The Inside Track February 2017

THE

Volume 11. Issue 02 . February 2017 Rs. 25/-

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

Cover Story

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rchitects and designers envision ideas for the present, with an awareness of the past and materialize them for the future. As key influencers in the design and construction industry, we rely on them for their design expertise and the manifestation of exceptional ideas.

Whether it is an aesthetically designed home or a functionally designed office space, the work of leading design professionals and upcoming designers and architects have added a new dimension to the world of Indian architecture and design.

We take you on a journey of acquaintance with a selected group of designers and architects who are making a new and significant contribution to the industry. This cover feature is dedicated to these amazing and emerging names that spell excellence and progress in the field.

Kaushik Mukherjee: KMA

After his long association with Channa Daswatte of MICDA Sri Lanka, Kaushik Mukherjee, the principal architect established Kaushik Mukherjee Architects (KMA). Set up in Bangalore, KMA believes in novel ideas, innovative designs and environmentally friendly structures which are at par with site climate and access of local materials.

KMA’s mindfulness perceives the pending structure in its continued on page 2

A New Set Of Design Explorations

We talk to an emerging set of designers who are exploring new paradigms of approach, style and inspiration.

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THE INSIDE TRACK February 2017

Kaushik Mukherjee, Principal Architect, KMA Architects says that he is intrigued with creating original ensemble using beautiful objects stitched together to tell the story of its inhabitants

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INSIDE TRACK

CONTENTS continued from page 1 entirety and is ready to assist with the accessory services with a view to providing the highest degree of functional and aesthetical architectural design.

What would be your approach t o des i g ni n g s m alle r sp ac e s economically?

Apart from the governing factor of usage of such small spaces, essentially, a naturally cross ventilated space with natural light is of utmost importance to whatever we design. This takes care of all the unnecessary artificial sources of light and ventilation

consuming renewable energy source and hence the cost.

What defines your style? How does it set your firm apart from the multitude?

From the inception of my design career, I have always been very intrigued with creating original ensemble using beautiful objects stitched together to tell the story of its inhabitants. Also, getting involved with the site along with the understanding of design brief forms the back bone of visualizing the “bigger picture” - the site being all important. continued on page 4

February 2017

COVER A New Set Of Design STORY Explorations 1 Paving An Elegant Way 7 Bijoy Jain Awarded RIBA Fellowship 8 Q-railing: Bringing Vision To Life 9 Uber Cool Accessories 10 Baro Helps Hone Your Style 12 Talking Luxury, Elegance And Style 14 Towards A Less Noisy World 15 Mirroring Spectacular Homes 16 FunderMax Is Setting New Benchmarks In Façade Cladding 18 Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 20 The Latest On Recent Launches And Products 21 A Tale Of 26,000 Bells 24 Owner, Publisher & Printer Mr. Anish R. Bajaj for Marvel Infomedia Pvt. Ltd. Printed at Marvel Infomedia Pvt. Ltd., B 62, 1st Floor, Cotton Exchange Building, Cotton Green Road, Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033.

Published at B 62, 1st Floor, Cotton Exchange Building, Cotton Green Road, Mumbai 400 033 Tel (022) 23736133/1, 23743069 Editor Mr. Anish R. Bajaj THE INSIDE TRACK Volume 11. Issue 02. February 2017. English - Monthly.

This issue contains 24 pages including both covers.

Creative Director Natalie Pedder-Bajaj Assistant Editor Shweta Salvi.

Sub-Editor Sneha Lukka LayoutDesign Asif Shayannawar, Darshan Palav, Jayshri Narawade-Patil, Pooja Modak, Snigdha Hodarkar Marketing: Mumbai, Ganesh Gurav, Vivek Jadhav. B 62, Cotton Exchange Bldg, Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033 Tel: (022) 23736133/1, 23743069 Email:response@ marvelinfomedia.com.

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THE INSIDE TRACK February 2017

continued from page 2

What or who do you think has been prominent inspiration behind your work?

In your opinion what are the challenges to design and architecture in India?

Lack of empathy resulting in insensitively built environment would be one defining factor.

Also, I feel, somewhere in the transformation of our societies to the “modern” and the proliferation of trade, there seems to have been a stage where local techniques are not seen as progressive and various atrocities are accepted as way forward. These are some issues I can promptly think of which can affect adversely on any nascent and budding design practices.

What do you think has been a prominent inspiration behind your work?

Local practices, history of the region, local arts and crafts, always provide matter for the narrative of the experience one looks and feels in a space. As far as design attitude is concerned, most certainly, my time spent under the Geoffrey Bawa umbrella of thought and long association with his former partner Ar. Channa Daswatte in Sri Lanka.

With the world reconsidering the issue of environmental conservation and sustainability, how do you hope to contribute to greener ventures?

We have always believed that indeed there is no point in shutting all the windows and then inventing a sophisticated technique to cool a building, which in the long run is also a drain on the environment to solve the problem of comfort.

Therefore, original out of the box thinking can be more rewarding than vox populi approach towards design. Also, the idea of being able to renew and reuse is an important part of sustainability.

The materials and the way in which they are used in vernacular and traditional architecture allows for these issues to be addressed.

We try to build with these design principles into the spaces we design, so they are inherently green!

design to meet its outcome in the most optimized manner.

Sushant Verma: Rat[LAB] Sushant Verma is an architect and computational designer, currently leading research organization rat[LAB] - Research in Architecture and Technology. rat[LAB] is an independent research organization and network of designers and researchers specializing in computational design or similar technologyrelated domains. It is operated as a cloud-based organization with an international network of researchers and computational designers spread across UK, USA, Europe and Asia, and a studio in New Delhi.

The research cell functions as a global collaborative and multidisciplinary laboratory facilitating design research that leads to novel spatial tectonics and smart built environments It offers collaborations to architecture and design firms to develop systemic models using advanced computational techniques and carry out projectspecific or agenda-specific work in all fields of design.

What defines your style? How does it set your firm apart from the multitude?

I have always been inspired by works of Frank Gehry & Zaha Hadid due to the way they have pushed the conventional boundaries of profession in their own ways. Gehry’s work forms an inspiration as he introduced new technologies from parallel disciplines to drastically change the way architecture is practiced, constructed & realized.

Zaha, on the other hand disrupted the design language of a static profession.

I have been fortunate to be associated with Zaha Hadid Architects, London during 2013-14 where I gained immense exposure and experience to work on complex projects of all scales and types.

I would not like to define our work under a narrow spectrum of a ‘style’.

It is an evolving piece of work that we are carrying out at rat[LAB] and it continues to push boundaries that we set in our previous works. Since we use technology at the core of our practice, our work evolves rapidly with changing technologies and computational methods form the practice ethos, making it distinct in its own ways as far as design process and output are concerned.

In y o u r o p i n i o n w h a t a re the challenges to design and architecture in India?

Architectural Practice in today’s date has become more globalized than ever and there is a healthy exchange of knowledge and data due to the openness of internet,

With the world reconsidering the issue of environmental conservation and sustainability, how do you hope to contribute to greener ventures?

It is time we reconsider our concerns about environment and start to take larger initiatives. We, as architects, have a slightly higher responsibility to express this sensitivity towards environment as we contribute to the built environment. Taking necessary steps towards this is integral to our practice as we strive to develop innovative solutions to tackle environmental impact.

