home review-december 2014

LIGHT. AIRY.ELEGANT.

Ravi Vazirani’s code of quiet Sophistication

RS 100 HOME-REVIEW.COMvol 13 issue 12 december 2014 total pages 144

symbiosis UNCOVEREDMY SPACE : indigo architects DESIGN DESTINATION : eindhoven

Anagram Architects’ DIGITAL IMPRINT

VERNAL MELANGE by DPA STUDIO

Orgatec spotlights communication friendly WorK concePtS for tHe modern office

6 Home Review December 2014 Home Review December 2014 7 6 Home Review December 2014 Home Review December 2014 7

clutter free ambience and a refined sense of aesthetics claim victory in a home designed by Ravi Vazirani Design Studio. An emphasis on open airy spaces and quiet sophistication is what forms the bedrock of the design scheme. Ravi Vazirani introduces elements of traditional Indian design tempered with stylish contemporary details to maximum effect. His smart juxtaposition of inspiration from different worlds creates uniquely engaging spaces that are welcoming and charming in their rhetoric. This home showcases the unique ability of Vazirani to not only create a space that is a palpable departure from the commonplace, but also goes a long way in setting him apart from the ordinary.

The studio of Ashwin and Anjali Lovekar in Pune is a tribute to the simple and the straight-forward. Their deep rooted commitment to the environment shines through in the design of their workplace which embodies a free flowing vocabulary cleverly articulated amongst a cluster of shady trees. The duo ingeniously transform an old bungalow into a tranquil workplace where one can step out from almost every room into a shaded porch to continue a conversation amidst nature. The studio’s connection with the natural environ is further strengthened by interactive outdoor spaces which act as playgrounds for the team to ideate and interact in - making it a place where admirable concepts and creations frequently blossom.

The Orgatec trade fair takes place every two years in Germany and spotlights the latest products and innovations for modern working environments. This October the fair highlighted the role of communication-friendly workplace concepts alongside furnishings, lighting and innovative acoustic solutions. Turn to page 42 to take a look at some of the most pioneering ideas and products that are sure to make your office a better place to work in.

Anish Bajaj, [email protected]

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Cover StoryDesigned by Mumbai-based Ravi Vazirani Design Studio, this residence is a warm abode full of natural light and the refined hues of wood, stone and cement

28

Our work attempts to address the climatic realities

of where we build

22ARCHITECTS

INDIGO

42The Orgatec fair presented the most innovative office solutions that make function-ing easy. Take a look at our handpicked selection of office furnishings for your modern office

Across the azure blue waters of Southern France’s Mediterranean coastline lays Marseilles, a historical port city continually inhabited since 600 BCE

38

Anagram Architects use a diverse language of design and its interface with technology for an office of a prestigious outdoor media company

64

by Ritika Nanda

71

A boutique hotel in Cambodia resurrects eleven old houses from the countryside and transforms them into charming tourist hideouts

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A DESIGN DESTINATION

EINDHOVEN The freshly crafted DPA Design Studio is the perfect miscellanea of traditional elements within a contemporary setup

88

DECEMBER


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86


140Get your hands on the latest products to hit the market

THE MARKETPLACE

Noida-based Studio Symbiosis works a design palate that is a beguiling mix of the elegantly simple, futuristic and the complex

120

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124

99

Careful planning and restoration turns ‘old’ into ‘gold’ as in the case of this vintage countryside house in Formentera, Spain

GREEN PROJECT

A beautifully landscaped luxury resort in Rajasthan makes living in the desert an unexpectedly soothing experience

Landscapes

114

Designed specifically to suit its location The Anantara Dubai Palm Resort & Spa is as unique a destination as the surrounding landscape it is immersed in

130

107

Making most of mature shady trees, Lovekar Design Studio use a simple and free flowing architectural vocabulary for their office space based in Paud Road, Pune

Tranceforme, a company which specialises in transforming ordinary spaces into special ones

136

DECEMBER

From laser-cut chairs to lamps,François Azambourg blends scientific exploration, technical skill and an eye for beauty effortlessly

productdesigner

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Editor & Publisher Anish Bajaj

Creative Director Natalie Pedder-Bajaj

Features EditorMala Bajaj

Assistant EditorShweta Salvi

Sub EditorsVikas BhadraUlka VartakRehana Penwala

Contributing WritersChryselle D’Silva DiasChristabelle AthaideDhanishta ShahHimali KothariK Parvathy MenonShruti Nambiar

DesignersAsif ShayannawarSnigdha Hodarkar

Meghna KothariFreelance writerAn MBA with marketing as her specialisation, Meghna is the founder of Ink-A writing boutique where she explores the world of words in its different forms. The boutique specialises in writing and creative ideation for corporate and lifestyle magazines.

Ritika NandaDesignerAn alumnus of NIFT Delhi, Ritika Nanda creates custom lighting that is out of the box, modern and whacky; she is the proprietor of Mother Gone Mad Design Studio based in New Delhi.


