igen

An ITP Publishing India Publication

Total number of pages 120

Ideas, inspiration and insight for architects and interior designers Volume 4 | Issue 12 | March 2013 | `50

iGen architects like Kohelika Kohli are designing the new India

SMART HOMESFOCUS

Gen

ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL4th

iGen architects like Kohelika Kohli are designing the new India

Architect Interior Ad Size: 445mm (w) x 300mm (h)

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ARCHITECT and INTERIORS INDIA | MARCH 2013 | www.architectandinteriorsindia.com

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MARCH 2013 ISSUE 12 VOLUME 4

• AMBRISHARORA• ANKURCHOKSI• SIDDHARTHTALWAR• AMEETSUKHTHANKAR• AMITTALWAR• ARJUNNAMBISAN• BRIJESHKANABAR• DEEPIKABATRAGWASH• DEXTERFERNANDES• SHOURYAPATEL• DIVYATHAKUR• EKTAPAREKH• FAHADABDULMAJEED• JWALANTMAHADEVWALA• KANIKAMAHADEVWALA• KAPILGUPTA• KETANCHAVAN• KOHELIKAKOHLI• LIJOJOS• RENYLIJO• MANASIMANJREKAR• MANJUNATHHATHWAR• NANDINISAMPAT• NEEMESHSHAH• KANHAIGANDHI• SHRESHTKASHYAP• NIRANJANDASSHARMA• POONAMNOUFAL• PRITIKAKINRA• QUAIDDOONGERWALA• SHILPARANADE• RAJIVD’SILVA• RAJIVPAREKH• RISHITADAS• RUSHDAHAKIM• SAMEERBALVALLY• SHILPAJAINBALVALLY• SANTOSHKUMAR• SEBASTIANJOSE• SHUBHASHISHMODI• SATISHSHETTY• SIMISREEDHARAN• SMITARAWOOT• TALLULAHD’SILVA• TARUNKUMAR• TUSHARVASUDEVAN• VINODKUMARMM• VISHALSHAH• ZAMEERBASRAI• ZUBINZAINUDDIN

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Gen2013

FEATUREHome Automation

DESIGNUPDATEUrban Velvet

06_ARC_Mar13_Contents.indd 6 04-03-2013 20:19:30

www.architectandinteriorsindia.com | MARCH 2013 | ARCHITECT and INTERIORS INDIA

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Volume 04 | Issue 12 | March 2013 | ̀ 50

INDIAN DESIGN ID 2013, HELD IN NEW DELHI IN FEB

In a bid to support the fast-growing design movement in the country and to estab-lish India on the global design map, ID 2013, presented by Asian Paints, was held in New Delhi, from February 15-17. The advisory panel consisted of prominent names from the world of design and architecture, including Abhisheck Lodha, Mohit Gujral, Priya Paul, Rajeev Sethi and Sunil Sethi. The event comprised three verti-cals: Exhibit ID, ID Symposium and ID Satellite - Style and the City. Exhibit ID was an exhibition space that showcased the finest in home decoration by Sunita Kohli, Pinakin Patel, Poltrona Frau, Dornbrach and Herman Miller. ID Symposium served as a networking hub to facilitate the exchange of ideas, forging relationships and engaging collaborations for all things ‘design’. It consisted of interactive sessions like debates and panel discussions with architects and designers Brinda Somaya, Jean Marie Massaud, Karan Grover, Marcel Wanders, Paola Navone, among others. The discussions touched on verticals such as residential architecture, urban develop-ment, responsible design, restoration and heritage. ‘Style and the City’ had the city buzzing with events at galleries, bookstores, malls, etc. Archana Pillai, founding member, ID 2013 said, “We’re proud to have developed a platform that is the first of its kind, placing the nation on the global design map and establishing a strong Indian design vocabulary.”

(Statement about ownership and other particulars about the newspaper/magazine Architect and Interiors India to be published in the first issue every year after the last day of February)Name of the Publication: Architect and Interiors IndiaPeriodicity of the publication/ Language: Monthly/EnglishPrinter’s Name: Saikumar ShanmugamNationality: Indian(i) Whether Citizen of India: Yes(ii) If a foreigner, country of origin Not applicableAddress: Notan Plaza, 3rd Floor, 898, Turner Road, Bandra (w), Mumbai- 400 050, MaharashtraPublisher’s Name: Saikumar ShanmugamNationality: Indian(i) Whether Citizen of India: Yes(ii) If a foreigner, country of origin: Not applicable

Address: Notan Plaza, 3rd Floor, 898, Turner Road, Bandra (w), Mumbai- 400 050, Maharashtra.Editor’s Name: Maria LouisNationality: Indian(i) Whether Citizen of India: Yes(ii) If a foreigner, country of origin: Not applicable Address : Notan Plaza, 3rd Floor, 898, Turner Road, Bandra (W), Mumbai- 400 050, Maharashtra.Name and address of the individuals who own the newspaper/magazine and partners or shareholders holding more than one percent of the total capital.ITP Publishing India Pvt.Ltd. ITP Holdings Inc, PO Box 500024, Dubai, U.A.E.

I, Saikumar Shanmugam, hereby declare that the particulars given above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Date: February 28, 2013 Saikumar Shanmugam Signature of the publisher

FORM IV

Dining space in K2India and Suryaveer Kohli Home stall, designed by Kohelika Kohli at India Design ID 2013.

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FOUR WORD Four is a word that has been at the top my mind throughout the month of February – which, coincidentally, has just four weeks. So, do excuse me if I distill the essence of our exciting quest last month to the four pillars on which our eagerly-awaited March issue has been built. Since this is our fourth anniversary issue (which explains the four fixation), it had to be special. And what could be more special than a talent hunt for version 2.0 of iGen – our 2013 list of gen-next architects and designers?

Among the characteristics that set the youth apart from their elders, we were looking especially for Idealism, Inspiration, Innovation and Integrity when we made our selection of the top 50 this year. And I’m happy to report, there’s no dearth of that!

When you read what each of them has to say about how architecture and design can make a difference to the way we live, work and play today, you will detect the energy-giving undercurrent of Idealism that’s still running through the veins of some of the most experienced of them. It drives them to set standards for themselves based on what the universe is crying out for, and propels them to achieve their goals even when the odds are stacked against them.

Cheering them along the obstacle course are the people who have had a significant role to play in keeping their passion alive. Inspiration, we know, comes from various sources. While some are inspired by their parents, others point to their teachers during their impressionable years of study, and to their mentors during their formative years of work. Of course, the iconic structures they have seen and/or studied in various parts of the world, have left enduring impressions on their minds and moulded their thoughts.

Contemporary architecture and design is marked by Innovation, thanks to the technology that the new generation has at their fingertips. But it takes Integrity to ensure that we do not blindly ape what is being done in other parts of the world without a thought for our future.

A responsibility each of us must take seriously is that of shaping the future of the country by giving direction to young minds. Fortu-nately, many of our young architects and designers are engaged in the important task of teaching regularly in colleges or making time to share their experiences. Hopefully, they will inspire the next generation and become the icons of tomorrow. Then, our work here will be done!

Maria Louis, [email protected]

WHAT COULD BE MORE SPECIAL THAN A QUEST FOR VERSION 2.0 OF IGEN – OUR 2013 LIST OF GEN-NEXT ARCHITECTS & DESIGNERS?

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The applause rang the loudest for Ken Yeang – deservedly so, since he has pioneered the concept of bioclimatic skyscrapers over two decades ago. There was considerable applause as the other speakers,

David Hasell from WOHA and Belinda Huang of Arc Studio (both large Singapore-based architectural firms) took centre-stage. The least applause was at my introduction. Yet, the lack of applause could hardly dent the feeling of exhilaration as I shared the stage with them at the world’s largest architectural event – the World Architecture Festival on October 3, 2012.

Another highlight of the three-day festival was a private din-ner for ten people, which included Neil Denari, Jurgen Mayer and Moshe Safdie, during which I found myself partaking in design dialogues with these well-known architects. From the way Rem Koolhaas presented at a particular competition to the way Zaha Hadid executed a design brief, a number of interest-ing anecdotes and experiences were discussed, and made for animated dinner conversation.

Earlier in the year, at Amsterdam, I had the opportunity to chair the two-day LEAF (Leading European Architects Forum) Convention, which had Libeskind Studio, UN Studio, Aecom, Populous, Buro Happold, Mario Cucinella and Grimshaw, among others, giving presentations; and I could interact with each speaker personally. Moderating each of these presenta-tions was a unique opportunity that I learnt a lot from.

While studying architecture and reading about Moshe Safdie’s Habitat in Montreal, I would never have imagined that I would have dinner with him someday. Years ago, when I went to Berlin to experience the Jewish Museum, I could not have thought of introducing Libeskind Studio to an internation-al audience. The world has grown in urban terms, and yet it has seemingly shrunk in terms of accessibility to design platforms.

The opportunities to interact with architects and designers from across the globe and understand varied design solutions contextual to each region with a wide material palette are so many today. WAF was held in Singapore last year, after being held for the preceding four years at Barcelona, and had an attendance in excess of 2,000 architects from around the world with 40 speakers and 300 live presentations of architects’ works.

SANJAY PURI Principal,

Sanjay Puri Architects

Nitin Killawalla

There was so much to learn and absorb and exchange during the three days of the festival. Participation in events like the World Architecture Festival are opportunities to explore and exchange new and interesting design directions.

Even events like the Milan Design Week, which most people think is merely a large furniture fair, is so much more. Design installations by students and acclaimed designers at various venues across the city are so imaginative and direct one to think in many different ways. Light installations, recycled material sculptures, furniture and accessories by young designers are displayed throughout the city in exciting locations like muse-ums and parks, while design talks are held across the city to celebrate design and increase awareness among people.

There is something to learn from the venue as well as the many interesting display arrangements and, of course, from the displayed object themselves. It’s a joy to be in a city when the entire city is celebrating design in so many ways. From spoons and glasses to houses and cities, every element, micro or macro, is designed by someone – and if designed well, it increases the joy of its experience and enriches one’s life. Design, therefore, plays an integral and important part of our lives at every level.

In India, there is a disconnect to design in general, and it is not given the importance it is due. If one picks up a newspaper on any day in Holland, for instance, there would be one or more articles discussing the design of a building or a park or a bus stop or a product as small as a fruit bowl. This is not the case in India, where the media does not initiate any kind of design debate or awareness.

The recently-concluded India Design Week in Delhi was a step in the correct direction with informative, abstract and interesting design talks by a cross section of people from the design world, display pavilions and sculptural installations.

Most people I know shun these events, saying they have too much work. While work will keep making one grow profes-sionally, participating in design events will make one grow in terms of design outlook and experience – thus allowing one’s design sensibilities to be honed, and translating into a more in-formed design approach that will further translate into making the world a better place to experience. A&I

THE SOAPBOX IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EACH OF OUR ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS TO EXPRESS THEIR OPINION ON AN IMPORTANT INDUSTRY ISSUE. THIS MONTH, SANJAY PURI – WHO IS WELL KNOWN FOR JETSETTING TO ATTEND INTERNATIONAL DESIGN FESTIVALS ALL OVER THE WORLD – URGES HIS BUSY COLLEAGUES TO MAKE TIME TO ATTEND AND LEARN FROM SUCH EVENTS.

WHY PARTICIPATE?

ADVISORY BOARD

C.N. Raghavendran

Karan Grover

Namita Singh

Nitin Saolapurkar

Niranjan Hiranandani

Bijoy Mohan

Varun Kohli

Conrad Gonsalves Ashok Butala

Mustansir DalviBo Boje Larsen

Manit Rastogi

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ZEGNART PUBLIC, created and organised by the Ermenegildo Zegna Group, was launched in India in March in collaboration with Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum (Mumbai). It comprises of projects implemented in Italy and abroad in the field of visual arts, in collaboration with artists, curators, institutions and cultural institutions. It looks at contemporary art as an experience capable of stimulating the comparison between cultures, fostering the exchange of knowledge and resources and, as a model of education, supporting the growth of ethical and civic values. The artist selected as the protagonist of the first edition of ZegnArt Public is Reena Kallat (Delhi, 1973).

THE 4TH EDITION of Zak World of Façades was held at the ITC Maratha, Mumbai in March. It addressed the common issues faced by the industry with respect to façade bloopers, design & production issues and the lack of skilled workers. Each session dealt with topics like design and testing, production and procurement, quality control, installation, new innovations and achieving best practices. Architect Hafeez Contractor shared his own experience on facades besides panelists including Selvam R, Narin Gopindranauth, Anupam De, Kiran Uchil, VS Ravi, Kamlesh Choudhari, Ashok Gupta and Pankaj Gohil.

showroom occupies 4000 sq-ft area, displaying the very best in LED lighting. Commenting on the launch, Mr. Ryozo Endo, Chairman of ENDO Lighting, said, “The Endo Application Centre is a stepping stone to further our success stories that we intend to carve in the Indian subcontinent with support from our discerning patrons.”

INDUSTRY DATA

ATLAS COPCO has inaugurated its new compressor manufacturing plant at Pune recently, in the presence of Horst Wasel, president of Quality Air Division. Spread over 23 acres, the built-up area of 19000 sq-m includes a manufacturing plant and an office building, in addition to a well-equipped canteen and other employee amenities. The factory is built in accordance with LEED principles. It will manufacture industrial and portable compressors, while the existing facility at Dapodi will continue to produce oil free compressors and quality air product.

KANSAI NEROLAC has launched its first Nerolac Impression Shoppe in Jogeshwari West, Mumbai. The store offers the latest colour trends with wide variety and unique designer finishes along with expert consultancy. The USP of the Impression shoppe is the ‘all in one’ touch screen. It provides assistance not only on painting guide, designer finishes (both interior & exterior), product application, but also ready templates and customised previews.

ENDO Lighting Corporation has launched their multi-level flagship showroom-Endo Application Centre in February, in Defence Colony, New Delhi. The expansive two level

INDIAN SOCIETY of Lighting Engineers organised a one-day seminar on lighting design on February 16, at ATC auditorium, Chennai. The seminar was organised during the Light Show 2013 by K-Lite Industries to increase attendees’ knowledge and awareness of the present-day expectation in regard to lighting design and green lighting concepts. Lighting designer Abhijit Salunke spoke on recreational lighting and architect Kaustubh Nandurbarkar gave a brief on understanding light in the spatial context. Some of the other topics covered were: solid state lighting, daylight harvesting, efficient LED drivers and architectural lighting. The seminar was organised in line with the ISLE objective: to promote science, art and practice of illumination engineering services in built and open environment for the benefit of the public.

ARTTD’INOX recently launched Prototype exhibition, a platform that promotes talent and creativity in New Delhi. Prototype is a vision to nurture artistic designs that reflect the exquisiteness of stainless steel by Deepikaa Jindal, to express her love for art. The exihibit showcased innovative designs by three design practices viz, Kaaru, OR Project and Lotus Design Services, and the exhibit was curated by artist and architect Vishal K Dar. The OR Project’s design reflected the cross-breeding between digital technologies and hand-crafted techniques.

INTERFACE, designer and marketer of carpet tiles, has launched a global competition named ‘Reconnect Your Space’ that calls for design entries that put the affinity for nature, or biophilia, at the forefront. Biophilic design incorporates natural elements into manmade environments in order to help people feel and perform better. The competition invites architects, designers and students to submit their visions for how biophilia can influence the design of a new or existing space, either within built environments or outside in cities. One winning submission will be selected as the most unique and the winner’s prize includes travel and accommodations for four days and three nights to experience firsthand biophilia’s influence in design in one of three locations: Singapore; San Francisco in the USA; or Cornwall in the UK. Participating entrants can visit the ‘Reconnect Your Space’ page via www.interfacereconnect.com

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Green is too often a convenient shirtsleeve to put on an ordinary

building and eco-justification pretence of nobility, undeserved and

often earned by ticking boxes in LEED sheets.”KALHAN MATTOO,

director, Planet 3 Studios Architecture

Innovation cannot happen in a void. You need to be constantly

working with others to generate a fertile space where ideas can grow.” ASHOK PRABHU,

director, DWP Interics Design Consultants

A unique welcoming installation has been created by Indian artist duo Jitin Thukral and Sumir Tagra for Le Meridien in New Delhi. When guests enter they are confronted with a large rectangle of light projected from the ceiling onto the floor of the lobby. The projection consists of a multitude of small icons of human figures, creatures and everyday objects. As the guests step into the space of the projection, the icons gather around the feet of the guests - following them as they walk through the lobby to the reception. “We wanted something that would be there but not certainly there – it is not tactile. We just wanted it to be some sort of an experience”, says Sumir Tagra, “the moment you enter that space you kind of generate such an energy –which was the most important thing for us. The icons come from our day to day experiences.” Both artists are members of the Le Méridien 100 or LM100, a group of cultural innovators of mixed generations and interdisciplinary artistic fields, chosen from the fields of art, architecture, cuisine, and design.

Bob Marley’s vision of ‘one love, one heart’ was in the spotlight at a charity event hosted by The Light of Life Trust at JW Marriott, Mumbai. Present at the event Bob Marley’s son Rohan Marley said, “My father believed in a better world and his values still ring true for today. This is the reason why we are committed to investing in local charities, such as Light of Life Trust, that are doing a great job in India.” House of Marley auctioned a range of their trademark earth-friendly, innovative audio electronics and lifestyle products and the proceeds were devoted to the trusts work towards the development of underprivileged communities. Hosted on Valentine’s Day amidst Bollywood and television personalities, Villy Doctor, Founder Trustee of the trust was glad to announce the association with 1love.org, the Bob Marley Foundation, as their Indian NGO partner. The evening of music and charity was put together by Focal Audio Systems, the sole distributor of House of Marley in India.

Light installation enthrals guests at Le Meridien

House of Marley for a better world

Jaquar will showcase its latest range of bathroom products at ISH in Frankfurt, Germany from March 12-16, 2013. The leading trade fair provides the biggest showcase for innovative bathroom design, energy efficient heating and air- conditioning technology and renewable energies. Jaquar will be amongst the top exhibitors across the globe. It will launch its latest product designs, technologies and solutions onto the world market and will be showcasing its newly designed futuristic ranges of bath fittings which are unique from material usage to ergonomics designs and advance electronic supported features. “Superior advanced ranges which are operated through IPAD and aspirational shower concept having multi modes (that are all set to replace traditional SPAs )will be the highlight of the show” adds Mr. Mehra Director and Promoter Jaquar Group.

Watch out for the country’s tallest commercial building all set to come up at Dadar. The Council for Tall Buildings and Urban Habitats has certified Kohinoor Square, a 203-metre tall building, as the tallest commercial tower in India. The 52-storey diamond shaped tower offers 40 floors of commercial space, 50,000 sq. ft. of retail space and about 64 residential apartment spaces. Envisaged by Gkkworks (USA) and SSA Architects, it ensures sustainable development through Gold LEED rating. The unique structure also incorporates a flagship luxury hotel which rests atop its commercial tower. It is devised to offer a mix of luxury offices, high street galleria, magnificent residences, gourmet dinning spaces. “In order to reduce our energy consumption by over 25 per cent, we have used double glazed reflective glass facades, which restrict the energy from coming in, but let in natural light,” said Mr. Nathan Andrews, Chief Marketing Officer, Kohinoor Square.

Jaquar to launch new products at ISH

Kohinoor Square’s race to the top

Artists Jitin Thukral and Sumir Tagra at the unveiling

As architects, we are expected to have solutions for every situation

that presents itself. Sometimes, it’s necessary to have the cup

empty, so that you can fill it up with meaningful information...

KRUPA ZUBIN, principal architect, ZZ Architects

Rohan Marley demonstrates the earth friendly audio products

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Copper Alliance was awarded the ‘Global CSR Excellence & Leadership Award’ at the World CSR Congress 2013, for its contribution to promoting sustainable development in the fields of energy sustainability, global food supply and public health. Receiving the award, Ajit Advani, global director of Sustainable Energy, International Copper Association said, “I am deeply honored to receive this award on behalf of the Copper Alliance. We have always promoted sustainable development in the sure belief that these efforts would in turn benefit the long term markets for copper – a win-win situation for society at large and the copper industry. With this recognition, we are inspired to strive even harder in the pursuit of our mission.” Copper Alliance is a network of non - profit organizations around the world that includes the International Copper Association and the International Copper Promotion Council (India) which promotes the beneficial uses of copper on behalf of the global copper industry..

Sealy Posturepedic, the US- based brand for Luxury Mattress, has launched its first flagship Sealy Gallery at A-14 , Lajpat Nagar – IV, Main Ring Road, New Delhi. The brand will focus on catering to niche class of customers who look for comfort, support and value to their lateral living. “Sealy India has an aggressive expansion plan to strengthen Sealy’s retail presence across India. The company plans to open five more galleries in metro cities by the end of 2013,”

India’s ‘first and most influential design forum’, Design Matters: India Design Forum 2013, will be held from March 15-16 at the NCPA in Mumbai, after its very successful run in New Delhi last year. IDF’s focus is to promote dialogue on the core issues impacting society and how it can be tackled with good design. It’s a celebration of India’s distinctive design aesthetic. Design Week, a week-long schedule of cutting-edge exhibitions, workshops and curated events held across the city will mark IDF in Mumbai. Design enthusiasts will get a rare opportunity to meet global design leaders such as Christian Louboutin, Levien, Dror Benshetrit, Jakub Szczesny, Marije Vogelzang and Oskar Zieta. Rajshree Pathy, founder of IDF, said, “IDF 2013 aims to bring global design leaders together in Mumbai to enable strategic alliances, encourage dialogue between academia and industry, and facilitate cross-design cultural thinking and application.”

