Volume 10. Issue 10 . October 2016 Rs. 25/-
THE
INSIDE TRACK CONNECTING THE DESIGN COMMUNITY Now view our web edition at www.theinsidetrack.in
Cover Story
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rom once being dominated by big-box retailers the home décor scene in India is undergoing a serious change with few creative minds leading the charge. As The Inside Track Celebrates its 10th Anniversary, we present you with a list of best creative entrepreneurs and their brands which have created a buzz in the décor industry. Desi Jugaad The idea of ‘jugaad’ highly ingenious re-use or re-purposing of ordinary, everyday items into useful products has long threatened to become a trait ubiquitous to India. Candid street photography by travellers exposes this truth with regular frequency. Guess then, it is the spirit of jugaad itself which makes entrepreneurs in the country take up this impluse and transform it into an art form! Owning the old crude upcycling trend and giving it expert finishes of colour, texture and multiplicity of use, taking it from the low-end of aesthetic scale to the chic point. Desi Jugaad, born in 2015, is a resident of this realm. The team is perennially inspired by the local spirit of jugaad, blending it with a globally-relevant capability at transforming the idea into visually stunning, professionally-polished products. The firm’s collections of
Creative Entrepreneurs Shine In India Creative, quirky and classy 2016 is all about innovative minds. lamps, furniture pieces, pouffes, ottomans, framed mirrors, storage chests, stools, clocks, magnetic boards, and photo frames, all belong to the earthy, distinctly-Indianmotifs design trend that took over popular consciousness in the country a decade ago. It has, in fact, become a market that is difficult to stand out in. Desi Jugaad does so by sticking religiously to its core idea, and joining it in happy matrimony with delectable patterns - think floral, fish, birds, tartan, paisley, chevron, and more. It is a deft game of balance they play, thankfully really well! A great example here is the ‘Roped with a Twist Ottoman’, created out of old tyres and wrapped in a tight jute sari, now a piece so fashionable it is easy to forget where it came from. The ‘Wok The Talk Stool’ and the ‘Balti Stool’ highlight the team’s talent with visualising basic-shaped regular home items as
Desi Jugaad: House of orange chest upcycled from set of old drawers
Roped with a Twist Ottoman by Desi Jugaad
having more purpose than intended. Throw in high-sheen bold colours, slickly-polished base materials, and a great ergonomic manoeuvre, and voila! Beyond the environmentfriendliness of the upcycling, Desi Jugaad products’ colour scheme is a stand-out. The schemes celebrate vibrancy and hue-specific psychological benefits at home settings. So the ‘House Of Orange Chest Upcycled’ is a mellow drippy orange, pink and cream, a perfect bedside companion to de-stress with. Or the old paint-brush lamp, the bristles still soaked in different oily paints, shooting out wisps of whimsical rays that can perk up any corner of a home or store. While its colourful, patterned upholstery-fitted pieces are the epitome of quiet elegance, its upcycled metal creations stand strong without falling over on that precarious edge - products created out of greasy old metal parts. Take, ‘Motor Away - Floor Lamp’
- “with the headlight aesthetically amalgamated with the body of a bicycle, adjustable height, a speedometer and a bell that goes ‘Tring Tring’”. It is a fantastic piece that showcases the team’s vision with restorative design as well as its keen eye for aesthetics. Desi Jugaad creates original products sure, but it also offers to restore old furniture items, or even make-over segments of a home. Its motto, after all, is ‘Restore. Reuse. Re-love.’ Desi Jugaad is a perfect playing ground for fashion merchandiser, Kritika Gattani, and former IT research analyst and permanent jugaadu-expert, Ishita Gupta. Together they channel a mutual love for fabrics and colours in a handcrafted universe, along with a fond belief in ‘yesterday’ - “What we see is what we can relate to hence we can proudly say, Desi Jugaad has been conceptualised from yesterday.” continued on page 2
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THE INSIDE TRACK October 2016
THE
INSIDE TRACK
CONTENTS
OCTOBER 2016
Light Glows collection by Light-Fish
continued from page 1 LiGHT-FiSH Amidst the international communitybased bonhomie of Auroville in Pondicherry thrives Light-Fish, a firm that aims to “lead sustainable design in India”. Started by Samvit Blass and his brother Rishi in 2009, the team works across a fluid work portfolio that mainly includes product design (with a heavy tilt towards lighting products, including street lighting) and product animation, though the team is always up for “anything else that might come up while running a company.” In its creative process, LightFish channels an almost spiritual
reverence to substance, running an idea through exhaustive sketching and 3D modelling work, before refining it further through rendering and prototype-building (with a special talent for glass and metal finishing). The team’s core focus is on building highly-functional and environment-friendly products, with the L-F lightning collection being the firm’s representative product line. Blass’ “love, peace and design” life motto permeates the demeanour of the firm he helped found. His life journey has spanned Pondicherry (Auroville), Boston (the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, in pursuit of a degree in Industrial Design), Shanghai and Mumbai (at both places as teacher of continued on page 3
COVER Creative Entrepreneurs STORY Shine in India 1 Products To Have For A New Home! 6 Kajaria Ceramics Launches Eternity Tile Collection 10 Kengo Kuma’s V&A Design Museum 12 A Glowing Tribute 13 Mulling Over Sustainability 14 Bringing A German Touch To India 16 Shaw’s Ambitious Plans For India 18 Pentagon Design Visit To Showcase VitrA’s Nest Collection 19 Kitchen Scenario In India 20 Anchor Launches ‘Neue Archi’ For The Indian Market 22 Glitorium:Tiling Its Way To The Top 24 The Latest On Recent Launches And Products 25 In The Company Of Temples 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 10. October 2016. English - Monthly. This issue contains 28 pages including both covers. Creative Director Natalie Pedder-Bajaj Assistant Editor Shweta Salvi. Sub-Editor Sneha Lukka 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 October 2016
The Cones collection by Light-Fish
Design at Raffles University), and back to Auroville (where Light-Fish moved to from Mumbai in 2010). Co-founder Rishi heads the Kamataru Forest Project under the aegis of the firm, helping supply wood sourced only from naturally fallen trees to be used to create the products. Bengaluru-based Vyom, a furniture concern begun by another great believer in sustainable local design, Deepak Johhari, partners Light-Fish in the creation of furniture pieces strong both in make and contemporary minimalist aesthetics (cue ‘Flamingo’ chairs). Light-Fish’s method is best exemplified by ‘The Geeks’ and ‘The Cones’ lamp collections. Crafted out of (acacia) wood and aluminium, and fitted with high-efficiency LED bulbs, the lamps effuse a simple but sturdy aura that can find a place on a work table as well as a party wall. Like the firm, the lamps seem to have come alive through an amiable alchemy of calm but sharply-detailed design sensibilities. They stick to tall or stout conical forms, with the hinges across which they bend to the user’s command. The wood’s gradient has been polished even, but it retains its natural etchings, curiously according the lamps a disciplined, clean-lined look. For whimsy, approach ‘The Grappa Collection’ - populated by aluminium-corked upcycled wine
The Geeks collection by Light-Fish
bottles, now exuding diffused, mysterious streams of light. The elegance of this collection is centred on the even monochromatic hues of the lamps, their shiny smooth finish setting them apart from cruder versions of used-bottle lights. L i g h t - Fi s h e x p re s s e s i t s appreciation of layered design through aluminium-acrylic-and stainless steel marvels created under its ‘Metal Art’ collection. The deceptively slender, nature-inspired designs are held together by design genius (and interlocks), as opposed to adhesive or screws. Light-Fish, with its fun fish logo seemingly inspired by a happy Coelacanth, wants to be a force for good design. And it is delivering on its promise, brilliantly! Sylvn Studio Modern homes today often wish to include environmentally sustainable elements in their design, both foundationally and as part of the interiors. This green revolution has been such a solid architectural and design trend that it has come to define the practices of entire firms, and some very dedicated professionals the world over. One such professional is Mumbai-based Bandana Jain, alumnus of Sir JJ School of Art, Mumbai, and the owner of Sylvn St u di o , which specialises in
Grille Wall Sconce by Sylvn Studio
producing earth-friendly home décor and furniture items crafted out of recycled materials. Jain’s impressive journey began from her own home. “After a lot of experimentation with designs and colours, I was able to create a beautiful unique look for my lounge. The appreciation that I received, inspired me to take it up on a bigger scale and this became the root of Sylvn Studio,” she stated in an interview. Sylvn Studio’s latest addition to its impressive repertoire of handcrafted lamps is the ‘Stellar Wall Sconce’ collection, comprised of four pieces that are in true style, inspired by nature. The lamps - Constellation, Estrella, Galaxy, and Grille - are typical totems of Sylvn Studio’s design style. When looked at closely, they give off an impression of being
fundamental, something cellular -it is composed of a tight network of thin horizontal bands with wavy details between them, laid out like the grids of a brick wall. Like in the cosmos itself, all these lamp pieces are stand-alone show-stoppers, but deep inside are borne out of each other, or formed when some of their parts amalgamated. You will find them still holding parts of each other within their forms. “It’s rough, it’s uneven, just like nature,” the teams re-iterates on the collection’s page. The beauty of collections like the ‘Stellar Wall Sconce’ is in their talent for converting basic geometry we see almost everywhere into something special. These lamps do what lamps should ideally do, let just enough light to pass though, and create some drama on the walls!
