Home Review July 2014 PDF

MY SPACE : ARJUN MALIK MUSELAB UNCOVERED DESIGN DESTINATION : stockholm
RS 100 HOME-REVIEW.COM vol 13 issue 7 JULY 2014 total pages 156
gAURAV ROY CHOUDHURY

sAYs IT WITH LINES
EXPECT THE unexpected

FROM AVA DESIGN STUDIO
A LENGTHY
AFFAIR
KHOSLA ASSOCIATES’ EXCITING DIALOGUE WITH LINEARITY
ISALONI: THE LATEST TRENDS FROM FURNITURE & BATHROOMS TO KITCHEN SOLUTIONS & MORE
Photo: Cyrus Dalal
K
hosla Associates take in their stride a tricky site to build the Long
House - a home that unravels itself in a linear sequence, stringing
together natural materials with contemporary verve. Responding
to the context and climate of Bangalore, the design team cleverly
integrate a 120 feet long verandah that flanks the home creating
an inside-outside space that can be enjoyed through the year.
Gaurav Roy Choudhury, a young architect also from Bangalore,

works his way around the structural constraints of an office
building to interlink three floors into a singular spatial experience.
He ingeniously punches an aperture through the multiple floors
creating a sense of connect and dynamism unifying the space.
Taking a cue from its location, Himalesque is possibly one of the

world’s highest FM broadcasting stations. Situated in Nepal, in the
lap of the Himalayas, this remarkably simple structure is a work of
art in stone. Archium Architects, the Seoul-based firm responsible
for the creation, stack the naturally available material to build
walls that face-off against the unforgiving climate.
Once inside you traverse through flat stone floor corridors, stone
staircases and even encounter tables and chairs sculpted from
rock. Working its mystique into the design are cascading streams
of sunshine that run down the monolithic walls infusing crisp
natural light into a wondrous space located in the most
awe-inspiring mountain range in the world. Turn to page 128
to see what it’s like at the top!
Anish Bajaj, Editor

anish@marvelinfomedia.com
4 Home Review July 2014

Home Review July 2014 5
According to me, context is one
of the most important aspects
art
form 36 26 ARJUN
of design.
Vivienne Maun creates the most whimsical and

tongue-in-cheek animal heads you’ve ever seen.
MALIK
Her creations underline the similarities between
animal and man Cover Story
Using traditional materials and a
contemporary design, The Long House
18
42 designed by architect Sandeep Khosla
and his graphic designer wife Tania
makes the most of a linear plot
An 18th century neighbourhood of

wooden cottages and winding lanes,
‘Khotachiwadi’ reminisces the past in
the heart of South Mumbai
46
Covering the latest in

furniture, bathroom and
kitchen solutions, we
JULY
present the iSaloni Special
79
Right from the reception area to its

interiors, AVA Design Studio infuse an
92
element of surprise in a Noida based
89
office of a home-furnishings company
Kashyap Rawat
84 Remodelled by young architect,

Gaurav Roy Choudhury in Bengaluru, every
design stroke in this office exemplifies the
growth and development of the company

115 108 98
A veritable trove of home treasures
“The Big Door” located in Pali Hill,
Bandra heralds an impressive facade
GREEN and an equally opulent decor
PROJECT
Architect Ramin Mehdizadeh showcases
STOCKHOLM
a simple, yet brilliant design for recycling
discarded stone Tao Architects design a plush apartment
102
136
based in Koregaon Park, Pune, which
A DESIGN DESTINATION
signifies a consistent language of
construction and material palate
123product
designer
A gamut of simple to complicated minimalistic
chic; Brussels-based product designer Sylvain
Willenz’s streamlined designs don’t mess with
structure - they just enhance it
128
A broadcast radio station situated 3,000 metres

above sea-level in the lap of the Himalayas,
JULY
designed by Seoul-based firm Archium Architects
makes the most of local know-how and materials
136
Landscapes
Award-winning landscape designer Michael

Glassman converts a neglected backyard in
143
Land Park, Sacramento, into a functional and
148
stylish space with a personal touch
THE
MARKETPLACE
152
Sumptuousness and high-end Get your hands on the
sophistication define the Ritz- latest products to hit
Carlton Millenia, designed by An end-to-end design studio based in
the market
Pritzker award-winning architect Mumbai, MuseLAB offers a bespoke
Kevin Roche and leading-edge approach to design

Brionie Pereira
Freelance Writer
Brionie Pereira is a writer, poet and space
cadet, based in Mumbai. When she isn’t
neck-deep in deadlines, she enjoys seeking
asylum in the mountains, backpacking
to as far as her bank account can take
Editor & Publisher her, watching disconcerting art films and
Anish Bajaj snuggling with her four dogs.
Creative Director
Natalie Pedder-Bajaj
Features Editor
Mala Bajaj
Assistant Editor
Shweta Salvi
Sub Editors
Vikas Bhadra
Ulka Vartak
Rehana Penwala
Contributing Writers
Chryselle D’Silva Dias
Christabelle Athaide
Dhanishta Shah
Himali Kothari
K Parvathy Menon
Shruti Nambiar
Designers
Asif Shayannawar
Snigdha Hodarkar
Vikas Sawant
Kashyap Rawat
Product Designer
Based in Mumbai, Kashyap Rawat is an alumnus
of Raffles Design International. As the principal
designer of KSR Studio, he brings the proficiency
of designing functional yet visually
appealing products.

Khosla Associates
A Lengthy Affair, Page 26
Editorial & Marketing
Khosla Associates was founded in 1995 by
Prinicipal Architect Sandeep Khosla, a New Mumbai
York Pratt Institute graduate and former Mr. Ganesh Gurav, Mr. Vivek Jadhav,
associate at Charles Correa’s Mumbai office. Mr. Rakesh Kini (Digital),
Sandeep was later joined by co-director B-62, Cotton Exchange bldg., Cotton
Amaresh Anand in 2000. Their contextual Green, Mumbai 400 033
approach to design has resulted in a work T 022 23736133/1, 32958501
portfolio that boasts of a wide array of F 022 23743069
E response@marvelinfomedia.com
projects and several laurels.
Delhi
Ms Sumita Prakash
Flat F 304, Rajasthan C.G.H.S. Ltd,
Plot No. 36, Sector 4, Dwarka,
New Delhi
Tel 09899179540,
Email: sumitabiswas63@gmail.com
Chennai
Mr S. Venkataraaman
Flat No. 2, 3rd Flr, E-Block, Hansa
Garden, 30 Madampakkam Main
Rd, Rajakilpakkam, Chennai 600 073
Tel 044 22281180 / 09444021128
Email: svenkat@marvelinfomedia.com
Kolkata
Mr Subrata Mazumder
2, Nabapalli (Bidhanpalli).
Kolkata 700084
Tel 033 2410 4296 Mob 9831131395
Telefax 033 2410 7605
Email: subrata22@rediffmail.com
Publishing Director
MuseLAB Mr. R.I. Bajaj
Uncovered. Page 148 Distributed in India by India Book
MuseLAB is an end-to-end design studio House Pvt. Ltd. 412, Tulsiani
founded by Huzefa Rangwala and Jasem Chambers, Nariman Point,
Pirani in 2012. The studio lays a unique Mumbai 400 021.
focus on highly customised environments,
This issue has a total of 156 pages
interiors and furniture. Each space and
comprising of a 4 page cover plus
product embodies integrity - with the 152 inside pages.
same care, skill and attention to detail.
We welcome unsolicited material
but do not take responsibility for
the same. Letters are welcome but
subject to editing. All rights reserved.
Nothing may beprinted in whole or
part without written permission of the
publisher. The editors do their best
to verify the information published
but do not take responsibility for the
Johnsen Schmaling Architects absolute accuracy of the information.
Green Project. Page 119 All objections, disputes, differences,
The work of Johnsen Schmaling claims and proceedings are subject to
Architects represents a unique synthesis Mumbai Jurisdiction.
of conceptual rigour, technical know-
Editor Mr. Anish Bajaj. Published and
how, and attention to detail. Specialising
Printed by Mr. Anish Bajaj on behalf of
in high-end residential and commercial the owner Marvel Infomedia Pvt. Ltd,
design, the firm offers a full range of B-62, Cotton Exchange bldg., Cotton
architectural and design services. Green, Mumbai 400 033

emails + feedback
Skilful Conversion
Converting a military chapel into a

restaurant is quite unheard of, but Piet Boon
Studio manages to attain this task with apt
skill and retain the fragments of history in the
renewed eatery.
Detail in Retail
Riddhima C
I have always believed retail spaces can
By Email
up the ante provided they have a design
conscience and proper space management
skills; your projects in ‘Retail Therapy’ just
prove that. Thank you for keeping me updated.
Sarat Kumar
Mumbai
Young Guns
The projects designed by Patch Design Studio

reflect clarity of thought and vision, I am glad
that you guys have consistently featured young
Class Coverage designers and their take on design. Please
continue to do so!
Your feature on Kitchen Trends was well
presented; was glad to see some of my most Vivian Smith
loved brands in the listed products. Goa
Let us know what you love and hate
about this issue. Mail us at Nilima Sen
letters@marvelinfomedia.com Bangalore
Beauty and Brains
The linearity and scale in design and

its adherence to a set of stringent yet
environmentally conscious guidelines makes
the Energinet office building an all rounder;
functional yet conspicuous. What’s more it
looks good too - beauty with brains!
Ashok Kumar
Mumbai
Corrigendum
In the article “Steaming with Ideas”
published in our June 2014 issue “Samanvay”
was incorrectly referred to as an architectural
firm in the introduction. We would like to inform
our readers “Samanvay” is the office building
of Essteam, an architectural and urban design
practice run by architects Snehal and Saloni Shah.
The error is highly regretted.

PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S
The hands-on, free-style and interdisciplinary
26 MAR 25 AUG
TO seminars pull in curious, ambitious and
talented students as well as professionals
from all over the world for an intense and
Designs of the Year, unique period of research, exchange and
Shad Thames London enjoyment in a refreshing and inspiring
environment. Designers and architects
seeking to broaden competences and find
inspiration, flock here.
Boisbuchet’s workshops are offered in

cooperation with Vitra Design Museum
and Centre Pompidou and realised by
CIRECA (Centre International de
Bay Area design professionals as well Recherche et d’Éducation Culturel et
as local businesses, non-profits, Agricole) – the nonprofit organisation
entrepreneurs, students, the that runs Boisbuchet’s program.
design-savvy public, tourists and more.
www.boisbuchet.org
AIGA SF has partnered with the San Francisco
chapters of the American Institute of
Architects (AIA), the Industrial Designers
Society of America (IDSA), the Interaction
Design Association (IxDA), the Society for
Environmental Graphic Design (SEGD) and
2 TO 5 JUL
Adobe Systems, to sponsor a full week New Designers Part 2
Now in its seventh year, Designs of the of events highlighting the diversity and Business Design Centre
Year gathers together a year of cutting- professionalism of the design community London
edge innovation and original talent. It around the bay.
showcases the very best in varied fields
of architecture, furniture, graphic, www.sfdesignweek.org
product and transport design.
Featuring Kate Moss’s favourite app, a

floating school in a Nigerian lagoon, friendly
lamp posts, a mobile phone you can build
yourself and many others, Designs of the
22 JUN TO 13 SEP
Year 2014 include international design stars
Domaine de Boisbuchet
such as Zaha Hadid, David Chipperfield and Boisbuchet, France
Miuccia Prada alongside crowd-funded start
ups and student projects. This exhibition is a
clear reflection of everything that is current
and exciting in the design sector.
www.designsoftheyear.com
New Designers sees over 3,000 of the most
talented, newly graduated designers from
UK’s leading universities who come together
13 TO 20 JUN to exhibit in one spectacular venue - the

Business Design Centre, London.
San Francisco Design Week,
One of UK’s most important graduate
San Francisco design exhibition, New Designers is full
of innovation and fresh thinking, it takes
SF Design Week spans the entire Bay Area place over two weeks, with each part
from Silicon Valley, San Francisco all the focusing on a different set of design
way over to the East Bay and beyond. Each year between June and September, disciplines. The event also features its own
the most innovative exponents in the fields awards programme. The recognitions will
Since 2006, the American Institute of Graphic of architecture and design share their be presented to the winners at the awards
Arts, San Francisco (AIGA SF) has organised creative process with students in practice- preview evening on 2nd July.
San Francisco Design Week as a way to reach based workshops that have been developed
out to a diverse community of over 24,000 specially for Boisbuchet. www.newdesigners.com

PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S

PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S
9 JUL TO 12 OCT
Louis Kahn: The Power
of Architecture
Vitra Design Museum
The Design Weekend festival has more than

360 simultaneous interventions throughout the
metropolis. Activities, public and private, paid
and free are promoted at strategic points such
as museums, galleries, studios, shops, parks,
squares and NGOs, among others. Born as the
largest event of its kind in Latin America, the
city based event infuses design in the heart of
foster that talent. The six-day event is made millions of Brazilians and aims to be among
up of design workshops, panel discussions, the most important design event in the world
fashion shows, fundraisers and great parties. in five years time.
Leading designers and marketers www.designweekend.com.br

from digital agencies discuss relevant
manufacturing issues and topics besides
which collaboration with local agency
employees focuses on the state of design
in Cincinnati. 22 TO 23 AUG
The American architect Louis Kahn (1901- Design icons of Cincinnati speak about what
Melbourne Indesign
1974) is regarded as one of the great master inspires them apart from which a workshop Melbourne, Australia
builders of the twentieth century. Kahn has entitled ‘Design for Good’ focuses on how
created buildings of monumental beauty with to make Cincinnati a stronger community
powerful universal symbolism. through design.
This exhibition encompasses an unprecedented www.cincinnatidesignweek.com
and diverse range of architectural models,
original drawings, travel sketches, photographs
and films. Highlights of the exhibition include a
four-metre-high model of the spectacular City
Tower designed for Philadelphia (1952-57), as
well as previously unseen film footage shot by
14 TO 17 AUG
Kahn’s son Nathaniel Kahn, Director of the film São Paulo Design Weekend
‘My Architect’. São Paulo, Brazil Melbourne Indesign has been held biannually
since 2004 (previously named ‘Saturday in
www.design-museum.de Design’) to showcase revolutionary ideas and
The largest city in Brazil, São Paulo is game-changing new products from high-end
known for its high rises and bustling international and regional brands and leading
business community, an artsy bohemian architecture and design talent.
21 TO 26 JUL neighborhood with lots of galleries,

hip shops, and ateliers. Though the world
prefers to classify Brazil as a rabbit hole of
The event unites four design precincts:
Collingwood, Fitzroy, Melbourne CBD and
Cincinnati Design Week football fanatics and samba dancers, Richmond, with multiple showrooms and
Cincinnati there is much more to it. pop-up spaces transformed by conceptual
installations and product launches. The locations
The São Paulo Design Weekend is an attempt are connected by tram routes and free buses,
Cutting edge education, international to put Brazil on the designers map, a creating choose-your-own design adventures for
agencies and Fortune 500 companies make confluence of designers, the event derives industry insiders and design lovers.
Cincinnati a hotbed for design professionals. its inspiration from Milano Design Week and
Cincinnati Design Week is an attempt to London Design Festival. www.melbourneindesign.com.au

PAST & FUTURE
E V E N T S
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Apple users can download Magzter from the App Store and
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Try it out today.

His buildings may have that ‘Star Wars’
appeal attached to it, but each edifice
narrates its own unique story. Architect
Arjun Malik’s work is layered beyond
the obvious skin of the structure
that meets the eye and clings to a
paradoxical theory of ‘rational thinking
meets intuition’.
The heir apparent of the illustrious firm

Malik Architecture has more than his
prolific genes working for him, his ability
at finding clarity in the complex pattern
of his craft allows him to attach a holistic
vision to his work.
After completing his Bachelor’s in

Architecture in Mumbai, he went on
to experience an intense academic
environment at the Columbia University in
New York. He returned to work on, what
have become highly acclaimed, path-
breaking structures of the country.
Visually, his work appears to be

suprematist in nature and yet, despite
the overwhelming form, the projects
appear to be completely in sync with
the contextual parameters; case in point
being the much talked about Alibaug
house - an empirical experience resonates
throughout its form and at the same
time, it is seamlessly synergised with the
surrounding site.
Here, Arjun talks about how architecture

should not be any different from a
meaningful cinematic experience and why
he chooses not to stick to conventions.
my space
Interview by Shweta Salvi

Typically, an architect’s inspirations and
inclinations define his signature style.
Is there a particular school of thought
that you endorse or believe in?
Through our work, we have tried to

develop an idiom that would reconcile
the intellectual and intuitive aspects of
architecture, that would provide a
What was your experience like, growing
tangible link to the past without getting
up with your father - celebrated
nostalgic, that would be technologically
architect of the country? And exactly
progressive without being experientially
when did you decide you would like to
stunted, and that would, ultimately,
pursue the same profession?
speak through the intangible science of
perceptual phenomena.
There was always certain inevitability
about my decision to be an architect.
The current over-emphasis on the
It was ultimately the paradoxical nature
intellectual and conceptual dimensions
of the profession, and the belief, through
of architecture has contributed to the
constant exposure to my father’s practice,
disappearance of the physical, sensual
that architecture, like cinema or literature,
and embodied essence of architecture.
was a medium for commentary and
personal expression, that led me down
In our practice, we focus more on generic
this path.
metaphors rather than specific analogs.
We primarily rely on the intuitive reading
of context, allegory and functional
parameters to generate typological
shifts. Empirical mathematical processes
What emerged from are tempered with the exploration of
phenomenological precepts to generate
my time in Columbia architecture that transcends the merely
was the realisation intellectual and visual, while also
that the process addressing the often ignored experiential
of design is more aspects of architecture.
of a polymorphous
construct than a linear
progression.

