Home Review May 2017

PICTURE THIS: ADELAIDE

vol 16 issue 05

May 2017

SPECIALIST: STUDIO CAST GLASS

total pages 134

MY SPACE: DIPEN GADA ASSOCIATES

RS 100 HOME-REVIEW.COM

UNMASKING GRANDEUR Ashiesh Shah In and Around the Trees MODO DESIGNS

ARTROVERT

AN AMALGAMATION OF CREATIVE POSSIBILITIES BY ANAGRAM ARCHITECTS WINDOWS ROOFINGs AND FaCADES Redefining Innovations Of The 21st Century

Photo: Cyrus Dalal

A

nagram Architects and contemporary artist Anita Dube design an artist’s studio which embodies a unique creative disposition of its very own. The three storeys of the ‘Artrovert’ building encompass large ateliers that are ideal for creative minds to bring to life their expressions. With a palette of distressed concrete, shiny ceramic mosaic and plenty of sunshine streaming in through a swivelling façade, the studio workspaces are rugged and hardwearing, offering artists the perfect canvas to work and display a large variety of compositions.

Ashiesh Shah provides the newly launched Masque restaurant in Mumbai a décor aesthetic that allows it to play supporting role to the gourmet cuisine that it is famous for. Adhering to the Japanese philosophy of Wabi Sabi, and ditching ‘lux features’ in favour of natural materials, he shepherds a melange of hard wood furniture, muted tones, brass fixtures and stone-clad walls to converge into an ensemble that sets the stage for the food to shine.

A weekend home by Modo Designs finds its genesis in adjusting itself to the landscape. The large home is a medley of semi-open spaces that along with two private blocks create a unique organisation. Here internal spaces have blurred boundaries and the structure itself aims to be one with the nature that encircles it. With exposed metal and cast concrete as the materials of choice, the team at Modo craft an elegant sanctuary that is sensible, inviting and timeless.

Anish Bajaj, Editor anish@marvelinfomedia.com

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emails + feedback Inspired Truly

Felicitations

It was great to read about Interior Designer Shabnam Gupta and her inspiring journey in the field of interior and architectural design in India.

I congratulate Home Review for completing fifteen years. The anniversary issue spells brilliance and eloquence.

By Email Ajit Kolatkar

Sense And Sensibility

Speaking Design

Shroffleon’s design for the residence in Mumbai reminds me of the title of Jane Austen’s popular novel ‘Sense and Sensibility’ for this is what the design combines and delivers to one!

It was wonderful to go through another of Samira Rathod’s unique compositions - with brilliant pockets of interaction and fingers.

By Email Lalitha S.

Let us know what you love and hate about this issue. Mail us at letters@marvelinfomedia.com

8 Home Review May 2017

By Email M. Mukherjee

By Email Ramesh Sahani

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26

DIPEN GADA ASSOCIATES Dipen Gada shares snippets about his 24 year long journey, his ideologies, and interests.

Adelaide offers all the charms of a small town combined with the buzz and excitement of a big city

22 Cover Story

38

Anagram Architects and contemporary artist Anita Dube came together to create ‘Artrovert’, a multi-levelled gathering ground for artists and the artistically-inclined

Designed by virtuoso architect, Ashiesh Shah of AA Homes, Masque is a restaurant that redefines indulgence and adventure

46

MAY

In the outskirts of Ahmedabad, a weekend home designed by Modo Designs merges seamlessly with the surrounding landscape

54 art

form

Zim&Zou’s paper world captures an admiration for the infinite and transcends the peripheries of art

60 The Club, in Singapore, is a stylish and cosy boutique hotel, housed in a 1900’s colonial heritage building

66

71

By Shibani Jain

10 Home Review May 2017

Windows Roofings And Facades Special Home Review takes you through some of the redefining innovations of the 21st century

80

94

74

Located in Valsad, Gujarat, this apartment is a beautiful 3-dimensional blank white canvas

The Tea House in Li Garden designed by the team at Atelier Deshaus is a green jewel that makes a stark statement in the concrete jungle it is nestled in

99

product

designer

Jeff Goodman Studio creates one-of-a-kind architectural and decorative glass products; qualities such as fluid, organic, colourful and beautifully shaped are the hallmark of this studio

104

MAY

OSAKA A DESIGN DESTINATION

114

109

GREEN PROJECT

122

Architect Himanshu Patel’s farmhouse is a stunning example of a building resonating with the architectural language of a region

118

Get your hands on the latest products to hit the market

132

128

Eclectic styles, varied themes, upcoming trends come together in our newly launched segment!

Rubel Dhuna Architects designs spaces employing carefully-considered materials, facilitation of abundant sunlight, and exploring every possibility of multi-tasking

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THE MARKETPLACE

Qrator curates fine works of art and furniture by renowned European artists and brands

Priyanka Menon Writer Priyanka Menon is a copywriter, lecturer in advertising and English literature, poet, and author for HarperCollins and Juggernaut. When she isn’t busy with any of these roles, she can be seen at Starbucks, sipping on white-chocolate mocha, scribbling in her diary. She lives in Pune.

Editor & Publisher Anish Bajaj Creative Director Natalie Pedder-Bajaj Features Editor Mala Bajaj Assistant Editor Shweta Salvi Contributing Writers Chryselle D’Silva Dias Devyani Jayakar Dhanishta Shah Himali Kothari K Parvathy Menon Kanupriya Pachisia Ramya Srinivasan Shruti Nambiar Designers Asif Shayannawar Darshan Palav Pooja Modak Snigdha Hodarkar

Kunal Bhatia Architect and Photographer Kunal Bhatia is an architect, photographer and travel writer based in Mumbai. He finds inspiration in cities around the world, the people that he meets and fleeting encounters. To experience more of his work visit kunalbhatia.net.

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Editorial & Marketing Mumbai Mr. Ganesh Gurav, Mr. Vivek Jadhav, B-62, Cotton Exchange bldg., Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033 T 022 23736133 / 23736131 / 23743069 E response@marvelinfomedia.com Chennai Mr. S. Venkataraaman Flat No. 2, 3rd Flr, E-Block, Hansa Garden, 30 Madampakkam Main Rd, Rajakilpakkam, Chennai 600 073 Tel 044 22281180 / 09444021128 Email: svenkat@marvelinfomedia.com Kolkata Mr. Subrata Mazumder 2, Nabapalli (Bidhanpalli).

Kolkata 700084 Tel 033 2410 4296 Mob 9831131395 Telefax 033 2410 7605 Email: subrata22@rediffmail.com Publishing Director Mr. R.I. Bajaj Distributed in India by India Book House Pvt. Ltd. 412, Tulsiani Chambers, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021.

This issue has a total of 134 pages comprising of a 6 page cover and 128 inside pages.

Anagram Architects Artrovert, Page 26.

Madhav Raman, an architect and urbanist, co-founded Anagram Architects in 2001, with Vaibhav Dimri.

Anagram Architects is internationally recognised as amongst the top emerging practices in the world with a commitment towards delivering deeply contextual designs that encourage sustainable lifestyles. Keenly involved in academia, Madhav conducts workshops and guides research in various design schools.

Ashiesh Shah Unmasking Grandeur, Page 38.

Architect Ashiesh Shah began his career in New York City in the mid 2000’s after graduating from Parsons University with a degree in Interiors and Architecture. For the last eight years, Shah has been spear heading his own design firm Ashiesh Shah Architecture + Design handling various high-end design projects in India and beyond. His practice is rooted in the Japanese philosophy of Wabi Sabi.

We welcome unsolicited material but do not take responsibility for the same. Letters are welcome but subject to editing. All rights reserved.

Nothing may beprinted in whole or part without written permission of the publisher. The editors do their best to verify the information published but do not take responsibility for the absolute accuracy of the information.

All objections, disputes, differences, claims and proceedings are subject to Mumbai Jurisdiction.

Editor Mr. Anish Bajaj. Published and Printed by Mr. Anish Bajaj on behalf of the owner Marvel Infomedia Pvt. Ltd, B-62, Cotton Exchange bldg, Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033.

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Modo Designs In And Around The Trees, Page 46.

Modo Designs is an architecture firm set up by Architect Arpan Shah in 2002 in Ahmedabad. The firm is primarily involved in residential, corporate and institutional projects. Their essential approach has been to develop responsive architectural designs which are characteristic of the purpose, place and people. Inspirations and peculiarities are gathered from place or people and given a bold expression.

PAST & FUTURE

E V E N T S 4 6 MAY TO

Concrete Show India, Mumbai

Concrete Show India is a part of UBM’s global exhibition portfolio held in continents across the America’s and Asia. The expo provides a unique platform to corporations in the core concrete, construction and infrastructure space to present the latest developments in technology, practices and policies. The show has seen tremendous growth in industry participation from both visitors and exhibitors since its inception 2012 and is rapidly becoming the keystone for the Indian Infrastructure Industry.

The expo has grown over 40% to attract more than 5,000 industry visitors last year and is expected to see a much bigger growth through the introduction of these important categories.

This year’s expo also features an exclusive outdoor area for the construction equipment segment, the largest in the west. International exhibitors from countries like China, Germany, Greece, Italy, Turkey and many more.

BKLYN DESIGNS is Brooklyn’s premier design event showcasing a cross section of design, architecture and art. Founded by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce in 2003, it was one of the first design fairs to shine a spotlight on the creative economy in Brooklyn and serves as an incubator for emerging designers as well as a platform for established brands producing a range of creative products across furniture, lighting, tableware, art, textiles and jewellery.

Attendees include: interior and product designers, architects, builders, developers, urban planners, educators, store buyers, industry influencers and design-savvy consumers. They all come together to celebrate the borough’s rich design heritage, iconic style and bustling creative community.

With thousands of visitors over the course of the three-day show, BKLYN DESIGNS is one of the most vibrant shows in New York City and of the anchor fairs of the citywide NYCxDESIGN initiative.

More than 550 of the world’s leading manufacturers will showcase their latest technologies and innovations in over 200,000 square feet of exhibit space, including products and solutions. Lightfair 2017 will facilitate architects, designers, engineers, government officials, facility managers, energy consultants and many other lighting and energy professionals to have an unparalleled opportunity to learn from industry experts, gather new information, view innovative products and find the latest technical advances from the lighting industry’s global leaders. www.lightfair.com

TO 12TYPO 14 Berlin MAY

Berlin, Germany

www.bklyndesigns.com

TO 7Lightfair 11 MAYInternational, Philadelphia

www.concreteshowindia.com

5 7 MAY Bklyn Designs, TO

Brooklyn

Lightfair International speaks the new language of light and technology. The transformative power of innovation and imagination converge in a global presentation of light and technologybrilliantly revealed at LIGHTFAIR International 2017. The trade show will open at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 9.

Preceding and setting the stage for the trade show opening, the prestigious LFI Innovation Awards® on May 9 from 8-9 a.m. will highlight the industry’s most innovative products and designs introduced during the last 12 months.

This is a fair where new discoveries, new connectivity, new knowledge and new solutions propel lighting design quickly into the future. All at the world’s largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference.

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TYPO Berlin is Europe’s biggest design event.

Despite the name, the conference’s presentation extends beyond typography and covers a broader range of design topics from graphic design to advertising.

With around 1,500 participants and more than 60 speakers lecturing on up to 5 stages, workshops and panels for 3 days, TYPO Berlin has become one of the world’s most important creative venues since its premiere in 1995. TYPO Berlin takes place at House of World Cultures, which is located right next to the Federal Chancellor’s Office. The conference building is a classic example of modern architecture in Berlin. www.typotalks.com/berlin/

PAST & FUTURE

E V E N T S 20 MAY

By Design Conference Bratislava, Slovakia

Clerkenwell Design is an internationally renowned event that has grown in size and stature enormously during the course of its eight year history. The three-day festival takes place throughout Clerkenwell, an area of London that has been synonymous with craft, creativity and innovation since the Middle Ages.

Clerkenwell today is home to the highest concentration of architectural practices in the world, and Clerkenwell Design Week is a celebration of this extraordinarily influential area.

It will also feature a number of first time pop-up participants.

By Design Conference is an international conference for designers, entrepreseurs and creative minds. The one day event focuses on design and business. This year’s conference will be held at P. O. Hviezdoslav Theatre in the historical center of Bratislava. The venue has an intimate atmosphere with a soft touch of the socialist architecture. Slovakia’s premiere conference about creativity and entrepreneurship offers a refreshing detour from the usual design capitals.

“There was nothing happening in central Europe at that time so we’ve decided to create our own conference…We also wanted to create a network between designers in Slovakia, Austria, Hungary and Czech Republic,” explained design consultant Jakub Ptačin, one of By Design’s organizers. Industrial design legend Hartmut Esslinger and Barcelona’s Mucho studio are among this year’s presenters. www.bydesignconf.com

23Clerkenwell 25 MAY Design Week TO

Clerkenwell, London

There’ll be a plethora of open showrooms, inspirational exhibition spaces, public space installations and a huge programme of events including fringe happenings and ‘Conversations at Clerkenwell’ talks programme - which will see leading Industry insiders and innovators discuss today’s hot topics. With more than 300 events across more than 80 contemporary furniture showrooms, there is plenty to look forward to. www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com

25 TO 26 MAY

The Design Conference Brisbane, Australia What began as a small university conference six years ago has evolved to a vibrant gathering for professional designers in Australia.

An international roster of award-winning designers is expected to regale attendees with their latest projects.

Held from 12 at midday to 8 pm in the evening, the talks at #tdcbne17 delve into the lives of 12 internationally recognised creative leaders, uncovering their personal philosophy to building successful careers, personal lives, families, side projects and more. The partners for The Design Conference 2017 include such great names as Stocksy United, Vision6, OUtfit. io, Billy Blue College of Design, Blundstone, First Coat Festival, Brisbane Powerhouse, Ironlak, Aus Design Radio, Platypus Graphics and Design, K.W Doggett Fine Paper, Hither & Yon and Workshop Australia.

With world-class speakers, international partners and new geographic segments, The Design Conference 2017 is a hugely anticipated design event of the year. www.thedesignconference.com.au

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6 APR

Ideal Home Show Scotland Glasgow

The Ideal Home Show Scotland sponsored

by Anglian Home Improvements makes a welcome return to Glasgow’s SECC from 26th - 29th May 2017.

From kitchens and bathrooms, to bedrooms and basements, fixtures and fittings to fine food, gardens and the latest high tech gadgets, to fashion beauty and gifts, you’ll find it all under one roof at this award-winning show. Amongst featured guests, several remarkable architects, designers and celebrities all over the world including John Amabile, George Clarke, Gregg Wallace and Hardeep Singh Kohli to name a few.

Representing each section of the show, The Ideal Super Theatre will host talks and demonstrations from the nation’s most loved home experts.

Additionally, this year’s Show Home, The Rotating Home will be open throughout the Show to encourage visitors to explore and take inspiration from.

Across the 4 days of the show there is so much to see and do to keep you entertained as well as providing you with ideas and inspiration for your home! www.idealhomeshowscotland.co.uk

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Home Review May 2017

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Albert Einstein once quoted, ‘The only source of knowledge is experience.’

For designer and architect Dipen Gada this certainly rings true. A civil engineer by education, Dipen honed his skills through intensive self-learning and progressively developed a deeper sense of aesthetics.

