Interior and Furniture Design Portfolio 2022

NIDHI NIMODIA

Selected works 2018-2022

Address: Vidarbha Ginning Factory, Yavatmal,445001, India

Application For: Interior Architecture [Master of Arts] Phone no. : +91 8806319388

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NETWORK CO-LIVING System design

This project stems from the pedagogy of system design. The aim was to not only focus on the spatial design aspect but understand the entire ecosystem of interactions the co-living will have with its stakeholders and the policies that make the system function smoothly. A critical tool that I learned during this course was the constant zooming in into details of the project and zooming out to understand the bigger impact of design.

Network is a co-living space for budding entrepreneurs. The architectural program is devised based on the user behavioral study. The design addresses the issue of layered privacy in a co-living where the user has private spaces to themselves and shared spaces to interact and work with the community around them. The design also responds to the scalability of Network as a brand. The architectural program has been explored in various permutations and combinations to suit diverse site conditions and cater to multiple user needs to aid Network in expanding at numerous locations.

System design attempts to bring change at the macro and micro levels while designing. The domain chosen for this project was Hybrid spaces. After extensively mapping the system, my area of design intervention was co-living spaces in India. I understood the driving factors fueling the rise of the co-living culture. However, after a detailed market study, I could only see a few well-designed co-living spaces in the country.

The brief evolved to designing a well thought and carefully curated co-living experience for budding entrepreneurs.

USER UNDERSTANDING

A detailed study was done to understand the spatial and infrastructural requirements of the users. The basis of this exercise guided in building the program and doing the spatial planning as private, semi-private and public spaces because great co-living is achieved when sharing becomes a bonus, not a burden.

My understanding of a system where is a design problem

HOUSING BLOCK

The design solution focused on creating a bottom-up modular design ranging from the architecture of the building to the furniture of each living unit of the co-living. The housing block is designed to accommodate private, semi-private and open spaces for the users.

THE PROGRAM

Multiple iterations were done to understand the user’s daily routine and the path they would take in the space during the course of their day. This exercise helped in extracting the program for the system.

User A

Co-working

Restaurant User B Housing block 1 Housing block 2 Open space

User C

Co-working Housing block 1 Gym

Housing block 2

HOUSING BLOCK LEVEL 0

Private space- Bedroom, Bathroom

Semi private space- Kitchen, living room, Shared balcony

Number of occupants- 3

Area - 595 sq ft.

HOUSING BLOCK LEVEL 1

Private space- Bedroom, Bathroom

Semi private space- Shared balcony

Number of occupants- 3 Area - 600 sq ft.

CO-WORKING

Public space- Co-working Area

Number of users- 55

Area - 1415 sq ft.

This project finds its root at the intersection of the relationship between spaces and the psychology of human emotions. Eunoia [translates as a beautiful mind in Greek] targets the user in pursuit of soul searching using the medium as art therapy. The challenge was to convey the idea spatially since soul searching is an intangible concept. The location selected is in the foothills of the Himalayan ranges of Dehradun to induce a sense of solace

The design solution uses spatial elements like light, ventilation, materiality, and forms to support the vision for this space. To maximise the entire area, zoning the circular plan was an integral part of the process. Key attention was given to furniture design details to make the user experience immersive

: 2250sq ft. Location Dehradun

The branch of art therapy comprises of diverse activities under it. Key activities were listed to align therapy with soul searching. Based on previous studies and research, this helped to understand different emotions and skills they would evoke and enhance in the users. These activities then formed as a basis to zone the area.

The zoning ensures that the space unfolds slowly to the user. The zones surfaced by adapting and aligning with the circular plan.The idea behind segregating activity zones was to make users progress into each zone based on their interests and approach as illustrated below.

montaged different materials together to develop a material palette. The idea was to have a neutral and muted colour palette and add a pop of colour using pixellated tiles, typography on the walls and hanging lights. The use of wooden furniture adds a sense of warmth and balance. Plants act as a significant element in the space to create an energising, focused and refreshing atmosphere.

Terrazzo Flooring Pixelated Tiles Textured Wall Wooden Furniture Plants

The furniture layout illustrates the synergy of art activities, spaces, and emotions. These pieces of furniture either take the shape of circular walls or is movable to increase the circulation space. Circular design details also continue on furniture to make the overall design more cohesive. The circulation area is utilised for various activities and thus is enhanced using rugs, levels and low tables. These design decisions promote more interaction among users.