Editorial & Marketing

MumbaiMr. Ganesh Gurav, Mr. Vivek Jadhav,Mr. Rakesh Kini (Digital),B-62, Cotton Exchange bldg., Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033T 022 23736133/1, 32958501 F 022 23743069E [email protected]

DelhiMs Sumita PrakashFlat F 304, Rajasthan C.G.H.S. Ltd,Plot No. 36, Sector 4, Dwarka, New Delhi 110075Tel 09899179540, Email: [email protected]

ChennaiMr S. VenkataraamanFlat No. 2, 3rd Flr, E-Block, Hansa Garden, 30 Madampakkam MainRd, Rajakilpakkam, Chennai 600 073Tel 044 22281180 / 09444021128 Email: [email protected]

KolkataMr Subrata Mazumder2, Nabapalli (Bidhanpalli). Kolkata 700084Tel 033 2410 4296 Mob 9831131395 Telefax 033 2410 7605Email: [email protected]

Publishing Director Mr. R.I. BajajDistributed in India by India Book House Pvt. Ltd. 412, Tulsiani Chambers, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021.

This issue has a total of 144 pages comprising of a 4 page cover and 140 inside pages.

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

Anagram ArchitectsDigital Imprint, Page No 64Vaibhav Dimri and Madhav Raman, who established Anagram Architects, represent a very modern approach to creative designing. The partners are graduate architects from the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi. The firm’s practice is diverse and encompasses public infrastructure planning, urban design, architecture, sceneography, broadcast design, furniture design and interior design.

Kishore D.PradhanLandscape, Page No 114The firm Kishore D.Pradhan, Architectural and Landscape Consultant was established in 1972, since its inception, the firm’s landscape practice has attracted prestigious clientele in India. An impressive and exhaustive list of projects and clients serve as a testimony to the firm’s calibre and service.

Ravi VaziraniLight. Airy. Elegant, Page No 28Ravi Vazirani Design Studio, helmed by Ravi Vazirani, is a boutique studio catering to a clientele that values aesthetics, practicality and that dash of je ne sais quoi. The studio has worked on a variety of projects including office spaces and the homes of design cognoscenti like Bollywood producer Karan Johar besides several prominent developers.

E V E N T SPAST & FUTURE


Guangzhou Design Week will be held for a period of three days in Guangzhou, China. As one of the most important and dynamic international business interactive platforms for the design industry, Guangzhou Design Week is not only a grand party for people dedicated to design, but also a great platform to show the latest information and trends of the industry.

Professionals from all over the world related to the design sector will attend this event. More than 300 renowned design, furnishing and material enterprises from Italy, US, Netherlands and China will be present at the event.

Besides design professionals the event also encourages the participation of interior architects, brand developers, real estate developers and building material companies.

en.gzdesignweek.com

Design Miami is an international design show held annually in December in Miami, Florida. A global forum for design, the event brings together the most influential collectors, gallerists, designers, curators and critics from around the world in celebration of design, culture and commerce.

3 TO 7 DECDesign Miami,Miami

Business of Design (BODW) is a flagship event organised by Hong Kong Design Centre since 2002. Each year, BODW brings to Hong Kong some of the world’s most outstanding design masters and influential business figures to inspire the regional audience on creative thinking and design management.

BODW Hong KongHong Kong

1 TO 6 DEC

Guangzhou Design WeekGuangzhou

05 TO 07 DECRaj Anand of Maison&Objet and Gauri Khan of The Design Cell co- hosted a champagne evening with Kaykasshan Patel for a sneak peek into the attractions of the forthcoming Maison&Objet - the leading international décor show destination.

Says Gauri Khan who is a regular visitor at the Maison&Objet, “What interests me is the unique offer and experience of the show which is a great source of inspiration not only for décor but also to expand one’s mindset and lifestyle. The creativity at Maison&Objet is simply exciting for any person whether in design or in general habitat. So is The Design Cell a boutique with a difference - a melting pot of ideas and discoveries, of creative thoughts and objects.”

The world is “Maison” at The Design Cell- with a myriad of décor collections from across the world. The store showcases a new Paris themed line to commemorate Maison&Objet along with a few of Gauri Khan’s creations.

www.maison-objet.com

11 NOVA Sneak Peek Into The Upcoming Maison&Objet, Mumbai

In addition, the event also provides a valuable platform for participants to network, exchange ideas and explore business cooperation. Today, BODW enjoys the reputation as Asia’s leading annual event on design, innovation and brands.

The week-long BODW features BODW Forum, the most significant platform for designers and business leaders to exchange ideas, and the BODW Gala Dinner cum Awards Presentation, and an astonishing array of impressive outreach programmes, concurrent conferences and exhibitions.

www.bodw.com

Design Miami is more than a marketplace for design, where the world’s top galleries gather to present museum-quality exhibitions of 20th and 21st century furniture, lighting and objets d’art.

Each show balances exclusive commercial opportunities with progressive cultural programming, creating exciting collaborations with designers and design institutions.

The event also includes panel discussions and lecture series with luminaries from the world of design, architecture, art and fashion.

www.designmiami.com

18 Home Review December 2014 Home Review December 2014 19





IMM CologneCologne

19 TO 25 JAN

Held in Cologne, Germany, at the Koelnmesse this is traditionally the globe’s first interiors trade fair of each year and takes the lead-in position very seriously.