What would you like to say to a new architect/ designer?

Sushant Verma, Rat[LAB] says, “Research cell functions as a global collaborative and multidisciplinary laboratory facilitating design research.”

What would you like to say to a new architect or designer?

What would be your approach to designing smaller spaces economically?

Thank god you haven’t use the word “young”, as it would have made me sound incredibly old. In fact, new architects/designers are a source of fresh inspiration to us.

Contact Kaushik Mukherjee Architects web: www.kmarchitects.co.in

Our design approach revolves around technology as its backbone since we are focussed to bridge the gap between design, technology and research to explore novel spatial tectonics. Regardless of scale and type of space, we use computational design methods to rationalize a

mass share of data and architectural journalism being at its peak. Hence, practice challenges are as much as it would be in any country or environment. Yes, India is slightly slow in adapting to new technologies & methods, but we push hard to break the conventional boundaries for innovative work to emerge.

India is a booming market and acceptance to change is becoming better with time & globalization.

Design is an amalgamation of strong ideas, extensive research and solving simple & complex problems for a smart output. The process itself can be complex as it is a non-linear process with real-time feedback at all steps.

In my limited experience of working on a multitude of projects and design problems, two things I have realised and keep telling myself are: “Anything is possible- you need to solve problems smartly” and “Best design solutions are the simplest ones”.

Contact Rat Lab Interiors web: www.rat-lab.org continued on page 5

THE INSIDE TRACK February 2017

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Vritima Wadhwa: Project 810 Vritima Wadhwa, a graduate from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad founded Project 810 in 2014. The studio, located in South Delhi is an integration of Interior Designers, Exhibition Designers, Graphic Designers and Architects from across the top schools, in and outside of the country. The Studio’s core strength lies in its flexibility and expertise in handling projects across scales; from the minute furniture details to boutique stores and even large interior-architecture spaces.

Being a holistic design practice,

the Studio follows a strong process driven approach, from thorough research to effective, experience centred design.

A collaborative, rooted in the contemporary Indian context, Project 810 believes in using local resources matched with high quality craftsmanship and sensibilities, to create a tailor-made design experience. It has worked on projects across sectors, including Retail, Hospitality, Residential and Furniture projects over the past few years.

to a limited few can also serve the purpose.

What would be your approach to designing smaller spaces economically?

What defines your style? How does it set your firm apart from the multitude?

The first step would be to understand the existing architectural nuances of the structure that can be retained or used in their natural forms without making the surfaces overtly crude.

Working with raw plastered walls, open ceilings and grid systems is currently in trend. This trend can serve to be quite economical.

Besides, a careful selection of wellpriced materials and restricting the material palette and elements

I don’t feel that we’ve developed a strong recognisable style as yet. But there’s one thing that we see running in our projects is that our projects are almost defined by the details.

Another conscious choice we try to make in our projects is to try and use as many local materials as possible.

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Vritima Wadhwa, Project 810 says, “Conscious choice we try to make in our projects to try and use as many local materials as possible.”

In your opinion what are the challenges to design and architecture in India?

Not per say a challenge but our country is definitely a few years behind in execution of design. The engineering aspect of a product or space is not yet there. There aren’t enough support mechanisms from the industry as yet.

What or who do you think has been a prominent inspiration behind your work?

Inspirations come and go. Some are conscious and some subconscious.

My education has been a very big inspiration to me. Being in Ahmedabad, a cultural city with continued on page 6

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designing various out-of the box design schemes but at the same time being subtle and not going overboard with the lines.

The important aspect with getting inspired is to find the weaknesses of the already issued design schemes and try to overcome those issues while germinating a new concept from the same. “As there’s always going to be a better way of doing the same design, we as architects need to be hungry for new solutions”

inspirations from the likes of Charles and Ray Eames, Corbusier and other such dignitaries - uplifted, steered and channelized my sensibilities towards design. Over the years I have worked and collaborated with some of the best in design. Working with them not only helped me understand the subtle nuances of the intentions behind their outputs but their work inspired me deeply as an individual.

With the world reconsidering the issue of environmental conservation and sustainability, how do you hope to contribute to greener ventures?

We ensure minimum wastage in our projects and work with the execution team to ensure proper planning of elements. We are conscious about the materials we use and only hope to achieve higher sustainability and be more environmentally conscious with each project.

What would you like to say to a new architect or designer?

Be honest to your work by being original. Question the purpose at every step and always be eager to learn. Even the smallest stone mason at your site will have something to teach you.

Contact Project 810 web: www.project810.com

With the world reconsidering the issue of environmental conservation and sustainability, how do you hope to contribute to greener ventures?

What would be your approach to designing smaller spaces economically?

Firstly no space is small or big. I feel every space has its own relevance in terms of designing it and we as architects need to find new solutions to overcome this imbalance in the design vs. costing theory. The only simple approach to designing spaces economically is that that the spatial economics meets the spatial ergonomics for the inhabitants.

Hence, there will never be one set criteria as to how to design smaller spaces economically but I would rather emphasize on getting the spatial efficiency right along with the aesthetics to minimize on the criteria of going overboard with costing.

architectural society. Personally speaking, Indian architecture and design has always been impressive as it holds the right connect to its past cultural history but at the cost of highly skilled labour dependence, hence is a very labour intensive craft in India which probably needs to change in the coming future.

The spatial requirements are always sky high but the spaces provided to the architects are always tight and hence puts a big challenge on the architect to design in accordance to the spatial issues.

Another issue is the unprofessional behaviour of the market along with the inability of the market to respect the hard work and sweat that goes behind a design ideology and scheme.

Going green or providing the sustainability factory to a building has become a major trend in the last decade of our architectural fraternity. We have lately ventured into the green building syndrome in a way of providing a different outlook to architectural aesthetics through the project “Casa Green La t t ice” . The whole idea of reconsidering environmental issues has been a blessing in disguise for the design fraternity as we now have another dimension to work upon in this ever so growing field of design and architecture. The Potential of involving nature in architecture looks really promising for the future. “Nature will never fail you”.

What defines your style? How does it set your firm apart from the multitude?

Sanchit Arora: Renesa Renesa is a firm dealing in Architectural and Interior design consulting across India. Based in New Delhi, their design studio and project plan office, comprising of a number of associate architects and several architectural assistants, is led by Mr. Sanjay Arora. Renesa has worked on various projects ranging from large commercial projects such as airports, sports complexes, head-office buildings, multi-unit commercial, print-media production facilities, and multi-unit residential projects.

Renesa as the name suggests is the noun form of Renaissance meaning the Rebirth of Art, Design and Décor and at Renesa, we feel the need to capture the lost essence of art and architecture in today’s world by collaborating the two different school of learning of different age-groups and different design ideologies and philosophies (i.e. Mr. Sanjay Arora , 51, Founder Principal Architect and Mr. Sanchit Arora, 25, Studio Head Architect). The amalgamation of different school of learning creates a unique blend of architectural and design ideology which sets Renesa Architecture Design Interiors Studio apart in the market.

In your opinion what are the challenges to design and architecture in India?

India with its growing economy has a huge potential for the architects and designers in the market and with this huge potential comes a lot of persisting challenges in the

Sanchit Arora of Renesa, says “The best way to move forward in designing a space is to critique your own design after every step.”

