The Inside Track December 2011 by The Inside Track

Volume 5. Issue 12. December 2011 Rs. 25/-

THE

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

Cover Story

ur recent chat with Mr. Pierre Yves Panis was an eye opener to say the least. The Vice President of Design and Art Direction at Legrand was on his first ever visit to India, and while there were still a few things he was getting used to, he was full of praise for what he had seen during his trip. Design is really integral to Legrand’s overall strategy. A clear indicator of its importance is the way the company is structured. Design at Legrand is part of their strategy department, a centrally located unit that does not belong to any other business cell but reports directly to the CEO. “My CEO says design is everyone’s business at Legrand,” beamed Mr. Pierre Yves Panis. The 70 year-old company believes in the mantra of ‘listen, design, make and support’ which has helped to create a global specialist in the electrical and digital building infrastructure with a presence in 180 countries and a turnover of 4 billion Euro. Having been at Legrand for the past 8 years and currently leading the design and art direction team at this conglomerate, Mr. Panis also got a chance to interact with members of the Indian Industrial design community during his visit. “I was in Pune last weekend for the opening of a design school, which had designers from both Mumbai and Pune visiting. But what I thought was very exciting was to see the work of young graduates and review their portfolios as well

“Design Is Everyone’s Business” The CEO of Legrand believes that design is everyone’s business and enforcing this mindset was Mr. Pierre Yves Panis, the Vice President of Design and Art Direction, who shared with us how important design really is at Legrand.

Mr. Pierre Yves Panis, the Vice President of Design and Art Direction was in India recently

as talk to them on their perspective of industrial design in India. To be very frank, I was astounded by the quality of the work I saw. Not just from the perspective of being able to execute, and by that I mean being able to do good form and function, but their ability to do observational work and ethnographic work,” he continued on page 2

The Arteor collection is designed with universal appeal and incorporates a unique iconography making it much easier to navigate and use

THE INSIDE TRACK December 2011

THE

INSIDE TRACK

CONTENTS

DECEMBER 2011

COVER “Design Is EverySTORY One’s Business” 1 Alex Davis Unveils ‘Dented Painted’ 4 The Latest On Recent Launches And Products 6 Singing A Different Tune 12 commented. With more than 4,000 active patents, the Legrand group is well-known for its innovations. Over 1,800 people work in its engineering and design offices, inventing and developing solutions for tomorrow. This design focussed company currently has its design studios located in the United States, France, China and Italy, and Mr. Panis hopes to have one in India very soon. “Design has been set up where there is a lot of product development. India being a world onto itself there is no question that there is huge value here. It is just about finding the right time to do it, the right expertise and the right projects also within the company to get it done,” added Mr. Panis on a promising note. In India, Legrand is headquartered in Mumbai and has 3 world class manufacturing facilities and an extensive network of over 6000 distribution partners. The company has also been at the forefront of introducing state-ofthe-art products, far more than many of its competitors. A recent big win for the company has been Arteor, a product range that is indicative and representative of the company’s focus on observation, design and innovation. “Arteor is what the company refers to as a ‘multi-cultural’ range. A product that is designed with universal appeal in the way it emotionally connects with consumers from different markets,” said Mr. Panis. The company has challenged many established codes with this product, right from its form to the unique iconography it incorporates, making the navigation of its interface so much easier when compared to other home-automation solutions that rely heavily on text related codes. “The hotel industry has jumped

at the Arteor range,” commented Mr. Palash Nandy, Vice President Marketing of the Legrand Group India. Available in a diverse range of colours, materials and designs, it combines great ergonomics and allows for a variety of combinations to suit different room decors. Its intuitive design and ‘easy to read’ iconography make it an ideal user interface for hotels where multiple programmable scenarios can be created. It also incorporates controls for blinds, curtains and lighting that can all be managed from a single interface by your bedside. Over the last 48 years, Legrand India has evolved to encompass a wide range of products and systems to meet the specific needs of the market. Today, it is the country’s undisputed leaders for MCBs, RCDs & distribution boards, with a very strong presence in wiring devices. With the company’s keen people-centric approach to product creation and design, the Indian market can certainly hope to see a continuous flow of chic products from this French innovator. Contact: tel: +91 22 30416200 www.legrand.co.in

Tata’s ‘Nano’ House 14 The Third Dimension 16 CitizenM - Built By Concrete 18 Exhibitions and Fairs 20 !ndialogues – Conversations with the World 22 Authentic Materials By Cassina 24 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 Editor Mr. Anish R. Bajaj THE INSIDE TRACK Volume 5. Issue 12. December 2011. English - Monthly. This issue contains 24 pages including both covers. Creative Director Natalie Pedder Assistant Editor Shweta Salvi, Sub-Editor Ahlam Rais, Debolina Sengupta Layout Design Krishnakant Surve, Asif Shayannawar Marketing: Mumbai B 62, Cotton Exchange Bldg, Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033 Tel: (022) 32656823, 23736133, 32958501 Fax: (022) 23743069 Email:response@ marvelinfomedia.com Delhi Ms Sumita Prakash, Flat F 304, Rajasthan C.G.H.S. Ltd,Plot No. 36, Sector 4, Dwarka, New Delhi Tel: 9899179540 Email: s_biswas1203@ yahoo. 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 Kolkata Mr Subrata Mazumder, 2, Nabapalli (Bidhanpalli). Kolkata 700084 Tel: (033) 2410 4296 Mob: 9831131395 Email: subrata22@rediffmail.com Europe Pavilion Francaise 1282, Rue du Noyer, bt 161030 Bruxelles, Belgium.