Dipen Gada & Associates was established in Vadodara in 1993 and has steadily evolved to become one of the leading interior design and architectural firms in the country. Adhering to the diktat ‘Less is more’, the firm consciously focuses on making it look effortless. Though his work screams minimalism it is deeply rooted in traditional local practices. Their work strives to strike a balance between functionality and aesthetics with a perfect juxtaposition of art, landscape and architecture - as is seen in their recent project, a riverside retreat ‘Nirant’.

Dipen shares with us snippets about his 24 year long journey, his ideologies, and interests.

Interview By Shweta Salvi

22 Home Review May 2017

What according to you is the foundation of good design?

From securing a degree in civil engineering to choosing architecture as your vocation, it’s been an interesting journey. Please walk us through it.

I have always sought knowledge and exposure which boarded me on a path of self-learning. Intense travelling, study and seminars helped me to create a niche identity for my practice. I have implemented the learning and experiences to take definitive steps towards achieving perfection and have worked towards implementing micro-level changes in my design with each progressive project.

It is important in the first stage of any design process to carry out a meticulous research of the site, and identify its spirit and context. Deliberate efforts must be made to create structures that along with being aesthetically appealing also blend subtly with the context and respond to the environment. Functionality should be the core of any design, and aesthetics should cohesively merge with it. This, I think is the key to timeless design.

Any guiding principle that you follow during the ideation process?

“SAHAJ”- effortless environment is my design motto. Although, we take great efforts to attain the final result, I believe in making it look effortless. ‘Less is more’ is strongly reflected in all our designs.

The designs have simple, basic form reflecting minimalism, achieved with application of basic materials that create a strong statement.

My first opportunity came in the form of my cousin’s project after my graduation, which became the turning point of my career and professional life.

Functionality should be the core of any design, and aesthetics should cohesively merge with it. This, I think is the key to timeless design.

With changing trends, occasional fanciful patrons and ever evolving design perceptions, how does an architect manage to maintain his individuality in their designs?

As architects, it is our responsibility to build sensitively. The society and byextension the environment should benefit.

Our firm believes in creating thoughtful spaces for living, livelihood, entertainment and community, thereby creating sustainable living eco-systems. We believe in keeping things simple, but we do love experimenting with materials and exploring them in each project differently.

Concrete is our current favourite.

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All our designs maintain a balance between aesthetics and functionality while seamlessly amalgamating architecture, art and landscape.

It is said ‘God is in the details’, and this reflects in most of your projects.

Tell us about the significance of art, landscape and natural elements that are harmoniously incorporated in your work.

I believe natural materials should be treated with reverence and we must retain the uniqueness of each. I like to explore the qualities of each element natural or otherwise - and adapt it to our client’s brief. We consider each project as a milestone project and therefore each needs and gets our best. All our designs maintain a balance between aesthetics and functionality while seamlessly amalgamating architecture, art and landscape. I love to incorporate art in its basic form with the structure and that reflects in many of our works.

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An architect whose work has inspired you deeply… and why?

A project that is very close to your heart…

Tadao Ando and Geoffrey Bawa’s work is always worth experiencing and learning from. The purity and boldness of Ando’s work and the meditative experience in Bawa’s work have struck a chord with me. There are many more mentors, great designers and philosophers who have inspired my design journey.

Nirant is a project which is very close to my heart. It is a single-storey residence built on a naturally curved land. The brief of the project was to design a riverside retreat with two bedrooms, home theatre and a pool, to unwind and escape the city routine. We created an environment that surrenders to the nature and provides a meditative space that the owner requested for. The house with its bold minimalist expression pays ode to nature, art and architecture. Overall, the house offers contemporary interiors with a subtle vernacular twist.

When out of your creative space what do you enjoy doing the most?

When one starts off with a new practice there is an energy rush to achieve certain goals, 25 years down the line is there something that you still look forward to doing?

There is no satisfaction in our field unless you are actively working. I want to leave behind my design footprints, and therefore I work towards raising the bar by bettering my own work. I want to create a body of work which would be essentially recognised for its impact on the society, hence with the evolving and changing facets, we as architects need to adapt and evolve too.

What are you currently working on?

There are many ongoing projects, which are lined up - right from residential, commercial, hospitality and several other categories.

I totally love zoning out. Just relax, enjoy some secluded time with myself.

It feels good to just feel the vibration of the nature around or listen to some meditative Sufi music, and yes, escape from the routine. dipen317@gmail.com www.dipengada.com

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Anagram Architects and contemporary artist Anita Dube came together to create ‘Artrovert’, a multi-levelled gathering ground for artists and the artisticallyinclined. With its swivelling façade panels and spacious insides, the studio eschews rigid boundaries between what is inside and what is outside.

Art used to be a lonely pursuit. But creative expression has increasingly become a factor of sociability. It is about allowing for a fluid confluence of ideas now. This landscape is crisscrossed by efforts at setting up salons and residencies, places where artists can converge and ideate both privately and in groups. It is a world where boundaries have been forced to blur and mediums have become mixed.

Text By Shruti Nambiar Photographs Courtesy the Architect

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ARTROVERT Home Review May 2017

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Architecture, itself part of this artistic shape-shifting, often responds by making possible the emergence of structures, structures inside which ideas can germinate and foster, away from the burden of convention.

The aura of art around this homestudio, however, is consciously urban.

The neighbourhood is dotted with construction totems, none of them too tall but most of them still recognisably prosaic, on the outside at least. This is no elusive cabin in the woods or a cavern in the mountains. The 300 sq m trapezoidal plot is in fact one of 216 such plots arranged in an octagonal grid at the periurban artists’ colony called Kaladham in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

But this dichotomy of realities is what makes Artrovert so fascinating. You go about searching for clichés even as you experience it breaking them. The building is vertical, which quashes that idea of a bucolic sprawl. The general tenor of the material palette is refined and wellcrafted, subverting any images of carefully constructed chaos.

Sunlight is abundant enough to be a constant companion and the floor space is expansive and averse to clutter. The 280 sq m studio project spans multiple floors and is constructed to look and feel like a continuum. To encapsulate the structure’s form, the design team from New Delhi-based Anagram Architects states, “The studio required accessible, large volume workspaces that would invite an immersive experience of art and yet be rugged enough to withstand its production.”

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Contemporary artist and KHOJ, International Artists’ Association cofounder Anita Dube is known to have no patience with strict binaries. So, it’s not a surprise that Artrovert employs a deliberate work-in-progress template in terms of its looks. Like its internal spaces, its armature too exhibits some unconventional flexibility. Its panels can swivel across many permutations when need be, allowing for the art on them to be turned outwards for public viewing.

Similarly, external art works can be swiveled inwards for private viewing.

What you have is a brilliant arrangement that amalgamates the possibilities of gallery exhibition and façade murals while cutting through their limitations.

“The armature itself is designed to act simultaneously as a gallery, working scaffolding and circulation space as well provide views of the exhibits within from different heights,” the team confirms. “Tall and narrow interstices are glazed against the outside while vertical slits cut through the internal volumes.”

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The panels and slits are also part of the building’s passive character. Thermal stacking ensures hot air-supply through the slits even as the expansive and tall floor structure prevents excessive heat gain. Cool monsoon breezes can come through the panels and balance out the humidity build-up inside. When winter comes around, the building can soak in as much sun as is available through its generous terrace space and south-west facing countenance.

Three prominent materials helped realise the brief finalised by the team and Dube, who was as much collaborator as client - dour distressed concrete, shiny ceramic mosaic tiles, and restrained wood.

The three come together to establish an almost clockwork loop of visuals around the space, balancing each other’s character out in the process.

The split ceramic glistens like pieces of glass in the natural light. It is on the walls, on the floor, and even on the ceiling, this democratic spread ensuring pockets of spaces lit by playful light. The tiles also establish a resplendent base for the wooden furniture, the colourful upholstery, the glass swathes, and the concrete cladding to comfortably draw attention to them. Its large presence hints at whimsy and purity, and an odd sense of comforting sterility.

Artrovert is that structure, threading the needle between

closed and open,

the rough and

and

the catalyst and creator.

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The rough concrete surfaces, on the other hand, establish intensity and purpose.

These surfaces cover wide areas on the walls and long patches on the floor, providing artists both creation and display possibilities. The natural rugged form of the material is delightful to watch just as it is but it takes on the role of an enigma when you imagine frames and parchments hanging against it. “The two materially contrasting yet filial bands (of distressed concrete and ceramic mosaic) loop and coil, forming the various spaces of the programme across multiple levels,� adds the team.

The furniture pieces, sparse and mostly leaning against walls and railings, bring in an element of subtlety. A dash of colour comes courtesy the cushions and the linen, though they tend to crowd in the colony of deep blues, browns and reds.

The mezzanine level holds a study that provides a great viewing platform for the entire building. A two-room residence occupies the top floor, built for artists looking to spend short durations away from their usual working grounds.

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A smaller residence at the ground floor has been built for the studio helpers. “A private garden is planned at the back as a spill-out for the helpers, while a sloping, faceted front lawn has been opened up for theatre-style public screenings and talks,� adds the team.

With Artrovert, Dube wanted the complexity of creation to move outward and embrace a sense of communality. Her ethos of boundary pushing and obliteration exists in every space of this project, inside and out. mail@anagramarchitects.com www.anagramarchitects.com

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The Beehive Corner building is characteristically Gothic Revival with its corner turrets, pointed-arch windows and bands of coloured stone.

Historical Adelaide TEXT AND PHOTOS BY KUNAL BHATIA AND SHUVAJIT PAYNE kunal@kunalbhatia.net www.kunalbhatia.net Most of Australia’s regional capitals are situated in scenic sea-side or river-side settings and offer an interesting mixture of historical and contemporary architecture. In the upcoming issues of Home Review is a three-part series on Adelaide, Perth and Hobart.

With a population of just over one million, South Australia’s capital of Adelaide offers all the charms of a small town combined with the buzz and excitement of a big city.

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When the British colonizers created a settlement here in the early 19th century, they wiped out the culture of the indigenous Kaurna tribe; traces of which can today be experienced in the city’s museums such as the Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute and the South Australian Museum.

Other prominent cultural institutions in the city include the Art Gallery of South Australia, whose collections of decorative arts, sculpture, painting and photography from across Europe and Asia are housed in a handsome Victorian building. Nearby, the Migration Museum is situated in a historic colonial building centred around a courtyard and exhibits objects, personal items and memoirs of the many different ethnicities and communities that immigrated into the province.

Stroll down the pedestrian Rundle Mall street to explore some of Adelaide’s most exquisite civil buildings. The Adelaide Arcade is a shopping plaza that opened back in 1885, with a Palladianstyle façade and interiors sumptuously decorated with cast iron, plate glass, coloured marbles, geometric floor tiles and gas lamps. At the end of the street, the Beehive Corner is an interesting specimen of Gothic Revival Architecture applied to a retail structure, and been a favoured meeting spot for Adelaideans for over a century.

The Karrawirra Parri River flows just north of Adelaide’s historical core and is flanked by pleasant parks, Victorianera bridges and rotundas. It is also the site of the historic Adelaide Oval stadium whose redevelopment has been a recipient of Australia’s National Award for Public Architecture.

Top and Bottom: The collections of the Art Gallery of South Australia can be viewed in its beautiful Victorian galleries against deeply coloured walls washed subtly with skylights.

Parklands along the Karrawirra Parri River make for a pleasant stroll.

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Adelaide’s National War Memorial is dedicated to the sacrifices of soldiers who fought in World War I. The handsome interiors of the Adelaide Arcade are decorated with geometric floor tiles and vintage lamps.

Adelaide Arcade’s Palladian-style façade is topped with a dome and fronted by a water-fountain.

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A verandah runs along the entire frontage of the Migration Museum’s colonial building and is an architectural response to the region’s hot and dry summers.

Entrance portico to the University of Adelaide.

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In the heart of Lakshmi Mills, Mumbai, nestles the city’s latest addition to fine dining. Designed by virtuoso architect, Ashiesh Shah of AA Homes, Masque is a restaurant that redefines indulgence and adventure.

If you’re looking for a fine dining experience that transcends beyond what you’ve experienced till date with regards to food and ambience, then Masque will offer you ‘Botanical Bistronomy’. It is all about a setting that is borne out of the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-Sabi; the restaurant’s interiors simply reflect a way of life that is accepting of the ephemeral nature of life, while simultaneously understanding its imperfections. This philosophy plays a fundamental role in the interiors, structural and design elements of Masque.

Text By Priyanka Menon Photographs courtesy AA Home

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UNMASKING GRANDEUR

Stone clad walls and flooring make up this monochromatic dĂŠcor with even the light fixtures playing an integral role in creating the mood.

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The arch subtly hides the stairwell behind to create a sort of doorway, transporting you from one space to another time.

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The open kitchen along with its brass fixtures and elements works alongside the restaurant’s dramatic narrative.

“I wanted to create a space that was transformative and full of dramatic architectural details,” says Ashiesh Shah.

The name ‘Masque’ is an allegory, and is representative of a performance. And it is in the subtle, minimalist details of the restaurant that you will find this allegory brought to full life.

The metamorphosis begins from the outer façade of the restaurant itself.

Housed within an old warehouse in the city’s once vibrant cotton district, which could very easily have been missed in the old setup, Masque is an emphatic “play of materials and form that taps into the natural architecture of the space itself.”

It is this engaging synergy that allows for a free-flowing two-way channel of forms.

In more ways than one, the old-style architecture that engulfs the modern and minimalist interiors lends the guests a superior dining experience.

Offering three, six, and ten course meals carefully curated and masterfully executed by head chef Prateek Sadhu, Masque was initially meant to be CEO, Aditi Dugar’s central kitchen and pop-up studio of sorts.

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But with the various elemental changes and additions, brought in by Ashiesh Shah, the restaurant transforms right under “natural light from the skylight above that illuminates the part white polished marble and part textured slate flooring.”

Starting with Kolkata-based sculptor, Rathin Burman’s large installation that transforms the otherwise expansive interior into a warm and intimate setting, the intricate detailing is “inspired by structures of pioneering modernists like Corbusier.” For this, one has to look no further than the heaving walls that weave in and out of the space, or even the arch that partially conceals the stairwell.

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This fairytale-like setup is further enhanced by velvet curtains - adding to the dramatic narrative Masque strives to breathe into the dining experience.

However, the influence of modernism is heavily reflected in this fairytale with non-glossy plates and absence of white tablecloths.

And this is where Masque trumps other fining dining restaurants by offering an experience that is unique and dramatic, quite like its name; not to mention the tailor-made and ever-changing menu that offers a bevy of gastronomic delights, ranging from simple sweet potato chips to Rhododendron Cocktail!

One of the principal philosophies Aditi Dugar was keen on structuring her restaurant around was creating a natural aesthetic. This is achieved by ensuring every ingredient is procured and sourced naturally - chocolates from Pondicherry, cod fish from the Andamans, etc. Into this pot, Ashiesh Shah brought in elements and architectural detailing that served as a simple corollary to the restaurant’s dynamic.

Adhering to the Japanese philosophy of Wabi Sabi, “elements that might be considered ‘de rigueur’ in most luxury restaurants were ditched in favour of bare natural materials.” Hard wood tables offset by brass fixtures along with stone-clad walls and flooring are reflective of the restaurant’s cardinal rule of sourcing ingredients naturally.

In simple terms, what Ashiesh Shah has done is transform an erstwhile intimidating space into a subtle continuum that houses a kind of aesthetic beauty characterised by natural objects and processes that translate into a farm-to-fork style experimental dining experience.