Galaxy Wall Sconce by Sylvn Studio
rough-hewn, but when we pull back and flick the switch on, they morph into little lakes of elegant diffused light. These pieces are subtly glamourous enough to be on the walls of a lounge or a villa with a pool. But they also sport a proud earthiness that is reminiscent of a hippie commune, or a stall at a flea market. Sylvn Studio is indeed proud of this multifarious character of this collection. The shapes and the forms of the lamps, all rectangular shells and brown in colour, are generally inspired by the cosmos. ‘Constellation’ is just what the name suggests - a happy collection of stars that emanate light. Estrella (the Spanish word for ‘star’) is seemingly born out of this constellation - with the stars now bigger and somewhat a f l o a t , a n d we d g e d b e t we e n semi-circular discs on the two longer ends. These discs come full circle in ‘Galaxy’, whose highly textured face apes the concentric circles of the Milky Way, and all other universes we don’t know about. ‘Grille’ seems to be hinting at something
It is all also quite unsurprising, considering that Sylvn Studio is already an old hand at creating statement lamps. The startup’s recycled décor collection features lamps that hold up, rather than hide, bulbs with great pride. The shades are more wrea t h ( ‘Fringe Collect ion’) or base (‘Faravahar’) than just dull encasings. What the firm does is in effect ‘manoeuvre design’ - using natural material, shapes, light, and shadow, and smartly moulding them into attractive props that are chic and earthy at the same time. The Retyrement Plan Mu m b a i - b a s e d e n t re p re n e u r Anu Tandon Vieira is a fan of the works of legendary Catalan artist, Antoni Gaudí. It is an unsurprising point of inspiration for her, given the preponderance of colour and the force of original, nature-inspired vision that defined Gaudí’s architectural creations In Barcelona. Vieira, passionate about sustainability and on a mission to narrow the boundaries of what we deem as ‘waste’, works
THE INSIDE TRACK October 2016
her passion through her venture, The Retyrement Plan. The firm’s business statement mentions repurposing junk from the “urban jungle” and transforming them into weather-tough, colourful décor items. A major part of this junk raw material, so to speak, are discarded automobile tyres. These tough rubber rigs become the base of the designs that the firm realises. They are cleaned and given a solid woven-cane covering before being draped over by colour-soaked, detailed ‘ropes’ created out of discarded cloth scraps sourced from looms in Rajasthan and
The Retyrement Plan: Discarded automobile tyres turn into beautiful seaters
Gujarat, as well as from plastic wrapping material that is considered factory waste. The shape of the tyres naturally lend themselves to cushions, pouffes, ottomans, low-seating upholstery, and even cosy seats for house-pets. And though The Retyrement Plan’s product line is not limited to them, they sure have become emblematic of the firm. The sturdy rope binding of the products is reminiscent of the rough weave of the traditional Indian ‘khatiya’. While the recycled p rove n ance of the materials accords the final products greater respectability, their overall charm is not just about that. Their careful finish and pleasant aesthetics mean that they can effectively fit into multiple interior schemes, and not just at sustainable homes and stores. Their long-lasting viability and weather-proof character elevate their charm further. Aside from seaters, the brand also creates swings and hammocks, magazine-holders, and lamp-shades out of the same whimsically-planned ropes of cloth and plastic.
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The Retyrement Plan: The sturdy rope binding of the products is reminiscent of the rough weave of the traditional Indian ‘khatiya’
T h e R e t y r e m e n t P l a n’s sustainability model is closely tied to the welfare of the highly-skilled artists who realise the designs. These artists work out of their own home or workshop environments, are given generous timelines, and with the marketing model cutting down any unnecessary overheads, are assured respectable earnings. “I love Mumbai, but the city has a way of just swallowing the highly skilled migrant workers who come here, and transforming them instead into watchmen and liftmen for its
urban spaces,” Vieira mentioned in an interview. The textile design alum from the National Institute of Design also takes a hands-on approach to the training of and interactions with the artists attached to the brand, and even prefers to conduct sales through personal reach-outs rather than from retail store shelves. Vieira promoted The Retyrement Plan’s vision at the London Design Festival in September 2016 through a showcase of Kastro seaters at the ‘Transformation’ exhibition.
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THE INSIDE TRACK October 2016
Spot Light
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home is far more than just shelter; it’s a microcosmic paradise existing on earth. And a paradise is far more than just walls and a roof; for that matter, it is far more than an impressive design itself. A home must assert class, must provide leisure that spoils you down and must emanate a re p o s i n g a t m o s p h e re w i t h consummate ease. What takes a home to the echelons of leisure are a multitude of products that make a difference in the way you live. Like dewdrops on leaves that add to the beauty of the foliage, some top notch products add to the aesthetics of your new home and take luxury to a completely sublime level! 10 products you ought to have for your new home are listed belowArtize Linea A swiftly gliding and efficient faucet is usually a ‘must have’ for a luxury home. The reason behind it is the consistent usage and of course the beauty. When you want an upscale home, a swanky faucet becomes a mandator y requirement. Artize’s Linea faucets are the showstoppers when it
Products To Have For A New Home! Check out the top ‘must have’ products to have in a luxury home - from kitchen to bathroom! and the appearance is irresistible- a must have for every luxury home! TOTO: Neorest If a living room depicts opulence, a bedroom represents leisure and a kitchen stands for richness, then a bathroom defines the level of comfort one can get when all the material impressions just fizzle out. A person gets an unprecedented level of privacy and comfort in a bathroom; the time spent there is pure leisure just for oneself. Boasting your bathroom with TOTO’s Neorest flush toilet is the best thing you can do to compliment the idea of a bathroom toilet. Its remarkable features add pride to
TOTO: Neorest
and design, it has to be Duravit’s Sensowash Starck C. This product is a shower toilet that merges the excellence of technology, the science of convenience and the pleasure of design. It’s a perfect sower toiler living up to the paradigm of toilet luxury. A gentle but effective bidet increases its convenience and adds to popular features like efficient
Artize Linea
comes to advanced spouts that effortlessly impress! The factor that raises this faucet above every similar product is the grace of its functionality. It moves side to side effortlessly, a mechanism that demands minimum effort. This mechanism also keeps the warm and normal water temperatures in control. Regardless of the positioning of the jet, the design makes the water fall inside the central periphery of the basin, retaining its aesthetics. Apart from these mind-boggling features, the design is impressive
technique as it includes the Actlight technology that utilizes UV light to detect motion, apparently followed by rinsing, cleaning and break down of dirt- and nothing in that is manual! And as far as comfort is concerned, Neorest provides a heated seat, deodorizer and warm water sprays with stark automation that doesn’t even require your hands! A product for absolute luxury! Duravit Sensowash Starck C If there is a product that can raise the standards of toilet hygiene using remarkable technology
Duravit Sensowash Starck C
cleaning and drying. The ecstatic design can really please the eye but the real experience lies in the concealed connections that invisibly perform all the functions and give you the luxury to be-master them all with a push of a button! A remote control is all that you need and Duravit’s Sensowash Starck C becomes a ritzy place you wouldn’t want to get away from.