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“The hotel industry has jumped at the Arteor range,” says Mr. Palash Nandy, Vice President Marketing of Legrand Group India

Recycling old magazines and newspapers is one of the easiest ways to help the environment. To increase the supply of recoverable wood fibre and to reduce the demand on the world’s landfills, THE INSIDE TRACK urges its readers to actively participate in recycling efforts.

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THE INSIDE TRACK December 2011

Event Review ented Painted”, is a series of sculptures inspired by the visual vocabulary of vehicles. This is the latest body of work from artist Alex Davis. Having worked in stainless steel for many years, Davis has produced large painted sculptures playing with the graphics that adorn vehicles. The cryptic written word found often on the rear of public vehicles has communicated directions, slogans and

“D

Alex Davis Unveils ‘Dented Painted’ Alex Davis’ limited edition collection is inspired by the unique vocabulary and graphics you often see painted on vehicles and trucks.

Artist and designer, Alex Davis

them drama with the use of scale in his latest exhibition. He engages with the decorative language allowing the scale and context to transform them. The gaze of the viewer then adds to this, moving them from popular culture to art. Alex Davis is an artist and designer living and working in New Delhi. He has had various solo shows of his works in New Delhi, Chennai, Paris, Milan

sometimes nothing. The fonts were developed in an indigenous flavour, combining popular culture, street graffiti and a homegrown language. Highly decorative, these fonts evolved from a desire to adorn. The

vehicles became a family member of the owners and were sometimes named after loved ones. Like buying jewellery for a wife or daughter, the vehicle owners who spent a large amount of time with their vehicles started

decorating them and a new idiom developed around these vehicles creating a unique vocabulary that was visible on the streets and highways. It came to be recognised as an art form. Davis explores these forms giving

& Verona. His latest collection is now being exhibited now being exhibited at the Apparao Galleries at the Aman hotel in New Delhi. Contact: www.alexdavisdesign.com

THE INSIDE TRACK December 2011

It Products Asahi Introduces Décor Glass AIS Décor lacquered glass has a beautiful finish that comes in a variety of colours to choose from. This stunning glass

promises to give an alluring and delightful look to any interior. It has been designed in such a way that it’s easy to install, easy to use and also requires minimum maintenance. Along with the usage of eco-friendly paints during the manufacturing process, it is resistant to UV rays, moisture and heat. AIS Décor is great for indoors and ideal for high humidity areas like bathrooms and kitchens, both in domestic and commercial locations. Contact tel: 011 41001690 web: www.asahiindia.com

Spalicious By Nitco The Nitco Group Ltd. has launched their new Spa ceramic tile series that are not only durable, but are also long lasting and can handle moisture without any problem. Not only that, but they come in a variety of colours that are relaxing and fun. You can lay them as a solid single tone, or go a bit further and lay them in a pre-designed

mosaic format, or even create your own masterpiece! Choose them not only for their great aesthetic appeal and slip resistant properties, which are extremely important in wet and humid areas, but also for their safety factor. Contact tel: 91 22 66164555 web: www.nitcotiles.com

Pergo’s Titan X Surface The Swedish based company Pergo, one of thet best in laminate floorings, have always aimed at providing unique choices when it comes to floorings; be it for the living room or the kid’s room. The scratch and stain resistant features that can be found in Pergo’s patented Titan X surfaces makes their floorings more wear resistant and is an ideal choice for kid’s rooms. The Titan X surface features an extra protective layer that offers

the best scratch resistance in the market. The scratch resistant range is available at all of Pergo’s Design Centers spread across India. The planks are available in different formats of 1200 X 200mm, 1200 X 140mm and 650 X 350mm. All of Pergo’s laminate floorings are made out of Pergo’s trademark PerfectFold™, which makes the installation process easy. Contact web: www.pergo.com

Kohler’s New Toilet Seat Kohler has launched a new toilet seat which is perfect for new generation homes and bathrooms. With subtle styling and innovative technology, this Cachet seat fits most elongated toilets. The unique rubber bumpers and hinge design hold the seat firmly in place and prevents shifting. This Q3 advantage (Quiet-Close, QuickRelease and Quick-Attach) seat features innovative technology and makes the product easy to clean and easy to install. The Kohler seat is engineered to ensure a proper fit with subtle styling to complement toilets of many different designs. The Quiet-Close™ technology prevents the lid from slamming and increases safety while the Quick-Release™ technology allows easy access for cleaning. The design of the seat makes it fit elongated one and two-piece

toilets and is crafted out of solid polypropylene. Contact tel: 1800-103-2244 email: india@kohler.com web: www.kohler.co.in

THE INSIDE TRACK December 2011

It Products Jotun’s ‘Colour Trends 2011’

Jotun Paints has announced its range of Colour Trends 2011, which is based on current interior design trends that reflect the Indian culture and lifestyle. The new line is made up of four trends — 24 trendy colours; six colours per palette in each trend that can be achieved by using Jotun’s Fenomastic range. Jotun colour themes include ‘Festival of Colours’; ‘From the Earth’; ‘The Princesses’ and ‘Generations.’ The range also stresses on the use of ecofriendly raw forms of design; focusing on basic elements like greenery, mud, wood and stone. ‘The Princesses’ range provides users with a more chic and romantic look while ‘Generations’ pays tribute to age old ethnic patterns. ‘Festival of Colours’ provides a back draft for celebrating life and creates an ambience for eternal festivities. Contact tel: (022) 28224600 web: www.jotun.com

World Bazaar Launches Siesta

World Bazaar, a premium store for home furniture and interior décor has launched Siesta, a leading brand name in outdoor and indoor resin furniture from Isilplast (a world leader in plastic injection moulding). Their new product line of ‘Wicker Effect Resin Furniture’ is not only reasonably priced starting from Rs 5500, but is also durable and

of high quality, giving it a mass appeal. Because the body is made of high-end techno polymer material, the resulting product is durable and long lasting. The range comes in a variety of colours and styles and is also UV protected which prevents fading. Contact tel: 011 64640091 web: www.siesta.com

Insulla Roof And Deck Tiles Insulla Heat Insulation Tiles are made from Phase Change Material technology that uses micro encapsulated PCM’s that are leak-proof and stable, as well as have selected geo-inorganic products, using a special mechanical process. While these external tiles are smooth and glossy and are 100% waterproof, they also help in reducing power consumption by cooling the top floor of a building. Insulla tiles also help to reduce roofing costs, dead load and CFC emissions in a structure. Being more cost effective than lime terracing, they are an easy durable option. Its easy application makes Insulla tiles perfect for rooftops, building walls, cold storages, swimming pools and temple walk ways.