Copper Alliance wins Global Excellence Award

Luxury mattress store opened in Delhi

India Design Forum to be held in Mumbai

Tata Housing’s annual initiative - The Wallbook witnessed scores of students, activists, changemakers, painters and artists participating to ‘Design The Change’ they wish to see in Delhi by using their imagination and expressing it with the beauty of colours and graphics. It was an opportunity for all Delhiites to step out and use their brush strokes to tell a tale of the Delhi of their dreams. The murals had strong social messages, largely dominated by women-centric issues like women’s rights. Others included a Delhi in need of guardian angels, a futuristic metro and capital city rich in history and heritage. Rajeeb Dash, head of marketing at Tata Housing says,”We were delighted to see such an enormous turnout early Sunday morning. It was encouraging to see so many citizens speak up for the change – for social, political and economic issues. The Wallbook murals are a testament to the undying spirit of Delhiites, and their faith in the power of people.”

Wallbook project paints Delhi in vibrant hues

Over 500 Delhites particpated in the project

In a world of mass manufactue, Sealy handcrafts each mattress

(L-R)Malcolm Monteiro, Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee, Ajit Advani and Prof. Dr. Christoph Stueckelberger Marije Vogelzang will conduct a session during IDF 2013

Puneet Verma, general manager, Sealy-India said. Every bed is engineered to provide orthopaedically correct support, and designed to be an aesthetic masterpiece. In a world of mass manufacture, Sealy still handcrafts beds one at a time. The mattress comes with a warranty of up to 10 years. Developed in conjunction with leading orthopedic surgeons from the USA, the mattress provides superior harmony of support, comfort and durability.

Buildings are created in factories/software...without a blend of

technology and the warmth of human heart, we will only see modular architecture in the

future.” NItIN Saolapurkar, partner, Saolapurkar & associates

It is important for us to begin the walk towards sustainable buildings

and designs for a healthier planet and, thus, future.”reza kabul, principal architect, architect reza

kabul

Tall buildings with glass facades worry me about the safety of

their inhabitants in case of emergencies ... a secondary skin of screens...can be the

answer to this problem.” prakaSh MaNkar, principal, prakash Mankar Designs

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CHINAWorld’s tallest tower going

ahead in 90 days

Broad Sustainable Building (BSB) insists

it will deliver its 220-storey Sky City in China, set to be the world’s tallest building, within the targeted 90 days, rather than in 210 days as rumoured by the media. Supposedly designed by engineers that worked on the Burj Khalifa, Sky City is said to achieve the target by using BSB’s 95 percent-prefabricated modular technology at the astonishing construction pace of

DUBAI

Dubai’s replica of the Taj Mahal, designed to be up to four times bigger than the original, has been slammed

INDIABroadwayMalyan helps

in India

by real estate and infrastructure development company Bhartiya Urban, with major inputs from

urban development within the limits

will provide a mix of residential, retail, hospitality and Special Economic Zone (SEZ) uses, as well school, healthcare and sports facilities.

RUSSIA

Mercury City tower has topped out in Moscow,

pipping Renzo Piano’s Shard in London to become Europe’s tallest

Williams, the 70-storey tower is due to be completed next year. Mercury City is notable for its copper-hued glass façade. However, next year it will be trumped by the 506m-high

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Locking and unlocking doors with mobile phones is gaining credence, as is opening the garage door or regulating the temperature of the refrigerator from a remote location. After all, this is the era of high

technology and fully-automated homes. Home automation systems typically feature connected security cameras, window and door sensors, plug-in modules for lighting and other device controls, digital locks, wireless thermostats and more. Welcome to our wired world!

Marzin R Shroff, CEO – Direct Sales and senior VP – Market-ing, Eureka Forbes, says, “With people’s lifestyle getting more and more hectic, there is a greater desire among home owners to have a smart home that will provide maximum comfort and security with complete and instantaneous control over all home appliances. This has made way for the popularity of home automation systems.”

According to Shroff, increasing crime rate in cities and the

Home automation systems, integral to contemporary residences, make living both comfortable and secure

GETTING SMART

need to protect one’s family and property has also contributed to this demand. “There is also increased awareness among people of the importance of energy efficiency,” he adds.

With the availability of tablets and smart phones, along with high-speed broadband internet connections, home automation systems are in demand in apartments and villas. Architect Kru-pa Zubin of ZZ Architects observes, “The concept has picked up over the past decade or so. Steady broadband internet facil-ity and the recently-introduced 3G services have added to the product and application portfolio as well as to the demand for automated homes. I also think that the smart phone usage has made it very comfortable and convenient to use.” The tech-savvy new generation is also driving the demand for affordable automation. The software generation is directly wired into the latest global housing trends, and awareness about such features is generally high. Information technology is ruling the roost, and the younger lot of home owners are

BY ARUNA RATHOD

LUXURY YOU NEVER

The intergrated digital intercom

in your AMX touch panel is

pefect for getting your kids

moving to make sure they have

time for breakfast before school.THOUGHT POSSIBLE

WHOLE HOME AUTOMATION

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1. Servo-Drive, from Hafele’s Home Automation for Kitch-ens, can now be coupled with the Aventos lift-up system.

POWERED BY

IT’S YOUR WORLD. TAKE CONTROL

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looking for ultra-modern homes. Kishor Pate, CMD – Amit En-terprises Housing Ltd, Pune, says, “Projects with smart homes are mushrooming, as software parks are also increasing. Buyers expect advanced technological enablement in their homes, which definitely includes smart-home facilities. Short on time and high on technology, they prefer properties that incorporate electronic security and lifestyle features.”

Home automation systems are already an integral part of luxury apartments and villas in many places, especially in the metros. Forbes’ Shroff says, “People now have much less time to spend with families, owing to their busy schedules – so they are saving on time by opting for intelligent homes for maxi-mum comfort and convenience. There is also an increased need for 24x7 security and vigilance for properties and families. With this in mind, it is safe to say that home automation systems, which make our hectic lives more comfortable, will emerge as a must-have solution in all urban homes in the years to come.”

REASON FOR POPULARITYThe trend is to be connected. Worries like… Did you lock the door? Did you turn everything off? are a thing of the past. Home automation systems allow one to forget about forgetting. Mehernosh Pithawalla, assistant VP, Marketing, Godrej Security Solutions, says, “Demographic

changes, urban development, climate change and globalisation are shaping the world today. These have a huge impact on our lives and on our economy. Luxury real estate in India is grow-ing at a healthy clip, and advanced home automation technolo-gies have almost become de rigueur.” According to Pithawalla, along with increased luxury, aesthetics and comfort, customers are demanding a secure lifestyle – where CCTVs, video door phones, etc, can be integrated. With growing affluence and heightened security concerns, the industry is expected to wit-

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2. ZZ Architects excels in the designing of intelligent homes with integrated automation features. HVAC, lighting, entertainment and security can all be controlled by home automation.

3. Round the clock surveil-lance is possible with Eureka Forbes’ Eurovigil i-living lifestyle.

AN ENVIRONMENTFrom your AMX touch

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NEW INNOVATIONSSERVO-DRIVEHome automation improves convenience, comfort, energy, efficiency and security. In the case of the elderly and disabled, it can provide increased quality of life for persons who might otherwise require caregivers or institutional care. Servo Drive, Hafele’s home automation for kitchens, is a low voltage electronic drive system that opens drawers and lift-up systems automatically with just a light touch. It can be incorporated not only in kitchens, but also for drawers and lift-up systems for other home furniture. The drawers open by a slight touch (even by the hip, knee or toe) to the drawer front or a light pull to the handle. With no fixed connection to the drawer, it requires minimum space for installation and opens silently and effortlessly thanks to the Blumotion technology. Servo-Drive can now be coupled with the Aventos lift-up system, with added benefits of collision protection and uniform cabling system for wall and base cabinet. Also available is Servo-Drive uno, an easy-to-install set including all required components to operate one drawer. Installation can be completed in just a few steps, with no measuring or drilling required.

EAGLE-IGodrej’s new Security Solution Eagle-I, a wireless fire and intrusion alarm system, offers protection from burglary, fire and emergency. It consists of an LCD and a keypad for controlling system operation, wireless sensors which provide burglary protection, and optional smoke or combustion detectors to provide early fire warning. The U V8 Dome IR Camera permits crystal clear images even in the dark, with IR technology for better clarity in viewing at 30 fps with VGA (640X480) resolution. The U V8 Box Camera helps one to stay connected with loved ones anywhere in the world with high quality (H.264) live videos that can be accessed through a laptop, tab or smartphone.

EUROVIGIL I-LIVINGEureka Forbes’s Eurovigil i-Living Lifestyle is an automation solution equipped with state-of-the-art security devices that provide Intrusion Alarm and Panic Alarm features along with round-the-clock surveillance. These systems are equipped with motion detectors; and door and window sensors that can detect unauthorised entry and sound an alarm as well as send an alert to the mobile or laptop/desktop. It has a ‘Panic Pendant’ to avail instant help in case of any emergency. This is especially useful for the elderly. Indoor and Outdoor Cameras connected to the i-Living Lifestyle system wirelessly, enable continuous surveillance and monitoring of children and the elderly.

ness even quicker growth.Energy conservation is a huge benefit when using home

automation systems. These systems make use of one or more controls to operate the basic home functions and features auto-matically and, sometimes, remotely – which explains the term smart home. It is appropriate when technology is married to the environment, and is imperative in conserving energy with intelligently- installed presence sensors, dimmers and controls that judge the requirement and occupancy of a room.

The mundane issue associated with operating numerous switches is waived off with automation and controls. An automated home security system keeps the property under surveillance, thus ensuring security and safeguarding homes. Personal preferences can also be set, making customisation possible.

WIRED TO REALTYReal estate professionals are convinced that smart homes are the way forward. Brotin Banerjee, MD & CEO, Tata Housing observes that, in the future, developers will be building homes which will be completely automated to control electricity/equipment, edutainment features, communication features and smart appliances. The design of Tata Housing’s Promont prop-erty in Bengaluru has a three-tier security system, automatic split air-conditioning, automatic geyser control, automatic burglar alarm, motion sensor lighting, stand-alone gas detec-tion, cellphone-controlled appliances, complete temperature control, video door phone, panic button and switch-controlled motorised channels for window curtains. Says Banerjee, “The project has been customised keeping in mind the needs and requirements of the target audience, hence the technology and natural resources are a part of the specifications of the project and not charged extra.”

In fact, automation is emerging as one of the key amenities in premium properties. Jatin Agarwal, director, Konark Karia Builders, observes that when the residents are HNIs, the

importance of security only multiplies. It is also an element of luxury and

becomes an additional ser-vice offered in high-end properties. “Following the international home

routines, a variety of models of home automation

have evolved in the country. They range from different settings for mood lighting, where one can set specifications to modu-

late the lighting. With a flick of a finger, the curtains can be drawn from a remote location. Entertainment and media systems can be accessed from any room in the apart-

ment. AC controls and plumbing are also an evolving form of home automa-tion,” he adds.

4. Brotin Banerjee, MD & CEO, Tata Housing.

5. Rohan Siroya, director, Legend Siroya Realtors.

6. Jatin Agarwal, director, Konark Karia Builders.

7. Godrej’s U V8 Dome IR Camera permits crystal clear images even in the dark.

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CONFIDENCE THAT COMESWITH PEACE OF MIND

Not only talk to your visitors but see

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CUSTOMISED SOLUTIONS At what stage of construction are home automation systems installed? Can they be installed after construction/after people move in? Shroff of Eureka Forbes explains, “While many systems are difficult to install after construction, the newly-launched Eurovigil i-Living Lifestyle automation solution from Eureka Forbes is completely wireless and can be installed even after construction has been completed.”

The solution is modular and scalable. Users can add new devices at any time and expand their coverage progressively as per their requirement. For instance, there can be fewer devices initially and, later on, more can be added depending on their need/budget. “No new wiring is required. It can be installed in a few hours in most homes, new or old, without change in switches – that is, any home can be converted into an ‘intel-ligent’ or ‘smart’ home in a few hours,” he says. However, architect Krupa Zubin believes that retrofitting may not be the best idea. “It is important to initiate the process at the beginning of a project. We highly recommend the concept of automated homes. However, we need to make sure that we work with certified and reputed vendors and brands to avoid any incon-venience to the end user.” Most of the smart home features are incorporated at the construction stage itself. Rohan Siroya, director, Legend Siroya Realtors, explains that the systems are installed during the finishing stages of construction, when internal finishing is being carried out. The wiring can be concealed easily this way, saving on costs. But, one can also install the systems post construction, after people move in.”

However, since this is a fairly new trend in India, many existing home owners do have the option of buying products piecemeal and then integrating them. It is better to go through a service provider who can help you identify your needs depend-ing on the kind of house you have, and then provide the right elements that can integrate the different products together. Pithawalla of Godrej explains, “Many building developers have started bundling state-of-the-art integrated home automation

solutions as part of their set-up in many residential projects. Integrating separate elements through a Building Automa-tion System (BAS) is cost-effective, inconspicuous enough to blend with the décor, and yet equip the home with an effective all-in-one automation system. Installation and training occur on a single system, and operational costs like administration and maintenance are also reduced.”

LOADED WITH FEATURES The Eurovigil i-Living Lifestyle automation solution comes equipped with state-of-the-art security devices that provide intrusion alarm and panic alarm features, along with round-the-clock surveillance.

These systems are equipped with motion detectors and door and window sensors that can detect unauthorised entry and sound an alarm as well as send an alert on the user’s mobile or laptop/desktop.

The newer home automation systems have a ‘panic pendant’ which anyone inside the house can press in case of an emergency, and avail of instant help. This is especially useful for the elderly. Indoor and outdoor cameras connected to the system wirelessly enable continuous surveillance and monitoring of children and the elderly. Live streaming video captured by the cameras can be watched on mobile phones and laptop/desktops to ensure the well-being of children and the elderly.

These systems come equipped with a universal remote control that enables easy control of the various devices, thus reducing the need for movement by the elderly and the differently-abled. Siroya adds, “There are speech recognition and speech automation systems that can help the disabled. Robotic home systems help the elderly too.”

Interior designer Kiran Gala explains that home automation systems are operated with only CAT-5 or CAT-6 cables, which use lesser wattage of power supply. “There is no direct con-tact with 230 watt wires, and the chances of getting an electric shock are negligible. Automation is designed for luxury and comfort, and it is as simple as using a smart phone.” A&I

CONSERVATION OF ENERGYHome automation helps save on energy in many ways, such as ‘smart’ monitoring of units like air conditioning and automated adjustment of internal and external lights according to changing light conditions. Interior designer Kiran Gala says, “Lighting can be kept at 50 per cent with the use of automation, so you conserve energy.” And architect Krupa Zubin explains, “With such systems, one can enjoy a lot of savings on energy bills – as it automatically shuts down the light, water heater, heating and cooling systems, entertainment components and other devices when not in use. By programming the system, appliances can run at a pre-determined time and duration, eliminating wastage of energy.”

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8. ZZ Architects excels in the designing of intelligent homes and believe home automation should be initi-ated in the beginning of the project.

MANAGING YOUR HOME

Your AMX energy management dashboard makes it extremely

simple to track usage and forecast for the future. And, it’s

completely configurable to track the consumption in zones and devices

that you want to monitor .AND THE PLANET

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various operating platforms to communicate effectively throughout the house ensuring that its eventual owners benefit from a unified and centrally-managed solution that can be controlled intuitively, at the touch of a button! Through a series of touch panels, remotes and keypads, the homeowner will be able to enjoy future-ready control of many technological features seamlessly integrated into the building fabric.

The technology experience begins at the Portico, where an AMX Metreau Entry Communicator enables one-way visual and two-way audio conversation between visitor and homeowner. Working over a straightforward Ether-net connection, the discreet Metreau will allow residents to view crystal clear video of their visitors on the 5-inch AMX NXD-500i touch panels located in the entrance hall, and elsewhere in the house, and to talk and grant access via telephone, mobile, wireless touch panel or their in-wall screen.

Inside, in the modular kitchen and family room, AMX created a Media Room experience that enables the inmates

With its six bedrooms, high-spec kitchen, drawing room, basement vaults, courtyard and roof terrace, plus access to the private Chelsea Square garden; this house offers

everything a discerning buyer might need, not just today but also tomorrow. For, behind the walls of this impressive property lies a technological infrastructure that affords an unrivalled level of capability and adaptability; allowing the developer to make provision for future technical requirements or exacting purchasers, without dictating what those exact technical requirements may be.

Designed and installed by AMX, this comprehensive automation solution incorporates all the systems and technologies expected by those looking to buy this: inte-grated security; CCTV and access control; scene-setting lighting; and a flexible, future-ready entertainment and communications system have all been installed, but in an inherently flexible way. The backbone to this techno-logical provision, an innovative AMX technology allows

With its neo-Georgian façade, this impressive property in London’s Chelsea Square, may have taken its architectural inspiration from the past, but it’s a house that has been developed very much for the future. For all its external period charm, this property boasts the kind of state-of-the-art tech specs that allow the developer to meet virtually every technological requirement that a purchaser may have, even in future. With automation giant AMX taking the honours of imparting such specs, this project makes a testament to the power of technology to render a structure future-proof.

INTELLIGENCE INTEGRATED

For all its external period charm, this property boasts state-of-the-art internal specifications

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Behind the walls of this impressive property lies a technological infrastructure which affords an unrivalled level of capability and adaptability; allowing the developer to make provision for the future technical requirements of exacting purchasers, without dictating what those exact technical requirements may be.

enjoy a HD movie or TV on a 50-inch Panasonic plasma set flushed into the wall. The home cinema set-up has been completed with surround sound, delivered by B&W CWM cinema speakers and independent subwoofer. Control is provided by an AMX MVP 5200i wireless touch panel with a 5.2-inch Colour Active LCD display. Allow-ing for fingertip management of the in-house systems as well as digital intercom and entry communication capabil-ity and VoIP, this intuitive touch panel has its own in-wall dock and charging station.

An intelligent integration of AMX control system with Lutron Homeworks weaved fingertip control over light-ing schemes on the ground, first floor, garden and terrace areas. The system facilitates both scene-setting lighting and energy-saving, with precision control afforded by AMX touch panels.

On the first floor, the master bedroom suite has been pre-wired to accommodate the wall-mounted television of the occupants’ choice and boasts in-ceiling speakers, air-conditioning, and the ultimate in luxury—a 17-inch Aquavision widescreen HD TV in the impressively speci-fied en suite. The remaining five bedrooms have been similarly pre-wired for wall mounted screens and provi-sion made for satellite and terrestrial viewing. AMX touch panels located in common areas ensure that control of the in-house functions is only a button-press away, wherever the user is.

High-performance AMX N1900 NetLinx Controllers provide the brains behind the AMX solution, allowing various components to get integrated into the central con-trol system. The hub of the technological infrastructure,

the central system allows for provision of different levels of functionality to different parts of the property over a common backbone, according to user requirement. With the entire property pre-wired to facilitate easy expansion, everything within the house can be configured, and re-configured as per the owner’s discretion.

So, whilst the lucky future occupants of this impressive Chelsea Square property move in and enjoy its smart home features straightaway, the AMX driven systems also allow for complete flexibility and customization to suit their future needs. By exercising foresight, this particular devel-oper has ensured that both the property and its occupants will be well-placed to fulfill their technological potential.

The open plan kitchen and family room delivers an impressive media room experience

Different levels of functionality are delivered to different part of the property, over a common backbone

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you press a button labeled “AWAY” on your wall mounted AMX touch panel. This action turns off all lights through-out the home, switches off air-conditioners, or adjust the temperature to, say, 27 degrees. What a wonderful way to start your day!

NO SUCH THING AS AWAY FROM HOME - AFTERNOONS While at work, using your tablet as per preset schedule, you

Waking up in an AMX Controlled home allows you to begin your day with an experience that elevates your home to a whole

new level of comfort and convenience.

MANGING YOUR HOME AND PLANET - MORNINGS Your AMX touch panel enables the drapes in all your bedrooms to open as the interior lights fade up slowly. Your children listen to their favourite music from each of their cus-tom playlists, while your watch your favourite morning news without break in your bed-room or bathroom. Meanwhile, activated by motion sensors, the bathroom lights come on

a button on your water proof touch panel, energizing music

lingering drowsiness. In the kitchen, your spouse has prompted the lawn

sprinklers to water the lawn and turned on the windows treatments – all at the touch of a button, all while preparing breakfast.

As everyone leaves for work, school or to run errands,

From the interior design to the exterior landscape, your home reflects your lifestyle and personality. Your desires go beyond having a home with a look and feel of a five-star resort. You want a home that simplifies mundane household tasks from your ‘to do’ list to your home; thereby enabling you to devote more time with the people and activities that matter most.

Whole home automation luxury you never thought possible

See more and Do more with the most elegant interface for whole home control.

An ideal Entertainment partner for managing your home theatre and all audio / video in the house

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close the drapes on the west side of your home to keep the interior cool or warm based on the season. This also ensures your HVAC is running at a fraction of normal to save cost. The AMX ViewStat is also a key component in managing

kids have arrived home from school. The home is cool and comfortable because an hour before you adjusted the

Logging into your system for a second time, you take a peek around and in your house to see that the kids are safe and sound. Ah, the joys of AMX controlled security cameras and door access.

For you, having the ability to remotely access all electrical and electronic devices in your home using a smartphone, tablet or computer is the pinnacle of convenience. Knowing your home is protected by a myriad of security and surveillance measures is a critical component of a fully integrated home.

CONFIDENCE THAT COMES WITH PEACE OF MIND – EVENINGS As you arrive home from work, you press a button on your smartphone to activate an automated sequence of events – the entrance gates open, the path gets lighted down the driveway, garage door opens as the security system is disabled. In the backyard, your children are in the playing in the pool, which they pre-heated with the touch of a button. As you change in bedroom, the doorbell rings. No worries, from your bedside AMX touch panel, you access the AMX Metreau Entry Communicator with built-in intercom and camera, you see that its’ your neighbor and tell that you will be out in a moment. You press a button to unlock the door and allow her to come in to the living room.