What or who do you think has been a prominent inspiration behind your work?

We have always found inspiration from the modernist architectural greats like Mies, Gropius, Corbusier, FLW and many more.

The design ideology of modernism to create an everlasting effect through simple straight lines is one of the basic principles that the team at Renesa follows while

What would you like to say to a new architect or designer?

The best way to move forward in designing a space is to critique your own design after every step. “Since most of us are going to be doing ordinary things in our lives, the most important thing is to do those ordinary things extraordinarily well.”

Contact Renesa Architecture web: www.renesa.in

THE INSIDE TRACK February 2017

Spot Light

D

isha Ecoloc Pavers is a leading brand of elegant pavements in India. With a wide-range of innovative designs to offer, the brand has emerged as the choice of aesthetic and practical element for landscapes, parking lots, driveways and patios.

It has been delivering quality products with an exceptional finish and texture since its inception in 2007. The pavers are manufactured

by Chawhan Products, an enterprise that has been spearheading the manufacture of decorative cement blocks, planters, fencing poles and a large variety of concrete products for the last 30 years in Central India.

Paving An Elegant Way

Disha Pavers is scaling new heights with design and innovation as key aspects for paving.

Once laid, these Pavers create a smooth, even surface that restricts water logging maximally. The paving system also saves the trouble of creating storm drainage, thus saving a considerable amount of money. These interlocking pavers can also accommodate sprinklers and wiring unlike concrete flooring.

With a range of pavers and pavement

Slatestone creates some astonishing patterns

Cobblestone creates some stunning motifs

A unique aspect of the brand, apart from the eco friendly paving system is the original, fresh and appealing design spectrum. Disha fills the void of high quality paving products not just in the region but in the entire subcontinent. The combination of sheer beauty in its look and its environment-friendliness makes them unique. They come forth as ideal solutions for problems related with water logging and groundwater depletion.

Design and innovation are the key aspects that the brand thrives upon.

It has engineered path-breaking designer pavements that harvest rainwater and allow percolation into the soil. Each paver comes with a specially designed nib on the side that helps maintain space between two adjoining pavers creating a path for water to flow in.

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accessories available, the brand takes pride in talking about the most popular as well as new designs created by them.

Cobblestone is used in most patios with stunning motifs.

Courtstone gives a rustic finish while also allowing more water to percolate because of its design.

Bullnose can be used for lending an old-school effect to pavement edges, stairs, etc.

The brand strives to continually innovate in order to serve a wider range of purposes and problems. The brand possesses high flexibility due to the particular laying method and size of the pavers. Specially designed pavers can bear heavy loads including trucks, etc. The pavers are identical in design and have a standard manufacturing process, thus are capable of absorbing stress and can serve a multitude of purposes.

Mo re ove r, t h e i n n ova t i ve designs are a visual treat. The brand has mastered the technique of manufacturing highly aesthetic products while maintaining their functionality in a nature-friendly way has been mastered. There is always something new, fresh and remarkable for customers to choose from. Owing to its international standard in product quality and finishing, Disha promises durability and long service life.

Contact web: www.dishapavers.com email: info@dishapavers.com ramesh.n@dishapavers.com tel: 0712-2532296,6616699

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THE INSIDE TRACK February 2017

Spot Light

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ounded in 1834, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a global professional membership body mobilizing architecture and recognizing remarkable buildings, communities and the environment through its esteemed members. RIBA is dedicated to “the general advancement of Civil Architecture and for promoting and felicitating the acquirement of the knowledge of the various arts and sciences connected therewith.”

It is governed by a council of 60 members, elected from amongst the RIBA membership, the majority of who are chartered architects. The prestigious RIBA Honorary Fellowships are awarded annually to people who have made significant contribution to architecture in its broadest sense.

This includes its promotion, administration and outreach; and its role in building more sustainable communities and in the education of future generations. RIBA International

Bijoy Jain Awarded RIBA Fellowship

Indian architect Bijoy Jain felicitated with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Fellowship. BY Anindita Ganguly

Bijoy Jain

Fellowships felicitate the particular contributions that non-UK architects

have made to architecture.

The 2017 RIBA International and Honorary Fellows were presented with their honours in a special event on January 30, 2017 in London, marked by a keynote address by Peter St John.

Amongst several other distinguished architects, Bijoy Jain of Studio Mumbai was also felicitated this year. An architect who wished to “close the gap between design and making, between thought and building and to work more closely with place, tradition and climate”, Jain

set up Studio Mumbai in 2005 seeking a better way to communicate with local craftsmen who often could not read drawings.

Some of his leading works include the 2007 Palmyra House (2007) in India. Currently he is working on projects in India, Japan, Switzerland, Australia and France, and was recently also in the news for his magnificent MPavillion he created in Melborne.

Congratulation Bijoy Jain, you make India proud!

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THE INSIDE TRACK February 2017

Interview

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n a conversation with Mr. Joseph Fernandes, Head, Sales and Marketing at Q-Railing India Pvt. Ltd., he highlights the vision and approach of the brand that has been the cornerstone of its success.

What kind of products do you provide?

As an innovator in the field of railing systems, Q-railing provides complete solutions that are instantly recognisable for their quality, unique design and excellent performance. With a global team that is constantly striving to create the safest and most stylish balustrades, handrails and accessories, the brand creates high-end railing systems and balustrades.

It started in 2000 in the name of D line with minimum staff eventually moving on to rename itself CarlF India and then finally collaborating with Q-railing, a recognised German brand and expanded itself to include a bigger range of products.

Over a period of time, the brand has marketed and established itself as a premium brand always aiming to understand better what

Q-railing: Bringing Vision To Life Q-railing is dedicated to ingenious design,

impeccable quality and uncompromising safety.

Audi Showroom, Pune. Q-railing offers special grade stainless steel material that can protect against rusting and provide adequate support

varieties like the baluster railings, glass railings and wall railings.

How do you incorporate sustainability in your products?

The SS304 and SS316 are special grade stainless steel material that can protect against rusting and provide adequate support .

To ensure that additional safety measures are implemented, the team of Q-railing comprising of experienced professionals (Engineers) meet and collaborate with Architects & Façade consultants.

Joseph Fernandes Head Sales and Marketing

customers want, then to surprise them by offering more.

What are the emerging trends in the Indian railing industry?

The railing sector is a fast emerging competitive sector. The most recent trend here is the emphasis on safety specifically in the railing equipment of high rise buildings. The primary need of this sector is to provide a railing system that can cater to all the parameters. The brand offers several

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How do you plan to stay ahead of the many Indian and international railing brands in the market?

A global leader in the market for complete railing solutions, Q-railing is known for technical innovation, stylish design and a never-ending supply of fresh concepts. To meet the increasing demand for its balustrades, handrails and accessories, the company will continue to focus on growth. For Q-railing, that means not just more offices, warehouses and team members, but also more extensive knowledge and a greater range of designs.

What do you think is missing in the current segment? How do you plan to improve it?

Currently a multitude of developers and owners are compromising with the cheap and bad quality of railings putting people to great risk. In order to counter this, we have come up with baluster railings that also cut down the cost. Our R&D centre in Germany is constantly working to create better, more durable and safer railing systems.

What innovations can we look forward to in the near future?