Contact tel: +91 44 24766212, 30626262 email: info@insulla.com web: www.insulla.com

Visage Introduces Kids Furniture Visage recently announced its tie-up with the Battistella Group based in Italy to bring exclusive Italian furniture for kids and teens to the Indian subcontinent. The entire range of furniture is modular, for inspiration there are about 20 basic design layouts in each category for kids and teens with endless possibilities for customisation. All the components of the room, starting from doors, beds, bed rails, wardrobes, shelves, study tables, book cases, and storage units have design, colour and material choices. Depending on the space availability, single

or double usage and colour choices, different elements can be selected to put together a room that is personalised to each child’s personality. The furniture is produced entirely in Italy using the highest quality materials and components - top of the line ironware, melamine anti-scratch finishes, tempered glass and anti-scratch rims are used maintaining the essence of craft-led production processes that meet all safety requirements. Contact tel: +91 8860055001 web: www. visageindia.in

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THE INSIDE TRACK December 2011

It Products Bosch’s Zeolite in India Bosch Home Appliances has launched its cutting edge ‘Zeolite Dishwasher’ in India. The Zeolite dishwasher is an energy efficient appliance that uses ‘zeolites’, a crystalline granule that reduces the energy consumption of a dishwasher by approximately 20%. The Zeolite dishwasher

incorporates some cutting edge technology and features including faster heating-up, optimised filter technology, targeted water distribution and improved pump performance. Its Active Water technology ensures the use of less water, less energy and more performance. The dishwasher also comes with a new unique rinse system that uses every drop of water to full effect. With the dishwasher’s convenient “VarioSpeed” function, one can get the dishes washed faster as the cycle time of the wash is reduced almost by half. This function comes useful when you don’t have much time for the wash. Contact tel: (080) 22999279 email: bpt@in.bosch.com web: www.boschindia.com

Greentech Solutions With Panache

India is a fast developing nation with an ever-growing need for energy. Everyone from builders to architects and even the end users are constantly looking for ways to enhances and protect the quality of construction and enhance energy-efficiency. Panache Greentech Solutions offers just the answer with their Cool Roof, wall and insulation Coatings, water proofingsolutions, hygiene coatings, anti corrosive

treatments, energy efficient roofing and wood finish coatings. All their products are eco friendly - like their reflective coatings that reduce indoor temperatures, thus saving on electricity by reducing AC consumption up to 40%. This product system as a result also combats global warming through their unique ‘green’ outlook. Contact tel: +91 265 2393123 web: www.panachegreen.com

Definitely LED

Westinghouse Appliances’ New Range of Heaters Westinghouse, a part of Westinghouse Electric Corporation, one of the most world-renowned names in the home appliance space has launched a new range of stylish room heaters. Keeping in mind the Indian market their latest range consists of fan heaters that provide rapid heating with less noise; ceramic heaters that are portable and ideal for a room or small office; convector heaters that are very much in demand for their safety features and oil filled radiators that are portable and do not dry out the skin due to their modern technology. Contact web: www.westinghouselifestyle.com

Lighting Science Group has on offer the Definity line of LED replacement lamps. It represents a paradigm shift in lighting technology. By taking a holistic systems approach, each part of the lamp is driven to maximise efficiency and performance. By looking at how each part works within the system, (LSG) is able to harmonise the function of the entire system – thereby delivering high performance and efficiency. Definity delivers the complete

package in LED lamps with high efficacy – 40-56 lumens per watt, various beam spreads (15-40 degrees), dimmable (compatible with most dimmers on the market), range of color temperatures (2700K - 5000K), high lumen output (up to 90W equivalent), low wattage (6-18W) and comes with 5-year limited warranty. Contact tel: (120) 4655344 email: orders@lsgc.com web: www.lsgc.com

THE INSIDE TRACK December 2011

It Products Stylish Coffee Table Collection By Vetra With the latest collection of stylish coffee tables by Vetra, you too can turn your outdoor space into a comfortable retreat.

The coffee table collection is designed using high-density polymer and stainless steel or aluminum, making it waterresistant. The coffee table sets can be left outside year round as they can withstand extreme temperatures, and UV protection means the colours won’t fade from the sun’s effects. Because of the materials used the collection is sturdy and durable, and maintenance is minimal plain soap and warm will do the trick. Contact tel: +91 11 65168626 email: info@vetrafurniture.com web: www.vetrafurniture.com

Baaya Design Launches Their New Store

Baaya Design – the Folk Art and Home Décor Store was launched at the Raghuvanshi Mills Compound, Lowerparel, Mumbai. The store has its own art gallery, and like the Indian weaverbird (Baaya), it offers a unique combination of utility and beauty. Baaya works with art from many Indian states and offers a folk art range that is unmatched. Their merchandise includes lamps,