ENTERTAINMENT & ENVIRONMENT TO SAVOUR

movie in any room and never having to worry about not be-ing able to pick up where you left off, whole home audio & video management is a breeze when accessing your system and media from an AMX touch panel.

HOME THEATREAs the family settles in, one of the kids presses “WATCH MOVIE” on your AMX touch panel and a sequence of events begins: projection screen lowers,

drapes close, and the movie menu from your media storage comes up, you select the movie and it plays. The AMX whole home distributed video gives your family the ability to watch same movie in any room through the home or stop the movie in one room and start in the other room from same point.

Multi-tasking and whole home control is the cornerstone of an AMX control system and an AMX touch panel. While preparing dinner, you and your spouse can watch local news, keep an eye on the kids and ultimately call everyone for dinner by pressing “PAGE ALL” button. Whether you need to power down every inch of your home or view

all your surveillance cameras, your AMX system is simple to operate and smart enough to deliver instantaneous, automated and pre-scheduled directions – all with the slightest touch.

AMX is the ingredient that combines responsibility with recreation. Now if only we could convince your kids to eat green vegetables.

A versatile control interface with built in Intercom

Ergonomically designed key pad for controlling lights, AC, increasing / decreasing volume

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Squire & Partners draw inspiration from an existing Grade II Victorian building to complete the interiors of the London HQ for Urban Velvet

VELVET CRUSH

Urban Velvet, the real estate service provider from Qatar, was looking for a distinctly British identity when it approached the firm Squire & Partners to create the interior design for its

London headquarters. The design firm took inspiration from the existing Grade II

Victorian building and managed to restore the original deco-rative elements and features.

The result feels more like a sophisticated private club than an office environment. Quintessentially British, timeless and elegant.

“The client sought a distinctly British identity for the London headquarters, and in particular to draw on the history and character of its Mayfair location. There was also a desire to utilise existing lightwells to bring an element of an English country garden into the building, designed to highlight the changing seasons,” said Tim Gledstone, partner, Squire and Partners.

“As for the accommodation, we needed to provide an office suite for the chairman, four floors of flexible office space, and a shared lounge on the ground floor. The lounge functions as a generous open space with intimate areas to accommodate small meetings, or groups of people waiting to access the

FURNITUREOutdoor seating: Emu Heaven table and chair from RHA FurnitureOffice furniture: Plan Moebel, Herman Miller, VitraOther furniture: Odd Chair Company, Brands, Davidson London, the Couch Potato Company, Midlands Antique Warehouse, Skandium, William Yeoward, Lutyens, Chaplins, Adam Williams, Decorus, Julian Chichester, George Smith, Robert Langford, Somerville & ScottLandscape architect: Kim WilkieMouldings specialists: Stevensons of NorwichGilding specialists: Hare and HumphreysCompany that created the quatre foil patterned panels: Based Upon in GreenwichBronze planters: BronzinoJoinery company: Metrica in GermanyMain contractor: Lend LeaseStone subcontractor: SzeremlyM&E subcontractor: Imtech Meica

1. Motifs from the exterior moldings have been repli-cated in the bronze coloured wall panels.

2. Refurbished formal meet-ing room at the ground floor.

3. Office suite for the chairman.

4. Flexible office spaces are designed on four floors.

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35 larger meeting rooms.” The original Victorian building at 8 Stratton Street was

built in 1871 in the Free Gothic Revival style, and the project combines the listed building with its neighbour at 9 Stratton Street.

Squire and Partners took inspiration from existing decora-tive elements such as Romanesque details to mouldings, ornate floral motifs in wrought iron and structured geomet-ric patterns on façade brickwork and floor tiles. A design approach was developed which restored original elements – such as mouldings, ironmongery and stonework - and introduced new elements rooted in the history of the building to create a distinct identity for the building, mixing the geo-metric and organic decorative styles.

A quatrefoil motif which appears on the outside of the building and repeated on the original staircase and floor tiles internally, was reworked to create a motif used throughout the interior. This has been used on bespoke elements such as bronze coloured wall panels, stair runners and as etchings on glass partitions.

The main space on the ground floor is designed as a lounge serving the companies housed within the venue and is richly decorated in rosewood, bronze, silks and a pair of oversized circular chandeliers.

Bespoke timber cabinetry using the quatrefoil motif has been created to show the level of detail synonymous with the Mayfair tradition of tailoring and craftsmanship, and evoke a sense of a traditional library space for books and artefacts.

The lounge is flanked on two sides by courtyard gardens filled with indigenous British plants addressing the English country garden brief. Squire and Partners worked with

award winning landscape designer Kim Wilkie on the selec-tion of plants and layout of the gardens, which connect the indoor and outdoor spaces.

“The reception areas are defined with a strong palette of rosewood panelling with bronze edge detailing, a lit white glass niche and a striking black Portoro Macchia Fine marble fronted reception desk on the ground floor,” said Gledstone.

“Meeting rooms are separated by glass partitions soft-ened with sheer fabrics, with upholstered chairs to provide comfortable seating for waiting guests. Rosewood panelling in each reception area conceals access doors leading to tea points, wardrobes and storage space.

“A large formal meeting room at ground floor has been painstakingly refurbished to enhance the existing original period features. Full height timber panels lining the walls, oak shutters, a fireplace, window mouldings and other original details have been carefully restored, extending the life of these decorative elements and creating a sophisticated private meet-ing space.”

The upper office floors have been designed to incorporate a contemporary feel with the traditional aesthetic, while still maintaining the overall identity of the building and allowing each tenant to make their own mark. Office spaces are largely open plan with informal meeting tables around the perimeter of each floor.

A suite on the first floor includes a reception area, waiting room and private office, and is lined with bespoke hand painted silk wallpaper by Fromental, coupled with traditional ‘Carriage’ green paint and gilded mouldings. The suite also features three Venini ‘Wavy Star’ glass chandeliers commis-sioned for the project using the original mouldings. A&I

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www.architectandinteriorsindia.com | march 2013 | ARCHITECT and INTERIORS INDIA

This year, we put on our talent scout hat once again. After the overwhelming success of our third anniversary issue which introduced the idea of iGen,

represented by our list of gen-next architects and designers, we decided to mark our fourth anniversary by turning the spotlight on a fresh crop of talent equipped to be the design icons of tomorrow. While it seemed like mission impossible when we started, there ‘s so much talent that we wish we could begin the quest all over again!

Intelligent, inspired, informed and individualistic – these are just some of the many ‘i’s that charac-

terise our youth. As a young publication conceived with the purpose of disseminating ideas, inspiration and insights among Indian architects and designers, we identify with this new generation.

As we said last month, while we continue to provide our readers with information to help create inspirational designs, we would like to give talented young professionals the exposure that will propel them further in their career. Through this issue, featuring our 2013 list of iGen, we showcase the sense of vitality, optimism, animation, creativity and essence that defines the new India.

Although each one of them is distinctive in their

philosophy and style, they share a passion to rise above mediocrity. They might be young, but there is a deep sense of responsibility as they explore the contextual and sustainable needs of our present times. It’s probably their wide exposure to different cultures, both within and outside the country, that make them continue to question the tried-and-tested definitions of architecture and continually experiment with forms and products.

Interestingly, the architects and designers fea-tured in our earlier anniversary issues have played a significant role in shaping these new candidates.

Allow us to introduce the new newsmakers.

Starring a 50-strong cast of gen-next Indian architects and designers who are engaged in shaping the country to face the challenges of tomorrow

1 Ambrish Arora2 Ankur Choksi3 Siddharth Talwar4 Ameet Sukhthankar5 Amit Talwar6 Arjun Nambisan7 Brijesh Kanabar8 Deepika Batra Gwash9 Dexter Fernandes 10 Shourya Patel11 Divya Thakur12 Ekta Parekh13 Fahad Abdul Majeed14 Jwalant Mahadevwala15 Kanika Mahadevwala16 Kapil Gupta17 Ketan Chavan18 Kohelika Kohli19 Lijo Jos20 Reny Lijo21 Manasi Manjrekar22 Manjunath Hathwar23 Nandini Sampat24 Neemesh Shah25 Kanhai Gandhi26 Shresht Kashyap27 Niranjan Das Sharma28 Poonam Noufal29 Pritika Kinra30 Quaid Doongerwala31 Shilpa Ranade32 Rajiv D’Silva33 Rajiv Parekh34 Rishita Das35 Rushda Hakim36 Sameer Balvally37 Shilpa Jain Balvally38 Santosh Kumar39 Sebastian Jose40 Shubhashish Modi41 Satish Shetty42 Simi Sreedharan43 Smita Rawoot44 Tallulah D’Silva45 Tarun Kumar46 Tushar Vasudevan47 Vinod Kumar MM48 Vishal Shah49 Zameer Basrai50 Zubin Zainuddin

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Gen2013

The new generation of architects has the opportunity to

context of India

The avant-garde Lotus Design Studio, set up in New Delhi in 2002, evolved out of a shared vision of design. Good design, they believe, can leave a deep cultural, social and environmental

impact. “We like to integrate localised skills and resources with state-of-the art-materials and technologies,” says Ankur Choksi, one of the founding partners.

The studio grew out of a meeting between Ambrish Arora (40; the CEO and principal designer), Sidhartha Talwar (35) and Choksi (33) at the Design Habit studio,

projects handled by the 45-people-strong multidisci-plinary team straddle an entire spectrum, from hospitality to retail and residential spaces, public spaces, etc. “Inspi-ration comes from anywhere – be it a spatial gesture or the manner in which light hits a wall,” declares Arora.

The three young partners have come from three dispa-rate design streams: while Talwar studied architectecture from TVB School of Habitat Studies, Delhi; Choksi has studied graphic design from the National Institute of De-sign, Ahmedabad; and Arora comes from an engineering background. No wonder, then, that their signature design style is, “not to have one”.

keeps their work fresh, even as it ensures that it is complex and layered. “In India, the past and the present co-exist in harmony,” says Arora. Team Lotus dips liber-ally into the complex Indian past, references its traditions, crafts and techniques – to derive interesting design solu-

tions. This is clearly visible in the two projects the team has designed in the blue city of Jodhpur.

The spectacular Mehrangarh Museum, located within the majestic Mehrangarh Fort built in the 15th century, is a perfect illustration of how heritage can be restored for

-tique hotel with enviable views of the burnished red fort, they contemporised the state’s rich architectural history. It has none of the kitsch you associate with Rajasthan, but retains all the architectural sensibilities (read: colonnades, arches, high ceilings, carved trelliswork, perforated screens that free circulation of air, jalis, et al).

The studio’s accomplishments include World Holiday Building of the Year at the World Architecture Festival 2011 and the IIID Design Practice of the year for 2009 and 2011. Their projects range from stores like Chamomile and Good Earth in Delhi that represent contemporary Indian luxury; to the modernist Park Hotel, Kochi, and a phantasmagoric store for Rohit Bal in Delhi.

The team works seamlessly, “going from large architec-tural ideas to the smallest furnishing details”. and layer their projects with social, cultural and environmental virtues. “We aim to be an organisation that provides young designers a platform and a support system to ex-periment and create their own identities and repertoire of ideas,” says Choksi, disclosing that their upcoming work includes an entire gamut of projects – museums, large public spaces and boutique hotels.

By Deepali Nandwani

AMBRISH ARORA, ANKUR CHOKSI, SIDDHARTH TALWARFOUNDER DIRECTORS, LOTUS DESIGN STUDIO

Project:Rohit Bal store, Delhi


040

Architecture is the most powerful tool of expression of its time… everything that surrounds us, built as well as unbuilt, has a direct impact on humanity

Architecture, for Ameet Sukthankar (38), was a “preordained destiny”. After all, his father established M.S. Suctancar Architects, one of the oldest architectural firms in Goa post

liberation. The alumnus from Goa College of Architecture recalls, “My childhood memories of numerous after- school hours spent in the company of architects deeply engrossed in either putting together a miniature cardboard model or relishing beautifully-rendered hand sketches, are etched deeply in my mind. So, my choice of architecture as a profession has perhaps more to do with a preordained destiny.” Today, as a senior architect in his father’s firm, Sukhthankar is spearheading some prominent architectural projects in the state.

From among his many icons, which include Louis Baragan, Geoffrey Bawa, Richard Rogers, James Sterling and Charles Correa, he had a rare opportunity to intern with one them – the legendary Siza Vieira in Portugal. Acknowledging the inspiration he received from these icons, he says, “Though the styles that they represent are diverse, their works appeal to your senses due to their heightened understanding of space. It helped me realise early that architecture is too profound a field to be con-trolled or defined by a singular “ism”. You have to keep your senses open to new, soak in as much as you can, and apply what you’ve learnt in the right context.”

Later, after a brief stint with Kamal Malik, Sukhthankar joined his father’s firm where the significant moment of his design quest awaited him. Recognising it as an

important milestone in his career, he says, “I had just about joined our firm, when our entry for the Secretariat Complex in Goa got the best design award. This project provided the much-needed encouragement to handle projects of such scale, an experience that any young ar-chitect would aspire to have.” Each of the firm’s projects is genetically linked, for he believes, “Design is a journey that never really ends, even after a project gets completed. It merely picks up from the past experience and manifests into something newer, more refreshed and better.”

The continuity of design is apparent in how a particu-lar project influences the other. He illustrates, “In the Wagle house, which was our interpretation of a contem-porary Hindu home, we decided to use a local variety of timber (that was available at the site) for the roof. We re-alised it was a very sustainable and eco-friendly approach towards constructing a home. The success of this project was extended and refined in the next villa in Ponda. Here again, after inquiry, we found that the clients had similar timber in their farms in adequate quantities – so, it became the principal construction material for the project. The cost of construction also got reduced by almost 40 per cent. And the client was so thrilled, that he planted more trees in his farm for his grandchildren.”

With 15 years of practice under his belt and counting, Sukhtankar wishes to use architecture as a tool to express the current times and, in the process, impact humanity with its positive influence.

By Carol Ferrao

AMEET SUKHTHANKARSENIOR ARCHITECT, M.S. SUCTANCAR ARCHITECTS

Project:Campal Heights, Goa

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Gen2013

When metaphor and functionality of architecture is understood in totality, then the architectural space transcends its material viability

Inspiration arises from different quarters, right from a student to a sweeper, according to architect Amit Talwar (37), design partner at Amit Talwar Associates. He affirms that

architecture, which is usually understood in metaphors, is what gives meaning to our lives along with its functionality.

Surprisingly, even though both his parents are architects, choosing architecture was a gradual pro-cess for Talwar, who holds a Master’s in Architecture and Urban Design from Columbia University, New York. Prior to establishing Amit Talwar Associates/Office of Blurred Edges (ATA/OBE), he has worked and lived in various places globally, viz the USA, the Middle East and India. He has been involved in leadership roles throughout his career with firms such as Skidmore, Owings & Merrill Inc (NYC), Charles Correa Associates (Mumbai), BV Doshi’s Sangath (Ahmedabad) and Pan Arab Consultants & Engineers Ltd (Kuwait).

A recipient of the William Kinnie Fellowship Scholarship of the Columbia University and a World Architecture Community Award for his unbuilt project ‘Ziranenge/Angel’ (a hospital for women and children) in Rwanda, Africa, Talwar’s work has been published in books such as ‘Designing Patch Dynam-ics’ by Richard Plunz, Brian McGrath & Victoria Marshall.

This young architect insists that the term ‘estab-lished architect/designer’ is incredibly rigid and gives one the sense of being planted on a pedestal in a cor-ner. “As an architect,” he claims, “One should always be in a state of entropy and hunger.”

The single and most important design principle that he religiously follows is that there is no one spe-cific solution for all problems.

Being design explorers, there are many hats and tools that one can use to design or discover, he be-lieves. When asked to name any particular significant project that he has worked on, he simply refuses to choose from his assortment of varying projects.

Talwar and his entire team have put in valuable time and energy into each one of their projects – so, each one of them is dear to his heart.

The architect’s mother, Urvashi Talwar, herself an architect, has been the biggest influence in his life. Talwar has also been influenced by his mentors, Charles Correa and BV Doshi. Other inspirational de-signers include Rem Koolhaas, Zaha Hadid, Ben van Berkel, Nox, Luis Barragan, Corbusier, Renzo Piano and Oscar Niemeyer.

Amit Talwar is a strong advocate of the preserva-tion and evolution of cultures and heritage of different regions, and finds it critical for cities to retain their core authenticity during their march towards globalisation.

By Shreeta Nair

AMIT TALWARDESIGN PARTNER, AMIT TALWAR ASSOCIATES/OFFICE OF BLURRED EDGES

Project:X-tension, New Delhi

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Gen2013

Man cannot live in isolation and, therefore, needs the interaction with other people. Architecture is the perception of that need

It was the childlike wonder of how things were created and how they functioned that led Arjun Nambisan (40) to pursue the creative profession. Interestingly, his partner in the firm (Arun Balan,

42) shares a similar background. Nambisan elaborates on what has inspired both of them, “From toys, when we were little, to bicycles and later to art, music, movies and all things in nature. Thinking of how and why the tree just stood there at one place all its life, growing roots to support it, inadvertently laid the foundation for our future as architects. The amazement of how spaces can influence one’s life and influence how one lives, drew us inexplicably to this realm of architecture and design.” In 2012, they merged their successful individual practices to start Balan Nambisan Architects in Bengaluru.

Besides influences from other creative streams, Nambisan points out that the firm’s design philoso-phy draws inspiration from Mies van der Rohe and Mario Botta. For him and Balan, scale and monu-mentality do not constitute the ‘iconic’. What is more important to them is, does the building consider the human aspect and not merely focus on form? He adds, “We believe that buildings like the Cooper Union Building in New York, designed by architect Thom Mayne of ‘Morphosis’, is an example of this. The contrast that prevails by virtue of its placement may seem contrived to many, but it almost seems like it acknowledges the history and the character of the

street. Its lively spaces reaffirm that enlightenment comes from the free exchange of ideas, and not just inward contemplation.”

Nambisan identifies the significance of his projects based on how it enriches the quality of people’s lives. He recalls, “A house designed a few years ago for a friend on a tiny site, is an extrapolation of this quality. The tears in his mother’s eyes and the sense of pure joy of the accomplishment, truly remains one of our favourite experiences as architects.” Another satisfying experience, in his eyes, is the restoration of a 100-year-old house, where they curiously merged the old with the new and brought the structure and landscape to its former glory. In 2004, the firm was awarded the ‘Young Architect of the Year’ award by IAB and recognised for their contribution at the PAA Woods Annual Design Awards, SPA Urban Design Awards and Habitat Awards.

It was the humbling experiences of travelling to and interacting with people in Indian villages that he considers a landmark in his architectural journey. Here, he and Balan, both graduates from BMS Col-lege of Engineering, Bengaluru, learnt the virtue of living within one’s means and not indulging in wasteful excess. “Traditional practices pertaining to building methodology and energy-efficient living, and the reverent regard for nature, are invaluable lessons learnt from ordinary people,” he admits.

By Carol Ferrao

ARJUN NAMBISANPARTNER, BALAN NAMBISAN ARCHITECTS

Project:Kanaka Villa, Coimbatore

44_ARC_Mar13_iGen Arjun Nambisan and Arun Balan.indd 44 04-03-2013 20:59:22

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Gen2013

It has been proven that great architecture leaves an incredible impression on the landscape of society and uplifts the human spirit, in addition to the utilitarian purpose it serves

While Brijesh Kanabar did not aspire to be an architect in the initial years of his education, his interest was triggered off while he was in junior

college. “I got opportunities to visit sites of our family friends who are architects and developers,” discloses the winner of the Editor’s Choice award (for the YMCA International Centre in Ahmedabad) at our Aces of Space awards 2012. “This introduced me to the field of architecture, and helped me decide what I wanted to do.”

What inspires Kanabar are great buildings, and the influence those buildings have on the urban fab-ric. “The path-breaking design for the Guggenheim Museum by Frank O’ Gehry, and its effect on the city of Bilbao, fascinates me till today,” he declares. “The bold and risky approach by architect Daniel Libeskind for the Jewish Museum design in Berlin is exciting. I also enjoy the works of masters like Le Corbusier, Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies van der Rohe, Louis Kahn, etc.”

While his journey has just begun, the milestones for 31-year-old Kanabar have been his work experi-ences with Opolis Architects and Ratan J Batliboi Architects after completing his B.Arch from the Sir JJ College of Architecture, Mumbai. “The most sig-nificant pit stop till date has to be my stay in the UK during my higher studies [Master’s in Real Estate

from the Cass Business School, London],” he recalls. “It helped me to broaden my horizon beyond words. The first-hand experience of great buildings, diverse cultures and camaraderie with people from around the world, helped me develop new perspectives of the field of design.”

Kanabar has been fortunate to work on an excit-ing mix of architecture and interior design projects during his brief expedition as a design professional. “Most rewarding, for me, are the Symbiosis ELTIS College in Pune with Opolis Architects and the recent YMCA International Centre in Ahmedabad with L&H (Lewis & Hickey),” he maintains. “Sym-biosis was my first architecture project, and it taught me everything I needed to learn after getting out of college. At L&H, we are extremely proud of the YMCA project – which was extremely challenging due to the complex brief and fast-paced nature of the programme. The complex was ready in a record 1095 days, with interiors, and the final result is remark-ably close to the original concept.”

This is probably due to the company approach, which is simple: to design stimulating buildings that are sustainable and relevant to the people inhabiting them. As Kanabar says, “At L&H, we recognise that the most successful architecture goes beyond just being a well-designed box.”