Whether it is the monumental load
bearing massing of a Cancer hospital in
Jaipur, or the re-interpreted soaring and
brooding gothic profiles of a research
centre in Mumbai, we have always
A conservative, structured education tried to establish a link, through spatial
system, especially in a creative field like articulation or metaphor, to the past.
architecture handicaps the creativity of
an individual. What did you learn and The concepts of time, continuity, infinity,
take away from the two institutes that reflection and introspection provide us
you studied in? with a theoretical underpinning and we
try to articulate a syntax of metaphors that
What emerged from my time in Columbia allows, through our work, to comment
was the realisation that the process understanding our past, there is no clear on subjects ranging from urban decay
of design is more of a polymorphous way into the future. This philosophy and regeneration to the more abstract
construct than a linear progression. Being manifests itself in subtle ways. and intangible notions such as the subtle
part of an intense academic environment differences between homogeneity and
and interacting with students and faculty Our planning typologies draw purity and contradiction and chaos.
from different cultures with a wide historical archetypes, but are subjected
range of ideas, led me to understand to current contextual parametric forces,
that perhaps the most important part of some empirical and some intuitive.
architecture was the ability to absorb, There are a number of volumetric and
assimilate and extrapolate information. spatial allusions to the past embedded
What according to you is today the in our work.
most ignored aspect of design?
According to me, context is one of the

most important aspects of design. Part
of our profession’s malaise today is
the repudiation and misinterpretation
of context. Whilst being progressive,
our work strives to provide a tangible
link to the past. We feel that without

I personally feel
that, like meaningful
cinema and literature,
the experience of
Much of our work draws inspiration from
architecture should be
I personally feel that, like meaningful
nature, not through its physical forms, but
a gradual process
cinema and literature, the experience of
through its principles and processes.
of revealing
architecture should be a gradual process
of revealing; where with every successive
‘viewing’ or ‘reading’ layers could be Things that inspire you (apart from
peeled back and embedded constructs and design/architecture) that eventually also
metaphors could be allowed to emerge. stimulate your design cells.
Light has always been a subject of
fascination, and an integral part of our Nature / cinema / travel / literature /
work, whether as a visceral sculpting tool, philosophy... Do you believe the scale of a project
or as implied metaphor. Homogenous light is detrimental to creativity? What are
paralyses the imagination in the same the creative difficulties working on, for
way that homogenization eliminates the instance, a township as opposed to a
experience of place. small residence?
When ideas and thoughts are underpinned

by a coherent philosophy they transcend
scale. Investigation and evolution are
an inseparable part of the creative /
extrapolative act, and as a corollary, so is
the urge to challenge the boundaries of
one’s own comfort zone.

This departure can take place at many
levels, from typology to material to
process to scale, but the inherent potential
for critical commentary, hovering below
the surface of the bricks and mortar,
exists at all scales.
All projects for an architect have some

memories attached to it. Was there
one such project where you were left
personally enriched?
The house at Alibaug and the GMS

Grande Palladium are seminal; both
projects represented a path into uncharted One quality of your father you admire
territory, and like many such forays, there and would like to imbibe?
were moments of self-doubt and adversity,
but the risk was well worth it. His clarity and his ability to filter out
background noise and cut to the core
Any one building material that of an issue. As well as his grace in never
fascinates you and would like to apply overwhelming those around him, instead
in your practice someday? providing a healthy environment for
personal growth.
Translucent concrete and rammed
earth walls.
Malik Architecture has built an enviable

legacy over these past 37 years, what
goals have you set for the firm in the
coming years?
The question of legacy and achievement

is a grey area, especially at a time and in a
society whose definition of ‘success’ reeks
of misplaced priorities. We love our work,
and we value our ideas and, above all, our
ethics. There is no goal in sight, no target
to pursue.
www.malikarchitecture.com

Architect Sandeep Khosla and his
wife Tania conceived of a luxury
home for themselves, with the
intention of leasing it out to a
family of four. Using traditional
materials and a contemporary
design, The Long House makes the
most of a linear plot.
Text By Chryselle D’Silva Dias

Photographs Courtesy Shamanth Patil J

A LENGTHY
AFFAIR
When an architect builds a house for
himself, what does it look like? Award-
winning architect Sandeep Khosla is
known for his striking “contextual”
architecture which uses traditional
and local materials in a contemporary
setting, it was therefore inevitable that
a luxury home for his family would have
the right mix of old and new, of modern
and traditional.
‘The Long House’ is in a gated

community complex in Bengaluru and is
so called because of the linearity of the
site. The house has a long frontage with
a bamboo grove, which determined the
shape of the house.
“The mature bamboo grove was growing

wild almost to a height of 20 ft,” remembers
Sandeep. “We wanted to keep the essence
of the bamboo grove alive, due to its
beauty and because it provided the much
needed privacy from neighbours on the
north side of the property. We took a lot
of time with our landscape consultants
to prune the bamboo slowly and in such
a way that it would co-exist in harmony
with the house as well as the rest of
the landscape.”
The house makes an impact right from the

start. A sculpted brick-coloured wall draws
attention to the entrance.

The first visual as you enter the house
from the foyer is of the Temple tree
set afloat in the linear blue water body
against the backdrop of a red wall.
The water body flanks the dining and

living rooms and extends out into
the garden. The water body acts as
a reflecting pool with a water spout
chiselled out of stone.
The house has been intentionally divided

into public and private spaces with the
ground floor hosting the living, dining,
den, study, kitchen and a guest room.
The upper floor has three bedrooms and
a family room.

Even with the peculiar shape of the house,
the space flows with one room leading
effortlessly to the other. The living room
leads to a den, which leads to the study
through sliding doors.
The living spaces flank a lengthy verandah

that overlooks the north garden. The
verandah uses the linear proportions of
the 120 ft frontage very effectively and
provides a meaningful dialogue with the
north garden.
A double-height wall in form-finished

ribbed concrete gives an eye-catching
backdrop to the staircase.
The house has been designed such that

the public spaces on the ground floor
open up to the verandah and the private
garden, while the bedrooms have views
of the fruit trees in the south. That way,
every room has an expanse of nature to
look out to and an outdoor experience to
enjoy. Which can only be a good thing in
Bengaluru’s temperate climate.

Khosla Associate’s signature work has
always incorporated traditional and local
materials in thier projects. The Long house
uses a fairly neutral material palette. The
soft beige Italian marble flooring in the
main area reflects natural light whereas in
the den and bedrooms the Italian marble
is juxtaposed with wooden flooring
Polished kota stone has been used in

the verandahs and the entrance steps
and walkway around the water body
was developed with local hand-dressed
sadharhalli stone.

The project was not without its challenges,
though. Certain vertical planes were cast
in ribbed textured concrete. Special care
had to be taken during construction in the
accuracy of the repetitive wedge-shaped
timber shuttering to achieve seamless
joints once the concrete was poured.
“This was a challenge since the team had

to try and achieve a degree of precision to
achieve a seamless ribbed texture. During
the construction process, I had to reject
quite a few trials before the contractors
finally got it right,” says Sandeep.
In the long verandah, the same ribbed

pattern is reflected as a timber clad
ceiling that runs its entire length before
folding down vertically in the form
of ribbed concrete. The team worked
closely with the carpenters to achieve
The Long House pays attention to the desired result.
detail and as a result garners a lot of
attention An effective amagamation
of traditional and contemporary www.khoslaassociates.com
materials, it blends together all the info@khoslaassociates.com
essential elements for a luxurious
dwelling to create a lovely home.

Home Review
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and Android
Devices
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the free ‘Magzter app.
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Try it out today.

Taurus (the bull) was inspired by the gypsy culture prevalent in the south of France. Gypsies like guitar music, live in caravans and like coloured fabrics. The bull is
a symbol of the south of France.

art form
HEADS UP
Vivienne Maun creates the most
whimsical and tongue-in-cheek
animal heads you’ve ever seen.
The likes of apes, sheep, tigers,
groundhogs, dogs, etc. become
her muses; accentuating the
similarities between man
and animal.
Once upon a time, taxidermy and animal

heads showed up only in country décor or
in sombre Victorian homes. Today, you’re
more likely to encounter well made cruelty-
free animals in any medium of your choice,
be it wood, stone, ceramic or clay. Or if you
are really lucky, you might spot one of
Vivienne Maun’s marvellously whimsical
papier-mâché creations.
The mammals are first given human like

expressions and attires; these populate
Maun’s quirky bestiary. Her cheeky,
papier-mâché animals make you smile.
Indeed she calls them “a genuine remedy
against melancholia.”
For Isabelle the deer, Maun used purple silk and gold work on the background to make it relevant to the
particular taste of the region it was headed to, in this case Egypt.

Photographs Courtesy Vivienne Maun

Using nothing more than chicken wire
and a wire cutter, Maun gives shape to her
imagination. Inspired by photographs or
animals she has seen in the wild, she puts
together the proportions of the head
“until the shape becomes tangible.”
The papier-mâché is then applied slowly,

like a protective skin. Next the application
of colour takes place and finally some
accessories are introduced. The result is
a true-to-life, modern sculpture, and one
where taxidermy is elevated to a new
art form.
All of Maun’s animals in the bestiary

have a name. And they are inspired
by real people! So you have Max the
bulldog that looks like Winston Churchill,
complete with hat and a cigar dangling
from his mouth or Zita Von Flouse, the
ostrich in her boudoir.
“I like to connect a special animal with a

special face,” explains Maun. “Take my
camel, for example. His name is Yasser
because Yasser Arafat looked so much
like a camel in real life with his big lips.”
Unlike Yasser, Mariette (the groundhog

with flying goggles, inspired by Amélia
Earhart, the first woman to fly solo
across the Atlantic) is a little different,
because Marmots live on the ground or
under the ground whereas this Amelian
version is all set to fly.
Maun belives animals and humans

are physically similar and attempts
to highlight these intricate similarities
through her work.“On looking at the
animal head we are most likely to be
reminded of a caricature of a person
living or dead; the head references the
person in expression which could show
gentleness or even aggressiveness,”
she adds.
Maun trained at the Fine Art School of

Max the bulldog looks like Winston Churchill, complete with hat and a cigar dangling from his mouth.
St Etienne, France. Her love of sculpting
Using nothing more than chicken wire and a wire cutter, Maun gives shape to her imagination.
and her fascination for Ethology, the
scientific and objective study of animal
behaviour, inspires her creations. “It is
this facetious and joyful observation of
living creatures that provides the daily
substance for my work.”

Mariette, the groundhog was inspired by Amélia Earhart, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. Unlike the groundhog which actually lives on the ground
or under the ground, this Marmot is all geared up to take on the skies.

She started the series about six years ago
“just for fun”, but since last four years,
it has become a serious affair which
inspires her frequent trips to Africa.
Her passion to photograph animals in
the wild is yet another reason for her
expeditions. “I’m crazy about apes and
I try to travel to every country where I
can take pictures of apes.”
Maun’s work first became popular at

the Maison et Objet Trade Fair 2013 in
Paris. The mounted faux-animal heads
with their distinctive personalities
captured the imagination of the visitors.
“It was with great pleasure and measured
irony that we saw, at this occasion (at the
Maison et Objet), gentlemen looking at Leon
the pig with familiarity…while some ladies
seem to find Zita the ostrich’s distinguished
looks more attractive.”
Maun’s first major body of work was

Samson the orangutan gazes pensively at you and you just can’t resist smiling back at him! the Jungle Collection, a series of faux
animal heads for Center Parcs, a UK-based
holiday company. The Jungle Collection is
a straight-faced series of wild animals – no
smiling zebras or giraffes with bows on
their heads here. “Center Parcs opened a
big restaurant in Germany and they wanted
jungle-themed accessories. That is why these
sculptures are different from the others,”
she explains.
Some of her beasts are custom orders

and their design clearly reflects what the
customer wants. “For example, Edmond
the sheep and Isabelle the Gazelle went
to Egypt as the people there seem
to like colours like gold, purple and fabric
silk.” This attention to detail is supported
by Maun’s use of antique lace and other
accessories to complete the montage.
Hunting without a gun and yet giving

us creatures that are expressive and
evocative, Maun’s animals explore the
similarity between man and animal
with a sense of humour that brings a
Edmond the Ram was commissioned from Egypt; decked in a pom-pom collar he makes a smile across our faces.
distinguished picture.
www.vivienne-maun.com

Glimpses of
Even though just about a third of the
houses survive today, a walk down the
lane can instantly take you back in
Khotachi wadi time, at least a few hundred years.
The neighbourhood survives, even

if only by tenterhooks, thanks to the
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY Those not in the know would find it activism and awareness initiatives of
KUNAL BHATIA hard to believe that an 18th century a handful of local residents and some
kunal@kunalbhatia.net neighbourhood of wooden cottages conservation bodies.
www.kunalbhatia.net and winding lanes has survived to
this date in the heart of a bustling In the midst of redevelopment a city
commercial district in South Mumbai. tends to lose a part of its history and
specimens of architecture from an era
Khotachiwadi was originally home to gone by; and sadly a community also
over five dozen bungalows with visible loses a way of living that had evolved
Portuguese influences. The houses over generations.
are characterised by their wooden
construction, deep verandahs and
balconies, external staircases, wooden
screens, mosaic floors and decorative
eaves - all liberally covered in swathes
of colours.

iSALONI
2014
For 52 years now, iSaloni has served as
the premier platform for celebrating and
showcasing the finest in creativity and
design. At its conception, the exhibition
served as a portal for Italian furniture
manufacturers to showcase their wares for
export. Today, it is the last word in local and
international design; a benchmark
event that sets the global standard for
the industry.
Every year, Milan brims over with the local

and international design milieu - from
designers, architects and manufacturers to
buyers, agents and retailers, who gather to
engage in the dialogue of design.
Text By Brionie Pereira
Photo Credit: Marco Covi Photo Credit: Saverio Lombardi Vallauri

Photo Credit: Saverio Lombardi Vallauri
While iSaloni features cutting-

edge and innovative products by
international architects and designers,
it also makes space for young
talent to exhibit their designs in its
SaloneSatellite section. Its 53rd chapter
which took place in April, clocked in
a whopping 357,212 distinguished
visitors from 160 countries, surpassing
its previous editions, not just in terms
of quantity but quality as well.

iSaloni is demarcated into multiple arenas: Salone del
Mobile and the International Furnishing Accessories
Exhibition, SaloneSatellite, the EuroCucina / International
Kitchen Furniture Exhibition and its sister event - the
FTK (Technology for the Kitchen) and the International
Bathroom Exhibition. Each exhibits the latest innovations
and high-end products in its category. This year, designers
geared themselves toward the theme of ‘Design,
Innovation+Craftsmanship’, conceptualised as a response
to young designers looking to meld artisanal tradition
with modern industrial design and production.