Sandeep Paul’s Kitchen Army

mirrors, trays, coasters, clocks, desk items and other home products. Besides developing their own exclusive range of home décor accessories, they also provide consultancy services to individuals, hotels, corporate and retail houses with interior and gifting requirements. Contact tel: 9820694435 web: www.baayadesign.com

PortsideCafe’s New Collection PortsideCafe, the leather furniture boutique has come up with its new collection, which comprises of exclusive pieces that are highly individualistic and are not part of any collection. This time they have not only used leather, but have also played around with other material like metal and glass. The Charlie Sheen Bar console comes in colourful leather and mirrored

Designer Sandeep Paul’s Lilliput Army has been launched at Buzzaria in Delhi. Exhibited at the Ambiente Fair ‘11 in Frankfurt, Germany, these unique ‘assistants’ are certainly a needed dose of fun and utility to any kitchen! Just like a transcendental fakir would lie on a sharp bed of nails, Mr. Prick the toothpick holder is perfect for serving finger food. Mr. Big Head

on the other hand finds a good use for his oversized cranium, ensuring that napkins are neatly stored for instant access. Also in this quirky collection is Mr. Elevate – the spoon holder, Mr. Mind It – the fridge magnet and Mr. Strip Tease – the tissue roll dispenser. Contact tel: +91 8421747449 web: mylilliputarmy.blogspot.com

tiles – the perfect service counter to complement any bar. While the Khatiya Lounger is the ideal verandah accessory with its black polished wood, leather cushioned mattress and woven headrest. If novel fusion furniture is what you’re looking for, PortsideCafe is a great option. Contact tel: 011 46054371 / 020 32310464 / 022 22154541 web: www.portsidecafe.com

THE INSIDE TRACK December 2011

Green Speak

reativity, it is often said, is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration and when you have a working space like the Bamboo Symphony, the inspiration comes easy and the beads of perspiration evaporate even before they are formed. When architect Neelam Manjunath of Manasaram Architects was conceptualising her new office space, the genesis of the core design idea came from unexpected quarters. She shares, “Our ancestors have been using traditional fishing platforms for many centuries; these look

Singing A Different Tune Manasaram Architects have synergised indigenous material and technology to create their new office space called the Bamboo Symphony; an entry for the World Architecture Festival Awards, it teaches by the mere act of existing. BY HIMALI KOTHARI

The pre-fabricated concrete roof drapes over the structure almost like a cloth; this lends an eye-catching appeal to the entire building

haphazard but are in fact based on simple technology with high science. The informal character of the structure representing indigenous technical competence stimulated the concept of my office building.” The nomination of Bamboo Symphony in the prestigious 2011 World Architecture Festival in the mixed use office and small office categories is a validation of the execution of the unique idea. The office is conch-shaped, one room flowing into another, curving into a gentle spiral that leads down to a pond. Criss-crossed bamboo sticks form one length of the spiral. It may appear that there is no method to the layout of the bamboo framework but it is in fact a precise matrix to ensure that the load is distributed homogenously while the exceptionally high tensile strength of the material used provides it adequate strength and stability. There is no room for any doors or any windows in this design and the spaces created by the network of bamboo sticks bring the surrounding natural landscape indoors. Throwing light on her mode of construction, Neelam says, “Architecture in the West is seen to use a heavy

Storm water run-offs from the roof collect into the rain-water harvest pond at the crux of the conch-like shape of the structure

foundation to which a lighter roof is attached, we have topped a light structure of bamboo with a heavy roof!” But, innovation always seems to be accompanied by obstacles and the team at Manasaram had to face a fair share of their own. Neelam says, “The main issue was the testing of the structure before casting the slab. We conducted a live experiment on the spot the traditional way, with old discard-able bamboos before putting in the final elements.” “The structure is our favourite feature, together with the continuity of the lines in the ceiling, walls and floors. This supplies the impression of motion unobtrusively and at all times as opposed to the serene ambience of the office which eases all stress and sets the creative juices flowing,” says Neelam. Add to that the rugged terrain encircling the building, the small flowering bushes dotting the surrounds and the rain-water harvesting pond cocooned in the centre and what you have is the ideal al fresco work-environment. The interior is minimal and understated. The use of wood and bamboo in

Multiple floor solutions albeit all locally sourced and sustainable have been opted for

THE INSIDE TRACK December 2011

Wooden flooring, wood and bamboo furniture and the raw texture of the ceiling, all create a rustic atmosphere

The high tensile strength of the bamboo along with the precise engineering of the grid formation lends strength and stability to the building

the furniture and stone walls not only lend a rustic feel but also help in blending the building seamlessly with its surrounds, further blurring the already thin line present between the indoors and the outdoors. Environmental sustainability has been intricately integrated into the creation, planning and construction of this space. The few walls that exist have been made out of mud blocks created from the immediate materials found right at the site. Other recycled elements that have been

A view of the cool water body nearby, serves to calm frayed nerves whenever required

The bamboo grid creates a non-existent ‘wall’ ensuring ample light and ventilation throughout the day

The seamless integration of the outdoors and indoors ensures that the views of the rugged landscape become an intrinsic part of the interior design

incorporated into the construction include fly-ash, wood, metal scrap and stone. An entire ‘wall’ made of a bamboo frame brings enough daylight into the office; this not only eliminates the use of practically any artificial light during the day but also promotes cross-ventilation. The pond at the core of the structure is an important part of the rainwater harvesting system in place. Special installations have been placed to direct the recycled water towards gardening, cleaning, flushing and other on-site requirements. Manasaram Architects’ design philosophy focuses on building with local materials and exploring traditional technologies. Neelam says, “We try to add our technological expertise and aesthetic sensibilities to create benchmarks which are both traditional and cutting-edge.” The use of locally available materials like bamboo and drawing inspiration from the structure of a fishermen’s platform aligns Bamboo Symphony with the firm’s design beliefs. With the advent of new material, traditional substances like bamboo and mud have been relegated to the category of ‘poor material’. Projects like Bamboo Symphony endeavour to reverse this trend and replace steel, concrete, glass, etc with a hardy and rapidly renewable material such as the bamboo. Contact: Manasaram Architects Ar. Neelam Manjunath No 7, Aditigreenscapes, Survey No. 20, Venkateshpura, Sampigehalli Road, Bangalore 560064, tel: +91 80 22792658 email: mansarch@gmail.com