By Maria Louis

BRIJESH KANABARDIRECTOR, LEWIS & HICKEY INDIA

Project:YMCA International Centre. Ahmedabad

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Technology touches lives in all contexts. Intelligent buildings that are functional and low on energy consumption set a fine example

Architecture has held an ‘intriguing charm’ for Deepika Batra Gwash (37) for as long as she can remember. Having grown up in North India, Corbusier’s public buildings

in Chandigarh and Charles Correa’s British Council Library in Delhi made an impact on her young mind. “I feel that the profession is yet to unveil a lot,” muses this young architect. “The surreal yet real quality of architecture had drawn me to choose it as my career. I get impressed by the intricacy of design in nature and the simplicity in contemporary manmade designs. Both are equally exalting.”

Gwash, who did her B.Arch from CRSCE, Murthal, feels that being a part of The Firm since its incep-tion in 1999 has shaped the professional in her.”It has been an interesting journey. When I began my career, I was concerned, curious and learning about how architecture affects the environment; and today, it has become an utmost responsibility!” says the ar-chitect who is on the panel of TERI as GRIHA trainer and evaluator, and is associated with the Indian Green Building Council, as an IGBC AP (Accredited Professional).

At the core of The Firm’s practice lies the realisa-tion that simply fulfilling the basic functional needs of a project often results in only mundane solu-tions. “Including the more elusive and less utilitar-ian aspects, paves the way for higher architectural

quality,” observes Gwash, adding that “architecture is essentially the users’ response, their emotional content towards the spaces created. This forms the basis of our philosophy at The Firm. Our emphasis on the social dimension is an acknowledgement that architecture is generated by the needs of people – both spiritual and material. We embed sustainability as an intrinsic part of our design philosophy.”

Gwash plays a key role in the documentation of research and projects at The Firm, and has been instrumental in the development of their focus on sustainability. She believes that, apart from pursuing design excellence, architecture must be socially and environmentally responsible.

By Maria Louis

DEEPIKA BATRA GWASHHEAD OF STUDIO; HEAD, SUSTAINABLE DESIGN, THE FIRM

Project:1. Ghansoli School,

Navi Mumbai

2. Kalote Mokashi Resort and Spa

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In a bid to promote and support exemplary architectural practices, Daikin India along

with ITP Publishing has come up with a unique initiative called Circle of Influence.

Using social media as a channel, it is ‘highlighting the influencers of Indian modern

architecture’. Daikin’s states their goal as, “We simply want to honour the role that

architects play in each of our lives. We live in their creations, we work in their constructed

designs and we are always surrounded by their ideas.” Followers of Diakin India on

Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest are being wowed by the works of prominent architects

and are given a rare treat of valuable designs tips from architects like Zubin Zainuddin,

Kareem Furniturewala, Mital Furia, Seema Puri, to name a few.

Through this platform Daikin wishes ‘to admire, appreciate, and rejoice over the power

of architects’ and recognise their designs as cutting-edge. Here is a snapshot of the five

firms that are already creating a stir in the Daikin social media sites with their designs

For more interesting pictures and updates on the projects featured here, please visit

Facebook - www.facebook.com/DaikinIndia, Twiter - www.twitter.com/DaikinIndia

Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/DaikinIndia, Blog - www.daikinindiablog.com

Influencers of Indian modern architecture

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MIKA Designs Karim Furniturewala & Mital Furia

SEZA Seema Puri & Zarir Mullan

MIKA designs believe that, “The power of creation can oper-ate only if we possess, in addition to methods, knowledge and intelligence, a certain instinctive faculty which we call inspiration.” Headed by Kareem Furniturewala and Mital Furia, Mika Design Inc constitutes of designer-ware projects such as high-end residences, corporate offices – large and small, personal offices, retail designs and IT parks. Their contribution has been recognised at leading award platforms such as IAD and IIID , clearly indicating their ‘influ-ence’ in Indian architecture and design. Furniturewala and Furia are proud to be associated with Daikin in this initiative, for they believe, “Daikin for us is BMW of Air Conditioning. Daikin has changed the way Air Conditioning has been. Truly state of Art, always innovat-ing and the next generation Air Conditioning.” The architect duo designed a 2500sq.ft. commercial project with a desire to reflect nature. They state, “The aim was to connect urban interiors in an overcrowded city and its occupants with the parody of nature in a subtle but sensitive manner.” Designed in a network of linear lines the interiors are bathed in natural daylight and images of blos-somed rose, open sky, birds flight to freedom and freshness of a palm tree are etched in the different interior surfaces . Be-sides enjoying their projects, Daikin fans found their eco tip simple and practical. The architect duo’s word of advice was, “Consume less and less, maximize more and more. If you can have bath in shower then avoid Jacuzzi. If you can do with one light, then avoid a chandelier. LEDs are our favourite. VRV is our favourite.”

Seema Puri and Zarir Mullan established the successful practice, Seza, with the philosophy that, “… design should rise and mould itself from the urban fabric while yet etching itself onto it, architecture, landscape and interior design should blend perfectly so as to melt the barriers between inside and outside.” At Seza, Puri and Mullan have conceptualized, designed and executed a wide range of architectural and interior projects of diverse nature ranging from Corporate Buildings, Residential Schemes, Showrooms, Cafeterias and Private Bungalows. With many award winning projects to their credit, it was apt to instate the genius of Seza in the Circle of Influence.

“Whether it is architecture at the macro level or smaller homes, efficient saving on all forms of energy by using led lights and by using energy efficient air-conditioning systems, break thermal window systems, we try to reduce our running expense too,” believes the architecture duo. Their award winning Jewellery showroom for Batuk-bhai and Sons, at Nagpur, received great reviews in the Circle of Influence platform. The interiors is infused with the warmth of deep brown wood, travertino marble clad columns with edges of polished copper and a lot of bronze mirror. The façade lives up to its objective of being an iconic landmark and the project overall won the Best Architect Merchandise award, IAD.

1. Interiors for a Jewellery showroom in the heart of Nagpur2. View of the living room for a three level residential

apartment in Mumbai3. Exterior View of the jewellery showroom

4. Interiors for a residence in Mumbai - The vote contrasts beautifully with the wainscoting and natural wood furniture

5. A commercial project in Mumbai

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6. Showroom for an international jewellery manufacturing company in Noida

7. Commercial Office in Mumbai

As an interior design firm, Think BNK identifies its design culture as a “fusion of modern with classical overtones.” Be-hzad Noshir Kharas, principal architect, however is quick to state, “…we believe in a contemporary philosophy of design and as a result any design which represents the spirit of its time is contemporary for us.” Generating many ‘likes’ and positive comments, Think BNK was the first firm to be pub-lished by Daikin in their social media sites. Noshir is proud to be associated with Daikin in this initiative, he mentions, “Daikin for us stands for quality in air – conditioning. From the first day of our practice we recommend only Daikin and even our own office is air – conditioned by Daikin.” The firm’s projects are testimony to their ability to meet varied client needs and specifications. For a commercial project, they skilfully converted a boat making shed in to an impressive office while strictly adhering to Bohri Muslim planning requirements. Retaining the structure’s old shell, they designed a new service line. Elaborating on the concept Noshir said, “We took inspiration from water and waves. The harmonic movement and fluidic lines were translated into a pattern taken on the ceiling and walls.” Among the different projects that were published, Think BNK used the initiative as opportunity to encourage Daikin fans to ‘mini-mize wastage in any material format used (for a project)

Think BNK Behzad Noshir Kharas

With a motive of creating sensible and responsive design collaboration in fields related to built environment, architects Vishal Shah and Vishal Desai started Aangan Architects in Surat. The firms projects vary from Residential and Institutional Architecture, interior architecture to Urban –Design and Land-scape. Besides these projects, the architects’ state, “Members of the organization are also actively involved in academics and collaborate with like-minded firms for important projects contributing to the betterment of living environment. The or-ganization has a wide consultant base for structural engineer-ing, Landscape Design, Services and Infrastructure design, arts and project management.” The firms most prominent projects include award winning residences in Surat, Spiritual Research Centre at Surat, Sea Food Processing Unit, Olpad, Surat and 3 Star Hotel at Lonavla.

Aangan’s design culture is influenced by adhering to Indian values and working with traditional wisdom. This aspect

Aangan Architects Vishal Shah & Vishal Desai

can be observed in their project ‘An Indian contemporary Haveli’, where they innovatively met the challenge of creating a residence for a joint family. “The traditional wisdom of a courtyard house was the best thing to follow for housing all the units in perfect harmony with each other by maintaining individuality as well as sharing common spaces for daily family interactions,” mention the architects. The residence is designed in units interconnected with a lobby created on the North side screened by a concrete Jali made of vertical fins; a modern day interpretation of the traditional jail overlooking the street to ensure visual privacy as well as cross ventilation. The Circle of Influence initiative finds Aangan’s attempt to bridge the traditional with modern needs commendable.

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8. Office of a graphic designing firm

9. A house designed for a joint family based in Surat – An Indian Contemporary haveli

10. Hand polished plywood shelves for an outlet for displaying collection of fine finished artifacts


ARCHITECT and INTERIORS INDIA | march 2013 | www.architectandinteriorsindia.com

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Gen2013

Being an architect is not just a job, it is a responsibility. We don’t just draw buildings, we help create a lifestyle

Creativity and design almost never happen to anyone by chance. It’s only a matter of time until the realisation occurs. While an architect neighbour introduced

Shourya Patel to the world of architecture and there was no looking back since then; Dexter Fernandes was fascinated and inspired by the old British architecture around which he spent his childhood.

As a student, Patel worked as an intern with archi-tect Karan Grover, “It was with him that I learnt how live projects are handled and presented. I got a feel of the real world and loved it.” After graduation, he went to Mumbai to work with art director Sameer Chanda and learnt about how one must be passion-ate about one’s work. “A blend of the two stalwarts taught me how to blend architecture and art design,” adds Patel who, along with Fernandes, acquired his B.Arch from the Baroda University.

As a team, the 31-year-old architect duo is inspired by people, the simplicity of rural India, modern technologies, nature in its vivid colour and much more. “We enjoy every moment of design, as well as the process that goes into it. We are inspired by each other,” insists Fernandes.

Started in 2007, Uneven not only works on architecture and interior projects but also designs wedding and film sets, exhibition stalls and more. Minimalistic and practical designs is what has built their repertoire, along with elegance and sophisti-cation. “We work not just to fulfill others’ require-

ments, but we help create space or an ambience or, rather, a comforting environment for someone to help enhance their life,” shares Fernandes. And Patel adds, “This is like transforming a dream into reality. The appreciation is truly completely priceless.”

While designing a project, the firm attempts to decipher the purpose and the person behind the design. This helps them understand their client well and, hence, create enjoyable spaces.

A case in point is the Cloud 9 project that the firm has worked on. The scale of this project was massive, and so were the intricacies involved. A residential project, it is a combination of ultra-modern facilities and development that includes a lake, natural forest-like landscape and much more. The architecture itself stands out as a unique and classy sculpture.

For the duo, architecture and design has been a learning process, and they continue to approach each project with complete innocence and enthusiasm.

By Natasha Bohra

Dexter FernanDes & shourya Patel PrinciPal architects, uneven

Project:1. Cloud 9, Gujarat

2. Pancham Icon

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Gen2013

Architecture and design hold sway over how we feel and perceive the world around us. A well-designed space can raise our emotional, intellectual and spiritual quotient

Divya Thakur effortlessly straddles the worlds of graphic, product and interior design. After graduating from the Sir JJ School of Art, Mumbai, in 1992, the design diva began

her career with advertising. “My experiences with some of India’s leading advertising agencies gave me the opportunity to hone my skills in advertising design, ad films, packaging and publishing design,” discloses the designer who has also displayed a keen interest in fashion and lifestyle design over the years.

This period of intensive learning and hard work be-came the foundation of her “biggest project to date” – her very own label, Design Temple, set up in 1999. “The ’90s was a remarkable time of change within India’s socio-cultural landscape,” recalls Thakur. “At the turn of the 21st century, there appeared an urgent need to bridge the chasm between the existing state of Indian design and our realities. Design Temple was set up in response to it.”

Located in the cultural district of Colaba, her little-over-a-year-old flagship store is a hub of design, graphic art and style that best illustrates her design philosophy. Through her label, Thakur aims to create a blueprint for a design-driven lifestyle for urban India. “Design Temple was envisioned as a platform to enable wider audiences to connect and engage with contemporary Indian design. Our work is unabashedly informed by our roots and local nuances, but speaks a contemporary language that con-nects with people across the globe,” she explains. “Since the beginning, we have sought to bring democracy to

design by making thoughtfully-designed products avail-able at reasonable prices.”

Design Temple’s witty, informative and impeccably finished creations are captivating – like the mantra match-box, a graphic and symbolic take on contemporary India which won them a commission at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, in 2007.

In 2010, Thakur participated in an all-women’s group show – ‘Her work is never done’ – curated by contem-porary Indian artist Bose Krishnamachari. And, in 2011, she was invited to participate in ‘Wallpaper Handmade’ at the Salone Del Mobile in Milan, Italy. Earlier, she had showcased the unorganised design sector with an exhibition titled ‘Indigenous India’ in 2004, in Milan; and curated ‘Design Temple’s Decade in Design’ at the Bodhi Art Gallery in 2009, in Mumbai.

Disclosing that a lot of her projects are collaborative in nature, she says, “They’re usually also our biggest learning experiences – enjoyable, all-consuming and, at times, thoroughly exasperating! A good example would be our collection of tableware titled ‘Urban Nostalgia’, for which we have had the opportunity to interact with international design collectives such as Droog, Amster-dam, and also work very closely with master craftsmen in Delhi. A complete labour of love, the collection is witness to multiple revisits to the drawing board, trials and errors with prototyping and production; to finally arriving on the shop floor.”

By Maria Louis

DIVYA THAKUR FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR, DESIGN TEMPLE

Project:Urban Indian Nest Collection

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As designers, I believe we design lifestyles – which, in effect, impact the way we live, work, educate or entertain, through the medium of homes, workspaces, institutions, hospitality

For Ekta Parekh (37), design was a career of chance more than choice. “Being a science student with a family background in medicine, the urge was to follow that

professional lineage,” she discloses. “However, I chanced upon giving the entrance exam for architecture due to various stay orders on admissions at the time. Once I tasted the freedom of expression in design in the few weeks I spent in architecture school, there was no turning back.”

Rem Koolhaas was a big inspiration. “His design principles, career growth ideology and image creation of himself and his practice are aspects that I would aspire to have,” she explains. Another inspiration was Ben Van Berkel – for his creative genius, attention to detail and technological innovation.

When RED (Research and Enquiry into Design) started their practice in 2004, the one thing they wanted to keep constant through their ideology was the

concept of change. “Not to have a definitive language to our design process, but to constantly adapt, morph and change the language of our work to accommodate the changing needs of the environment or the client,” elaborates Puri, who is one of four partners – the others being Apoorva Shroff, Maithilli Raut and Rajiv Parekh.

Starting as a two-person team, the firm has grown to include over 30 architects and designers undertak-ing assignments that include product design, interior design, architectural design and urban design. “We strive to find creative and innovative responses that are specific to the site, client and proposed users,” she says. “Our team collaborates with artists, sculptors, product designers, marketing, branding consultants, furniture manufacturers, structural engineers and landscape art-ists on a regular basis. This enriches the design process and adds invaluable insights to what each one brings to the table.”

The architect considers a recently-completed residen-tial project in Alibaug significant for her. She explains why: “The client wanted to build a Spanish hacienda. It forced me to commit to a certain style in architecture, which I had never done before, and then derive the plan and circulation from that theme. It meant study-ing a lot of homes in Spain to make those derivations – but it resulted in a beautiful home which merged the landscape with the interior of the space, blurring the boundaries between the indoors and the outdoors.”

By Maria Louis

EKTA PAREKH PARTNER, RESEARCH AND ENQUIRY INTO DESIGN (RED)

Project:1&2. Sherpalo (India) Advisors, Mumbai

1

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The volumes, the texture, the light, the shadow and the connectivity to the immediate surroundings, play an integral part in the experience of architecture

“Architectural expressions are distilled to capture the essence qualified by space,” says the idealistic young architect Fahad Abdul Majeed while

describing his practice. “We have a multidisciplinary approach to a project. The practice strives for tranquillity qualified by space.”

For this 34-year-old architect hailing from Ernakulam, architecture was a totally unexpected choice, as his liking for cartoons had sparked off his interest in animation. “However, that was not considered a career then,” he laments. This was especially so since he hailed from a family of medical professionals. (In fact, being the first non-medical member of the family, Majeed recalls how his grandmother, who used to be surrounded by medical professionals only, considered him uneducated person!)

A few weeks into the new academic year, a conversa-tion with his school mate and neighbour Dhanya, who had joined an architecture programme, lured him. “I found everything about it interesting,” he recalls. “The fact that you get to travel, work with spaces (which could potentially lead me to animation), shapes and volumes, excited me!”

Majeed studied for his B.Arch at the Bangalore Institute of Technology, after which he also completed a 100-hours certified programme in MP, at the Birla Institute of Fundamental Research of Space Architecture. His profes-sional career started with Leuzinger, Berry & Stettler

Architects, Bengaluru. Later, he moved on to Stapati Ar-chitects of Kozhikode as senior architect. Finally, in 2006, he founded 10 x 10 Design Consultants based in Kochi.

Majeed finds the works of British-born Australian architect Glenn Murchutt inspiring. “His understanding of the surroundings and his response to it was the point of inspiration,” he explains. Likewise, the works of the American sculptor and video artist Richard Serra also influenced him. He got the chance to see an installation of Serra during the early part of his career. The Catalonian (Spanish) architect Antoni Gaudi was also inspiring in terms of detailing and anthropometry.

Among the projects that 10 x 10 Design Consultants have completed so far, Majeed holds significant the Am-icus office, Anzera Villa and the Taj Gateway Deli. “The primary reason is, the solutions that we were able derive had happened because of the trust the client had in us.”

By Renu Ramanath

FAHAD ABDUL MAJEED CHIEF ARCHITECT, 10 X 10 DESIGN CONSULTANTS

Project:1. Taj Gateway Deli, Kochi

2. Anzera Villa

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The world is in a high level of flux, where everything is changing fast. This has made the designer more answerable

Although barely in their 30s, Kanika and Jwalant Mahadevwala have managed to create a diverse portfolio of experience and treasure chest that most young architects

can only hope for. Graduates from Pune University, they summarise their landmark journey from students to architects by saying, “There have been lots of small but significant moments during our college life in India – such as taking part in student competitions, arguing with professors to prove our point and to challenge the norms, leading the College for NASA, moving to London and studying at the Architectural Association School of Architecture. Working for Zaha Hadid and Michael Hopkins made us the professionals we are. Travelling in Europe and doing an overland trip from London to India helped us understand cultures and opened our vision towards the world.”

Jwalant’s father being an architect, his early exposure and fascination for the process of building led him to the profession. For Kanika, her passion for art and math-ematics found its fulfilment in architecture. The duo is deeply influenced by design icons such as Nari Gandhi, Zaha Hadid and Patrick Schumacher. Jwalant speaks ardently of the House by Nari Gandhi in Surat, which influenced his liking towards organic architecture. “His farmhouse in Karjat has been the most memorable architectural and spatial experience in my life. His use of brick to create spaces has been unparallel.,” he says. The two credit andBlack’s attitude to challenge the set notions of space and design, to Hadid and Schumacher.

Speaking about their significant projects, Kanika says, “Bio Pavilion, made of paper tube for Bio Incor-porated, is a remarkable project for us. It is the first paper tube structure in India made for the outdoors. Bamboo Bridge at Kevdi Dam for the Gujarat For-est Department is another landmark project under construction.” The bridge, with its skeletal interiors and homogenous exteriors, makes for an interesting medium to transit from the two sites in the forest.

The distinctive nature of each project comes from a process of exploration and experimentation which, they say, is the backbone of andBlack. Jwalant adds, “Whatever we do, from a chandelier to a bridge, we try and question the basics. andBlack strives to explore every aspect of design from material to spaces and forms. We have been experimenting with generative design processes and computational tools to achieve the complexity we see in forms of nature.”

By Carol Ferrao

KANIKA AND JWALANT MAHADEVWALA PARTNERS, ANDBLACK DESIGN STUDIO

Project:1. Bio Pavilion

2. Bamboo bridge

1

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It’s through the engagement with the city and its dominant types, its most common idea and deep structure, that architecture can attempt to claim a cultural, societal function

Serie Architects is a transcontinental practice that encompasses several countries, and has offices spanning three different countries (India, UK, China) and cultures. Forty-year-old Kapil Gupta,

who works out of his office in Lower Parel, Mumbai, set up his eclectic practice that straddles architecture, design and urbanism, with London-based Chris Lee in 2007.

“Chris and I were flat mates at school,” he discloses. “On many-an-evening, over soggy pizzas in a grotty restaurant in Kilburn, we speculated over the idea of a network practice across different global locations. There was a lot of enthusiasm around this model in the ’90s, when we graduated from the Architectural Association (AA), London, but few other practices survived. Chris wanted to teach and I wanted to build – so it made sense to theorise in London and test these ideas in Asia, where all the opportunities lay.”

Before he went to AA, Gupta graduated from the Sir JJ School of Architecture, Mumbai. “A chance visit to Ahmedabad brought me to the buildings of Corb (Le Corbusier) and (Louis) Kahn. I was instantly hooked to architecture. Among my design icons are Le Corbusier’s Saint Marie de La Tourette near Lyon in France, besides a lot of Chandigarh; and Louis Kahn’s Phillips Exeter Acad-emy and Kimbell Museum (Fort Worth, Texas).”

Serie Architects root their work in a location’s social and cultural context. “This obsession with icons has dis-tanced architecture from any social, cultural or historical relevance, and hence alienated it from the context within

which it is situated – the city,” laments Gupta. The Serie team, on the other hand, derives inspiration from the city. Every city has its own typology – while New York has skyscrapers, the fabric of London is Victorian housing or the row houses. “It’s a process that involves critical reflec-tion, selection and decision making,” he adds.