As pioneers of new trends in railing

systems, the brand hopes to expand in the near future continually striving for improvement and closely monitoring the global market and critical analysis of the company’s business activities.

Contact web: www.q-railing.com email: sales@q-railing.in tel: 022 409 788 88

Raffles Park, Whitefield, Bangalore. Q-railing offers several varieties like the Baluster railings, glass railings and wall railings

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THE INSIDE TRACK February 2017

Spot Light

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our living room is that space of your house where you relax, entertain, watch TV and do countless activities that are difficult to list down. Hence, decorating it in a way that it makes you feel comfortable and gives you easy access to things of utility is also a must. But what remains the endearing factor in a house is the kind and type of décor products you use to give your living space a pleasant and colourful look.

Here is a list of eight décor products that are a uber cool and will fit wonderfully in your living space.

Uber Cool Accessories Living spaces can be spruced up with

these unique décor products. BY SNEHA LUKKA yellow, black, red and blue. You can check The Lohasmith’s complete décor collection here.

material which also serves its basic utility purpose. The Echo Store coasters have been designed and then printed with high quality ink.

They have been finished off with a glossy coating.

Cushions by Gulmohar Lane Munich Star Metal and Glass Pendant

Monumental Pen Stand

Monumental Pen Stand Stack all your stationery in style with this monumental pen station by Atelier DS. Providing a minimal and clean look, this pen stand is a cohesion of basic shapes translating into a utilitarian product. Atelier DS also provides you with such other cool stationery products like a tape dispenser and monumental bookends.

Munich Star Metal and Glass Pendant Gulmohar Lane brings you this Munich Star and Glass Pendant designed specifically to light your lives and you space with its elegant design and classic light setting. Originally inspired by the Moravian stars, this light fixture is crafted using rustic, textured metal with insets of antiqued mirror glass with a subtle metallic patina. Apart from this, Gulmohar Lane also has its eclectic collection of coffee tables, cushions and filament bulbs.

Cushions by Gulmohar Lane Cushions are a must have in every household; this enigmatic country garden rose cushion by Gulmohar Lane is specially designed to enhance the appeal of your living room.

A perfect headset to rest on after a long day of work, this cushion adds a floral touch to your space with its fine pattern and subtle hue.

You can check Gulmohar Lane’s entire cushion collection.

that are sure to uplift the style of your living room.

Standing Tall Table and Floor Cloks

Standing Tall-Table/ Floor clock As keeping a track on time is important, adding a touch of quirk to the corners of your house is this standing tall table/floor clock by Gomaads. This quintessential clock is handmade from concrete and is available as table and floor clock as well. The clock is available in two different sizes - to be placed on the floor or the table. Available in exotic grey and white colours, Gomaads also deals in selling concrete tea light holders, desk organizers, planters and stick-on magnets.

Patchwork Modem Leisure Chair in Multi Colour

Chatter Chatter Bird Coasters Octogonal Planter

Octogonal Planter Add a splash of colour to your living room with this pink coloured planter which also serves as a basket. From holding small sized potted plants to being a water paper bin, this multipurpose product can be used for a slew of purposes. Designed by The Lohasmith, this classic steel planter is available in an array of colours like

Chatter Chatter Birds Coasters In your space for relaxation, as you often tend to sip on your favourite beverage watching a TV show or doing your daily reading activity, coasters are undoubtedly a must have to prevent the surface from getting wet. Hence, these Chatter Chatter Bird Coasters by The Echo Store work wonders by providing you with a quirky design

Patchwork Modern Leisure Chair in Multi Colour An instant eye-catcher whether you place it in the living room or your personal space, this multi-colour leisure chair by HOME HQ is the perfect furniture product that attracts the onlookers with its classic design and colourful hues. Designed with new-age housing in mind, this chair combines traditional with futuristic. The leisure chair has a lovely swan-like shape and is made of beautiful hand-stitched patchwork fabric. Home HQ also brings you a range of other furniture products

Test Tube Vase 20

Test Tube Vase 20 Placing a typical styled vase just got mundane with this exquisitely designed test tube vase by The Lohasmith.

Designed in a test tube shape, this vase arrangement can be laid as per your taste i.e you can twist it too. Just add a few fresh flowers and such a décor piece is sure to steal the show in your living room arrangement. www.designowl.com/shop/

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THE INSIDE TRACK February 2017

Spot Light

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oused in a statement making turquoise-walled building, BARO is boldly decked in the spirit of an art gallery. The trio behind BARO, Mahesh Mathai, Srila Chatterjee and Siddharth Sirohi, have worked in the realm of film and advertising.

The store certainly benefits from their keen sense of art, design and aesthetics. “We were despairing the state of the business we were in, which was advertising and film making, and we were excited with the possibilities of design,” explains Chatterjee as we sit down to chat in the bold and colourful and shop.

The 3200 square feet store has a distinct and homely look thanks to the inputs by architect and set designer Fali Unwala and the passionate involvement of Chatterjee. They stripped down the originally cluttered space into an area that flows openly. Two huge hidden water tanks are painted and are prominently displayed.

Baro Helps Hone Your Style With a warm mélange of products and

beautiful art, a visit to BARO is an invitation to hone your own décor style.

Most of the paintings are around the theme of folk art

All in-house designed furniture is made from reclaimed teak balancing aesthetics, comfort and functionality

Artworks are viewed here in the old fashioned way where the customers sit and the work is unfurled before them

A décor store with art as the key component

Beautiful arched windows allow streaming natural light to flood the store. Inside, chandeliers add to the elegance and lighting ambience.

The cement flooring complements old rock walls that have been whitewashed. Other walls have rough cement finishes and are painted in solid muted colours so that artwork and furniture can stand out against them. “I think colour makes a great difference to life,” says Chatterjee. That’s quite evident in the store, through the furniture as well as the art that is displayed.

Most of the paintings are around the theme of folk art and there are some magnificent pieces and stories around them. All artworks are very positive and have a certain amount of boldness.

A small mezzanine area with edgy black and white chequered flooring hosts the upholstery section and more artworks. Amongst the gems it showcases is Russell Street, the Bombay avatar of the legendary textile brand Anokhi, from Kolkatta. India Circus products have a dedicated section here, with an upcoming line exclusively for BARO. They have bespoke bed sheets where customers can choose details like the thread count, colours and so on to make their very own sheets. Here, one views artworks in the old-fashioned way, where the customer sits and the work is unfurled before him or her.

Roughly, 85% of the furniture is made in-house. Sirohi designs all the furniture and oversees production at their warehouse.

All furniture uses reclaimed teak and every single piece is highly ergonomic. The balance between aesthetics, comfort and functionality is clearly evident. All the furniture is handmade, using traditional techniques. Some old vintage pieces have been sourced which have been changed and reinterpreted. Things get moved around all the time and as pieces go, others come. After the happy assault on the senses thanks to the beauty of the store, what really strikes you is that everything is reasonably priced.

Contact web : www.baro-india.com

The cement flooring complements old rock walls that have been whitewashed

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THE INSIDE TRACK February 2017

Dealer Speak

I

n a conversation with Mr. Varun Marlecha, Director of Arihant Granites, he shares his insights on the sanitary ware and bathroom fittings.

Could you tell us about your business?