THE INSIDE TRACK December 2011

Spot Light

he Tata Group has always made headlines for making some of the ‘cheapest’ products in the industry. But the word ‘cheapest’ seems rather derogatory, it is indeed the efforts of the group to create ‘affordable’ products for the common man that needs to be recognised. Current statistics suggest that 35% of the people of India fall below the poverty line and about 30% belong to the lower middle

Tata’s ‘Nano’ House Shelter is one of humanity’s most basic needs and owning a house is a dream come true for a large majority of Indians. Tata’s prefab home holds a promise to make India’s ‘aam Admi’ feel like a king. BY SHWETA SALVI

A model of the Tata ‘Nano’ house which will cost approximately 32,000 rupees. The prototypes are currently being tested in West Bengal and the final product is expected to be ready and available to the Indian market early next year

class. This just confirms that the core end-user of the country belongs to this impoverished class, thereby making it vital for industry to cater to their needs. The Tata Group has always maintained the right balance in their business portfolio, be it their Nano car or the low costing housing project in Boisar on the outskirts of Mumbai. However, the latest in line of their innovative product launches is a $720 prefab house. A residence that can be built in the span of a week, this flat-pack home will be constructed with coconut fibre or jute walls and is modelled to cover 215 square feet.

The basic model of the house, which is dubbed as the ‘Nano’ house, will cost 32,000 rupees ($720) and has a life expectancy of 20 years. The group plans to offer a complete prefab kit containing windows, roofs, doors and more that will be available to customers. With its short life span, Tata’s flatpack may not be ideal for city developments but is a boon for the rural sector. Tata plans to sell it to private buyers who own plots of land as well as to state governments planning mass residential schemes for India’s homeless and poor. After several consultations with the local panchayats, the group has fine-tuned the design and has made

THE INSIDE TRACK December 2011

plans to market a revised version with a verandah, which is an essential feature found in vernacular rural architecture. This larger version (300 sq feet) will also come with rooftop solar panels. “We have already prepared two-three different designs based on discussions with users and are gathering more feedback,” says Sumitesh Das, the head of the project at Tata. The house is slated to be launched in 30 locations in the country and is currently being tested in West Bengal. The final product will be ready and available to the Indian market early next year. With this concept materialising, we would certainly move towards bridging the large chasm between the rich and the poor of the country. The ‘Nano’ house may not be a ‘merc’– sized dream, but it undoubtedly is every common man’s reality of owning an affordable and practical home that provides adequate shelter. Contact: Tata Group, Bombay House, 24, Homi Mody Street, Mumbai – 400 001 tel: 91 022 66658282

Some Other Affordable Housing Concepts The $300 House The $300 house was a competition initiated by Harvard Professor Vijay Govindarajan and marketer Christian Sarkar. This competition urged big corporate houses and designers to collaborate and come up with an affordable home design. Having made their selection, the six winners are currently prototyping their designs. web: www.300house.com

The Ecodome House The Eco-Dome is a small home design of approximately 400 square feet (40 sq. meters) interior space. It consists of a large central dome, surrounded by four smaller niches and a windscoop, in a clover leaf pattern and costs about $3200. Another approach to home and shelter building is thin-shell concrete Domes called “EcoShells.” Built to last over 500 years, EcoShells are impervious to bugs, mold and rot. They are fire-proof and withstand even the most severe hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes. web www.calearth.org

THE INSIDE TRACK December 2011

Spot Light

he future of design is more accessible than we may think. And we are not talking about cutting edge design and new materials, but about how the creations are brought to life. We are talking about printing creations like tables and chairs and knick knacks on a 3D printer. Using a concept called Rapid Prototyping, a machine ‘prints’ a layer at a time (0.0035 Inches or 0.004 inches thick) till the entire 3D model is completely built. Fre e d o m o f Cre a t i o n , a n

The Third Dimension There was a time when printing on a mug or a t-shirt sounded futuristic, but with the rapid development in technology, you can now print furniture and décor – all in 3D. Freedom of Creation explains how. BY DEBOLINA SENGUPTA

The FOC Collection by Freedom of Creation has opened a vast array of opportunities using 3D printing for interior décor products and fashion accessories

Amsterdam based company is working on this and more. Their efforts can make the design community work seamlessly without the boundaries of shipping and materials. For Freedom of Creation, the entire process provides a lot of flexibility in terms of customising and personalising design. “International clients relying

on FOC Projects not only include some of the biggest companies in the world such as Philips, LVMH, Hyundai, Asics, Nokia, Nike, L’Oreal and Heineken. Due to the technology being so flexible, we also work with the local butcher creating just one custom-made product as a birthday present for his wife,”

