intelligent TFT interface, the clear and concise visuals guide through the program and temperature selection to select the best setting for the selected dish. For beginners, built-in menus and pre-set recipes help in creating a perfect dish.

The 4-Glass Ultra Cool door provides the highest level of heat insulation within the oven which ensures virtually no heat loss during the cooking cycle and is extremely safe: when the oven is 250°C, the outer glass is only 35°C. This oven range includes the combi-steam and combimicrowave models to offer full flexibility in cooking. Contact www.hafeleindia.com

Nippon Paint (India), producer of high-quality paints and coatings, now brings to India a unique and exquisite range of wood coatings. It has entered into a strategic partnership with Italy’s IVM Chemicals, one of the world’s leading wood coatings company. Under the new Wood Art division, this partnership will promote and market Nippon Paint’s existing wood coating products based on Japanese technology, as well as IVM Chemicals’ leading international brands like Milesi, Ilva and Croma Lacke in the wood coatings market in India. Applying paint on wood can lead to various aesthetical finishes, transforming wood into surreal forms of beauty. The array of transparent and opaque wood finishes brought forward

by this alliance ranges from traditional coatings like NC and melamine to advanced products such as polyester (lamination), polyurethane (PU) and water based products. Mr. Sharad Malhotra, President, Nippon Paint (India) for wood coating & automotive refinish, says, “We are bringing to India exciting wood coating possibilities through our diversified colour portfolio, unique tinting solutions, supporting products like aerosols, putties and polishes, non paint ancillaries such as masking papers and tapes, abrasives and sanding tools as well as niche products like special effects and more.” Contact www.nipponpaint.com

THE INSIDE TRACK August 2016

It Products Graff Presents An Inventive Faucet - Luna Graff - that stands out for its new ideas, unique achievements and exclusive solutions in the faucets field has come up with their most

inventive faucet collection Luna for the bathroom.Winner of the prestigious Interior Design Best of Year Awards in the bath section, Luna’s singular design is supreme not only for its distinctive shape, but also for the mirror-like finish, which gives its surface a highly reflective effect. Equipped with an aerator, the Luna faucet has a flow rate of 18 litres per minute with a 3 bar pressure. Available with wall-mounted or deck-mounted handles as a lavatory faucet, the collection also includes an original shower column recalling the curve of the spout. Luna is available in the polished chrome and Steelnox® finishes. Graff has developed the special Steelnox® finish, perfectly fingerprint-proof and very high performing. The powder coating process, in fact, makes the finish extremely resistant to scratching and chipping as well as abrasions, corrosions, discoloration and other problems of wear. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, with locations throughout Europe, Graff is globally recognized for its trend-setting products and unique vision. Contact www.graff-faucets.com

Baaya Design Presents A New Home Décor Collection

Baaya Design has come up with their latest product collection in the home décor segment. It comprises a unique collection of artistically handcrafted designed lamps and different kitchen accessories. The Tree of Life lamp has been beautifully crafted in steam beach wood and emanates a soothing aura when lit. The sheesham square lamp has a natural brown shade to it with the centre of the base sporting an artistically cut

wooden engraved circular plate attached to the base. The Parrot Jar set is available in various combinations and colours: a set of 2, 4 or 5 jars in blue, green, wood or sheesham wood. The jars have handcrafted wooden parrots as the holder of each jar. It can be used to store refreshments, spices, sauf, cardamom and knick knacks. Baaya Design offers a completely unique range of customised, folk and cultural art, art installations, murals, lights, accessories and furniture that can transform any space into energized, living environments. The studio offers expertise to residences, commercial spaces and the hospitality industry. Founder and CEO of Baaya Design, Shibani Jain who is also a designer, works with architects and interior designers to create optimized and aesthetic solutions for interiors. Contact www.baayadesign.com

Housefull.com Introduces Attractive Beds

Anna Simona Launches Ellis And Gazaala Collections Anna Simona is an expression of personality and lifestyle. It is an international standard home linen brand offering top-of-theline unique premium products including bed sheets, quilts, bedspreads, cushion covers, duvets, curtains, bed-in-a-bag, etc. Anna Simona comes from the house of Textrade International, a firm known to export quality furnishings to renowned design houses abroad from decades. At Anna Simona, the designs are timeless, sensuous, strong, chic and set the quality standard for the future. They are an exciting fusion of material, colour and most importantly detail. Research and experimentation through exclusive workings reflect the coherence of an extraordinary style with contemporary elegance. They have recently introduced two new collections called Ellis and Gazaala. The Ellis Collection features an upscale, sophisticated damask and trellis patterns in

dramatic fern gold hues. The quilted damak surface adds layers of dimension, while the sequinned accents with chording complete the opulent ensemble. The Gazaala bedding ensemble is a statement of artistic style and grace. A soft white fabric is embellished with a rich silver cording and embroidery. Attention to detail is shown in every piece of this collection. Contact www.annasimona.com

Housefull.com, one of India’s leading furniture and furnishings destination introduces an exquisite range of king and queen size beds to adorn the bedroom. Built out of the king and queen of woods, sheesham and mango, these beds are made to give a regal experience. The use of the finest materials ensures durability without compromising on appearance so that they are as sturdy as beautiful they look. With each bed crafted in a unique design, these beds are a perfect marriage of substance and panache. Both king size and queen size beds are spacious enough to curl up after a hectic day and chic enough to flaunt it to guests.