THE APPROACH

Our concept initiation began with understanding the furniture portfolio of Amardeep Designs. We realised that to create well-curated setups and an authentic gallerisque experience; there needs to be a system for placing the furniture in the space. From furniture category to dimensions, and transient/non-transient nature, we tried to articulate their products accurately.

Amardeep Designs

SPATIAL PLANNING

The process of planning the space was divided into stages. We began the process by placing the partitions and the cutouts in them. After this, we zoned out areas to visualise the zones with the most user interaction. Based on this, we segregated zones according to Amardeep’s furniture portfolio.

PARTITION CUTOUTS

ZONING

We sketched multiple elevations to understand placement of cutouts, furniture and develop the design language of the space.

TOUCHPOINT MAPPING

Upon entering the space, The aim is to assist the user transition into the gallerisque experience. Amardeep’s curated furniture wrapped in warm upholstery hues attempts to create a welcoming gesture. The circular cutout frames the furniture behind and evokes the user’s curiosity.

EXPERIENCE WALL PARTITION DETAIL

1. EXPERIENCE WALL

The wall stimulates the tactile senses with pull-out swatches of diverse tabletop finishes. Rows of pouffes create a play of colour in this zone.

2. USER CONSULTATION

This zone also allows the staff to curate custom setups for client meetings. The raised platform demarcates the area, and the tan chairs, paired with the minimal feature light, prompts a formal feeling.

The high bar chairs are displayed facing the fluted wood bar table. The setup aims at enhancing the experience and creating a bar-like feel.

This area showcases the range of cafe chairs. The cutouts inspire the form of the shelf in the space. The coloured miniature 3D printed model in the shelving exemplifies the range of plastic chairs under the brand portfolio.

3. BAR AREA

4. CAFE WALL

‘‘In midst of the pandemic with emotional turmoil, the thought of privacy infringement led to the idea of carving your own personal space through furniture’’

Soon I realised, I am not alone....

RESEARCH: STEELCASE PRIVACY CRISIS

Steelcase is a leading furniture manufacturer in the world. Their recent report on privacy states that

A lot of businesses are now struggling with the balance of private and open spaces.

INITIAL FORM UNDERSTANDING

I started with sketching and understanding the side profile of a privacy chair. In this process, I observed that these forms completely isolate the person from the context because of the very purpose of privacy. I wanted to figure out a way to maintain privacy with some connection with the outdoor environment.

Lack of privacy is causing employees to feel overexposed, threatening their emotional and physical wellbeing.

Privacy can be classified in four categories as Acoustic, Territorial , Visual and Informational.

“It was important to me that you could have those moments of high back,” Gebbia said, Those moments of privacy, of intimacy, of shelter, of protection, amidst a very open exposed space.’

-Joe Gebbia [Founder, Airbnb]

FORM DEVELOPMENT

While developing the form, I worked with triangles because they taper at the edges. Later, exploded the triangle into two parts in an arrangement, as seen below. This formed the basis for exploring and developing the chair further.

USER STUDY

A survey was conducted and sent to multiple people working in MNCs to analyse their views on solutions for the privacy crisis. The results from their responses are tabulated below.

“The challenge was to design for outdoors while staying indoors.”

Fika was conceptualised while locked inside our homes during the lockdown and prototyped once the restrictions were lifted. The situation at the time deeply influenced the process. Unique ways like the use of cardboard and making 1:1 drawings helped to finalise the design. Once I was back in college, the chair was prototyped using powder-coated metal pipes and dyed cotton threads.

“Today everybody makes outdoor collection, they put outdoor fabric on existing furniture and they think that makes it outdoor”

Phillipe Starck

This made me realise that furniture should ignite the user’s interaction with nature by allowing air, water, and wind to pass through the chair, prompting the idea of weaving all the surfaces. Dyed cotton threads have been used to create a subconscious contact between nature and the user. The surface of the chair (cotton weave) creates tiny pockets and isolates the user from the surrounding. The colours chosen for the chair ensure that they blend in with nature and that they weather beautifully over time around soil, water and grass.

“I felt engulfed in the chair, in a way that I could feel the breeze and have my own moments of ease and solace.”

PARALLAX CHESS SET Product

redesign

XYZ Designs, Jaipur, India

Parallax is a disruptive modular way of playing chess. The unevenly elevated chessboard makes it complex for the players. The brief provided to me was to design Cubism inspired chess pieces for this board and optimise the box packaging for ease of shipping.

During my internship, I contributed to brainstorming, modelling and sampling these chess pieces. It was a continuous process where we tried multiple design directions to emulate the core values of cubism in our design. Furthermore, we also explored numerous routes to reduce the packaging size by optimising the chess pieces to fit inside the base box of the chess board.