SALONE DEL MOBILE
This year Salone Del Mobile The spirit of the prolific Piero entire design of a particular
saw a variety of influences Fornasetti, in wake of his recent piece revolved around the
in furniture design, with a critical rehabilitation, inspired material of choice, rather than
particular focus on intimate and several designers to take on the other way round.
oneiric design, self-production, a more whimsical, fairytale-
materials, pauperism and new inspired approach to design. Overall, this year’s exhibition
minimalism. saw a sense of simplicity
Some designers borrowed underscoring each genre and
Another style birthed by way of inspiration from the iconic style, a stark contrast from the
the economic situation focused past, transcribing it into elaborate excesses of furniture
on workmanship and self-made contemporary models, while design’s past.
products. others followed a material-
based approach - where the
HERMÈS
JEAN MICHEL FRANK
Hermès’ re-editions of Jean Michel Frank’s iconic pieces evoke
the austere, avante-garde spirit of the 1920s. The bench,
armchair and console - all handmade - consist of wrought iron
and leather. Each piece has been crafted with a meticulous
attention to detail; the bridle leather polished, tanned, patinaed
and laced by hand so it is thick, smooth and supple. The
wrought iron is transformed through as tedious a process, its
rawness playing off the leather to create a perfect testament to
Hermès-appointed savoir faire.
www.hermes.com
POLTRONA FRAU
ALBERO
Poltrona Frau presents a re-edition
of Gianfranco Frattini’s masterful
Albero bookcase, designed at
the end of the 50s. The self-
FENDI CASA supporting, rotating, adjustable
DIAGONAL SOFA bookcase is a testament to
Fendi Casa’s Diagonal Sofa, designed by Toan Frattini’s attention towards the
Nguyen strikes the perfect balance between laws of static and dynamics, with
elegance, comfort and quality. Part of their four vertical uprights and two rack
Contemporary line, the low-seated, modular and pinion pylons at its two ends.
sofa features a play of clean lines and compact These and the shelves are made
elements, interpreting tradition with a modern in Canaletto walnut veneer, and
twist, while bringing together the worlds can be adjusted in the uprights
of fashion and design. The sophisticated for a minimum of eight, and
offering is both comfortable and sleek, and a maximum of 12 shelves. The
comes tailor-made in different versions: one impressive structure serves not
in a thickened nabuk with raw-cut edges, in only as a functional space for your
leather, or inlaid fabric with tone-on-tone or books, but also as an installation
contrasting inserts, that add a playful twist to around which the entire ambience
its modern, minimal lines. of the room can revolve.
www.fendi.com www.poltronafrau.com

MOROSO
IL DOGE MOLTENI
The IL Doge seat by Serenissima for Moroso SEGRETO
pays homage to the heritage of Venice, inspired Molteni upgrades your workspace with their classic secretaire.
by the traditional platforms set up on high- Instead of a clunky, old-fashioned desk with drawers and filing
tide days. The seat consists of two lightweight, cabinets, the Segreto is a compact triangular unit that can be
down-filled pads in Acqua Alta fabric that suspended from the wall. The bottom section opens up to
rest on the seat’s upholstered backs. Making reveal tiny shelves and sections where you can neatly put away
for a comfortable nook to kick back in, the your paraphernalia. With the assistance of ingenious stay rods,
unconventional design of the IL Doge evokes the bottom part will then double as a top where you can work,
the atmosphere of age-old Venice with a or place your laptop. The space-saving unit is equipped with
contemporary twist. every modern multimedia connection, and comes in eucalyptus
and American walnut finishes that will easily blend into
www.moroso.it any decor.
www.molteni.it
MAGIS
TIBU
Magis’ most important invention, the ‘Tibu’ bar
stool with a gas lift, is back in a reinterpreted
avatar. In order to display the height adjustment
feature in a different way, the seat and footrest
are connected in a fluid shape, while the trunk
and base feature as balanced counterparts. Each
individual element of the monochrome stool
expresses its possibility of movement, while the
surface morphs as needed, from scratch-proof
steel to the soft seat. Anderssen & Knoll, who
designed the stool, were inspired by strong
graphic expression, particularly a calligraphic
image, and tried to embody a similar symmetry,
purity and simplicity of design in the ‘Tibu’.
www.magisdesign.com

DEDON
DALA LOVESEAT
Dedon’s ‘White Jungle’ collection is a call to the wild, a
dazzling outdoor collection underscored by luxury and
comfort. Stephen Burks channels the laidback vibe of a
tropical jungle reinterpreted with pristine, sophisticated
whites. His Dala Loveseat, a new addition to his award-
winning Dala collection, is a plush, unpretentious and
prodigious sunbed, perfect for kicking back for some
quality R&R. True to his design policy, Stephen Burks
has birthed another piece that incorporates masterful
craftsmanship and a spirit of openness and pluralism.
www.dedon.de
TOM DIXON
CLUB
Entitled ‘Club’, Tom Dixon’s new collection of furniture, CAPPELLINI
lighting and accessories is a contemporary take on the CAP CHAIR 2
British gentleman’s club of bygone eras. Drawing the Cap Chair 2 is an upgraded version of the
essence of a plush, modern home away from home, the Cap Chair designed by Jasper Morrison and
collection comes in metallic colours with tactile finishes, presented at Salone 2013. The chair with
featuring new functions such as task lighting. The Flood armrests is upholstered completely in leather.
lighting series, a highlight of the collection is inspired This updated version can be placed around
by the technical prowess of the automotive industry. tables lower than the standard height,
Fashioned with injection-moulded polymers, it is robust, transforming the ambience of the classic
highly reflective and boasts a commanding profile. meeting room to the comfort of a lounge. The
Cap Chair 2 has self-locking wheels, and one
www.tomdixon.net can transform its look by covering it in either
fabric, or full grain/pigmented leather in natural
dark, brown and black.
www.cappellini.it

Har Nais Pantographe
HERMÈS
PANTOGRAPHE & HAR NAIS
Michele de Lucchi has created two ranges of agile
and articulated lamps. The Pantographe and Har
Nais collection can be considered siblings in their
CAPPELLINI
design: both feature slender light-offerings in
DUO VASE
minimalistic fashion. While Pantographe is inspired
Antonio Facco draws inspiration from the
by the draftsman’s tool, Harnais is based on the
concept of human beings embodied by creative
equestrian world. The range of lamps feature bull-
images or objects. His aesthetics are a debate
calf leather and metal, opaline shades, bases that
between formal impulsiveness, the possibilities
double as trinket trays, double dimmers offering
possessed by materials, and the application of
both diffuse and directional light and to sum it up:
technology. His Duo vase, a perfect example of
the simple elegance of savoir faire.
this, is a modular ceramic creation that comes in
black or white.
www.hermes.com
www.cappellini.it
CASSINA
TOREI
Cassina’s Torei collection, designed by Luca Nichetto, adds a
playful dimension to any living room with their modern, art-deco-
esque design. The graphic tables, akin to a colourful jigsaw puzzle
were first presented in 2012. In addition to the rectangular model,
the matte black metal tables, are now available in a square version
with two new dimensions: triangular and round. The hollowed
tray-top comes in Carrara marble for the square, and in a bright
stained red colour for the rectangular and round. The piece is
flexible in design so it can be arranged in different heights and
dimensions, or squared off into smaller structures.
www.cassina.com

KARTELL
PRECIOUS
Kartell offers 30 new products under their ‘Precious’
collection, that embody the quality, value, glamour and
luxury of Kartell’s perfected plastic. The theme of the
collection revolves around how plastic has achieved the
status of a precious material through Kartell’s meticulous
technologies and design. Several of their bestsellers
like Masters, Dune, Stone make a comeback in metallic
finishes. The brand has also added new products to their
line of furniture, lighting and tableware, all created with
their unique polyblend injecting technology, including the
‘Twinkle’ bar tables and ‘Sparkle’ range of stools and tables
by Tokujin Yoshioka, meant to emulate the effervescence
of crystal.
www.kartell.com
FENDI CASA
STAR TABLE
Thierry Lemaire’s Star theme summons energy
and a sense of equilibrium, and his Star Table
is characteristic of the same. Imbued with rich,
modern details, it features round edges and
receding lines that characterise its base. Crafted
with Ebony Macassar and glossy brass, the stand-
out table features a star motif on the top of it.
Immediately arresting, structured and geometric,
the table is a conversation starter.
www.fendi.com.fendi.com
MOLTENI & C
PASS-WORD
Pass-word’s various wall-mounted and floor-based units
are made to accommodate every conceivable multimedia
device from TVs and home theatre systems, to tablets
and digital modems. This modular storage and home
entertainment system is designed by Dante Bonuccelli. It
contains a bench that conceals the ugliness of exposed
wires and cables and is finished in a dark, warm cedar
wood, in addition to various wood ranges and a colour
range of matte or glossy lacquered finishes.
www.molteni.it

POLTRONA FRAU
GRANTORINO BED
With a design that speaks a compositional
language, Jean-Marie Massaud’s GranTorino bed
is a lesson in comfort and design. Featuring a
distinctively well-proportioned headboard, the
bed consists of polyurethane foam padding and
polyester wadding to create a panelling effect,
while the bed frame is secured in a seamless way to
lend a sense of softness to the structure. The frame
of the bed and headrest is decorated in rich leather,
with a structure made of MDF and fir blockboard,
all suspended on blade-shaped legs that give it the
appearance of floating in space.
www.poltronafrau.com
MOROSO
SHELLMANN’S LIBRARY
Jorg Shellman’s eponymous collection is inspired
by the industrial product: geometric, pragmatic,
bereft of ornamentation and superfluous
design. Aluminium sliding doors lend pictorial
character to the piece with the elements of
colour, perforated texture, and the merging of
both depending on whether it is open or closed.
CASSINA Made of tubular steel, the austere, conceptual
MARALUNGA ‘40 piece is designed to make a statement in
The iconic Cassina Maralunga was any room.
created as far back as the 70s and
still remains a timeless design. The www.moroso.it
sofa, with its headrest that can be
adjusted to create a low or high
back, has been remodelled for its
40th anniversary into a modern and MAGIS
youthful version. It is upholstered PINA ROCKING CHAIR
in fabric or leather with bold After the roaring success of the Pina chair, Magis has introduced
stitching that gives it a refined several different variations to the unique seating collection.
pinch around its edges. Featuring a one-of-a-kind wire structure, the rocking chair has
a padded pineapple pattern and adds a playful element to the
www.cassina.com concept of comfort. While bringing back an age-old concept,
Jaime Hayon rejuvenates the rocking chair’s characteristic heavy
and antique image with clean lines and modern design.
www.magisdesign.com

NLXL + STUDIO JOB
ARCHIVE
The folks at Studio Job ransacked their personal archive
for drawings, images, icons and patterns in order to
create their ‘Archive’ wallpaper collection for NLXL.
Made from non-woven paper with a matte finish, each
composition runs for nine, non-repetitive metres and
features vivid, graphic prints. The collection was inspired
by the concept of art being presented on silk wallpaper
in the 17th and 18th centuries. The wallpapers come in
seven different designs: Industry, Labyrinth, Perished,
Alt Deutsch, L’Afrique and Withered Flowers, and are
available in both monochrome and colour.
www.nlxl.com
www.studiojob.be
CASSINA
PECS DESK
The Pecs desk by Marcel Breuer has
been resurrected as part of Cassina’s
SimonCollezione range. The formal desk
impresses with its simple, geometric design
and carefully-balanced proportions. Its
design is based on a play between solids
and voids, volumes and thicknesses. Instead
of protruding drawer handles, the desk has
hollowed rectangular slots that fit the hand.
An interesting quirk and exception, is the last
drawer, where the handle is carved into the
edge of the structure.
www.cassina.com
MOOOI
ZLIQ ISLAND
The ZLIQ Island by Marcel Wanders gives one
the feeling of being on one’s own private
island within the confines of the home.
Made of three components, the island
constitutes two ZLIQ sofas with a middle
component between them. One can roll over
the middle component to create a complete,
self-contained seating area that allows total
comfort and privacy. The sofa is made of
a steel box frame covered with foam and
dacron, and comes with removable covers
and seat cushions.
www.moooi.com

MOOOI
BASSOTTI SIDEBOARD
Bassotti sideboards offer the best storage
solution for the home or office. The light,
wooden compartments offer versatility in
space and structure as they can be rearranged
in different ways. The stackable sideboards
are available in different heights, made out
of oak veneer, which one can opt to stain or
lacquer in different colours.
www.moooi.com
KNOLL
WASHINGTON
SKELETON CHAIR
David Adjaya has collaborated with
Knoll in order to create the functional
yet sculptural Washing Skeleton chair,
designed as a play between propping
and balancing. The cantilevered chair
is true to Knoll’s Bauhaus philosophy
that pontificates that decor should
complement and not compete with
architecture. The seat features a unique
leg design and a back drilled down to a
fine geometrical lattice. The shell and legs
are cast in three parts, and put together
with mortise, tenon joinery and stainless
steel fasteners.
www.knoll.com
BOCA DO LOBO
NEWTON LAMP
MAGIS
The Newton Lamp by Boca Do Lobo is
THE WILD BUNCH
a suspension light, designed with the
Konstantin Grcic adds two new members
highest quality materials in order to
to ‘The Wild Bunch’ collection, the ‘Tuffy’
exude modern luxury. The handcrafted
chair and the console/shelf ‘Spike. The
piece made with aluminum and plated
chair consists of four wooden legs and a
with gold, can be customised to any
backrest of gas-injected plastic to enhance
size or colour of choice. Authenticating
its comfort. Envisioned as a piece for
Boca Do Lobo’s commitment to the
the workspace, the chair has a turning
artisan’s craft, the attention-grabbing
mechanism for height adjustment.
piece combines timeless elegance with
its bold character.
www.magisdesign.com
www.bocadolobo.com

FENDI CASA
ARTU ARMCHAIR
KNOLL The Artu line is an exercise in design
LOUNGE and solidity. Created to incorporate
The Lounge collection sees the addition of a new sofa designed interesting details and a contemporary
by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerb. The sofa is characterised style, its lines make for smaller
by stitched seams that validate its elegant profile, and curved proportions with unobtrusive armrests
cushions that soften its face. Its signature cast aluminium leg that do not jut out more than their
fits neatly between the upholstered elements, and can be enveloping structure. The armchair has
customised in chrome and with painted finishes. Reflecting a a back panel and its curved armrests
laid-back attitude toward interior design, the sofa is neither are made in green velour with a satin-
over-the-top nor plain, a perfect blend of relaxation and class. finished brass cylindrical base.
www.knoll.com www.fendi.com
POLTRONA FRAU
BABEL
The playful, compact Babel drinks
cabinet is the perfect addition to a
man’s home. The unobtrusive mobile
bar can be moved with ease, thanks
to its four casters, to create an elegant
social nook anywhere in your house.
Built like a mini-tower with multiple
levels, the base of the cabinet includes
a bottle holder while its two lateral
wings serve to hold glasses and
accessories. Luxurious Cuiio Saddle
Extra leather covers its exterior, while its
innards are in red Alcantara with ebony
wood accents.
BOCA DO LOBO
www.poltronafrau.com EDEN TABLE
Designed to represent the tree of knowledge
and the birth of desire, the Eden centre table
makes use of top quality materials, textures
and shape in order to create a cosmopolitan
luxury environment. Crafted completely
in polished casted brass with a delicately
engraved top, it is meant to expose ‘the
heart of a golden tree’.
www.bocadolobo.com

Salone Internazionale del Bagno
The International Bathroom exhibition
this year reflected the transition of the
bathroom from strictly functional to a
space of wellness, luxury and relaxation.
The Calvinist aesthetic of the past gives
way to decorative elements, colours and
materials to create a warm, welcoming
space. While manufacturers of sanity ware
are redefining the definition of classicity
through their products, designers seem
to be moving from ‘cold’ to ‘fairytale
dimensions’ never ventured into before
by introducing rough surfaces, wood, and
tactile and material sensations into the
bathroom space.
VITRA
MEMORIA
Curvy shapes give way to defined, sleeker models, as featured in
the Memoria collection by Christopher Pillet. The mineral cast and
ceramic sinks are a picture of simplicity and functionality, available
with an 80 cm and 40 cm bowl that prevents water from splashing.
The refined yet subtle design and technologies give the room
an integrated feel, while also offering users an efficient, tactile
experience. The vanity sinks come with generous storage space that
helps organise the bathroom better.
www.in.vitra.com.tr
DORNBRACHT
HYDROTHERAPY
With Hydrotherapy, Dornbracht works toward KALDEWEI
maximising the healing effects of water through an MEISTERSTRUCKE
ease in functionality and use. Through specialised Kaldewei’s Meisterstrucke range ticks all the
outlets of Water Modules and the digital control checkboxes for comfort, space, craftsmanship and
technology of Smart Water, the water applications high functionality. Their Conoduo free-standing bath
in your bathroom are made more effective. Modular features seamless steel enamel, and comes in size 170
products like the extractable shower hose and the x 75 cm, merging comfort with impeccable aesthetics
Foot Bath make for better shower experiences, while for a truly luxuriant experience. One can customise
their technologies make it so you can adjust the it by adding features like the new Sound Wave bath
temperature and water volume with just a flick of audio system, the Kaldewei Comfort Select electronic
the wrist. controls or the Vivo Vita whirl system.
www.dornbracht.com www.kaldewei.com

DURAVIT
VERO
The Vero collection of bathroom furniture expresses
dichotomies in its character: an elementary,
balanced model with a bold design identity. A
classically modern form is contrasted by inset vertical
handles, while material thicknesses and different
dimensions create a cubic look. The furniture
console has an open compartment with a shiny
chrome frame that also serves as a towel holder. LED
lighting deepens the ambience created by the Ticino
cherry wood surfaces, while discreet high-gloss
white finish highlights the cubic design. Designed in
a versatile manner, one can combine the individual
units for different aesthetic and storage solutions.
Unique expression and lively aesthetics define the
Vero bathroom space.
www.duravit.in
AXOR
SHOWERPRODUCTS
Front designs a line of shower
products made to manifest the
industrial appeal of the shower.
The design is focused on intuitive
use and sophisticated aesthetics,
with an attempt to open up the
bathroom towards the living room.
The products turn the mundane
pipe, joint and valve into an
attractive design object, bearing
the concealed functionality of
technology. The range includes
a hand shower, a shower set ANTONIO LUPI
consisting of a hand shower, a wall BOLO
bar, a shower house, an overhead Part of the new Ceramilux collection of washbasins,
shower, and a showerpipe Bolo was the result of an innovative collaboration with
consisting of a thermostat, an Mario Ferrarini. The top mount sinks in Ceramilux offer
adjustable overhead shower and a options for every need, bringing together aesthetics
hand shower. and moulding techniques. The word Bolo means vase,
the collection drawing inspiration from the ancient
www.hansgrohe.in process of using paste to make stones. The entire
collection has four varieties, each representing an
elementary form: circle, square, rectangle, oval. It is
further demarcated into two graphics, the bottleneck
section and the drain cover integrated in the sink.
www.antoniolupi.it