Whether it’s a bed that spells style or one that adds extra storage to the home, there is something for everyone’s needs. Varnished in teak and natural colours, the beds come with smart headboards to complement the overall look of the room. The prices of the beds start from Rs. 15,000 onwards. “Our portfolio of king and queen beds is focused at optimising the combination of quality, prices, and pride in ownership. With exclusive design and use of the finest materials, we continue to achieve just that,” says Akshay Chaturvedi, CEO, Housefull.com. Contact www.housefull.com

THE INSIDE TRACK August 2016

It Products Havells Forays Into Air Purifiers

Havells India Limited has forayed into a new product segment with the launch of innovative and premium range of air purifiers in the domestic market.

Havells air purifiers come in three different capacities of 428 sq. ft, 856 sq. ft. and 1070 sq. ft. and the models are priced between Rs.21,995 to Rs. 37,995. It comes with advance HEPA technology, which effectively eliminates major pollutants of indoor air and ensures considerable improvement in air quality. Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) in Havells Air Purifier is among the best in class. It comes with air quality sensor with LED indicator and Ionizer feature with selective models. It has feature like Auto mode, Silent mode, Health plus lock, which keep all harmful pollutants at bay. Havells Air Purifiers clean the air through most trusted 3-stage filtration process. The first stage pre-filtration catches large dust particles, dander and hair of pets and humans, which can be harmful. The second stage has advanced HEPA filter, which effectively filters P.M. 2.5 up to 0.02 micron particles with a removal efficiency of 99.9% that enhances indoor air quality. The third stage comes with dense carbon granules that help in removing bad odours, harmful gases and chemicals from the air. Contact www.havells.com

Vector Projects Introduces Incontri Collection Vector Projects, a leading turnkey solutions provider in India, introduces Indian home and offices to a spectacular product - Incontri Collection. Ideal for offices, lounge areas, dining rooms etc, Incontri’s range of products are built to provide superior noise occlusion. A chic addition to any space, this collection of Furniture Island is also successful in creating mobile private spaces.

Designed by Paolo Ceola, this state-of-the art semi secluded island is a blend of fine modern Italian design, cutting edge technology and modular furnishing element. It forms a structure of curved pieces that unite and create a spiralling effect, shielding occupants from external distractions. As the height of each panel increases along the length of the spiral, it creates a dramatic sweeping line, and can transform any monotonous open space into an elegant breakout area. Moreover, due to its flexible design and robust nature, it can be easily moved from one area to another, allowing maximum utilisation of space. Suitable for both residential and commercial spaces, Incontri is available in five different variants. Incontri Light, Incontri Silence, Incontri Nest, Incontri Stone and Incontri Small. Contact www.vectorprojectsindia.com

Hacker Launches Kitchens With New Veneer Options

The latest kitchen by Hacker consists of a stone veneered front. These fronts are an innovation in the modular kitchen industry. The MDF board is coated with a slate veneer with the rear side and edges lacquered in black. Additionally the front is lacquered with a 1-2-component lacquer system as surface protection. This kitchen exhibits stone veneer in a handle less range which creates an exciting contrast to the streamlined design with its unique, natural structure.

Built-in appliances like refrigerators, coffee machines, combi-steam ovens, dishwashers and gas hobs from Siemens add to the character and streamlined spatial concept. The breakfast counter from Hacker in black satin lacquer creates additional spaces for integrated cooking and dining concepts. The raw look along with sophisticated design elements set the tone and make for a homely atmosphere. Contact www.haecker-india.com