In this regard Ashiesh says, “The restaurant décor is fairly minimal and whatever objects are on display have been carefully procured and help create a balance of materials, textures and colours.” The elements bathed in soft light create a sort of time warp for the restaurant-goers - a space where time takes a deliberate step back and transports you far away from the humdrum of the city.

A wonderful display of dual tone geometric styles coming together.

keshav@aahome.in

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VIEGA GUARANTEES WATER SUPPLY EVEN IN FRIGID CONDITIONS Installation systems from Viega at the Indian “Bharati” research station in the Antarctic Region guarantee water supply at minus 40°C.

Viega was founded in Attendorn, Germany, in 1899. Worldwide, more than 4,000 people are employed by the Viega Group, which is among the leading manufacturers of installation technology for sanitary and heating.

The range consists of approximately 17,000 articles in the product categories of piping systems as well as pre-wall and drainage technology. They are used nearly everywhere: in building services installations, in utilities or in industrial plant construction and shipbuilding.

Since 2005 Viega has been successfully present in the Indian market.

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After several years with independent Sales Representatives, in 2015 the legal entity Viega India Pvt. Ltd. was founded in Ahmedabad, Gujarat to foster the Indian local footprint. This includes investments in a production site in Sanand to better serve local market needs. Sales and service teams are present in all the major cities in India.

The Indian “Bharati” research station in the eastern Antarctic region, with an area of approximately 2000 m² and up to 50 inhabitants, has been commissioned to facilitate year-round scientific research activity by the Indian

Antarctic program. Since its inception, the research station is functioning like a small town with its own electricity and drinking water that includes three district heating systems and treatment plants.

This eastern part of Antarctica faces extreme weather conditions where temperature could fall as low as minus 40°C. The year-round provision of heat and drinking water to the “Bharati” research station in such extreme weather condition posed a great challenge in maintaining water supply used for heating and drinking.

It required a proper selection of piping system and material of construction.

For this reason, the International Division of YIT Germany, which completed the heating and sanitary installations on behalf of KAEFER Construction GmbH, relied on the leading manufacturers of installation technology for sanitary and heating system “Viega” right from the start. Specially tested piping systems from Viega were used for heating and drinking water installations that are proven for years to be reliable in such extreme conditions.

Despite the name and proven record, as with any other project, careful research was carried out to determine which piping system is best suited to the specific conditions of the “Bharati” research station. For example, YIT installed the heating system with the electrolytically galvanised steel pipe of the “Viega Prestabo” pipe system with about 2,500 metres in the nominal widths of DN 18 to 54. circulation control valves with thermal disinfection device to protect against legionella.

The “New Indian Research Station Bharati” was commissioned by the National Centre of Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR), which belongs to the Indian Ministry for Geoscience. IMS Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH (Hamburg) were responsible for the basic design.

KAEFER Construction GmbH, with its headquarters in Bremen, was entrusted with the task of the detailed planning and completion of the building. Viega GmbH & Co. KG was responsible for installation of piping system for heating and drinking water. www.viega.in

In order to prevent freezing of the heating water in the system, Glycol-L was admixed in a concentration of 57 percent. Viega laboratories specially studied the reaction of EPDM sealing element rings of the press connectors and confirmed it is safe to use even in such extreme conditions. In addition, the qualifications for operating temperatures of less than minus 40 ° C was tested to a maximum pressure of 6 bar.

When it comes to a drinking water system, hygiene requirements play a decisive role in material selection. These requirements could be met by the highquality piping system “Viega Sanpress Inox” made of stainless steel 1.4521.

Three pipework ranging from DN12 DN40 were made to run cold water, hot water and household wastewater.

A constant hot water temperature of 60°C is guaranteed by Viega Easytop Home Review May 2017

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In the outskirts of Ahmedabad, a weekend home designed by Modo Designs and built around several existing trees, addresses security issues successfully. In this two-bay home, open living spaces seem to merge seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.

“There are no buildings visible from this home,” says Arpan Shah of Modo Designs.

Located 10 kms from the outskirts of Ahmedabad, a weekend home was to be built on a plot of uncultivated land.

The client’s brief stated that they would frequently entertain groups of up to 50 people, maybe even with two couples staying overnight. Neem and chikoo trees dotted the space, which Arpan immediately decided to retain. “We opted for the feel of a traditional Indian home with a courtyard and many semi-open spaces.” Designer Megha Vadodaria of PVDRS, who was appointed when the shell of the home was coming up, was able to review positions of the doors and windows so as to serve the core concern of openness for public areas.

Text By Devyani Jayakar Photographs Courtesy Monika Sathe

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IN AND AROUND THE TREES

The front bay has a semi-open entry porch and vestibule with a guest bedroom adjoining it.

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Two bays sit parallel to each other with a courtyard running their length, separating as well as connecting them.

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After the initial decision to retain all the trees was taken, it became important to map their locations accurately so as to plan a layout around them. “To contain ourselves as well as wrap around the trees, we shaped an organisation of two bays which sit parallel to each other with a courtyard running their length, separating as well as connecting them,” says Arpan.

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The bay at the entrance contains a semi-open vestibule with an old neem tree, flanked by a parking space on one side and a guest bedroom on the other.

The bedroom opens onto the central courtyard on one side, while a cut-out in another wall frames a chikoo tree backed by a dead wall.

The vestibule which leads to a linear courtyard which stretches on both sides and is parallel to the first bay is contained by 11 feet high MS grills for safety. This ensures that a nocturnal trip to the kitchen or dining area at night doesn’t become a security concern.Across this courtyard, the rear bay holds the living, dining and kitchen on one side and the master bedroom on the other, with a semi open lounge separating these zones.

“A 12 ft cantilevered verandah hovers on the north side as an extension to the living room and master bedroom, along the existing line of neem trees. The semi open vestibule and lounge connects the house with the courtyard and garden beyond, making the house a seamless place. This connected area can transform at night when the sliding MS grill disconnects the outer area from the internal spaces, making it an introverted, secure space,” says Arpan.

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While the public spaces resemble glass boxes and employ laminated glass for safety, the bedrooms are appropriately enclosed and secure with wooden louvers for ventilation.Since there are no openings on the east or west, sun comes into the interior spaces for about 30 minutes a day and is controlled by roller blinds. “There are no doors between the living, dining and kitchen areas,” says Megha. “But as it is an Indian kitchen, the line of vision is terminated by a wall of crackled glass handmade tiles.

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A secondary kitchen in which most of the cooking takes place has been located in the utility area which lies beyond, out of sight. The owners were not going to be cooking much themselves, so the open kitchen adjacent to the dining area is mostly used for garnishing the food.”

Various seating clusters have been created, with the flexibility to move them around as needed. Connections to the outside spaces are symmetrical, with doors opening onto the verandah. “The construction of the home is predominantly achieved with the use of metal columns and concrete. Taking my cue from that, I’ve used painted MS frames for the furniture which give it a visually light appearance, with a good deal of floor visible underneath. Through the commonality of the materials used, both the architecture and the interiors merge harmoniously,” says Megha.

The bedrooms are appropriately enclosed and secure with wooden louvers for ventilation.

Even the 8x4 ft dining table rests on just two frames, the chandelier above following the vocabulary of the MS pipes.

Colours have been added through linens and soft cottons.

The powder room has in situ terrazzo in granite chips, covering the floor as well as the walls. “We like to employ local skills,” says Megha. Accordingly, the pink rope chair in the bedroom is an old one from Kerala which belonged to the client.

The cane weaving was removed and replaced with recycled ropes woven by a charpoy weaver.

Bathrooms follow the natural colour and material palette of the rest of the home.

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Rough cudappa makes up the floor in the main house, while river-finished black granite is used for the verandah floor and brown kotah for the courtyard one. “There are no false ceilings, and the exposed concrete is left visible. Walls have been painted over without any POP, while the valsadi wood has a simple linseed oil polish which keeps the veins open,” says Arpan.

“We procured wood from a 70 year old factory shed, belonging to the clients. Since it came in different sizes with the widest measuring just 4.5 inches, skilful joinery has been resorted to, to create all the furniture using the solid wood, with very little plywood being employed.

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However, having to reuse the small pieces of wood meant that creating large surfaces was a complicated exercise...so we were lucky to have a skilful carpenter who understood wood,” says Megha.

Along with an awareness of reusing materials and an eco-friendly design, all efforts have converged towards creating a space which is at once open as well as secure. “This home is one with the seasons…with the sun, the rain and the greenery,” says Arpan. arpands@hotmail.com www.mododesigns.co.in

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IFFS 2017: DESIGN FOCUS, BUSINESS GROWTH IFFS 2017, the landmark trade fair in Singapore, has a clear focus of working at the intersection of design and commerce.

The International Furniture Fair Singapore (IFFS), held in conjunction with co-located events - the ASEAN Furniture Show (AFS) and the newly rebranded NOOK Asia - is regarded by industry experts as Asia’s premier sourcing platform and design-led exhibition.

The International Furniture Fair Singapore 2017 concluded with resounding success after an eventful four-day run from 9 to 12 March at the Singapore EXPO. The highly-anticipated international trade event attracted 21,966 trade professionals from the furniture, interior design, and furnishing industries - including 87 buying delegations from 92 countries.

The 2017 edition featured a diverse international portfolio of 428 exhibiting companies from 35 countries. Together, the participating companies put up an impressive showcase of creative and design-rich pieces that received widespread recognition from industry buyers.

The change in direction for IFFS was keenly felt across the show floor, with many industry professionals expressing satisfaction over the quality of conversations and networks forged during the event, and the value these interactions created for their businesses.

In particular, exhibitors appreciated the opportunities to break into new emerging markets, an experience that is not often available at international trade shows.

For visitors looking to complement their furniture-sourcing needs with lifestyle furnishing and design-centric decorative pieces, IFFS offered a ‘one-stop solution’ with NOOK Asia, the newly-introduced co-located show that focuses on artisanal crafts from around the world. Business aside, visitors were treated to a visual extravaganza as they strolled across the packed fairgrounds in search of show-stopping creations.

True to its promise of delivering a contentrich show that inspires and sparks conversations, IFFS 2017 provided the industry with a feast for the senses with a variety of immersive, engaging, and high-quality showcases that featured welldesigned furniture.

Popular feature areas like The White House, conceptualised by award-winning Singaporean designer, Nathan Yong, and The Italian Hospitality, curated by Italian design

master, Giulio Cappellini, easily captured visitors’ attention with their stylish and sleek presentations.

In particular, visitors appreciated the calming and neutral appearance of The White House, noting that it served a plethora of purposes and made for good photo opportunities. Of special mention is the Design STARS Showcase, a collective display of works presented by 10 design talents from around the globe.

Another design showcase that garnered much attention was the Furniture Design Award (FDA) Showcase that consists of

competition entries submitted by the 11 finalists of FDA 2017. Organised by the Singapore Furniture Industries Council, the FDA is a reputable platform to uncover budding design talents.

The 2017 winning design is the Yokan Chair - a miniature chair inspired by a traditional Japanese dessert – by Hiroki Sakamoto. Moving forward, the Organiser plans to continue in this new direction, and focus on curating a show that celebrates design, emphasises on experiences, and facilitates connections. www.IFFS.com.sg www.NOOKAsia.com.sg Home Review May 2017

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Anchored in craftsmanship, their Forest Folks series is sculpted with a precise hyperrealism that matches the personalities and peculiarities of our immediate world.

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art form

La La Land

Art always returns to nature one way or another, whether it’s figurative or abstract and the body of work of designers Zim&Zou, more than proves this theory. In reality, their work which is rooted in story-telling and acute creativity even transcends the peripheries of art.

Influenced by the strong connect shared by life and nature, Zim&Zou’s paper world captures an admiration for the infinite.

The intricately stacked forms focus on the conceptual migration from the permanence and solidity of the natural world to the fragility and intimacy of paper.

Zim&Zou, a French, graphic design studio based in Nancy, France is owned by Lucie Thomas from Vosges and Thibault Zimmermann from Paris. After studying graphic design for three years, the studio commenced on a contemporary approach to design armed with a mix of mastery over various genres such as paper sculpture, installation, graphic design, illustration and web design.

Oversized mushrooms, floral and feathery architectural forms and layered leafy landscapes comprise this complex world of paper.

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“We try to promote real art in graphic design and advertising, highlighting the element of craftsmanship,” shares the duo.

Artistic work with paper is known to be meticulous and precise, requiring a healthy dose of patience, knowledge of materials and a steady hand.

Zim&Zou combine all three in just the right proportions to deliver objects of true art that not only portray the clear vision of the artists but also evoke in the on-lookers a feeling of pure awe. The team’s handiwork has seen the making of a number of projects, the latest being titled, Forest Folks created for the window display of a new Hermes store in the Mall of the Emirates, Dubai.

“Forest Folks comprises a collection of curious characters that live inside a woodland wonderland offering peeks inside their habitats and homes,” explain Zim&Zou. Two vitrines house a pair of vibrant scenes, each carefully cut, crimped, folded and fashioned from paper sheets of various styles and colours.

The designs are initially sketched, cut to proportions and fused into ethereal objects. The duo decided to focus on installations using handcrafted objects made of tangible materials such as paper, wood, thread etc. steering away from computer design. The team tells us, “We do everything by hand, limiting the use of computers to the minimum.”

Drawing from lush landscapes, botanical life and motifs found in nature, Zim&Zou conjured a curious world of creatures, caves and hidden homes for the Hermes display.

Oversized mushrooms, floral and feathery architectural forms and layered leafy landscapes comprise this complex world of paper parts. As the artists describe, “This microscopic point of view - where plants and other vegetation reign as masters - is like a picture, a flash, and a precise instant in nature’s unrestrained run.”

In the process of creating new installations, paper has emerged as one of the key elements that unite the disparate directions that their work has taken.

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Anchored in craftsmanship, their Forest Folks series is sculpted with a precise hyperrealism that matches the personalities and peculiarities of our immediate world.

Two vitrines host a pair of vibrant scenes, each carefully cut, crimped, folded and fashioned from various styles and shades of paper sheets.

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Explaining their perception of this world, the team informs, “Life is everywhere, and flowers are growing and carry away inhabitants in their impetus. Mysterious people are evolving, building and living right in the heart of nature, revealing a fragment of their daily life.”

A play of paper has most stunningly arrested the freedom behind their form of art - a medium the team has successfully peddled and one that equips them with a force to bend things most people view as a straight line.

The designs are initially sketched, cut to proportions and fused into objects of admiration and awe.

The team tells us, “We do everything by hand, limiting the use of computers to the minimum.”

Paper is one of the most dominant of materials that their work has witnessed. In the process of creating new installations, paper has emerged as one of the key elements that unite the disparate directions their work has taken. On being asked, what it is about paper that makes the duo feature it so heavily in their work, the pair explains, “We decided to use paper in many of our projects because not only is it a basic material, accessible for everyone, but because it’s a perfect way to show the balance between digital and handwork.

The aspect of craftsmanship is really important to us and paper gives us an infinite amount of possibilities. We have a particular predilection for paper because it’s a versatile material, easy to sculpt and very rich in terms of colour and texture.”

However, the creative brains have not overlooked the aspect of sustainability in their particular craft. “It’s very important to us when using paper to be very careful about recycling the waste we produce.