Putting this in context are their projects: such as the Xi’an Horticulture Expo, an international horticulture event in China which, Gupta says, “is a poignant example of how a historical artefact, can continue to be source of architectural invention and enduring relevance”; the Tote in Mumbai, a restobar that incorporates a series of disused buildings within the racecourse from Mumbai city’s colonial past; and their most recent project, the new Subordinate Courts in Singapore, which Serie Architects won in an international competition. “It re-invents the dominant type of the high-rise by its use for a typically low-rise institutional building like a courthouse. The building appears to be a giant cabinet with exquisite ter-racotta objects placed on its shelves, and airy public areas scattered between,” describes Gupta.

The duo have just begun work on an ashram, and Gupta feels “it’s lovely to work without the burden of commercial constraints, as one finds more design free-dom.” He hopes that the practice will make a contribution to architectural discourse and further the boundaries of disciplinary knowledge. “We are still young, building, writing and theorising,” he concludes. “We have time.”

By Deepali Nandwani

KAPIL GUPTACO-FOUNDER (WITH CHRIS LEE) AND PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT, SERIE ARCHITECTS

Project: Subordinate Courts, Singapore

60_ARC_Mar13_iGen Kapil Gupta.indd 60 04-03-2013 21:07:31

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Architecture and design have always been and will continue to be instrumental in how you live

The built environment intrigued Ketan Chavan as a student. “I loved to draw and sketch famous buildings and structures with all details. It seemed like a natural extension to

pursue this passion into a career,” says architect Ketan Chavan, who did his B.Arch from the Sir JJ College of Architecture in Mumbai.

Various genres of design inspired Chavan over the years. As a student, he found Charles Correa inspiring, especially the Kanchenjunga building in Mumbai with its clean lines and defined form. After completing his degree, his journey in architecture began with a stint at Ratan J Batliboi. Chavan believes that it was here that his sense of design, which defines his work, developed – espe-cially interior design projects. “I started my practice with architect Christopher Liang in 2000 as KCL-Design and Architecture,” says the 40-year-old architect.

KCL believes that good design is when the end prod-uct is fully responsive and sensitive to both the client and his environment. “Simplicity and functionality are the two driving factors in all our designs,” says Chavan. This belief is reflected in the interior design at the Tata Inter-national Visitor Experience in Mumbai, and the design of the Quarantine building for the first of its kind bio-med-ical facility, a Government of India project undertaken in collaboration with the Office of AIDS Research, USA.

In 2003, KCL was associated with the German mul-tinational company, Hafele, by designing their flagship design studio in Delhi. “We developed the complete cor-porate identity design for their franchise stores, and have

successfully established 48 such stores in India, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka,” says Chavan.

Innovations and new products always impact human life, and Chavan feels this could be something as simple as soft closing of the kitchen drawers or creation of scenes through automation by integration of lighting, shading and technology. “New materials that reduce the environmental impact of the building industry and save energy are preferred, as these allow designers to choose a more eco-friendly alternative to conventional materi-als,” he explains.

Chavan believes that spaces are created through minimalistic intervention, and this results in a true masterpiece. “I admire the works of Frank Gehry and his landmark structure, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.” Unconventional materials and the latest technology in engineering turn a building into a sculpture, he adds, disclosing that his other favourites are Santiago Calatrava and Geoffrey Bawa.

By Aruna Rathod

KETAN NARAYAN CHAVANPRINCIPAL ARCHITECT, KCL-DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE

Project: 1. Bungalow, Goa2. Mr Wolf Home

1

2

62_ARC_Mar13_iGen Ketan Narayan Chavan.indd 62 04-03-2013 21:08:27

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064

Gen2013

If architects do not think about light, the way air flows through a space, and the way a person moves through a space, then the quality of that space could be quite inferior

Kohelika Kohli grew up in her mother Sunita Kohli’s design studio, spending her after-school hours playing with triangle rulers, protractors and colour pencils. “I watched

with fascination the emergence of whole architectural interiors through the many lines of one point and three point perspectives being drawn,” she discloses. “At this point, I was open to discovering the possibilities of what I wanted I do when I grew up – wondering if I should be an astronaut or a professional show jumper.”

At the age of 12, she accompanied her mother on one of her work trips to Goa. “My mother had this bright idea of driving to Vijaynagar. The amazing topography of huge granite bolders strewn over the landscape, was almost primordial,” recalls the 33-year-old architect. “When we arrived at the great medieval city of Vijaynagar, I was in awe. It was here that architecture found me!”

This five-time national equestrian champion finds inspiration even while diving in the ocean or riding through a forest. “Everything has its own rhythms and sounds. When one slows down to experience them, one realises how the simplest things can inspire,” says the youngster who enjoys contemporary architecture as well as Mughal and Ottoman architecture. “I like the works of Renzo Piano, Barragan and Daniel Libeskind. While travelling through Italy, I discovered the work of Carlo Scarpa – which has been a huge inspiration.”

Kohli believes that the job of an architect or designer cannot be based only on one’s credentials. She accords an

equally important role to one’s experiences and expo-sure to people, places and cultures. At 17, she went to Millfield School in Somerset, UK, to do her A-levels. After Millfield, she received her formal education as an archi-tect from the Pratt Institute of Design in New York and graduated in May 2004. She interned for the summer of her second year at the firm of Sir Norman Foster. There, she worked on three projects: the competition for the inte-riors of the roof-top restaurant of the Swiss Re Headquar-ters, City of London; the early stages of the Hearst Tower in mid-town Manhattan, New York, USA; and the ‘Foster Extension’ of IM Pei’s East Wing at the Boston Fine Arts Museum, Massachusetts, USA.

Disclosing that her first semester design professor at Pratt played a huge role in her becoming an architect, Kohli explains, “He introduced me the work of Alberto Giacometti, and truly opened the window of what archi-tecture is and how one could make architecture out of the simplest object found in nature. One sees this in Gaudi’s work all the time.”

After graduation, Kohli returned to India and, in 2004, started her own architectural firm, Kohelika Kohli Archi-tects. Since 1999, she has been a director in her mother’s company, and is now the MD. The research-based design practice specialises in the design of public buildings and the restoration of heritage properties. She also develops contemporary furniture for homes and hotels under sister companies – Sunita Kohli & Company and K2India.

By Maria Louis

KOHELIKA KOHLIMANAGING DIRECTOR, SUNITA KOHLI INTERIOR DESIGNS

Project:Living -room at a residence in Jorbagh, New Delhi

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We are many a times a mere reflection of the spaces that we are surrounded by

The young architect couple, Lijo Jos (36) and Reny Lijo (32), consider themselves both architects and artists. “We regard ourselves as architects by profession and artists by passion,

trying to strike a balance in the way we practise,” they point out. A rightful claim, as Lijo.Reny Architects has around a dozen exhibitions to their credit so far.

No wonder, then, that for them their projects go beyond mere buildings. This is reflected in the duo’s approach to the past, a significant subject as far as the architectural practice is concerned in India, and especially so in Kerala. “Taking inspiration from the past is fine, but replicating images from the past for the sake of nostalgia could just arrest growth,” these architects remind them-selves constantly.

Lijo’s affair with art started early, but his academic choice was architecture. A visit during his student days to an exhibition of German art in Bengaluru, hosted by Max Mueller Bhavan at the Siddaganga Institute of Tech-nology, Tumkur, Karnataka, changed his approach to architecture. A small work by the legendary artist Joseph Beuys transformed him. The first work he did after finish-ing his studies was not architecture, but art. ‘Whirlpool of Life’, a large installation with school benches and desks forming a large spiral pathway on a mini football field, led to several art projects in Thrissur, his home town – though most of it was not understood by the local public.

He joined Team Plus Architects, Thrissur, in 2001 and formed Lijo.Reny Architects with Reny in 2005.

Reny, who holds a B.Arch from BVBCET, Hubli (Kar-nataka), trained at Gayathri and Namith Associates in Bengaluru before joining Team Plus Architects in 2003. Being the daughter of a structural engineer, architec-ture became a natural choice for her; and Frank Llyod Wright, Philip Johnson, Luis Barragan and Marcio Kogan were her inspirations.

Reny considers Lijo as her mentor and influence, ever since they met at Team Plus Architects. Naturally, he introduced her to the practice of art as well. The couple has won many awards, including the IIA Kerala Chapter Award for Excellence in Architecture (2007) and the JK State Architect of the Year Award (2008) for their very first project.

A recent project, The Running Wall Residence, brought them two awards: the All India Stone Archi-tectural Awards (2012) and the Golden Leaf at the IIA Kerala Chapter Award for Excellence in Architecture (2012). A tireless organiser, Lijo has also been instru-mental in organising many events in Thrissur related to architecture and art, including ‘Vanishing Identities’, a one-day seminar for IIA Thrissur Centre (2010); ‘Land-scape in Transition’, a one-day seminar for IIA Thrissur Centre (2011); and a painters’ camp cum exhibition titled ‘Landscape in Transition’ for the IIA Thrissur Centre (2011). He was also the co-director of ‘Residence Next’, the international design workshop organised by IIA Thrissur Centre in September 2012.

By Renu Ramanath

LIJO JOS AND RENY LIJO FOUNDERS, LIJO.RENY ARCHITECTS

Project:The Running Wall residence, Kannur

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To create infrastructure for a city, urban planning is a must. Architecture and design is the blueprint of space – from a room to a town to a project plan for an industry

As a child, Manasi Manjrekar (24) was mesmerised by creativity. Yet, she didn’t know she wanted to be a product designer until six months before she joined university

in New York. “I attended architecture college in India for a week, but quit when I realised I didn’t want to design buildings all my life,” she says. “I wanted a creative profession, but didn’t know that it was called product/industrial design. I give credit to my brain’s sharp right hemisphere, for making product design my career.”

Manjrekar studied industrial design at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), New York, USA, and The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen, Denmark. She has been in awe of Charles Macintosh, Frank Lloyd Wright and Steve Jobs. Today, she looks up to maverick French designer Philippe Starck and the Guggenheim Museum in New York. “The out-of-the-box experience that they provide is what tickles me as a designer,” she explains.

During her first year at college, while in the 3D class, the young designer was handed a glue gun, “I had no clue what it was or how it worked,” she recalls. “Strange-ly, it was manufactured by another South-East Asian country. Next, I observed that all the pothole lids were made in India. I realised that our country is surrounded by the same amnesties that the West relishes – but due to lack of transparency, we are deprived of them.”

Insisting that design is not just about creating products, but about problem solving and creative thinking, she dis-closes that she decided that some day she “would like to

be able to help another young Manasi to understand and learn topnotch design principles right here in India.” She decided to return to India and start her own company.

From designing medical equipment, to a robot that spreads the message of sustainability, to a smart helmet for better road sharing, to building concept products such as custom furniture, lighting and, now, theme-based art installations – Manjrekar has done them all. “I’ve been blessed with landmark progress in my professional life within a short span,” says the designer-entrepreneur who opened Confluence Elite – the Concept Store at the age of 23. Her latest project is playing the role of a multimedia artist and creating art exhibits.

Among the first designs that Manjrekar worked on were the Plectrum and KBH, that were inspired by music. While studying design in the USA, Manjrekar’s professors would ask the students to make 50 designs a day, toss them all out and then scavenge in the bin to find the best ones. “They did so to make us realise two cardinal rules of product design: 1. Don’t fall in love with your designs, be practical; and 2. As designers, we must provide for the customer a well-engineered product that is high in aesthetics (designer = engineer + artist + swag),” she analyses. And from her Scandinavian schooling, she learnt the golden Shaker-Principle of design: “Don’t make something unless it is both necessary and useful; but if it is necessary and useful, don’t hesitate to make it beauti-ful.” While designing products – furniture, lighting or art exhibits – these are lessons she abides by.

By Maria Louis

MANASI MANJREKAR FOUNDER DIRECTOR, CONFLUENCE ELITE DESIGNS

Project:Perspektiv

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Architecture has the potential to change the way people live. Great spaces uplift you, but ordinary ones can wear you out

“Love of aesthetics was ingrained in my psyche since childhood. The built form interested me a lot,” says Manjunath Hathwar (36), an alumnus

of the Sir JJ College of Architecture, Mumbai. His earliest memories of great architecture were during a visit to Rajasthan as a child, where the ancient designs captured his imagination. “Later, when I was around 13, a television series called ‘Architecture at the Crossroads’ helped me make up my mind and showed me that an architect’s creativity knows no bounds. My father made it a point to provide a steady supply of all the design publications available at that time, which served to whet my appetite for architecture,” recalls the young architect.

After gaining enough experience, Hathwar, along with partner Ashutosh Wad, set up Space Dynamix as a partnership firm. The duo looks at every project as a challenge. “A 5,000sq-ft bungalow in Nasik was our first completed standalone architectural project, and was sig-nificant in breaking the ground,” he says.”A fine dining restaurant, completed recently, is our first step into the hospitality segment.”

The firm believes in a functional approach to aesthet-ics, leading to an Indian interpretation of the minimalist idiom. “This forms the basis of the design philosophy of our practice; and is interpreted in the form of clean lines and clearly delineated masses, with the predominant use of natural materials,” he says.

Hathwar finds inspiration in the Kanchenjunga build-ing designed by Charles Correa and the Lloyd’s building by Richard Rogers (‘great industrial detailing and form’). “Great international masters, Norman Foster in particu-lar, show us how to run big practices without dilution of design intent and philosophy. This is something worth learning and emulating,” he adds.

As students of architecture, the exposure they gained through NASA meets was invaluable in acquiring knowledge beyond individual work to actual goings-on in the professional world. “A journey that a group of us undertook right after our thesis, to the North-East of India for almost a month, was an eye-opener in terms of understanding how people around the country live, and the differences and similarities that bind us together. It was an invaluable life experience in terms of surviving on our own as grown-up citizens in this world.”

In the last six years, the firm has completed more than 3,00,000sq-ft of commercial interiors and numerous residences, and is working on around 10,00,000sq-ft of architectural projects that are under planning/construc-tion. “The focus of our firm is to provide a complete design solution with emphasis on satisfying client requirements in a unique and distinctive manner, amal-gamating the various design elements into a homog-enous ‘whole’ in a minimalist and contemporary idiom while also incorporating the latest that technology has to offer us,” he concludes.

By Aruna Rathod

MANJUNATH HATHWAR PARTNER, SPACE DYNAMIX

Project:Omkar Alta Monte, Mumbai

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Architecture is important to our everyday lives. On a broader perspective, it reflects and even inspires new perceptions and appreciation of our physical environment

Intrigued by a profession that offers an opportunity for people to interact and react to what is created, Neemesh Shah decided to explore it further. “Architecture is a profession

where you can realise your imagination into actuality,” believes the 39-year-old architect. Since his father is from a design background, occasional site visits underlined the difference that design made. Added to that, a couple of trips abroad introduced him to the systematic planning and approach applied there compared to what was prevalent in India. “I realised that we require a change, and design was the field that would allow me to express and contribute to this change,” he declares.

Inspired by Catalan architect Antonio Gaudi (“for his flair, his experimentation and his famous master-piece, la Sagrada Familia – a large Roman Catholic church in Barcelona, Spain”) and Frank Lloyd Wright (“for the sheer canvas of his work and the variety he practised”), Shah is moved by both – Wright’s Falling-water and Guggenheim Museum.

While he was studying at the Academy of Architec-ture in Mumbai, Shah met his partners, 40-year-old Kanhai Gandhi and Shresht Kashyap. The three got along well in college and, after they graduated, Shah worked with Rumy Shroff & Associates; Gandhi

worked with Hoon Design; and Kashyap worked with TP Associates. But when there was an opportu-nity to work together on a project, the three friends immediately grabbed it. “One project led to another and, before we knew it, KNS Architects was formed in 1997,” recounts Shah.

KNS Architects is a multi-disciplinary firm that offers comprehensive solutions in three verticals: architecture, interior design and retail design. The company believes that everything they design has to evoke a reaction and response from the end user. “All our designs are a reflection of the end user rather than an imprint of KNS,” they emphasise. “We try not to have a defining element of design that ties our projects together. We believe that our working tool is a powerful medium, and we realise that it has to be used in a creative yet judicious way.”

For this trio of friends turned partners, every proj-ect is significant as it is new; and the fact that they are creating something from nothing makes it exciting. “As a firm, we cherish the experience that each site has to offer,” they disclose. Among the projects that have got KNS Architects recognition recently, are an apartment in Beaumonde (which received an interna-tional award) and The Mall in Aurangabad.

By Maria Louis

NEEMESH SHAH, KANHAI GANDHI, SHRESHT KASHYAPDIRECTORS, KNS ARCHITECTS

Project:Ren Nightclub,Mumbai

74_ARC_Mar13_iGen Neemesh Shah.indd 74 04-03-2013 21:13:45


076

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Architecture dies a natural death when it does not address issues correctly, when priorities are misplaced and when the architect’s ego takes over his sensibility

Niranjan Das Sharma (39) believes that successful architecture should stand the test of time. He also holds that it can survive only if it is efficient by

every means. “When it successfully contains the programme and adapts with it, when it can survive the elements and co-exist with context, the design becomes successful.”

This Kollam-based architect is constantly explor-ing designs which are efficient by way of an appro-priate response to climate, topography, cultural and social changes, economy, etc.

Sharma, who holds a B.Arch from TKM Engi-neering College, Kollam, says that he was looking forward to becoming a product designer rather than an architect. But an all country tour, that he under-took towards the end of the course, led to relentless introspection and the realisation of how profoundly architecture influences people and their lives. “More than architects, it is architecture which inspired me to pursue it as a career,” he maintains.

It was those journeys that showed him how architecture took its form, from the subtle Kerala architecture to the monumental edifices of Rajasthan. “I was seeing architecture without architects, and ar-chitecture by architects. It was truly inspiring to see how architects like Hassan Fathy and Laurie Baker transformed the lives of common people through de-

sign interventions. How they interpreted the context, local skills and materials while creating a space that they felt as their own.”

He holds Le Corbusier’s Chapel of Notre Dame de Haut and Jean Nouval’s Arabic Cultural Centre of France as influential structures for him.

Sharma has also won a PG Diploma in traditional architecture from Vastu Vidya Gurukulam, Aranmu-la. Later, he worked with leading architects includ-ing Gerard de Cunha, Architecture Autonomous, Goa; Prof. Eugine Pandala, Kollam; Ramesh Thara-kan and Jacob George, Design Combine, Kochi; be-fore starting his own firm, The Design Tree in 2001. He has worked mostly on residences, and several of his residences were featured in magazines. Dr. Saju’s residence at Vengara, Malappuram won him the Idea Dream Home Season 2 Best Home Award (TV programme by Asianet and Idea, 2010). Another milestone in his career is meeting two young archi-tects, Rajasekharan and Kunjan Garg, with whom he plans to form a new firm in the near future.

For Sharma, design is something that responds to climate, topography, cultural and social changes as well as economy. He points out how his own concept of roofs has changed from flat to sloping and back to flat during his career, as his explorations into the local context and economical and environmental factors progressed.

By Renu Ramanath

NIRANJAN DAS SHARMAFOUNDER, THE DESIGN TREE

Project:Memana House, Dr. Saju’s residence, Malappuram

76_ARC_Mar13_iGen Niranjan Das.indd 76 04-03-2013 21:14:35


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Gen2013

Architecture is the one field that has a direct bearing on people and their lives. This is especially so today, when there is a greater need for responsive architecture and urban design

It was the beauty of vernacular Indian architecture, particularly of the Malabar region, that drew Poonam Noufal (33) to architecture during her childhood days. “This inspired an urge to explore

and learn in detail about architecture,” says Noufal, who hails from the Malabar region of Kerala.

It was the inherent beauty and logic of the Malabar architecture she experienced that prompted her to take up architecture as a career, states this young architect based in Kozhikode. “I was always fascinated by architecture that responded to the local context in a deep way,” she says. No wonder, she considers the works of architects Laurie Baker, Hasan Fathy, BV Doshi, Geoffrey Bawa and Tony Joseph remarkable for their responsiveness to the context, including the people and the climate.

After completing her B.Arch from the MES College of Architecture, Kuttippuram, she joined Stapati Architects (set up by Tony Joseph) in Kozhikode in 2004 .

Currently an associate architect with the firm, Noufal regards the practical training at Stapati as a defining event in her career. “Those six months really moulded me into who I am today,” she maintains. It was a steep learning curve, she believes, where she was really exposed to what true and timeless architecture is.

“At Stapati, we believe that if we’re true to ourselves and to the land, the projects become sustainable by them-selves.” This is a design principle that Noufal shares with the rest of the firm. “Our designs interpret traditional architecture in modern vocabulary, but with the local con-

text as a major generator,” she discloses.Among the projects that she considers significant is

Harithavidya in Thamarassery, a rural training institute for sustainable farming practices that Stapati completed recently. “This was especially interesting for the innova-tive response to the sloping site with minimal interven-tion on land, use of alternate materials like compressed mud blocks, filler slabs, etc, creating a very sustainable space which has been well received,” she adds. This proj-ect also received the IIA Silver Leaf Award for Excellence in Architecture 2012 for Public Building Category. Other significant projects are Round Island Resort at Seychelles and a residence for Jose Joseph at Kozhikode.

By Renu Ramanath

POONAM NOUFALASSOCIATE ARCHITECT, STAPATI

Project:1. Harithavidya, Wayanad

2. Residence for Mr. Jose Joseph, Calicut

1

2

78_ARC_Mar13_iGen Poonam Noufal.indd 78 04-03-2013 21:15:17


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Gen2013

Good infrastructure promotes prosperity. But even the way we design neighbourhoods and buildings, and how we utilise the built space, can have larger consequences on the world

As the daughter of the founders of Amar Builders, one of the leading real estate companies in Pune, Pritika Kinra (34) grew up with a keen understanding of the

construction industry. While Kinra was fascinated by both science and arts, she was academically inclined towards science and out-of-the-box thinking. She recalls, “I looked out for a profession with a balanced approach towards creative thinking and the applied sciences, and I found that the profession of architecture matched both these parameters.”