The imm cologne showcases inspiring interior design ideas for trendsetters and provides markets with new impetus. Also, the major innovation drivers, market leaders and brands will be there.

This year over 100,000 pieces of furniture and other furnishing items will be exhibited, around a third of which will be presented to the international market for the first time at the Cologne exhibition.

www.imm-cologne.com

Maison&Objet is the major event for professionals working in the art of living in all its rich and varied expressions. The lifestyle show brings together a 360° product offering. From furniture and design to textiles and tableware,the styles coexist in a multifaceted way, throughout the inventive show design which enlivens the spaces.

More than a trade show, Maison&Objet is thereference event for the interior design industry.The event focuses on innovative interiors andhighlights developments in the contemporarymarket suited to individual and specific needs.

This extraordinary diversity of products is in line with the varied expectations of global markets. With each session, the great lifestyle platform, at the intersection of business and creativity, reveals solutions to visitors from around the world in search of uniqueness.

Innovative interior design firms reveal theirretail strategies which are designed to workin the ever evolving design and interior space,besides highlighting the latest materials beingintroduced in the industry. Among the majorhighlights is the international home-fashionshow which reflects the strategic thinkingbehind the best brains in the field and unveilspromising talents, through appealing special events.

www.maison-objet.com

Artists in Concrete Awards Asia Fest 2014 -15 has been conceptualised and organised by Reify Artisans and Projects Pvt. Ltd. with knowledge partner Rachana Sansad, Academy of Architecture, Mumbai, one of the well-known architectural institutes in India.

AICA AwardsMumbai

20 TO 21 JAN

Maison and ObjetParis, France

23 TO 27 JAN

Extended Date for Submission of Entries, IIID Anchor Awards

22nd JAN

The Institute of Indian Interior Designers (IIID) initiated the IIID Awards for excellence in interior design in India in 1996. Since 2011, IIID has collaborated with Anchor by Panasonic and the awards have now become popular asIIID Anchor Awards.

Designers across India participate - in large numbers - every year as the IIID Awards provide a unique opportunity to showcase and compete their designs alongside the best in the region and the country.

The pride to possess the most coveted award for excellence in interior design as well as a great professional and personal boost for upcoming designers continues to attract talent from across the country to the IIID Awards every year.

The IIID Anchor Awards is now open for submission of entries. Designers can now participate in multiple zones based on project location. For more details please refer to the official website.

www.iiidanchorawards.net.in

The event is dedicated to the fields of art, architecture, building technologies and other allied discipline.

To enlarge the canvas of the participating artists, a two day festival has been organised which will culminate with the awards ceremony, to be held at Hotel Sea Princess at Juhu Beach, Mumbai.

From architects to interior designers and construction agencies to product designers, the event will bring together the best names in business across Asia. The event also encompasses a lecture series from the top architects all over the world besides which product designers and construction agencies will give a presentation on their respective projects.

www.aica.in


Ahmedabad based firm Indigo Architects commemorates the passion that the design capital of the country is synonymous with. The principals, Uday and Mausami Andhare through their practice have been eloquently validating the epochal nature of the field.

Their work engages in a perennial dialogue with the ecosystem and displays innate sensitivity towards it. Their structures are not an isolated entity that indulge in gimmicky signature styles but showcase symbiotic poetry through architecture.

Providing dignity to the socio-cultural milieu and the environment is at the core of their practice. Each element of design is handled with conscious effort at strengthening the context, where the firm caters to the tangibles that in effect shape the intangible aspects of a project. Both the principals firmly believe each built form by default, should be sustainable and hence tirelessly indulge in research that supports the contextual make-up of the project.

With simplicity and efficacy the firm breathes life in the forgotten traditional techniques and reinstates that an architect should essentially rely on experiential inspirations. They are our new-age modernists who adopt a bold architectural language but do not believe in disengaging from their roots.

Here they speak of crucial parameters that would help reorient the Indian architectural scene and their upcoming projects.

Interview by Shweta Salvi

my space


Uday: I grew up in South Mumbai, and lived in the Prince Of Museum campus where my father was a curator of paintings. The museum was an extension of our home.

As a child I visited the Jehangir Art Gallery, the BNHS society with Dr. Salim Ali at its helm, the then C.J Hall which housed an annual cultural event called ‘Kal Ke Kalakaar’ where we were taken as kids to music and dance performances by young artists. It was quite inspiring.

I had begun to draw and learn music as a child, influenced by what I saw around me, but I wanted to become a pilot! We moved to Ahmedabad in 1983 bringing our family in contact with lot of interesting people including Prof. B. V. Doshi and the CEPT School of Architecture.

It all culminated in me joining the school to study architecture. In retrospect, I believe this was to form the foundation of what I would enjoy doing.

Materials and details that help in creating

an appropriate climatic response can make architecture more

expressive, contextual and hence relevant.

When did you realise architecture was your true calling?

Mausami: I grew up in Ahmedabad. As a child, we travelled a lot with the family to places in India and attended several cultural events in the city of Ahmedabad. The fortified city and its annual cultural rituals of Moharram, Rath Yatra and Uttarayan were all experienced against the backdrop of its dense, rich and layered architectural fabric.

