The Inside Track March 2016

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Volume 10. Issue 3. March 2016 Rs. 25/-

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

Artize Showertronics iV6 - An Unmatched Showering Experience Artize Showertronic iV6 is an intelligent water mixer system which maintains the water temperature and flow rate during showering. At just a simple touch of a fingertip on the high-durability waterproof touchpad, one can choose the shower mode, control the temperature and manage water flow.

The Jaquar Group has unveiled yet another revolutionary product under its luxury brand Artize: the Sh ow e rt ron i c s i V 6 . Th e Artize Showertronics iV6 is an intuitive electronic thermostatic mixing system that maintains the water temperature and flow rate while taking a shower, for an unmatched showering experience.

A luxury brand under the Jaquar Group, Artize is the answer to all your luxury bath needs. The brand embodies design, technology and talent that converge into bespoke bathing solutions.

Made especially for luxurious bath spaces, the products under brand Artize are one of the world’s most exquisite.

Showertronics iV6 by Artize is an extremely easy to use, high-tech, luxurious system designed keeping user convenience in mind.

It comes with a sleek, futuristic touchpad and has an assortment of breathtaking features:

CONSTANT WATER TEMPERATURE The system keeps the water

temperature constant.

This prevents scalding from a sudden increase in temperature or a discomforting shock from a sudden decrease.

PRECISE FLOW RATE CONTROL - STEADY WATER FLOW Its six intelligent valves, sensors and software maintain the flow of water at a steady pace chosen by the user. The shower mode, temperature and flow rate of water can even be stored to the preferred settings in the system’s memory.

AUTOMATED SETTINGS The system is also equipped with a ‘Pause’ mode, which can be utilised while soaping or shampooing. When restarted, the system automatically settles into the exact temperature and flow within three minutes.

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Moreover, there is also a ‘Warm up’ mode that has the shower preheated for you

by flushing out cold water until the desired temperature is achieved.

BATTERY BACK UP - UNINTERRUPTED SHOWERING In India, high voltage peaks and power failures are common. To combat this, the Showertronics iV6 system is equipped to be safe from high voltage peaks, while its battery backup provides an uninterrupted showering experience despite power failures.

THERMAL DISINFECTION - ENSURES HYGIENE

Other path-breaking functions include its ‘Automatic Internal Cleanup’ that works to purge lime and impurities from the outlets and pipes by flushing water shocks for 10-15 seconds, and the ‘Thermal Disinfection’ feature for maintaining hygiene.

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Offering a choice of showering modes like Rain, Intense Waterfall and even Mist, the Rainjoy showering experience is a complete body bath that envelops the senses like a session at the spa!

Showertronics iV6 by Artize is a revolutionary product that seamlessly amalgamates high technology with exquisite craftsmanship and design.

Contact web: www.artize.com

Volume 10. Issue 3 . March 2016 Rs. 25/-

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

Cover Story

D

espite India’s long history of royal gardens, landscape architecture is a little known discipline in India today.

However in recent times there has been a growing emphasis on the importance of well-designed public spaces for a healthy lifestyle, as well as workplace productivity. Builders and developers also lay more emphasis on landscape architecture due to the competitive real-estate market and the need to provide added value through facilities such as pools, club houses and parks.

The role of the landscape architect is also gaining prominence due to the need to offer viable, sustainable solutions to these outdoor needs of the client or builder. Thus it is safe to assume that Indian landscape architecture w i l l g r ow s t e a d i l y ov e r t h e coming years.

Here is a look at some of the most innovative landscape projects from some of the foremost landscape architects practising in India today: Prabhakar Bhagwat and Associates -Akash, Ahmedabad Landscape architecture firm, m/s Prabhakar Bhagwat and Associates is possibly the most respected and prolific architectural firm in India. In the case of this project, landscape architects Aniket and Smruti Bhagwat, turned a barren ground into a beautiful facility.

Native Ingenuity

Landscape architecture has become a key component of building design and development. Here are a selection of leading landscape architecture firms practising in India. BY ALYSSA LOBO A long path flanked by a seamless water fall and dotted by trees takes you to a gilded receptacle, with a mixed sense of delight and anticipation. A luscious sea of two acres of impeccable grass is becalmed under a galaxy of stupendous lights that hang in the space above.

At Akash, architectural elements are stitched into a whole experience, like a quilt of finely embroidered ideas. Each idea is translated into an architectonic sculpture.

Layers Studios for Design & Architecture - Aloha on the Ganges In the Aloha on the Ganges project, Layers Studios has worked around the existing natural gradient and topography with reduced site intervention in terms of grading and construction. There has also been a conscious decision to use local and sustainable materials that gel with the context and lend

Aloha on the Ganges: Layers Studios has worked around the existing natural gradient and topography with reduced site intervention

the resort’s landscape a serene and meditative feel.

Akash by Prabhakar Bhagwat & Associates: Each idea has been translated into an architectonic sculpture

Several big rocks and boulders dotting the area have been retained to add a raw appeal to the design.

Similarly, the infinity edge pool has been strategically placed to create the illusion of water falling into the mighty Ganges. The lighting too here has been custom designed to make it look like a part of the natural scheme of things, with most path lights being fused to the bottom of planters lining the area.

According to architect Neha Bhardwaj, partner at the Delhi based firm, the aesthetic sensibilities behind the design were broadly dictated by the natural landscape and topography around the site and the dominant design sensibility was to be one with the nature. continued on page 4

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THE INSIDE TRACK March 2016

THE

INSIDE TRACK

CONTENTS Mahindra Institute of Quality by Roots Landscape Architecture: Minimalism and functionality was incorporated into the landscape

continued from page 3 Roots Landscape Architecture Mahindra Institute of Quality, Nashik The notion of this design is inspired from the philosophy of the institute itself. Landscape architects Umesh Wakaley and Prachi Wakaley sought to articulate a futuristic expression of landscape.

An elongated site gave an axial planning which installs the driveway.

An attempt was made to incorporate minimalism and functionality into the language of landscape, through the articulate use of a skilfully

selected planting palette, each for its diverse characteristics of size, shape, texture and colour of foliage etc.

The very minimal hard/paved areas, paver blocks for driveway and court and crushed metal, form a very cost-effective yet creates very strong visual impact.

The long path is tapped at interval with paved courts. These courts are arranged in a manner so as to bring in dynamism in space. The lawn is articulated as a carpet with bands of different continued on page 5

MARCH 2016

COVER Native Ingenuity 3 STORY Creative Gardens In Tiny Spaces 6 Designing Your Outdoors 7 Ready-Made Realty 8 DIY Design 9 A History Of The Land 10 Bright Night Lights 12 Landscaping, Sustainably 13 Tisva:Brightening Up The World 14 A New Sensorial Aesthetic 16 A Treasure Worth Exploring 18 Keeping It Simple 19 A Better Store Experience 20 Exhibitions and Fairs 22 The Latest On Recent Launches And Products 23 Wireless Lighting 28

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This issue contains 28 pages including both covers.

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THE INSIDE TRACK March 2016

Supreme Chambers by Kalpak Y Bhave: The landscape below reflects the geometry of the façade with a grid of squares and rectangles

continued from page 4 grass varieties. Grid planting of large trees underlines the seasonal variation, characteristic of selected species, complement the paved courts and transforms scale of these intermediate spaces.

K a l p a k Y Bh a v e - Su p re m e Chambers, Mumbai Supreme Chambers is a commercial building situated in Mumbai.

The brief given to landscape architect Kalpak Bhave was clear -the area was to be purely visual, to be appreciated from the building lobby, driveway and all floors as all these spaces overlook the garden area.

The façade of the building is simple and is broken into squares and rectangles. The landscape below reflects the geometry of the façade with a grid of squares and rectangles of different sizes.

All of these forms were defined by way of a border clad in natural stones. Every area was given a different character by way of its hard surfaces, semi hard surfaces, pebbled beds, lawns, shrubs, ground covers, etc. Plants with bright foliage were used to retain the beauty of

Mhalgi Prabodhini, a social and educational institute. The site is a six hectare plot located in Uttan, which is 15km. north-west from Mumbai.

Maximum utilization of the available space was the basic concept behind the spread out zoning of the functional areas of the institute. Landscape architect Rajoo Pradhan had to therefore bind these areas, creating congregational and recreational spaces, to achieve unity and connectivity.

The landscape was conceived to achieve simplicity and flexibility of space. The land disturbed due to dumping of debris on the site was reclaimed and restored by afforestation. This further screened the adjacent school building.

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the sunsets and good views and excluding the unsightly distant buildings. The created ‘court’ is wrapped around a central water body which invites guests to sit on the large boulders and interact with the water.

A stone - cobbled entrance court leads past a small temple, to the lower end of the site where the farmhouse is located, and doubles inside into the womb of the court. The nucleus of the court is a creeper- covered pergola lightly resting on the sloping wall and on two stone supports.

A restrained palette of materials; black stone in various forms - flagstone, dressed masonry, random masonry, stone chips, fish scale stone pieces for pond lining,

the landscape through the changing seasons.

Kishore D. Pradhan: Architecture + Landscape - Samsara Resort, Dechu Samsara is a luxury resort and camp designed to be a stop-over destination for tourists en route to Rajasthan’s heritage sites. Much of Samsara’s appeal lies in its profusion of greenery and evocative landscaping

by Mumbai-based landscape architect Kishore D. Pradhan. In Dechu, sand dunes co-exist naturally with tall trees and luxurious fields.

The landscape character for Samsara was inspired by the juxtaposition of sand dunes and lush green fields. Plants, trees and shrubs for the landscape were selected based on their ability to survive the severe climate of Rajasthan. The landscape greenery comprises mainly of trees, ‘Kharek’ palms, shrubbery of hardy perennials and hedges and all plant species being selected to suit the local environmental conditions.

R a j o o & Pa d m a j a Pr a d h a n Landscape Design & Development - Rambhau Mhalhi Prabhodhini, Uttan The project was for Rambhau

Rambhau Mhalhi Prabhodhini by Rajoo & Padmaja Pradhan: The landscape was conceived to achieve simplicity and flexibility of space

Samsara Resort by Kishore D. Pradhan: The landscape character was inspired by the juxtaposition of sand dunes and lush green fields

Forethought Design Consultants - Farmhouse, Pune The design by landscape architect Jayant Dharap acknowledges the presence of good views along one area and the necessity to block some distant ‘civilisation’ views along another. A rising and sloping retaining wall holds back an earth berm, creating a ‘court’ within the site, including

creates a conducive setting for the different textured and colours of the planting materials.