Kinra’s architect uncle was her role model, and as a child she had the privilege to closely witness how busi-ness is done in the construction as well as the architecture industry. What she found common between the two was that, despite back-breaking hard work, stringent deadlines, and a lot of mental pressure, at the end of the day, everyone would have a satisfied look on their faces on seeing a completed and well-finished product.

While doing her B.Arch at the Dr Bhanuben Nana-vati College of Architecture for Women (BNCA), in her fourth year she went to the California Polytechnic State University for an architecture exchange programme. “ It widened my horizons and changed my perception, giv-ing it a new dimension. I was lucky to get such a global exposure. The manner in which architecture is taught in the West is very different from that in India.”

Kinra moved to California in 2003 and joined Archevon – an architecture firm engaged in designing large-format

custom homes of approximately 30,000sq-ft for high-profile clients, private schools and hospitals.

“Everything that I have learned about design, leader-ship, client management and satisfaction, I owe to my tenure at Archevon,” she says.

Another landmark was when she set up Moco Design Studio, over six years ago. “It was a new role for me, and the challenge was to find a team that shares similar pas-sions and goals,” she adds.

“We strive to realise the client’s needs and exceed expectations by delivering unparalleled design solutions with a commitment to quality services,” she maintains. “Architecture is our passion, identity and way of life. We are aware of our responsibilities towards the environment and promise a sustainable architecture. With a strong bias towards the ‘Less is More’ philosophy, ours is a minimal-istic approach to design.”

Kinra believes that any project, regardless of how big or small it may be, shapes you as an architect. One of her most significant projects is Manhattan, a super-luxury residential project. “It is very close to my heart, as it was my first project after I relocated to Pune,” she explains.

Another is Amar Landmark, an IGBC (Indian Green Building Council)-rated, 70m super-highrise building. Also important is a project in the commercial segment – the Montreal Business Centre, which won the AESA (Architects, Engineers & Surveyors’ Association) for being the best building under the non-residential category.

By Maria Louis

PRITIKA KINRAFOUNDER AND PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT, MOCO DESIGN STUDIO

Project:Manhattan, Pune

80_ARC_Mar13_iGen Pritika Kinra.indd 80 04-03-2013 21:18:59


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Gen2013

At an everyday level, the environment we live, work and play in, plays a crucial role in shaping our experiences. As designers, we have the opportunity to shape these spaces

It’s rare to stumble upon an architect whose work experience includes a few years spent soaking in inspiration from legends whose architectural practice differ because of their differing

geographical locations and design philosophy. Which is why, you are left bemused by Quaid Doongerwala’s resume. A graduate of the School of Architecture, CEPT, Ahmedabad, he trained with Geoffrey Bawa (from balmy Sri Lanka, whose architecture was redolent of his home country’s climate, landscape and culture, and left a lasting influence on contemporary tropical architectural style); Mumbai native Rahul Mehrotra (an urbanist whose design solutions involve innovatively recycling meagre space and master planning cities), and designer Andrea Anastasio (who spent a large part of his adult life in India and has documented Islamic architecture for UNESCO). Doongerwala also put in almost a year as an exchange student at TU Delft in the Netherlands, where “you had the shadow of Rem Koolhaas very strongly.”

Shilpa Ranade (40), much like Doongerwala, graduated from CEPT and went on to do her MA in Cultural Studies at the University of Arizona. Back home, she too worked with Mehrotra before establishing DCOOP with Doongerwala. An associ-ate with Partners for Urban Knowledge, Action and Research (PUKAR), she enjoys projects that involve design and research.

This wonderful marriage of culture, architecture

and art informs the work of DCOOP, the eclectic ar-chitectural studio that the duo runs in Mumbai. While they began working together in 2000, the firm was formally established in 2003. Their vast experience in India and abroad helps the two architects to under-stand the needs of a rapidly globalising India.

Research is the bedrock on which both these young architects lean heavily. “Independent research and our involvement with sociological and planning issues of urban India has given us a positive inter-disciplinary grounding and a critical edge,” maintains Doongerwala, who has worked on an entire gamut of non-architectural projects too – such as urban docu-mentation, art installation and exhibition design.

“We aim at bridging the gap that exists between the concerns of ‘pure’ design, the contingencies of construction, and a sensitive approach to the user’s requirement,” discloses the architect. “At the core is our belief that architecture should be constructed well, function well, and look and feel beautiful.”

Among the projects that have given them the freedom to push thought boundaries is the Ensemble office in Mumbai, Indigo I, the School of Sciences, the Cudappah hostel blocks and guesthouse, and Kenbridge Schools. “DCOOP evolved organically; and we would be happy to let it continue doing so, as long as it supports our quest for architectural nirvana,” he adds.

By Deepali Nandwani

QUAID DOONGERWALA & SHILPA RANADE PRINCIPAL ARCHITECTS, DCOOP

Project:Cuddapah University,Andhra Pradesh

82_ARC_Mar13_iGen Quaid Doongerwala and Shilpa Ranade.indd 82 04-03-2013 21:19:37


084

Gen2013

A well-designed house or work space can result in happier people and increased productivity. However, as architects, we do not overstate the importance of buildings

An architect by accident, Rajiv D’Silva (37) grew to love the profession as he got more involved with it. “My mother was keen that I become an architect.

Besides that, after my first visit to the Goa College of Architecture, I was hooked. The people I met there were unbelievably cool, and the vibes on campus were very different from that of any other kind of educational institute there,” recalls D’Silva. Another reason for this accident turning into a love affair could be the inspirations from Laurie Baker’s ‘down-to-earth approach to architecture’, Frank Lloyd Wright’s ‘blend of modernity and tradition’ and Frank Gehry’s ‘cutting-edge design.’ Additionally, he was impressed by many of India’s monuments – forts, palaces, temples – and considers them as a constant source of inspiration. “They were so ahead of their time,” he remarks.

Of all the decisions he has made, the most important one, according to him, was the decision to not go abroad like most Goan architects, but to establish a practice in Goa despite the many chal-lenges. That was the beginning of architectureR/T, a firm co-founded with Tallulah D’silva in 2001 and where he is known as a ‘man of varied interests’. He believes that a day in which he doesn’t do several different things at once is a day wasted. Hence, it is

no surprise that besides a thriving architectural prac-tice in Goa, he helps run Goa’s only quizzing club, moderates multiple internet groups, is a partner in a firm that publishes two Goa-centric magazines, and travels around the country trying to win quizzes.

Despite the varied engagements, D’Silva has man-aged to endow the Goan landscape with impres-sive structures. The design stems from the firm’s work philosophy: simplicity, through which the building expresses itself while keeping it contex-tual and sensitive to the environment. One project that embodies this philosophy is the Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Chapel at Canacona. Talking about this defining project, D’Silva says, “It was our first experience of working with a community rather than a single client, and the building turned out very close to how we had conceived it. It also gained us much peer appreciation and our first award: the All India Stone Architecture Award 2012.” The serenity of this chapel is multiplied by the warmth generated from the stone architecture and the beautiful play of natural light.

Fully aware that architecture has its limitations, D’Silva focuses on its tangible aspects. Hence, he designs with subtlety and without compromising his ideals. In sum, he designs harmoniously.

By Carol Ferrao

RAJIV D’SILVAPARTNER, ARCHITECTURE R/T

Project:Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Chapel, Canacona

84_ARC_Mar13_iGen Rajiv D’silva-partner.indd 84 04-03-2013 21:20:27


086

Gen2013

Each of us works in a particular way and is a result of the surrounding environment. To me, that is architecture and design influencing us at every stage of our existence

From the time he was in school, Rajiv Parekh (37) was absorbed by the idea of the physical act of creation. Since St Mary’s School, where he studied, offered carpentry workshop as

an optional class, he enjoyed experimenting with it. “I realised that seeing my idea take physical form was the most rewarding thing for me – so my options were to either become a sculptor or an architect,” says Parekh, who did his B.Arch from KRVIA (Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute of Architecture).

His parents played a huge part in influencing Parekh “to walk the talk” and, in spite of having no background in architecture or any related field, they supported his choices. “Once, my mom saw me try-ing to build a model of a tree, attempting to figure out how to build each branch and leaf. She said to me, ‘you cannot actually see every branch and every leaf… why don’t you represent what you can see as the essence of the tree?’,” he recalls.

Parekh is inspired by Arthur Fry, the designer of the ‘post it’; Tadao Ando (“his church of light and church on water are etched into my being as examples of how it is not necessary to make a big noise to be heard”); and Walter Hunt, who designed the safety pin out of bent wire to help pay a debt of $15; and then sold it for $400 (“sometimes an idea that comes easily to you is undervalued, yet so brilliant”).

Among the landmarks in Parekh’s career was his Master’s in Architecture at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, where he learned about Gilles Deleuze. “His writings influence how I approach architec-ture,” he says. Learning film making with a camera taught him how space was experienced in films, while photography showed him how it should be photographed. But the decision to start his own firm in Mumbai in 2004 with his wife Ekta, rather than in New York with his boss, was the most decisive land-mark in his architectural journey.

The four partners of RED (Apoorva Shroff, Maithilli Raut, Ekta Parekh and Rajiv Parekh) believe that perception is king. “The idea that individuals experi-ence space differently based on their state of mind, personal biases, moods, previous experiences, body temperature, smells, association with smells, etc, has been the guiding force in how we approach all our projects and design endeavours,” he declares.

Among the significant projects of this firm are rural schools for a charitable trust, educational campus design, Red Chillies production’s office building as well as interior design, and a large-scale residence of 40,000sq-ft for a single family. Fortunately, in all these cases, RED was blessed with clients who were sup-portive of their design choices._

By Maria Louis

RAJIV PAREKH PARTNER, RESEARCH AND ENQUIRY INTO DESIGN (RED)

Project:Office, Worli

86_ARC_Mar13_iGen Rajiv Parekh.indd 86 04-03-2013 21:21:39

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090

Gen2013

Architecture and design have an emotional impact on people, and can change the way one perceives things. It helps in redesigning the future!

Rishita Das (24) believes that architecture and design have an emotional impact on people and can change the way one perceives things. Das, currently the

associate partner along with Rushda Hakim, of the nascent interior design firm Design Office, based in Mumbai, has received her diploma in interior design from the Rachana Sansad School of Interior Design in 2009.

She further honed her design skills while working with MO-OF (which is headed by Shantanu Poredi and Manisha Agarwal) for four years, before she became the co-founder and partner of Design Office. At this young age, she is even a visiting faculty at the Rachana Sansad School of Interior Design.

The one thing that Das highly admires among architects and designers is their ability to get a design built in the precise way in which it was envisioned.

Often, there are many things that work against de-sign, including an uninformed client, bad contractor, building codes, etc. So, for her, the real challenge is to creatively evolve solutions that could overcome these hurdles and yet manage to retain the original design that had been envisaged.

For such determined ambitions, she draws inspira-tion from Tadao Ando and Philippe Starck, who truly believe in making a difference and have been more than successful in carrying out their actual designs.

The design approach she follows is to balance the edgy and the elegant. All her projects, even when executed in a modern style, have a definite twist that lucidly defines her flair for stylish design, as she makes a conscious effort not to have any singular style repetition.

She is as honest in person as she is in her designs, when she states that despite being passionate about design, she started off as a naive businesswoman.

Launching her own firm, along with her partner, at such an early stage of her career, has certainly been an important landmark on a thrilling journey for her.

One of her significant projects is also the very first one – the Bhargava residence, which has exquisite detailing using lots of wood, stone and mirror. And the lighting design turned out exactly as she wanted.

Another significant project for her was the Shan-tanu Nikhil store in Mumbai. Not only was she given complete creative freedom, but she also gained valuable experience in retail design. The splendid outcome of the design store pleased not only herself, but also the clients – as the duo was given another Shantanu Nikhil store to design in Hyderabad, con-firming their success in designing the first one.

It is this boundless passion for design, along with her ambitious aspirations, that will help take this enthusias-tic young designer to great levels of achievement.

By Shreeta Nair

RISHITA DAS PARTNER, DESIGN OFFICE

Project:Bhargava residence, Mumbai

90_ARC_Mar13_iGen Rishita Das.indd 90 04-03-2013 21:22:42


092

Gen2013

Architecture and design is livable art. It affects us in many ways, from providing basic comfort to affecting our psyche

Partner and co-founder of the fairly young Mumbai-based design firm Design Office, Rushda Hakim (24) belongs to the rising generation of designers who perceive the

essence of design beyond its conventional boundaries. Interestingly, hailing from a background of doc-

tors and engineers, Hakim was inclined towards the creative arts since her early childhood and, so, when it came to choosing a career for herself, it was a pick between fashion and interiors. Securing the second rank in the entrance exam made the decision easy for her and, since then, there has been no looking back.

She received her interior design diploma from the Rachana Sansad School of Interior Design in 2009, followed by a short course on interior styling from Central St. Martin’s College of Art and Design in London, which succeeded in enriching her design skills further.

Hakim believes that ‘architecture and design are livable art’ and, very often, particularly in India, inte-rior design and styling does not get its due credit. The interiors of any architectural space clearly define the users’ ethos, speaking volumes about the personality of the people who own/use it. Comprehending this significance of interior design and styling in today’s architectural world, she strives to achieve aesthetic excellence in all her design projects. Hakim’s growing client list, that includes the likes of Foxymoron and Shantanu & Nikhil, is evidence of her success in her endeavours. Her projects exude a distinctive style statement – be it a luxurious penthouse, a delightful

holiday villa, vibrant office workspaces or a designer boutique – effortlessly blending stark minimalism and ornate classical design without overwhelming either approach.

Her design mantra is to strike the right balance between these two design modes. Like any architect/designer, both inspiration and admiration are the constant muses that aid in beginning, continuing and concluding the design process. For Hakim, British interior designer Kelly Hoppen and, closer home, Pro-nit Nath (whom she has had the opportunity to work with) have been key influences. In fact, she claims that everything she knows regarding design has been taught by her mentor.

Hakim asserts that every single project done by Design Office has been significant and enlightening in its own way, as she learnt something new each time. Aside from residential interiors that range from mini-malist modern to opulent luxury, she has also worked on commercial as well as retail design. “The FoxyMo-ron offices were significant because we were working on a time, space and budget crunch,” she discloses. “The Shantanu & Nikhil stores also taught us a great deal on executing retail design.” Each project had been able to enrich her knowledge and expand her horizons of conceptual design spaces.Sharing her love for design with her associate Rishita Das, together they nurture an energetic design studio armed with firm principles, innovative designs and passionate endeavour.

By Shreeta Nair

RUSHDA HAKIM PARTNER, DESIGN OFFICE

Project:Shantanu and Nikhil, Hyderabad

92_ARC_Mar13_iGen Rushda Hakim.indd 92 04-03-2013 21:23:23

Untitled-1 80 3/4/2013 4:29:26 PM


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Gen2013

A successful design is one where people can get along; a place where people get together to live and work harmoniously. As architects, it is essential that we go beyond the superficial and try the difficult – to design for people

“Design is our passion, and we have fun with it,” says the 34-year-old architect duo who started Studio Osmosis in 2010.

The couple draws inspiration from design icons such as Frank Lloyd Wright, for his meticulous and clean design; Mies van der Rohe, for coining the phrase ‘less is more’; Frank Gehry and Zaha Hadid, for demonstrating how to break the norms of logic, reason and gravity. “Studying architecture has been an enriching experience. Every architect or project had a story to tell. Every year, there was a new inspiration, a new language to learn and a new genre to follow,” recounts an excited Sameer.

The naive students, eager to learn what architec-ture was about, crossed a number of landmarks to get to be entrepreneurs after 17 years. Together, they did their GD.Arch from Academy of Architecture, Mumbai, after which Sameer pursued a post-graduate degree at LEED AP, USA; while Shipa did her Mas-ter’s degree specialising in Healthcare Design. The couple travelled across almost every state, and drove more than 5,000 miles, to witness some of the most amazing architecture in America. After five years of work with eminent architects, they decided to return to India. Their dream, to start an organisation where work is fun and inspiring, laid the cornerstone for the

founding of their design firm.Studio Osmosis, the literal meaning of the words,

forms the philosophy of the firm. Studio - not an office and definitely not a corporate firm. It is casual, fun and a relaxed workspace. It’s a space where designs are discussed, transformed and created. Osmosis - a synthesis which indicates permeation of thought process and ideas.

Transforming this philosophy into their work, the Balvallys have worked on some interesting projects – among them the head office of Nahar Builders in South Mumbai, where they had to collaborate with an eminent designer while mediating with the clients and fulfilling their requirements. “This is the project where we learnt the essentials of project coordination and project controls,” acknowledges Shilpa.

Since inception, the firm has designed, created and continue to create spaces that are fun to live in. One interesting and challenging project was the design of their own home. “Our home was to be fresh, full of warmth yet dramatic; a story teller, an experience, and an inspiration for ourselves,” shares Sameer. The space is a reflection of their love for travelling and photography, and is still compact, organised and clutter-free. It is a home filled with the experience of emotions and stories.

By Natasha Bohra

SAMEER BALVALLY AND SHILPA JAIN BALVALLYPRINCIPAL ARCHITECTS, STUDIO OSMOSIS

Project:Punjab Grill, Pune

94_ARC_Mar13_iGen Sameer Balvally and Shilpa Jain Balvally.indd 94 04-03-2013 21:24:34

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096

Gen2013

The surroundings can give a positive vibe to the things you do, hence architecture can change the way we live

An architect/designer must constantly keep re-inventing his methods to create truly unique design concepts. Santosh Kumar (37) , CEO of Bengaluru-based D’Zigns

Architecture Interior firmly believes this. Since his father was a successful civil contractor,

Kumar was exposed to the field of architecture at a very early stage. He received his B.Arch from the Hindustan College of Engineering, Chennai, and went to work with Appana and Nirmala Associates, Bengaluru, as a junior architect and, later, at Advith Architects and Interior Designers as an assistant archi-tect. Gaining experience in residential, educational, commercial and industrial design and interiors, he launched D‘Zigns in the year 2001. He has undertaken projects in various cities including Bengaluru, Bellary, Chennai, Mysore, Coimbatore, Salem, Trichy as well as in Punjab.

One of the most significant influences for Kumar has been the profound work of Louis Kahn that he believes has the essence of the meaning of architec-ture. Another major influence is an ancient architec-tural marvel of India – Fatehpur Sikhri – which holds the record of being the most architectural historical construction of the world. Its beauty and uniqueness have only further inspired him. Apart from this, he holds high regard and admiration for Tipu Sultan’s fascinating Mysore Palace.

At the beginning of his career, Kumar realised that

support and potential response is very difficult to be found. “Hurdles, sorrow, insults, non-profit works are all part of the deal. It is only when your work and achievements stand out that people begin to realise your potential.” he maintains. Because he has had to go through this ordeal, he strongly believes that young talent should be strongly supported and motivated.

The basic rule for Kumar in all his projects is to give importance to natural ventilation and creating com-fort zones within the premises. He feels it is important for people working or staying there to feel pleasant and refreshed, but he does not believe in following trends blindly. As he says, “Understanding client needs and serving them to the fullest, has been my motto right from the beginning of my career.”

By Shreeta Nair

SANTOSH KUMARCEO, D’ZIGNS – ARCHITECTURE INTERIOR

Project:R.K. House,Bengaluru

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I’ve always felt that good architecture can positively impact the psyche of the user. I am proud to have impacted the lives of so many people in some small way through my designs

Sebastian Jose (39) believes that design is driven by the instinct that hits the architect when he or she sees a site and meets a client. “Combined with this instinct, my architecture is common

sense with respect to the site and the context, simplicity, and striving for the best value proposition for the client.”

This Kochi-based architect ventured into this field from a family of doctors. The interest started very early, he remembers. “I’d never get tired of sketching build-ings and buildings only. And I used to observe buildings a lot.” Interestingly, at the time of making a choice of architecture as his academic focus, he had never even met a single architect.

After completing his B.Arch from the TKM College of Engineering, Kollam, in 1996, Jose went on to do his M.L.Arch from the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi. Between 1998 and 2001, he worked as associ-ate architect at Design Combine, Kochi.

His first house, designed while he was still a final year student, was for a family friend, who was a doctor. The location was on the banks of the river Meenachilar, near his home town. The first positive feedback he received on this project gave him a boost of confidence. However, the breakthrough project was the design of the Little Flower Church in Kochi, where he tried to look at the church architecture in Kerala from a new perspective. It was an extension on the studies he had conducted for his B.Arch thesis, which was on Church Architecture.

In 2001, he founded Silpi Architects in Kochi. The

firm, with technical staff strength of over 30, is doing a variety of projects ranging from institutional, residential, commercial, religious and large-scale townships. Jose considers himself fortunate that he never had to face the newcomer’s struggles, as he got two campus projects in 2001, the first year of his independent practice. He won the competitions for the designs of two new engineer-ing colleges at Pala and Thiruvananthapuram. Jose considers the Little Flower Church, Kochi, St. Joseph’s Engineering College, Pala, and the CMI headquarters, Kakkanad, Kochi, as his most significant projects. Besides, there are the award-winning residences for Mr Santhosh at Piravom and Cloud 9 residence at Paravoor; and the Bhavani Office, which won the IIA Award in 2012. He has a couple of ongoing campus projects: the Bishop Jerome Engineering College, Kollam, and the Muthoot Engineer-ing College, Kochi. Jose has won many other awards, including the IIA’s Gold and Silver Leaf Awards. He is also the current secretary of Institute of Indian Interior Designers (IIID) Kerala Chapter.