THE INSIDE TRACK October 2016
Vintage Bulbs
Vintage Bulbs The lights you use can change the entire appearance of a place. Lights can make a dull room seem lively and a lively room look bland. Lights highlight the substance of the surroundings, so for a home you would love to have, the right lights are essentials you ought to have. The trending Vintage Lights are ones you can use to put up a nostalgic look to your place. These bulbs are the old fashioned lights with screw like spirals centring the arc. That, by itself looks different, but these bulbs offer something more.
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Miele Steam Only Ovens
Vintage bulbs are not used to illuminate, but to ornate. The low intensity of light can add a rustic glow to a room. They can be used to adorn a particular space with an antique look, probably your bedroom with a romanticized feel of the old or probably at the bar where old times thrive in the present! Miele Steam Only Ovens The idea of lavishness, good living or anything pleasurable is connected directly to food. Great food makes a great life, and great food is made in great kitchens! An exorbitant kitchen
is the soul of a luxury home. And such kitchens require suave appliances that make preparation of food a pleasure more than an effort! Miele Steam Only Ovens qualify for that category. In fact, it’s an undisputed winner when it comes to steam ovens. Though being a steam only oven, the advantage that this appliance provides is simply unbelievable. The steam is not generated inside the oven cavity, but outside it. This enables a cook to control the volume and temperature of steam required to cook a particular dish. If that’s not
it, these steam ovens also empower a user with intuitive controls, backlit numerical keypads and flush touch displays! Bharat Tiles- Heritage Flooring The floor can add so much to a home, yet its importance goes unnoticed. Good tiles are beyond flooring, they are the beauty yo u f i n d b e n e a t h yo u r f e e t ! They complement the colours of your walls and play in contrast with the furniture and carpets. It’s also the base to where you land your feet, so the quality does matter a lot. Bharat Tiles
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THE INSIDE TRACK October 2016
provides uniqueness and royalty to your floors with their Heritage flooring collection. With the classic ‘Minton Style’ designs that exude heritage, these tiles add magnanimity to your floor and apparently vibrancy to your luxury home. But, the quality of these floorings are not limited to the beauty and looks alone, they are really durable tiles that have some startling endurance- one that is enriched from heritage to new ages!
The versatile copper colour fits perfectly into any basin space, complementing any tile pattern or wall colour- in other words a must have for an opulent home! Carysil Micro Radius Sink A micro-radius sink creates a massive difference in your kitchen and enhances the way you use the kitchen sink. It provides additional space allowing you to place large plates, pans and even baking trays before or during a wash. With
Asion Granito Thin Tiles (Grestek Slimgres)
Bharat Tiles- Heritage Flooring
VitrA Water Jewels This product is named ‘water jewels’ for the undeniable reason that it is one! This is a subtle wash basin with copper colour that appears sedate and classy. The impressive finishing and the smooth surface is one that every person would wish to have in a wash basin. It is provided in variations, giving you better options in the best! It adds a ‘wow’ factor to our sink space or bathroom with its artful shape, design and finish. In stark accordance with Turkish craftsmanship, the basin is finished with a metallic coating giving it a wondrous texture. The texture and surface is further supported by the PVD coatings that smartly vaporize and deposit metallic particles onto the surface, hence sustaining the coating form, which further avoids corrosion and scratches.
VitrA Water Jewels
the micro radius of the sink, the bottom caters enough space to the water to drain off even if the sink is full of utensils. A 16 gauge satin build gives you the
thinner ones. Grestek Slimgres, a new collection of thin tiles- the thinnest in the country- have changed the notion of tiles in a comprehensive manner. These tiles measure 6.8mm in thickness and have a sleek appearance. But, the thinness is not to be mistaken with weakness; these tiles are as durable as luxury home demands! The size is a bit different too as compared to the normally used tiles. With dimensions of 600mm X 1200mm, these are a bit unconventional but,
Carysil Micro Radius Sink
freedom to remain incautious as the durable surface is scratch-free and dent free! It is also coated with noise reducing rubber padding that keeps those annoying sounds of steel clashing with utensils. And as far as the appearance is concerned, it is more than just a kitchen sink that doesn’t demand any attention. It’s neat and catchy and doesn’t appear like a let off in the kitchen like most sinks do. And it’s smooth as far as the functionality is concerned! A rear centre drain enables better under-sink access giving you an option to get things done swiftly! A s i a n G r a n i t o T h i n Ti l e s (Grestek Slimgres) Asian Granito thwarts through the idea that thicker tiles are more durable and simply better than
work perfectly as flooring tiles! These vitrified tiles also provide ease of installation as they are light and tough. The texture is
Asian Paints Low VOC Paints
smooth and the glazed look appears simply amazing. Its designs are simply marvellous and always manage to grab an eye. It’s certainly an advanced option to have for exuberant floorings and definitely an essential thing to have for a chic home! Asian Paints Low VOC Paints A well coloured wall complements the entire setup and structure of your home. It is simply like the background to a very classy painting. Wall paints set the tone for the entire décor of a room. It is the foundation that wall paints provide that makes the furniture look perfect. Asian Paints’ Low VOC paints give you the selection-prowess that is quite essential for wall paint. With a multitude of colours available to select from, it becomes easier to decide the shade that will be used to environ your place. With bold paint that takes up wall space, making the wall a boulder of colour. Further, it spreads easily and is always vibrant in various lights. These are ideal backgrounds to take a stride on multi-coloured lights! Coupled with that, the low VOC quality ensures that you get the best paint for a home you dream to have!