Contact web: www.landscapeindia.net layersstudios@gmail.com www.rootslandscape.in www.kalpakybhave.com www.kishorepradhan.com www.rajoopradhan.com www.forethoughtindia.com

Farmhouse by Forethought Design: The landscape acknowledges the presence of good views and the necessity to block ‘civilisation’

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THE INSIDE TRACK March 2016

Gardens

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rban gardens have become increasingly popular around the globe and are receiving a much deserved interest from Indian cities, too. Typically cultivated on the balcony or, more prominently, on a building rooftop, urban gardens are a great way to acquire home-grown vegetables and fruits and help in adding a tinge of green to the concrete jungle that is the city.

Living in a cramped city space, one might not even let the thought of cultivating and sustaining a garden get into the mind. Crunched for space and crowded though a city may be; if designed creatively, homes, offices and elsewhere allow for more room within their structures than one may be persuaded to think and assume. With a bit of knowledge and a whole lot of creativity, one can maximise space in one’s city house to make room for one’s very own garden.

When space is limited, a few gardening tricks can take you a long way. Vertical gardening is one such, and involves encouraging a plant’s growth along a vertical structure, such as a trellis or even a ladder.

This ensures that precious floor space in an urban garden is effectively saved.

Planning is crucial in maintaining urban gardens. One must assign places for plants to grow in in such

Creative Gardens In Tiny Spaces Even cities can make room for cultivating

a garden if you are creative. Here’s how you can maximise the little space that your city dwelling allows you. BY TASNEEM S. POCKETWALA

Urban gardens are typically cultivated on the balcony or on a building rooftop and add a tinge of green in the city

use timber panels for privacy or for purposes of storage. Growing hedges can make your garden look clear-cut and orderly. They are also great to cover an unattractive wall.

A look of seamlessness between the indoors and the garden can be

use while at the same time allowing you to grow a great many different sorts of plants. Additionally, they can be moved around easily and are also easier to care for. Installing a single ornate mirror adds to the

décor while making the garden look spacious.

Don’t back off from cultivating a garden even in a cramped city space. There’s more space here than you’d think.

Using pots to grow plants in is very convenient in terms of both gardening efficiency and with regards to space

a way that they receive as much exposure to the sun as they need whilst not occupying a whole lot of space. Some plants can be grown diagonally, which makes the space seem larger. Certain others could grow along the boundaries of the roof-top or balcony.

Even in small spaces, there is a need to designate spaces and ensure privacy. Trimmed trees can serve as dividers and offer privacy. You can

achieved by placing plants closer to the windows or installing folding or sliding doors.

In designing urban gardens with less space, minimalism is the key. Using pots to grow plants in is very convenient in terms of both gardening efficiency and with regards to space.

Yo u c a n u s e a l l t y p e s o f containers for the same as well. Pots and containers can maximise space

Vertical gardening ensures that precious floor space in an urban garden is effectively saved

THE INSIDE TRACK March 2016

Landscape

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aterials that go into designing a landscape depend foremost upon the nature of the landscaping at hand.

Hard landscaping, dealing with solid construction and designing of outdoor areas such as decks, pathways, fences and walls, involves materials such as bricks, granite, glass, concrete and metal. Soft landscaping deals with gardening, topiary and organising garden spaces and involves materials catering more to the field of horticulture and gardening.

Whether it is the building of walls in the courtyard, dividing parts of the garden or creating paths and driveways, landscape design requires careful planning and selection of the best materials that goes into its make. We present a few of the most innovative materials that are increasingly used in landscape design.

Shells Shells can be great for bedding

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Designing Your Outdoors Here are some innovative materials you can use for a creative solution for your garden and outdoor areas. BY TASNEEM S. POCKETWALA kind of texture altogether and are nutritious for plants. Processed seashells are a good choice since they are both functional as well as aesthetically appealing. These shells resist weeds, maintain soil moisture and can also be dyed.

Other kinds of shells that can be used include cocoa shells, which bring in a nice aroma and can be used as mulch.

Oyster shells are also used for landscape design.

Recycled Materials Recycled materials such as glass and timber can be used innovatively for landscape design. When Landscape design requires careful planning and selection of the best materials that goes into its make

easy to remove as well. Its natural look and appearance makes it ideal to apply to blur the lines between the pathway and the garden with its plantings.

Shells offer a different kind of texture altogether and are nutritious for plants

and edging paths. Neither as craggy as pebbles nor smooth as a rock, shells offer a different

Glass chippings, marbles, beads and even glass bricks can be used for walkways, set into surfaces and in the lawn

applied creatively, these materials can lend themselves to a wide range of purposes. For instance, glass and wood can be combined to construct an artistic fence for the landscape. Stained glass panes work even better and make the fence look strong and trendy.

Recycled steel can be used for making outdoor furniture.

Decks can be constructed using recycled wood.

Crushed Granite and Stone Crushed granite and stones can be used in pathways, driveways, etc. and are excellent durable materials. It is also found in earthy browns apart from the standard grey colour, and can add a rustic edge to any landscape. Crushed granite is easy to install and quite

Glass Glass lends itself in surprising ways for application in landscape design. Recycled glass - glass that is cleaned, broken down and smoothened of its sharp edges - is used in creating glass gravel. It can be trimmed for size and modified for colour.

Moreover, glass chippings, marbles, beads and even glass bricks can be used for walkways, set into surfaces and in the lawn. Empty glass bottles can be broken down and used to bring about a mosaic effect. They also lend themselves as great options for lining in a garden.

When considering materials to use in landscape designing, it is significant that one keeps in mind the effect the materials would have in the surrounding outdoor area. Waste generated must be effectively recyclable and reusable.

Crushed granite and stones can be used in pathways, driveways, etc. and are excellent durable materials.

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THE INSIDE TRACK March 2016

Prefab

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he Indian mentality has traditionally been towards personalisation and handcrafted goods. From our clothes to our furniture, we preferred to make everything ourselves; or hire a local tradesperson to follow our instructions.

Obviously this has changed tremendously over the years. From getting blouses stitched from the local ‘darzi’ to online shopping, Indians have embraced the ‘readymade’ attitude. Within the building products industry we can see this through the growth of the modular kitchen and online furniture markets.

Thus, it was only a matter of time for this trend to enter the sphere of building construction.

Prefab technology involves use of factory-manufactured components in buildings. Some commonly used pre-fab materials include steel frames for structures, panels made of wood, cement, gypsum and other materials for floors, walls and ceilings, factory-made doors, windows and ventilators.

In large construction projects, various modules of the structure are cast off-site in factories and then assembled on site. In the process, prefab materials such as wall and terrace blocks, wall panels, steel frames and plaster boards are used along with innovations such as the dry-wall technique.

The entire building can also be designed using architecture software. The components are then brought to the construction site and the structure is assembled onsite. Houses using steel frames for structure can have multiple stories without pillars, beams and concrete.

Alternatively, the main structure and outer walls can be constructed using the conventional techniques and inside partitioning and interiors done with prefab materials.

A major benefit of prefab construction is the timely completion of projects. Pre-fab technologies can be used to build homes quickly and cost-effectively, especially as traditional construction costs continue to rise.

Prefab construction reduces construction time and improves the quality of the building. Though prefab materials are 15-20% more expensive than the traditional ones; higher efficiency and less wastage and labour costs can bring down the overall cost substantially for large buildings. They also eliminate the need for auxiliary activities such as plastering, electrical wiring and

Ready-Made Realty The Indian market has gradually opened up to the possibilities of prefabricated buildings in order to fast track quality construction. BY ALYSSA LOBO plumbing as these are done at the casting stage itself.

In India, one of the greatest obstacles within the construction industry is the long periods for which projects are stuck, with delays in the supply chain.

Developers and property buyers suffer when there are delays due to shortage of manual labour and construction material. Delays add to cost and quality can suffer. Prefab necessarily involves fewer labourers on site. Offsite fabrication can reduce delays, free up the supply chain and help projects move ahead more rapidly.

With construction within the city there are restrictions on moving heavy vehicles and dumping construction material on the site. With precast structures being fabricated in factories and brought into the site for assembly, the manual labour is reduced 40 per cent, including in the factory and construction site.

The use of prefab techniques can also result in better cost efficiencies over the life span of the buildings.

Prefab homes use the latest technology and minimise defects through stringent quality checks. The quality of construction is much higher when components are manufactured in a stable environment such as the factory. Materials are used more efficiently, are safer from climatic Using prefab materials in buildings gives flexibility in terms of expansion and modifications

The components of a prefab building are brought to the construction site and the structure is assembled on-site

damage, and can be reused in the material stream.

Tr a d i t i o n a l c o n s t r u c t i o n techniques involve the use of timber moulds or shuttering for roof spans and other structural systems. These temporary timber structures have a short lifespan. Also, due to the volume of construction in the peak seasons of spring and summer, timber for larger projects is often unavailable. This hinders construction schedules and does not allow projects to be completed before cooler or rainy seasons begin.

However, construction does not stop in the summer despite the lack of proper equipment and material.

Instead, using makeshift methods for construction on site leads to inappropriate means and hence a substandard quality of construction in finished buildings. The prefabricated alternative to roof construction removes the issues of timber moulds and shuttering. Prefabrication in Indian housing improves uniformity and brings unskilled labour inside where work is supervised, monitored and controlled.

Usually, pre-engineered or prefabricated houses show better performance, as factory- or assembly-line-produced homes are manufactured to stricter norms.

Such building solutions use cutting edge technology and reduce the number of manufacturing defects given the strong quality checks that can be put in place.

Buildings constructed using prefab technologies have a life span of 30-50 years, equivalent to the lifespan of structures using conventional methods.

Using prefab materials in buildings also gives flexibility in terms of expansion and modifications. Most of these buildings are modular with independent blocks that can be added or removed. Computeraided design and certain materials produce structures which can be easily assembled and dismantled a number of times without damage.