“We have a predilection for paper because it’s a versatile material, easy to sculpt and very rich in terms of colour and texture.”

That’s why we preserve all the scraps so later on we can make an installation using all those different random shapes. This is our way to transform waste into art.”

Through their personal artistic pursuits, the paper craft duo has been showing the world for a while now what can be achieved with a Stanley knife and a steady hand reminding us that true art is characterised mostly by an irresistible urge in the creative individual. www.zimandzou.fr

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Venture out to The Club, in Singapore, a stylish and cosy boutique hotel, housed in a 1900’s colonial heritage building. Whether you prefer to focus on ticking off the sights of the city or just spend your time flitting around in the culturally and historically rich area, you can enjoy life at your very own pace at The Club.

Text By Mala Bajaj Photographs Courtesy The Club

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TRENDY AND TRANQUIL

The Club, in Singapore is a stylish and cosy boutique hotel housed in a 1900’s colonial heritage building.

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This 20-room hospitality destination is located along Ann Siang Road, just an easy amble away from Chinatown and Singapore’s central business district.

Featuring an interconnected mix of bars, restaurants and luxurious rooms, a stay at The Club will not only let you regain your spirit but will also help you find the tranquility you so seek.

It caters to both the discerning travellers and locals alike, who have a penchant for the finer things in life, to stay, dine and drink.

The guest rooms, housed in the colonial architecture are designed by mixing modern elements with classic details, exclusive materials and art pieces tastefully curated to engage and interest.

The room interiors are thoughtfully designed to blend in with the style of the colonial architecture of the building.

At The Club you will be spoilt with toiletries from the Bamford Body Collection which are made out of pure and organic ingredients.

The Hypnos beds, furnished with exquisite 400 thread count, 100% Cotton Sateen bed linens, and made from the finest natural, sustainable and breathable fibres, allow you to rest deeply and wake up fresh to enjoy your time away from home to the fullest.

The Club features 20 luxuriously appointed rooms and a variety of food & beverage venues - Mr & Mrs Maxwell’s, the rooftop bar, Tiger’s Milk, The Disgruntled Brasserie, and B28 - all under one roof.

Mr & Mrs Maxwell’s is the veritable living room of The Club. It is open all day every day from 11am to 11pm. Guests and walk-in visitors can enjoy great coffee and small bites at noon as well as avail of an extensive selection of drinks and cocktails in the evenings.

Wholesome breakfasts are served in the chic and modern interiors of the Disgruntled Brasserie.

B28 is located in the basement of The Club; its secluded address provided the inspiration for the name of the bar, which comprises the word “B” as in “basement” and the number “28”. B28 offers an extensive list of over 200 Scottish single malts - with a notable selection of cask strength bottling exclusive to B28 alone. This luxe bar completes the experience for the hotel guests and its discerning members with live weekly jazz performances from Thursdays to Saturdays.

Situated on the top floor of The Club and overlooking the rooftops of the Ann Siang Hill district is Tiger’s Milk - Singapore’s first Peruvian-inspired rooftop bar and grill. With a food menu featuring Para Picars, Ceviches and Anticuchos, guests can enjoy the vibrant flavours of Peru through a grazing dining concept designed to encourage the social and familial style of dining.

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The Disgruntled Brasserie at The Club is a modern European brasserie with a relaxed environment; the food philosophy though stays true to the concept of both large and small plates.

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Drawing inspirations from some of the oldest pisco bars in Lima, Tiger’s Milk also features a library of piscos for guests to choose from. An extensive list of piscoinfused concoctions exclusively developed by the Tiger Milk’s team of bartenders is on offer complimented with music exploring the many rich and colourful textures of South American culture.

Also, located within The Club is The Disgruntled Brasserie, a sister outlet of the acclaimed The Disgruntled Chef at Dempsey.

Unlike its fine dining counterpart, The Disgruntled Brasserie is a modern European brasserie with a relaxed atmosphere; the food philosophy though, stays true to the concept of both large and small plates.

The Club’s interconnected plan allows one to navigate from one awe inspiring venue to another and relish the unique food and beverage offerings of each place comfortably.

The hotel’s proximity to the smorgasbord of street food at nearby Maxwell Road Hawker Centre and up market eateries in Ann Siang Hill allows the guests to indulge themselves some more.

Good service is everything when it comes to good hotels and The Club pulls out all the stops in this area. The smiling, caring and efficient staff fulfills every need even before it is expressed.

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Travellers who have had enough of the expensive and done to death, high-rise stretches of Orchard Road and Raffles Avenue will love the quiet charm of The Club which effortlessly merges comfort, laidback living and heartfelt hospitality into one wonderful property overlooking the city’s rooftops.

With The Club you have a winner of a downtown hub-cool, chic, and super comfortable with a unique home-grown ambience that allows you to get a ring side view of the pulsating core of Singapore After a stay at The Club, what lasts are the moments that moved your soul and rejuvenated your body, long after you are back home. www.theclub.com.sg

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With glass as their forte, Studio Cast Glass amalgamates exquisite design, technology, craftsmanship, value engineering and absolute creativity.

Customising is the highest form of luxury for a brand and Studio Cast Glass attempts to bring such creative visions to life.

Sculpture installation

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CASTING RESPLENDENCE TEXT BY ANINDITA GANGULY

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Bar Mural

As an installation design service, they undertake turnkey projects and provide expertise in all six dimensions of the project - the four walls, floor and ceiling.

The aim is to provide a holistic bespoke experience to clients. For the brand, it all begins with a personal interaction to understand each client's unique habits, needs and requirements. What begins

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with a mere seed thought and handsketch - ends as a timeless work of art in glass and mixed media! With a team of exceptionally talented designers and skilled artisans, the works of Studio Cast Glass include surface claddings, installations, furniture, staircases, water bodies, wall murals, sculptures and ceiling lighting sculptures.

Every creation at SCG is designed by Mr. Kayur Patel, Founder and Creative Director of the brand whose experience in the field of interiors spans over 3 decades. The designs are handcrafted at the brand’s factory in Mumbai, using the flagship molten cast glass process.

Talking of the work of Studio Cast Glass, Mr Kayur Patel says, “We do not have one ‘product’ or ‘range’ that is most popular. All our work is a labour of love and stems from creative visions unique to that project. We in fact pride ourselves for not repeating a single piece as it gives our clients a sense of ownership and belonging for something specially designed and created for them!”

Road Wall Surface

Creativity never limits the sources of inspiration - it comes from just about anywhere! That said, the complexity of the material used, the way in which the need to use it is realized, the application for it, all go on to inspire the aesthetics of the brand.

Besides, the brand is also motivated by the challenges that it encounters at the work front to create extraordinary manifestations of their art. Glass has a specific character of self-moulding and that reflects in their creations.

Cosmos Curved Wall Surface

A Dining Table with a difference

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The work of Studio Cast Glass is backed with robust energy - the idea behind the brand is to provide a comprehensive unparalleled experience to their clients by combining their mutual visions and providing the exclusivity of owning unparalleled pieces of work or luxury art!

The goal is to take the brand Studio Cast Glass to untapped international markets through creative and strategic collaborations, unfurling the concept and the idea - Made in India! The objective is to make it an international name to reckon with in luxury interiors.

Speaking on competition from other brands, Mr Patel elaborates, “Sometimes necessity is the mother of invention and then sometimes innovation is the mother of necessity. We constantly strive towards innovation in design, innovation in material and innovation in application of those designs and materials."

Studio Cast Glass 1, National Silk Mill Compound, Near Petrol Pump, Swami Vivekanand Rd, Dahisar East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400068 022 28488818 www.studiocastglass.com

Cosmos Wave Surface

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Weaving Inspirations

By Shibani Jain

DESIGNQUEST

Baaya Design, the retail store and design studio in Mumbai, started by Shibani Jain and Indranil Sengupta, aims to showcase the natural beauty and workmanship of Indian Folk Art through unique aesthetic products. They combine the best artisan skills with vibrant colours and forms reflecting an urban yet natural sensibility.

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The products are crafted with with myriad materials ranging from wood, glass, terracotta, papier mache, copper and leather to name a few. Some of the products are manufactured in-house while the others are sourced from Indian artisans.

Brass Banyan Tree

Copper Enamel Plate - Lotus

Baaya deals with a wide range of products, including the likes of brass dokra artefacts, stone artefacts, customized brass jaalis, wrought iron designs, black pottery and Jaipur blue pottery. They also have ceramic products, art furniture, folk art paintings including Pattachitra, Kalamkaari, Tanjore and Warli.

The design inspiration that motivates the outstanding hues, patterns, textures that go on to create the amazing products from the brand are guided by the latest trends in the world of art and design.

Moreover, they are also inspired by customized themes based upon the requirement of the customer.

Driftwood Artefact

Here one may also come across wall murals, customised wall paintings by Indian artists and small furniture items like mirrors and shelves. The brand is a home for Indian tribal and traditional art from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala and many other states.

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Brass Lamp

Brass Artefact

The products of Baaya are essentially rooted with the endeavour to curate art to generate income for the artisans of India.

In the near future, the brand looks upon itself as the largest supplier of art and artefacts for designer spaces.

The team of Baaya has taken it upon themselves to further the artists linked with Indian heritage visualizing themselves as a pioneer in this space.

Baaya hopes to embark on creating products that can give the customers an opportunity to choose the finest artwork and home dĂŠcor ideas inspired by design and cotemporariness besides the charm of Indian essence. Baaya is a one stop shop for art enthusiasts and lovers of aesthetics. baayadesign@gmail.com www.baayadesign.com

Mother of Pearl Jali

The best selling products are customized brass jaali, Gond Tree of Life, hand paintings for walls, brass Tree of Life sculpture and Lippai work. The wooden home dĂŠcor range is also immensely popular among customers. Named after the weaver bird Baaya, the brand indeed weaves creative inspirations.

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The foyer opens into an abundantly spacious living room, its vastness enhanced by the white walls, white floor and white ceiling that enclose it.

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A BLANK CANVAS

Located in Valsad, Gujarat, this apartment is in fact a beautiful 3-dimensional blank white canvas.

The Architectural firm, The Company of Design has painted this canvas with a few strokes of meticulously crafted furniture, but the progression of the final picture is left entirely in the hands of its users.

The client, a man consumed by wanderlust, travels extensively on business. Having been exposed to many different cultures, he and his wife wished for the design of their home to be “simple, white and minimalist.” This would enable the nomadic duo to constantly refresh their palette with souvenirs and memorabilia collected from around the globe. The idea was for the house to be a mute backdrop, a subdued stage, on which their eclectic tastes could take on the role of the main cast.

The concept of the house centres on the theory of open planning. “We believe that the perception of a space changes in reference to the objects placed in it,” says the design team. Thus, the movement from one space to another is seamless.

The objects take the foreground by creating notional partitions. An exquisite cohesiveness in the objects is achieved via a triangular geometry that has been incorporated in the design of the furniture pieces and doors. The cuneate module expands and contracts in accordance to the scale of the furniture.

The main door of the house gives a twist to the classic battened door, one in which said battens take on the shape of triangular fractal geometry. Enter and to the right, a wooden shoe rack facilitates the seeping of the triangles delicately into its elevation.

Two antique candle holders stand tall as the guardians of the home. A transparent partition fashioned in taut yellow rope separates the foyer from the dining area to the left.

Text By Ar. Priti Kalra Photographs Courtesy The Fishy Project (Ishita Sitwala) Home Review May 2017

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The foyer opens into an abundantly spacious living room, its vastness enhanced by the white walls, white floor and white ceiling that enclose it. Pristine ceiling rafters go almost unnoticed as they subtly demarcate the area of the living room.

The console unit below the TV reveals a scaled down version of the aforementioned triangular pattern in its elevation. An olive green sofa set surrounds a dark wood coffee table in which slight cuts and angles pay an indirect homage to the prevailing geometrical theme.

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A large opening in the wall between the living room and the kitchen becomes a breakfast counter and amplifies the seamlessness of the floor plan. Three high chairs crafted in metal alloy sit fixedly below three suspended light fittings, the encasing bodies of which are finished in a bright and reflective gold. The chairs owe their strength to the triangulated structure that holds them in place. Powder coated in maroon red, electric blue and teal green respectively, their seats and backrests are built out of the same light wood that dominates most of the other furniture.

The three bedrooms together are an embodiment of immaculateness. In the master bedroom, the base of the bed is a bold expression in wood, a pure cuboidal form with crisp right angles sitting gently over a darker recessed platform. The side tables and headboard follow suit with their unadulterated rectilinear geometry. Two earthy bean bags, purchased on one of the couple’s many expeditions, draw a quiet, yet perseverant attention to themselves.

The headboards in the children’s and guest’s rooms mark the reappearance of the three-sided polygonal geometry. The bases of the beds are white cuboids, in deference to their wooden counterpart in the master bedroom. While the white walls, white floor and white ceiling continue into these two bedrooms, each of their canvases is coloured with an additional space, a bluish grey niche within which a built-in seating unit overlooks a generous window and houses storage drawers below.

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The main door of the house gives a twist to the classic battened door, one in which the said battens take on the shape of triangular fractal geometry.

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A transparent partition fashioned out of taut yellow rope separates the foyer from the dining area to the left.

Natural and rustic grey tones monopolise the interiors of the bathrooms, be it the tiling, the ledge wall, the wash basin counter or the light fittings. The upholstery and soft furnishings, too, express themselves in myriad shades of grey.

Based in Surat, The Company of Design is a multifaceted design studio founded by architects Niel and Pooja Parekh in 2015.

The firm is run on the ideology that any form of interaction with any space should always be design-based, be it an architectural intervention, the remodeling of an interior space, an urban insert or interplay of graphics.

“The idea is to use tangible elements in order to create something that brings out intangible emotions in the end user,” says the team. The studio approaches each project with client and context as the starting points.

They strongly believe that the so-called ‘style’ of an architect should not become the pivotal point of every design he or she conceives.

info@thecompanyofdesign.com

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Home Review Now on Apple and Android Devices

All you need to do is download the free ‘Magzter app.

Apple users can download Magzter from the App Store.’ Android users can download Magzter from Android Market.

Try it out today.

Home Review October 2015

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WINDOWS ROOFING AND FACADES

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Window Shopping

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Putting Up A Facade

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A Roof Over Your Head

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Form Follows Feelings

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Inspiration, Ideation, Implementation

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KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES

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TO JUDGE A BOOK

BY ITS COVER A window is an opening in a wall, door or roof that may be opened to allow ventilation or closed to exclude inclement weather. While the earliest windows, in the 13th century BC were unglazed openings, animal hide, cloth and wood gradually took on the role of keeping out the elements. The Far East saw the use of paper infill. In 100 AD, Roman Egypt became the first to construct cast glass windows. It was over a millennium later that entirely transparent mullioned glass windows became the norm.

A roof is the uppermost part of a building or shelter that provides protection from animals and weather. The material of roofs has varied over the years depending upon local availability and prevalent traditions of construction. Asian countries largely employ the use of bamboo, while areas of abundant timber see the use of wooden shingles and boards.

The 20th century brought with it asphalt shingles, slate, asbestos, sheet metal, and of course, RCC slabs.

A faรงade refers to the exterior side of a building which sets the tone of the building and regulates its energy efficiency via fenestration. From Nordic Classicism to Constructivism, from Bauhaus to Art Deco, and from Brutalism to Postmodernism, the faรงade has seen its definition change from an aesthetic device to a membrane that admits light and ventilation based on interior functionality to a curtain wall responsible for generating optimum green building ratings.