KARTELL & LAUFEN
KARTELL BY LAUFEN
Through a powerhouse collaboration between
Kartell and Laufen, comes the Kartell by Laufen
bathroom collection, characterised by the
unusual mix of plastic and ceramic. It is the first
time that Saphirkeramik has been used, adding VITRA
a new and undiscovered sophistication to design NEST
language of the washbasin. The blend of plastic Nest creates a cosy and accessible bathroom for the whole family. Created
and ceramic retains all the strengths of classic with the simplicity of Scandinavian design at the hands of Pentagon, Nest
sanitary ware through the addition of corundum. sets itself apart with its extensive range of products and functional design
The drain outlets also extend across the width of touches. The bathroom sink comes in myriad variations, the Trendy bathroom
the washbasin with a concealed drain hole and cabinets have sensor-operated LED lighting while the other Trendy fittings and
overflow. In the bathtubs, the overflows have accessories have adjustable modular applications. All doors and drawers are
LED lighting and aromatised misting. child-proofed with a slow-close feature. There is even a child step that helps
the little ones reach the sink and where they can store their toys.
www.kartell.com
www.laufen.com www.in.vitra.com.tr
LAUFEN
IL BAGNO ALESSI ONE
Laufen’s Il Bagno Alessi One collection combines
technology efficient, meticulously designed, tailor-made
options for the bath space. The collection offers the
whole range of bathroom products from their console
basins, to freestanding bathtubs to towel shelves and
toilet holders. Each piece is created with SaphirKeramik
and completed with a white finish. The freestanding
bathtub features a soft, enveloping shape, while their
console basins come with drawers and shelves in
canaletto walnut finish, along with lighted mirrors,
each adding a captivating touch to the bathroom.
www.laufen.com

DORNBRACHT
MEM REFINEMENT
MEM makes a trend-setting shift away from cool whites
and metallic in the bathroom space to warm, glowing
hues of pink gold and copper with the Cyprum finish.
The finish, made out of 18-carat pink gold and copper
imbue the bathroom with intimacy and elegance. To
complement the MEM series, Dornbracht has released
a 3-hole mixer for the edge of the bath, and a free-
standing bath mixer with a flow spout and bar type,
hand-held shower head. In addition to this, they have
created adaptations of the rosette dimensions to enable
combinations with outlets and controls from other series.
The MEM designs are available in chrome, platinum,
platinum matte and the pink gold Cyprum hue.
www.dornbracht.com
AXOR
LAMPSHOWER
The Axor LampShower succeeds in opening up the bathroom
space towards the living room by adding an elegant piece of
furniture. Designed by Nendo, the LampShower merges light
with water to create a unique hybrid for increased comfort in
the bathroom. The lightweight design, that combines the fluid
qualities of light and water, adds a new dimension to the shower.
The blend of the wide-rimmed shower crest with ambient
lighting makes for a truly rejuvenating experience. It is available
in ceiling and wall-mounted versions in a standard chrome finish,
but can also be individualised.
www.hansgrohe.in
HANSGROHE
SELECT
Instead of complex instructions and twisting knobs, an elegant
but simple push button will control the water source with
Hansgrohe Select. After a lot of creative research and efforts,
the Select button was created to provide the same ease of
use to the shower as one does with light switches or the
telephone. The new operating concept has been integrated
into Hansgrohe’s Raindance Select hand showers and
overheads, ShowerSelect thermostats, ShowerTablets and the
new Metris Select, a kitchen mixer with the Select function.
www.hansgrohe.in

EUROCUCINA This year, there was a efficient domestic spaces.
As per its previously established significant shift in the Moreover, the usual divide
standards, EuroCucina offered perception of the kitchen space, between a country and modern
a wide spectrum of goods in from purely utilitarian to a kitchen fell away in favour
terms of style and material, a convivial space, where families of an integrated style that
spread to cater to every taste. and friends can congregate. incorporates vintage as well as
Classic kitchens had their place Innovative design coupled with futuristic elements,
alongside designer kitchens, the use of natural materials making for a rugged yet
and materials varied from brick, aimed to turn kitchens into luxurious workspace.
wood to laminate plastic. warm yet technologically-
SCAVOLINI
DIESEL SOCIAL KITCHEN
Diesel and Scavolini have combined
their design prowess in order to
create the Diesel Social Kitchen which
reflects the philosophy of ‘premium
casual living’, designed for smaller
homes where the kitchen is not just
a functional, but a social space. Put
together with unusual materials with
a vintage twist integral to Diesel,
the kitchen features wood, steel,
glass, processed with metal and
special treatments. The doors are in
natural, knotted oak or wired glass,
while the handles are in used-effect
metal. The design is based on the
modularity of each separate element
and on separate modules that can be
assembled together.
www.scavolini.com
VALCUCINE
SINETEMPORE
Sinetempore restores tradition
through various ancient handicraft
techniques, making use of
inlays, carvings and mosaics to
decorate the wooden surfaces.
Bushhammering is employed for
the surfaces of the worktop back
panels and grinding for glass. The
doors have an “Olmo Tattile” finish,
while the surfaces are in marble or
porphyry. Carcasses and shelving
elements feature solid elm. Inspired
by Mediterranean tradition, the
shapes and vibrations of this
kitchen system play with Venetian,
Byzantium and Sicilian influences.
www.valcucine.com

ALNO AG
ALNOVETRINA
The Alnovetrina kitchen is meticulously
designed with 3 mm high-gloss glass
on the chipboards, and every glass
surface is polished evenly to guarantee
simple sanitation and longevity. Alno
AG is incorporating metal too; the
high-gloss fronts have real metal
frames. The design relies on high-
quality materials and functionality,
true to the company’s design
philosophy and follows the trend of
glass and metals as a substitute
for wood.
www.alno.in
PEDINI
URBAN CHIC
The Urban Chic kitchen space is
characterised by bleached ash wood
on the doors, the tall units and wall
units with boxed glass doors, the floor
boiserie, the table and the basement of
base units made of pewter finish. The
wall worktop consists of thick Laminam
Fokos lead, supported by pewter finished
steel. Slimmer slabs of gres porcelain
make up the worktop and backsplash
behind the sink. A black ceramic hob and
steel sink complement the pewter finish
hood, while the open units go with the
bleached ash shelves.
www.pedini.it

ARAN
BELLA
The Bella Kitchen is composed of
essential lines, naturalness and
artisan craftsmanship. The wood
and light effects add warmth to
the space, while also exuding
a contemporary essence, and
the surfaces are chromatic and
tactile. It features laminate doors
with a register pore finish and
MDF matte lacquer that is both
glossy and luminescent. The space
also allows the opportunity of
personalisation and is designed in
a way that effortlessly reflects your
personality and style.
www.arankitchenworld.in
SCAVOLINI
EXCLUSIVA
Designed by Vuesse, the Exclusiva
is the perfect blend of opulent
ornamentation and modern simplicity,
created for the cosmopolitan
homemaker. The programme can
offer variations in style and furnishings
(straight-line, island, peninsula
compositions) while its stand-out
elements are the gilded capital installed
with its pillar strips and decorative
motifs. Carcases are available in cream,
white and grey, while the dual-toned,
marble-topped island is designed in
such a way that it creates a complex
ensemble. A bonus point: the kitchen
is also eco-friendly.
www.scavolini.com

PEDINI
RUSTIC CHARM
The Rustic Charm set-up is dominated
by Canaletto walnut wood, present
in the storage units, the floating wall
units, in the shelves and in the breakfast
bar. The worktops of the island and
the wall have a thick, weathering steel
structure that makes for a reliable,
sturdy working surface. The steel
hob and sink complement the steel
island hood, while the open units
are coordinated with the Canaletto
shelves. The handles and the tall units
that conceal the ovens, fridge and the
wine cellar are crafted so that they are
aesthetic and functional. Each element
comes together perfectly to create a
warm, rugged and welcoming space.
www.pedini.it
VALCUCINE
RICICLANTICA
Owing to the first 2 mm door to be created in the world, Riciclantica is not only the most technologically advanced kitchen line but also one that
perfectly embodies design based on dematerialisation. Materials such as aluminium, steel, layered laminate and glass, and accurate design gives
birth to flat joints that need no screws and are resistant to water, steam and heat. The programme features accessorised wall panelling in ‘Rover
Tattile Millenium’, the warm rigour of wood and two new additions in the form of the glass Linea C6 worktop and a new version of rugged
stainless steel. Visual lightness, a long life, minimum consumption of raw materials and energy and non-toxic finishes round up the Riciclantica.
www.valcucine.com

SCAVOLINI
FLUX SWING
Scavolini’s Flux Swing kitchen by
Giugiaro Design offers an upgrade
on the clean, clear lines of the Flux,
so it merges perfectly with the living
area. The kitchen has an identity
that is centred around geometric
flexibility with straight and curved
lines, featuring base units with
steel and glass baskets, a steel wall
and a lighting system for the base
units and baskets. The carcase is in
aluminium grey, with doors available
in steel, glass, gloss and matt
lacquer; the handles are concealed
in either chrome or stained stainless
steel, in different sizes. A new
innovation of the project is the
built-in hood, custom designed for
Scavolini. The core of the Flux Swing
is its slide effect that immediately
blends it with the living space.
www.scavolini.com
ARAN
BIJOU
The Bijou kitchen is a
convergence of design and
advanced technology, a
holistically durable set-up,
in material and process. The
kitchen is made with glass
and high-tech materials that
are resistant to heat, scratches
and bumps. The thin porcelain
sheet incorporated in the
design retains its properties and
aesthetic beauty over time. It
is available in 10 colours, while
the glass door is available in 22
colours, in variations of satin
and lacquer finishes.
www.arankitchenworld.in

PEDINI
MATERIKA FLEXIBLE
IDENTITY
The Materika Flexible Identity is
timeless in that it is clean, fluid
and its asymmetric design lacks
ornamental accents. Moreover,
it can be customised in terms
of colour and finish to fall away
seamlessly to the living room. It is
the perfect solution for efficient,
organisational cooking with its
modern technological solutions.
It is designed with natural knotty
oak, matt lacquered onto the
wall units and base, and blends
aesthetically with the white quartz
worktop, steel hob and sink. The
tall units, including the fridge and
steel wine cellar, have doors of
Ecomalta brown.
www.pedini.it
ALNO AG
ALNOSTAR CERA
A new generation of kitchens
is ushered in with the Alnostar
Cera. Its uniqueness can be
attributed to the use of even
and hard ceramic material
that is both wholesome and
resilient. The smoothness of
ceramic is combined with
sleek stainless steel and warm
wood tones in order to create
a harmonious contrast and
distinctive design. Neat
lines are validated with
its completely
handle-free design.
www.alno.in

FTK - TECHNOLOGY FOR THE KITCHEN
FTK (Technology for the Kitchen) ran parallel to EuroCucina,
where 35 of the sector’s top manufacturers showcased the
latest technologies in built-in appliances and cooker hoods and
provided a window as to what can be expected in the future of
domestic appliances.
GAGGENAU
VARIO COOLING 400 SERIES
LED lighting, modern storage technology, stainless steel interiors: the Vario
400 series offers perfected details in their range of cooling appliances,
setting a new bar in function and beauty. The refrigerators, freezers, fridge-
freezer combinations and wine climate cabinets on offer have controlled
climate zones, hygienic materials that neutralise odours, and are energy-
efficient. They also feature shelves that can be manually and motor-adjusted,
fully extendable drawers, durable aluminium door racks and No-Frost
technology. The refrigerators have an integrated fresh cooling zone, which
keeps food fresh for twice as long.
MIELE
DGC XXL COMBINATION STEAM www.gaggenau.com
OVEN
Miele’s combination steam ovens combine a full-
fledged oven with a steam oven, and now come
in a spacious size with immense interior capacity,
allowing the use of 4 rack levels. The ovens offer a
variety of cooking options - steam cooking, combi
cooking, top and bottom heat, grill, intensive
bake, defrosting and much more. It takes a short
time to heat up food with excellent results due
to its MultiSteam generator while highly intuitive
SensorTronic Touch controls improve efficiency
of use. The oven has a stainless steel, non-stick
interior and comes in different finishes, along with
a multi-purpose tray, a combi rack, perforated
containers and a recipe book.
www.miele.in
ELICA
AUDREY
Audrey is a light decorative element
that takes shape with the beauty,
elegance and fluidity of fabric. It
offers LED diffused lighting and
comes in colours or polished stainless
steel finishes. The sophisticated light
offering can be mounted on the wall,
and comes with a remote control. Its
simple design adds an unobtrusive
elegance to the kitchen space.
www.elicaindia.com

MIELE
K 30,000 SERIES
The K 30,000 series of freezers and
refrigerators is characterised by versatily
and energy-efficiency. FlexiLight lends
FRANKE
it a bright interior while PerfectFresh
CRYSTAL COLLECTION
keeps it fresh. Created with high-end
The Crystal Collection by Franke features
product specifications and options,
elegant and geometric design, innovative
they come in sizes and with such
technology, high functionality and highly
conveniences as the NoFrost function
professional performances. The hob is available
and a ventilator, LED lighting, exclusive
in a black glass finish with transparent jewel
touch controls and a clear control
knobs. The hob features high-efficiency burners
panel. The cabinet recesses come in
that make for rapid cooking, and magnetic
different models to meet a variety of
heat guards. It is a combination of delicate
requirements and combinations.
aesthetics and efficient technology.
www.miele.in
www.franke.com
GAGGENAU
OVEN 400 SERIES
An iconic design language and optimal function is what sets apart the Oven 400
series. A special feature is their integration with fronts protruding by 47 mm, along
with the combination of panel-free surfaces and handle-free doors. The entire
range - ovens, combi-steam ovens, combi-microwave ovens, espresso machines and
warming drawers are crafted in stainless steel and glass. All the appliances feature
a control module with TFT touch display, and can be adjusted depending upon the
nature of food to be prepared. Each model retains its individuality when combined
with other appliances, its modern technology making it extremely user-friendly.
www.gaggenau.com
ELICA
YE
The Ye hood is an original, breakthrough product from
Elica’s portfolio, designed by Fabrizio Crisa. Its visual
shape and appeal is enhanced by Cristalplant®, a
hypoallergenic, non-toxic material that is resistant and
gentle to the touch. The entire monolith is wrapped in
a smooth finish akin to velvet and natural stone, which
adds a particular lightness to it. iGuzzini LED spotlights
offer hidden, diffuse lighting above the cooktop. The YE
is a great balance between form, material and colour,
startling and familiar at the same time.
www.elicaindia.com

SALONE SATELLITE
Serving as the principal Experts in textile, ceramic, which culminated in the design
platform for fledgling designers leather, digital, each conducted awards, judged by an illustrious
to showcase their talent workshops chalking out the panel of heavyweights in design.
and mingle with the best in treatment and use of each
design, SaloneSatellite saw of the specific materials and The awards for Saloni Satellite
the participation of 650 young technology in the context of 2014 went to From Industrial
designers and 16 design modern design. Design (Italy), Arturo Erbsman
schools. In its 17th edition, the (France) and Avandi (USA),
design community could avail Following its immense success while Honorouble Mentions
of workshops, design talks, and the previous year, the Artisanal were awarded to Ruxi Sacalis
performances, focused around Workshop returned to elucidate (Romania) and YOY (Japan) for
design, innovation the evolution of products from their masterful innovations
and craftsmanship. idea to actual invention, all of in design.
FROM INDUSTRIAL DESIGN’S VOLTA LAMP

The Volta lamp experiments with the typology of fluorescent tube lighting, looking to
change the ambience in a room from work to a living environment instantly. The lamp
is suspended from copper wire loops, while the body of the lamp - a simple aluminium
profile, can be rotated independently from the cables. It uses LED strips for directional
lighting, and the light can be adjusted as required, turned upside down to function as an
indirect source of light. Recipient of the first prize at SaloneSatellite 2014, the lamp was
the product of an industrious collaboration between Manuel Amarel Netto, Cesare Bizzotto
and Tobias Nitsche.
www.fromindustrialdesign.com
AVANDI’S STEPTOOL ARTURO ERBSMAN’S ATMOS

The Steptool is a maple ladder created Recipient of the second prize at
for confined yet frequented kitchens. SaloneSatellite 2014, Atmos is an
The light, flexible stool leans on the atmospheric lamp that produces light
countertop, using an existing structure through the condensation of water. Its
for support and thus taking up less aluminum base contains a lighting source
space. Its rubber bases provide a solid and a hand-blown glass bulb with an
grip and an aesthetically appealing inexhaustible supply of water. When lit,
contrast to the natural wood. Ariane the water evaporates, forming droplets
van Dievoet draws from her nomadic of water on the inner surface of the bulb,
past to create designs that are durable, through which light is diffused. In time,
portable and versatile, tailored for the glass seems to crystallise, causing the
the urban nomad who shifts base water to run down the sides and back
frequently. Like other pieces from her into the water reserve. Erbsman’s lamp
collection, the Steptool was designed to pays homage to the eternal and sacred
adapt to morphing spaces and received cycle of water, and attempts to create a
the third prize at SaloneSatellite 2014. space for contemplation and dreaminess.
www.avandistudio.com www.arturoerbsman.com