Office and commercial buildings have been using prefab wall panels, ceiling panels, plasterboards and flooring systems to create interiors of offices and other places such as hospitals. The use of prefab materials gives the option of customising buildings for specific needs such as fire and water resistance and soundproofing. Currently in India, most of the demand for prefab materials is from large developers and for commercial spaces such as offices.

Use by individuals for their homes is yet to gain popularity.

THE INSIDE TRACK March 2016

Prefab

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he general perception of prefabricated projects is one of mass produced sameness. This isn’t an unmerited assumption to make as the primary feature of prefabricated structures is their standardised dimensions and quality.

The framework can be filled with prefabricated modules which can be chosen from a catalogue

However Beijing-based architectural firm, Penda seeks to change that with its latest project for Indian real estate developer, Pooja Crafted Homes. The project features a high-rise residential development named ‘Vijayawada Garden Estate: A Tree Storey’ and will be located in Vijayawada.

The brief from Pooja Crafted Homes asked that the building be an “outside of the box - design” and “a natural living experience” for the residents. The building is meant to be located on a corner plot near the Krishna River, and will provide fantastic views of the surroundings.

Penda tried to use modern construction techniques to bring back a level of individualism and flexibility for the inhabitants of a high-rise. Hence they divided each tower into its separate elements: the structure, walls, facade, ceiling and floors, infrastructure, balconies and plants.

Inspired by a modular shelf, the structural grid and the infrastructure are the only constant elements in the building.

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DIY Design Beijing based architectural firm Penda has

devised a unique prefabricated design for a real estate project in Vijayawada. BY ALYSSA LOBO This framework for a tower can be filled with prefabricated modules, which the home-owner can chose from a catalogue. The modules range from different floors, to a facade element, to railings and a variety of pots for plants to grow along the outside of the home. By choosing their own elements, the project offers the homeowners a tool to become the designers of their individual apartment.

In addition to customisation for each apartment owner, the building also makes use of ecological building techniques. A grey water supply system collects rainwater on the roof and reuses it for watering the plants on the balconies.

Air-purifying plants will use the grid on the facade to grow along. After some time nature will be the main design-language and the architectural design takes second place.

The facades serve as an interface between the outside and the inside, and the natural elements provide better control over the building’s indoor climate.

Open hallways support a constant airflow through the building and offer a natural ventilation system for all the apartments, which reduces the amount of ACs used in the compound. Optimal configuration of modules will facilitate natural ventilation, while the plants will help preserve fresh air and the natural appearance of the high-rise.

The architects found inspiration in their previous project-a small storage space designed for a Beijing café, and decided that the only constant elements in the building should be the structural grid and the infrastructure.

Contact web: www.home-of-penda.com www.poojacraftedhomes.in

Air-purifying plants will use the grid on the facade to grow along and after some time nature will be the main design-language

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THE INSIDE TRACK March 2016

Landscape

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any early cultures used their built landscapes to express their sacred or spiritual beliefs. Given the closeness of early humans to nature; trees, plants, rocks and water bodies had spiritual significance. Thus early humans altered the landscape to try to understand and honour the mysteries of nature through constructing mounds, raising stones

A History Of The Land India’s rich history of landscape

architecture and garden planning is a blend of influences, ranging from Persian to European. BY ALYSSA LOBO

Shalimar Bagh, Srinagar: Mughal garden forms were adapted to changes in climate and terrain

or with various markers placed on the ground. Archaeologists and historians have speculated about the purpose or function of many of these spaces for years, but they remain a mystery. The most famous example of this is the Stonehenge in England, with its carefully spaced and placed monoliths.

Closer home, the Bodhi (banyan) tree holds great significance to India’s Buddhist tradition.

Around 1200 to 1000 B.C.E., lndia had a developed art of town planning. Irrigation systems were also developed and were in use. However, it was not till the time of Lord Buddha (563 to 483 B.C.) that there was sufficient information about the development of parks and gardens.

References to the laying of palace gardens and tanks have been made in the Artha Shastra of Kautilya of 4th century B.C.E. which show that the ancient Hindus were not wholly dependent on natural groves, but laid down well planned gardens.

According to rock edicts from the Buddhist period, King Ashoka (270-250 B.C.) not only loved trees and parks but gave royal orders to plant trees and develop gardens all over his kingdom. Instructions were given regarding the location and

composition of parks. Each park was expected to have water pools, creeper arbours and shaded walks. The design was informal, with an emphasis on shade and the cooling effects of water. Trees, shrubs and creepers were given preference for their fragrance and fruits.

Fro m t h e w a l l p a i n t i n g s , sculptures, and rock-cut temples and from Sanskrit literature, one can get a fairly accurate idea of garden development from the first to the fifth century A.D. Kalidasa and other poets give us detailed information about the landscape design of the time. In his drama, Malavikagnimitra, Kalidasa described a machine which is similar to our present-day water sprayers.

There were water-cooled garden pavilions and bathing tanks. Gardens were watered from the main tank by weIl laid out water channels. The pools had fountains. The concept of a pleasure garden with use of water was fully developed and utilised.

Chola kings (around the 10th and 11th century A.D.) in South India had weIl developed cities with weIl planned gardens. The great SouthIndian temples, gems of Indian architecture, usually had water tanks in their compounds with gardens

attached to them. Invariably, such gardens were called “Nandanvaruun” (heavenly gardens).

Undoubtedly the art of landscape design in India took off with the reign of Babur and the establishment of Mughal rule. Babur visited the cities of his Timurid ancestors and was impressed by the artistic ideals expressed there through traditional Persian art forms and gardens. He created similar gardens in Kabul; such as the Bagh-e-Vafa, which assumed the typical quadripartite form, the ‘chahar bagh’.

The Ram Bagh located along the banks of the river Yamuna at Agra is believed to be Babur’s first garden in India. Babur undertook the ordering of the harsh, dry landscape through the digging of wells, the establishment of water tanks, and the construction of the symmetrical avenues, plantings, and pavilions that constituted the char bagh (from ‘chahar’, meaning ‘four’). The gardens developed by Babur were usually constructed in a series of terraces of sloping ground, which was the usual Turkish and Persian plan. ln these terraced pleasure gardens the main pavilion, the climax of the design, was in nearly every case placed

either on the topmost terrace from which one could get a wide view, or else on the lowest terrace from where one could enjoy the garden with its background. This system has been commonly used in Kashmir.

The forms of Mughal gardens adapted to variations in climate and terrain.

The Mughal Empire at its height stretched from the base of the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal, covering territories in present day Afghanistan and northwest India.

The landscape differs widely in these regions, from dry desert plains to lush river valleys. Garden forms were adapted to changes in climate and terrain. Mughal art forms were a blend of Persian, Central Asian, and Indian styles.

Seventeenth-century Mughal art shows the influence of both Hindu and Islamic cultures: aspects of a Buddhist aesthetic based on organic patterns and sculptural ornamentation were combined with the Islamic sense of mathematical order and geometry.

These influences can be seen in the architectural features and built forms of Mughal gardens, and in the painted miniatures produced during

Rambagh, Agra: Gardens developed by Babur were usually constructed in a series of terraces of sloping ground, which was the usual Turkish and Persian plan

THE INSIDE TRACK March 2016

this period. The tomb garden was a distinctive combination of landscape and architecture that joined aspects of the Islamic paradise garden with the Central Asian tradition of garden burial. Construction of a tomb garden began during an emperor’s lifetime; it was used as a park before his death and as a temple ground after. The greatest Mughal gardens date from the reigns of Akbar’s son, Jahangir (1569-1627), and grandson, Shah Jahan (1592-1666).

Islamic gardens could be divided into three types: gardens developed around a mausoleum, gardens developed as pleasure gardens and court yard gardens.

Another culture that venerated gardens and landscapes to an extreme were the British. Hence it should come as no surprise when they made their marks on the Indian landscape.

The British saw gardens not only as aesthetically pleasing but also as a means of moral improvement.

The nature of British landscaping in India changed over time: from the eighteenth-century nabobs with their “garden houses” modelled o n En g l i s h c o u n t r y e s t a t e s ,

Gate of Victoria Gardens, Mumbai: The British saw landscaping as a way to recreate the gardens of their home country

to the Victorian civil servants with their bungalows and welltrimmed lawns.

They saw gardens and landscaping both as a way to recreate the English gardens of their home country and also as an example of ‘civilisation’ and reason bringing order to nature.

A prime example of this is the Victoria Museum and Gardens (now Jijamata Udyaan and Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum) in Mumbai. The Gardens incorporated 33 acres of

the Mount Estate, in the Byculla neighbourhood. Within the estate were 2.5 miles of sanded roads, leading from the main entrance.

At the intricate gateway opening into the Gardens was a wide, heart shaped pair of roads, lined by palms, designed specifically to copy the entrance of the Peradeniya Gardens in Kandy. The two wide lanes merged in front of the Victoria and Albert Museum, which was intended to fulfill the role that a central fountain might play in a

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11

Sultanate garden. The cul-de-sac in front of the museum was further widened to provide parking space for 75 carriages and teams.

The main road neatly divided the Gardens into its two original sections: the gardens, and the Mu s e u m , w h i c h i n c l u d e d a collection of material known as “the exotic shed.”

The gardens themselves were surrounded by an ornamental border, with flowers distributed according to colour. Among the common flowers which were arranged in various designs were petunias, chrysanthemums, zinnias roses, and begonias - all familiar to the common English garden.

Interspersed among the flowers were numerous fountains and benches.

In short, the flower gardens were intended to duplicate a typical English garden. The overall intent was to provide a garden which was as English as possible, but which also experimented in growing plants and flowers from a wide variety of climates.

The colonial garden, thus, was built as a visual expression of the superiority of Europe.

Volume 10. Issue 2 . February 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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ver the past few years, India has gradually begun to expand its horizons with respect to design and architecture.

Increasingly, Indian products and architectural projects have garnered attention on several international pl atfor ms due to their high design quality.

Here we have a look at some of the projects and products that have received accolades and awards over the past year.

Re s e r vo i r - Wi n n e r, Fu t u re P r o j e c t s : O f f i c e , Wo r l d Architecture Festival This project by Sanjay Puri Architects is an attempt to merge aesthetics with sustainable design.

This site is located in Rajasthan amidst desert land where water is a scarcity and temperatures are in excess of 40°C. Hence this project borrows heavily from the traditional Rajasthani step well structure to combat the extreme environment.