THE INSIDE TRACK December 2011

Personalised gadgets look impressive with 3D printing technology

they share. For instance, since production costs are high, simple accessories like mobile covers need to be mass produced. If someone wants a personalised cover, it’s a complicated expensive process. With 3D printers, it’s easy as the machine prints one product at a time. The possibilities are of this technology are vast. Designers sitting in different parts

of the globe can email their designs made on CAD to their clients divided by distance. With a 3D printer, the end consumer can just take the softcopy of the design and let the printer do the rest of the work. The cost of production and shipping is vastly reduced. Freedom of Creation has opened a vast array of opportunities using 3D printing for interior décor

products and fashion accessories. The first Laser Sintered light shade was conjured up by Janne Kyttanen in the year 2000. The FOC Collection by Freedom of Creation is an edition of exclusive design objects, furnishing complements, lighting and accessories also conceived by Kyttanen, who is a founder of FOC. Design is getting more personal and customised. With the cost of 3D printing

machines reducing, the scope and future of such a personalised creative solution appears to be a very interesting prospect for the design fraternity. Contact: Freedom Of Creation B.V. Cruquiuskade 85-87 1018 AM Amsterdam, The Netherlands tel/fax: +31 (0) 20 675 84 15 web: www.freedomofcreation.com

THE INSIDE TRACK December 2011

Spot Light

aking the life of hotel owners and guests easy is Concrete, a multi-disciplinary Dutch design firm who has developed a very novel (and quick) way to build fully functional hotels – one room at a time. Along with the hotel chain CitizenM, they are on a mission to revolutionise the concept of building hotels. Stripping off all hidden costs, CitizenM are budget hotels with a luxury feel. How do they manage it? The first CitizenM opened in

CitizenM - Built By Concrete How quickly can an architect build a hotel with world class interiors and precise design maintaining the standard of every room? The Dutch design firm of Concrete would say three months. BY DEBOLINA SENGUPTA

The hotel rooms are all prefabricated and produced in CitizenM’s own factory which are transported to the hotel location completely ready!

2008 at Schiphol Airport and took the hospitality industry by storm. The hotel comprises of 215 rooms of 14 sq. metres each, all prefabricated and produced in CitizenM’s own factory which was transported to the hotel location completely ready! Each hotel room is built to precise specifications with standard interiors and connections for electricity and water. A king size bed and two glass cylinders acting as the bathroom and the washbasin invite every guest into the room. The bed seconds as a lounge area with a flat screen television adorning

the wall. Explaining the bathroom design, Concrete says, “The shower exists as one fixed half cylinder and two quarter cylinder sliding doors, all made of transparent glass. While the toilet exists as a fixed half cylinder and two quarter cylinder sliding doors, made of dusted glass. Both the ceiling of the toilet as the ceiling of the shower is translucent, showing the colours of the RGB led-strings on top.” Each room is created keeping in mind the efficient use of space. Take for instance the mirror installation which acts as a full length mirror on

one side and the other side which has theatrical lights acting as a makeup mirror. Wherever possible, Concrete has made the effort to create storage space. CitizenM believes a great bed and a simple and clean bathroom is all a guest needs during a city or business trip, the design is focused on this premise. The rooms are stacked from the ground floor up in a grid like arrangement with a self-check in lobby as you enter. What the hotel owner gets is a hotel ready to open its doors in a few months compared to the few years it may take to get one ready the

THE INSIDE TRACK December 2011

CitizenM believes a great bed and a simple and clean bathroom is all a guest needs during a city or business trip

From the outside the CitizenM hotel looks exactly like what it is – stacked up boxes which double as hotel rooms

Each hotel room is built to precise specifications with standard interiors fitting into a 14 sq. metre space

conventional way. CitizenM plans at inaugurating another 20 hotels across the globe with the same room module as the building block. “Concrete created the concept of CitizenM as a holistic plan that would set the boundaries for every creative process and output in all disciplines involved,” says the company. CitizenM is certainly changing the definition of hotel architecture and building; and from the outside it looks exactly like what it is – stacked up boxes which double as hotel rooms. Contact: Citizen hotels Leidseweg 219 2253 AE Voorschoten The Netherlands fax: + 31 (0)20 8117 049 email: info@citizenm.com

THE INSIDE TRACK December 2011

Fair News

Pittsburgh Remodelling Expo

Trendset Munchen 2012 Date 6 - 8 January, 2012 Venue New Munich Trade Fair Centre, Germany Contact email: info@messe-trendset.de web: www.messe-trendset.de Trendset Munchen is an international trade fair where living, dining and lifestyle products take centre stage. As a biannual order fair it holds as an important forum for the majority of European manufacturers, importers and commercial agents of international businesses. Organized by Messe Munchen GmbH, the Trendset Munchen offers wide opportunities to new artists to exhibit products like antique jewellery, furniture, clocks and other lifestyle products. Held at New Munich Trade Fair Centre, Germany, the event is attended by various art and antique professionals, cultural foundations, craftsmen and artisans.

Pittsburgh Remodelling Expo 2012

finishing, waterproofing, smart home automation, energy efficient windows and exterior products. This all encompassing event will surely put you on the path towards making your dream home a reality.

Heimtextil Japan 2012 Date 11 - 14 January, 2012 Venue Tokyo International Exhibition Center, Japan Contact web: www.heimtextil.messefrankfurt.com

Date 6 – 8 January, 2012 Venue David L Lawrence Convention Center, USA Contact email: info@homeshowcenter.com web: www.homeshowcenter.com Pittsburg Remodelling expo is an exclusive show dedicated to home and home interiors. This comprehensive and expansive home show brings together homeowners and many of the most knowledgeable experienced remodeling and building experts. From the smallest design detail to the largest house addition, every aspect of the home can be explored. At the expo, professionals will be on hand to share their valuable knowledge to bring your ideas to life or inspire you with new ones. Apart from the latest innovations and design trends, experts will be showcasing everything for the home including the latest in cabinetry and countertops, flooring, sunrooms and additions, basement