In light of the unparalleled transition that windows, roofs and facades have made over the years, Home Review takes you through some of the redefining innovations of the 21st century in these arenas. Be sure to catch our interviews with Adish Patni of Atelier Adish Patni, and Raja Arjun of OCD (Office of Cognitive Design). Through their unique and explorative design processes, they demonstrate fascinating reinterpretations of windows, roofs and facades.

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Window Shopping With technology gradually taking over every dimension of our lives, architecture, too, stands enveloped in its embrace. And speaking of envelopes, here’s a look at the recent innovations that a rapidly developing technology has enabled in fenestration design.

VITROCSA TURNABLE CORNER WINDOW SYSTEM This remarkable new corner window system works on the principle of rollers to optimise space and free up the passageway of glazed components. Glass panes up to 6 sqm in area and 250 kg in weight are stored in a dedicated area allowing the faces and corners of openings to be entirely open to panoramic views. The credit behind this innovation goes to Eric Joray and the “creative virus” he has nurtured within himself over many years. www.vitrocsa.ch

LACKER LACKERCABRIO® PARALLEL DOWNWARD OPENING WINDOW This exclusive window opening system boasts of a downward opening action that is unparalleled worldwide, minimum hardware components, a single motor system and massive pane sizes. It is suitable for commercial properties, administrative facilities, public buildings, towers, high-rises, and even indoor swimming pools. www.lacker-fenstertechnik.de

WINDOW MAGIC INDIA CONSERVATORY WINDOWS The ideal extension between a living space and the natural outdoors, a conservatory is built of walls that are 50% glazed and a roof that is 75% glazed. At Window Magic India, each conservatory is tailor made to suit the specific needs of the client’s home, right from size, shape and style to local weather conditions, quality of soil and number of trees. www.windowmagicindia.com

ALULUX ARTEC® VENETIAN BLINDS These venetian blinds make a fine statement in the facade of a building.

Easily compatible with different architectural styles, the blinds ensure that the desired room atmosphere is achieved with the help of variable visibility and sun protection.

Further, they provide flexible and soft room lighting, adjustable privacy levels and energy cost savings. www.alulux.de

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HUNTER DOUGLAS TOP-DOWN/BOTTOM-UP WINDOW SHADES® This system of window shading allows for a variety of window treatments (Roman shades, cellular shades, pleated shades, woven wood shades and honeycomb shades) to be operated from the top down as well as from the bottom up. Thus, it enables a diverse range of privacy settings to be achieved within the interiors, while still facilitating the entry of natural light. www.hunterdouglas.com

LACKER BIGAIR® LOUVRE WINDOWS Ideal for ventilating halls and other large areas, these windows are system-independent. From indoor swimming pools to high-rise buildings, churches to hotels, sports facilities to factory sheds and residences to conservatories, the application of these windows is virtually unlimited. Supplied as fully pre-assembled units complete with glazing, the fitting requires no fine adjustment of hardware. www.lacker-fenstertechnik.de

ALULUX SOLIDSCREEN® ZIP TEXTILSCREEN This zip textile screen consists of translucent fabric guided over a welded zipper which runs within a customised guide rail. Designed for external sun protection, the weatherproof material keeps the glare and heat out, while ensuring that entry of light and views are not restricted. www.alulux.de

GEZE FANLIGHT OPENER SYSTEM Designed for comfortable daily ventilation, this manual window opening system employs a slim-line scissor mechanism for open fanlights with widths of up to 320 mm. The system can be used for vertically installed top hung windows that open inwards or outwards, as well as vertically installed bottom hung windows that open inwards. Geze’s fanlight opener systems come in special shapes such as angular, triangular, semi-circular and segmental arch as well. www.geze.in

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Putting Up A Facade A facade is the defining element of a building, its first impression, its most lasting impression, a teller of what is to come within. Apart from serving as a protective envelope, it is what gives a space surfaces, for there is no interior without an exterior.

SYMONITE ALUMINIUM COMPOSITE PANELS Several features set Symonite panels apart from other composite panels. Firstly, their aluminium skin coil-coated with a PVDF paint system gives them a life expectancy of minimum 20 years. Secondly, their phenolic resin core offers an excellent fire rating. Lastly, silicone bonds well with Symonite panels. Therefore, these panels can be butt-jointed with a silicone filler in a manner similar to that of glass panels. www.symonite.com.au

SWISSPEARL® LINEARIS The Swisspearl panels are a fully developed cladding system proven to be rot-resistant, incombustible and virtually maintenance free. Holes, slots, perforations and engravings allow for customised patterns and unique, unusual effects.

Swisspearl combines design diversity with functional reliability to create the best of living standards. www.swisspearl.com

SCHUECO UCC 65 SG This modular facade system offers the appearance of structural glazing along with an impressive design flexibility and cost-effectiveness. The system enables other materials to be incorporated within its framework. Further, large-scale thermal and solar solutions can also be integrated in the structure. Schueco’s dynamic 3D facades employ revolutionary advances that make use of new geometric parameters. www.schueco.co.uk

BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES ACCELERATOR ADAPTIVE SOLAR FAÇADE This lightweight photovoltaic system generates electricity and provides effective shading. Suitable for mass production, the façade consists of thin-film PV modules and a lightweight structural frame. The framework is easy to install and can be customized to create unique architectural designs. The façade can be adapted for use in both new as well as existing constructions. www.bta.climate-kic.org

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BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES ACCELERATOR NIR REFLECTIVE VENTILATED FAÇADE SYSTEM This is a ventilated facade system with NIR (Near Infrared) reflective tiles that help to improve the building envelope’s thermal behaviour. In order to accurately evaluate this behaviour, EnergyPlus software has been integrated in the tiles. Suitable for application in residential, commercial as well as office buildings, this facade system is especially designed to target hot and arid climate zones. www.bta.climate-kic.org

HELLEMANN METALWORKS AUST VMZ ADEKA Based on small pre-formed quartz-zinc, anthra-zinc and pigmento elements featuring a unique locking key, this facade system is easy to install and boasts of long-term weatherproof properties. It comes with a full range of flashings so as to adapt to all possible facade situations. Ideal for flat facades of all sizes, less than 10 VMZ Adeka elements are needed to cover 1 sqm and the easy assembly improves zinc-laying time. www.hmmw.com.au

GARTNER CLOSED CAVITY FACADE This is a double skin facade wherein the cavity between the inner and outer skins is complete sealed. In order to prevent condensation, dry and clean air is constantly pumped into the cavity. The Closed Cavity Facade improves transparency, energy efficiency and cost efficiency. Further, all components are designed to be maintenance-free. Because the facade cavity is protected from contamination, there is no need for cleaning. www.josef-gartner.permasteelisagroup.com

FORMICA VIVIX PANELS An innovative exterior lightweight rain-screen cladding system, VIVIX redefines the landscape of contemporary construction for both new as well as renovated structures.

Developed in consultation with leading architects, these solid phenolic panels offer decorative surfaces on both sides. Further, they are available in a wide range of colours as well as nature-inspired abstract patterns and rich wood grains. The panels are costeffective, sustainable, easy to install and resistant to impact, abrasion and weather.

Thus, they contribute to increasing the overall life span of a building. www.formica.com

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A Roof Over Your Head A wise impresario once said, “The sky is the limit if you have a roof over your head.”

Then, it would not be wrong to think, owing to its innumerable advantages, that the universe is the limit if you have a sustainable roof over your head.

BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES ACCELERATOR PRÊT-À-LOGER This modular ‘skin’ enables the transformation of an ordinary row house into a smart, energy efficient home. Apart from a thermal insulation unit, a heat recovery unit and a greenhouse garden, the house is provided with photovoltaic modules on the roof that generate enough energy to operate all systems. By upgrading the existing stock of buildings, a sizeable contribution can be made to achieving zero-energy targets and creating a sustainable urban environment. www.bta.climate-kic.org

SOLOPOWER SFX1-i The SFX1-i, a lightweight and flexible thin-film, is a CIGS-based solar product that reports to have an efficiency of almost 11%. The solar modules are ideal for customers looking for an approachable solar roofing solution. An 80-watt module that weighs 5 lbs, the product is the first in a series of flexible solar films. www.solopower.com

SOLTECH ENERGY GLASS TILE SOLAR ROOF This innovative glass tile mimics the shape of traditional roof tiles, but simultaneously offers the benefit of harvesting solar energy. Once heated by the sun, the tile redirects the heat for use by the building’s central heating system. Further, the roofing system works with both air-based and water-based heating systems. The tiles are UV resistant and last much longer than conventional clay or concrete roof tiles. www.soltechenergy.com

RENSON ALGARVE® Stylish and futuristic in its aesthetic appeal, this louvred waterproof roof can turn a terrace full of harsh glare and direct sunlight into a pleasant outdoor space. Aluminium blades that rotate up to 150°, offer sun protection, cooling and ventilation. Delivered in spans of up to 4500 mm, the sides can be provided with moveable walls that provide extra protection. Additionally, the roof has a rain sensor, a wind sensor and can be fitted with lighting. www.renson-outdoor.com

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EURO SHIELD ROOFING RECYCLED RUBBER ROOF SHINGLES Made out of recycled car tyres, these innovative shingles are durable, reliable, eco-friendly and cost-effective. The wall of the tyre is removed, following which the tread section is cut into large pieces. After buffing, the rubber is coated with recycled sawdust. The pieces are heated, moulded into shape and provided with a plastic tab to make fixing easy. They can be made to mimic wood, tile or slate, allowing home owners to achieve the look of their choice with the strength of rubber. www.euroshieldroofing.com

BIRDAIR TENSOTHERM™ Tensotherm is an insulated translucent membrane roofing system. The 40 mm thick material consists of an aerogel insulation layer sandwiched between structural PTFE fabric.

Owing to its translucency, the material cuts out glare and reduces the need for artificial lighting. Additionally, Tensotherm offers properties such as high moisture control and superior acoustic attenuation. www.birdair.com

SIKA LOOSE LAID MEMBRANE SYSTEMS WITH SIKAPLAN/SARNAFIL These waterproofing membranes boast of resistance to micro-organisms as well as to root penetration. Efficient application methods allow these single ply membranes to be installed in almost any weather condition. Further, they do not require any mechanical fastening, because the soil itself provides the necessary wind uplift resistance. www.sika.com

ALUMASC ROOFING EUROROOF MONO FLAT ROOF MEMBRANE This single layer waterproofing and green roof shares all the benefits of high performance bituminous membranes. Further, it comes with a quick and safe flame-free method of installation. With a life expectancy of over 20 years, the Euroroof Mono is suited for new constructions as well as for refurbishments, and offers high tensile strength, pliability, and excellent resistance to puncture and UV degradation. www.alumascroofing.co.uk

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Form Follows Feelings At Atelier Adish Patni, design is an attitude that permeates every aspect of life.

Through the making of architecture, the studio transforms science into art, art into architecture, architecture into the poetics of space. The amalgamation of theory, exploration and practice offers a versatile structure with endless possibilities.

Photo credits Atelier Adish Patni

Could you elaborate on your firm’s ideology, “form follows feelings”?

Architecture, for us, is a fairytale presented in the language of the tectonic. It is the didactic and the fantastic, made real by the theatrical and the phenomenological.

Architecture has to address some of the most difficult questions that we face today. Yet, it relies on man’s imagination, his past, and of course, his penchant for storytelling for guidance and inspiration.

Adish Patni

With multiple projects on your plate, how do you ensure that each project is imbued with the essence of your firm?

We are involved in projects ranging in scale from small built furniture to large multi-storey buildings. We believe that creative clarity and the highest degree of construction quality are achieved only through close control and involvement.

The Faceted Commercial building makes quite a grand statement in Bangalore.

What was the inspiration behind this façade treatment?

The client shared with me his desire to leave an ostentatious mark on the city’s fabric.

From the outside, customers who look up have a clear view of the shop inside - an essential requirement of a commercial building. From the inside, a comfortable diffused light penetrates through the building’s skin keeping the harsh glare of the sun at bay. A pleated, high performance façade system incorporates light filtration and program performance in order to create an active retail experience that connects the store interior to its external context.

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The design is an attempt to amalgamate contemporary details with traditional architecture techniques. A mélange of brick patterns composes the eclectic space of Mandiram. The main entrance to the extension is a link between the old and the new.

A multi-purpose hall that encourages all forms of art, the structure is a simple brick box which invites an inquisitive mind to explore alternative building ideas and question conventions through an architecture that is derived from sensitivity, care for client requirements, the inhabitants and the nature around.

Photo credits Raghava Shreyas Foundation for Arts

Mandiram - let knowledge come from all directions, which is a Multipurpose Hall project, is a compelling expression in brick. Your comments?

Villa 64 is located on a site with a steep slope. How did this challenge influence the design of the house?

We received the commission for Villa 64 from a client who wanted a Vacation Villa which could best suit the site and the context around. In order not to hinder the views from the adjacent house, we proposed a subdued structure, one in which the existing landscape extends onto the roof of the house.

Developed from the street level downwards, the idea was to build this house without a façade, one that opens out panoramically to the valley. The house merges with the terrain making it modest in the opulent context.

The façade of the Seagulls Commercial building went through a highly explorative process of development. Your comments?

Various options and combinations of brisesoleil were developed. Things finally clicked when we started looking at the façade from the inside of the building and studied the quality of lighting generated within. The animated façade tries to be visually delightful and stimulating.

Mimicking the wings of a seagull, the folded aluminium louvers act as a skin for the operable glass panels inside. The louvers filter the western sun and create a quality of light that is suitable for offices. In essence, the façade screen provides the internal spaces with a balanced ambience of controlled direct sunlight.

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Inspiration, Ideation, Implementation OCD (Office of Cognitive Design) founded by Ar. Raja Arjun is an award-winning global design firm that employs the deeply analytical mechanisms of ‘design thinking’ to create unique and inventive architecture, interior design, brand strategy and build solutions.

Photo credits OCD

Could you comment on the ‘design thinking’ process that your firm practices?

With every project that comes to us, we adopt a seven step process - define, research, ideate, prototype, choose, implement and learn. Most designers start with what the client wants. Our projects are unique because we look at what the client needs. It is their stories we want to tell. We take the client brief and rewind three steps back. If it is a residential project, there are detailed questionnaires shared with the client to help articulate his/her requirements and tastes.

We study the way he/she functions at home on a day-to-day basis and design layouts that cater specifically to those movements. If it is a commercial project, we analyze the brand’s existing image as well as how it should be perceived.

Who makes up the OCD team?

We are a community of designers, entrepreneurs, engineers, teachers, researchers and many more. With over 120 collaborators working from 5 countries, our shared values and beliefs influence the work that we do, and the impact we hope to achieve.

The Net Zero Energy Homes for BREN in Bangalore make use of curved solar panels in the façade. What inspired this form?

These homes were built to be sustainable right from the concept level. We have challenged the idea of how a sustainable house should look. Moreover, we are dealing with sustainability not only in terms of energy efficiency, but also in terms of time and human resources. The curve allows for active and passive cooling. The same curve is optimum for maximum solar absorption. The entire building is pre-fabricated and made less than 1 km from the site. The steel used in the project is unique recycled steel infused with minerals that enhance its strength.