Office spaces are created on the two north facing sides gradually stepping down at each level along the existing contours, generating north facing landscaped terraces fronting each office.

The opposite south facing sides are shaped into open stepped platforms along the site’s contours

Outstanding

By Design

The previous year has been an exceptional one with many Indian products and projects being recognised on the national and global scale. BY ALYSSA LOBO Reservoir by Sanjay Puri Architects borrows heavily from the traditional Rajasthani step well structure to combat the extreme environment

further generating landscaped s p a c e s a n d c re a t i n g a l a r g e community space as the traditional stepwells had.

Abin Design Studio’s Temporary Temple was to shelter a religious idol, with a notion of continuous movement as its guiding principle

The design is responsive to the site contours, the climate of its location and to the need of its users, generating office spaces that require much lower energy consumption due to their orientation while imbibing the traditional architecture prevalent in the region since centuries and creating a large water catchment area in response to the water scarcity prevalent in the location.

The entire structure will be built in local Chittorgarh sandstone available in close proximity of the site.

The design is thus sustainable in numerous ways creating an energy efficient responsive architectural solution.

designed to shelter a religious idol, with a notion of continuous movement as its guiding principle.

The idea was to create a composition of light and colour, which would convey movement and playfulness.

Vibrantly hued LED lights are placed around a rising circular volume to emphasize the focal point while guiding visitors around the pavilion on a journey of everchanging views.

The project was one among 60 that were chosen from across the world, and were awarded the 2015 International Architecture Award by the Chicago Athenaeum, an international museum of architecture and design.

Temporary Temple - Winner International Architecture Awards Abin Design Studio’s project is a temporary structure that was

Acrysil’s SaniQ Kristall Washbasin - Red Dot Honourable Mention This peculiar basin with a multicontinued on page 4

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THE INSIDE TRACK March 2016

Landscape

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ome night, the effort (or money) you may have invested in designing a landscape to your taste may all go waste. While landscape lighting is essential when it comes to safety and functionality, it also serves the purpose of illuminating your outdoor space and displaying the grandeur of the design of your landscape even at night. With proper lighting you can enhance the landscape design set against the backdrop of night, training the eye to focus on objects of beauty and interest. When done well, landscape design can be a treat for the eyes both during the day and, through its lighting, especially in the night.

Kinds of lighting The way the light is directed either in specific areas or on certain objects - decides the overall impact of the landscape. Typically, there are three main ways you can direct your lighting: uplighting, downlighting and crosslighting.

Uplighting involves directing the light upwards onto a tree or an architectural object. This gives the effect of engaging with shadows and contrasting light with dark shadows.

Downlighting consists of light that is aimed downwards in a diffused sort of way. This light is generally sourced from a light attached to a tree. Crosslighting seeks to get rid of shadows altogether by placing lights on both sides to beam at the focal point.

Lighting positions Some of the most popular areas to light include trees, facades, planting beds, pathways, patios, driveways, garden walls, water features, etc.

Trees can be subject to uplighitng and crosslighting. But when aiming the beam upwards, one must be careful

Bright Night Lights Choosing the right lighting for your

landscape may get confusing. We offer you some tips to transform your landscape into a stunningly luminous space. BY TASNEEM S. POCKETWALA

With proper lighting you can enhance the landscape design set against the backdrop of night

to also light the trunk of the tree so as not to create the illusion of its foliage being suspended in mid-air.

To enhance facades, focus the beam of the light along the corners of the home or on architectural elements.

The patio or the Indian aangan is a place where family members gather around and spend time with each other. Therefore, flashing harsh spotlights that could impede conversation is not recommended.

When subjecting trees to uplighting, one must be careful to also light the trunk of the tree as well as the foliage

Although electricity and water are not particularly safe together, water installations that are lit from within are quite popular and lend the landscape an ethereal appeal.

Achieving effects Lighting can effectively enhance the ambience of a surrounding. Careful and creative lighting offers plenty of ways to play with lights and shadows.

In a given landscape, one or two

objects or areas should be highlighted and made into focal points. You can also lend the landscape a sense of depth by lighting along the pathways or within landscaping beds.

To create visual interest, layered lighting is a good idea. Installing multiple lighting fixtures can brighten up the outdoor space entirely. To give the effect of moon light, positioning lights high up in the trees helps.

Water installations that are lit from within are quite popular and lend the landscape an ethereal appeal

THE INSIDE TRACK March 2016

Landscape

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hen it comes to landscaping and landscape design, we must keep in mind that the different aspects that contribute to making an impact on the environment, ecology and even human health.

Su s t a i n a b l e l a n d s c a p e s t a k e the environment as central to their core design.

Landscaping, Sustainably Designing sustainable landscapes goes a long way into creating environments that not only last long but also work towards building healthy communities. BY TASNEEM S. POCKETWALA their irrigation requirements. Installing a water-efficient irrigation system that provides a steady water supply is also a good idea.

The use of rainwater for irrigation reduces the need to use potable water.

Also, non-potable water such as the condensed water acquired from air conditioners or greywater (waste water that is generated in offices and households that is without the presence of faecal matter) can be efficiently used for irrigating the landscape.

Sustainable landscapes strive to conserve water, improve air quality and reduce the depletion of resources

They go beyond being merely green. Sustainable landscapes strive to conserve water, improve air quality and reduce the depletion of resources. The materials employed in their make are also green, non-toxic and reusable.

Planning is a crucial aspect when it comes to sustainable landscape designing. Important things to be taken into account while making an analysis of the site are the characteristics or traits of the location, temperature, conditions of sun and shade, moisture level, type of soil, tilt of the ground, wind movement, and climatic conditions.

Designing a sustainable landscape requires careful scrutiny of the elements that make it whole, including water, soil and materials. Here is an overview of how these building blocks of landscape design can be efficiently utilised so as to build a more sustainable landscape.

Soil Soil is the foundation of a landscape, so it needs to be healthy. The quality and characteristics of the soil will dictate the kind of plants that are to root in it. It

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will also determine the irrigation system to be employed for the landscape, since different sorts of soils have different water requirements.

For sustainable gardens to flourish especially, soil is indispensable. It purifies water and removes pollutants, stores atmospheric carbon and sustains plants. Today’s modern industrial drive has rendered soil polluted and eroded.

Implementing sustainable gardening practices however can help in restoring the quality of soil and also improve its health.

Water The usage of water needs to be effectively planned. When it comes to water and landscaping, the aim is to reduce the use of potable water for landscape irrigation. A landscape design that is water efficient goes a long way in reducing the consumption of water. A few strategies towards this effect could include choosing plants that are adapted to the climatic conditions of the landscape and growing plants in groups according to

For sustainable gardens to flourish especially, soil is indispensable

Materials In designing a landscape, the materials

that go in their construction make an impact on the environment. It is therefore imperative that the materials chosen and used are durable, reusable and non-toxic and support and improve the ecosystem.

Whether it is constructing pathways on the landscape or installing lighting fixtures, the materials made use of should ideally be reusable and recyclable. Besides this, materials that are locally available and suited to the conditions of the landscape should be utilised. Reclaimed materials, especially wood, can be used in designing a landscape.

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THE INSIDE TRACK March 2016

Co. Profile

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s a brand, Tisva is clear in its philosophical streak that drives the making of its products. Tisva the name has been inspired by the idea of Tvisa, which means light, and Tattva, which means essence, both words derived from Sanskrit. The brand seeks to go beyond the ordinary and in doing so, create a collection of inspirational luminaires.

The brand has also launched exclusive collections especially for kids

An addition to the diversified portfolio of Usha International Limited, Tisva and its lighting products are an expression of beauty melded with cutting-edge technology. Its wide range of innovative products include its LED designer range, chandeliers, wall lights, floor lamps, table lamps, kids light and pendant lights.

Tisva:Brightening Up The World We take a look at Tisva to find out how it melds beauty with cutting-edge technology to create innovative and inspirational lighting products. BY TASNEEM S. POCKETWALA The brand has collaborated with Mattle to launch exclusive collections especially for kids featuring Barbie and Hot Wheels lights. Chandeliers by Tisva feature organic designs that take their inspiration from nature and are made using an array of materials and finishes, such as blown glass and chrome finish.

“Home lighting concepts come with endless possibilities,” says Ms. Ishani Sharma, Marketing, Usha International, when asked about some emergent trends in lighting.

“The role of lighting will evolve even further with technologies like Dimmability, Tunability and Controllability being used for overall physical and emotional wellbeing. To sum it up progressive lighting solutions is not just about switching lights on and off; instead they are an integral part of our lifestyles.”

Tisva’s table and floor lamps are equipped with high technology and feature dimmable and tunable controls. Everything from their throw of light and their reach to the use of space has been optimised.

Table lights lets the user change the intensity of the light, while in the case of floor lightings,

Chandeliers by Tisva feature organic designs that take their inspiration from nature and are made using an array of materials and finishes

Tisva and its lighting products are an expression of beauty melded with cutting-edge technology

users are given a choice to tune the light from yellow to white.

Tisva’s pendant range comes in rich glossy colours and designs that are futuristic. They are available in CFL as well as LED variants.

The brand also endeavours to enlighten its consumers about the very many benefits of using LED lighting, something that is still nascent in usage in India. Tisva goes by the tagline, ‘Feel the warmth. See the light.’ and strives to render this adage into its products.

Furthermore, the brand seeks to apply this to the spaces where their products are showcased as well, so that the different showrooms of Tisva serve as a kind of tribute to the art of illumination. “Our experience in selling home lighting products has shown that there is inadequate information about the choice of possibilities the consumer has when it comes to playing with lights,” says Sharma. Therefore, Tisva has “introduced a distinctive concept of experiential zones in our exclusive Tisva showrooms that showcases live simulation of various lighting technologies with the idea to help the

customer make the right choice.” Tisva showrooms can be found in places such as Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Pune.

Contact web:www.lightsbytisva.com

Tisva’s pendant range comes in rich glossy colours and designs that are futuristic

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THE INSIDE TRACK March 2016

Interview

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atyendra Pakhalé is one of the most interesting designers working today. He was born in India and trained at IIT, Bombay and later at Art Centre Europe, Switzerland. He has worked from his studio in Amsterdam, The Netherlands since 1998. He was part of the pioneering ‘new business creation’ team, conceiving some of the first product ideas for new

Satyendra Pakhalé

technologies at Philips Design in the mid-90’s.