RUXI SACALIS’ CHAMOTTE
Chamotte adds an aesthetic dimension to ceramic
pots, originally used for storage in ancient agricultural
settlements. Consisting of three food containers, a vase
and a fruit bowl, the pottery project explores the use
of clay and chamotte dust in producing objects that
are both functional and easy on the eye. The pieces
were created using a simple firing process that imbues
it with strength and chamotte dust, which helps to
reduce shrinking while it dries. Together, they make the
final product durable, adding a primitive texture that is
pleasing to the touch.
www.ruxisacalis.com
YOY’S PROTRUDE
Protrude is a clever, somewhat playful and functional
addition to your tabletop: it is a tray fixed to the desk with
a clip, at any angle you like. The minimalist design is made
to look as though it may fall off the table, although it is
securely fastened and can be rotated once it is attached.
The same size as an A4 paper, the wood and stainless steel
accessory designed by YOY has lifted edges in order to
accommodate stationary, cups, etc.
www.yoy-idea.jp
SARA DUQUESNE AND LEVI DETHIER’S

PERIMETER
The Perimeter collection emerged from the concept of
needing nothing more than a flat surface to work and
thus began with a simple board. Propped between
trestles, the board became a table, slid onto rails, a shelf.
The addition of accessories birthed a desk and bookcase.
Perimeter offers a desk, a high shelf, a low shelf, mirror
collection and desk accessories designed for the home
as well as a working environment. Featuring solid ash
and metal profiles, the pieces are easy to dismantle
and rearrange to personal specifications, designed with
utmost simplicity that highlights the bold graphic quality
of the materials used.
www.s-duquesne.com

POETIC LAB’S BAMBOO FOREST
The ‘Bamboo Forest’ is Poetic Lab’s organic
collection of eight pieces of furniture created
using bamboo and glass, an exploration into
traditional craftsmanship and contemporary
production. Its raw appeal is offset by elegant
shaping while its combination with transparent
glass creates a void effect that makes objects on
the table look as though they are floating within
it. The bamboo is strengthened with special
processes, but without affecting its natural
shape and look. The collection includes coffee
tables, a rectangular and round dining table, a
shelving system and pendant lights.
www.poetic-lab.com
STUDIO AVNI’S
FIN LIGHT SERIES CHRISTOPH FREIDRICH
The Fin Light series draws from a variety WAGNER’S PLY COLLECTION
of sources: geometry, nature and Indian Wagner’s collection experiments with ply,
legacy. The ethereal wall-hanging playing with the various properties of the
lights are a sculptural interpretation of material in order to create his collection.
biomorphism, making use of an array The pieces used in the furniture are
of fin modules around the spine of the assembled from individual frames, but the
structure. An ode to bilateral symmetry, objects have the monolithic appearance
the most highly recognised form of of having been carved from the same
balance found in nature, the lights block. The arrangement of surfaces is
resemble scaly, bioluminescent marine linear, while the tapered feet contrast the
creatures like sea anemone and jellyfish. massive surface they carry. Characterised
They are designed in exact likeness by uninterrupted structural lines, durability,
to them, mimicking their geometries exchangeable parts and wholesomeness,
through reflection and the rotation the collection is an exercise in efficient
of repeated elements. Moreover, the design and sustainability. The range of
collection of lights are entirely handmade offerings include a bed, desk, sidetable,
with traditional Indian handicraft sideboard, bedside table, lamps, vases,
techniques, and are available in brass, socket and storage boxes.
copper, silver, bronze, German silver
and PVC. www.christophfriedrichwagner.com
www.studioavni.com
ANDREA BORGOGNI’S
CAPRICE AND LADUCAST
Designed to bring together the fundamental geometry of a
dining chair with a harmonious 3D surface, the Caprice is an
attractive and unusual offering. Offering solid support along
with freedom of movement, the chair can be split into two
parts, easy for storage or shipping. The Ladu Cast shares the
portability and space-saving characteristics of the Caprice,
with a foldable quality akin to a book. The structure is made
of casted aluminum with three stable legs and a backrest of
stretched fabric, while the seat can be of a material of your
choice, be it wood, plastic or fabric.
www.andreaborgogni.net

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Advertorial

WHERE ARCHITECTS LIVE
Designed as a cultural accompaniment for the
Salone Del Mobile, “Where Architects Live” was
an exploration into the living spaces of eight of
the world’s most renowned architects. If one can
consider a home as the embodiment of one’s mind,
then this original installation took spectators on
an intimate journey into the mindspace of each
architect, by providing an exclusive look at rooms
designed by the most respected minds in
the industry.
The eight architects included Shigeru Ban, Mario

Bellini, David Chipperfield, Massimiliano and
Doriana Fuksas, Zaha Hadid, Marcio Kogan, Daniel
Libeskind and Studio Mumbai/Bijoy Jain. Francesca
Molteni, who curated the event, worked alongside
architect and scenographer Davide Pizzigoni
in recreating the architects’ private rooms via
multimedia, reconstructions and discourse.
She filmed the houses of the eight heavyweights

and spoke with them about their visions, in order
to create an interactive exhibition that gives one
perspective on what drives them to excellence.
Photo Credit: Hiroyuki Hirai
SHIGERU BAN
Shigeru Ban challenged himself to build his

home without uprooting a single tree in the
Hanegi forest in a serene Tokyo district. He
accomplished this feat in 1997 and now
resides in this apartment complex which has
hollowed out circular or oval shapes for the
trees and is swathed with natural light.
Photo Credit: Davide Pizzigoni

Photo Credit: Alessandro Russotti
Reflecting the free spaces of Brazil, Marcio

Kogan’s home shoots up toward the sky with a
panoramic view of the city through a window.
His home is a walk-through of signed pieces,
travel souvenirs and mementos; the story of
each being remembered by Kogan. The focal
point here is the grand piano in the centre of
the room laden with his personal memorabilia.
Photo Credit: Romulo Fialdini; Architecture Credit: studio mk27, Marcio Kogan
MARCIO KOGAN
Photo Credit: Romulo Fialdini
Photo Credit: Alessandro Russotti

Zaha Hadid’s storied career is

splashed on the walls of her
London studio. From her early neo-
Suprematist drawings inspired by
revolutionary Russian artist El Lissitzky,
to recent portraits, pieces of furniture
ZAHA HADID and organic, curved surfaces that
Photo Credit: Brigitte Lacombe define the space in her home.

Alongside the seven showcased at the
exhibition, was Bijoy Jain of Studio
Mumbai. His home, set in the peaceful
environment of Alibag, doubles as a
workspace where he lives alongside his
team of 60 craftsmen. The structure is
homage to skilled Indian carpentry and
masonry, with a beautiful water feature
- a concept that he hopes to affix to his
projects worldwide.
Photo Credit: Francesca Molteni
BIJOY JAIN
Photo Credit: Studio Mumbai
Text By Brionie Pereira

and Rehana Penwala

Expect
How do you react to an office that
has no fixed reception area and
boasts a settee fabricated from
the Unexpected
rubber ‘chappals’? According to
AVA Design Studio, this project is
all about creating an atmosphere
of surprise.
Text By Christabelle Athaide

Photographs Courtesy Ravi Dhingra
Rugs on the floor, ceiling and wall cleverly showcase the client’s product range and creativity.

The impression that you are in an unusual
workplace descends upon you right from
the moment you set foot into the office
of Sharda Exports, a home-furnishings
company in Noida, Delhi.
The ubiquitous reception desk and lounge

area are conspicuous by their absence,
and in their place a hip bar counter,
bar stools and an assortment of chairs
}
occupy the meeting area. Suspended
above the counter is a chandelier
pieced together from discarded soda
cans while a huge mural of a jungle
scene stares out of the adjacent wall.
Clearly this is not a scene from a typical
workplace.
“The idea was to create an element of

surprise”, explains Vistasp Bhagwagar,
Chief Architect and MD of AVA Design
Studio, who was roped in to design
the corporate office of Sharda Exports.
When the client asked the design studio
to explore the theme of ‘reincarnation’
for the interiors, the team interpreted
this as giving a “second life to discarded
materials”.
Old soda cans, for instance, were given a

fresh lease of life in a lighting fixture and
discarded scooter tyres and cycle spokes
were upcycled into barstools. Waste yarn
from the client’s carpet factory was
not only used to create green carpets
for the ceiling but was also creatively
woven to upholster chairs in the
MD’s office.
However, the design feature that grabs
}
most eyeballs and is the pride of the
export firm is the huge multi-coloured
settee entirely fabricated from the soles
of rubber ‘chappals’. Vistasp candidly
admits that the settee takes inspiration
from the collection of designer duo -
Campana Brothers.

But not everything here is all form and
no function. The office entrance area was
designed to look like a café with a bar
counter not just for design’s sake but in
order to maintain a flexible space where
the export firms’ rugs could be spread
out and displayed when necessary.
In the conference room, a wall covered

with 600 pegs suggests an abstract
installation, when in fact the pegs are
a handy medium to display rugs and
samples when the firm’s designers are
brainstorming or meeting a client.
It’s hard to ignore the numerous

carpets and rugs that line the }
floors and in some cases the walls and
ceilings too. These rugs and carpets were
created by the export firm for the office
area and cleverly showcase the company’s
capabilities while also adding interesting
dimensions of colour and texture to the
interiors.
Fibreboard, one of the unifying

} elements in the office is seen
everywhere, right from the entrance
area to the office desks; it reinforces the
concept of ‘reincarnation’.
“We’ve attempted to bring back respect

for all that is simple and non-glamorous”,
points out Vistasp referring to elements
like the tiles in the washrooms that are
an odd assortment of leftover stocks
and are prudently utilised to create an
abstract collage.
One of the main challenges of working

on a project like this was finding artisans
who were willing and had the skill to
fabricate the unusual designs drawn up
by the team.
In a league of its own, this office takes delight in the surprised expressions of first-time visitors
who step closer for a second look at the upcycled barstools or the rubber chappal settee.

A wall shot with 600 pegs is playful and even serves as a convenient display space for swatches and rugs.
Vistasp acknowledges, “Creating

out-of-the-ordinary furniture and
accessories requires tremendous
patience. It also means stepping out
of your comfort zone and dealing
with carpenters and labourers who
have no previous experience of
dealing with unusual materials.”
For their patience and effort, AVA
Design Studio was awarded a ‘Special
Mention for Corporate Interiors’ at
the IID Anchor Awards, 2013.
contact@avadesignstudio.com
www.avadesignstudio.in

In this section we have time
and again featured artisans
who have dedicated their
lives to an art form. A few
have tried to engage and
uplift not only the art form
but also the artisans involved.
Sushil Sakhuja belongs to the
latter category.
“The Bastar region is a district of
Chhattisgarh in Central India. Apart from
housing the Nagarnar and Tata steel plants
which are well known here, the region
is also home to tribes who specialise in
Dhokra handicraft…and this is their story,”
says Sushil on a starting note.

Artistic
Endeavours
TEXT BY VIKAS BHADRA
Sushil was inspired by Dhokra
quite early, back in 1982, when the
Government of India made an attempt
of saving this fading art form by
engaging selected artists and designers
- the well-known designer Joghi Panghal
also visited Bastar at this time. Seeing
him work with local artisans attracted
Sushil to Dhokra Art. He felt that finally
he had chanced upon what he would
like to actively engage in. Sushil regularly
started participating in his workshops,
besides Panghal, he also acquired training
in Dhokra art form from yet another
prominent Dhokra artist, Shobharam Sagar.
The traditional art of Dhokra has been

practised across a number of states in
India like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and
Bengal. These creations which are made
using the lost wax process were initially
utilised to make creations for gifting in
temples and centres of faith.

These creations were primarily the
handiwork of old people of a specific tribe.
In return for their quintessential creations
the artists were given food grains or
felicitated with an award.
As time passed, the price of bronze which

is the primary material put to use in
Dhokra, became costly, besides the day
to day use of bronze also diminished.
This in turn motivated the artist to look for
other avenues of work. In a fast moving
world the time and effort required to make
a Dhokra art piece was also another factor
which led to the decline of this craft.
The decline of Dhokra cautioned well-

wishers of this art form who decided
to preserve it. One idea was to open
a museum and house the existing art
pieces which were accessible. In order to
maintain the continuity of the art form
one of the prominent questions which
came to the fore was how to engage
young people in an art form which was
primarily the knowhow of the old.
As Sushil got more entrenched with this art

form, he too realised that it was heading
towards extinction. Keeping this reality in
mind, Sushil actively started working
with the artisans to ensure the art form
survives. As he worked in unison with
the artists he amalgamated the craft of
Dhokra with different materials like iron
and clay.
A new era heralded the beginning of this

fading art and craft. The artisans and
craftsmen became actively engaged in
Dhokra, even women folk started getting
involved. Erstwhile alcoholics now had a
constructive activity to pursue.
The art of Dhokra involves a number of

steps beginning with the creation of
the basic mould using sand and clay.
The wax preparation thereafter involves
the use of pure bee-wax, found in
abundance in the jungles where these
craftsmen reside. This is followed by
channel building and crucible filling,
both these steps requires the use of a
furnace. The type of furnaces utilised varies
according to the place of origin of the
artisan. The nature of fuel too differs from
wood (green and dry) to charcoal, cow-
dung cake, coal, etc.

The initial doubt was that urbanites may
not take a liking for a rural art form - but
the response was otherwise. Sushil was
greatly appreciated for his work by
a number of notable names which
included the late M.F. Hussain and
patrons like Parmeshwar Godrej. The
Government of India too felicitated him
on a number of occasions.
With an aim to keep the artisans and their

family in-sync with contemporary times,
Sushil introduced them to the world of
computers and the internet. “The response
was certainly positive and without a doubt
I can say that their kids have mastered
the use of these new age devices and
technologies,” he says proudly.
Till date Sushil continues to stimulate the

art and craft of Dhokra, besides which
he has also taken a keen interest in ice
sculpting and creating installations. He has
exhibited his ice sculptures in Salekhard,
Russia whereas his installations have
generated quite a buzz in Vietnam.
Getting back to Dhokra, apart from

exhibiting his pieces in India Sushil has
also exhibited his Dhokra art pieces in
Kunming, China. As an artist Sushil has
been successful in uplifting the art
form, however he laments the fact
that art connoisseurs failed to map a
constructive methodology to conserve
this 250 year old craft.
“Though much has been written about it in

last 50-60 years apart from gathering and
assimilating the artefacts of this secluded
art form, critics cite that it is becoming like
any other artefact available in the market. I
hope the experts take note of such sceptics
and preserve this legacy before the artist
and not the art becomes an object of
inheritance,” he signs off.
Sushil Sakhuja
Main Road,
Kondagaon, Bastar,
Chhattisgarh 494 226
Tel: +91-9425208877
sushil.sakhuja@gmail.com
www.sushils.co.in

DESIGNQUEST
A CREATIVE
CURIOSITY
By Kashyap
Rawat
“If you tell people where to go but not While some students get to work with
how to get there… you will be amazed designers after they finish their studies,
at the results.” Anonymous. This quote at Raffles, I was lucky to have a rare
describes my design journey well. Ever combination of three senior lecturers,
since my childhood I was inclined towards Corrado Cotignano, Lisa Perrine Brown
creativity. I found solace in colours, sketch and Samvit Blass who acted as a source
pencils and sketch books; they were of inspiration and helped me in numerous
my preferred pals over expensive toys ways. All of them were experienced
or clothes. designers with their own forte.
I have always been inquisitive about how In 2009, Samvit Blass offered me the
products are created and when I look post of an assistant product designer
at something, my brain subconsciously in his new company LiGHT-FiSH and
starts pondering on how I can create my first project with him was a colossal
a customised version myself. Not just and dynamic magnetic picture wall for a
understanding products but creating jungle themed party at Bonobo,
them became my zeal, however a restobar.
I could not find the right course to
pursue until I discovered the Product
Design course offered by Raffles Design
International Institute.

The lighting scheme is made of wine bottles ,motorbike
The Martman Plastemart Man is a mascot for Plastemart.com that
was exhibited at the K Trade Fair, Germany
parts and LED’s

Kino
Martman
This was the beginning of my design

journey, wherein I started getting many
freelance projects from companies like
JWT (Chandelier for Taj Mahal Palace
Hotel, Signage for Taj Falaknuma Palace
The party was attended by the architect Hotel), Plastemart.Com (Martman for K
of Kino 108 who gave us our first big Trade Fair Germany), People Interactive
commercial project. The project involved (I) Pvt Ltd (CEO Awards), etc.
customised lighting for the lounge, based
on a retro rock theme. This became my My association with the Kalaghoda
first self managed project at LiGHT-FiSH. festival which started in 2008 gave me
an opportunity to showcase some of my
My key focus was to make it crazy yet innovative installations like HIGH-LIGHTS
sustainable. Enfield bike parts, 108 wine (recycle/reuse lighting installation),
bottles and LEDs were utilised for the Psychedelic Avatar (mushroom lights
project which became a success and a installation) and Chat-in-denim (denim art
landmark - a completely fresh approach with graphic expressions).
to lighting design. Working with Samvit,
I learnt to take my own decisions, never
compromise on quality and always strive
to beat my own standards.
Stackzy can be used both as a seat, a stool as well
as a stackable storage cabinet
Stackzy

The inspiration for Ixora, a premium wall lamp was derived
The Lotus Lamp made from a single laser cut piece of acrylic
with an incredible play of red in layers
from Ixora flowers
Lotus Lamp
Ixora
One of our notable projects is the Ixora Few international designers who continue
flower lamp which was designed for a to inspire me with their practical yet
plush residence in Bandra. modern designs are Marcel Breuer,
Ixora is a premium light-art lamp collection
Philippe Starck and Alessi.