Our business was established 30 years ago. Until 2000, we were majorly dealing in Marble and Granite. Since 2000 we have forayed in tiles and have been growing since then. But we got our major breakthrough in 2011 when we started selling Italian tiles in a big way.

Presently, we distribute Fiandre tiles all across India. Also we distribute Versace Ceramics in west and south India.

Talking Luxury, Elegance And Style Mr. Varun Marlecha shares insights on the growth in demand for bathroom furniture and upticking demand for products by International brands.

Mr. Varun Marlecha, Director

There are many international sanitary ware companies that have entered the market.

H o w a re t h e y p e r f o r m i n g ?

How are they competing with Indian brands?

They are really doing a great job.

Now people have started considering them as Indian companies. They are really competing very well with Indian giants. Kohler is doing remarkably great in this sector.

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

I don’t think total bathroom concept is working because each customer has different demand regarding size of the shower, thermostat diverter etc. So I think mix n match is going to stay for a relatively long time.

Which companies are providing high quality water saving bath

fittings today? Is there a great demand for such products?

Hansgrohe is one of the most technologically advanced products when it comes to water saving. The demand is slowly growing. However, it still requires some time to have greater awareness.

There has been an increase in the premium segment in the sanitary ware industry. Who according to you are the leaders in this segment?

Now there are lots of options for premium segment in sanitary ware.

Everyone is doing well in their

customer base specially Duravit, Kohler, Villeroy & Boch.

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

Demand for bathroom furniture is growing rapidly. Now customers have started opting for it as the detailing and finishing is very good.

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

Rimless WC is latest trend, Gold and Rose Gold C.P. fittings.

Nowadays, we see lots of Italian and German companies providing customized knob for faucets made of ceramic marble, stone and wood.

Contact web: www.arihantgranites.in email: info@arihantgranites.in tel: +91 20 6726 4300

THE INSIDE TRACK February 2017

Spot Light

H

eating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment for a building is one of the major sources of interior noise, and this noise comes from the main fans, flow of air through the system, and flow through diffusers.

Most sound or noise is generated by rotating equipment and air and fluid movement through ducts and pipes which creates vibration and noise.

Control of HVAC system sound and vibration is important.

Apart from causing discomfort to the occupants, they also create secondary radiation of noise from vibrating walls, floors, piping etc.

Therefore, installing a suitable sound-absorbing liner inside the air ducts is required.

INSUsound-xlo manufactured by Supreme Industries is ideal product for sound insulation application in HVAC ducts. This non-fibrous, tridimensional chemically crosslinked

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Towards A Less Noisy World

INSUsound-xlo - a new age sound insulation material for HVAC duct internal lining makes way for a noiseless environment. fire-retardant foam and provides excellent sound absorption characteristics ideal.

INSUsound-xlo is a range of high-performance engineered open-cell XLPE foam specially designed for applications that require enhanced sound absorption properties. INSUsound-xlo allows effective absorption of air-borne sound across a broad frequency range. Also its high air flow resistance offers beneficial sound transmission loss properties. Unlike conventional products, INSUsound-xlo does not disintegrate or particulate, It thus

has ‘clean room’ applications also.

Besides application in duct internal lining, plenum area lining, pipe lagging, gaskets, AC equipment insulation and room acoustics, it is ideal for Shopping Malls, Multiplexes, Airports, BPOs, Gymnasiums, Commercial Complexes, Conference Rooms, Offices and Hotels, Banquets, Concert Halls and many more other applications.

Contact Mr. Atul Khanna email: insulation@supreme.co.in tel: +91-9810676116

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THE INSIDE TRACK February 2017

Spot Light

“B

ad design is smoke, Good design is mirror.”

-Juan Carlos Fernandes A mirror is an essentially indispensable part of every home.

Besides being extremely useful as reflecting surfaces, they also can double up as objects of art and home décor. Adding mirrors to your spaces ensures that a small area appears magnified and a dark area appears relatively lighter, brighter and more dramatic.

At times, however, it is incredibly nerve-wracking to think of how and where to hang a mirror.

Mirroring Spectacular Homes Mirror, an essential part of everyday life, can be used as an ideal object of décor to create an astounding effect on your home spaces. BY ANINDITA GANGULY

A mirror overlooking your dining table adds oodles of style

A few things should be preferably taken into account. First, the mirror should have a strong frame that can hold the glass in its position. Second, the center of the mirror should be properly marked and hung with the help of mounted D-hooks. Bumpers may be added at the bottom of the mirror to avoid scratching the wall. Third, the mirror should be ideally tilted so as to accommodate maximum reflection.

If you are wondering where to hang a mirror so as to not merely make it useful and practical but also to add to its functionality, you may consider hanging it from such places as these:

Mirrors should be strategucally placed in the bathroom

Wa r d r o b e Pa n e l s / K i t c h e n Cabinets: Mirrors on wardrobe panels and on kitchen cabinets create a stunning effect.

A large mirror in the bedroom can make it appear larger

Living room: The living room can be fashioned uniquely with a large sized or a decorative mirror overlooking the garden.

Bathroom: A mirror is a must-have in a bathroom. However, in order to enhance the style statement, two or more mirrors can be hung in the bathroom.

Dining area: A mirror overlooking your dining table creates the impression of a larger space and brightens the space up.

Passage/ Doorway: The passages and doorways are often ignored. Nevertheless, a mirror or a panel of mirrors in the passage or doorway can be the show stealer.

Bedroom: A large mirror can be placed in the bedroom to make it seem larger and also to create a subtle effect as an art work.

Concealer: If you want to hide any corner of your house, a decorative mirror can be strategically placed to hide it beautifully.

The latest trends in mirrors range from art décor mirrors, ornately framed ones, sunburst, two-way, convex and silvered mirrors. You will also come across various interesting shapes and sizes. Pick the one that appeals to your aesthetic sense and simply add oodles of style and elegance to your home décor!

Mirrors on the wall of the living room creates a wonderful impact

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THE INSIDE TRACK February 2017

Co. Profile

I

n a conversation with Mr. Prashanth Reddy, Director, FunderMax India Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai, we gain insights about the façade cladding industry in India and how FunderMax is contributing to it progressively.

How is India’s facade cladding industry currently placed?

The total size of the Façade Market in India is estimated to be around 80 million square meters per annum with majority share of Glass followed

by Stone (Granite and Marble being abundantly available locally and relatively cheaper too), followed by Aluminum Composite Panels (ACPs) and then around 5 percent by new generation materials like HPL, Fiber cement boards and natural woods like IPE.

FunderMax Is Setting New Benchmarks In Façade Cladding A brand dealing in façade cladding, FunderMax aims to be the trendsetter in design and aesthetics.

What are the different products available in FunderMax’s interior and exterior range?

The products we offer in India for exterior applications are Max Exterior F Quality, elements like Lap Siding, perforated panels and also different surfaces like glossy, matte, textures, individual and customized digital prints etc. though the market preference is tilted towards wooden grains, we off late see our white decors doing well in corporate and Builders segment and also lot of stone decors catching interest to replace most of natural stone due to its weight and porosity issues.

Also we have some show stoppers like Neon collection as well as new Textures. You imagine and we have it.

For interior applications, in India we are currently offering Max Resistance2 - highly chemical resistant HPL panels for laboratory tabletops.

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 2015 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 are some of the emerging trends in the facade segment in India?