Pakhalé is currently on Cappellini’s roster of world class designers. He is able to balance sensory qualities with tactile features and technology into a universal design language in his diverse creations. These qualities are evident in his Fish Chair which he developed with Cappellini.

The Inside Track chatted with Pakhalé during his visit to the India Design Forum in February, where he spoke about the need to promote upcoming talent and what’s needed to develop an Indian design identity.

How does India measure up as a country, design-wise? Do you see potential in Indian design?

I have been asked this question in different forms. As we venture into manufacturing, and Make in India has such momentum now, I think it’s very crucial. Design is primal for all of that, without design there can’t be manufacturing. So where do we go?

It’s really an interesting and important challenge. Now the question comes, let’s say: is there enough problem solving capacity or talent? Are there enough people who could do that? And a simple answer for that is: yes. Is it there right away, right now? Not quite.

Why I say yes is because if you look at the curiosity, aspiration,

A New Sensorial Aesthetic Leading designer Satyendra Pakhalé shares with us why a strong cultural confidence is important to develop a new Indian design identity. people who want to do something, there are plenty. But the trouble is that there’s no space for exploration or going outside conformism.

Now within the context of manufacturing industry, often it is in a conformist context. And in design you need to think of open possibility.

Innovation literally means looking at the world in another way, trying to understand another possibility.

We have something else that has been recognised internationally -‘Jugaad’. We don’t have to misunderstand jugaad with design.

Jugaad is very important and it is a part of an innovative mind set; which is there, which has always been there. But for design we need a little bit more, because design is about scaling up, manufacturing, problem solving. It’s also about the contemporary issues that we deal with. So combined with jugaad, probably we could do very terrific work, but it’s not there yet. But at least the conversation is happening.

If I look back in 2012, the first India Design Forum, till today, I think there are a lot of things happening. A lot more younger people are engaged, so I think the momentum is there.

But what we need is openness, a collaborative spirit, what we also need is to put trust into new talents.

And if that happens, I don’t think anyone can stop us, I think we can do a great deal.

What would you say is deficient in the Indian product design context, which would allow something to happen?

I think design is like any field of work, you obviously need system support. What I mean by system support is that when a new talent or possibility is there, there has to be some support that facilitates, gives opportunities, gives a blank canvas that one could perform. If you don’t give that platform, it’s going to be impossible.

The second thing, when you explore something unknown, that nobody knows - that’s why it’s innovation and it takes a certain

time to get there and if you don’t believe in it, it will never happen. So you really have to support that and have the courage to go somewhere you’ve never been before. And that is not only on the side of designers but also on the side of manufacturers and clients. If that happens, then you can explore something that you’ve never done. If that doesn’t happen, then you keep repeating what you did or you copy.

Have you spotted any Indian company or any Indian designer that is headed in the right direction?

It’s tough to say and I’m sure there are people like that but I wouldn’t have the access to all the information. First of all to create the conditions; unfortunately I haven’t seen those conditions myself. We are a large country so I can’t give you a

exercise their talents and there is a more collaborative space.

Do we have a problem solving capacity? Do we have the mind-set?

Because, often to solve a problem you need to ask a question and that is not something that our system allows us. I think with the younger kids, they really ask questions - can I do something like this?

And it’s happening in some other fields; like to some extent it’s happening in cinema. So I wouldn’t say it’s not there. It’s there but has it been given any platform to be able to cultivate further? I’m not sure.

You studied in IIT and then later on in other parts of the world. In the emotional construct of your products, is there anything India centric or India influenced?

When you talk about Indian design,

Poltrona Frau’s Assaya Chair by Satyendra Pakhalé:The design concept of Assaya is inspired by the way of life in the connected world

statement saying, ‘this is it’. In that context it will be difficult for me to say without being completely informed.

But I am sure there are pockets where people are active and doing certain things but having said that, the amount of manufacturing power that we have, the amount of industry, technological know-how we have; I don’t think it has given enough opportunities to people.

There could be more, there could be student competitions, etc. So you are engaged more, you create the possibility where people can actually

there is a lot of debate about it; since I was in IIT till now. We are the only country where you can go to all parts of India, where people might be speaking different languages; they might have different food habits, different belief systems, etc. But there is one common denominator - that’s the cultural component of being Indian. Why it happened, how it happened; leave it up to anthropologists to find out, but it is a fact.

That’s’ a specific quality; which is why I call India a uniquely sensorial culture - the way we talk, eat, etc.

THE INSIDE TRACK March 2016

Satyendra Pakhalé’s Fish Chair for Cappellini is made in rotational moulding with a special insert making it a bi-colour object

The moment you talk about ‘Indian’, everyone looks back. Every concept of Indian culture or identity, they are looking back. Why not look forward? That’s the question I ask all the time.

So I travel around, engage with the artisans here and I understand that unique sensorial quality. I want to look forward. Often people say, ‘I don’t see those typical motifs or typical stereotypes I have in my mind. I see something else, so maybe it’s not Indian.’

I think this is the cultural confidence that we lack. That is more important in a discourse of design and forging our path, which is unfortunately not there.

This discourse I’ve been having with IIT, NID; often it’s very self-referential.

In India, the first thing we should do is stop talking about Indians, because Indians are the only people on earth who are deeply Indian. It’s nothing to be proud about, nothing to be ashamed about. It’s just a fact.

We don’t have to worry about it.

What we have to do is go deep within ourselves and look forward, not backward all the time. And the trouble of identity is looking backward. It’s a clichéd identity. Unless we go forward, we’ll never create new traditions, new masterpieces.

The day the Taj Mahal was made, did it look Indian? The day the Eiffel Tower was made, was it French?

No, because Eiffel Tower was a big innovation. People hated it; they wanted to tear it down. So if we go looking, for something specifically Indian, then there is trouble, because you hold a confirmed idea and we’re lost again.

We’re not talking about innovation; we’re talking about walking the path we already walked.

Could you share with us a little about your association with Capellini?

With Capellini, it was a very early thing. Giulio Cappellini has been a great support all these years. He’s a legend in the field of design with great respect and reverence. There are few people in the world, in the history of design, or in any profession for that matter that can make such an impact on generations. He’s the one who discovered Japer Morrison and me.

This is the capacity, this is the kind of people we need, if you’re talking about our context. That’s a cultivated mind and if you look at Giulio and if you look at the kind of designers he picked, they are different. They have a different sensibility and each one has their unique position. So if you go 100 years from now and look back in history you will see important figures who have an important body of work and that one man had the sensibility to bring them together. Isn’t that beautiful? And I think we can

Sketch for Assaya Chair by Satyendra Pakhalé

have more Giulios in the world, that would be great.

My early meeting with Giulio was at an exhibition in Verona called Abitare il Tempo and they wanted to bring in design beyond Europe. So there comes the Campana Brothers, me and some other people. And he was very curious and very engaging and they invited me and I met him there. I knew little about him and later I got to know more and that’s where I did the Fish Chair.

The Fish Chair is an industrial piece, it’s not a handmade thing. It’s a mass manufactured, professionally moulded, it has a big investment in tooling and so forth. And you don’t do that with just any designer.

And you definitely don’t do that with somebody who is new on the field. And I had never drawn a chair before I drew the Fish Chair.

Because I was obsessed with technology, I was working on a concept car. I had all the engagement with Phillips, with all the new digital technology and electronics, etc. And at that time I was also engaged in thinking of design as a plural, open-ended possibility.

But that was the first chair I had ever designed. So I can say that

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in retrospect very openly if Giulio hadn’t trusted, it wouldn’t be there.

And last year we celebrated the 10th anniversary at the FDHI. So he made a limited edition, the moment he heard I had an exhibition there.

He said, ‘I still love the piece and we want to celebrate it.’

Is there anything new currently that is in the process of being made?

Yeah there are lots of things in discussion always. But the projects always take time, there is deeper reflection, there is more engagement in the sense of, ‘Can we do this? Can we do that?’

As Giulio says, it’s not about the best-seller; it is about the long-seller.

That’s a powerful thing. How many marketing people talk like that? And that’s beautiful. And that is where you will cut away all the nonsense about trends, fashion, fads, etc.

That puts a huge responsibility on a designer as well as a manufacturer to make the right choices, that you’re not just producing ‘whatever’.

Contact web: www.satyendra-pakhale.com www.cappellini.it/en

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THE INSIDE TRACK March 2016

Spot Light

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résorie, an exquisite home couture destination, recently unveiled its flagship store in the Mumbai suburb of Santacruz. This new store is spread over five expansive floors and will display a wide range of home accessories. There will also be over 30 international

A Treasure Worth Exploring We take a look at what lifestyle brand Trésorie’s new Mumbai store has to offer us. BY TASNEEM S. POCKETWALA

The store features everything concerned with home and home accessories including home collectives, silverware and tableware, kitchenware, bedding, bath, rugs, etc

brands featured in the store, including ASA, RAK, ACRILA and several more.

Trésorie was founded in 1998 by creative soul Sonali Arora, who has experience both in the fields of product and apparel design. The name ‘Trésorie’ has been derived from the French word “Tresour”, which refers to a treasure or something that holds a place of

pride in the heart and home. As Sonali Arora herself explains, “At Trésorie, we will always have that little piece of something that lights up your heart; that little piece of happiness for your home.” Trésorie thus is an assemblage of new forms of interiors, furniture and product design.

Trésorie seeks to identify emergent décor trends and presents a wide

Trésorie seeks to identify emergent décor trends and presents a wide array of designs and provides personalised service

array of designs and even provides personalised service. The store features everything concerned with home and home accessories - whether it is home collectives, silverware and tableware, bar accessories, kitchenware, bedding, bath products, rugs and aromatherapy lines, you will discover all of this and more here.

There is also a section for the outdoors area that includes planters

and garden accessories and even a beautiful terrace lounge.

Some of the collection promised comprises of luxe velvets and textures in organic but deep tones, combinations of periwinkle blue and oatmeal brown in Aztec patterns, breezy florals, ornamental patterns, geometric patterns, and more.

Out of its international products include products that are unique to a particular location or region, for instance framed Viennese lithographs, architectural prints of Eastern Europe or framed pictures of the New York skyline. The store also presents inhouse organic fragrances, incense, candles, etc.