We took a form inspired from the Ixora
flowers and the purple leaves of a plant Their influence can be seen in some of my
keeping in mind the young girl’s liking work. The Lotus Lamp designed by KSR
for nature. Stackzy (multi-utility stacking for a jewel company exhibited at the India
storage units) is another acclaimed International Jewellery Show is probably
modular and portable KSR product. one such product. The lamp was made
from a single laser cut piece of acrylic
In the recent past KSR has also done with an incredible play of red in layers.
projects based on décor lighting for
Surreal Retail Design Pvt. Ltd. in Palladium As learning is a never-ending process,
and Phoenix Market City. We have also I continue to learn and evolve as a
received support from the architect designer. I look forward to un-wrap a
Ixora
community which has provided our surprise soon with a completely new and
products a place of pride in various cities. crazy, yet high on utility product category.
rawat.kashyap@gmail.com
My work was noticed by Anjali Mody, www.ksrdesignstudio.com
principal designer at Josmo Studio and I
was appointed as the furniture designer
for a couple of their key assignments for
hotels and bungalows.
With my passion towards customised

solutions in furniture, lighting and home
décor, I started KSR Design Studio in 2012.
KSR has designed numerous light and
furniture solutions for high end projects.

The main entry is on the third floor of the building, where purple accents add variation to a brown and white linear palette.

SAYING IT Lines are the language, and a
cut-out becomes a punctuation
WITH LINES
mark in an office remodelled
by young architect Gaurav Roy
Choudhury in Bengaluru.
Text By K Parvathy Menon

Photographs Sindur Reddy
Courtesy The Architects

On a very busy street in the congested
mercantile Gandhinagar area of
Bengaluru is a five storied building
that houses R.K. Fabrics, an import-export
cloth business. In this old, neglected,
rent controlled building, R.K. Fabrics can
trace its lineage from a small room to a
space that now occupies three floors.
Explains architect Gaurav Roy Choudhury,

“Instead of moving out to another, easily
accessible part of the city, the client
decided to restructure its office premise
and remain at the same place from where
it all began.”
Credit goes to the client for giving

complete creative liberty with merely but a
few pre-conditions to the design team of
GRCA, a Bengaluru based design practice
headed by Gaurav Roy Choudhury. The
newly remodelled structure is a far cry
from its original avatar. Says Choudhury,
“The client had no long list of do’s
and don’ts. His only demand was to
consolidate his office in the same place
from where he started.”
The entrance is right below the cut-out and gives a miniscule, yet complete image of the office dynamics.
Linear patterns network vertically and horizontally, creating what the architect describes as his ‘favourite In its original outline, R.K. Fabrics
space’, where one can see through and through till the skylight from which light comes streaming in. occupied two and a half independent
floors and half of a terrace; all of which
functioned separately and were accessed
by the common building staircase. The
basic design concept which the team
defines as, “integrating the floors to
create one pulsating space, in perception
and in experience” was born out of
understanding this building constraint.
The team got about the task by sculpting

out a cut out in the structural skeleton
that started on the third floor entry level
and ended in a skylight on the terrace.
A perfect welcome is created at this
entry point to the office right under the
opening, where bright sun rays smile
down through all the working floors.
Once inside, a network of lines as the

predominant pattern narrates the
layout of the office. These lines were
derived in part from the structure of
}
the building and in part from the logo
of the company.

Wood essayed in two colours - white and
brown, script the entire interior spaces
starting at the third floor, climbing onto
the workstations and continuing through
the cut-out to finally terminate at the
skylight. Here Gaurav points out, “Since each
floor area was small, the cut-out too was
narrow and linear. The lines were meant to
accentuate these cut-outs as they unified the
separate floors.”
“The force and momentum of the lines, hold

the office together. They tie and release at
the same time. Their ends were left untied
as they reach the skylight; their fate is
open-ended, just like of the business,” says
Choudhury intensely. The third floor level
accommodates the administrative part
} including cabin suites, and work-stations
all fused through the white and brown
linear pattern.
Variation in pattern yet similarity in colour

are obvious in the administration cabins
on the third-floor level and in the owner’s
suite on the fourth floor. The owners suite
is placed strategicaly between both the
}
floors it enables him to be in sync with
all the activities of the office, it also
has a confrence table for internal and
private meetings.
The design hub located on the fifth floor

follows the colour and pattern theme, but
adding to the drama are mirrors placed
strategically. These mirrors which were
thought as ‘a continuation of the lines’
double up as pivoted pin boards for
}
the designers.
The cut-out is the epicentre of the design,

assuming distinctive duties in each floor.
While on the third floor, it dons the role
of an entry point; on the fourth floor, the
cut-out is the foreground for the linear flow
while at the fifth floor the cut-out divides
the space into two zones. The idea of the
cut-out was to simulate an urban level
breathing point - where windows open
onto and people interact thus increasing
the energy and dynamism of the office.

In the team’s words, “breaking
through the slabs, connecting
the floors and eventually hitting
light, the volume emerges into
the skies.” Through a language
of lines and a simple material
and colour palette, the GRCA
team has decoded the growth
and dynamic development of
the company into architecture;
the final creation resonates with
both the ethos of Gaurav Roy
Choudhury’s design sensibility
and with the business of
R.K. Fabrics.
gauravroychoudhury@gmail.com

True to its name, a majestic big green door greets the customers before they step into the store.

Retail Therapy
Through
The Big
Door…
“The Big Door” lives up to its name,
literally. A big ornamental green
door greets you before you step
inside this fortress of beauty….
Text By Dhanishta Shah

Photographs ‘The Big Door’

Each nook has a story to tell and there are several like this A lounge area serves as a bespoke meeting place.
one, just waiting to be discovered and explored.
Just as every fortress has a big door, this From the ground floor there is a stairway The décor of the store is warm and
veritable trove of home treasures also leading to the first floor. This area houses inviting, and at the same time reflects
welcomes its guests with a big door. artefacts and furniture and leads to the a quiet but royal opulence. The use of
Spread over 7500 sq. ft. and over three terrace where quite understandably, colours like brown, red and off-white
levels, the store is located in the quaint outdoor furniture is showcased. But are interspersed with bursts of red. This
Pali Hill area of Mumbai. This impressive in the journey through the store, adds to an earthy old-world, yet kingly
facade inspired by the traditional doors there are many recesses where one feel that one senses in a castle perhaps.
that were used in havelis and palaces in is drawn to pause and ponder at the
Rajasthan, is just the first of the many absolute beauty of Indian heritage and Spanish charcoal coloured tiles grace
wonders of the store. craftsmanship that is so evident in the the floor. The products are a nod to
décor and products. an opulent era of royalty. There is
Directors Mr. Vivek Gupta, Mrs. Sunita heavy use of wood all through. Vivek
Gupta and Mr. Alok Mantri have indeed The terrace is a clear favourite with all Gupta points out that the double height
taken a keen interest in the design of the visitors. I was enamoured by the huge red stair-well also adds character to the
store. The wondrous journey begins with outdoor tent, a Mughal ‘khema’, which store. The special emphasis laid on styling
a neatly segregated jewellery section. was also incidentally for sale. Here it every corner of the store is probably what
Big wooden and marble artefacts are functioned very efficiently as a canopy makes it stand apart from the rest.
aesthetically arranged across the entire to display some of the outdoor furniture.
ground floor. A lounge area serves Of course, with the period outdoor
as a bespoke meeting place; with its furniture, the terrace took on a
distressed mirror ceiling and opulent completely different feel.
décor, it is a fantastic nook.

Furniture and artefacts in silver, old wood, marble and camel bone make up the heart of the store. The dash of royal blue in the bathroom is a
welcome change.
Moreover, the products themselves The visual merchandising is changed The products are either carefully sourced
contribute a great deal to the décor; every few weeks as and when new ware is from selected dealers or curated by the
every piece has a unique story to tell received. The existing inventory too gets Guptas. “Most of the customers walk in
which completely mesmerises the constantly moved around to get a fresh with an open mind to discover pieces that
customer. Even by itself, each item is a look and feel. fascinate them. We assist our clients with
part of the unique narrative that exists styling options in case they have specific
in the store. But more than the products The store also have a vast and varied requirements as we largely specialise in
themselves, it is how they have been collection of furniture and artefacts custom made designs” says Gupta. It
reimagined that shows the creativity of in silver, old wood, marble and camel seems like the stage is set with beautifully
the shop-owners. bone such as sofa sets, thrones with orchestrated offerings. It is now up to the
foot stools, Roman stools and four customers to be a part of the story.
They have indeed re-looked at many poster Queen beds. The designs are
old pieces and used them for purposes replicas of originals from that era and
that are different than what they were they make a conscious effort to not www.thebigdoor.in
originally intended for e.g. an ‘urli’ has repeat the designs so as to maintain a
been converted into a centre table and uniqueness element for the clients.
a decorative mirror has been put on the
ceiling! In fact, this is something they do
consciously so that the clients too can use
the furniture as flexible pieces and make
better use of them without losing the
essence of their beauty. Customisation as
per an individual style adds to the whole
buying experience.

DESiGN
DESTiNATiON
STOC
WHERE
Located in the south-east
of Sweden, Stockholm is an
archipelago of 14 islands all
connected by over 50 bridges.
It is the capital as well as the
political, cultural and economic
centre of Sweden. With 30% of
the area made up of water bodies
and an equal amount dedicated to
green spaces, the city provides a
breathtaking panorama.

KHOLM
WHEN WHY
The climate of Stockholm is Here, three World Heritage
relatively warm compared to other sites and other medieval and
places at those latitudes. During Renaissance buildings vie for
summer, the sun barely sets and space with the new-age glass
the long hours of sunlight are ideal and chrome skyscrapers and
to make the most of all that the modern architecture. The vibrant
city has to offer. Thinning crowds art and theatre scene and the
and mild temperatures also make hundred-plus museums have put
spring and autumn a good time to Stockholm on the must-see list of
visit the city. the global traveller.

THE STORY GOES THAT...
Once upon a time, on a busy street in Doors from the old building have been
Stockholm was an apartment building on reinvented to serve as headboards for the
the verge of being closed down by the beds. The furniture, bespoke artefacts
city. Its occupants were mostly musicians, and modern artwork mingle with these to
writers and artists and they refused to create an ambience that is both vintage
vacate the city until they were assured and contemporary.
that the premises would be looked after.
And, then the Story Hotel was born. The dramatic artwork that is showcased
throughout the hotel public areas
Swedish company Koncept that designed and the rooms emerged from the
the hotel wanted it to carry a timeless collaboration with Wonderwall art
feel. To achieve this many of the original dealers; many of the works have been
features of the building were maintained. specially designed for the Story Hotel.
The wallpaper and the wooden flooring

from the original building were
maintained and in some spaces part of
the original worn-out concrete walls
have been allowed to lay exposed.

Where The Dust Settles
For anyone who is looking for a
conversation piece for the table or the
mantle, Dusty Deco provides enough
options to keep the chatter going
endlessly.
Framed paintings and photographs,

medical posters and neon signs cover
the wall. A Victorian statue sits along-
side a ceramic cheetah. The collection is
so extensive that it is difficult to imagine
that it all started as a hobby from the
garage of an owner.
Home to vintage objects sourced from

across Europe, the store is a one-stop
shop for just that right piece for that
special corner of the house.

Holding Court Food courts are largely a domain where
functionality and practicality form the
Different seating clusters have been
created, including a bleacher-like layout
cornerstones of design decisions, K25, at one end of the wall which provides
a foodhall in Stockholm is a pleasant a vantage point to survey the entire
deviation from this ideology. The usual space. The interior design is contempo-
bright, neon colours make way for a rary and stylish, but yet a casual vibe has
muted and warm palette of greys, been maintained. There is consistency in
black and earthy hues. the design that binds the entire space.
But, at the same time there is a clear
difference in the appearance of each of
the 11 food businesses that occupy K25.

All Aboard
The year was 1628 and the Vasa had

set off on its maiden voyage. Hundreds
of Stockholmers had gathered to see
the warship set sail, but within hours,
catastrophe struck and the ship sank
as the crowds watched.
For over 300 years the Vasa lay at the

bottom of the sea, until in 1961, the
wreck was recovered and the Vasa
Musuem planned to showcase the
historic ship.
The three masts on the roof of the

musuem depict the height of the
ship’s original masts. The main hall
of the musuem holds the wreckage of
the ship itself, 95% of which is original.
Home to the only preserved 17th century
ship in the world, the Museum attracts
millions every year.
Text By Himali Kothari

Tao Architecture use a consistent
design language that is held
together by a rich material and A PERFECT
textural palette creating a home
that is contemporary
and welcoming. LANGUAGE
Text By K Parvathy Menon

Photographs Courtesy Hemant Patil,
courtesy Tao Architecture Pvt Ltd.

Attached terrace to the living room is treated as outdoor family room, connecting with plunge pool and distant green
view. The decor style remains consistently minimal but show stopping.

Designed by Tao Architecture Pvt Ltd,
a Pune based practice lead by Principal
Architect Manish Banker, the spatial
design of this apartment is ‘established on
a consistent language’. Points out Manish
Banker, “A clutter free and contemporary
quality of space with a combination of
warm wooden surfaces, plain white walls
and soft coloureds furnishings was the
design theme we decided on.”
The client, a property developer himself

was keen to ‘relate to contemporary
interiors’ and his requirements played a
major role in outlining the design theme.
“When ideas were shared, it was decided
not to spend unnecessarily for sake of
décor, instead use qualitative products
to generate a luxurious and comfortable
living,” explains the team.
A contemporary and chic vibe begins the

moment one steps into the entrance foyer,
where the fineness and tone of a warm
wooden console and surface finishes
under the glow of ambient lighting,
ushers you inside.
Once inside, the understated beauty

of marble and wood becomes the
} backdrop for a minimalistic and swank
decor in the double heighted living
space. The living room continues into
an attached double-heighted terrace,
and the designers worked to accentuate
these volumetric dimensions through
select interior composition of the tapestry,
artefacts and a television console.
In the entrance foyer, a buffer to the main apartment, ambient lighting works its magic
enhancing the warm and rich appeal of wood and contemporary art work

Explains Architect Manish Banker, “To do
justice to the existing double heighted
volume, the interiors composition of the
room was deliberate, allowing natural
light to play a major role.’
An adjacent dining space that is a

continuity of the living room, sans the
height, gets a clear definition in the form
of a wooden wrap. Brown shades of
}
the surface finish and wooden boards
draping the walls and ceiling provide an
opulent and cosy niche for the dining
area. Wall units and accent lighting in
these brown surfaces adds to the elegant
drama while accentuating linearity of the
section.
These large expanses were not demarcated

clearly in the original layout, so the first
step in spatial planning by the design
team was to segregate the house into four
distinct zones - the entry areas, the living
spaces, the service zone and the private
rooms. The layout segregation outlined
a clear circulation and functional
pattern, which helped Tao Architecture
to compose a smooth internal anatomy.
Without doubt, the material palette and

its placement is a vital factor defining
the architectural language. The designers
stress that the selection of the material
palate was a key to meet desired result.
Like the dark marble strip which marks
strategic elements like wide doors and
circulation areas.
Wood and its textural quality, is
}
perceptibly the favoured choice for
most of the surface finishes, wall units
and shelves. Differing in finish in each
room, ranging from leather textured
background surfaces to plain settings,
the deep brown hue and woody cosiness
exudes warmth into every space of
the apartment.

Unifying and embellishing the material-
textural palette is the illumination,
an important tool that has been used
to redefine the design details. The
concept of ‘strip lighting’ charts most
of the consoles and shelves, subtly
highlighting the linearity wherever
called for.
One of the innovative aspect of the

design is the bathroom overlooking
}
the bedrooms which renders a feeling
of larger and continual private space,
making the room appear larger and
connected without losing sense of
functionality.
The apartment is a statement of the

innovative aptitude of the designers who
deem that the qualitative end result was
achieved using a ‘consistent language of
construction and material palate along-
with smart coordination of procurements
and decision processes.’
Through conscious planning Tao

Architecture defined the spatial character
of the apartment in a chic, trendy,
minimalistic yet cosy and warm narrative.
admin@taoarchitecture.com
www.taoarchitecture.com

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GREEN
PROJECT
No Stone Left
Sometimes, it takes the sheer shock
of seeing abject wastage happening
around you to come up with a new
idea for recycling. In Iran, Architect
Ramin Mehdizadeh showcases
Unturned a simple, yet brilliant design for

recycling discarded stone.

Photographs Courtesy Omid Khodapanahi

Organic wooden shutters and the local stone blend well with the surroundings of Mahallat.
The good thing about the discarded stones that were put to use was that while they were
all different in size, shape and colour, their thickness was the same.