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Ar. Raja Arjun

The hospital project for the government of Ghana boasts of a dual-purpose living roof that the healthcare sector hasn’t seen before. Your comments?

This is the first major hospital to be built as a public-private partnership.

The hospital is a sign of hope for better healthcare for Ghanaian citizens.

Our challenge was to make every surface of the building contribute actively to bettering the experience of receiving treatment.

The largest component of the project was the roof. So, we decided to endow it with double functionality. Not only does it cool the entire complex and reduce energy consumption by 50%, the roof also houses over 1000 native species of therapeutic and herbal plants. It acts as an oasis of calm in an otherwise troublesome recovery time.

The Birla & Zuari office building in Kolkata displays trees in its façade. What was the idea behind this intervention?

Our response to an otherwise vanilla requirement was to celebrate the unique history of the city. As opposed to reinterpreting aesthetic elements from the neighbouring iconic plot, Victoria Memorial, we decided to pay homage to the exclusive trees that grow there. The very same species of trees are interspersed within open pockets in the façade, creating green spaces in every floor plan.

The rest of the building design is informed by the wind pattern, azimuth sun angles, traffic and zoning. The façade essentially comprises aluminium louvers, composite wooden louvers, decorative copper sheets and the local trees.

The Banyan retail & office building in Bangalore is a remarkable example of energy savings. How did you achieve this?

We distributed open green spaces throughout the building and facilitated the entry of ample light and ventilation through stepped balconies - all while achieving the complete allowable built-up area, of course.

The façade is India’s first to use clear solar film on double-paned glass operable windows, which produce 70% of the required energy. A combination of energy saving design and actively used green spaces, this building can reduce energy consumption per day equivalent to that of 100 polluting cars.

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KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES Frank Gehry once said, “Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness.” The architecture of a time develops as a response to the prevailing global conditions of that period, be it political, financial, social or natural.

On taking a keen look at the construction industry over the last few decades, it is easy to deduce that the most hard-hitting concern of architects today, is the question of sustainability - the concept of the green building. From effective HVAC systems to renewable energy production to low-cost building materials and techniques, sustainable architecture aims to minimize the negative environmental impact of a building, with a broader goal to preserve our resources for future generations.

While designers fight this battle, they are dutifully supported by the biggest weapon of our time - a rapidly progressing technology that has the ability to evolve overnight. Thus, emerge the current most predominant trends in window, façade and roof design, inspired by a green sensibility and a renewed enthusiasm to innovate both in form and utility.

Energy-efficient windows come in different shapes and sizes. Switching to Energy Star or similar certified windows can yield cost savings of up to 12%. Vinyl windows, fabricated from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are also an affordable and convenient option for homeowners looking to go green. Natural window treatments such as bamboo and woven blinds are making quite a comeback in 2017.

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Not only are these membranes eco-friendly and minimalist, they are now available in a variety of fixing systems giving them the flexibility to be operated from the top down as well as from the bottom up.

Lastly, solar shading and ventilation devices for achieving effective climate control and energy savings are picking up nowadays.

Not far behind the windows are today’s roofs, the styles, materials and uses of which are aimed even more so towards sustainability in 2017 than they were in previous years. Asphalt shingles are gaining popularity owing to the fact that they are lightweight, affordable and easy to install.

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Slate roofs, due to their durability, are also a popular choice. Despite the fact that they are expensive, they a last longer, resulting in overall long-term savings. Solar technology is continuously progressing and will likely remain a roofing trend for years to come. From large solar panels mounted over RCC roofs to the solar panels being the roofs themselves, today the advancements take the shape of solar shingles, solar glass tiles, and even, flexible thin-films.

While affordable roofing materials and solar panels will never go out of fashion, living roofs are becoming a much more common sight. Green roofs are a great option to cool a building and cut down on electricity bills. Although native, self-seeding flowers and grasses are easiest to maintain, green roofs offer the possibility of growing almost any kind of plant and are an ideal alternative to those who lack garden space on the ground level.

Ultra-High Performance Concrete used particularly for prefabricated panels as well as lighttransmitting concrete offer exciting opportunities. In the energy-efficient sector, there are photovoltaic glazing panels, intumescent glazing systems, dichroic glazing, glazing with integrated sun control louvers, electrochromic glass that changes from clear to opaque in a second and futuristic glass materials such as ‘kinetic’ glass which can curl or open in response to changing environmental conditions.

Single and multi-layer ETFE ‘cushions’ provide external envelope solutions that are lightweight, flexible for fritting and printing, and resistant to UV degradation and pollution. Other materials that are interesting to note are compound curved ceramic tiles, Corian façade panels and ‘sci-fi’ materials such as thermoformed plastic tiles coated with powdered photocatalytic titanium dioxide which scrub pollution from the air.

Solar shading devices

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The main courtyard filled with terrain conscious landscape elements is flanked by the staircase leading to the neighbouring building.

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TYING THE ORGANIC WITH THE INORGANIC Located in the Xuhui Area of Shanghai, China and designed by the team at Atelier Deshaus the Tea House in Li Garden is a green jewel that makes a stark statement in the concrete jungle it is nestled in.

Dictated by the placement of a looming paulownia tree, the Tea House flanked by two office buildings had a major challenge - to ensure that the aesthetics it creates is enough to transform this otherwise “residual� space into an engaging user friendly domain. The most crucial aspect of the design was to ensure that the human scale of the structure is maintained while balancing the relatively small 110 sq m garden area and the tall paulownia tree that looms over the space.

Text By Virupa Kantamneni Photographs Courtesy Tian Fangfang Home Review May 2017

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The highlight of the design is the effortless way in which the structure juxtapositions itself with nature. Upon entering the space from the gate at the far end, the courtyard in the front presents a refreshing zone before you enter the actual Tea House.

Laden with cobbled stones and terrain conscious landscaping, the courtyard paves the way for the tea house. The team shared, “We decided to put the building in the northwest corner where the paulownia stands, clinging to the back wall. In doing so, the Tea House would enjoy a relatively complete and large courtyard towards the gate. While at the same time, we cut the volume facing the paulownia into an ‘L’ shape, thus forming a tiny backyard.

This backyard functions as an outdoor room complementary to the Tea House.”

This aspect of the design showcasing the massive trunk of the tree underlines only one thing - the paulownia tree houses the tea house and not the other way around!

The cobbled stone pathway and rafted bamboos are elements that are contrasting yet seamless.

Synonymous to the design and planning of any tea house, the planning is very straightforward and minimalistic. The main room of purpose is attached with a small wet area/kitchenette at a raised level.

In an almost altruistic sense, the materials used inside are monotone, and almost monochromatic making the structure blend in with the surroundings without taking away from the natural overtones surrounding it. A welcoming timber floor lends warmth to the place that is extended to the wall in the form of timber shelves.

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Floor to ceiling glass ensures that there is no single space without the influx of natural light. Ribbed glass panes on the top and bottom ends of the glass walls add to the play of light from the outside. Further adding to the minimalistic and functional nature of the design, a suspended ceiling was introduced to hide the structural cross members and lighting elements while keeping services such as air-conditioning below the floor.

The structural elements are the true conductors of this smartly orchestrated design. The main structure is made of 60mm black steel tubes, making the whole building very undemanding. The cantilevered roof lends an overhang that covers more than twice the actual floor area below, cocooning the space below it. However, the designers at Atelier Deshaus snuck in remarkable details to ensure that the design resonates with the environment around it.

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One of the main features is the bench supported by cantilevered steel sections that makes it look like it is floating in mid air. “In order to link the building to the garden without disturbing it, we add three horizontal cantilevers at different heights: the one at 45cm high works as a bench encircling the building both inside and outside; the one at 1.8m high extends the interior space into the courtyard and marks the human scale of the corridor; and the roof is the last cantilever.” said the team. This in totality satisfies the need for a conscious human scale when designing a space that is “one with nature”.

The erudite Tadao Ando once said, “We borrow from nature the space upon which we build” and the ‘Tea House in Li Garden’ is deeply conscious of this fact. deshaus@163.com info@deshaus.com www.deshaus.com

The tea house thanks to the conscious materials and design, remains camouflaged in its surroundings.

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JEFF 6000man stu0io

Jeff Goodman Studio creates one-ofa-kind architectural and decorative glass products; qualities such as fluid, organic, colourful and beautifully shaped are the hallmark of this studio.

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Jeff Goodman (1961-2012) one of Canada’s most significant glass artists, founded his award-winning studio in 1989. Since his death in 2012, the studio is led by Creative and Executive Director Sylvia Lee and a team of creative professionals who continue to break new ground in the field.

The Jeff Goodman Studio based in Toronto, Canada is involved in modern glass design and fabrication. The studio produces handmade installations, lighting, vessels and architectural glass for luxury projects worldwide.

Abacus

The studio has some remarkable and jawdropping projects in its portfolio. Most recently, the ‘Abacus’ modular screen launched in January 2017 is receiving a fair bit of interest for its colourful and innovative design. The beads on this oversized Abacusinspired screen are made from coloured glass and can be customised to any colour and combination. Like the traditional counting tool, this version has a wooden frame and little metal rods on which the glass beads rest and can be moved up and down to create a bespoke pattern. The screen can be used as a decorative tool or as a partition or room divider.

Talking about jaw-dropping work, the Jeff Goodman Studio had a significant part to play in the poetic Bahá’í Temple of Santiago, Chile in South America. The “nine monumental glass veils” make up the unusual walls and lead into an open worship space that can accommodate up to 600 visitors. The petals converge into a central oculus where light pours in through the glass and creates a magical, peaceful experience.

Lima

The 32mm-thick borosilicate glass panels were handmade in Toronto, cut in Toronto and Germany, shaped, polished and then shipped to Chile where they were assembled onto the structure. The thick, milky-white translucent glass has a luminous quality that is perfect for the temple. It can also be used for other applications like wall dividers and table tops.

Maple Leaf Lounge

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Ovelle

The Studio’s designs for everyday items are also pretty stunning. The Leaf Bowl, for example, is made of single rods of glass fused together and melted into the final shape. The frosted finish compliments the glass with a soft glow.

The Lima is the Studio’s tallest hand blown glass vase. Every piece is individual and one-of-a-kind. The curved silhouette has a frosted finish which gives a certain luminescence to the glass. The cluster of 15 large scale Lima vases ranging from 38” to 52” high were commissioned for the new Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge in Frankfurt, Germany make for a remarkable and intriguing display.

The Studio has several other standout vases.

The Ovelle’s organic shape reminds one of fabric moving in the wind, an effect created during the blowing process when the still molten glass is inflated and stretched.

Similarly, the Veer is also a slim, elegant and curvilinear vase that has a coloured ‘middle’ set against frosted glass outside. This hand-made jewel is also available in over 20 colours.

The Sagoma series has rounded forms with the studio’s trademark etched surface.

Sagoma is the Italian word for outline and profile and the studio wanted to explore this facet in glass.

Veer

The eye-catching Topography wall installation is made of hand-blown, oneof-a-kind organic bowl forms. Each of these can be put together in an endless combination to create a fascinating display.

The shiny interior of the bowl is juxtaposed perfectly against the frosted exterior to emphasise the shape of the bowl.

Sagoma

Topography

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The Scribe collection has vases, bowls and ovoids with drawings etched onto their surfaces while the Bioa vase has a cylindrical shape with driftwood-inspired texture. Their hand-blown glass tumblers with etched lace detail are exquisite as well.

The Jeff Goodman Studio also does customised installations for clients like the vases for the aforementioned Maple Leaf Lounge and the large Enzo Chandelier for the Ritz Toronto Spa. The latter has 259 neutral-coloured, hand-blown glass discs suspended below a skylight. The overall size of the installation is 2.75m x 12m. Other installations include sculptures for the Royal Ontario Museum and murals and glass walls for various hotels and private clients.

The late Jeff Goodman’s intention was to “push the boundaries of how glass showed up in architecture, art and vernacular life”. His obituary reveals that “His studio family was a hive of purpose and creativity, supported implicitly by his core team.” As you can see, his vision is serendipitously shared by the existing members of the Studio who continue to conjure up beautiful objects that are all of luminescent, creative and enduring.

Enzo Chandelier for the Ritz Toronto Spa

www.jeffgoodmanstudio.com

Cascade

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DESIGN DESTINATION

OSA WHERE It is an urban marvel, and a showcase of modern Japan. Yet, it retains the essence of its past, which is ingrained in the vast cityscape. Osaka, located on the main island of Honshu, roughly in the centre of Japan is the second smallest prefecture of the country.

However, it is the second most populous prefecture after Tokyo.

It also has a lot of non-Japanese residents.

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KA WHEN

WHY

Osaka takes on a different mood, and displays a different form of expression during each season, making it tarvel worthy throughout the year. At the end of March, the cherry blossoms burst into bloom, welcoming spring. Summer in Osaka is hot and humid. Autumn is very colourful. Winter, between December and February is crisply cold. It could be said that Osaka has a relatively mild climate with four distinct seasons.

Osaka has a bustling economy which makes it a central hub for many activities. Moreover, it is located near famous neighbouring cities like Kyoto, Nara, Kobe and Wakayama.

It’s architecture personifies the modern Japanese aesthetic. Elegant minimalism punctuated by relics of the past define the city. The vibrant city offers the best of Japanese food, culture and architecture.

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DOWNTOWN ELEGANCE The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka is a luxurious five-star hotel in downtown Osaka. Its location in the prestigious Nishi-Umeda business and shopping district does add to its popularity. However, what is most striking is how the decor and the ethos of the entire space reflects the subtle melange between the ancient traditions and decor cues of Japan with its ultra-modern landscape.

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The rooms live up to the reputation of being a part of the most elegant hotel in town. Each room exudes sophisticated style and luxurious finishes. Clean lines mark the design and elements such as furnishings, colour and curated artefacts add a touch of glamour without any hint of excess. After all, this is Japan, and hence, while sophistication is highly appreciated, too much of anything spoils the show!

The public areas of the hotel are much more opulent. A lot of wooden furniture adds a warm and cosy feel to the entire space. Bespoke lighting is used in right measure to create an inviting ambience.

One often associates Japan with the cherry blossom flowers. The rich flora of the country is proudly expressed through varied artwork as well as floral arrangements throughout the space.

THE ORIGINAL CASTLE TOWN The Osaka Castle is a monument that opens windows to a past laden with rich history.

Hideyoshi Toyotomi, a famous warlord, built Osaka Castle in 1583. In the wars that raged between the winter of 1614 and the summer of 1615, parts of the castle were destroyed.

However, it now stands renovated, basking in glory. The eight towering levels are strategically built on a rock-face overlooking a picturesque moat.

The castle tower is now entirely modern on the inside and even features an elevator for easier accessibility. It houses a museum that chronicles the castle’s history. Secondary citadels, gates, turrets, and moats surround the structure. Examples of fabulous art such as the gilded golden koi fish that sit on the wings of the roof, are another delight.

The Nishinomaru Garden, encompassing the former “western citadel”, is a garden with 600 cherry trees, a tea house, the former Osaka Guest House and also provides excellent views of the castle tower from below.

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ODE TO THE SKIES What is an urban cityscape without a high-rise to boast of? The Umeda Sky, with two 40-story towers, is the nineteenthtallest building in Osaka. Needless to say, it remains one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. The two uppermost floors are connected to each other with bridges and an escalator, forming the “Floating Garden Observatory” on the 39th floor.