Curating does not seem to have been an easy task. With such a lot of exquisite products available from both international as well as Indian brands, how does one pick and choose?

“Curating has been the most interesting yet challenging feat,” says Arora,“it involves balancing current interior trends and forecasts, redefining them to suit the market requirement in terms of quality, aesthetics, utility and affordability; all this while keeping our ideology of being all inclusive.”

Contact web: contactus@Trésorie.co tel: 022 26608042/0243

Trésorie, an exquisite home couture destination, recently unveiled its flagship store in Santacruz, Mumbai

THE INSIDE TRACK March 2016

Spot Light

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he year began on a high note for the Indian design community. Office Snaphots, an international blog that covers office design, listed Phantom Films’ as the second most popular office of 2015 in its year end list.

Phantom Films is the production house behind popular and critically acclaimed films like Lootera, Queen and Masaan. The office was designed by Richa Bahl of Rkv who had designed Phantom’s previous office as well and so had an idea of the founders’ tastes and office requirements. They required space to accommodate their various departments and projects.

“From a design perspective, it is the coming together of a lot of creative people and they needed a space which reflects that. The directors of the company - Anurag Kashyup , Vikram Motwane, Madhu Mantenna and Vikas Bahl - are very people oriented and believe in promoting talent in a big way,” says Bahl.

Keeping It Simple Richa Bahl’s design of the Phantom Films office gets recognition for its creative construct. BY ALYSSA LOBO space would not have worked at all.

The space needed to reflect the creative vibe of the professionals who would be using it.

Bahl says, “The space was huge.

It was this old bungalow which was in quite a state and had to be fixed a lot. The budget was also restrictive.”

Hence she used three base elementsbrick, Siporex and coloured flooring.

She wanted to keep it simple but added a little colour and glamour to the place.

In keeping with the nature of the company that would be using the space, Bahl wanted the office to look dramatic in places, so she used different kinds of ceilings and jaalis. Some exceptional features of the space, that add some welcome old school Bollywood glamour are and old chandelier (a prop from the movie Bombay Velvet) and a staircase.

Office Snaphots, an international blog that covers office design, listed Phantom Films’ as the second most popular office of 2015

The founders love the buzz of various kinds of professionals around them and need openness in the space so more interactions can happen.

Additionally since it is a film production house, the people are more casual and a more conventional corporate looking

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The building also had interesting architecture, with features like the long, rounded old-fashioned windows near the staircase side, which Bahl retained in the design.

The walls were muted as the team largely used brick and Siporex,

Bahl used three base elements: brick, Siporex and coloured flooring as she wanted to keep the space simple but with a little colour and glamour

hence the colour had to come from the floor. “I wanted to use flooring which is not straight but more graphic. Bharat Floorings was the perfect choice to add that flavour to it”, says Bahl.

She changed the facade windows to get more natural light in and take advantage of the beautiful trees and greenery surrounding the building. This means that not much lighting is required during the day. Bahl used metal windows to match the look of the simple material base. She added a round window in director Vikram Motwane’s room to give an old world, European feel.

The building was painted the colour marsala, 2015’s Patone Colour of the Year, which was a perfect contrast with the greenery and gravel of the outdoor area.

She added graffiti elements to the building exterior to create the cool and easy vibe of the production house. Inside, the walls were kept unfinished to fit into the simple

material base of brick and Siporex.

The team added more colour through the open wiring.

The designer didn’t want to make the space look like a typical filmi office with movie posters and reels. “It needed to reflect a creative office space for people with ideas from various streams of the movie business, like an idea hub”, says Bahl. “So the only thing I added was this big chandelier as it added that little drama and brought in an element of madness to the space.”

Food a is very important part of the office and given the nature of work of the production house, meal times are not fixed. Hence the team created a spacious open kitchen and eating area so that all day eating can be done comfortably.

The gravel and greenery of the outdoor area gives it a garden-like feel, making it an ideal space for group work or meetings.

Contact web: bahl.richa@gmail.com tel: 9867003875

The building was painted the colour marsala, 2015’s Patone Colour of the Year, which was a perfect contrast with the greenery and gravel of the outdoor area

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THE INSIDE TRACK 2016

Dealer Speak

H

omestead (India) Pvt. Ltd is a four year-old family-run business in Bhopal that deals in both interior and exterior, high end building materials.

They deal in a wide variety of products such as: high quality tiles and natural stone products, adhesives; roofing services; wooden

A Better Store Experience The future of the Indian sanitary ware market belongs to those who excel at complete bathroom solutions.

Today there is a concept of ‘complete bathroom solutions’. Are consumers opting for these concept bathrooms or are they still mixing and matching?

Arpit Gagrani, Director Homestead (India) Pvt. Ltd.

and vinyl flooring and cladding products. Homestead also carries specialty products and services like PHOMI clay cladding and floor material installation and selling; landscaping products like stone fountains, exotic pebbles, cobble stones, etc.

They sell premium range and high quality sanitary ware and plumbing solutions from brands like TOTO, Viega, Giacomini and Tece.

We speak to Arpit Gagrani, Director - Homestead (India) Pvt. Ltd about the best brands in the bathroom segment, the growing need for water saving fixtures and the future of the Indian sanitary market.

How are international sanitary ware companies competing with Indian brands?

This was a market led only by Jaquar; but in the past four years TOTO, Kohler, Hansgrohe, Roca, Duravit and recently, Delta have really given a dent to Jaquar with far better designs and very high quality with good prices.

Although the quality of these brands is phenomenal, issues during installation sometime affect the customers. If not taken care in time (which happens as their service network is not at par with Indian brands), this will hinder their market goodwill.

Indian brands are also introducing premium brands or acquiring/ partnering with international brands, such as Artize of Jaquar Group and Queo from the house of Hindware.

India has its own market conditions.

Complete bathroom solutions works in two ways in India.

Firstly there are a lot of retailers who have understood the need for complete bathroom solutions and have roped in many different brands under the same roof to give customers the choice of a one stop shop with CP fittings, sanitary ware, bathroom accessories and above all, spa products like whirlpool systems, rain shower, steam rooms, sauna, etc.

On the other hand, Jaquar was the first company in India which realised this need. They introduced the whole new segment with their current dealers, distributors and orientation centres providing full bathroom package. Now even Hindware is trying to do so.

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

Yes there is a demand for such products, with TOTO, Hansgrohe

and Delta being the best in the segment. Other brands, both Indian and international are in the development phase with limited products. Hansgrohe and Delta in shower and CP fittings have introduced products which give the effect of more water. TOTO’s Tornado Flush and Hydel Powered Sensors for faucets and urinals are best in class products with minimal energy and water consumption.

Water metering will further enhance the demand of such products as in India people prefer to spend one time on the product rather than paying additional bills because of its usage.

Which brand, according to you, is the leader in the premium sanitary ware segment and which are some of their best-selling products?

Villeroy & Boch in sanitary ware, and Dornbracht and THG Paris in CP fittings. There are other products from other brands which consumers mix and match like Delta’s Touch2O Technology faucets, H2OKinetic showers, TOTO’s Cefiontect and Tornado Flush products. In addition to these, brands which are offering various finishes and colours like rustic bronze, copper, gold, black are also in vogue.

The Indian market is going to experience bigger and better stores which have lot of live mock bathrooms

How do you rate the demand of bathroom furniture? Are consumers opting for this?

Since India is still cheap on customisation, customers still prefer to get bathroom furniture customized as per their taste. But yes, since it’s easy to install with less hassle, the share of bathroom furniture is increasing.

What do you think could be the trends in this segment in the coming year? Do you see any new ideas product-wise?

Products’ quality and presentation at showroom should be good but in India a customer feels the product is only right if he/she sees the product everywhere in advertisements like TV, magazines, hoardings, at architects’/ designers’ meet, etc. This creates a positive perception about a brand in the customers’ mind. Also the designers’ say has become very important as they are much more aware than the client about the right product.

The Indian market is soon going to experience bigger and better stores which have a lot of live mock bathrooms of sizes 50 to 100 sq. ft. inclusive of tiles/ stones, sanitary ware, CP fittings and spa so that in one store clients can see at least 50 mock bathrooms.Decisions therefore get much quicker and better with first-hand experience about how the residence/office is going to look.

Rather than seeing new ideas product wise (since most of the world’s leading brands are already present in India now) customers now want new concepts, new formats of mega display, even if he/she needs to travel that extra mile.

Online retailing also is becoming crucial as I have noticed this through one particular product - Delta’s range of pull down kitchen faucets sells well online through Snapdeal, because it is a one of its kind product and its functionality makes designers love it.

And finally to sum up: Yes, India is the market to look up to, both by global players and local ones, as our country is undergoing a transformation.

Contact web:www.homesteadindia.com tel: 0755-4254405

THE INSIDE TRACK March 2016

Spot Light

D

uravit has now introduced a new addition to its range of shower-toilet seats with the SensoWash® Slim. This new product offer all the advantages of a showertoilet seat and it is the perfect entrylevel item for those who value purism and simplicity.

Duravit SensoWash® Slim has now added a new minimalist variant that uses technology intelligently.

Thanks to its balanced proportions and particularly flat shower-toilet seat, SensoWash® Slim looks like a classic toilet, allowing it to satisfy the desire for sleek aesthetics and timeless modernity.

The ultra-slim remote control, which continues the clear design of the shower-toilet seat, is used to select the desired function. The intensity and position of the spray and the water temperature can be set to suit personal taste using the illuminated symbols.

There is also a clever and convenient night-light function, with an LED which illuminates the inner basin providing orientation in the dark. It is also possible to lock or unlock all functions using a special key combination.

Duravit SensoWash Slim Shower Toilets For Everyone

®

Duravit’s Red Dot Award winning product SensoWash® Slim offers the most natural form of hygiene possible - cleansing with water.

Rearwash: Water temperature, water spray intensity and the spray wand position can be individually adjusted.

The spray wand has a hygienic stainless steel surface and a replaceable nozzle.

The spray wand and nozzles are cleaned automatically before and after each use.

Comfortwash: For an extra-thorough wash, the spray wand moves forwards and backwards. The Comfortwash can

Advertorial

21

be switched on while the Rearwash or Ladywash are being used.

Ladywash: specially developed for the needs of female users. It provides a gentle stream of water for a gentle, pleasant wash.