My most significant learning from this project was the importance of design details and forms in creating a unique user experience.

Year: 2021 Type: Professional Type Team of two

Cubism is like standing at a certain point on a mountain and looking around. If you go higher, things will look different; if you go “lower, again they will look different.It is a point of view.

Jacques Lipchitz

Before starting the design process, it was essential to understand the core values and foundation of the Cubist movement. We made a mood board of multiple images to evoke the essence of Cubism. These images acted as the guiding point towards iterations which could take the form of chess pieces.

The top part of the King is slightly offset from the base to narrate his supreme importance of the in the game.

Juxtaposing the cylindrical form for the Queen to make the user conscious while using the Queen, denoting her power. The horizontal and vertical movement of the Rook with slits in the front and side symbolise his stability.

Two mirrored L shapes indicate the movement of the Knight, connected using a central square.

The form denotes the diagonal movement of the Bishop

The half slit, depicts the forward movement of the Pawn.

Why always battle on plain ground?

TOYS THAT GROW WITHYOUR CHILD

KHEL: MODULAR FURNITURE

Kids furniture design

STAND Design, Mumbai, India

Exhibited at Raw Collaborative 2022 in Vadodara, Gujarat

Khel [translates to play in Hindi] is a range of modular furniture for kids. As a child grows, they need their environment to nurture their skill development. Khel was created with just this in mind -to support and improve every child’s imagination, observation, and ability to imitate & repeat. Khel’s modules can be collected over time and combined & shared with friends and neighbours to create play sets. The playscapes create familiar furniture and play equipment in versatile forms. With endless possibilities, your child can use Khel to grow and progress over a lifetime.

I worked on this project from the very initial stage. This included working on the materials, joineries, combinations and permutations for creating the production document for manufacturing Khel. I also had the opportunity to work on the branding aspect of Khel to reach out the brand to customers. This comprised creating illustrations, graphics and videos of all Khel products. Moreover, also played a vital role in coordinating the logistics and execution of Khel for the Raw collaborative exhibition at Vadodara.

Year: 2022 Type: Professional Type Team of four

What if your kids toys could grow with them ?

IMPUTE IDEOLOGIES

As a line of upcoming kids furniture, the brand wanted to impute idealgoies to resonate and cater to the needs to user. As a brand the core values of Khel are

SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY

The Khel modules help build essential social skills, enhance linguistic and cognitive development and spark creativity.

PRODUCT POSITIONING

After devising the Khel ideologies, the brand wanted to position itself where it is considered adaptable and sustainable. Brand studies were done at multiple levels to understand parallel Indian brands in the market.

Khel is built to last. We have designed our products to grow and evolve with the child, well into adulthood.

In a highly digitized world, we want to promote social interaction and bonding in communities.

More adaptable

COLOR AND MATERIAL PALETTE

More sustainable

Less sustainable

The entire furniture range has gender neutral colour palette since it grows with the child. The plywood edges remain exposed at the edges to add texture to the product. Black powder-coated metal attachments act as accents to the overall palette.

Less adaptable

Plywood Laminate 1 Laminate 2

Black Metal

THE DESIGN : KIT OF PARTS

The modularity of the furniture comes from its kit of parts. The kit comprises plywood planks and metal attachments.

ASSEMBLY : EXPLODED VIEW

The plywood planks are designed using a grid method. Different planks are used to make numerous combinations of furniture.

ATTACHMENTS

These attachments are used to assemble the planks together. A varied, well-balanced set of attachments ensure all furniture pieces’ stability and safety.

Endless playscapes, Infinite possibilities

Where play is a serious business

OTHER WORKS: ORIGAMI

Personal project

I was moved by paper as a material when I first saw Le Klint’s paper lamps in Illums Bolighus on a study trip to Denmark. The numerous possibilities possessed by this everyday use material were astonishing.

Soon after returning from there, started folding basic tessellations and tried to understand Origami as a craft more profoundly. began finding joy in creasing the paper and peace in collapsing the models. Whenever I sit to fold models or tessellations, I am filled with many ideas of what these tessellations could do as real-life design solutions. With time, I intend to emulate the principles of Origami in my work.

Moreover, Origami as a craft helped me learn to be patient with my process. It enriches me with focus, delight and empowerment! I aspire to explore this more deeply and functionally.

Year: Ongoing Type Personal

I fold to explore possibilites that I never knew existed....