The great master Frank Lloyd Wright has always been a big inspiration, and Jose considers his work to be the closest to perfection in terms of architecture. He also holds the works of Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa in admiration, and is quite amazed by his sense of space and of landscape. He believes that, with the similarity between the landscapes of Kerala and Sri Lanka, the architects from Kerala have a lot to learn from Bawa.

By Renu Ramanath

SEBASTIAN JOSECHIEF ARCHITECT, SILPI ARCHITECTS

Project:Cloud 9, Paravoor

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Human needs are a precursor to architecture design. But it’s just a part. Truly good architecture has the ability to relate to individuals in an intense way

Shubhashish Modi was drawn towards architecture with one simple premise: “The thought of creating your own space that is unique and unmatched.” Satish Shetty found

that architecture was not just creative, but also analytical and detailed. “This was challenging,” he says.

Both Modi (37), and Shetty (34), did their B.Arch from the Sir JJ College of Architecture. As a student, Modi’s third year housing project and college thesis helped him realise his plus points: sticking to a concept and technically getting it through, without compromising on the design style. He was always inspired by a precinct as a whole. “A fort campus or a small hamlet that had a singular design language, held my attention. In the early ‘80s, I had visited the Artist’s Village (Belapur). There were plain, simple, white structures with a small stream passing through the composition. It was a modern de-piction of a village. I still have memories of the same.”

Modi and Shetty, after working together on vari-ous projects between 2000 and 2003, realised their combined potential. This laid the foundation of Arris Architects. “The launch itself was a commercial ar-chitectural project of almost 5,00,000sq-ft in North In-dia,” say the duo, whose primary focus was towards the entertainment and leisure industry. As a firm, the design philosophy is to visualise an environment for a particular project and look for references, images, products and forms that fit into the said environment. “Picking these elements, we then start designing and,

at every stage, we correlate it with the initial thought. We do not repeat the same environment in any of the subsequent project,” discloses Modi.

While he brings to every project an indepth un-derstanding and application of concepts with valued insights, Shetty brings with him an expertise of more than 100 cinema screens as he deeply understands and specialises in cinema and theatre design. He says, “We design buildings that reflect a rich complexity of func-tions, economics, technology and aesthetics.”

Some of Modi’s favourite buildings are Bharat Bhavan by Charles Correa, IIM Bangalore by BV Doshi and the work of Tadao Ando, among others. “All these buildings were built with a strong concept, and they never diluted it. They stood true to their style right from conception to construction.”

Shetty’s favourites are Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fall-ingwaters, the Guggenheim Museum, Taliesin, Le Cor-busier’s Secretariat and the High Court in Chandigarh.

Two of their own projects, Fun Republic in Lucknow and Coimbatore, are significant to them mainly because of the size and impact they have made commercially and socially for both cities. Fun Cinema at Lucknow was instinctively sculpted as a tectonic volume with multiple faceted planes (a first of its kind in terms of visualising an interior volume) way back in 2007.

Arris Architects now considers itself equipped to handle large-scale projects like hotels and resorts.

By Aruna Rathod

SHUBHASHISH MODI AND SATISH SHETTYDIRECTORS, ARRIS ARCHITECTS

Project:Fun Republic,Lucknow

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Architecture can act on all our senses. We are all touched by the surroundings of the place we are in

For Simi Sreedharan (34), architecture is something that naturally evolves out of a sensible design process. Any conscious attempt to embellish the design would

distort its purity, she believes. This young architect hailing from Kozhikode

chose architecture as a profession that clubs arts and science, as she was interested in both. “I used to observe the built forms around, and was unknow-ingly learning the emotions that architecture awoke in inhabitants,” she remembers.

An opportunity to meet the legendary architect Laurie Baker during her B.Arch days at the National Institute of Technology, Kozhikode, was the most influential factor in Sreedharan’s career. She was touched by his ideologies and simplicity, just like she was moved by his buildings. The age-old tradi-tional and British colonial era buildings of her home town were also a major influence.

A LEED accredited professional, Sreedharan had

started her career working under architect Tony Joseph of Stapati Architects, Kozhikode. “That is where I learnt the detailing in architecture,” she points out. Then, after a stint with Gayathri & Namith Associates, Bengaluru, she moved to Dubai, working with DSA Architects International and, then, Boogertman+Partners, Tecom Free Zone.

At the Dubai studio of DSA, she got a chance to work on large-scale projects and gain exposure to international architecture. Architects Mike De Lange, Willy Meyer and Fadi Sarieddine are three architects who inspired her there.

Common Ground, the firm she formed with her partners, Nikhil Mohan and Binoy Balakrishnan, was registered in Dubai in 2009. Later, the trio moved to Kozhikode. She considers the first project that Com-mon Ground did in India as significant, It was ‘Be-tween the Trees’, a residential project in Kozhikode, where they designed the building around three teak trees on the site. On the Edge, another residence on the valley of a steep slope, also in Kozhikode, was designed without disturbing the topography much.

Another major project is Gallery OED, Mattancher-ry, Kochi, where an old pepper warehouse was restored and refurbished into an art gallery.”We at Common Ground consciously try not to fall in love with our designs easily,” says Sreedharan. “We give it enough time to ask as many ‘what ifs’ as possible, until we are completely satisfied.”

By Renu Ramanath

SIMI SREEDHARANPARTNER, COMMON GROUND

Project:1 & 2. On the Edge, Kozhikode

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Society and the built environment share a reciprocal process of development. Great designers are thought leaders...

“Design is a rigorous process which includes: research to define the problem, analysis to resolve the problem, and development

to implement the solution,” declares 39-year-old Smita Rawoot, who believes in architecture that is responsible to its context and its use. Like the rest of her colleagues at Perkins Eastman, she maintains that design is about “People, Place, Program and Proposition.” To that, we could add Precision, which Rawoot has in plenty – if one is to judge from her clear-cut responses to probing queries about her inspirations, influences and design philosophy.

While drawing and painting came naturally at a young age, the transition from realistic representa-tional work to more impressionist and then abstract work, was also very fluid in her case. “Gradu-ally, the reading and introduction to Escher’s and Picasso’s work, and understanding their play with three-dimensional space and cubism, roused in me the interest of constructing space and playing with light, colour, and texture,” recalls Rawoot.

While in high school, she developed an inter-est in science, mathematics and physics. It was not long before architecture began to interest her, and she enrolled for her B.Arch at the Sushant School of Architecture in New Delhi, followed by a Master’s degree at the Pratt Institute in New York. Before joining Perkins Eastman in 2001, Rawoot worked in

India for firms such as Christopher Charles Be-ninnger & Associates, Sikka Associates, Nachiket & Jayoo Patwardhan, and Ranjit Sabikhi Associates. “I’m thankful for the choice of this profession,” she insists. “It keeps me engaged in all that interests me: living, art, science, society, politics, design.”

An admirer of Rafael Moneo’s architecture, Rawoot explains why: “His City Hall in Murcia, Spain, is one of my favourite projects for its strong yet understated contextual sensibilities.” She is also inspired by Herzog de Meuron “for their command over construction systems and the way they enthuse innovation and poetry in the application of materi-als”; and likes the materiality and attention to detail in the works of Tod Williams and Billie Tsien (like the American Folk Art Museum in New York and the Neurosciences Institute-La Jolla). Having worked with Christopher Beninnger in India, she applauds his ability for story telling through his architecture and planning. “I especially like his planning and design for the Mahindra United World college and the Suzlon Corporate Campus,” she discloses.

The two projects she indicates as milestones in her journey are the Princeton Day School in New Jersey, and the 835 Sixth Ave. Tower in New York City – both projects by Perkins Eastman. She reflects: “They made me feel my place in architecture and design, helped me mature as a design professional.”

By Maria Louis

SMITA RAWOOT PRINCIPAL, PERKINS EASTMAN INDIA

Project:835 Sixth Ave. Tower, New York City

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It is important that we, as designers, consciously create spaces that help the user to constantly keep in touch with nature and its elements

Green evangelist (as she is known in her firm) Tallulah D’Silva considers her travel experiences as landmark moments in her architectural journey. An alumnus from Goa

College of Architecture, she elaborates, “All the travelling we did in college and after graduation had an immense impact on me. Besides the traditional models at Aihole, Bijapur, Rajasthan, Delhi, Ellora and Ajanta, Motera, Lothal, Mandu, the contemporary interventions in urban planning and experiments with alternative technologies exhibited in Chandigarh, Pondicherry and Auroville were landmarks on my journey to understand architecture and opened up new windows of experimentation.” Further, having worked extensively on site and with local materials and skilled labour, she used these experiences as a foundation for the firm ArchitectureR/T, which she co-partners with Rajiv D’Silva.

The chemistry between the two is evident in their thought processes and similar inspirations, and surely must work to their advantage in creative thinking. Tes-tifying to this chemistry, the 39-year-old architect says, “Our thoughts are so attuned that long ago, on Valen-tine’s Day, we went to the same card shop at different times and presented ourselves with the same card about two penguins who thought alike.” Hence, it is no surprise that talking about her design icon, she too mentions, “Laurie Baker’s working style that I have read a lot about, really had a great influence on me in my early years of

practice where I was largely handling design and build.” The firm has been gaining momentum after their

successful design for the Perpetual Succour chapel that is featured in the book, ‘Vernacular Traditions: Contem-porary Architecture’, published by TERI (The Energy and Research Institute). Their ongoing project, The Mangalgiri House in Aldona, will be Goa’s first LEED-rated building and is expecting a gold certification. There is a certain uni-son and appreciable pattern in each of their projects, also visible in the design for a convent in Paroda. This unison probably comes from their goal, which D’silva explains, “Right from the time we began our practice, we have worked with cost-effective budgets, local technologies and materials, thus making buildings that are environ-ment-friendly. Green building and sustainable design has become like a subtle wire frame for our works.”

The most impressive part about D’Silva is her involve-ment in social causes. She ideated the unique concept called NoMoZo (Non Motorized Zone) that debuted in Panaji in May 2012 to popularise and create awareness on pedestrian streets. She blogs at missiongreengoa.blogspot.in and environmentallywrite.blogspot.in, and through these media creates awareness on preservation and sustainability. She is also a contributing researcher, team leader and heritage list documenter for ‘Walking in and Around Panaji’, a comprehensive documentation and guide to the heritage buildings of Panaji, Goa.

By Carol Ferrao

TALLULAH D’SILVA PARTNER, ARCHITECTURE R/T

Project:Mangalgiri House, Aldona, Goa

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I believe architecture and the spatial response affect the way we think and respond. The three dimensions of a space create a fourth dimension that is only perceived by the mind

As a youngster, Tarun Kumar was fortunate to grow up in an open and safe neighbourhood of New Delhi. “I would go on long walks or bicycle alone through the city at different

times of the day,” he recalls. “What fascinated me was how activity in different pockets of the neighbourhood changed during the day and during different seasons. As I grew, it dawned on me that it’s the buildings that shape the way people live and govern the activity of a space. At that point, I decided to pursue architecture as a career.”

During visits to his grandparents’ home in a remote village in Bihar, he spent most afternoons in the orchards surrounding the orphanage they ran. “The buildings were very simple and utilitarian, but the way they were clustered created a space that enhanced the students’ learning experience,” observes 38-year-old Kumar.

While Kumar finds the work of Louis Kahn inspiring (“his work was rooted in engaging the environment, the cultural and social context, and the technological advancements of his time in a unified form”), he also finds modern architects like Tadao Ando and Kerry Hill significant in creating an identity that’s in rhythm with the environment. “Their design vocabulary not only stimulates the senses, but makes the users comfortable.”

After his undergraduate studies at the School of Plan-ning and Architecture in Delhi and a few years of experi-ence, Kumar pursued his post-graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin, USA. “The education system in the US lays emphasis more on the student’s interest and

aptitude and steers them in that direction,” he discloses. “The architectural education made me think at a more conceptual level, and the faculty guided me in develop-ing my own concept and carrying it through to the last detail of my design. This was a turning point in the way I would think and design as I matured.”

In the early years of his career, Kumar opted to work on a project that was beginning construction. “Being regularly at the site and understanding the implications of every line we draw, made me an architect in the real sense,” insists the founding design principal of Studio Next, a practice that keeps balance and rhythm at the core of their design ideology. “There has to be a balance in the design that takes into consideration the client and site requirements, environment, cultural nuisances, innova-tion – but, in turn, creates a contemporary space.”

One of the most significant projects for Kumar has been the Tata Medical Centre in Kolkata. “I was privileged to be a part of the team as a senior project architect while at Cannon Design,” he recalls. “To create a comprehen-sive cancer care centre as a gift by the Tata group to the community, is in itself a source of inspiration. Our team was sensitive in creating a healing environment that not only inculcates the values of the client, but also creates an equality in the level of spatial quality and treatment that patients receive. We tried to maintain the design quality to the minutest detail. The project in the true sense made me believe ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way’.”

By Maria Louis

TARUN KUMAR FOUNDING DESIGN PRINCIPAL, STUDIO NEXT

Project:Luxury tourist resort, Delhi

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The way we work and live will always be subject to change by external influences. Architecture can be very settling or have strong disturbing influences

When he was a young lad studying in class 5, Tushar Vasudevan watched his structural engineer father designing his own house. “That was my first exposure

to what architecture could be,” recalls the 40-year-old winner of our Aces of Space awards 2012 for Interiors Commercial, and runner-up for Architecture Commercial, for the firm’s own office space in Bengaluru. Vasudevan went on to do his B.Arch from UVCE, Bengaluru, in 1995. He trained under architects Gerard da Cunha in 1994 and Sanjay Mohe (Chandavarker & Thaker) from 1995-2000.

Winning awards is not new to the principal architect of Ochre, a firm that strongly believes in the importance of ideation. They won the first prize in the annual NASA de-sign competition in 1992 for the design of an orphanage, and a commendation in the Otis elevators international housing competition for the design of a housing project in Ahmedabad – just two among his long list of awards.

Vasudevan cites Swiss architect Peter Zumthor (win-ner of the 2009 Pritzker Prize and 2013 RIBA Royal Gold Medal) as his design icon for his use of terrain and play of light, water and stone in the Therme Vals – a spa built over the thermal springs in the Graubunden Canton in Switzerland. He also appreciates Sanjay Mohe’s Indian Institute of Science PG boys’ hostel, saying “It’s one of the first building hostels I’ve seen that’s different.”

While he considers all his projects significant, and believes that “smaller the scale, bigger the talent” that is required, the Ochre office is obviously special. Due to site

constraints, a vertical development of the extension was required to accommodate a separate structural office, a new reception area with material library and a board-room, more work stations, a stationery room, printer and server area, a space for two principal architects, and a terrace with pantry, toilet and dining space.

The proposed office slabs were staggered between the existing office slabs, allowing for a split-level develop-ment and ensuring a functional space at every landing. The design concept originates from the idea of origami development that continues from the façade into the various interior components of the newly-extended office. “These peeled surfaces allow natural light from the top and ventilation from below, becoming the driving idea behind the forms for the furniture,” explains Vasudevan.

The innovative aspect of the project is the material of construction used – an RCC structure with 8” hollow con-crete blocks used for masonry. Small areas of gypboard ceilings were introduced to conceal beams and install cove lighting that provides diffused light.

Old MDF tables were reused as the vertical supports for the new ones, and MDF cabinetry accommodat-ing library and store from the old office are used in the stationery and material stores. MS grills were resized to provide security enclosure on the terrace, while glass sal-vaged from the old office was cut to size and used as writ-ing boards. Only the principal architects’ level employed new materials wherever required.

By Maria Louis

TUSHAR VASUDEVANPRINCIPAL ARCHITECT, OCHRE ARCHITECTS AND INTERIOR DESIGNERS

Project:Ochre Office,Bengaluru

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Design, both good and bad, affects the way we live and work – so it has a significant impact on our lives

Design goes much beyond visual dynamics, believes Vinod Kumar MM. For this Thrissur-based architect, it is the creation of a space with the right

thought and feel that gets reflected in the built structure. “That’s something that an architect leaves for posterity,” maintains the 40-year-old architect.

Kumar, who holds a B.Arch from Bangalore University, focuses on conservation and heritage preservation. The Vadakke Chira Revitatlisation (the revival and beautification of an ancient water body in the heart of Thrissur under the Cochin Dewas-wam Board) and the Shakthan Thampuran Palace/Heritage Gardens and Archaeological Park (where a heritage garden and sculpture park were created around an archaeological monument, funded by Kerala Tourism and executed under guidance of the State Archaeological Department) are two of the major projects he has undertaken.

Currently engaged in the total renovation of the ancient Vadakkunnathan Temple, the most impor-tant temple of Thrissur dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kumar is working as a coordinator for the project in charge of conservation work and maintenance, in association with Cochin Dewaswam Board and the Archaeological Survey of India. It’s an ongoing project that started in 2005, and is one of the largest temple renovations to be undertaken in Kerala.

It’s no wonder that he considers this huge temple

one of his major inspirations. The structure on which he has been working for the past seven years has definitely had a tremendous influence on the way he looks at architecture.

For Kumar, choosing architecture was ‘not a conscious decision. ”It just happened,” he says. The places where he has lived, such as Kuala Lumpur, Thrissur, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, have a role to play in his development too. Likewise, the works of the Japanese architect, Kengo Kuma, and the Singapore-based architect, Ernesto Bedmar.

Kumar also considers himself indebted to the archi-tect Mikki Desai from Ahmedabad, who introduced him to the traditional architecture of Kerala while he was training under him in 1994. Following the completion of his course, Kumar worked as architec-tural assistant in ZDR, Kuala Lumpur, Malayasia.

Presently the vice chairman of the IIA (Institute of Indian Architects), Thrissur Centre, he has also served as its past secretary. He has won the IIA Royale Gold Leaf Award for Sreepadam Dance Kalari, Palakkad, in 2011, and the IIA Royale Cer-tificate of Appreciation for Vadakke Chira Water Edge Park in 2012. “Beauty, for me, is automatically created. One doesn’t have to design for beauty,” declares Kumar, summing up his design philosophy. “The beauty within oneself is important… only that beauty can get reflected in anything one does.”

By Renu Ramanath

VINOD KUMAR MM DIRECTOR, DD ARCHITECTS

Project:Sreepadam Dance Kalari, Palakkad

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Architecture, in a way, is a measure of our ‘humanness’ and our capacity to locate ourselves in time and space with family, friends, children, colleagues

As a child, Vishal Shah spent his holidays and vacations accompanying his interior designer father on site visits. When he realised that this was something

he enjoyed doing, he made up his mind to follow his father’s footsteps. “This early exposure gave me an insight into the fact that the designer has a chance to create environments – but, at the same time, understand the constraints of working within built spaces. It was then that I decided to make architecture my career. I believe it has a broader scope.”

While the works of Ken Yeang and Renzo Piano stand out for this young architect, Shah (38) is also partly influenced by how architect Hafeez Contrac-tor rose to become the design icon he is today.

While studying Architecture at the MIT Aurang-abad, he happened to meet his co-founder and friend, Sundeep Gwash. “During our initial years of college itself, he coined the name of our practice, The Firm,” says Shah, recalling that decisive moment.

Their first job was the interior design of the Taipei World Trade Centre office and, almost simultane-ously, they bagged the corporate office of Shemaroo Video, Mumbai. “Shemaroo was one of the best clients we had, in terms of the creative freedom they gave us,” recalls Shah, who believes architecture/design is collaborative.

Over a decade later, The Firm has designed educational institutes, auditoriums, a training centre for children with different abilities, commercial and corporate projects, residential and hotel projects, apart from being associated with media facilities such as Yash Raj Films, Whistling Woods, Sound City, Kodak India, Filmlabs, Prime Focus, etc.

Soon, The Firm Associates UK was established, through which a number of significant media facilities were designed overseas, in Qatar, Kuwait, Ukraine, Istanbul and the UK, in association with RA London. While the practice strives to be known for its design excellence, organisation skills and satisfied clients, they work towards a dream: of making a dif-ference by improving living conditions around them.

Among The Firm’s recent projects is a series of skywalks in Navi Mumbai, which Shah considers significant because of the urban context – as the user is the pedestrian commuter.”The project received a lot of appreciation, and our objective of designing a landmark civic infrastructure that’s aesthetic and user-friendly was met,” he maintains.

The high-rise commercial building that will be one of the tallest structures in Navi Mumbai is also noteworthy because of the challenges involved in the green building design, offering the clients maximum profitability and yet achieving the project goals.

By Maria Louis

VISHAL SHAH PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT; HEAD, PROJECT MANAGEMENT & FINANCE, THE FIRM

Project:New Bombay Merchants Common Warehouse,Navi Mumbai

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At all times, design must move things ahead. Contemporary design in its common use is too freely available on the ‘net

When Zameer Basrai was 12, he drew a housing plan for 1,00,000 families on his birthday card. The rooms didn’t have windows, but his architect father was

impressed. Recalling the incident, Basrai says, “There was no looking back after that. In hindsight, architecture seemed to be linked to all the right things, especially those that I was interested in: drawing and history.

Among the iconic structures that influenced him is Kanchenjunga. “When I was in college, I remember trying to slyly enter the building when the watchman wasn’t looking,” recalls the 31-year-old architect. “You cannot ig-nore architecture with a building like that dominating the skyline. I had a chance to visit the CEPT campus while my brother was at NID. Anyone who enters that campus emerges an architect or promises to be one someday.”

Basrai appreciates Antonio Gaudi and ‘his’ Barcelona for the obsessive attention to detail; Jane Jacobs for ‘her’ idea of the ideal city and straightforward activism; and the Ball Nogues studio for managing to straddle both, urban-social activism and attention to detail.