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THE INSIDE TRACK October 2016
Co. Profile
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ounded 27 years ago, Kajaria Ceramics has become the largest manufacturer of ceramic/ vitrified tiles in India. Known for creating lasting beauty in homes, offices and public spaces with its magnificent tiles, Kajaria group launched their all new eternity tiles collection. Eternity is a premium tiles brand from Kajaria Group, specially designed to be your tile forever. The collection is specially crafted for the sophisticated buyer who seeks elegance and excellence in every possible way. The designs are contemporary, evoking a feeling of timelessness. Eternity Tiles come in a splendid array of 750+ designs and SKUs across 12 different sizes in multiple finishes. Almost 100% non-porous, the tiles do not allow water to seep through. They are easy to handle, cut and drill giving you the perfect solution for your floor and walls and hence, ensuring longevity in the long run. The word ‘Eternity’ finds reflection in every tile, be it in the design that is contemporary yet timeless, or its strength that ensures its eternal beautiful. Designed by passionate European master-designers, these tiles have an extraordinary aesthetic appeal that truly came to life at its launch. T h e s u c c e s s o f “ Et e r n i t y Brand Launch” is the outcome of the love, loyalty and appreciation showered on the brand by its patrons and stakeholders. The unique nano polish along with special glazes ensures that the tiles remain stain-proof, scratch-proof and abrasion-
Kajaria Ceramics Launches Eternity Tile Collection Taking the Kajaria legacy forward, Eternity Tiles are here to glorify your spaces with its sheer grace and glory.
resistant. The tiles are made with natural raw materials of the highest quality, using the most advanced technology available. The extraordinary aesthetic appeal of the tiles is the outcome of the
skill and passion of the European master-designers. The vast variety of the collection allows you to create any look you desire for corner of your house or workplace. Exploring new finishes, textures,
materials and dimensions, the eternity tiles collection meets global standard innovation and quality. Contact web: www.kajariaceramics.com
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h e c i t y o f Du n d e e i n Scotland is the country’s 4th largest, with a population count that hit the highest point at 180,000 odd in the 1970s. Its major exports over the decades have been the well-known ‘jute, jam and journalism’ troika, though in recent years the place has emerged a force to be reckoned with in the fields of research in medicine, technological innovation, education, and to some extent, football. This economic dynamic could undergo some dramatic changes come 2018, the year when the Victoria and Albert Museum of Design Dundee is scheduled to open on the northern bank of River Tay, Scotland’s longest. In terms of the cost of construction (which has controversially snowballed to £80 million since 2010), and vision (of encompassing and encouraging t h e e n t i re d e s i g n l a n d s c a p e of the country), the museum is extraordinary. The venture is expected to revitalise Dundee’s overall tourism mettle, and aid in the creation of a multitude of local job opportunities, both design industry-specific and general. The building has been designed to look like a beached ship by the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, paying tribute to Dundee’s nautical history and waterfront tourism popularity. The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) Museum has lent its name to the Dundee project as part of a 20year arrangement, hoping to expand the audience of its own remarkable collection within the UK. Select items from the London museum will populate the Victoria and Albert Museum of Design Dundee and help trace Scotland’s prodigious design legacy starting as far as the 15th century
Kengo Kuma’s V&A Design Museum The Victoria and Albert Museum of
Design Dundee is the first-ever UK museum dedicated to design to be built outside the city of London.
The building has been designed to look like a beached ship by the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma
to the more technologically-advanced creations of today. Dundee wears the title of the UK’s first UNESCO City of Design, an identity that the new museum hopes to validate and popularise further.
The Scottish Government and the Dundee Council, the major donors to the project, envision the museum to become “a new living room for the city”. The design plan includes not just large exhibition spaces
The Scottish Government and the Dundee Council, the major donors to the project, envision the museum to become “a new living room for the city”
and display items, but also a deep involvement of the Dundee creative community. “We will showcase world-class touring exhibitions from the V&A - the only purpose built galleries in Scotland large enough to show these shows in their entirety,” states the museum board. The Victoria and Albert Museum of Design Dundee will also pioneer a ‘design-led business innovation (DLBI)’ programme to encourage businesses to become more successful with advanced design inclusion. The lead up to the museum’s opening is attempting to involve everyone from students (Schools Design Challenge) to the general Dundee citizenry in an attempt to build a vibrant culture of design around the museum and its activities. The Dundee Waterfront project, another donor here, is hoping for this momentum to catch on and feed its own agenda of reviving the beauteous Dundee waterfront.
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bright sight welcomed commuters at the transportation hub in the World Trade Centre, New York, on this September 11th. The Oculus, a structure that had been under construction for years owing to its contentious budget, finally opened its roof to the public. The Oculus is a transportation hub that will cater to close to 2,50,000 commuters of the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH), and about a million visitors from all over the world annually.
A Glowing Tribute Every year, New York establishments
pay tribute to the victims of the 9/11 terror attacks. This year, The Oculus opened up its roof, and let sunlight wash its spaces in remembrance of the lives lost 15 years ago.
The Oculus is is now the third largest transportation centre in New York.
This expensive hub covers an area of 8,00,000 sq. ft., and is now the third largest transportation centre in New York. The plan was laid out by Daniel Libeskind and followed by Santiago Calatrava. They envisioned light filling up the massive space on 9/11 every year, in the memory of all the innocent lives lost. At precisely 10:28 am every 9/11, the roof of the Oculus will open up to let in a massive stream of light, trailing all the way to the floor of the hub. Before the project began, the estimated cost of construction
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was close to $2 billion, but as the construction progressed, the costs rose and finally wound up to be $3.9 billion. But this year on 9/11 the structure inched towards its completion. People present at the hub witnessed the opening of the roof as tribute to those who lost their lives on the unfortunate day 15 years ago. The hub even showcases a placard for the benefit of commuters who are curious about it all. It says, “On 9/11 each year, weather permitting, the skylight of the Oculus will be opened to allow the sun to fill
Every year, the New York establishments pay tribute to the victims of the 9/11 terror attacks here
this entire space. Envisioned by Santiago Calatrava to symbolise a dove released from a child’s hand, the Oculus is situated at an angle in contrast to neighbouring buildings and even the entire grid of the city, thereby allowing the light to shine directly overhead and for the sun to move across its axis exactly on September 11th each year. On this 15th anniversary, we remember the
innocent lives lost and celebrate the acts of selflessness and courage by so many. Please join us in remembrance of the victims and heroes of 9/11.” With this structure, Calatrava has immortalised the lives lost on that fateful day. One would be hard pressed to not let thoughts about them linger in the mind while taking a walk down The Oculus on 9/11, or any other day.
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curious, though good looking, new entity has taken seat near the canal in Amsterdam North. Hyper compact, with an unconventional tactile black skin and a soaring slanting roof, the structure creates an overall impression of a Lego house sitting on a small patch of fake garden with 4 slender toy trees and, surprisingly, a toy black tub giving it company. The surreality of this cabin, however, is a collateral effect. Amsterdam-based DUS Architects, a firm committed to “long-term urban transformation trajectories”, has designed this cabin in fact to make a statement about environmentally sustainable temporary dwelling structures that can be created, erected, dismantled, and recycled to suit a plethora of situations, most critically while dealing with widespread displacement due to natural disasters. The cabin’s striking skin is its USP - it has been realised entirely with the help of 3D printing. It is thus highly approving of customisation, with the bioskin lending itself to multiple possibilities of ornamentation, insulation strength, and overall quantitate usage. This bio-plastic material can be stripped down, shredded, and reprinted multiple times, vastly improving upon t h e c o s t b e n e f i t s o f re g u l a r recycling processes. The current form of the 3D cabin emphasises the smallness of the idea, pushing towards a greater embrace of the outside and the inside in a dwelling place. The 8 sq. mt. x 25 sq. mt. overall space offers a beautiful stepped concrete porch as an entry and exit point. The one sofa inside, standing on a concrete floor, doubles up as a
Mulling Over Sustainability A compact 3D printed cabin by the
canal in Amsterdam is encouraging people to re-think urban spaces and the environmental damage we accrue in the name of modern architecture.
twin-bed, while the tub outside is a visual and process complement, 3D printed as it too is. DUS Architects
uses a self-created machine called the ‘KamerMaker’, “a gigantic FDM printer that can print
elements of 2 x 2 x 3.5 meters”, for the highly-detailed, prototype printing process. DUS Architects envisages this cabin as a stylish, low carbon footprint-marking escape from the bustle of urban life as well, while it sits fairly at the centre of urbanity. The idea is to question wanton environmentally unsustainable building habits that define cities around the world, and how to chicly employ cutting edge technology to wrest back some control. This cabin is part of a continuing “beta-preneurial building project” by DUS Architects, started in 2014 and expected to run till 2017, where sustainable, multi-media urban construction ideas will be explored, with all the steps and processes open to the public like a unique assembly-line museum. “The 3D Print Canal House is a three-year publically accessible ‘Research & Design by Doing’ project in which an international team of partners from various sectors works together on 3D printing a full-size canal house in Amsterdam,” the team’s statement specifies. As of now, anyone who is in Amsterdam and in need of a break with a difference, the ‘urban cabin’ is available for short stays.