3D Chimney Introduced By Faber

Many studies point out that the air in Indian kitchens is more polluted than the air outside the house. Cooking in India involves lot of sautéing and frying that produces harmful gases like CO, NO2 and SO2 in the process. Inhalation of these gases leads to health issues including respiratory disorders, skin damage, etc. A kitchen chimney is a smart way of handling pollution in the kitchen. It not only removes the harmful smoke and fumes which causes health concerns, but also ensures that the furniture and appliances in the kitchen remain in a pristine condition. In a normal chimney, the suction happens through the bottom vents, hence the smoke

which escapes these vents tends to stay in the kitchen for a long time, with a negative effect on individual’s health and kitchen environment. Faber introduces world’s first 3D chimney with T2S2 technology with 3 way suction. Its unique filters on the sides of the hood extract any smoke that escapes the bottom vent. This technology ensures that the kitchen is free from smoke and grease, thus making it appear neat and hygienic. Available in black and SS options, 3D hoods are adapted to the latest designs and finishes from Europe. Contact www.faberindia.com

THE INSIDE TRACK August 2016

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an award-winning design that marries the old ‘jaali’ technique with a new sensibility. Under this mesh of jaalis, the office bears a totally contemporary, glass-panelled look that is bathed in sunlight, touching Lux level of 500 on each floor. “The idea behind it was to draw people closer to nature,” states the team. But it is not only the lighting that pivots this entire project. Aeration too is a crucial component here. By covering the building with a mesh-y façade, Studio Symbiosis gained control over the air that breezed in and out of the building to keep temperatures in check. “The double jaali screen reduces the outside air temperature in front of the glass. The colder air goes in and gets pulled into the atrium through the chimney effect of the atrium space, resulting in natural ventilation. This reduction in indoor air temperature reduces the load of the air conditioning as well,” states the team from Studio Symbiosis Architects.

Photo Courtesy : Studio Symbiosis Architects

n the past, design fusion has managed to provide interesting solutions to climate-sensitive construction quandaries.

Set To Chill The Punjab Kesari’s new headquarters has

Photo Courtesy : Studio Symbiosis Architects

The biggest win here has been a double layer of articulated cement mesh made of glass-reinforced concrete that cocoons the entire building. The construction project began in August 2015 and is scheduled to be completed by January 2017. The foundational pattern is based on a hexagon. From there it picks and branches into varied patterns depending on the percentage of opacity and porosity required.

Photo Courtesy : Studio Symbiosis Architects

The Punjab Kesari’s head-quarters is a recent example of brilliance in this sphere. Located in the cinder pit of the Delhi NCR region, the office building of this legendary publication had the herculean task of maintaining its cool. When presented this task, the team from Noida-based firm, Studio Symbiosis Architects, turned to the technique of jaalis, used extensively in historical Indian architecture to allow the inflow of natural ventilation, minus the heat.

The final design is slated to have 81 percent opacity in the north façade, 27 percent in the south, 62 percent in the west, and 54 percent in the east. These percentages were worked out based on the amount of heat and light the architects wanted to let in from each direction.

Owing to the way this 18,000 sq. ft. office has fused traditional and contemporary architectural ideas to create an inspiring work space, it has been designated by the International Property Awards as the winner of the ‘Best Office Architecture India’ Asia Pacific 2016 Award. Wellearned indeed!

THE INSIDE TRACK August 2016

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esign can never be restricted by boundaries. It’s an allencompassing phenomenon that overrides nations and ideologies. Taking this philosophy a notch higher, Herman Miller has introduced a design festival, REACH that travels to four cities - Beijing, Manila, Bangalore and Melbourne. It aims to connect the design community of each city, brings together thought leaders to share, learn from each other and celebrate the power of design. REACH inaugurated in Bangalore on 28th July, 2016. The festival has a fantastic line up of international and regional designers, speakers and insight leaders presenting at the events. This year the focus is on issues that affect businesses on workspace strategy and design. This event presents the chance to interact with some of the biggest names in the design and furniture industry. REACH showcases the design philosophy which went behind developing the different Herman Miller range of products. Of the various designers who were presenting at the event, Jack Wang, Head of R+D, POSH Design Lab, was one of them. POSH Design Lab is a Herman Miller company and Wang manages the new product design, development and new product initiative process

Herman Miller’s Reach Herman Miller’s festival, REACH connects the design community of different cities, culminating into a wholesome cultural experience. BY REHANA HUSSAIN

L to R: Mr Eames Demetrios, Director of the Eames Office; Mr Peter Bosson, Founding Drector of Colebrook Bosson Saunders; Mr Steve Frykholm, Vice President of Creative Design for Herman Miller; Mr Richard Stevens, Founder of Forpeople; Mr Jack Wang, Head of Design & Development, POSH Design Lab; Mr Kartik Shethia, Vice President, Herman Miller Asia Pacific; Mr Awdhesh Verma, Sales Director. Herman Miller SAARC Region.

impactful on the environment. It is also the first desking platform with an open source platform for paper accessories. Richard Stevens, also a presenter at REACH, is the founder of design company forpeople and Creative Director of British Airways. He is one of UK’s leading designers who has worked with iconic brands with his firm forpeople and is defining the

future of one of the world’s leading airlines, British Airways. B o t h He r m a n Mi l l e r a n d Stevens see things in a similar way: the continuous search for new perspectives and insights brought to life by great design, cutting-edge engineering and responsible manufacturing. This is demonstrated in their design of the Keyn Chair Group, a range