Heimtextil is one of the biggest international trade fair for home and contract textiles. Held early in the year, in January, Heimtextil is the annual starting point for manufacturers and trade visitors from all over the world and the foremost global-orientation event. Trade visitors from all the continents attend Heimtextil to find new suppliers for all qualities and product groups. Pioneering innovations and the latest trends for the basis for new collections and changes in demand behavior are some of the highlights of the event. Heimtextil 2012 will focus on positive developments in the market for green textiles. Visitors are assured a dynamic and busy atmosphere in the exhibition halls with interest being shown in products of all kinds, the latest design impulses, new entrepreneurial approaches and innovative textile solutions. With its well thought-out product groups, Heimtextil is distinguished by a strictly success-oriented structure. This includes the purposeful division into household and home textiles, plus the ‘more’ premium segment, special areas for Asian exhibitors and much more. Moreover, the transparent guidance system makes it easy for visitors to quickly gain an overview at the world’s biggest event of its kind. At Heimtextil, interior decorators, architects and designers search for innovative and creative solutions for their projects. For suppliers of contract textiles, the fair is an extremely interesting market revolving around he subject of interior design and textiles. Additionally, contract creations is a renowned brand created by Heimtextil especially for this successful segment of the market.

Contractworld 2012 Date 14 - 17 January, 2012 Venue Deutsche Messe Hannover, Germany Contact email: info@messe.de web: www.globalfairs.fr Heimtextil Japan

Contractworld, the premier meeting place for architects and interior

THE INSIDE TRACK December 2011

Fairs & Exhibitions Date 14 - 16 December, 2011: Intersolar India Venue Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai Contact www.intersolar.in Intersolar India is the premier exhibition and conference for the photovoltaics and solar thermal industries in India. The event brings together industry professionals from the entire solar eco-system that includes materials, equipments, PV cells and module manufacturers and distributors; inverter and balance of systems suppliers; solar thermal manufacturers and distributors, project developers, service companies; the finance and banking community; and policy makers. With a mission to offer alternative energy resources, the event strives to offer the best possible product to the exhibitors, visitors and the worldwide photovoltaic industry. It also attempts to inform solar professionals about the latest market developments, promote effective production methods, offer valuable finance and project planning information, provide information on how to install and utilise various systems as well as illuminate the political atmosphere for photovoltaic technology. Date 16 - 18 December, 2011: The Economic Times Acetech - Delhi Venue Pragati Maidan, New Delhi Contact www.etacetech.com The Economic Times Acetech is one of the largest exhibition in the country on architecture, construction, engineering and building materials. It is an ideal platform which promises to showcase the best in construction materials, construction technologies, stones, paints, steel, building materials and components, electrical and industrial electronics industry, roofing and facades, construction

designers is one of Europe’s biggest forum for architects, interior designers, designers and planners, who will all converge at the Hannover Exhibition Center to share their latest information, knowledge and experiences. Contractworld expo offers new perspectives to the participating companies for an improved communication with architects and interior designers. Several companies use this forum at Contractworld to report about excellent and interesting contacts. An extensive program of lectures and discussions makes the Contractworld congress the place to be for architects, interior designers and planners interested in a top level dialogue and exchange of ideas on topical issues and trends. Featuring an extensive array of offerings, Contractworld has established itself both as a key component of the Domotex Hannover international floor coverings trade fair and as a networking hub for the architectural community. As at previous installments, Contractworld 2012 will feature presentations, information forums on new materials viewed through the prism of sustainability plus other hot topics, while guaranteeing ample opportunity for discussion among exhibitors and visitors. The exhibition will be structured according to the following keynote themes: office, hotel, shop and education / training / healthcare. This will help visitors to find what interests them most among the wealth of exhibits. Furthermore, architects and interior designers will benefit from the introduction of regular guided tours for architects dedicated to these keynote themes.

Bau 2012 Date 14 – 19 January, 2012 Venue New Munich Trade Fair Centre, Germany Contact email: info@messe-muenchen.de web: www.bau-muenchen.de Bau presents architecture, materials and systems for industrial, commercial and residential construction as well as interior design. Every two years, it brings together all the industry’s market leaders in a unique exhibition and is thus one of the most important events

machinery and equipments etc. Technical knowledge in a neutral and marketing free environment is one of the highlights of the event. This event is the best place for highlighting architectural products, services, technologies and equipment. The enormous event gives exhibitors an opportunity to present their brands amongst the biggest names in the building materials and construction industries. This exhibition will prove to be an encyclopedia for sourcing products and services and a launch pad for state of the art new products. Date 18 - 22 January, 2012: Elecrama 2012 Venue Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai Contact www.elecrama.com Elecrama is the world’s largest electrical T&D exhibition held biennially in Mumbai, India since 1990. From its humble beginnings in 1990 which saw 283 exhibitors and 30,000 visitors, it has grown to be the world’s largest one-stop-shop for electrical and industrial electronics. In its ninth edition; Elecrama 2010 hosted 1,243 exhibitors from 23 countries including India and attracted 1,05,209 footfalls into the exhibition including visitors from 120 countries. 95% of the Indian Electrical Industry manufacturers across the entire T&D value chain conforming to global standards come together to showcase their development and manufacturing strength. As the largest confluence of the power transmission and distribution sector ranging from 110V to 1200kV and HVDC transmission, Elecrama offers an international framework, for display, discussions and deliberations amongst global T&D fraternity comprising of business people, thought leaders, technologists and professionals from the utilities, industry and academia.