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THE INSIDE TRACK October 2016
Interview
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t a time when people in India have become so conscious about the products and appliances that they use in their everyday life, Kanu Kitchen has re-launched three iconic German brands Häcker Kitchen, Hülsta and Rolf Benz by presenting people with an elusive range of International furnishing products and accessories to choose from. Dr. Corinna Fricke, Head of the Economic Section of the German Embassy and Mr. Oliver Bialowons, Managing Director, Hülsta inaugurated the store. Kanu Kitchen Kulture Pvt. Ltd. was launched in 2004 by Capt. Mukesh Kumar. In the year of its inception, Kanu Kitchen had introduced Hacker Kitchen Gmbh & Co. Kg.-Germany’s Modular kitchen brand and in 2010 the brand has introduced Hülsta to India and presently the company has already expanded Hultsa, a German furniture brand in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru & Ludhiana. Capt. Mukesh Kumar, Founder Chairman & Managing Director, Kanu Group of Companies says, “We have been associated with Hacker Kitchen since 2004 and Hülsta since 2010. Back then it was a challenge to bring an International brand to India as the market was fragmented. In 2004 we could foresee the potential India has when it comes to owning a long-lasting and high quality product. Today, in various cities of India, Kanu Kitchen has opened 12 outlets of Hacker in 12 years and 4 of Hülsta in 6 years and promises to grow further, each year.” Mr. Oliver Bialowons, Managing Director, Hülsta-WerkeHüls GmbH & Co. KG commented, “India is a very important market for us. As Euromonitor International forecasts India will achieve the fastest real growth
Bringing A German Touch To India Kanu Kitchen re-launched the three
iconic German brands Häcker Kitchen, Hülsta and Rolf Benz at their exclusive store at Mahipalpur. BY SNEHA LUKKA
(LtoR) Mr. Oliver Bialowons, Managing Director, HULS GROUP, Capt. Mukesh Kumar, CMD, Kanu Kitchen Kulture Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Rupert Hainzl, Rolf Benz Ag&Co. KG
in luxury goods sales and a lot seems to be changing at a very fast pace and will continue to do so in the next 5 to 10 years. This has prompted us to be very optimistic of our success in India. Further, Kanu Kitchen has helped us to connect with an audience which has an eye and taste for luxury”. Hülsta-WerkeHüls GmbH & Co. KG founded by Karl Huls in 1938 is the largest and most famous German furniture manufacturer with 55% market share in Germany. Hülsta, a third generation family business with a highly cosmopolitan outlook, total commitment to its location and outstanding creativity is currently setting a benchmark in the
global market for providing highest quality furniture. Part of the Hüls Group, Rolf Benz and Co. KG is one of Europe‘s most renowned manufacturers of premium upholstered furniture. For over 50 years, it has been producing design-oriented functional sofas with a legendary sitting comfort that has only been perfected over time. Its origin dates back to 1964, when young upholster Rolf Benz founded the company in Nagold, Germany. It was taken over by the Hüls Group in 1989. German Company Häcker Küchen GmbH & Co. KG has been producing modular kitchens since
1965 at their central manufacturing facility covering an area of 2,02,000 sq. mts. located at Rodinghausen, in Germany. Häcker produces kitchens that fulfill the highest standards in terms of quality, functionality durability and using the most modern fully automated computer controlled state-of-the-art production machines to produce perfect modular kitchen systems. Hacker offers 100% customized modular kitchens for every segmentranging from low-end to mid-segment and top-end. Contact web: www.haecker-india.com
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THE INSIDE TRACK October 2016
Co. Profile
S
haw Contract’s Asian launch of its new carpet collection in India was a milestone event for the global floor covering brand. It was the first such event in the country and hence, a historic one. Shaw Contract, a business unit of Shaw Industries Group Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, made this move in a bid to expand its growth in a country which has switched gears to adopt macroeconomic measures. And the stride the company has put forward shows its interest in the Indian market.
Shaw’s Ambitious Plans For India Shaw Contract looks to expand its penetration into tier 2 Indian cities with its impressive new collections. of their products, the company launched four exclusive collections - Modern Edit, Extraordinary, and Configure and Places in the Asian market. The collection is a breath of fresh air as all four collections offer something new. While ‘Modern Edit Broadloom’ (won the “Best
(L-R)- Phil Decker, Kimberly Morgan, Todd Jarvis, Rakesh Lakra
Emphasizing on the importance of India on Shaw’s business map in Asia, Mr Rakesh Lakra, Regional VP, India explains, “India is a very important market for Shaw. This launch marks an important phase in Shaw’s history, bringing more products to the Indian market for our clients. We hope to grow further in India over the next
of NeoCon 2016” Silver Award) reframes the concept of heritage with carpets depicting opulence, the ‘Extraordinary Collection’ brings back the sense of touch with tactile expressions and contrasting visuals. The ‘Configure Collection’, introduced after the success of
few years with increased sales and an expanding market share.” Shaw’s carpet designs have won ‘Best of Neocon’ awards for the past 14 years on a trot. Neocon is North America’s most important design exposition and conference for commercial interiors. Banking on the grandeur of their historic launch, growth opportunities and popularity
2013’s Hexagon collection, takes forward the same patterns but adds 14 new colours to the range. The ‘Places Collection’, as the tern suggests, is inspired by places, nature, landscapes and cityscapes and global travel. Soft, vibrant colours coupled with natural patterns capture the entire essence of this collection.