Façade Cladding industry in India is undergoing many changes in terms of functionality and performance parameters. The adherence to strictest energy and quality parameters and the growth of technological innovations have enabled architects and designers to express their inclinations and ideologies in distinctive and individual manners, far more easily than ever before. These norms and technological innovations have given rise to: 1) More robust, energy efficient, innovative and adaptable façade systems such as Back Ventilated Façade System, Double Skin Façade System, Louvers Façade Systems, Energy Efficient Façade Cladding Systems etc.

2) Innovative new cladding materials such as Exterior Grade HPL Compact

Laminates (as per EN438-6 NT or EBC), Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete, Metal Claddings (Zinc, Copper, Aluminum and Steel), Polycarbonate Panels, Fibreglass Reinforced Plastics, Clay Tiles etc.

Today’s architects not only have to take into consideration technical aspects when designing a façade but also must look at the design aspects which give a superior aesthetic appeal and uniqueness in design and at the same time be energy efficient.

We have observed a change in the spending pattern of the Indian consumers as well when it comes to spending on their homes.

Indian consumers today are price sensitive certainly but equally value conscious. And they are thereby willing to pay premium prices for products that are robust as well as aesthetic appealing, unique in design and durable.

THE INSIDE TRACK February 2017

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to ensure that the building is set up in the same way as the architect visualized it.

Fu n d e r Ma x f ro m i t s r i c h 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.

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

What are some of the challenges facing the facade industry in India?

When it comes to implementing the vision that the architect has in mind for his/ her building, it is not only the cladding material that should be at par with the international standard, but equally important is the correct and precise fabrication procedure which finally creates the uniqueness and appeal that the architect had envisioned. We have seen that the installation systems and façade fabrication still has some way to go till it can match the standards being followed globally.

What is disheartening to observe is that façade contractors in the Indian market today try to cut corners on the usage of the recommended tools and accessories to extract maximum margins. All this leads to improper installation and low life of the façade itself and also ensures that frequent maintenance is required. We ourselves are making an effort to educate the market on this issue to ensure that there is absolutely no compromise as far as the specifications and trained manpower is concerned to ensure that the building is set up in the same way as the architect desired it to be.

What do you think is missing in the current facade segment in India?

How do you think FunderMax can improve it?

Another important criterion for cladding in the Indian context is the selection of a well trained and experienced installation team and the usage of the recommended right tools, accessories and procedures as specified by the cladding product company.

Façade fabrication today has expanded in size and has become increasingly complex in shape which has resulted in impediments in field installation and to mitigate this risk, absolutely no compromise should be made as far as the specifications and trained manpower is concerned

In the next 5 years, where do you see the brand?

FunderMax is owned by Constantia Industries AG, one of the largest industrial companies in Austria.

Headquartered in Bengaluru, FunderMax India Pvt. Ltd. (FIPL) is a 100% subsidiary of FunderMax GmbH, Austria. It has in its offering a wide range of Compact Laminates used in both Exterior and Interior applications.

We have a pan India presence with 43 Authorized Business Partners located across all major Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities in India. FunderMax India has executed more than 6000 projects in the past 7 years across different sectors such as Residential, Hospitality, Retail, Corporate and Hospitals amongst others.

FunderMax is a complete solution provider and supports its customers by providing them with the right Installation system with right façade

consultancy on design and product compatibility along with the usage of only recommended and specified installation accessories and the right tools and trained manpower.

All of this is well supported by FunderMax’s trained and experienced 43 Authorized Business Partners across the country.

It has been 7 years since FunderMax started operations in the Indian market and the response has been very encouraging. We were the first company in India to launch Compact Laminate panels for exterior use and the market has gradually accepted our product. We are currently the leader in the HPL industry for cladding materials in

India and want to strengthen our position further going forward.

With an unparalleled range of 115 different decors comprising 30,000 SKUs and with our own trained installation teams who use only the recommended tools and accessories, we want Indian architects to set new benchmarks by creating unique iconic structures that bear their mark of creativity.

For this reason, we have also been educating the industry about the latest trends in façade design and benefits of the European Rear Ventilated system which we use for installing the panels. At the same time, we also have an in house application engineering team who work with the architects to create that unique design and have also been working on creating new applications for Compact Laminate use.

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.

Our aim is to be the trendsetter in design and aesthetics, a great brand to associate with, an inspiring place to work and also as a part of our CSR activities, continue to contribute to the cause of education for the underprivileged.

Contact web: www.fundermax.in email: officeindia@fundermax.biz tel: +91 80 46617000

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THE INSIDE TRACK February 2017

Spot Light

A

s a festival that recognizes, features, addresses, inspires and celebrates art in its subtlest forms including fine arts, photography, sculptures, urban design and architecture, literature, cinema and performative and visual arts, Kala Ghoda Arts Festival (KGAF) was initiated by the Kala Ghoda Association, a not-for-profit enterprise in 1999 with the objective of offering a space where art can manifest in all its interpretations.

Since then, the festival has become a part of the cultural heritage of the city. Initially, it began as a weekend event which eventually has transformed into a week long festival of fun frolic.

KGAF 2017 has begun on 4th February and will be on till 12th February. The theme for this year is “riding the wave” and indeed it delivers this feel as it takes you on to a wonderful journey where you are greeted by the waves of creative energy. The festival takes place in the Kala Ghoda area in Mumbai.

A kaliedoscope of events are lined up as part of the festivities covering those for children, workshops,

Kala Ghoda Arts Festival A must-visit annual festival that preserves

and refurbishes art and heritage of the city, Kala Ghoda is the largest multicultural festival in India. BY ANINDITA GANGULY

KGAF recognizes, features, addresses, inspires and celebrates art

amazing stationaries and utility products. Some of these stalls that you should not miss out on are Aumra, Level Two, Poppadum Art, Takshini, Pinklay and Rare Thought amongst many others.

This year, the eponymous Kala Ghoda, symbolic of the festival has been brought back to life in the form of a marvellous 25 foot tall Black Horse statue installed at the parking lot in the beginning of K Dubash Marg. It has restored the glory of the festival with its magnificence.

Moreover, a two-day all day long seminar on the ‘State of Housing in India’ is organised under the Urban Design and Architecture section of the festival on 3rd and 4th February.

A cake-shaped installation by Monginis is a brilliant portrayal of Mumbai in 2020 Every installation in the festival is a unique piece of art

heritage walks, stalls, food stalls and unique art installations that will amaze you.

Some remarkable art installations you should not miss are ‘Dance of the Past and Future’, ‘Human Tree’, ‘The Flying Horse’, ‘Pixelated Light’, ‘Time Pause’, ‘A Room Defying Gravity’, ‘The Wishing Tree’, ‘Open-air Autorickshaw’, ‘Mumbai Metro 3’ and ‘The Cube of Hope’. You may also check out some astonishing stalls selling unique products ranging from home décor items, handicraft and organic products, handloom and organic clothing and accessories,

It is all about a delightful riot of colours at the festival

Mumbai Metro-3 - one of the installations

This is followed by more events that include lectures and discussions on urban designing and architecture by renowned and distinguished exponents in the world of architecture and design.

With a host of amazing events covering the myriad forms of art, stalls that astonish you with delightful products that you would have never come across, installations that leave you spell-bound and food stalls, the festival is a brilliant collage of the brightest hues of life. KGAF is in the truest essence a festival that glorifies art celebrates aesthetics and induces Mumbai to bask in its heritage!