For the first time the seat and shower-toilet technology are completely separate: The entire SensoWash® Slim seat unit can be removed and replaced in a snap, allowing it to be

cleaned quickly and easily. This is a tremendous advantage for use in semipublic and public areas.

SensoWash® Slim is a discreet design object that blends into any modern bathroom ambience. In order to adhere to a broad spectrum of requirements and tastes it is available in a number of options, making it compatible with seven different Duravit bathroom ranges.

Contact Duravit India Private Limited tel: 07966112300 respond@in.duravit.com www.duravit.in www.pro.duravit.in

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THE INSIDE TRACK March 2016

Fair News

Roof India Exhibition Chennai 2016

Date 7th - 9th April, 2016 Venue Chennai Contact www.roofindia.com

Design Days Dubai 2016 Date 14th - 18th Mar, 2016 Venue Dubai Contact www.designdaysdubai.ae One of the leading fairs in the Middle East and South Asia region, Design Days Dubai returns for its fifth edition this year. The event is dedicated to collectibles and limited edition furniture as well as design objects. The event draws visitors and exhibitors from the world over.

Leading international designers and galleries will be displaying their work alongside emergent designers at the fair.

There will also be a five-day programme taking place throughout the fair that includes talks, panel discussions, live performances, practical workshops and even mentorship sessions. The programme has been kept open to all without an extra charge but the workshops require prior registration. This is sure to be beneficial both to professionals as well as design enthusiasts. The programme serves as an opportunity to really engage with design and facilitates discussions and the exchange of ideas.

Roof India Exhibition is one of Asia’s most definitive expo for the roofing sector and roofing products. The fair, currently in its 15th edition, is the region’s only such, focusing only on roofing and its allied products. The exhibition gathers under its roof the building construction and infrastructure industry, enabling the exchange of ideas and serving as a platform for visitors and exhibitors to network.

The event also provides a platform to strike business deals and establish partnerships and joint ventures. Visitors expected include architects, designers, builders, civil contractors, factory builders and owners, roofing contractors, authorities from Airport Infrastructure and more. The exhibiting profile includes aluminium roofing systems, roof anchoring systems, green roofs technology, metal and steel building systems, power tools and accessories, pre-engineered buildings, etc.

Fairs & Exhibitions China International Furniture Fair Date 18-21 & 28-31 Mar, 2016 Venue Guangzhou, China Contact www.ciff-gz.com China International Furniture Fair, in its 37th edition now, returns to Guangzhou to serve as one of China’s most important platforms for displaying classic and luxurious furniture designs. The event is organised with the aim of connecting Asian markets with each other and opens up new avenues and opportunities for professional in the furniture and design industries. Professionals will be given a chance to further their works in the sectors of Modern Furniture, Outdoor & Leisure, Home Furniture, Office Furniture, Home décor, etc. at this international platform.

The event will be taking place in two phases, the first one running from 18th to 21st March and the second taking place from 28th to 31st March. The first phase will feature exhibitions of home furniture, home décor, home textiles, outdoor furniture and leisure products.

The second phase will include office furniture, hotel furniture, public furniture, furniture machinery and raw materials. More than 4000 exhibitors are expected to participate from over 32 countries.

Date 26th Feb - 30th Apr, Exhibition on Raja Ravi Varma Venue Mumbai Contact www.piramalartfoundation.com Piramal Museum of Art recently launched an exhibition in Mumbai celebrating the works of artist Raja Ravi Varma. The exhibition is touted to remain open until 30th April. The museum unveiled its new show named Pages of a Mind, Raja Ravi Varma: Life and Expressions. The work gathers artwork from different periods of time in Ravi Varma’s life and also from different locations in the country where the artist visited seeking patronage and inspiration.

Raja Ravi Varma has been hailed as one of the greatest painters in the history of Indian art. He is sometimes considered as commencing Modern Indian art. Ravi Varma is renowned for creating affordable lithographs of his paintings. As an artist, he is famous for his paintings that fuse European techniques with the sensibility of Indian traditions.

The work displayed of the artists comprises over 120 pieces of artwork, 28 paintings of the artist and his family members borrowed from several collections and several prints, postcards, porcelains, rare albumin prints inspired by Ravi Varma and his paintings. Vaishnavi Ramanathan and Farah Siddiqui are the curators of this exhibition.

THE INSIDE TRACK March 2016

It Products Franke Launches Its Tectonite Sinks Franke has recently launched its Tectonite sinks range. The Tectonite sinks come with three tiered accessories. These sinks are created to fit perfectly in functionality and design with third generation materials. A world leader in the production

of sinks, Franke offers a unique range of products comprising models of both functionality and design, complete with various accessories that epitomise practicality and efficiency.

Tectonite sinks give you the perfect opportunity to bring some style into your kitchen due to the exclusive and elegant colours available. As a material, Tectonite is extremely durable.

It can resist temperatures of up to 300 °C and impacts of just about anything. These sinks are therefore extremely durable. Due to the exclusive Tectonite texture, the sinks can be easily cleaned. It also automatically repels liquids and dirt from the surface.

Contact www.franke.com

Decowood By Greenlam Unveils Its Premium Veneers Collection Greenlam Industries Ltd. recently showcased its new Decowood collection with 78 new varieties at its manufacturing facility in Behror-Rajasthan. The collection presents new exotic variants such as oxidized, masterstroke, digital, polished panel, The Plus veneer, impressions veneer and the limited edition.

The range is made from over 30 wood species with an amalgamation of crafted expertise and wooden beauty.

The entire range exudes an elegant and contemporary appeal. In addition, there are customised veneers which can be made as per the customer’s individual taste and preference.

The new launch includes categories such as O2, which is a high character veneer developed through a special oxidization process; Impression, which is all about textured veneers; and

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Century Ply Launches New Age Panels Under The Brand Starke

One of the leading players in the plywood business in India, Century Ply has recently released new-age products under the brand name of Starke. Starke New Age panels have two variants: Starke Prime PVC Sheet and Starke Select PVC sheet.

PVC sheets are environmentally friendly and are widely used for making home furniture, for application in wet areas, as sign boards, displays, and in construction applications.

Some of the key attributes of Starke PVC Sheets include easy maintenance, high resistance to fire, being water proof, borer and termite proof. The sheets are also recyclable, making them green.

They are also free from fungus attack and are toxin and formaldehyde free. Starke PVC Sheets are available in a wide variety of colours and design capabilities and are great replacements for wood based products.

Contact www.centuryply.com

Kratos Outdoor Collection By Nitco

Digital, which are veneers that have been introduced for the first time in India. Digital veneers are a combination of precious wood and technology.

Contact www.greenlam.com

Nitco Tiles has recently launched its new Kratos collection. The Kratos Collection is Nitco’s latest innovation in outdoor tiles and includes a structured effect on the tile surface, which offers superior grip and traction. For outdoor areas, vitrified heavy duty tiles are advisable as they guarantee a high resistance to loads and stresses.

They are therefore ideal for gardens, swimming pools and

outdoor areas and offer a good combination of performance, looks and versatility. Digital printing has enabled vibrant colours and patterns in Nitco’s Kratos tiles, breaking the monotony of the usual beige and brick colours With almost 0 % water absorption capacity and 10 mm thickness, the Kratos collection is not only fit for function but is also fashionable. The tiles come in size 300x300 mm.

Contact www.nitcotiles.in

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THE INSIDE TRACK March 2016

It Products Silver Articles

By Beliram Tarachand Jain

Beliram Tarachand Jain has released contemporary products made of silver. Each of the silver products has intricate design work and is aesthetically appealing. Quality has been taken into serious account by the

brand. The products therefore are ensured to be of a high quality, expected to satisfying the needs and expectations of the buyer.

All the silver products come with guarantee on purchase and are also customised. The products are rare eye-catching art pieces which are distinct and sophisticated. A wide range of silver wares are made available, such as ethereal divine sculptures, exquisite centre pieces, embossed platters, idols of Indian gods and goddesses,

contemporary trays, decorative treasure boxes, ornate baskets, crystal bowls, majestic candle stands, designer photo frames, opulent clocks, and more.

Contact www.beliramsilver.com

Rumors Launches Its Coral Collection

Rumors Fine Furnishings has recently launched its new Coral collection. The Coral collection showcases bright and cheerful colours in blends of viscose and polyester. The colour palette is wide-ranging and includes everything from the eye-catching bright in lime, tangerine and ruby red to the subtle yet classic neutrals such as beige and sand.

The recently launched collection offers slubby textured fabrics with a linen effect. The collection brings an affordable range of lightweight fabric in thirty shades of flamboyant colours.

Rumors is relentless in its pursuit for high quality products and innovative designs. Coral is a splendid collection of lightweight viscose and poly blended fabrics in flamboyant colours best suited for drapes and cushions.

With an array of 30 versatile shades of colours to choose from, this range of fabrics is designed to work equally well in all the areas of any given space such as the home, hotel or office.

Contact www.rumorsindia.in

Art Inspiration By Frazer And Haws Frazer and Haws has again found its way to reach the hearts and homes of lovers of art in the form of sculptures with the launch of its new dĂŠcor collection.

This collection takes accessorising the home to the next level. Not only does it give the house the vibe of a well decorated set-up, but it also creates a different ambience altogether.

Frazer and Haws is a design led British brand with an Indian soul and every product is handcrafted and hallmarked with 92.5% purity.

Ranging from abstract to realistic and dĂŠcor to utility too, the products by Frazer and Haws can become the centre of

attraction for any setting.

Contact www.frazerandhaws.com

The Biarritz Collection By C.Tribhovandas & Co. C.Tribhovandas & Co. has recently launched its Biarritz collection inspired by the sandy coast around Biarritz on the Atlantic coast. With its classy style and a constant eye kept on the latest trends, Biarritz as a pinnacle of sophistication inspires a collection of floors and walls.

Delicate textures mixing geometrical design with floral elements that match each other to perfection are to be found in the surfaces of this collection,

bringing back the beauty of stone to the surroundings.

The wide range of modular sizes and richness of the colours enable decorative solutions of great visual impact, making Biarritz the ideal solution to customise the floors and walls of the indoors and outdoors areas.

The products in the series are available in five colours and two surface finishes.