In an attempt to take this collection forward, Shaw Contract also eyes a foothold into India’s tier 2 cities that include Pune, Chandigarh and Ahmedabad. Having their operational base in Bangalore already, it is quite clear they are also focusing on Delhi’s NCR region in an attempt to widen their influence in the northern part of India. Shaw will also launch a 4000 sq. ft. showroom to display their new collections in Bangalore, which will also act as a seed, tracking their business ambitions down south. With an optimistic outlook on Shaw’s decision to commit so much in India, Mr Phil Decker, Divisional Vice President, Asia Pacific Sales
states, “India is one of the top three markets for Shaw in Asia. India has an unmatched projected GDP growth rate, making it one of the fastest growing major economies in the world. Shaw in India has been growing at a rate of about 15% in the past few years and we believe there is much more potential for growth here.” Shaw Contract’s ambitions in Asia, specifically in India, have risen because of a vibrant market that can muster for them an annual growth of 18-20% in the next 5 years. Contact web: www.shawcontract.com email: rakesh.lakra@shawinc.com
THE INSIDE TRACK October 2016
Spot light
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itrA, the leading bathroom solutions brand of Eczacıbaşı, a p r o m i n e n t Tu r k i s h industrial group recently hosted the partners at Pentagon Design in Bangalore. The masterpiece Nest collection of VitrA is designed with Pentagon Design, a leading Nordic design agencies from Finland that create holistic concepts which result in user-driven products, packaging, spaces, services and brand experiences that generate delight for consumers and value for their clients. Pentagon Designs are well-known for integrating rigorous processes and out of-the-box creativity and have been been awarded with awards like ‘RedDot Design Award’,
Pentagon Design Visit To Showcase VitrA’s Nest Collection Adding pleasure and comfort to your everyday bathroom experience, VitrA presents the Nest collection in association with Pentagon Designs. savings. The digital display does not require an external power as it’s powered by the generator. The new VitrA Nest Trendy series adds pleasure and comfort to the family bathroom experience. With a wide range of
(L-R) Mr. Sauli Sumela, Designer Director, Partner, MA - Pentagon Design, Mr. Serhan Ates Yagiz , India Country Manager, VitrA , Mr. Arni Aromaa, Creative Director, CEO, Partner, IMBM , Pentagon Design
‘Good Design Award’, ‘iF product Design’ awards. Presenting their belief of ‘versatility equals good design’ in all their works, the brand is invariably associated with the finest brands and ever projects of increasing weight and prestige. From designing Hygge VÄRI watch series for women, Foot analysis & measurement kiosk, curating a World Design Capital year design & technology exhibition and many more. Backed with VitrA’s aesthetics and advanced technology, the Nest collection draws inspiration from the
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needs and desires of every member of the family. Offering ‘family-sized comfort’ with a wealth of features right from the child step, night lights to the laundry cabinet and easy to reach storage areas, the product also offers heat gauge of the digital bathroom mixer that displays water temperature with great accuracy for extra comfort and safety. Equipped with smart functionality the Nest Series by VitrA offers the display which allows the users to keep a track of the water flow and total water used, enabling more efficient
Backed with VitrA’s aesthetics and advanced technology, the Nest collection draws inspiration from the needs and desires of every member of the family
functional products designed along new generation modularity, Nest serves the needs of every member of the family. Contact web: www.vitra-india.com
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THE INSIDE TRACK October 2016
Dealer Speak
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treluxe is a multi-award winning luxury lifestyle Indian retail brand established in the year 2004. Following the latest trends and style in the interior design space, Etreluxe specialises in providing dĂŠcor products by
Mr. Dilip Rathi, Managing Partners of Etrelux
international brand such as Molteni & C, Mestre, Nolte and Miele. Currently the company has two showrooms in Delhi NCR and is also present in key commercial centres of the city. Primarily dealing in supplying a stellar range of kitchen products, Etreluxe also deals in designing products for bath, kitchen, surfaces, doors & windows, grills & railings and furniture. Mr. Dilip Rathi and Mr. Kamal Rathi, Managing Partners of Etrelux tell us about the kitchen market in India and how technology is playing a key role in modern kitchen designing today. How are international kitchen brands performing in the Indian market? The Kitchens segment in India is doing well as the luxury market in India is in its growth stage. The target customer group has increased with a growth in the disposable incomes
Kitchen Scenario In India We find out how technology is playing a key role in modern kitchen design and appliances today. of the HIG and MIG consumers. Consumers are now increasingly aspiring for premium and luxury products which have opened doors for us to do good business. T h e ov e r a l l i n d u s t r y h a s expanded too and now with brilliant products like steam ovens by Miele that promote healthy cooking and appliances which are high on technology, the kitchen industry has witnessed a drastic change. To make the customers happy, brands today consider lifestyle, design, trends and utility of the products which they supply to the customers. We have also noticed that the kitchens have increased in size now and customers these days are keen on opting for dry and wet kitchens. Are customers opting for an open kitchen concept or do they still prefer a separate kitchen area? Over the time, we have noticed that customers these days have adopted for two types of kitchen-a dry kitchen and a wet kitchen. A dry kitchen is where the socializing light cooking takes place. Very often, the space of this type of kitchen is open and customers opt for a more designed look for it. The other Kitchen is the wet kitchen, where heavy cooking takes place. Due to daily cooking activity happening here, customers prefer this to be more robust in terms of functionality and materials. Technology plays a huge role in a kitchen as it makes life easier for working family members. This is where the appliances with technology
best brand in this segment as it has wide variety of products which are far superior in terms of technology and are designed as per the local needs with amazing after sale service as an added advantage. Are customers opting for builtin kitchen appliances like ovens and microwaves? Mr. Kamal Rathi, Managing Partners of Etrelux
focus come into play. Is there a demand for high tech appliances? Slowly, the concept of kitchen appliances is shifting from freestanding to built-in which is not only about
functionality but also about design and technology. Miele, a German brand with its excellent craftsmanship, engineered aesthetics, innovation and excellence is leading in this category. Because of design, technology, ease of usage, longevity of products and a topnotch after sale service the demand for such products has increased drastically over last couple of years. There has been an increase in the number of kitchen appliance manufacturers and importers. Which according to you is the leader in this segment? There are many international brands which have entered the market in last few years, but only a number of them have been able to meet customer demands and satisfaction. Miele is
Demand for built - in kitchen appliances have increased primarily because of two reasons: Customers today prefer having a modular kitchen for which they need to use built-in appliances that give a better finish to the set up. Secondly, customer needs are changing and today people are moving away from basic freestanding style products to lifestyle products which are good in terms of design and functionality too.
What do you think could be the trends in this segment in the coming year? In 2016, lightning and aesthetics of the kitchen space have been on rise as fancy lights are used to highlight the beauty of the space. Slowly and gradually, country and classic style kitchen is being replaced with modular style kitchens. Over time, people are looking for appliances which can work through simple apps and save time to make life easier. In the coming years, people will be more conscious about sustainability and greener products in their kitchens too. Contact web: www.etreluxeindia.com email: info@etreluxeindia.com tel: +91 11 2680 9772-5
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THE INSIDE TRACK October 2016
Co. Profile
A
nchor electronics, wholly owned by the Panasonic Group, launched its brand new Panasonic LED luminaries range, Neue Archi, keeping the Indian market in mind. Eyeing aggressive expansion, Panasonic now extends its range of products from the trade and commercial LED luminaires portfolio to the hospitality, industrial and outdoor segments. Acknowledging the policy changes made by the Indian government, Mr Dinesh Aggarwal, Joint Managing Director explains, “The Indian lighting industry is an INR 16,000 crore market and with the current regulatory landscape has created a robust demand for LED lighting. While the LED market is growing at 130% annually, we expect an overall growth of 115% in the lighting market. The industry is undergoing a huge transformation with support from the government and statutory bodies, with a wide basket of products for assorted spaces, to the sophisticated movement detecting lighting systems.” The announcement comes at a time when Anchor intends to be
among the top 3 lighting brands in India and aims to achieve 5% market share by 2018. The new range will be catered in a way that it revolves around the current design and energy efficient qualities. Panasonic has made its goal clear, to introduce its advanced LED lighting products for Indian spaces, and intends to occupy its rightful place as one of the most favoured brands for LED lighting in the country. With the current and fast escalating idea of smart cities in India, Anchor looks at it as an opportunity to assist mutual growth. Mr Yoshiyuki Kato (Director, Lighting) states, “Being Japan’s No. 1 LED lighting brand and the third largest lighting company in the world, it is our responsibility to support the Indian government’s initiative of smart cities. Lighting as a whole contributes to the 18-20% of total power consumption of the country. Ta l k i n g i n s p e c i f i c s , t h e commercial and hospitality luminaires are equipped with a long operational life of 50000 burning
Anchor Launches ‘Neue Archi’ For The Indian Market Anchor eyes aggressive expansion by launching 415 LED products for various segments. Also eyes to achieve 5% market share by 2018.
hours, high surge protection of 2.5KV, wide voltage operating range from 80-330V, robust housing and energy efficient electronic drivers. The industrial luminaires boast advanced ingress protection (IP protection), high power factor and surge protection of 4KV that prevents luminaire failure in case of a voltage surge caused due to multiple reasons. The range is equipped with state of the art thermal management technology, specially designed
transparent thermoplastic diffuser, robust housing and high UV and corrosion resistance properties. All attributes have been engineered to cope up with Indian conditions. Their professional lighting product range includes commercial, hospitality, industrial, landscape and luminaires. This, in the purview in business is a masterstroke as the Indian market opens up and provides a better environment for foreign players, empowering them with
the freedom to invest more in India. Also, with energy solutions becoming the need of the hour, polarized supplies of energy are all set to be dissolved. To bridge this energy deficit, Anchor’s presence and ability to provide innovative products for the hospitality, commercial, landscape and industrial segments, will not only prove mutually beneficial, but also will be helpful to the nation’s development. Contact web: www.anchor-world.com
THE INSIDE TRACK October 2016
Spot Light
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he latest trends for semipublic and public bathroom suites have been introduced by Duravit. Duravit is committed to providing the best value and functionality while maintaining its passion for outstanding aesthetics. Its focus on semi-public and public environments merges high-levels of design with quality requirements, efficiency of installation and ease of maintenance.