THE INSIDE TRACK February 2017

Eureka Forbes Launches Euroclean iCLEAN

It Products Canadian Wood Presents Douglas Fir Wood In today’s modern times, teak is slowly being replaced with other types of wood due to its unsteady quality of supply. Although, teak has always occupied a special place in the culture and history of tropical regions, slowly in modern settings, the material is fast moving out of reach as a promising alternative to teak is now available in India. Douglas-fir, a popular Canadian Wood species displays properties comparable to teak in terms of visual appeal, multi-utility and strength, making it worth considering for any structural or interior design project.

Highly recommended for

making innovative large structures or open plan spaces in wood, Douglas-fir is also popular for solid wood furniture, wooden doors and windows, interior design and carving projects. Its slight pink cast and colour variation from light “straw” in the sapwood through to a deep russet brown in the heartwood, and strong grain pattern makes it a winner all round.

Douglas-fir is strong and light in weight, which makes it very easy to handle and as compared to teak this species of wood is costeffective too.

Contact www.canadianwood.in

Hacker’s Open Kitchen Offering you a perfect combination of luxury and cutting-edge solutions, Hacker Kitchens truly depict the right choice for ‘luxury living with German engineering’.

In your house, Kitchen is one area that integrates well with dining and living spaces. Open kitchens are becoming a statement, where the emphasis is on quality, design and appearance. Hacker offers you a sophisticated kitchen in a bronze metallic lacquer finish, which adds a touch of luxury to the open cooking and living space. Häcker is a specialist producer of modern fitted kitchens that fulfill the

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highest claims in terms of quality, functionality, durability and design.

With a sprawling manufacturing facility at Rödinghausen, Germany, it has a 92 percent computer-aided automated production facility, enabling it to maintain the highest level of precision and quality.

Surfaces, colours and styles are available in over 160 options in a variety of finishes including laminates, veneers, real stone fronts, lacquers available in matt and high-gloss.

Contact www.haecker-india.com

Eureka Forbes, a pioneer in technological innovations, has introduced a premium range of Euroclean iCLEAN, an extremely effective and effortless vacuum cleaner. A combination of intelligent engineering and superior craftsmanship, this cleaning marvel is powered with cutting edge Triple I technology that discharges negative ions in the air and traps the minute particles and clears the air of any pollutants.

The special 4-stage filtration ensures that the expelled air i ultra-clean. The Active Shield coating on Euroclean dust bags builds an impenetrable wall of anti-bacterial fighting agents and traps & deactivates the harmful minute microorganisms inside the bag. This ensures 100% cleaning as well as 100% safety of the air expelled from the vacuum cleaner. The vertical

i-blower through its upright airflow dynamics warrants maximum and powerful airflow delivery Euroclean iCLEAN has a smart user-friendly display that facilitates easy handling and an indicator keeps a check on the dust bag storage.

Contact www.eurekaforbes.com

Grundfos Launches Scala2, Water Booster Pump Grundfos India, recently launched Scala2, a fully integrated water booster pump, providing perfect water pressure in all taps at all times - even with multiple taps and showers running at the same time. It packs pump, motor, tank, sensor, drive and nonreturn valve into one compact unit. With its intelligent pump control, Scala2 automatically adjusts performance to both inlet pressure and water consumption in the home.

Thanks to a water-cooled motor, Scala2 even offers one of the lowest noise levels of any booster on the market.

Scala2 features a builtin sensor which constantly measures the discharge pressure. If the pressure drops below the desired level, Scala2 boosts its operation immediately to compensate for the loss of pressure. We call it intelligent pump control and the result is perfect water pressure.

Scala2 has the user-friendly control panel which makes it easy to operate and it is quality tested to perfection and is

maintenance-free.

Talking about the launch of Scala2, Ranganath N. K., Managing Director, Grundfos India said, “We at Grundfos India are proud to launch the perfect water pressure pump, Scala2. The Scala2 is a fully integrated water boosting solution designed for easy installation and operation.

It is compact enough to fit inside a kitchen cupboard, is very quiet and it covers all domestic boosting needs.

Scala2 is an extremely reliable and robust booster pump for homeowners”.

Contact in.grundfos.com

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THE INSIDE TRACK February 2017

It Products Initiating A Revolution With Water Resistant Plywood Action Tesa took a massive leap in the Indian interiors industry by presenting HDHMR boards.

This move is a masterstroke in a country that has eagerly

waited for a viable resolution for the delicate nature of plywood.

HDHMR stands for High Density High Moisture Resistant boards tha are made of hardwood.

Apart from the problem of moisture, generally used plywood is also subject to heavy damage due to the ravages of time. If not damage, plywood suffers a depreciation of appearance, causing depletion in the aesthetic beauty of an interior. This is achieved by using special German Technology for MAT formation & pressed by 8 cylinders, 18 day light press - a process introduced for the first time in India.

A special kind of glue is used that reinforces the hardwood and assists in production of a sheet that is highly resistant to moisture. Apart from being moisture resistant, the HDHMR sheets are also Borer Resistant & Termite Resistant adding more to the already high value to these hardwood ply boards.

This product has clicked well and is gaining early momentum, setting up an ideal base to popularize it more, both in home and office furniture segments.

Contact www.actiontesa.com

Ozone Introduces Biometric Door Locks Enhancing security solutions and for better safety and convenience, Ozone recently launched Biometric Door Locks for keyless convenience to lock & unlock your residence main door.

This biometric door lock comes with 02 access options, user code & fingerprint for ease of operation and is powered with easy finger print scan technology, enabling one touch verification process.

The password keypad comes with smart touch feature and activates the keypad with random numbers input for enhanced password

security. These locks come with an anti-prank, force break-in and fire alarm feature, equipped with auto-lock function for user convenience and security.

These locks are suitable for residential as well as commercial main doors and can have multiusers with each user having unique user code/password or finger print registered. With their incomparable classy looks, these biometric locks offer unmatched security, safety & convenience.

Contact www.ozone-india.com

Panasonic Introduces FoamPremia Series

Panasonic India Pvt. Ltd, a leader in innovation and technology, has introduced 13 new models of Fully Automatic Top Loading Washing machine series FoamPremia. The new range combines the latest features with advanced technology, user-friendly convenience and enhanced performance.

The new range generates rich foam that cascades inside the machine to penetrate to the fabric’s core for a spotlessly

clean washing performance.

Ensuring best wash quality and longevity of clothes life, the original detergent dissolving mechanism ensures that no trace of detergent remains. Specially designed for Indian Market, the new models incorporate StainMaster technology which allows individual wash programs to tackle even the most stubborn stains resulting in a perfect wash.

The new range is equipped with Aquabeat technology which provides a powerful water flow to knock out dirt ingrained in fibres. Moreover, the gently pulsating anti-bacterial Sazanami Drum treats your fabric with care. The in-built eco-friendly solutions include Aqua Spin Rinse, which conserves water up to 15%, and Econavi Technology which helps in saving water up to 23% and electricity up to 25% by detecting wash load volume and water temperature. The gentle hand wash mechanism allows washing delicate garments without fabric damage and shrinkage.