The views from the observatory are great indeed, and many visitors go there for a 360-degree panoramic view. The 173meter-tall building is thus a popular tourist spot. In the basement, it has a restaurant floor that replicates a town of the early Showa period, in the history of the Japanese culture. Offices occupy most other floors.

THE GRAND SHRINE..

A mention of Japan is incomplete without acknowledging the distinct contribution of shrines to the country’s architectural heritage.

Osaka hosts the Sumiyoshi Taisha, one of Japan’s oldest shrines. It is said to be founded in the 3rd century.

It displays a unique style of shrine architecture, called Sumiyoshi-zukuri style.

For example, it has straight roofs, unlike later shrines which have curved roofs. It has the entrance under the gable and is surrounded by a fence.

Sumiyoshi Taisha is the main and most famous of over two thousand Sumiyoshi shrines found across Japan. The Sumiyoshi shrines enshrine the ‘shinto gods’ who protect travellers, fishermen and sailors at sea. The shrines are therefore usually found close to harbours, which explains the location in Osaka, which is a bay area. There is another attraction here, namely, the beautiful Sorihashi Bridge, which creates a uniquely high arch over a pond.

Text By Dhanishta Shah

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Nestled in the rural landscape of Amalsad village in South Gujarat, the 450 sq m farmhouse sits in a beautifully landscaped 1.25 acre plot.

The building wears its rustic cloak with ĂŠlan.

GREEN PROJECT

SUBSTANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

When a building resonates with the architectural language of a region, including all its ethnic, regional and local dialects, it re-establishes the lost identity and cultural vibrancy of a place. Such building design is best defined as vernacular architecture. Architect Himanshu Patel’s farmhouse is a stunning example of the said genre.

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The open plan living space accommodates a seating area, dining and kitchen; all this visually increases the sense of space in the absence of doors.

More old wood and stone appear throughout the interior.

Architecture is a unique component of a country’s culture and in a country as diverse as India, the local architectural map is constantly changing and evolving.

Vernacular architecture is composed of local materials, derived from local customs and techniques that have been passed down over generations. In the words of Architect Himanshu Patel, “Vernacular architecture not only reflects local traditions and needs but also expresses climate responsive planning principles. Thus it becomes mandatory to understand age old methods before using them in today’s context.”

Nestled in the rural landscape of Amalsad village in South Gujarat, the 450 sq m farmhouse sits in a beautifully landscaped 1.25 acre plot.

A feature wall of locally hand-made matkas highlights the entrance. “Their natural red colour is also considered auspicious for use in the entry but more than this I am happy that this wall created jobs for local villagers”.

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The Sheesham furniture is light weight and follows a burnt-orange palette that offsets the building’s semblance. ‘Warli’ wall art hung beneath coloured stained glass unfolds the story of a traditional lifestyle in the living space.

This charming house also called the ‘Vashi farmhouse’ not only exhibits the potential of vernacular architecture towards sustainable design but also acts as a much needed antidote to today’s rushed lifestyle. Replacing modernism’s boring-box legacy, Himanshu shares, “In the present architectural scenario, one is veering towards modern architecture where humanistic considerations are no longer the primary logic for evaluation of design.

This has led to a break from tradition and given us a host of impersonal, anonymous buildings.”

The Vashi farmhouse limits everything to the essential but does not remove its poetry from it. The architect has used brick and mortar in a way that reveals the materials’ innate qualities along with the craftsmanship of their assembly.

“Working with bricks is not only interesting but is also very satisfying to me. Even a plain simple brick wall can be so full of pattern and colour” says Himanshu. The building wears its rustic cloak with élan. Arranged in an H-shaped plan, it was conceptualised around two distinct green spaces - an indoor courtyard and an outdoor garden.

A series of variously proportioned sloping roofs help offset heavy rainfall native to the region. A deeply covered balcony facilitates the transition from the hot and humid exterior environment. These architectural interventions help keep the space insulated and also cope with climatic hazards.

Communal living spaces arranged around the central courtyard evoke a sense of family ancestry specific to the house.

The open plan living area accommodates seating, dining and kitchen and visually increases the sense of space given the absence of doors. Old marble tiles with ceramic inlay are re-used to create a vibrant reclaimed floor. More old wood and local stone appear throughout the interior.

The Sheesham furniture is light weight and follows a burnt-orange palette that offsets the building’s semblance. Warli wall art hung beneath coloured stained glass reiterates the story of a traditional lifestyle in the living space.

Visitors pass through an informally designed, horse-shoe portal that takes them through a cobbled courtyard where a huge rustic kind of sculpture sits at the centre.

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Layout Plan

A series of variously proportioned sloping roofs help offset heavy rainfall native to the region.

Himanshu clarifies, “The horse-shoe shape symbolises good luck and we traditionally see this at entrances. It becomes a fascinating element and serves as an icon of welcome on occasions of celebrations and rituals.”

A fascinating drop-off area, semi covered by a wooden pergola and housing a lily pond leads you towards the corbelled brick wall entrance where Nandi idols reference the religious leanings of the owners. The entrance veranda rests on a subtle yet remarkable floor finished in a combination of polished and rough golden Kota.

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All the bedrooms have attached private balconies and bathrooms equipped with skylights that are pro saving of electricity.

Exposed cement finish walls and the crazy Kota flooring made of waste materials compliment the granite panel holding brushed golden faucets. The interestingly half-done staircase with solid Kadappa stone steps and wooden risers adds to the list of locally sourced materials.

A feature wall made up of local handmade matkas highlights the entrance.

“Their natural red colour is also considered auspicious for use in the entry but more than this I am happy that this wall created jobs for the local villagers,” shares Himanshu. While the foundation is of random rubble stone masonry, the 14” thick load bearing exposed brick walls act as thermal insulators.

While the foundation is of random rubble stone masonry, the 14” thick load bearing exposed brick walls act as thermal insulators.

The ground floor roof is fabricated out of locally made clay pot filler RCC slabs and rests on twisted brick columns. Such slabs used instead of concrete not only aid in diminishing costs but also help transfer lesser loads to the walls. They are good heat insulators and give the ceiling an element of design. “Part of the building is circular in shape and responds purely towards reusing old curved windows” explains Himanshu.

This farmhouse proves once again that by relying on vernacular architecture one can easily achieve sustainability apart from revitalizing the charisma of a forgotten era.

the6thddesignstudio@gmail.com www.instagram.com/the6thd

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GREENGRUB TOYS

Greengrub Toys, a firm based in Brisbane, Queensland Australia, is involved in the creation of beautiful, handmade wooden toys and bedroom décor for kids.

The products are not only of premium quality and child friendly, but also parent and planet friendly. Greengrub Toys’ product range is made from materials that do much less harm to the planet than similar products made with traditional materials.

The range consists of organic products that meet criteria such as being made out of sustainable sources, renewable woods and recycled materials.

Text Compiled By Mala Bajaj

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The team at Greengrub Toys is composed of woodworking artisans, who believe in handmaking all the toys and furniture accessories to order. The absence of any machines itself is an energy saving measure and creating just enough to meet the demand does away with waste and excess inventory. The team proudly states, “We make premium quality wooden toys and décor and have 20 years of woodworking experience.”

The entire product range is made from eco-friendly and sustainably farmed compressed bamboo. Each piece created by Greengrub Toys is unique as the bamboo grain is always slightly different each time.

After the products are properly hand carved, they are then finished with a non-toxic, plant based oil for protection.

None of their products contain plastics or petro chemicals and the best eco friendly endeavour of this conscientious business is that their workshop is 100% solar powered and all waste sawdust is composted in the owners’ garden.

Greengrub Toys promotes sustainability and has pledged to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle to ensure their products are as environment friendly as possible.

Bamboo wooden toys are a fantastic alternative to plastic toys, not just because they are eco friendly but also because they have a beautiful texture and strength.

Children have a natural affinity for all kinds of materials from nature. Bamboo toys inspire babies and kids to use their imaginations to the highest levels.

Greengrub Toys singularly relies on bamboo as their choice of wood, simply because bamboo is considered one of the fastest growing and most sustainable plants on Earth. It can grow up to 90 cm a day and can reach its full height in one growing season, which is typically 3-4 months. When bamboo is harvested between 3-7 years, new shoots appear and grow from the same root system.

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Bamboo forests are self-renewing and harvesting can take place without damaging the bamboo forest. Apart from this bamboo is stronger than most hardwoods.

Bamboo forests can release 35% more oxygen than timber tree forests and have lower environmental impacts than harvesting hardwood with hardwood forests also taking decades to recover.

With the use of products from Greengrub Toys one is sure that not only will children will be introduced to sustainable living right from an early age but the experience with eco friendly products will only serve to help them choose such products time and again as they grow up.

Greengrub Toys does not sell its products from physical stores but prefers to market them exclusively from its online store. www.greengrubtoys.com.au/

In addition to the very tasteful and interesting range of toys, Greengrub Toys is also involved in making name signs out of bamboo wood. These are perfect to add that unique and stylish touch to children’s rooms. These come with a natural rope too which is perfect for hanging them up.

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Greengrub Toys also offers a chic dĂŠcor range for kids. These bamboo wood bedroom accessories come imbued with touches of Australian flavour and are sure to create a cherished space and delightful atmosphere in your home just perfect for your children and you.

THE INSIDE TRACK NOW ON APPLE AND ANDROID

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE COPY* OF THE INSIDE TRACK AND STAY CONNECTED All you need to do is download the free Magzter app.

Apple users can download Magzter from the App Store.

Android users can download Magzter from Android Market.

Try it out today.

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Design Mumbai Vibe, Mumbai At Mumbai Vibe, owned by Ram and Neelam Raimalani of Spicy Sangria Hotels, an innate sense of style and eye for detail permeates through the interiors done by Sonia Mohindra.

A haven for relaxation, the 3000 sq. ft. space of the restaurant has been segregated into 3 zones, each exuding a different vibe yet sticking to its impeccable styling. With a colour palette of vibrant, warm colours, the alfresco area that can seat approximately 40 people has been adapted to ape a picnic spot.

With pristine white picket fencing adorned with brightly coloured flower pots and picnic tables, they also have a table tailored with swing seating.

The interiors greet you with a live kitchen and bakery. The walls reverberate with soothing tones, butterflies and other vivacious printed upholstery, tiles and paintings. To give one a more homely feeling a small library with some of the contemporary favourites for various age groups has been set up.

The upstairs plays a dual role of a lounge and cafÊ, with the bar positioned there. Cohesive with its vibrant prints, this area too has a lively palette expressed through its dÊcor. To bring in the cities soul there are quirky trinkets all around the place emulating Mumbai’s spirit. sonia.mohindra@uor.in

Text Compiled By Anindita Ganguly

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Intelligent design need not be restricted to mammoth-sized spaces. Sometimes, even a small idea can lead to stunningly brilliant interior themes.

Mixology Design Mixology spotlights innovative design in various domains such as showrooms, bars, clinics, spas and much more.

Minerva Residence, Mumbai Minerva Residence in Mumbai bears testimony to the energetic and vibrant design plan and execution of the architects of HBA, a division of Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), the world’s leading hospitality design firm.

With its breath-taking views overlooking the Arabian Sea and the Mahalaxmi Race Course, Minerva Residence offers a unique taste of opulence.

The residence has been designed amalgamating vintage elements in a contemporary design set-up. Several remarkably iconic paintings such as the ones that adorn the walls of the living, the dining and the bedroom add a classic touch to the home. The grand chandeliers in the living room and the dining room capture your attention at once.

The living room opens into a balcony which has a relaxing seating arrangement, decked with plants that offer a breath-taking view of the city.

The furniture has been chosen in a manner that they add character to the space that they occupy.

Moreover, carefully selected statues, artefacts and art-work add to its look. www.hba.com

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Highway Appendage, Kadodara Designed by Niel Parekh and Pooja Parekh from The Company of Design, the Highway Appendage cafĂŠ is a space divided into a series of intimate niches delineated by blue cotton ropes. the cafe also has a series of signage engraved in the flooring.

Programmatically, there is an informal sitting area and a convertible party area which are separated through a ‘planter divider’.

Ropes are used in the space as an important and economical space making element which create small niches for privacy and also creates a zesty ceiling in the party hall.

There is a glass facade looking outside towards the highway inspired from the artist Piet Mondrian, wherein the entry doors become a part of the pattern itself. The furniture at Highway Appendage has been designed to be unique. Here chairs and sofas with metal framework and cushioning, finished with leather have been used, keeping the cafe more dynamic.

Overall the material palette has been kept subtle and belonging to the same family as far as walls and floors are concerned, wherein various contrasting elements such as the number plates, planter screen, rope screens, etc. are used to add vibrancy to the space. info@thecompanyofdesign.com

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FABER: FOR BETTER HOMES Faber launches two amazing products - an RO water purifier and 3D Chimney.

FFIL is India’s leading kitchen appliances manufacturer with Swiss and Italian parentage for “Franke” and “Faber” brands respectively. Franke Faber India Limited is part of 2.5 billion USD Franke Artemis Group. Franke Artemis Group has business interests in Kitchen Systems, Food Service, Coffee Systems, Beverage Systems and Washroom Systems and is present in over 70 countries.

With its India headquarters in Pune, Franke Faber India Limited has completed 16 years of its India journey.

Recently Faber has launched two amazing innovations in the form of RO Water Purifier and 3D Chimney. These remarkable new launches come with the promise of superior Faber technology.

The RO water purifier from Faber is designed by Faber, Italy, and made in India. Faber uses “Filmtec” membranes across the range. These membranes are 100% made in USA and are untouched by human hands during the manufacturing process. This helps the water purifier to perform in the TDS limit of 3000 ppm.

The range of RO water purifiers offers assurance of 100% RO water & 100% UV water. Faber does not use TDS controller in its range of RO water purifiers.

All the water purifier offer “Germblock” technology which protects the purified stored water from microbial contamination.

They also come with a unique “Copper Guard” and “MAT” Mineral Addition Technology process. With the MAT system the filter adds back essential minerals to purified RO water, while the Copper Guard feature acts as an antifouling agent and enhances the taste of water making it potable.

Another outstanding product from is Faber is the 3D Hood. You can now make your home smoke-free with the new 3D Chimney by Faber.

Many studies point out that air in Indian kitchens is more polluted than the air outside the house. Cooking in India involves lot of sautéing and frying

that produces harmful gases like CO, NO2, & SO2 in the process. Inhalation of these gases leads to health issues including respiratory disorders, skin damage etc.

A kitchen chimney not only removes the harmful smoke and fumes which damage the health but also ensures that the furniture and the appliances in the kitchen remain in pristine condition.

In a normal chimney, the suction happens from the bottom vents, hence any smoke which escapes the bottom vents tend to stay in the kitchen for a long time, with a negative effect on individual’s health and kitchen environment.

Faber introduces a 3D Chimney with T2S2 technology with 3 way suction. Its unique filters on the sides of the hood extract any smoke that escapes the bottom vent. This technology ensures a kitchen free from smoke and grease making it clean and hygienic.

The remarkable features including 25% higher suction area, 15% better grease reduction and 15% less noise makes the chimney unique. Opt for healthy cooking with the all new 3D Chimney by Faber. www.faberindia.com Home Review May 2017

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Rubel Dhuna Architects (RDa) believes in designing spaces employing carefullyconsidered materials, along with a facilitation of abundant sunlight, and above all exploring every possibility of multi-tasking.