Inside the apartments,the family room and bedrooms are accessed separately. A wall of recycled stone
shows up here too, separating the family room from the living room and other rooms.
Mahallat is a town in central Iran that Architect Ramin Mehdizadeh of Convincing the investors in the project
thrives on the mining of travertine stone. Architecture by Collective Terrain (AbCT) was not easy. The idea of using rejects to
More than 50% of the town’s economy returned to his hometown Mahallat create a prominent building did not exactly
comes from this industry. This occupation after completing his studies at Columbia generate enthusiasm.
dates back to the Roman era and the University, New York, to start work on a
demand for the stone, for exteriors and new project. While surveying the site and Mehdizadeh wanted to demonstrate to
interiors, continues to this day. deciding on the materials to be used for the conservative local community how
A mountain of discarded stone, the project, he came across the mountains recycling the discarded stone could be
however, reveals another side of the story. of discarded travertine and was appalled both environmentally and economically
by the waste. He began research on how beneficial to everyone.
Mahallat’s stone industry currently lacks the stones were excavated in the quarries
the investment or technology to cut stone and then processed. The sharp angles of The five-storey contemporary building
efficiently with a minimum of wastage. the stones and the way their gradient was designed with modern angles where
Less than half the stones quarried are height “resembled a city” inspired him to traditional sensibilities too were kept in
really put to use. These ‘rejected’ stones, design a project with the quarry in mind. mind. The smooth volume of the building
discarded as trash, create an ever-growing is broken by the sharp angles of the
pile of unwanted and polluting material. The good thing about the discarded triangular prisms; this gives the building
Official records estimate that there are stone was that while they were all a certain dynamism and is also a clear
about 200 stone cutting factories in different in size, shape and colour, their reference to the shape of the quarry.
Mahallat with around one thousand thickness was the same. All the stones The triangular prisms were a solution to
tons of left-over stone generated per are cut in either 2 or 4 centimetre the irregularly shaped site and allowed
day. thickness which enabled Mehdizadeh to the architect to create more rectangular
stack them together in a horizontal line. rooms as well as add a unique
The rest, as they say, is history. dimension to the exterior.

Porous walls have been a feature in Iranian buildings since ancient times and Mehdizadeh’s wall
of stones has the same peek-a-boo quality, but with an edge.
Elements of traditional Iranian architecture Interestingly, the shutters are not only Mehdizadeh reinvented the traditional
show up constantly in the project. useful, but also decorative. They add “taghche”, a built-in shelf located in
Porous walls have been a feature in an organic texture to the exterior of the various rooms. The new taghches are
Iranian buildings since ancient times and building and create a sense of movement sleek and of varying heights, enabling
Mehdizadeh’s wall of stones has the same as they open and close on the various the occupants to use them for different
peek-a-boo quality, but with an edge. floors; just like unwrapping a gift in purposes. In keeping with the eco-friendly
slow motion. nature of the project, local craftsmen were
The size of the windows is contradictory employed to create a lot of the project
to traditional Mahallti windows, which Inside the apartments, the architects including the shutters and the intriguing
are small, to protect privacy. Mehdizadeh followed tradition by segregating the free-standing handrails.
used large windows to maximise the private and public rooms. The family
views and ingress of natural light but room allows for entertaining guests Through this project, the architect
added wooden shutters that can be while the bedrooms are accessed demonstrated that it was possible to
opened or closed depending on the separately, providing privacy. A wall use discarded stone with great success,
season or the need for privacy. of recycled stone shows up here, too, paving the way for a recycling solution
separating the family room from the that not only conserves natural resources
Smaller windows are also included, to living room and other rooms. and reduces the cost of building but also
bring in more light. In another nod to creates a visually-pleasing architectural
local customs, the design of the shutters icon that the residents of Mahallat are
was inspired by old Mahallti doors which now rightly proud of.
are strips of wood connected to a simple
wooden frame. www.abct.kt
hello@abct.kr

GREEN
PROJECT
The award winning firm of Johnsen
Savings Schmaling Architects clearly

demonstrates how architectural
innovations combined with
lifestyle sacrifices can add up to
For life
contemporary, green living.
Text By Christabelle Athaide

Photographs Courtesy John J. Macaulay

See-through glass walls are not for the shy types; in this case, the family was quite comfortable with the transparent room
that integrated visually into the neighbourhood.
The architectural layout takes advantage of the lake breezes and solar exposure to offer
maximum cross-ventilation and bring daylight into every corner of the house.

The combination of operable windows and a shallow building volume allows for a high degree of natural Installing green features can be complicated.
cross-ventilation. The geothermal system required the well-digger,
heating and cooling specialist and plumber to
work together in tandem.
The OS House in Wisconsin is exalted for By restricting the built-up area to the
its genuine approach to environmental upper plateau of the plot, Johnsen
stewardship: a process that questions Schmaling presented the family with the
the conventional, right from choice of concept of a compact house that would
location and number of bathrooms to minimise its ecological impact.
construction methods. The house was
designed for a family of four who were To their credit, the family offered to
keen to realise their vision of a green reduce their living space even further
home in Racine. with the suggestion of a common
bathroom that they could all use in
Designed by Architects Brian Johnsen and turns. It is often personal sacrifices
Sebastian Schmaling, co-founders of the like these and not just architectural or
award-winning firm, Johnsen Schmaling technological innovations alone that
Architects, the 1,948 sq. ft. three-bedroom can make a genuine difference to
house was built on a narrow infill lot that the environment.
overlooks Lake Michigan, and is easily
distinguished from the classic Victorian Nevertheless, the family did invest in
houses on the block by its modern, airy green technology with the installation
and cheerful design. of photovoltaic system. The 4.2kw
photovoltaic system made up of
Since the site was partially filled PV laminates adhered to the roofing
with debris, the architects set to membranes as well as a free-standing
work starting with an extensive array. In summer, the excess power
geotechnical analysis to understand generated by the PV system is
the site’s drainage characteristics and purchased at a premium by the
ensure its long-term stability. utility company and fed back into
the main grid.

The building’s roof feeds about 65% of rainwater into a About 70% of the electric power consumed in the house is generated by a 4.2kw photovoltaic
designated groundwater percolation area. system. Whereas the hot water is generated by a solar hot-water panel.
Naturally irradiated, thanks to carefully What’s more, as part of LEED - the green Sensitivity to the environment was not
sized windows that eliminate the need for certification program under which the restricted to nature alone; the community
artificial lighting during the day, OS House building was designed, the contractors too benefited positively when the architects
also harnesses solar energy to manage a were required to follow certain building decided to go local for labour and
portion of its hot water needs. The climate techniques – like collecting, sorting and construction by contracting neighbourhood
inside the house is maintained by a closed- shipping scrap material to a recycling yard firms. Since the local residential contractors
loop geothermal system which is further in order to minimise construction waste. had only marginal exposure to green
enhanced by tightly-fitted doors through technologies they took time to learn and
which no air can leak out or in. No doubt, all of these measures added up adapt to the scrutiny of LEED standards.
nicely to make OS House a vision of the On completion, the project was enrolled
Inside the house, sustainable bamboo future, but at what cost? in the ‘LEED for Homes Pilot Program’
flooring, locally fabricated casework and subsequently earned a Platinum
with no added urea-formaldehyde, FSC Sebastian Schmaling acknowledges, “High- Certification. In 2011, it was picked as
certified engineered wood veneers, performance insulation materials, triple- one of the top 10 green projects in the
domestically-made wall and floor tiles, glazed windows, recycled materials - all country by AIA and has since earned
and VOC-free or low-VOC finishes keep these add to the cost. Our experience is several other noteworthy awards.
up with the green theme. that a green home will cost about 20%
more than a non-green one. That said Sebastian Schmaling summarises the project:
the cost for green technology (like solar “The house is built around a palette of
panels, etc.) has decreased dramatically sustainable and durable materials to make
over the last 5 years, so it will become this a house for life.” In a subtle way, OS
increasingly more cost-effective to House demonstrates how the process of
employ it in all of our future projects.” greening the planet really begins at home.
schmaling@johnsenschmaling.com

syl v a i n
If you are reading a design
magazine, chances are that you
will start appreciating and coveting
beautifully crafted products for
your home and office spaces. It
would do you immense good
then to also peruse Brussels-based
w ille nz
product designer Sylvain Willenz’s
simple and elegant designs which
prove that good design need not
be complicated.

Photographs Courtesy The Designer

Born in Brussels in 1978, Sylvain Willenz
studied MA Design Products at the Royal
College of Art in London and graduated
in 2003. In 2004, Willenz opened his
design office, based in Brussels. The
studio describes its approach to design as
characterised by “a clear inquisitiveness
for products, industry and processes.”
Stack
The designer has won several prestigious Torch Light Series
awards including the iF Awards and
Red Dot “Best of the Best” Awards in
Product Design.
Willenz’s range of furniture and lighting

products span the gamut of simple to
complicated minimalistic chic. One of
his earliest designs for lighting was the
award-winning Torch light series (2008).
This Torch light is made from a “flexible
polymer with a matt grainy and tactile
finish”. Inspired by the hand-held torch,
the series includes the Torch Table, Torch
Bunch, with the lamps bunched up
together, and the Torch suspension,
a neat row of Torch lights in many colours.
Landmarks Cone Light and Roof Light
Ray Pendulum Lamp

In 2009, Willenz designed Landmarks, a
The Print Lamp range of roof lights designed to be “seen
from the sky.” The light was “inspired
by signs found on the road which
indicate mileage and underground gas
conduit trails.” The Landmark Cone light
was inspired by the windsock which is
essentially a textile tube attached to a pole
and used to indicate the direction of wind.
The Print lamp (2010) is a round globe

reminiscent of vintage hand-blown
lampshades. This lamp is unique as it is
made out of a single bubble of blown
glass where the reflector and diffuser are
made out of the same piece. In 2011,
Willenz created Ray, a pendulum lamp
which was made out of Bakelite balls to
create a domestic light fixture with Tubular
Lighting technology.
Homerun Chair
Setting the tone for his simple designs,
the uChair (2010) one of Willenz’s first
designs in furniture, was intentionally kept
low-tech and simple and aimed at use in
homes and offices. The colourful Homerun
Chair (2010) for Japanese furniture maker
Karimoku was inspired by the “bold and
rounded features” of old cartoons. As
part of the Homerun range, Willenz also
created wall pegs that are reminiscent
of raindrops.
The Lock (2010) is a deceptively simple

chopstick-like coat stand made out
The Lock of three sticks and a Bakelite ball. The
ingenious design has just one sole screw
that holds the whole outfit together.

The simplicity of Willenz’s designs are
similarly showcased in a range of
products designed for Cappellini
including the Candy Tables. Other Candy Tables
products in this range include Profile
table and chair (2012) and Candy Shelves
(2012). All of these have straight elegant
lines that reinforce the ‘form follows
function’ ethos.
Apart from designing furniture and

lighting, Willenz also creates electronic
products such as sleek USB drives and
stationery products like the Block Office
series made using a glass cutting method
inspired by the lost-wax technique. Instead
of using wax, each piece is made and hand
assembled using Expanded Polustyrene
(EPS) board as base material. The series
includes paper-weights, bookends, file
boxes and trays, among other things.
I am especially partial to Sylvain Willenz’s

textile designs. Among his recent designs
is Razzle Dazzle (2014), named after the
“camouflage painting technique that
inspired its complex pattern of Block Office Series
intersecting lines.”
Razzle Dazzle

The Folk pattern for Chevalier (2012) is a
more traditionally patterned rug where
the motifs “organise geometric forms
while exploring colours and structures.”
One of my favourite patterns is the
Scribble (2013), which was born out of
Willenz’s love for cartoons. The lines are
hand-drawn with a thick marker and
silkscreened. The pattern is available on
various home linen series produced by the
One Nordic Furniture Company.
The Folk Pattern For Chevalier
Simplicity is the hallmark of this
young designer and as discernible, his
streamlined designs don’t mess with
structure - they just enhance it.
info@sylvainwillenz.com
www.sylvainwillenz.com
Scribble

High and Himalesque is a broadcast radio
station situated 3,000 meters above
sea-level, and built in the lap of the
Mighty Himalayas in Nepal.
Text By Shruti Nambiar

Photographs Courtesy Jun Myung-Jin

This radio station blends in so well
with its surroundings that one will be
forgiven niggling thoughts of some
clever camouflage being at play here. To
start with, the setting is mind-bogglingly
spectacular. These are the mighty
Himalayas, and they circle this 1,500 sq.
mt. site in all glory.
The terrain is tough and ever-changing,

and demands extreme preparedness for
survival. On this site, 3,000 metres above
sea level, is Himalesque, a radio broadcast
station that can confidently claim to be
beaming live from the top of the world.
The one-storied, sprawling structure
is home to the Mustang Broadcasting
Community (MBC).
The Seoul-based firm, Archium Architects,

was commissioned by MBC and Korea
International Cooperation Agency (KOICA),
to design Himalesque, and the team, led
by veteran architect Kim In-Cheurl,
planned and executed the project with an
acute awareness of the local conditions.
The stone exterior is a highly sensitive

touch, because it sets up a façade that
seems a continuation of the existing
greyness of the terrain of the town of
Jomsom, in western Nepal. The stone
walls, with their stacked-up appeal,
exude something primal, a perfect
micro atmosphere to have been built
at the site.
Walking through the corridors, on the flat

stone floor, facing broody stone walls,
and down the stone staircase, it will be
difficult not to observe the contradictions
of hue and texture with the august natural
setting. The mountains and the changing
skies seem always within reach, and the
gentle streams of sunshine that run down
the minor monolithic stone walls are like
cascades. Adding to the rugged feel is
} the series of columns that surround a
sunlight-washed atrium.

It was Archium’s express strategy to
make the most of local know-how and
materials. For centuries, the homes of
the local populace have been protected
against the torrid winds, biting cold,
and unabashed sunlight, by thick rock
walls. This impermiability is at work at
Himalesque as well. The stout walls form
a barrier to the sometimes unforgiving
natural forces of the Himalayas, but for
the station itself, it is a highly inspired
}
aesthetic addition.
“Site conditions facing strong winds with

changing directions, from rainy seasons to
dry seasons, and environmental conditions
require that a cool, unheated space is
maintained, in spite of the extreme daily
temperature differences, reorganized
by contemporary methods with local
materials,” affirms the team.
The effect goes up a notch when viewed

in contrast to the 8mm thick THK glass
that bulwarks the interiors. This is a
relatively modern touch, but instead of
jarring, it complements rather well. It also
splits the natural and the synthetic light
into interesting shadows, also acting as
collecting bowls of ochre light in
certain spots.
Strings of Buddhist prayer flags, tied to

the main reception tower, form a pious
cone above the atrium, and bring in }
some fluttering colour credentials.

Most of the seating and tables are stone
too, albeit with an unchiselled feel to
them that screams avant garde. There is a
smattering of wooden detail, mainly to
support the glass swathe. Natural light
is abundant, and even in the cavernous
rooms, it swoops in like divine
communication. In short, this building
is a cosy ensconce in the pit of the most
awe-inspiring mountain range
in the world.
It has a fortified skin, but it has mellow
}
spots of illumination within that are
as subtle as pockets of candle-light.
These ‘gaps’ are crucial to making this
building homely. A little garden fosters
in these gaps too, forming slender bridges
between the outside and the inside. What
else is ‘Himalesque’ if not an exemplary
marriage of the rough and the delicate?
archium@chollian.net
www.archium.co.kr
Most of the seating and tables are stone too, albeit with an unchiselled feel to them that
screams avant garde.

Himalesque is architecturally
significant in that it is a zen mix of
the traditional and the modern, both
in form and the building material
used. It is a remarkably simple
structure, but it is a product of some
very strident planning and execution.
The structure takes all cues from the traditional architectural style of the Himalayas.

The waterfall with the colourful tile mural was another focal point and added not just drama and animation, but the pink and blue wall, framed
by roses, now also acts as a privacy screen from the neighbours.

Landscapes
A GARDEN
WITH A
SOUL
Award-winning landscape designer
Michael Glassman converts
a neglected backyard into a
functional and stylish space with a
personal touch.

Photographs Courtesy
Michael Glassman

The renovated backyard is now cosy and functional. Outdoor seating encourages eating by the pool and the
design is cohesive leading to a seamless blend of the inside and the outside.
Award-winning landscape designer

and author Michael Glassman once
co-hosted a TV show called ‘Garden Police’.
With his fellow co-host, garden designer
Shirley Bovshow, he ‘busted’ dilapidated
and neglected gardens and brought a
new sense of purpose and colour to
forgotten backyards.
Glassman is no stranger to rescuing

derelict gardens. With more than 30 years
of experience in landscape design and
waterworks, he has carved a solid niche for
his work in the field. When Glassman was
commissioned to tackle this private garden
in Land Park, Sacramento, his first reaction
was not complimentary.

Glassman and his team gave the tea house a new lease of life by opening it up, installing new laser cut decorative
steel panels, adding a new roof and painting the structure a bright red.
“The project ‘Before’ was a mess,” he Glassman believes that every inch of a
says, “The concrete was cracked and the garden must be attended to and addressed
old deck was coming apart. The pool was otherwise it will continue to irk you. One of
outdated and the Tea House was falling the first things he did was to commission
down - the place was an absolute dump!” the owner, a part-time tile artist, to create
an exuberant tile mural to be used as
The challenge was to convert the backyard the backdrop of the newly renovated
into “a contemporary paradise.” The swimming pool.
main issues were the rotting decking, the
cracking concrete, the lack of a focal point The owner also created a custom tile
and the sheer absence of any features design for the steps as well as for the
worth looking at. The only greenery was outdoor kitchen where a dining table
random plants growing along the edges and benches, shaded by an umbrella,
and in terracotta pots. provides a charming alternative dining
area for the family.