I cycled to school, passing by several institutional and residential buildings that had come up in the late 60’s and 70’s. They fascinated me as a counterpoint to what I saw as historic and yet seemed congruous and elegant. It was when I was 13 that I thought I was seriously interested in buildings and that probably was my first recollection of what I wanted to do.


It is usually climate, water, thermal comfort, appropriate use of materials, frugality; always constantly seen against the backdrop of client needs and aspirations.

You practice in a city which is synonymous for great architectural landmarks and is considered the breeding ground for design. How has Ahmedabad’s design culture influenced your practice?

Profoundly. There is a way of thinking that is specific to the design culture and ethos of this place. Its underpinnings in being culture specific and yet contemporary, to seek ideas and solutions that are progressive and yet localise them with great panache, frugality and simplicity are intrinsic.

We see a synchronized juxtaposition of masses in your work that sits in perfect harmony with the surrounding landscape. What’s the basic approach to design for any given site?

Our work attempts to address the climatic realities of where we build. Mass and voids within buildings are manipulated within the framework of the program to achieve this quality. Form is un-important, scale is important.

That a building must connect to the ground firmly is equally important to us. When in architecture school, we were told, “Listen to the site”; it’s true. It tries to tell you something. Sometimes you hear what you want to do. That has to be curbed to hear it better. It’s like allowing voices to come into your mind. Over and above the physical, spatial or other dictates of a site, we seek the underlying influences that are crucial. i.e. cultural, social and aspects related to people and their history.

We feel that seeking the right trigger to initiate thoughts is a very important milestone in design thinking. We seek thoughts that enable us to ground the process in something truthful.

The spirit of adventure and caution towards being ‘over the top’ somehow moves hand in hand!

It is evident that a lot of effort has been taken to turn to traditional methods in your design. Are these techniques easily substitutable vis-a vis our modern material and techniques?

We are fortunate to experience and draw from thousands of years of traditional building knowledge. This has to become a resource. Continuities are important. Interpretation, change and adaptation are equally important.

Unfortunately, traditional knowledge and systems are used to make stylistic overtures in the name of conservation and preservation of our heritage.

A deeper understanding of materials, their chemistry and practices that existed in history and the ones that we have today is essential. Materials and details that help in creating an appropriate climatic response can make architecture more expressive, contextual and hence relevant.


Ironically, what is published is seen as “appropriate” today.

Just as media panders to the visual satiation of readers, few tend

to do justice to explain content in architecture

the way it ought to. Lime construction has existed for centuries, all over the world, before the advent of cement. Its qualities of durability, plasticity and water imperviousness seem worth emulating in contemporary construction. Our re-exploration of lime in masonry construction and plasters for buildings, is a work in progress. We work with all materials, giving each its due share of purpose.

Construction of cost effective rainwater harvesting tanks using masonry and lime, support skill sets and help nurture it. We have well documented codes for lime construction in our country which we have used effectively to reduce costs and consumption of cement where not needed.

According to you, which are the three sustainable features/processes that should be made a requisite in the Indian architectural scenario?

We believe that the crisis over water and energy is very critical today. Some of the cornerstones in our practice which have become essential for any building are:

• Mandatoryuseofrainwaterforcooking and drinking irrespective of the scale of the project.• Makethermalcomfortapriority. Keeping the structure cool is probably cheaper than cooling the air inside buildings.• Energycodecomplianceforallbuilding types should be made mandatory.• UsesolarPVtooffsetenergyneeds.• Re-useofgreywater-inwhateverway possible within the site.

Today, we find the young generation of architects blindly aping the West without understanding the climatic make-up of our country. How should an architect draw a line between getting inspired and blindly emulating?

Ironically, what is published is seen as “appropriate“ today. Just as magazines and other media pander to the visual satiation of readers, few tend to do justice to explain content in architecture the way it ought to. Fewer have time to read. An architecture that is our own cannot be synthesised from this mixed visual milieu. Being inspired is about understanding deeper structure and meaning.


The transition process of a student to a practicing architect is considered as a teething period where a fresher struggles to connect the dots. But is there one lesson that you learnt (not academically) during your college term that you still follow in your practice?

Struggle is intrinsic to our role as practitioners. What we struggle for is very important to define. Values play a vital role in defining the course of our future.

Our country has a wonderful architectural heritage (sadly some of it is in a dilapidated condition); any personal favourite structure? Do you take cues from our rich history?

There are too many.. Kailasa at Ellora, Raja Mahal at Orchha, Chand Baodi at Abhaneri, Ahichhatragadh at Nagaur, Akbar’s tomb at Sikandra, Sarkhej Roza in Ahmedabad, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Kaviyur Temple near Kottayam, Hriday Kunj at Gandhi Ashram, Ahmedabad, Narsinh Ghat in Ujjain, monuments at Mandu, Golconde in Pondicherry, Mahakoota Temple complex near Badami, to name a few, hold a very special place for us.

Several formal as well as vernacular buildings, complexes and settlements have been inspiring. We look to all these as a great resource to understand and clarify a lot of issues we confront today in design.