The team at Mumbai-based Rubel Dhuna Architects (RDa) has a masterful talent - the designers in it can convert just about any space into a fashionable mini-universe that is unlike its surroundings. Be it a small terrace, a rooftop corner, or a loft, their plans can assign a new identity to it.

The key to this thinking is careful material use and RDa, set up in 2009, does it by using a select small number of materials every time, letting them shine on their own as well as complement each other. The other secret is in splitting even the tightest spaces into multiple utility sections, and then threading them together along a string of furniture pieces. These projects look simple but think smart. Not that those are mutually exclusive traits!

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Everything about this farmhouse will put you at ease. The sublime colour palette at work here is powerful enough to make even the most tired soul begin rejuvenating. On display is the RDa team’s genius for creating multiple microcosmic segments within a larger space. This farmhouse is located on the roof-top of a residential building. What was an unused part of the building has today become an earthy studio apartment fit for hosting get-togethers with friends and for weekend retreats not too far from home.

The flooring here, made using kota stone inside and a glimmering cladding of mosaic outside, is central to the feeling of calm that the space inhabits. Next in line is the wood, finished so to look matte and homely, and combined with some of the cane furniture pieces, to look invitingly content with life.

Then there are the French windows, with rolling drapes at the ready, filling up the bedroom with sunlight and setting up just the right slim demarcation between the interiors and the exterior.

Rugs, mostly brown and blue but never loud, pepper the floor. The designers eschewed decking up the walls in favour of planting trees and bushes around the space, which ensure constant views of whimsical scenery that only nature can provide. The apartment is bookended by the private garden and a community space.

Juxtaposed along the main patio are a seating area and a dining section, the latter sitting Instagram-perfect with its blue and brown window backdrop and a traditional bharani acting as a flower-holder. Seen beyond is the JJ Flyover and the rest of the city madness. But you won’t know of that inside the apartment, which is what makes this project brilliant.

Text by Shruti Nambiar Photographs Courtesy the Architect

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The design team performed quite a few aesthetic calisthenics to get this project’s ‘exhaustive’ list of demands right. This had to be an office for 2 lawyers, but the space in this loft located in Mumbai’s Fort area was limited. So, the team flicked every unconventional switch on in their design and got working on a highly fluid scheme.

The entrance corridor houses the reception, which quickly spills over to the conference room and private study. The latter two sections have a glass partition in the middle which can be screened off when need be and opened up when a larger gathering is in the offing. The conference corner is dominated by a sleek micro concrete tabletop with a white powder-coated metal base, carefully constructed by RDa itself to fit just right in the tight space.

The table perfectly complements the white and silver grey patterned cement tiles from Bharat Floorings and Tiles which bask in the sheets of natural light streaming in from the generous window swathe. The general tenor here is clean, white, and wooden, together establishing an aura of efficiency and order.

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Right next to it, the study is livened up a bit by the double-depth library shelfing where the multi-coloured book spines stand out in comparison to the rest. A singlestep staircase leads up to the reading loft, a charming little escape made for quiet introspection and, maybe, afternoon naps.

The space below the staircase has been turned into a double-depth storage corner, undoubtedly a smart addition for an office that is bound to have a high volume of paper records.

RDa’s product line is distinguished by its simple solidity. The furniture pieces and lamps in the firm’s product collection are multi-faceted in spite of their low-on-frills demeanour. A lot of the inspiration of form also comes from traditional Indian furniture like charpais and muddahs. RDa has designed a line of products for No-mad 97% India. The Bhelstand, Charpai and Muddah and coffee table were designed

by RDa for NO-Mad97% India.

The style stakes of the recognisable forms are amped up by replacing the usual wooden or cane material with handcrafted metal which is then further enhanced by the intricate use of waxed cotton cord dyed in sprightly colours.

The team maintains its characteristic restraint, not over-doing the colour or the re-invention. The ‘Muddah’, made of mild steel, is a small but pretty presence in any room and is perfect for use as a singular coffee table in, say, a home’s reading nook. It was awarded the ‘Best Furniture Product of the Year 2013’ at the Elle Décor International Design Awards (EDIDA).

The ‘Charpai’ has a similar make, but is available in two sizes and multiple colours and weaves.

The tapering crossed legs of the piece represent its modernity, while its solid weave and post-less form is quintessentially old.

This piece can be a day bed or a coffee table, and we reckon, an excellent surface to play board games on. The ‘Bhelstand’ is another resident of this universe and can be slipped into any setting which is asking for a spot of hipster quirkiness.

The paper veneer lights (Flexure 1 and Flexure 2) and micro concrete table (Gypsy) are part of RDa’s in-house furniture collection. ‘Flexure 1’(used in the Lawyer’s Den) has been crafted out of fine Oakwood paper veneer, a lovely, light material that allows the team to experiment with shapes.

Hung from a brass rod, the lamp gives out textured light that enhances the grainy translucence of the base material.

‘Flexure 2’ is hardier in comparison and has been designed using teakwood, SS electrical cord, and acrylic. Its form is long and sleek, making it ideal for creating lamp clusters over large tables. The thinness of the lamp and the slim glowing centre would be perfect for any library as well. contact@rda.net.in www.rubeldhuna.com Home Review May 2017

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FUNDERMAX: SETTING NEW TRENDS IN FAÇADE CLADDING FunderMax aims to be the trendsetter in design and aesthetics in the world of façade cladding.

In a conversation with Mr. Prashanth Reddy, Managing Director, FunderMax India Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai, we have been enlightened upon the façade cladding industry in India and how FunderMax is contributing to it progressively.

What kinds of facade systems does FunderMax provide?

FunderMax provides rain screen façade system which improves the building protection by enhancing functionality of façade with respect to heat reduction, noise reduction, and better weather protection. We can increase Thermal Efficiency of the building with effective design element.

FunderMax contributes to elegant, vibrant looking façade as per the architect intent by providing technical supports in the form of designs, drawings, and optimization to facilitate faster decision making to customers/ architect/ façade consultant.

What are some of Fundermax’s most popular products for facade cladding in India?

FunderMax offers exterior applications like Max Exterior F Quality, Lap Siding, perforated panels and different surfaces like glossy, matte, textures, individual and customised digital prints, etc.

Although the market preference is tilted towards wooden grains, we see our monochrome decor doing well in the corporate and builders’ segment, and a lot of stone decor catching interest to replace most of natural stone owing to its weight and porosity issues.

For interior applications in India, FunderMax currently offers Max Resistance2-highly chemical-resistant HPL panels for laboratory table tops.

The virtually limitless variety of possible designs make FunderMax panels an innovative companion for discerning architecture with an eye for long lasting, high quality. FunderMax panels make it possible to change the appearance of building in a wide variety of ways from exciting wood, stone or metal patterns and vibrant monochrome, all the way to

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digital print designs that make it possible to customise design of your facade with any motif one can imagine.

In addition, there is broad selection of assorted formats and mounting variations that also create a whole different character for your building: hidden or specifically visible mounting, cladding, perforation, CNC milled etc.

What sets FunderMax apart from other cladding brands?

We do not see ourselves as only a manufacturer and supplier of high pressure laminates but a complete solution provider which is our USP and makes us command the position we are in and we continuously strive to remain in a leading position. FunderMax from its rich international experience believes in educating the Indian market about the latest technologies in façade cladding such as rear ventilated façade cladding system which we have intensively promoted amongst the Architect and other Construction Industry fraternity in India.

What are the needs of the Indian consumer with regard to exterior façade cladding? Are there any specifications which are important for the Indian climate?

Indian customers are price-sensitive, and cladding is still considered more from an aesthetic point of view than functional performance. Of late, this has changed though and there is increasing awareness about the importance of durable, sustainable and easy-to-maintain environment friendly cladding products.

With the energy crisis and a focus on sustainable building, the demand for energy-efficient products is increasing Are there any new products/innovations that your company will be introducing?

Have you developed any products especially for India?

On lines with our tag line, “for people who create”, we try to assess the requirements and preferences of the architects and launch new products based on the international evolving trends so as to offer world class products. For instance, our latest Max Exterior Range of Decors which we launched in 2016 was created after taking inputs from prominent architects all across the world with 20 people working for last 5 years and having to test for Exterior conditions thoroughly.

Our new collection has a total of over

30,000 SKUs for Architects offering High design freedom and the entire collection is available completely in India.

What do you feel is going to be the future trends in the facade segment?

Mr. Prashanth Reddy, Managing Director, FunderMax India Pvt. Ltd.

Facades are going to be necessity and would be integral part of every building in times to come not only for addressing civil construction defects but also for sustainability of the building. Technological innovations have given rise to more robust, energy-efficient, innovative and adaptable façade systems such as back-ventilated, double-skin, louvers and energy-efficient façade cladding systems.

These advancements have led to innovative new cladding materials such as exterior grade HPL compact laminates, polycarbonate panels, fibreglass-reinforced plastics, clay tiles, etc. Of the materials available, compact laminate offers high flexibility and multiple options in terms of the finishes and decors available.

Moreover, the panels can be customised via CNC cutting into any motifs the architect wants. They can be customised for each building for different wind loads, dead loads, thermal loads, etc., protect the building from weather extremes. officeindia@fundermax.biz Home Review May 2017

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The overall sense of dÊcor and materials used is classic with niches of eclectic furniture and nouveau art deco pieces, thus providing the clients a thorough insight of the brand’s style.

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Retail Therapy

The Curatorial Eye Qrator, a fun pun on the word ‘curator’ aims to make the best in home décor available under one roof, by curating fine works of art and furniture by renowned European artists and brands.

Text By Dhanishta Shah Photographs Courtesy Gautam Prasad and Sandeep Choudhury.

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A lot of effort has gone into selecting objects that are a result of bespoke craftsmanship.

Qrator is the creation of Pooja Poddar.

Her passion for beautiful home décor and art reflects in the curated products on display at the store as well as the warm and opulent décor of the 1200 square feet space.

This contrast creates the statement entrance. The effect is enhanced with the backlit logo reflecting in the glass during the evenings. It also serves to establish a contrast between the two different areas of the store.

A dramatic entrance with a copper corridor greets the visitor. Here copper completely clads the walls, ceiling and doors. This leads to the main store space where lighter colour tones have been used in the form of a white silk wallpaper with grey hues.

The entire store is a play of light, shadows and colours revealed at different times of the day. The division of the area into the store, gallery and outdoors somehow layers the entire experience of moving within.

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One would expect that since Qrator stocks hand-picked luxury brands from Europe, there would be a brand-wise display of the products. However, this is not so. “Our overall décor mimics a comfortable living space as we want our clients to feel quite ‘at home’ when they’re here.

Art and décor merge seamlessly.

We attach a lot of importance to the aesthetics of the brands we are showcasing and we choose the right kind of props or furniture to accentuate the product. The only time we put products from a single brand together is only if the collection put together is more flattering.

We create small living setups along with the furniture we manufacture to give our clients the overall perspective of the final look,” explains Poddar.

One of the highpoints of the décor is the open-air rooftop garden in the centre. “It’s both a place of solace and versatility for me as I can decorate this space in so many different ways during our events.

Seemingly common objects are actually works of art.

Moreover, it enhances the overall look of our store on any normal day due to the enormous amount of light and elements of nature, such as birds! The shadows the glass creates during the evenings are fantastic,” she says.

In addition to the store space, Qrator has a gallery and outdoor garden area that take up an additional 1800 square feet.

This is used at the time of various events held at the gallery for dining, seating and art display.

The plain white marble flooring that has been used throughout the store, gallery space and garden area serves to maintain a cohesive classical style throughout.

The overall sense of décor and materials used is classic with niches of eclectic furniture and nouveau art deco pieces, thus providing the clients an overall impression of the brand’s style.

The products include furniture, bespoke accessories and art pieces. They change the display of products very often, sometimes almost every other month. The store has been designed in such a manner that there are very few fixed elements; this gives the much-needed flexibility to play around with furniture and other accent pieces.

The curatorial eye is very strong here, and this reflects not only in the products but also in the store décor. Ultimately, the goal is to appeal to the aesthetic sense of the customer. “What appeals to the eye, appeals to the mind. I feel the décor of any space influences the customers to make a decision. It’s important for clients to feel comfortable in the space they’re in as well as feel a level of association with the brand,” she concludes. www.qrator.co.in

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THE MARKETPLACE Fundermax Launches New Exterior Textured Surface

NITCO Launches Bathroom Tiles Bathrooms today have a natural world’s timeless appeal, one that both harnesses and inspires beauty. Home-owners today are therefore, showing strong interest in soothing and comfortable materials in bathroom. The focus has shifted on relaxation and well-being, almost like health spa.

NITCO’s bathroom collection tiles are an evergreen option for tiling bathroom floors.

It exudes the perfect look and texture which are comforting to the feet. Designed to turn your bathroom space into an artistic canvas, the tiles are crafted with captivating textures and patterns.

FunderMax launches a new exterior textured surface “SKY” with stone finishes in 10 decors and 2 sizes i.e, 4100x1300mm in 6mm and 8mm thickness. SKY is an aesthetically striking new addition which enables designers and architects to effectively re-create stone and concrete like facades.

This is suitable wherever stone cladding preferred but couldn’t be considered due to constraints like high structural load and other risks associated like stones are highly porous and absorb the stain marks very easily. Also some stones are soft, brittle and very susceptible to chipping, developing cracks and breaking. The stone cladding is time consuming and labor intensive processes which require regular maintenance over the years and have to be polished periodically.

Available in a variety of traditional and contemporary shades this unique alternative to stone, ceramic and metal facades is already proving highly popular.

Dr. Prashanth Reddy, Managing Director FunderMax India says, “We’re incredibly excited to be unveiling SKY surface for the Indian market. Designed ‘for people who create’, this unique and new exterior surface will allow professionals to achieve the very best in terms of visual depth and texture.

And as the surface design doesn’t have a grain, architects no longer need to worry about the direction of the cut during installation.” www.fundermax.at/en

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Their Lapato finish tiles offers better traction with an anti-slip surface whereas Rustic Finish on tiles imparts long-lasting anti-slip properties. Matt finish tiles show far less slipping tendency than a high glossy tiles.

Glossy finish tiles reflect the light and create an illusion of large space.

NITCO’s High definition and advanced 6 color prism printing technology has enabled replication of near to life designs on tiles.

Besides 3D technology helps to create low and high relief on the tiles surface that gives unique engraved look to the tile. www.nitco.in

Polar Lighting Poles From K-LITE ‘K-LITE’ surface mounted Polar Lighting Pole, integrated with LED Lighting Module is designed for a complete range of contemporary designs with single arm, double arm, L-arm, V-Arm, Square arm and Parallel arm.

The pole is engineered to meet the adverse conditions and the pole sections are duly welded using special grooving techniques and high end MIG/ TIG welding process.

The control box is integral and built-in with service door, locking arrangement and safety chain. The galvanized pole is coated with epoxy zinc phosphate primer and finished using environmentally stable polyurethane based paint.

The Polar Lighting Pole lighting arms are integrated with the LED modular lighting system, which is environmental friendly under green lighting category. The LED lighting offers more lumens with lesser power consumption Choice of drivers for LED takes into consideration the harmonic distortion level power factor greater

than 0.9 and surge protection. The LED modules are individually rated 42 watts.

The control gear tray is prewired with terminal connectors, MCB and loop-in loop-out arrangement and located in the control box, integral with the pole. www.klite.in