Keyn Chair Group, is a range of meeting and side chairs that offer responsive movement and immediate comfort for collaborative spaces

from the initial concept through to the final launch. His latest products include ActivityTM, OptimisTM, ExpressTM and ImagineTM. The Activity chair features a weight-sensitive mechanism that responds to the body automatically and delivers comfort in an instant. Since new ways of working are leading us to agile environments t h a t p ro m o t e c o l l a b o r a t i o n , creativity and productivity, Activity

helps build self-empowerment through flexibility. The Optimis Desking System celebrates the joy of creating by focusing on simple materials like paper and sheet metal that can be designed to focus highly robust and architectural objects. POSH Design Lab also took cues from origami techniques and the end result is a unique desking solution that is highly functional and less

The Activity chair by Jack Wang features a weight-sensitive mechanism that responds to the body automatically and delivers comfort in an instant

THE INSIDE TRACK August 2016

The Optimis Desking System is a unique desking solution that is highly functional and less impactful on the environment

of meeting and side chairs that offer responsive movement and immediate comfort for collaborative spaces. The design uses four key parts to create every model in the group, so each retains the same visual appeal. For extra comfort, Keyn’s CradleFlex movement responds to shifts in posture, reclining up to 10 degrees. Among the international speakers were Eames Demetrios and Steve Frykholm. Demetrios is best known in the design world for his work as director of the Eames Office.

He works closely with Herman Miller to ensure the Eames furniture is always made authentically and he was instrumental in the founding of the Eames Foundation that preserves the Eames House. Frykholm was hired in 1970 by Herman Miller as its first in-house graphic designer and there was no looking back from there. His work has been published in books and periodicals nationally, while some of his initial works are on display at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. Contact web: www.hermanmiller.in

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THE INSIDE TRACK August 2016

he boring bathrooms of yore, those sterile rooms with no personality and little interest in aesthetics, may finally be retreating. This day was coming; living rooms have evolved, and have started to marry kitchens and dining rooms. Terraces can cradle swimming pools now. Entire homes have open schemes and fewer walls, and sometimes, even a deliberate thematic eclecticism. Why should the bathroom be any less a rebel then? From the form of tubs and make of faucets, to chandeliers on the ceilings, bathrooms have jumped into the deep end of makeovers, and it is pushing its tile design to uncharted territories. The initial evolution of tiles began when glossy, sedate floral and geometric motifs started to gain a faint but distinct textured appearance. These textures ignited a discussion on the ‘feel’ of tiles, on what the tiling of a space could communicate in terms of theme or

The Surprise and Many Delights of 3D Tiles The fascinating, startling era of 3D tiles is upon us, and we are ready to holler a big Hallelujah! BY LATIKA PAYAK Photo Courtesy:Green Leaf Technology

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A range of 3D tiles have made inroads into the Indian market as well, though at steep asking rates

personality. Pretty and efficient they remain as backsplashes and wallfloor accents, but they now signify more of the individuality of the resident. You see Moroccan tiles and you think of a well-travelled homeowner; an unusual display of colours conjures up Bohemian sensibilities; and clean lines and patterns often mean the home belongs to a minimalism enthusiast. This set the minds of designers rolling - can tiles become more of an experience? As virtual reality gains momentum, it seemed but natural that interior designers would gravitate towards creating a make-believe world as well. Some unasked questions emerged thus. Can waves adorn a bedroom? How would it feel to walk on a floor that seems to be collapsing into infinity? These ideas first got implemented Photo Courtesy:Green Leaf Technology

at high-profile shopping centres and other commercial establishments, places that could afford these expensive adornments. Images were angled and layering done with transparent tiles to give the floors a 3-dimensional effect. Usually these images revolved around the form of water, employing concepts of waves, coral-reefs or of pools populated with sharks. The aquatic theme gels well with a kitchen or a bathroom. But some adventurous souls have also turned to visuals of lush valleys, gaping canyons, and collapsing floors to whimsy up their home interiors, setting up big surprises for any first-time guest. These monstrous, mind-bending images albeit come with a word of caution attached. Over a period of time, disturbing or illusionary effects in 3D can add up to create a less than calming effect on the residents of a home. Keeping it blue, green, and carefully inventive 3D design works better in the long run. Happily, a range of 3D tiles have made inroads into the Indian market as well, though at steep asking rates. So the next time you step into someone’s bathroom and find a gaping canyon staring back at you, don’t be too surprised. Just revel in the experience.