Any traditional technique which you haven’t explored as yet and would like to work with in the near future?

We came very close to constructing a kund on one of our projects that was to use the ancient art of using dry masonry construction to hold water. We have been studying this closely and hope to build one in the future.

What is the firm currently working on?

Our studio is just completing the Center for the Contemporary Crafts of Kutch for Shrujan in Paddhar. It houses four galleries for the crafts of Kutch as part of its museum block. We have been involved with some schools in which our emphasis has been on developing systems for using rainwater for drinking, sanitation and solid waste disposal. The MPUH Dialysis Center and pathology labs in Nadiad are also being designed by Indigo Architects. Could you name one building which

will always be a landmark structure in architecture for you?

Golconde in Pondicherry.

Any other creative activity you indulge in?

We travel a lot and sketch. We grow our own organic vegetables, cook, share seeds and plant vegetable gardens in the houses we build. Practise guerrilla greening in open spaces that don’t belong to us!

[email protected]


LIGHT. AIRY. ELEGANT.


This residence has been designed by Mumbai-based Ravi Vazirani Design Studio as a warm abode full of natural light and the refined hues of wood, stone and cement.

Text By Shruti NambiarPhotographs By Pankaj Anand Courtesy The Designer


The 6,000 sq ft that form this home are dedicated to a glorious celebration of natural light, air and the possibilities of carefree movement. One will be hard-pressed to find a cluttered corner here. The rooms carry an easy air of elegance and restraint and compelling one to marvel at the magic of simple design.

Conceptualised and realised by Mumbai-based Ravi Vazirani Design Studio, the Bijlani House’s starting point was a pretty straightforward one - the need for a living space for five family members belonging to three different generations. The design brief asked for a mix of the contemporary and the conventionally ‘Indian’, with neither of the factors overriding each other incongruously.

“The clients are well-travelled people and their living spaces needed to reflect that,” states Vazirani. The design team succeeded in striking this deft balance by relying on subtle flourishes from both the desired streams of design and realising them with the use of natural materials.

With the exception of the kids’ room, the overall tenor of the rooms is naturally subdued and almost contemplative. The main seating area has polished marble flooring and is suffused in whites and cream. Sheer curtains cover the large windows, let in wide sweeps of natural light, and manage to look ethereal while they are at it.

The entry-way and the living room lay the foundation to what continues in the rest of the home - careful, non-jarring splashes of colour; textured walls; and Indian accent pieces, like the jali work and diwan in this area. The traditional Indian design influence has been added in delicate spurts, like in the detail of the legs of the imported furniture.


Though there is smart juxtaposition of the inspirations in the spaces here, there are also marked shifts in mood between some sections. The team’s success is in primarily using the same materials - stone, wood and cement - to create visually different combinations.

For example, to create a break from the living room’s welcoming demeanour, another seating area has been designed to be more private and decidedly non-traditional. The teak wood ceiling, concrete walls, French windows, muted rug and low-intensity warm lighting give the section a more European feel.


In the bedrooms, the romance with natural light continues with wall-length windows, uncluttered flooring, and a spotlight illumination scheme. The accenting is eclectic, with highly-textured wooden drawer chests standing in the friendly company of rough-hewn stone walls as well as silken smooth painted walls.

Colour is the centre of the whimsy that defines the kids’ room. Thick stripes of blazing bright yellow accent the ceiling here, matching the complexion of the bed-side chest and the cupboard. This brightness pops up in the bathroom in the form of an orange wash basin that sits looking like a perfectly-formed tub of jelly.


In this universe of subtle manoeuvring, the flash of some of the flooring stands out well. Out of nowhere a floor patch features dramatic black-and-white geometrical patterns, jovially puncturing the otherwise placid interiors. The wooden floor in the kids’ room creates a sudden practical departure from the smooth expanse of the master bedroom. Another patch features floral patterns reminiscent of Mughal design motifs.


The language in the bathrooms too swings between acid finished in-situ flooring and treated kadappa stone against white and gold fittings. All door handles in the house are made of 100 percent cast bronze.

This residential project by Ravi Vazirani Design Studio represents the team’s predilection towards building refined spaces that elegantly work a mixture of global inspirations. Resisting the need to fill up large spaces with designer props asks for a fine level of maturity. This home was party to that privilege, and has therefore succeeded in becoming a family abode that is out of the ordinary.

[email protected]


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Devices


Post the World War years, the city witnessed a large scale immigration from Africa, giving rise to a fusion of local cultures and a vibrant, edgy vibe to the city.

Historically, the city radiated outwards from the Vieux Port - its central port area. Numerous churches dot the urban landscape and are a testimony to the city’s Catholic origins. The port area today is crammed with yachts and fishing boats, while the surrounding streets are filled with cafes.

Stroll through the narrow lanes of Le Panier - a formerly working class neighbourhood where generations of seafarers and immigrants took refuge.

Its winding alleys are home to many historical structures and have a characteristic worn-out but old world charm to them. The quarter is today being gentrified with artisanal shops, bakeries and design workshops.