One of the three tile murals commissioned by Glassman from the owner, a part-time tile artist.
The tea house was run down; it had Concealed outdoor lighting illuminates
overgrown plants around it, a sagging the pathway and accentuates the plants
roof and a non-descript decor. Glassman after dark. For the flooring, Glassman used
and his team restructured the tea house coloured broom finished concrete “to give
by opening it up, installing new laser cut it a more contemporary appearance.”
decorative steel panels, adding a new roof Privacy was also a huge issue. “We used
and painting the structure a bright red. fast growing, giant clumping timber
Contemporary furniture gave the space bamboo (Bambusa Oldhamii) to create
a sense of elegance and formality. The a screen.” says Glassman. Other plants
shrubbery around the teahouse was pruned were used around the backyard to create
and new plants were brought in to add “living art”.
structure, texture and colour.
“A Japanese Black Pine bonsai and a
weeping Atlas Cedar were used as living
pieces of art and as focal points. Several
varieties of ornamental grass including
Mondo grass were used as ground
cover and to provide textural accents.

The renovated backyard now has a focal point that is not only artistic but also acts as a privacy screen. The splash of
colour is welcome and along with the greenery, the space is now a pleasant place all year round.
We chose low-maintenance, low-water What does Glassman think of the

requirement plants that would be easy for transformation? “I loved the outcome.
the homeowner to take care of.” The landscape is contemporary, beautiful,
hip and artistic and even has a slight
The waterfall with the colourful tile mural Asian touch. The garden is now very
was another focal point and added not just colourful and I loved working with the
drama and animation, but the pink and client to create personalised art pieces;
blue wall, framed by roses, now also acts these are sure to bind the client to the
as a privacy screen. landscape. It has given this landscape a
SOUL...”A garden with a soul. Now that is
The newly transformed backyard with a result any designer should be proud of.
its modern gray wall now accents the
residential architecture and does the
seemingly impossible – it blends together www.michaelglassman.com
the interior, the exterior open spaces, the
garden art and various other focal points.

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THE Volume 8. Issue 06. June 2014 Rs. 25/-
INSIDE TRACK CONNECTING THE DESIGN COMMUNITY

Now view our web edition at www.theinsidetrack.in
Cover Story The Chemical

M
ost leading chemical
companies offer
construction chemicals
Technology Era
Of Construction
and building materials and are willing
to continually invest in innovation
to expand design and performance
possibilities. Construction chemicals
account for 2-3% of the overall
construction cost.
Widely used products include The construction industry in India relies
concrete admixtures; cement
and asphalt additives; protective heavily on chemical technology to provide
coatings and sealers; concrete surface
treatments; waterproofing materials; many functional properties expected of
wall cladding, including exterior
insulated finish systems (EIFS); construction materials. BY ULKA VARTAK
adhesives; sealants; grouts and
mortars; flooring components; and performance mixes tailored to meet
sprayed poly-urethane foam. the specific needs of each project
These chemicals are specialty given considerations such as the
ingredients in the construction geographic location, the time it takes
process and are designed to be more to get the premixed concrete to the
effective in safeguarding buildings job site, the configuration of the job,
and infrastructure from the elements, and the end-use application.
extend the lifetime of structures, make We give you an insight into
the production processes faster and some of the types of chemicals that
easier, reduce energy consumption are widely used in the construction
and also increase the sustainability sector today.
of the building industry. Some
examples include polycarboxylates, Super Plasticers
lignins, cementitious formulations, Dr. Fixit’s Pidicrete CF 21 is a
polyurethanes, epoxies, acrylic solution of sulphonated naphthalene
dispersions, silicones, silanes, SBR, formaldehyde and additives in water.
and others. It is a superplasticising admixture
The beauty of construction to produce ‘pumpable’ or ‘flowable’
chemicals is that they allow for
the development of customised continued on page 2
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One has to only look up in the lobby to marvel at a specially commissioned
piece called Cornucopia that hangs from the ceiling.
PUTTIN’ ON
Centrally located in the heart of
‘new’ Singapore, the swanky
Ritz-Carlton Millenia boasts killer
views of Marina Bay. Only minutes
THE RITZ away from all the local attractions,

this über luxe hotel takes living to
a whole new level of opulence and
high-end sophistication.
Text By Natalie Pedder-Bajaj

Photographs Courtesy Ritz-Carlton Millenia

Designed by Pritzker award-winning
architect Kevin Roche, the Ritz-Carlton
has been built on reclaimed land,
purposefully constructed 37 meters
above ground so that every room has
a jaw-dropping view. The hotel has been
built on stilt-like ‘legs’, making the main
entrance the third floor of the building!
Another marvel is the winding stairs that
lead down from the lobby level onto the
lower floors - having no pillars holding
them up; they are completely suspended
and self-supporting.
Art buffs will rejoice as the hotel has

one of the finest corporate modern art
collections in Singapore and Southeast
Asia, comprising of 4200 pieces valued
at a staggering S$5 million. Self-guided
iPod tours direct art aficionados through
30 key works. On display are Andy Warhol
and David Hockney’s exuberant colours,
Rainer Gross’s geometric compositions,
Henry Moore’s restrained monochromatics,
the lush botanicals of Robert Zakanitch,
including 350 major museum quality pieces
that have been mindfully placed throughout
the hotel to enhance its distinctive
contemporary architectural design.
One has to only look up in the lobby to

marvel at a specially commissioned piece
called Cornucopia that hangs from the
ceiling. This massive three-ton Frank
Stella installation at the entrance and
the pair of Dale Chihuly crystal glass
sculptures that anchor both wings
of the building are only some of the
highlights in this stunning collection.
Designed by Burega Farnell Pte Ltd, The Ritz

completed an extensive renovation of its
rooms and suites in early 2011. The interiors
are warm with accents of light teak wood,
combined with strategically placed mirror
panels giving the feel of airy spaciousness.
Situated on level 32, the Ritz-Carlton Suite

has been designed by Hirsch Bedner and
Associates. Offering breathtaking views
of the vibrant Bay, a timeless décor
}
The beautiful glass porte cochère where vehicles stop to pick up and drop off hotel guests. permeates through the design. The
contemporary interiors are softened
by the use of light timbre finishes and
Oriental woven carpets.

350 major museum quality pieces have been mindfully placed throughout the hotel to enhance its distinctive
contemporary architectural design.

The bathrooms of all 608 rooms and suites are characterised by octagonal windows that breathlessly overhang Marina Bay.
The luxuriously appointed master bedroom A private library and alcove forms the
is a haven of tranquility with an adjoining vantage point where guests can sketch
marbled bathroom and Jacuzzi bathtub. the panoramic views or simply enjoy a
The bathrooms of all 608 rooms and suites taste of the champagne and caviar life.
are characterised by octagonal windows Bespoke furniture and hand-woven
(to boost the Feng Shui of the hotel as carpets complement Indonesian
eight is a lucky number for the Chinese), teakwood floors and Italian marble,
breathlessly overhanging Marina Bay. while wooden paneling and shimmering
crystal design features contribute to the
Re-launched in August 2013, the overall elegant aesthetic.
Club Lounge has also been designed
by Burega Farnell, offering privileged
guests exclusive access within a unique
drawing room setting.

Guests can dine in the Chihuly Lounge named after famed American glass artist Dale Chihuly, under an
iridescent glass-domed roof.
Dining options at the Ritz include The Whether you are lucky enough to be a
Summer Pavilion. Set in a Suzhou rock guest or merely passing through, the Ritz
garden amidst picturesque greenery, Carlton is where the Singapore swish-set
this restaurant is set apart by floor-to- enjoy a champagne breakfast, high-tea,
ceiling glass windows that filter in natural hand-crafted cocktails or simply watch the
light, with a refined interior that uses world go by.
soft fabrics, leather and gold accents to
complete the look.
www.ritzcarlton.com
Guests can also relax in the lounge named
after famed American glass artist Dale
Chihuly. Covered by an iridescent glass-
domed roof and an awe-inspiring glass
sculpture by the artist, Chihuly Lounge
exudes a warmth with its plush sofas and
delicately designed tables of rich woods.

Mumbai-based MuseLAB is an ambitious
but level-headed firm that is slowly
building up a portfolio of elegant projects.
Architects Huzefa Rangwala and Jasem

Pirani bonded over a common love for
food, travel and design to form MuseLAB
in 2012. Since then, the young team has
been gradually building up a work ethic
founded on an aesthetic of elegance and
attention to detail.
MuseLAB’s flourish is in the not-so-obvious

details of a project. When presented with
a simple plan, the team has the gumption
to go simple, while always being attached
to a philosophy of adding interesting,
slightly impish accents to the scheme, just
to make sure nothing ever gets boring.
The bedrock of the MuseLAB team’s

understanding of beauty is restraint.
Clutter will be hard to come by in their
designs, instead there will be neutral
colours awash with sunlight and breathy
spaces that just happen to have some
essential furniture in them. For this young
firm, everything synthetic is an accessory
to enhancing the naturally beautiful.

This resplendent apartment at Khar is
a classic MuseLAB specimen – spare
and serene, but spotted with delightful
surprises. The credit of this project’s
implementation lies not in its blatant
flourish, but in its calm aesthetic.
The clients wanted a simple and

straightforward house, and the design
team decided to follow this by the letter.
The two bedroom flat was to stand
in the midst of abundant sunlight, so
MuseLAB hatched up a smart plan;
they installed screens with dramatic
geometric patterns to make the light
slit and slide in. Such a screen stands
at the entranceway to the house, while
another blocks the bedrooms and the
puja room from behind the bar.
Aiding these effects is a window grill

fitted with patterns resembling distant
birds in the sky. These elements team up
with the tastefully subdued ochre and grey
tones of the house and unleash a constant
‘play’ of light, shade and patterns, on
the floor, walls and the curtains. Not to
mention, they also bring in an overall
sense of impetuousness that will break any
possible monotony for the four residents
of the home.
Text By Shruti Nambiar

Photographs Courtesy Sameer Tawde
and MuseLAB

To identify MuseLAB’s leitmotif, look for
tasteful geometric patterns, sometimes in
unexpected places; a romantic exploration
of natural light; and one common design
detail that will be peppered around the
space. The living room furniture here has a
distinct thick braiding pattern that makes
it look sturdy and long-lasting.
The light curtains are breezy, and the

colour scheme is populated by red,
grey, and ivory, with surprises of lively
blue. The shiny surfaces ensure generous
sweeps and spots of light all around.
While basking in the overall aura,

don’t miss the lamps that look like
they were made of crumpled paper,
and the brilliant blue chaise lounge
against a silken patterned curtain
background. MuseLAB has succeeded
in designing a home that is both warm
and welcoming for kids, and of a bespoke
feel for the adults.

With this project, MuseLAB wants to
turn the definition of social housing
design on its head.
First Social is still in the proposal stage,

but its ambition is to be a 40-acre,
valley-facing example of a sensitively-
planned living area for three segments of
a population - EWS (economically weaker
section), LIG (lower income group), and
LMIG (lower-middle income group).
The construction area ratio here will be

of 1:2:4, and the plan includes a primary
health centre and school; a green court;
a shopping complex; a pre-existing nallah
that will be revived to form a canal with
its own street walk; a park; and more.
“The idea is that a social housing project
doesn’t have to look bad. The plan is to
make it more live-able and more social,
where life is also much better,” says Pirani.
www.muselab.in

THE MARKETPLACE
Buoy By Steelcase Mukul Goyal’s Mr. Lean
After researching multiple small businesses,
Doorstopper
Steelcase noticed something: people are Mukul Goyal’s Mr. Lean Doorstopper while
mobile, even when seated. Whether you’re being a gentleman holding the door open
an executive, a manager, or you’ve got jazz is also reminiscent of the natural inclination
hands, Buoy lets you move freely. So feel free of people in general to lean against the
to pull up a seat. Or lean in. Or hunker down. first steady thing that they find!
Mobility matters.
Pivoted on the heels and standing firmly,
When we’re not standing, leaning or walking Mr. Lean rests against the door when
around, we’re most likely sitting which can wedged in. Mr. Lean Doorstopper is made
take up a good portion of our day. But there’s from rubber coated aluminium and ensures
more to sitting than you might think. It is that your door stays open when needed.
important to promote and support seated
movement, be comfortable regardless of a www.mukulgoyal.com
person’s size or posture, and even be fun too.
Movement is good for you, which is why Buoy generous 18 inch diameter and provides five
swivels, turns, tilts and moves up and down. and a half inches of height adjustability with
It’s active sitting. It is flexible at the perimeter the lift of a lever. There are plenty of colours
to allow a range of postures without pinching and patterns to choose from to personalise
or cutting off circulation of the legs. your Buoy which means Buoy never gets old.
Pick a colour. Choose a cap. And make buoy
Buoy is designed to go wherever you go. Got your own. If you decide you’re no longer
a touchdown meeting to attend? Want to into your old cap, swap it out for a new one.
focus on your thesis? At work, at home, or With six bold colours and endless ways to
anywhere in between, Buoy gets around. personalise, Buoy is a moving experience.
Size doesn’t matter. Buoy was designed for
everyone which is why Buoy comes with a www.steelcase.asia
Ebax Bathroom Accessories Featherlite Encourages Correct Seating Posture

The exquisite range of EBAX bathroom Featherlite understands the user match between users and the chair they
accessories add that much needed ‘look and requirements for various seating jobs and have to take into consideration the chair
feel’ to any bathroom. Superbly crafted in this understanding of issues helps them to height, seat pan depth, backrest height,
immaculately styled finish, you have a variety analyse the problem areas and design their armrest and lumbar support.
to choose from - stainless steel and ceramic chairs to offer utmost comfortable seating.
bath sets available in various colours and The chairs manufactured in their state-of- Featherlite’s chair design team never
finishes. Ebax bathroom accessories come in a the-art chair facility at Bangalore are as per compromises on these aspects and to ensure
set of four pieces (soap dispenser, tooth brush the Indian Anthropometry. the supportive and comfortable recline
holder, soap dish, tumbler) that complete movement on chair, the mechanisms are
every requirement in a bathroom. What’s Anthropometry is the measurement of the designed to allow 1:3 degree movement
more, its elegant and aesthetic craftsmanship human body and helps to design products between seat and back. They also suggest
makes it an ideal gift idea too. for majority users and allows inherent high backrest when the angle is around 105-
variability for users. To design appropriate 120 degrees for thoracic support.
Cushioning is another important aspect

of a chair. The chair’s foam is tested for
compression and relative degree for
softening, which guarantees longer life of
the foam used. Along with these features,
Featherlite also tests the foam for tensile
strength and elongation test at the facility.
These stringent tests at the design and
Ebax bath accessories are marketed by Jyoti manufacturing stages allow only the best
Industries (India), makers of NIRALI, India’s chair to come out into the market from the
No. 1 stainless steel kitchen sinks. Featherlite stable.
www.ebax.in www.featherliteindia.com

THE MARKETPLACE

THE MARKETPLACE

THE MARKETPLACE

THE MARKETPLACE

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MY SPACE : ARJUN MALIK MUSELAB UNCOVERED DESIGN DESTINATION : stockholm

RS 100 HOME-REVIEW.COM vol 13 issue 7 JULY 2014 total pages 156

gAURAV ROY CHOUDHURY

EXPECT THE unexpected

Gaurav Roy Choudhury, a young architect also from Bangalore,

Taking a cue from its location, Himalesque is possibly one of the

Anish Bajaj, Editor

4 Home Review July 2014

Vivienne Maun creates the most whimsical and

An 18th century neighbourhood of

Covering the latest in

Right from the reception area to its

84 Remodelled by young architect,

6 Home Review July 2014

A broadcast radio station situated 3,000 metres

Award-winning landscape designer Michael

8 Home Review July 2014

10 Home Review July 2014

Home Review July 2014 11

Converting a military chapel into a

The projects designed by Patch Design Studio

Beauty and Brains

The linearity and scale in design and

12 Home Review July 2014

Boisbuchet’s workshops are offered in

Featuring Kate Moss’s favourite app, a

13 TO 20 JUN to exhibit in one spectacular venue - the

14 Home Review July 2014

Home Review July 2014 15

The Design Weekend festival has more than

Leading designers and marketers www.designweekend.com.br

21 TO 26 JUL neighborhood with lots of galleries,

16 Home Review July 2014

All you need to do is download the free Magzter App

Home Review July 2014 17

The heir apparent of the illustrious firm

After completing his Bachelor’s in

Visually, his work appears to be

Here, Arjun talks about how architecture

Interview by Shweta Salvi

18 Home Review July 2014

Through our work, we have tried to

Home Review July 2014 19

According to me, context is one of the

20 Home Review July 2014

When ideas and thoughts are underpinned

Home Review July 2014 21

All projects for an architect have some

The house at Alibaug and the GMS

Malik Architecture has built an enviable

The question of legacy and achievement

22 Home Review July 2014

Text By Chryselle D’Silva Dias

26 Home Review July 2014

‘The Long House’ is in a gated

“The mature bamboo grove was growing

The house makes an impact right from the

28 Home Review July 2014

The water body flanks the dining and

The house has been intentionally divided

Home Review July 2014 29

The living spaces flank a lengthy verandah

A double-height wall in form-finished