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Duravit’s Trend Setting Solutions
Duravit is committed to providing the best value and functionality while maintaining its passion for outstanding design in bathrooms located in semi-public and public areas. Toilets The toilet is a fundamental part of every bathroom. Duravit toilets are available in multitude of finishes; options like floor standing, rimless, wall-mounted, barrier-free and even compact versions. Equipped with the SensoWash technology and HygieneGlaze ceramic glazing, these state-of-the-art toilets are antibacterial. Duravit toilets are available from 45 cm to 74 cm projection which makes any project planning much easier.
Washbasins Duravit washbasins come in a vast variety of forms and variants. They can be combined with different materials such as wood, glass or natural stone as well as with matching Duravit consoles and vanity units. These washbasins derive its distinctive character from the basic rectangular shape, an all-round rim and a low back panel. Duravit washbasins are available in a width of 45 cm to 120 cm and are ideal for use in semi-public and public bathrooms.
Advertorial
Urinals Duravit has urinals for both semipublic and public bathroom with options available for different uses: connection variants with top or concealed water supply, with flushing rim, with a flushing nozzle, as a waterless dry version and even as an electronic urinal with an automatic flush setting for a battery or mains connection. Contact Duravit India Private Limited tel: 07966112300 respond@in.duravit.com www.duravit.in For Professionals: www.pro.duravit.in
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THE INSIDE TRACK October 2016
Interview
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ixit Gada, Director & Business Strategist talks to us about what makes Glitorum one of the biggest and most trusted brand in India.
Mr. Nixit Gada, Director & Business Strategist
Glitorium:Tiling Its Way To The Top Innovative designs, fabulous colours, splendid styles and wonderful finish make Glitorium one of the best tile importers and suppliers in India. doesn’t stop there we also have our in-house team of designers who create unique designs and then we get them manufactured in some of the best factories in the business. Our latest creation is a range of semi-precious stones which we have replicated on tiles surfaces, for which we have received a great response from architects and interior designers.
What are the emerging trends in the tiles industry?
How do you plan to stay ahead from other competing brands?
The tile industry has undergone a t re m e n d o u s re vo l u t i o n i n terms of technological research &development, design creativity, size adaptions and innovation in surface
Our main focus is to concentrate on design and technological innovation and to regularly launch an array of new and exclusive products in market which are high on design and low on
6 feet x 3 feet slim tiles (5.5mm)
play, with context to giving exclusive products in market and constantly trying to evolve along with the global trends. Our aim is to enhance the décor of every home or a commercial establishment with our eclectic range of products. What makes Glitorum different from other tile brands?
800 mm x 800 mm Microcrystalline colour tile(BLUE GEMS REPLICA)
finishes. All these factors are fueling the growth at a faster pace and as result we see that tiles, to a greater extent, are taking over the market share of natural stones i.e. marble and granite. How important is the ‘design’ factor in your creations? It’s the most important thing, ‘Design’ for us is originality, naturalness and versatility. We try to understand the expectations of architects, interior designers and even our end consumers with respect to designs, fashion, finishes etc. Thereafter, we strive to source the same from the most innovative and leading tiles companies in the world; it
maintenance. We travel extensively around the world looking for inspiration from ancient monuments to modern day architectural marvels. Further we also are in constant touch with architects and designers who are kind enough to give us their honest opinion and share their expert knowledge with us. How does Glitorium as a brand plan to contribute to the Indian tile industry? India is one of fast paced growing economies in the world and the demand for tiles here is huge, both in the new construction and as well as the redecoration market. We have a very small but an important role to
Our USP is the unique blend of designs and inspirations from the eastern hemisphere to the western hemisphere and our ability to implement this research into results which are tangible in form of the best tiles offerings in the world.
What are your future plans with Glitorium? Talking of immediate future, we will be launching some very exclusive products at the Mumbai Acetech to be held in Nov 2016. Our long term plan is to strive hard to maintain our design and innovation advantage to keep our competitors at bay. We always want to be known as trend setters and not followers. Contact email: glitoriumplus@gmail.com tel: 25105555 / 25115555
Discuss about your business in India? How do you sell your products? We have a very big and strong distribution network with more than 400 dealers pan India, who constantly work hard to promote our products. They have tremendous faith in Glitorium products which is one of the most important and motivating factors for us and we shoulder this responsibility to never disappoint our customers. We maintain good inventory levels so that our clients are never deprived of the material they seek to buy from us.
6 feet x 3 feet honey onyx being used around lift lobby
THE INSIDE TRACK October 2016
It Products Steelcase Introduces Lightweight Chair
Steelcase, one of the global leaders in office furniture and innovative workplace solutions has redefined the artisanal vision of craft by launching its flagship product
“LessThanFive” chair. The chair is a perfect blend of three crucial elements that is of prime focus to Steelcase – design, functionality and materiality which translates into visual appeal, flexibility and comfort that allows users to easily reconfigure their workplace. The LessThanFive chair designed by Steelcase and Michael Young, British professional designer encourages collaborative spaces and is adaptable for varied work environments. The chair’s light weight technology integrated with sleek design provides comfort and fosters social connection amidst employees. It is fabricated entirely from carbon fibre - one of the strongest and lightest materials available.The chair is tailored for an experience that supports a variety of users while weighting less than 2.3 kgs and can support 136 kgs. It is customizable and is available in six different finishes including matte blue, red fade, light fade, dark fade, copper gloss, and carbon weave. Contact www.steelcase.com/asia-en
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VitrA Introduces A Marvel In Mineralcast Washbasins Mineralcast Washbasins have finally been introduced by VitrA and the technology that makes it possible is simply something that’s unheard of in this sector. VitrA, the leading bathroom solutions brand of Eczacıbaşı Building Products Division, has yet again pulled the mickey out of the hat and reached its aspired expectations with the unlimited form technology! The Infinit collection will have this new technology, and that comes in progression from where the brand started out- with ceramic, then introduced acrylic to bathrooms and porcelain to tiles, and now has delivered this while in pursuit to purge its own excellence! This collection has the ability to change the face of your bathroom in an unbelievable manner. These washbasins have sleek, swanky and smooth looks, changing the way your bathroom appears. The crux of this technology is signified
through a reinvented bathroom, courtesy of slim rims and sharp lines. The aesthetic beauty of these washbasins is second to none; the smooth surfaces approve that feature of the Infinit collection. More than anything, the hygiene levels that these washbasins cater are set to change the way one perceives a bathroom. Vitra’s Mineralcast is a game-changer and trend-setter, both at once! Contact www.vitra.com/en-un/home
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THE INSIDE TRACK October 2016
It Products Hands Unveils Hand Knotted Carpets
Hands has introduced their latest collection of hand knotted carpets to add charm to homes this festive season. A range of fine hand knotted carpets,