In stark contrast to the organic fabric of the old town are the widely laid out boulevards and promenades of modern Marseilles, the capping glory of which is reflected in the Unite d’ Habitation - a manifestation of Le Corbusier’s principles of modernist residential design.

Standing atop a series of columns, the complex provides a central “street” along each residential floor that leads to double-storeyed apartments. On the building’s rooftop, sharing space with sculptural ventilation shafts are communal spaces, an arts centre, a kindergarten, a running track and a shallow pool - all surrounded by unhindered views of the cityscape and its coastline.

MarseilleS: from Medieval to Modern

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY KUNAL BHATIA

[email protected]

Straddling the azure blue waters of Southern France’s Mediterranean coastline, Marseilles is a historical port city, continually inhabited since 600 BCE. Its fortunes have risen and fallen over the centuries, closely linked with its success in marine trade.


CHAIRS & WORK DESKS PAgE 48

MODULAR SEATINg & WORKSTATIONS PAgE 52

ACOUSTIC SCREENS & SPACE DIVIDERSPAgE 56

STORAgE SYSTEMS PAgE 58

LIgHTINg & ACCESSORIES PAgE 60

THE MODERNOFFICE


ORGATEC - THE MODERNOFFICE

Orgatec is a leading international trade fair in Germany that spotlights the latest products and innovations for modern working environments. With a turnout of over 50,000 visitors at the event held from 21st to 25th October, 2014, Orgatec confirmed its position of providing integrated solutions and comprehensive concepts for the office to the world.

Orgatec showed strong growth, particularly in the areas of internationality and quality as well as in the range and diversity of products and services. The number of international visitors grew by 7% from the last edition held in 2012. Leading companies who exhibited at the fair were delighted with the feedback from industry visitors and end users considering their prospective projects.

Orgatec, the international trade fair for office solutions spotlighted the future of modern office spaces with an emphasis on communication-friendly work concepts

Text By Rehana Penwala

The central theme was the design of communication-friendly work place concepts which simultaneously offered places of retreat as locations for concentrated work with a cosy atmosphere. Alongside furnishings, exhibitors presented innovative acoustic solutions and lighting concepts.

Photograph:Koelnmesse




On all five days of Orgatec’s event programme, experts discussed current trends and presented best practice scenarios, including topics like Demographic Change in the Office, Change Management and Gamification which was first introduced and discussed at Orgatec.

A similarly successful concept presented for the first time at Orgatec was the Workplace Congress for facility managers. Here 140 participants were afforded the opportunity to find out more about spatial concepts, efficient use of space, lighting, acoustics as well as interior temperatures and conditions.

In the pages to come we take a look at the most pioneering and workplace-friendly products and concepts that were presented to make your office a better place to work in.

www.orgatec.com





PROFIMPELIKANThis collection is a solution for those interiors where any free space is invaluable. Gaining inspiration from nature - the Pelicans specifically who have huge throat pouches under their beaks for storing food - Przemyslaw “Mac” Stopa’s design of the Pelikan seat shows similarities to the bird. The lower part of the seat is fitted with a space on which one can place a book, a laptop or a bag. Pelikan is available in two versions - with or without an armrest. There are four bases to choose from: four leg frame, cantilever, a round flat base and a four-star base.

www.profim.eu

CHAIRS & WORK DESKS

Ergonomically designed solutions for better health and productivity

SYSTEM 180DT-LINESystem 180 developed the DT-Line, a work setting made up of a standing table and a separating wall, together with the School of Design Potsdam. The new Table DT-Line T6 is a table top that has the shape of a hexagon on which all participants of a creative round can exchange at eye level. With a height of 107 centimetres, it is made for work standing up. Ideas and discussions flow better due to the castors and parking brakes and the extra movement prevents back problems.

www.system180.com

STOLL GIROFLEXGIROFLEX 313The Giroflex 313 is a comfortable chair that automatically adjusts to accommodate its users, perfect when several employees share the same workstation. The chair’s sophisticated design by Paolo Fancelli is based on the limitless movement of a sphere. The seat and back align perfectly with the user’s body weight, enabling ideal back support. A synchronised mechanism ensures all adjustments are carried out automatically. It’s available in a range of coverings - from 3D spacer fabric to high-quality leather.

www.giroflex.com


WALTER KNOLLHEALEY LOUNGEHealey Lounge is a modern lounge chair that supports the rituals of your everyday medial life. A PearsonLloyd design, the outer shell carries the soft upholstery - underlined by the distinctive piped quilting, which is a genuine tribute to the seats of legendary classic cars. The broad armrest acts as a tool for modern life: easily adjustable for comfort and as a surface for a tablet or smartphone. Healey Lounge works well solo or in an informal get-together; it’s lightweight, casually elegant, comfortable and on a swivel base.

www.walterknoll.de

KÖNIG + NEURATHVALYOUThe Valyou chair combines an intelligent design, with simple operation, a high degree of comfort and an attractive price point. The highlight of the Valyou design is the seat pan which incorporates a weight-sensing synchronous mechanism that allows for adjustment to the individual’s seating requirements. The armrests with their height-adjustable pads are attached directly to the back of the chair. The user can choose between a comfortable mesh back in a selection of different colours and a comfortable upholstered version.