Trendset Munchen

of the European building industry. Renovation and modernisation of buildings is one of the most important tasks of the building industry. BAU 2012, in cooperation with the Federal Ministry of housing and the Bundesarbeitskreis Altbauerneuerung concentrates all initiatives and activities on this topic in one single hall. Bau 2012 will feature the following main themes, each broken to various exhibition sectors that complement one another in a shared, new context. The themes include energy-efficient buildings, intelligent building covers, renovations and modernisation, architectural surfaces, barrier- free building and building security. At Bau 2012, these will be reflected in almost all sections of the exhibition. The exhibiting companies will be offering their individual solutions, and comprehensive information will be supplied in a range of forums, special exhibitions and congresses at the trade fair.

THE INSIDE TRACK December 2011

Event Review

he !ndialogues 2011 conference was held from the 18th to the 19th of November 2011. With its crispy tagline ‘conversations with the world,’ the two day conference was the brainwork of ‘India Future of Change’, a five year initiative that promises to open new opportunities and avenues for India by nurturing the intellectual and creative power of young minds in order to create a better future for mankind. The organisation also undertakes multiple contests and conferences

!ndialogues – Conversations with the World The !ndialogues 2011 conference, an initiative by ‘India Future of Change’ aims to offer fresh and innovative ideas to create a strong impact on the future. BY AHLAM RAIS

Oliver Blanchard, winner of the International category

Pragya Singh, winner of the National category

to encourage innovative ideas and concepts. The captivating event focused on various aspects that would facilitate India to become the catalyst of positive transformation. Prominent dignitaries from across the globe were also invited to share their viewpoint with the Indian audience. Apart from the intense discussions and interesting debates, the event also highlighted the importance of sustainability and the need for futuristic design ideas. The main highlight of !ndialogues 2011 was its enthralling design competition where young minds presented their ideas of change which they believed could help and contribute in shaping India’s future. The winner of this competition in the overseas category was Oliver Blanchard from University of Plymouth, UK for his ‘Low Cost Sachet Syringe’ and the national category winner was Pragya Singh from National Institute of Design, India for her ‘chair’ for children suffering from lower limb diplegia. The Low Cost Sachet Syringe is a unique concept as Oliver Blanchard has redesigned the medical syringe

THE INSIDE TRACK December 2011

Designer Valerie Casey at the event

which helps reduce the packaging weight, components needed and also includes an inbuilt safety cap for safe disposal. It’s an innovative new syringe that allows injections to be administered at a cost which is 53 percent less than the traditional syringe. He has developed the needle cap and transformed it into a tool that administers drugs from pre-

filled and flexible medicine sachets. The winners were awarded a prize of 35,000 USD as a grant for conceiving their innovations. The two day conference also included an award ceremony acknowledging the 30 shortlisted international young talents who presented at the mega event. The organisation India Future of

Oliver Blanchard’s ‘Low Cost Sachet Syringe’

Change is set to reach out to campuses across the world with India-specific design content and also plans to build a strong platform that bridges between Indian concerns, global interests and vice versa. Over the next five years, they intend putting together a body of knowledge that can be showcased as the achievement of a collaborative effort of students

from across the world at many international platforms. Contact: India Future of Change The IdeaWorks, 11 A, 2nd floor Savitrinagar Main Road Malviyanagar, New Delhi 110017 tel: +91-11-40502148 web: www.indiafutureofchange.com

POSTAL REGISTRATION NO. MH/MR//EAST/129/2011-13 RNI NO. MAHENG/2007/19853. POSTED AT MUMBAI PATRIKA CHANNEL SORTING OFFICE, MUMBAI G.P.O. 400001 ON 15TH & 16TH OF EVERY MONTH

THE INSIDE TRACK December 2011

Spot Light

assina’s Authentic Materials, is basically 3 new projects and 4 re-editions of works designed by Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Gerrit T. Rietveld, now available in the Cassina I Maestri Collection. The heart of this project lies in the natural beauty of the materials used, such as wood and marble. Cassina entered the homes of these great architects and reinterpreted their private furnishings, several of which are historical pieces that the architects designed for their own homes, their studios or as a personal study or experimentation. Charlotte Perriand’s passion for the mountains is clear in two models that Cassina has revisited for the first time. The ‘Tabouret Méribel’ and the ‘Tabouret Berger’, both elegant stylizations of the traditional milking stool. The ‘Table En Forme Libre’, also designed by her, was identified by Cassina as the most suitable for modern living, with its solid black

‘Authentic Materials’ By Cassina Cassina’s new collection ‘Authentic Materials’ is 7 projects by Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret & Gerrit T. Rietveld, united in design by the use of natural materials. varnished oak surface, great for even the smallest area. ‘Plana’, designed by Perriand in 1969 for the Japanese Embassy in Paris, has also been introduced with a new finish that embellishes the visual movement of the wood. Le Corbusier’s dining room table in your own home is now possible! Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand designed this original marble top table in 1934 for Le Corbusier’s Parisian apartment. Today, Cassina presents this re-edition with a walnut surface,

The ‘Tabouret Méribel’ and the ‘Tabouret Berger’ are both elegant stylizations of the traditional milking stool

refinishing it with a matt varnish that enhances the wood grain. Cassina has also rediscovered several variations on the ‘Zig Zag’ chair, by the brilliant Dutch architect Gerrit T. Rietveld. An interpretation created with the consent of Rietveld’s heirs, the varnished cherry-wood version is now available in ash with either a natural finish or an open pore varnish in blue, red, yellow, black and white. A dissection into geometric planes

and surfaces is evident in the new version of the Utrecht sofa as well. In keeping with Rietveld’s spirit of innovation Cassina introduces a two and three-seater sofa characterised by a straight backrest that can be rested against a wall. United by the sensorial charm of natural materials, Cassina now delivers the classics with a slight twist, perfect for any modern day home. Contact: web: www.cassina.com

Cassina has also rediscovered several variations on the ‘Zig Zag’ chair by the brilliant Dutch architect Gerrit T. Rietveld