Contact www.ctribhovandas.com

THE INSIDE TRACK March 2016

It Products Designer Curtains By Zynna Zynna, the house of furnishings has recently unveiled its new range of designer curtains for a royal and luxurious ambience in your homes.

The collection comprises of fabrics such as cotton, damask, faux silk, velvet, luxurious jacquards all presented in vivid shades of pink, brown, red, green and cream.

The complete collection is versatile, with the designs

being unique and inimitable.

The classic jacquards prints in fabrics give a royal and spectacular touch and feel, while the damask pattern is elegant and timeless.

Linen, velvet and faux silk are considered to be the best choices for window treatments and recommended for durability.

Mr Retesh Sharma, Director, Zynna says, “We understand the love of our customers towards their abode and their desire to endow it with grace and charm.

Taking this into consideration, we present our clients with a fresh and exciting array of designer curtains to give their interiors a regal appearance.

Furthermore, the collection is considered to be ideal for the summer season ahead.”

Contact www.zynna.in

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E-Stilts Desking System By Vector Projects Vector Projects has introduced the E-Stilts Desking System in India, which has been inspired by stilts houses. E-Stilts Desking System is a simple, ingenious, and adaptive work bench that lends itself for a wide range of applications in an open workplace.

It can be modified to not only function as a staff workstation, but also as a manager workstation or conference table. E-Stilts desking system can be restructured to suit the working style of any individual need. It can be modified to various shapes like Linear, L-shape, 120 degree or an Executive shape.

The system was built to solve one of the basic challenges faced by small offices - a cluttered work space with numerous pieces of furniture and accessories.

E-Stilts Desking System is assembled from five parts that can be individually customised as per different requirements.

It consists of a leg profile, table arm, panel, wire tray and a wire riser. With add-on structures, the desking system can be further personalised to cater to all kinds of needs.

Contact www.vectorprojectsindia.com

Godrej Appliances Introduces Its Energy Efficient Inverter AC

Pattern Décor Collection By Ivy Concepts The luxury furnishing brand Ivy Concepts has unveiled a Pattern Decor collection, which includes indoor and outdoor furniture.

The collection includes furniture that ranges from geometric and waffle patterns to transitional designs. The luxury furniture is touted to give your space an elegant appearance.

The exquisite collection contains chairs that are upholstered with high quality printed fabric and ultra-soft foam, which ensures a laid back comfort and an amazingly soothing experience.

The elaborate carvings have been designed in bar cabinets, and barcode stripe patterns along with animal themed fabrics in chairs give a retro-modern look. These Victorian style

fabrics with antiquary detailed work are sure to beautify any space they inhabit.

Contact www.ivyconcepts.in

Godrej appliances recently launched India’s most energy efficient air conditioner under its premium sub-brand NXW with an ISEER, which is a new rating system introduced by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency for inverter ACs, of 5.2. Godrej NXW ACs work on the Green Balance technology using R290 - the most Energy Efficient Refrigerant which has 0 ozone depletion potential (ODP) and the lowest Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 20, as against an industry average of 1810, making them

the most energy efficient and the greenest AC range in the country.

The NXW range of ACs will be available in two different cooling capacities of 5000 W and 3440 W. Godrej Appliances’ NXW Air Conditioners club classy aesthetics with smart features and new technology. Godrej Appliances also offers a ten-year compressor warranty and a fiveyear condenser warranty for this new product.

Contact www.godrejappliances.com

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THE INSIDE TRACK March 2016

It Products Topsgrup’s c25 Home Surveillance Camera Topsgrup has released its new product, the c25 which is their smallest 6MP hemispheric camera and comes with three clamps for easy installation in suspended ceilings like a halogen downlight.

The product is alternatively equipped with a telephoto lens and if mounted above a cash

box the c25 will provide a very detailed video of the content. It even allows for reading the serial numbers of bank notes.

With a diameter of only 12 centimetres/4.7 inches and a weight of approximately 200 grams, the new c25 is the smallest and lightest hemispheric video complete system yet for ceiling mounting indoors.

Its standard features include a light-sensitive day or night sensor with 6MP Moonlight Technology, a microSD memory card and the latest camera software including MxActivitySensor and the MxAnalytics video analysis tools.

The integrated Lowlight Exposure Optimization MxLEO facilitates high-contrast images without motion blur, even in poorly illuminated surroundings.

Contact www.topsgrup.com

VitrA Introduces Its Water Jewels Collection

VitrA, the leading bathroom solutions brand of Eczacıbaşı Building Products Division in Turkey introduces its range of colourful washbasins, the Water Jewels Series. These washbasins come with different shapes and colours, which are designed to add motion to living spaces.

The Water Jewels Series was created by the Italian designer Matteo Thun, together with the VitrA Design Team. The designs of ceramic washbasins are artfully showcased. The basins are finished with brilliant metallic coatings that draw inspiration from traditional Turkish craftsmanship.

Usha Launches New Models Of Its Air Cooler Range Usha International, one of India’s leading consumer durables company launches five new evaporative Air Coolers. The new launches include personal

coolers (Stellar Range), tower coolers (Tornado Range) and window coolers (Azzuro Range).

Usha Air Coolers are designed to cater to varied climatic and weather conditions across India.

Customers will now have the choice to select coolers that combine smart design, healthy cooling and durability.

Additionally, the company also offers a range of Usha Honeywell Air Coolers, which comes with a copper winded motor that provides longevity and durability.

Along with other features, these coolers have a unique ASPB function and the Auto-Close Shutter function. The remote control function lets you relax and enjoy the cool breeze with the touch of a button.

Contact www.usha.com

The seemingly simple form and function of this collection is enhanced with PVD coatings, a state-of-the-art process of vaporising and depositing metal powder onto a surface, which remains corrosion-free and scratchresistant. The Water Jewels Collection is available in gold, copper, platinum and traditional white gloss and is suitable for bench mount, semi-inset and under counter installation. The basins add texture, depth and a unique identity rarely seen before in bathroom design.

Contact www.vitra-india.com

Rainshower SmartControl Shower System By Grohe The recently launched Rainshower SmartControl 360 shower system by Grohe gives a personalised and luxurious showering experience every day.

Its new innovative controls offer direct intuitive spray-pattern selection with a personalised volume setting and memory function. One need simply push to start and stop then turn to adjust the water flow.

The Rainshower Smart Control shower system is made using chromed metal.

Its thermo-element’s unrivalled sensitivity delivers water at the desired temperature within a fraction of a second, and keeps it consistent for the duration of the shower.

Furthermore, the innovative Grohe SmartControl technology lets one choose the preferred spray pattern and adjust the

water flow as desired. Operation is simple and easy for all in the family - including children.

Contact www.grohe.co.in

Garden Furniture, Patio Furniture, Hotel Furniture, Rattan/Wicker Furniture, Gazebos & Garden Umbrellas

The Wicker Age D-247/20, Sector 63, Noida - 201301, UP, India Phone: +91 9810 9907 02|Telefax: 0120-4297999|Email: info@alcanes.in|Web: www.alcanes.in

Postal Registration No. MCE/129/2014-16 RNI NO. MAHENG/2007/19853. WPP LICENSE NO. MR/TECH/WPP-266/East/2016. POSTED AT MUMBAI PATRIKA CHANNEL SORTING OFFICE, MUMBAI G.P.O. 400001. DATE OF PUBLICATION: 15th OF EVERY MONTH, dATE OF POSTING: 15th & 16th OF EVERY MONTH

28

THE INSIDE TRACK March 2016

Spot Light

A

s technology and telecommunications have progressed, our environment has become inundated with electromagnetic radiation from the multitude of devices that we use.

In the last 30 years digital technologies have exceptionally increased in production and consumption: statistics show that five billion devices broadcast every day from all over the world. At the same time, wired digital technology is quickly disappearing to make space for wireless systems.

Wireless technology is based on radio frequencies and their electromagnetic field. The whole apparatus of electronic devices creates an intangible and invisible network of waves in the contemporary habitat. However, these waves are definitely physical and have caused concern, both among scientists and the general public, about the health effects of exposure to them.

Wireless Lighting Two young designers have found a way to harness the radio waves surrounding us, creating an innovative lighting solution. BY ALYSSA LOBO Radio waves travel thousands of kilometres in a few milliseconds and transcend materials that we otherwise think of as being impenetrable. According to designers, Alice Bonicelli and Lorena Rubio Toledo, “Electromagnetic fields constitute an ubiquitous and dematerialised layer that overlays on our landscape. We call it ‘radioscape’”.

The duo noticed that our habitats are pervaded by electromagnetic radiations deriving from electronic devices. “Instead of shielding ourselves from these omnipresent radio waves, we speculate on future possibilities of using them as opensource energy,” they say. As a result, they’ve created wireless lamps which

‘Radio Killed The Electric Star’ is a series of lamps that function by interacting with a self-produced field

are activated when they encounter an invisible electromagnetic field.

The prevalence of radio waves has led to a constant public discussion on a various related topics, from privacy to health. Bonicelli and Rubio Toledo, students from Piet Zwart Institute’s Master Interior Architecture and Retail Design program in Rotterdam, felt that it was necessary to bring a different perspective to the dialogue and created ‘Radio Killed The Electric Star’.

“Our project, instead, aims to make a positive, proactive use of the electromagnetic field, treating it as an omnipresent, wireless, opensource of energy,” say Bonicelli and Rubio Toledo.

‘Radio Killed The Electric Star’ is a series of lamps that function by interacting with a self-produced field. The pieces are composed of two exaggerated induction coils.

When placed in proximity to one another - one generating, the other

receiving - an integrated LED turns on automatically. Placing them at a distance breaks the link, and the light turns off.

The project raises interesting ideas and questions, such as: What would the interior look like, if every appliance worked wireless? May the magic of proximity and closeness lead to new aesthetic possibilities in our electromagnetic next habitat?

The project also opens a potential, untapped renewable energy source at a time when designers are increasingly focused on sustainability as a measure of good design.

The project was featured in ‘Next Habitat’ exhibition, during Milan Design Week 2015. The lamps are in the phase of prototypes. The designers are currently seeking into collaborations for further development.

Contact web: www.alicebonicelli.com email: alibonicelli@gmail.com

Alice Bonicelli and Lorena Rubio Toledo created wireless lamps which are activated when they encounter an invisible electromagnetic field