www.koenig-neurath.de

PEDROONThe ON chair designed for homes and public spaces, is an ecological and lightweight solution by designer Tapio Anttila for Pedro. An innovative thermoformable wood material makes it possible to create both lightness in design and recyclability throughout the products lifespan. The key point in the design has been the extension of functionality from usability alone to the innovative production system and recyclable raw materials.

www.pedro.fi

MOLOCANTILEVERED WORKTABLECantilevered table is a flexible paper table based upon a honeycomb structure that flat packs when not in use. Available in a sitting height and standing height versions, Cantilevered Table can be topped with any solid surface, such as glass, Corian, marble, etc. Modularly connectable, multiple Cantilevered Table bases can be attached via magnetic end panels and stretched to create long, linear tables or curving tables of any shape. The table can be additionally fitted with an accessory of stacked, circular paper sheets that are designed to rotate freely around a central spindle/pencil holder.

www.molodesign.com


WAGNERW-STATIONThe W-Station is a chair and table in one. It is created from a single cast of sheet aluminium, each signal set by each bend in the material. Its design is driven by three underlying concepts - idealism, a love of detail and indulgence in innovation. Primarily intended for use as a seat in public buildings, its clean lines also blend in well with modern loft apartments and offices. The idea behind this model was to create a solid, space-saving solution to a seat - or simply serve as a place to set things.

www.wagner-wellness.com

CORCORDIACordia, the new conference and office chair series by Cor, combines seating comfort and ergonomic design. Upholstered seat shells with armrests, two different backrest heights and a reclining mechanism are the features of the chair. There is a choice of aluminium frames with feet on glides or rollers, or alternatively a wire frame (chrome-plated or lacquered). Distinctive quilting seams emphasise the contours, while the covers reveal interesting colour and material variation. Designed by Jehs + Laub, the chairs furnish refined offices or conference rooms, lounges and waiting zones.

www.cor.de

SMVMANTISThe inspiration for this elegant and comfortable reception chair was the steel pipe furniture of the Bauhaus movement. The delicate steel pipe frame has an energetic and dynamic look and makes this comfortably upholstered lounge seat stable and flexible at the same time. Its flexibility is due to the ingeniously designed frame: while the side parts remain the same, the width is individually adaptable to every spatial planning. Therefore Mantis fits flexibly into every niche and allows straight and creative planning. Designed by Ethem Yildiz, it is available as an armchair and as a two or three-seater sofa.

www.smv-gmbh.de


AERISOYOoyo is the result of the creative cooperation between aeris, and the award-winning designer Martin Ballendat: a dynamic design combined with unique functions. oyo swings, bounces and rocks. It inspires so many different sitting positions. You can lean back comfortably, and also rock forward in a saddle posture in two directions. It’s an intelligent seat, which makes oyo a moving, dynamic chair for work; or a versatile conference room seat; or a cosy universal chair for the home.

www.aeris.de

LAMMHULTSCOVERCover is a neat, portable easy chair for the meeting room, the waiting area or the hotel room. By adding a number of optional features, the designer Love Arben has created the perfect product for various work environments. With organic shapes, Cover comes in fabric or leather, or in combination. The seat and back can be upholstered in the same material and colour, or be combined with two different materials/colours. It comes with wheels and/or glides, in two heights, with features such as a side pocket, a 360 degrees rotating writing tablet and a shelf under the seat.

www.lammhults.se

ESTELNIEMEYERThe Niemeyer table by Oscar Niemeyer is characterised by an important base made in marine plywood covered with brushed steel, with internal counterweight plates. It features a 19 mm thick float glass top, with flat polished edges and rounded corners for a smooth working experience. The connecting plates in ground steel are UV bonded to the surface. The collection has been expanded with new rectangular versions with clear glass top finishes paired with leather and wood.

www.estel.com

KÖHLAIR-SEATAt Orgatec, Köhl presented the first chair the Köhl Air-Seat with an integrated 2-chamber air cushion, for flexible and comfortable movement. This intelligent system mobilises and activates the spine and the lower located muscles through gentle movements while the armrests maintain a firm, horizontal position, which allows stability and comfort to the user. A user-friendly valve regulates the pressure as desired. The Air-Seat is available for Köhl’s Selleo® and Anteo® office chair ranges, while its clip-tool free system allows for a standard seat cushion to be replaced.

www.koehl.com


BRÜHL & SIPPOLDJOJo is an armchair with an unusual yet utterly symmetric shape. It can be placed as a standalone entity or a comfortable sofa, and with the variable arrangement options possible it works well as a form of integrated seating. The Jo collection is available in hard-wearing colourful, black and white covers in a wool mix fabric, wool felt and micro fibre, whereby the seat and rest elements have separate removable covers. The Jo high chair has a 110 cm high back rest that tapers towards the top and slightly larger 80 x 80 cm seats making it very comfortable to recline in and ideal as a room divider.