Contact www.panasonic.com/in

Viega’s Reliable Pexfit Pro Fosta Pipe System Viega introduced a new pipeline system Pexfit Pro Fosta for drinking water and heating systems. It is an innovative installation product under composite pipe system that is flexible and durable. Made of physically cross-linked polyethylene (PE-Xc), these pipes are temperature and pressure-resistant compared to CPVC pipes, insensitive to corrosion and incrustation.

A Pexfit Pro Fosta series variant has three layers - PE-Xc internal pipe, an aluminium layer and white external coating making the pipe form stable i.e. once bent into close radii, the pipe permanently retains this shape eliminating the need for elbow joints.

The Pexfit Pro system comes with the advantage of Viega´s press connection technology to ensure leakage-proof joints. Once crimped using the Viega press tool (tool calibration and bevelling

are not required), these joints become permanently leak-proof.

The pipes are available in 16 to 63 mm. An extensive range of Pexfit Pro connectors with press connections also allow quick and uncomplicated crossover to metal pipe systems.

Contact www.viega.in

THE INSIDE TRACK February 2017

It Products H&R Johnson Introduces Top Shield H&R Johnson (India), India’s leading Integrated Lifestyle Solution provider launches a breakthrough product from Johnson Marble & Quartz, Johnson Top Shield, an antimicrobial counter top in quartz. It is a pre-fabricated, ready-to-install and germ-free quartz kitchen countertop that will change cooking spaces forever.

It is manufactured with a special anti-microbial formula and developed through the fusion of pure natural quartz and with Johnson’s technical expertise. Besides being strong and highly resistant, it is a prefabricated drip-free kitchen countertop which hugely reduces the hassles of installation and labour cost hence making it highly recommended for modular kitchens.

It is available in a variety of textures and colours. The standard dimension available is 10ft x 28½ inches and the standard thickness is of 18mm.

It offers consumers a revolutionary, hassle-free and extremely hygienic option for kitchen countertops. .

Contact www.hrjohnsonindia.com

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Crompton’s Storage And Instant Water Heaters Crompton offers a wide range of best-in-class storage and instant water heaters to the consumers.

Storage water heater has a larger tank with capacity of 25 liters whereas instant water heater has the tank capacity of 3 liters.

Crompton’s instant water heaters heat water quicker because of lower volume of water and higher rating of heating element.

Crompton has wide range of durable water heaters made of patented nano polymer based coating. These are available in different colors and types namely - Solarium Deluxe, Solarium Aura, Arno, Arno Power, Arno Deluxe and Magna in the price range of INR 7,000-13,000 in storage water heater category and, Solarium Plus and Bliss priced between INR 3,250 and INR 3,950 respectively in instant water heater category.

A blend of elegant design, technology, safety, energyefficiency and convenience has made these water heaters so popular. Warranty comes

in 3 parts: warranty for the Tank, Element and the Product.

Crompton’s storage water heaters have Tank warranty of 5-7 years, Element warranty of 2-3 years and Product warranty of 2 years whereas instant water heaters have Tank, element and Product warranty of 2 years.

Contact www.crompton.co.in

Franke Launches Wellness Oven Nexus 21 - TV lift, USA

Nexus 21 - TV Lift, USA distributed exclusively by Anusha Technovision in India, offers users a highly customizable yet straight forward option to enhance their entertainment experience. The nimble design behind the L-45 allows for the same system to be used in a wide array of applications. From Sound bar mounts and component shelves to added bracketry that supports the addition of a surrounding enclosure, the L-45 can be transformed to not only be practical, but, enhance the

aesthetics of any design. The versatility and reliability of the Nexus 21 Model L-45 lends this solution as a staple in the realm of concealment technology and home entertainment.

The remarkable features are silent, reliable electronic motor, IR remote for easy control, manual swivel option at any position, safety/collision software, no exposed pulley/ belts for enhanced safety and easy integration with third party AV system.

Contact: www.tvlift.com

Franke is revolutionizing domestic and professional cooking with its exclusive Dynamic Cooking Technology. Franke has replaced traditional armoured electric heating elements with extremely reactive electronically controlled bare wire heating elements which heat the air very quickly. The mesh structure formed by the heating element filaments heats the air very quickly, guaranteeing efficient thermal exchange.

The Next-generation DCT Enabled ovens have Patented technology such as “Dynamic Cooking Technology” features specifications like superior performance, reduced energy consumption and total safety. This is revolutionizing the concept of

cooking. The outstanding features of this product are instant air heating, faster cooking and less risk of burning, low energy function to reduce power absorption, energy saving (-20%), three automatically controlled resistors with higher efficiency during thermal exchange, electronic functionalities with 50 pre-set receipts, exclusive programs options and independent or combined element management for targeted heat distribution.

Exclusive DCT technology

by Franke offers optimal heat distribution inside the oven, guaranteeing perfect cooking, eliminating the risk of burning and keeping flavours and aromas intact.

Contact: www.franke.com

Postal Registration No. MCE/129/2017-19 RNI NO. MAHENG/2007/19853. WPP LICENSE NO. MR/TECH/WPP-266/East/2017. POSTED AT MUMBAI PATRIKA CHANNEL SORTING OFFICE, MUMBAI G.P.O. 400001. DATE OF PUBLICATION: 15th OF EVERY MONTH, dATE OF POSTING: 15th & 16th OF EVERY MONTH

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THE INSIDE TRACK February 2017

Spot Light

A

gold medalist in fine arts from Delhi College of Art and Computer Animation from Sheridan College in Canada, Charuvi Agrawal is a practicing visual artist in the domain of animation and fine arts besides being a filmmaker.

Charuvi Agrawal combined fine art with technology to create an astounding sculpture comprising of 26,000 bells with pearls, inspired by her 3D animated film on Hanuman, the icon of self-knowledge.

In the words of Charuvi Agrawal, Founder of Charuvi Design Lab, “My passion is to create intellectually and emotionally stimulating projects which are an amalgamation of art and technology and this Hanuman structure is one of the best examples of it. The sheer rendition and interpretation of Hanuman’s virtues in such a manifestation makes it unique. I was personally amazed at the emotional response of the audience irrespective of any class/creed/race towards the

A Tale Of 26,000 Bells Charuvi Agrawal has introduced her exclusive creation of a 25 feet sculpture of Shri Hanuman made of 26,000 bells which is a unique amalgamation of art and technology.

Charuvi Agrawal

The marvellous statue that spells magnificence

artwork. It’s very gratifying to witness such a connection between the work and the people experiencing it.

We first made a prototype by using pearls. In the prototype, location of the bells, distance between the bells and the material to be used were all analysed and mapped. We then extrapolated this information on to a much larger canvas thereby creating the present day structure”.

The whole process of this artistic masterpiece started with conceptualising the basic form with a series of preliminary sketches and thereafter layers have been added digitally in a software to create the prototypes or scale down models

before moving on to the piece itself.

Designed in a transcending static, the sculpture is into a physical moving art form. This grand piece has also been mentioned in Limca book of records.

She founded Charuvi Design Labs in 2010 and she has been instrumental in CDL rise from an award winning design lab to a renowned animation studio based in New Delhi. The creation of Charuvi is inspired by the nuances of human senses and experiments with them in her work. Her initiative today has blossomed into a think tank where she supports and guides creative artists and designers.