the Urbane collection is all about understated elegance, quiet celebration and subtle refinement. These contemporary masterpieces are characterised by modern patterns that repeat in unforgettable rhythms. The carpets named Adira (Red) and Blossom (Red and Black) are handmade in viscose from the Hands Urbane collection. Available in select colour combinations and a range of sizes, Adira also comes in Black and Gold in sizes: 5’6’’ x 8’, 6’ x 9’, 8’ x 10’, 9’ x 12’. Blossom is available in Charcoal and Beige and comes in sizes: 5’6’’ x 8’, 6’ x 9’, 8’ x 10’. As Mr. Deepankar Choudhary, Director at Hands explains, “A good carpet can please the eye, but a truly great one touches the soul.” Their exclusive studio, located in Bhadohi, near Varanasi, strives to create original carpets that don’t just transform the ambience, but add new life to spaces. Known for their fine handmade carpets, and a craftsmanship that has been passed down from generation to generation, Hands is a one-stop destination for premium carpets, both hand knotted and hand tufted. Contact www.hands-carpets.com
Grohe Launches Rainshower® F-Series 40” Aquasymphony Grohe, one of the world’s leading providers of sanitary products has recently launched the Rainshower® F-Series 40” Aquasymphony. This fascinating ensemble of water, light and music is made possible by a shower of unprecedented proportions. More than one metre long and in excess of 75 centimetres wide, the headshower from the Grohe Spa® range delivers a whole new bathing experience. GROHE Rainshower® F-Series 40” Aquasymphony is the latest addition to the GROHE F-Series range of components to transform residential bathrooms into luxurious private spas. It includes head, ceiling-mounted and side showers as well as elements for mood lighting and musical entertainment. Digital controls and interfaces allow personalising the shower experience in accordance with each user’s unique needs and
wants for the ultimate well-being in the shower, day by day. Wrapped in an undulating curtain of water, bathed in softly coloured light and accompanied by relaxing sounds, you become part of a composition inspiring all your senses – the symphony of showering. Refresh yourself under a roaring waterfall? Relax in a soft summer rain? This water symphony is all about total freedom of choice. To suit the mood of the moment, the lighting can be personalised as well. Contact www.grohe.com/in/
Kalingastone Adds A New Range To Its Esclusiva Series
KalingaStone - Classic Marble Company’s flagship brand for engineered stones has introduced four new members into its Esclusiva marble family viz. Otteman Beige, Raffaele, Paladio Grey and Tivoli. The new range is an exclusive custommade collection for the modern residences and commercial areas and available in standard dimensions of 304 X 125 cm and thicknesses of 12 mm, 16mm and 18 mm. The new series is a subtle union of traditional and modern designs and are available in classic shades of beige and grey. Slushy swirls are the characteristically distinct patterns in all of four varieties of the series. The Otteman Beige and the Raffale are typically installed
as floors that dispense an air of elegance to the space while the Paladio Grey, as the wall with its dark accentuated swirls on the grey background works as a complimenting feature for the space. The Tivoli displays an uncanny resemblance to its Italian counterpart and is perhaps one of the few that are reminiscent with the stones used in Roman architecture. Its characteristics of being less porous, more flexible and harder than natural marble make the marble an obvious choice for different types of interior and exterior applications like flooring, walls, countertops, etc. in commercial as well as residential areas. Contact www.classicmarble.com
Ozone Introduces Biometric Door Locks Enhacing security solutions and for better safety and convenience, Ozone recently launched Biometric Door Locks for keyless convenience to lock & unlock your residence main door. This biometric door lock comes with 02 access options, user code & fingerprint for ease of operation and is powered with easy finger print scan technology, enabling one touch verification process. The password keypad comes with smart touch feature and activates the keypad with random numbers input for enhanced password security. These locks come with an anti-prank, force break-in and fire alarm feature, equipped with auto-lock function for user convenience and security.
These locks are suitable for residential as well as commercial main doors and can have multiusers with each user having unique user code/password or finger print registered. With their incomparable classy looks, these biometric locks offer unmatched security, safety & convenience. Contact www.ozone-india.com
THE INSIDE TRACK October 2016
Wall Mirror Collection By Idus
It Products K-LITE Introduces LED Landscape LIght The essence of lighting is one of the most important things in our lives. At K-Lite we are passionate about creating a distinctive atmosphere that improves the quality of life in the cities and towns by exploring the many potential facets of lighting that supports the wellbeing and safety of all. Founded in 1977 in India, K-Lite has grown to be the leading manufacturer of outdoor luminaires and decorative poles. K-Lite’s proven performance in the
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landscape segment is because of its ability to stylishly convey the identity of a space with a blend of efficiency and modularity to maximise the visual comfort that is best suited to each specific space. Our landscape range includes linear wall washer, up-down lighters, led strips/neon flex, promenade lighting, bollards, under water lighting, post top luminaires, bulk heads, path finders, polar lighting and newly added series of facade lighting. Contact www.klite.in
Diwali is the time when you welcome your guests and you need to put extra efforts to make your home look beautiful and appealing. Wall mirror is the best centre of attraction in any room that captures the guests and visitors’ attention. It adds light and dimension to your home by creating special effects and also makes your home look spacious. Keeping this in mind Idus, the super luxurious store has launched the latest wall mirror collection for this Diwali, which complements creative and modern spaces with its stunning and dynamic design. The elegant wall mirror collection is designed with framed mirrored glass, silver foil covered wood frame, mirror glass bands that open up space creating the perfect ambience. It also comprises a richly veined dark brown cracked coconut shells and hand inlaid over resins to create the organic look. The collection has exclusivity of wide range of shapes like rectangular, oval and octagon
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THE INSIDE TRACK October 2016
Spot Light
T
he team from Bengalurubased firm, Cadence Architects, was presented with a rather off-beat proposal - of building a dialysis centre squeezed right in the middle of a heritage temple structure. The proposal was indeed unusual, and though the chosen location was definitely its most difficult challenge, it wasn’t the only hurdle the team would face. The KMYF Dialysis Centre was to be set up in Bengaluru’s Jayanagar area with the temples in the backdrop, so the architects had to take care that the building did not completely take away the focus from the religious spot, while also, naturally, making the building distinct in its own way. Given its medical identity, the centre façade also had to look reasonably formal, and easy to locate. It was a tough mix to balance indeed! The designer response to the challenges came in the form of a striking façade - it is fluid and white,
In The Company Of Temples Bengaluru-based firm, Cadence Architects has accomplished something dexterously impressive-designing a modern health centre in an area populated by historic religious monuments. with a folding form that makes it looks like a tall screen flapping in the wind. The sculpted folds of the façade resemble the unassuming garb of a spiritual entity, thus perfectly fitting into the sublime aura created by the backdrop temples. The façade, devoid of any colour, also makes sure to steal no attention from the colourful architecture of the temples. There was yet another purpose that the façade serves - of letting in plentiful natural light. Silver gaps between its shells allow natural
light to stream in, creating a lovely diffused look inside. The interiors glow as if caught in an ethereal nebula, another visual facet apt for the pious surroundings! The floor space was limited too, a tight 9,700 sq. ft. for a 30-bed clinic swathe. In this constricted area, it was not possible to lay the beds horizontally, so they decided to stack them up in departmental divisions, and place the beds in a vertical fashion. The lowest section of this building lifts off the ground to house the waiting space for patients.
The cafeteria has been slotted at the terrace, offering a view of the surrounding temples. Just like the exteriors, white dominates the hue of the interiors at this dialysis clinic. The facility opened its doors for patients on July 27, 2016, and not surprisingly and quite deservingly, made media headlines. The KMYF wellness centre is a standing, thriving solution statement in response to the challenges that architecture firms face while reimagining a historic neighbourhood, or especially while adding a modern structure in such precious precincts.