Mumbai-based Basrai completed his B.Arch from CEPT, Ahmedabad, in 2005 and graduated with a Master’s degree in Architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, in 2009; before taking up an artist residency in Los Angeles. “The best way to transi-tion out of student life and into professional practice is a residency programme,” he says. “It’s offers time to think. My project involved navigating the city to understand it.”

The Busride Design Studio, which he joined in 2006 and runs jointly with his brother Ayaz Basrai, is an independent design studio with a diverse body of work in installation art, interior design, architecture, history, conservation and social activism.

As an independent artist, Basrai’s work engages the city in different ways; through built and landscape heritage, infrastructure, people, social groups, defunct built-scapes or urban marginalised communities. His recent work was exhibited at the MAK Centre, Los Ange-les in 2010. He is currently teaching architectural design at KRVIA, Mumbai, and spearheading diverse research projects ranging from contemporary marginalisation and conservation practices to domesticity and urban living.

Basrai finds it hard to choose one significant project. “For us, each one is unique and significant for different reasons. We might prioritise a non-spatial idea some-times and, so, build a simple space. Or we could go crazy developing a design language for another that percolates from the design of the space all the way to the design of the door knobs used in it.”

Basrai’s design philosophy is to have fun. “Nothing is final till it’s built and, even then, there’s demolition,” he believes. “We approach each project with freshness, trying at all times to balance the things that the project demands and something that we demand from ourselves in that project. All design at the studio is collaborative, and that’s what makes design so much fun!”

By Maria Louis

Zameer Basrai associate architect, the Busride design studio

Project:smoke house deli, Mumbai

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Architecture, and design in general, affects the way we perceive society and is a reflection of what society aspires to

From the time Zubin Zainuddin was a young man, architecture was very close to his heart. “Space and structures fascinated me. I wanted to be an architect from the time I was in high

school. I was not sure what it entailed, but always felt that it was my calling,” says 37-year-old Zainuddin.

After his B.Arch from Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Architecture (Belapur), he worked with architects Sabu Francis, Hafeez Contractor and Alfaz Miller. Then he joined hands with Krupa Zubin (his wife) to form ZZ Architects in 2002. “It all started with a staircase designed for our own home, which won the prestigious IIID Award and got a lot of recognition,” he recalls.

Zainuddin had the opportunity to work across sectors, thus helping the firm to evolve holistically. “Our very first apartment, health club, salon, bungalow, factory, celebrity residence, hospital, school, residential building - all these firsts have helped us to pave a directionary path for our firm.” ZZA specialises in architecture, interior design, master planning, landscape design and general project management of its interior design and building projects.

Zainuddin’s mantra for success has been: attention to detail, design longevity and satisfaction of completing the project. “Over the past few years, we have realised the importance of the quality of projects that we deliver. We want it to be rated on a global platform and want our projects to stand the test of time,” he says.

As for inspiration, Zainuddin finds AR Rahman great. “Personally, I’ve been highly influenced by AR Rah-

man and have always looked up to him for his immense creative ability to set new benchmarks and also use the best of talent around him to grow his repertoire,” he says. “On the design front, I am amazed and refer to works by architects, graphic designers, authors, Manga artists and other creative talents. There’s never a day without learn-ing and unlearning. That’s what pushes us all, I guess.”

Some of the projects that impress Zainuddin are Charles Correa’s IUCAA in Pune, Coop Himmelblau’s BMW Welt in Munich, Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Mu-seum in Bilbao, Richard Meir’s Contemporary Art Mu-seum in Barcelona, Tadao Ando’s Omotesando Hills in Tokyo, Architectural Concepts by Bjarke Ingels, Capella by Norman Foster in Hong Kong, The Louvre by IM Pei, The Bvlgari Hotels in Milan and Bali by Antonio Citterio, Guanghzhao Opera House by Zaha Hadid, furniture by Armani Casa and Christian Lliagre, etc.

For Zainuddin, the best part about being an architect is that every project competes with the previous one. “It’s a process of evolution. The scale of luxury homes designed by ZZA has changed dramatically from 3,000 to 50,000sq-ft. It has been fulfilling to work with high-end clients across various sectors. One of the notable homes we enjoyed designing was that of actress Hema Malini.”

Apart from luxury homes, ZZA has executed one of the first paperless hospitals in India at Bengaluru, educa-tional institutions, master planning, hotels, spas, weekend homes, retail spaces and health clubs across India.

By Aruna Rathod

ZuBin Zainuddin PrinciPal architect, ZZ architects

Project:Ekta World Group, Mumbai

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Ambrish ArorA

Amit tAlwAr

Ameet sukhthAnkAr

Arjun nAmbisAn

CEO and principal designer, Lotus Design Studio

design partner, Amit Talwar Associates/Office of Blurred Edges

senior architect, M.S.Suctancar Architects

partner , Balan Nambisan Architects

Gen2013The game

changersOur tech-friendly architects and designers speak about the innovations that are changing the way they design

More than materials, offering a refreshing new perspective without sacrificing the past and the country’s design heritage bring in the biggest change. There has to be a wholehearted openness to experimentation and constant innovation – it could be in terms of materials used, or in the way the architectural heritage is reinterpreted. It differs for different projects. We have a very large base of traditions, crafts and techniques that are relevant even today. Modern Indian architecture needs to respond to these traditions.

Anything from technology to building processes to business strategies that transgress the limitations of what is achievable will have the most impact. We simply need to take our blinkers off.

Thanks to globalization, our local markets are today flooded with materials and products that a few years back were known only to the developed world. It is also significant is the changing face of our construction technology that is helping architects continuously push the boundaries of imagination. It is also helping our industry to transform from an unskilled to a skilled one. Our stress has always been on utilising this knowledge in reviving the traditional arts and crafts by making them more affordable and meaningful in today’s context.

While there is still the concern of mindless wasteful practises, there is a glimmer of hope in technology adopted in certain buildings. The actuated facade panels on the Al Bahar Towers in Dubai, designed by Aedas, are a clear indication of this. The panels respond to the harsh sun and are programmed to the movement of the sun as a way to reduce solar gain and glare. Bamboo at the other extreme, with its non-dependency on technology, brings building green closer to the masses. It is being considered as a very serious alternative to conventional methodology. A start has been made, small homes, resorts and a largely rural audience is witnessing this change. The urban lot, on the other hand, can only wait till technology can turn the resilient bamboo into a viable building material.

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Brijesh KanaBar

eKta PareKh

Dexter FernanDes anD shOUrYa PateL

KaniKa anD jwaLant MahaDevwaLa

DeePiKa Batra Gwash

FahaD MajeeD

DivYa thaKUr

director, Lewis & Hickey India

partner, reD Architects

principal architect, Uneven

partners, andblack Design Studio

head of studio; head, sustainable design, The Firm

chief architect, 10x10 Design Consultants

founder and creative director, Design Temple

More than materials or products; innovations in designing tools have affected several aspects of architecture and overall design profession. The new age designing tools are blurring the boundaries between virtual and real. The creative implementation of this technology is helping architects create unique exciting forms.

More than individual products I would say the idea of a green architecture is the most revolutionary. Its invention results in constant innovation of new products that not only enhance the spatial experience but also make less of a dent in our already fragile environment.

Tactful designing is what we would call clever design. Making the best use of resources that are not harmful to the environment is what we always try to do. It’s a fusion of green architecture and simple methods traditionally followed that help create comfort. And this is what is defined as an amalgamation of contentment received by the people using these spaces. More than just products, it is how these are used that makes the most impact.

The emergence of bio mimicry, parametric designs and generative processes has played a major role in changing architecture and design for the 21st century. The opportunities and possibilities to experiment with new materials and complex form have been made possible because of computation design tools in architecture. The use of CNC, laser cutting and 3D printing has made it possible to customise things which were unthinkable before. Also, the emergence of analytical tools to understand space and form with respect to the environment, has helped architects to determine the carbon footprints of their built forms.

Materials, availability of materials, the economics behind choosing materials are important aspects in the innovation of design. Today, the materials ought to be judged in terms of their embodied energy, recyclability, raw materials, origin of source, etc. ; hence the environment-friendly materials and innovations are capable of making a huge difference. The industry focus on production of these innovative materials and the market shift in terms of creating more demand for the same shall be instrumental in bringing the positive change. As architects, we are aware that there are challenges in the shift but we have to be consciously doing our efforts. More of us do it, the faster we should be able to see the change!

It’s hard to point at a product. Starting from the tools used for real time visualisation to printing of 3D components, they all make an impact.

In terms of impact, innovation matters most when it enhances our everyday life. Mostly, because accessibility allows for positive change to reach critical mass. For instance, innovation in green design encourages an eco-conscious lifestyle – the more people embrace ideas of sustainability, the better it is.



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KOheLiKa KOhLi

ManjUnath hathwar

Ketan naraYan Chavan

Manasi ManjreKar

LijO jOs anD renY LijO

nanDini saMPat

managing director, Sunita Kohli Interior Designs

partner, Space Dynamix

principal architect, KCL-Design and Architecture

founder director, Confluence Elite Designs

founders, Lijo.Reny.architects

architect, Somaya & Kalappa Consultants Pvt. Ltd.

Technology has to be the key role player. It helps reduce the time it takes to make a space, it makes the space more energy efficient, and it makes the user more involved. It makes you interact more with the architecture of a space.

Environmentally-conscious, green alternatives to traditional building materials will have a major impact on the way spaces are designed and interact with occupants in the future. These have already started making interior environments more hospitable and healthy. The introduction of low-cost solar cells and better battery technology would be another major game changer, where designers will think of innovative ways of integrating these into building facades to have live, energy producing building envelopes. These are quite a long way off, but undeniably the only sustainable way forward.

Products, innovations and technology that make the most impact are those that cater to the aspirations of the people, and improve the quality of life and enhance the everyday experience- be it soft closing of the kitchen drawers or creation of scenes through automation by integration of lighting, shading and technology. Also significant are new materials that reduce the environmental impact of building industry and save energy. These allow for the designers to choose a more eco friendly alternative.

A good design is artistic, well engineered and always has an X factor. Steve Jobs’ genius products, to the way he revolutionalised the music and retail industry, are a sensation. The field of sustainability has seen a marked improvement, not just by recycling, but by improving the life of the product. When an Aha! moment is acted upon and the world feels that “ohhhh I should have thought of it” is when innovation has made the most impact.

Computer applications, or technology in general in the field of architecture, is making a huge impact on how we design. This helps us see materials in a different way and, in turn, is prompting us to use them in a way unknown to us so far. Though we are yet to explore this facet of this field, we know that we would soon be pulled into it.

The innovations in architecture, BIM software and Environment Assessment Software (Ecotech, etc) are exceptionally useful tools for the field of design. We must use this technology within limits and not let it become the only tool that dictates the design. Architecture comes naturally from the hand, sketching should always prevail, but using technology to enhance designs are a benefit that architects must take advantage of.

neeMesh shah director, KNS Architects

Technological advancement and energy consciousness innovations have created the most impact in the recent design principles. Awareness and responsibility towards environment can be considered as the new mantra for design. Any products that add value to sustainability will impact the design. We as a team firmly believe in implementing sustainable solutions as far as possible.



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PritiKa Kinra

niranjan Das sharMa

rajiv PareKh

rajiv D’siLva

POOnaM nOUFaL

founder and principal architect, Moco Design Studio

founder & chief architect, The Design Tree

partner, Research and Enquiry into Design (reD)

partner, architectureR/T

associate architect, STAPATI

The products that make the most impact in the field of design are environment friendly innovations and economically viable solutions. As designers we have to be extremely environment conscious about whatever we build. Everything that we develop has a life cycle, a cost attached to it and an impact on the surrounding that goes hand-in-hand with the design. What we build has a long lasting impact on the environment. Another factor which has a substantial impact in the field of design is the innovation that would save time. Time is money in any field or business and hence is important for enabling speedy construction. Anything that saves costs and is economically viable is a good design. Such design solutions can reach to the masses and can be useful to the masses otherwise all will be only be used by the high end customers.

Resources are getting scarce I am looking for products which can renew itself or can weather well. I think vertical gardens are great so are building integrated high efficiency solar panels.

I think several green technologies are already having a significant impact, but the future of design will be determined by how the technology and economics of Solar PhotoVoltaics develop over the next 10 years or so. Going forward, it will be imperative to incorporate SPV into our buildings. That will change drastically the way we design.

Architecture is constantly evolving in terms of technology, materials, processes and attitudes. While change is inevitable and desired, not everything new that comes up is desirable. It is up to us to understand that all these new products and innovations are meant to elevate architecture to greater heights.

Technology is changing faster than we can pace ourselves. It has affected our way of life and most certainly the way we design and present. From using pen on paper to using the computer as a tool to design, we have come a long way. Innovations in software for computer aided designs have helped us to visualise the product before actually been built. From two dimensional drawing to parametric modelling it has sped up the process of creating drawings and furthermore it has helped us to create spaces previously unthinkable.

I think the computer as a design tool with some of the brilliant software available has made a huge difference to the way any designers is able to represent his / her ideas as well as actually convert these ideas into reality. We are currently doing a restaurant ceiling in which we have over 600 different curves which need to be lazer cut into the ceiling and then fitted with over 1800 pieces of fabric each of which is unique and non-repetitive, cannot imagine how we could have imagined this idea being feasible without active computing software.

principal architects, Studio OsmosissaMeer BaLvaLLY anD shiLPa jain BaLvaLLY



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santOsh KUMar

shUBhashish MODi anD satish shettY

sMita rawOOt

QUaiD DOOnGerwaLa

seBastian jOse

siMi sreeDharan

CEO, D zigns – Architecture Interior

director and principal architect (Modi), co-director (Shetty), Arris Architects

principal, Perkins Eastman India

principal architect, DCOOP

chief architect, Silpi Architects

partner/architect, Common Ground

Creation of new ideas embedded with recent and latest technology is always strength for a creative person. Our research and development team is constantly working on fresh ideas with which we can attain maximum utility with the available space even if it is a small carpet area. Currently we are working on a concept which gives out the maximum output with minimal area and I am sure that is concept which is going to be the next big thing in architecture/design.

With the advent of new technology, concrete is being reinterpreted by adding additives to make it translucent, coloured, mouldable, bendable and self healing of cracks. This evolvement has made it a material to vouch for in the future. Innovations in the field of computer generated design with parametric and computational softwares like BIM, Rhino Grasshopper, Ecotect have enabled architects to correspond to the environmental needs their radical thoughts and ideas with detailed data and simulations even before the first brick is laid. Not only these help in defining new forms to the building but also make buildings more intelligent.

The development of rain screen façades and pressure equalized systems, the use of night flushing, chilled beams and thermal mass for energy conservation, including the use of geo-thermal heating, solar heating, the development of self-cleaning glass technology are some innovations which will find extensive use in the future. Some earlier innovations in systems for rainwater harvesting, grey water reuse, and bio-gas generation have already become the norm now. Energy and resource crunch is an impending issue facing our increasingly urbanized world, and we are already seeing the impacts of global warming in the severe climatic events affecting many parts of the world.

In the architectural field, at large, the computer as a medium for design has changed things substantially.

The biggest new development has been the emphasis on green and sustainable design. Being an architect is a great responsibility and any new building should impact nature in the minimum possible manner.

Alternate energy sources like solar energy, innovations in energy efficiency, waste management and water saving are of the utmost importance and can make a positive impact to the future of architecture.

taLLULah D’siLvapartner, architectureR/T

Using renewable energy and allied technology to support that, reusing and recycling systems supported by both conventional and new age technologies is something that make the most impact today in an age where we are focussing on sustainability and reducing the impact of our buildings on the environment.


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Data visualization is doing its rounds these days. A large part of architecture is experiential and a larger part of our experience is visual. Whatever makes information visual and navigable is useful. I believe crazier the visualization, the deeper our understanding gets. This helps designers immensely.

vishaL shah

tUshar vasUDevan

ZUBin ZainUDDin

tarUn KUMar

ZaMeer Basrai

vinOD KUMar MM

principal architect; head, Project Management & Finance, The Firm

principal architect, Ochre Architects and Interior Designers

principal architect, ZZ Architects

founding design principal, Studio Next

associate architect, The Busride Design Studio

director, DD Architects

The design trend is now towards sustainable and energy efficient development. Hence, the products and innovations, for example, building-integrated photovoltaic glass panels, light-weight materials for high rise structures, air-conditioning systems, waste handling systems are the kinds which are instrumental in handling the challenges of rapid development of our times.

Consumer needs are becoming more specific. So the product that address new needs with an underlining simplicity makes the most impact.

The field of architecture is in constant flux. All of us are constantly evaluating and choosing from global players to maximize the potential of our projects. Every project category seems to be evolving on a rapid pace and trying to fit within sustainable parameters.

It is very critical that we research more on sustainable & recyclable materials and energy efficient ways to conserve resources. The real innovation is to make these technologies affordable. Then only it shall make a significant impact on designs. We also need to create more awareness and relevant debates in the general public about usage of these new innovations.

Technology as in other fields does make its impact in design, the way we design, communication systems, smart homes, gadgets, new materials – all have an impact. I think presentation techniques have made a significant impact on the way we communicate design.



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ARCHITECT and INTERIORS INDIA | MArcH 2013 | www.architectandinteriorsindia.com

114 New oN the marketNew oN the marketEndlEss scrEEn wallViper by Hans Sandgren Jakobsen is manufactured by Fritz Hansen and is flexible and ideal for the office or home. It consists of a vertical oval cardboard or aluminium tubes. With no tools in hand, a simple manual clicking-on is all it takes to link it into an endless screen wall. The cardboard version of Viper is surface treated while the aluminium version is available as a closed unit or as a sound absorbent, perforated unit.

Fritz HansEn tel: +971 4 4380244website: www.fritzhansen.com

Block partyThe Kontainer has released two new lighting designs, the Slim Block and the Fat Block. Designed to be fine-tuned with a remote control power switch, the smooth body of the lamps are also practical as well as ambient. The portable lighting fixtures are able to produce highly efficient use of energy by providing light only when needed. They are also cost-effective, stocking up energy and storing it in batteries for later use. To top it off, the lighting diffusers are also virtually 100% recyclable.

tHE kontainErtel: +971 4 323 5010website: www.thekontainer.com

play tHE Funk The new Botti suspension lamp is a contemporary yet nostalgic design by Portuguese firm, Delightfull. Reminiscent of the jazz era, the instrumental-shaped formations of the lighting feature appears as if bathed in gold. The design choice aims to pay homage to the trumpeter Chris Botti which is why Botti assumes the form of a trumpet. The structure is composed of brass and gently covered by a golden mantle, giving the home that modish yet rusty look.

dEliGHtFulltel: +351 910 936 554 website: www.delightfull.eu

powEr and soulGrohe has introduced a new shower line called Power&Soul with a choice of designs, sizes and spray patterns to fit all showering moods and preferences. The shower line ensures all hand showers match the Grohe faucet lines, creating a co-ordinated design throughout the bathroom. The sizes range from 100, 130 and 160 millimetres. The spray patterns are also diverse including the Rain spray pattern which gently envelopes the body, the RainO2 with a softer tingling sensation, the Jet spray which works to ease the muscles and the Active Massage spray which is patterned in a moving, circular manner. The Grohe AquaDirect™ allows a simpler method of choosing spray patterns with the push of a button. For economical and sustainable use, the Grohe EcoJoy® technology works to reduce the water flow.

GroHEtel: +49 (0) 211 9130 3000website: www.grohe.com

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www.architectandinteriorsindia.com | MArcH 2013 | ARCHITECT and INTERIORS INDIA

115

rEtro-ModErn ElEGancESO., THG’s latest series, represents a collaboration between the brand and French designer Olivier Gossart, best known for his dramatic hotel and residential interiors. Combining a traditional shape with a modern material, SO. puts a spin on a long-time favourite. The retro-modern waterfall spout is paired with Gossart’s updated vision of faucet handles — elegant clear glass cubes laser-engraved with “Chaud” (French for ‘hot’) and “Froid” (French for ‘cold’) — bringing a high-tech, whimsical touch to the bath. With 35 hand-polished finishes, the suite is completed with a new integrated thermostatic shower system, a Roman tub filler with integrated progressive-mixing hand shower, and a line of modernist accessories.

tHGtel: +1 954 425 8225website: www.thgstyle.com

apocalypsE Floors Interface launched its product collection, Metropolis, at La Triennale di Milano during Milan Design Week 2012. Housed in the historic La Triennale, the exhibition focused on the topical themes of ‘apocalypse’ and ‘rebirth’ that influenced the design of the new collection. One-third of the Metropolis collection (15 modern designs) contains 100% recycled yarn made from industrial waste sources, such as used fishing nets and yarn from used carpet tiles, recycled through Interface’s Re-Entry 2.0 take-back programme.

intErFacEtel: +9714 399 6934website: www.interfacemiddleeast.com

slidinG pErFEctionBriton Compact Door Operator for sliding doors has been launched by Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies. It is a self-contained electro-mechanical drive unit ideal for surface-applied applications of both new and existing sliding doors; it combines simple functionality with subtle elegance and robust construction. Manufactured in high-grade extruded aluminum, the low-profile design is suitable for use with most commercial architectural systems, with an overall height of 10.5 cm and projection of 13cm. The unit is supplied with a secure digital keypad.

inGErsoll randtel: +9714 308 4286website: www.britonautos.ae

FloatinG GardEnBudapest designer Gabriella Aztalos has created hanging flower pots called ‘Floating Garden’. Due to the 3D effect caused by the floating, the objects manage to emphasise the spaces in every room. It provides a way to decorate any space with plants and flowers, in an elegant way. The Floating Garden is not only a functional, but also an aesthetic, contemporary item. The designer claims it is the perfect balance provided by the combination of the feminine shapes and masculine materials in one minimalistic design.

GaBriElla aztalosEmail: [email protected]: www.asztalos.com

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