www.bruehl.com

MODULAR SEATING & WORKSTATIONS

PROFIMSOFTBOXModular collection SOFTbox is designed by Paul Brooks to bring the user into the world of soft, smooth form of public space. The distinctive features of SOFTbox collection include softness, precision and modularity. The SOFTbox armchair legs are shaped to resemble delicate ribbons supporting the seats since aluminium or wooden legs look light and stable at the same time. Due to the corner element, varied configurations are possible. It includes 2-seater and 3-seater modules and corner sofas and armchairs.

www.profim.eu

WALTER KNOLLSEATING STONESCheerful, free and variable - the Seating Stones by Ben van Berkel create generous seating landscapes. Inspired by nature, they fulfil our longing for naturalness and original forms of seating. It’s a lively coming together of familiar Lounge Chairs, new Silent, Tub and Side Chairs as well as Poufs. Conveniently, there are no limits to the arrangements for creative spaces - in an open space office, in lounges, in an inviting entrée.

www.walterknoll.de

Modular concepts for flexible workflow


CIDER1.6181.618 is a sober and elegant system of modular desks, cleverly accompanying every change in office arrangements, designed by Industrial Orchestra with La Manufacture du Design. This range centres around a technical column which allows a full management of the cables. Modular storage units in various dimensions are associated to this frame. They are available in different versions: sliding doors, swing doors, drawers, storage unit for central processing units, niches, seat benches, etc. The desks can be combined from single work station to groups of 2 to 4 tables.

www.cider.fr www.lamanufacturedudesign.com

NURUSPILAPila desk and office systems offer creative solutions for employees working in various levels and disciplines. While increasing the motivation and efficiency, it helps to carry on the team work in joy and interactivity and also creates a harmonious work environment in open-plan offices. The newest features with wood details introduced at Orgatec 2014, create a dynamic and warm atmosphere in office environments.

www.nurus.com

HAWORTHYOURPLACEYourPlace is a desking system that offers consistency throughout the office while catering to individual requirements. YourPlace creates spaces with a welcoming and inspiring atmosphere that entice us to linger. The designer Stefan Brodeck placed great value on finding a balance between architecturally clear lines and supple shapes and to offer a multitude of materials and colours. YourPlace deliberately mixes different styles; there are no rigid structures. The idea behind this configuration is that teams can find all necessary modes of work in a single zone.

www.haworth-europe.com


KOLEKSIYONBORGESKoleksiyon’s new office solution Borges reinterprets the way people work in open offices. Thus, these modules enable arrangement of every layout. Work stations in different sizes can be connected to a central axis of Borges or even to each other, in all directions and upgraded by a variety of complementary modules. With Borges, shelf axis turns desks into serving highways and houses necessary equipments like top shelves, cabinets, cable doors, lamps, dividers and a small personal work spot called Cap.

www.koleksiyon.com.tr

REISSECO N2The desk top range ECO N2 from REISS allows you to configure very different working environments such as single workplaces or open-plan offices. The range is based on a straight-lined, modern desk frame with a traversing system of modular design. The cross piece provides a stable connection point for accommodating add-ons such as a computer holder or appliance shelves. ECO N2 work desks are height adjustable as sit-stand models with varied adjustment methods. Different decors, frame colours, table top shapes, interconnecting and practical add-ons are available for all desk types, while the functional options and other design features are customisable.

www.reiss-bueromoebel.de

ASSMANNSYNEOIt is now accepted that a well-designed furniture range not only supports requirements for relaxed discussions, but also offers options for flexible working. Assmann presented its Syneo range of lounge furniture at Orgatec; a well-designed system encompassing seating elements and tables for zones for breaks and relaxation, as well as workstations and mini-workstations for mobile working. With their acoustically effective qualities, Syneo system elements also make an effective contribution towards sound absorption in the workspace.

www.assmann.de

CASCANDOTEAMWaiting, a quick meeting, informing a peer, working and socialising; Team is the modular interior concept creating all the right touch points by Peter van de Water. The new Team design is a high style 360° concept integrating every single function; a meeting room or entrance needs. The Team system consists of several panel boards, seating elements, brochure stands and planters. The seating elements for a lobby, lounge and open office are available in several colours and fabrics. Team series is now extended with chairs, sofas and corner elements, while panels are also available in oak and ash.

www.cascando.nl


KÖNIG + NEURATHINSIDE.50INSIDE.50 is a frameless sound absorber cum screen system which makes a very effective contribution to the design and space planning of the workplace environment. The new screens can give structure to the room while providing visual privacy; with their wide range of four heights and six widths, they fit into any office. The modules, which have an infill of special material, can be linked in any combination while at the same time providing full cable management capability.

www.koenig-neurath.de

Partitions that make work convenientACOUSTIC SCREENS & SPACE DIVIDERS

ABSTRACTADOMOAbstracta together with designer Stefan Borselius has developed a dynamic sound-absorbent screen system. The invisible magnet connection enables screen combinations without visible brackets, which might otherwise compromise the overall impression. Domo offers scope for playful combinations of different sizes and colours. The series includes a table screen along with a magnetic accessory rail, floor screen and wall panel.

www.abstracta.se

MOLOBENCHWALLbenchwall is a high-backed bench that visually and acoustically cradles individuals and groups with a comfortable, pleated backrest. The design is based on a flat-pack, flexible honeycomb structure made entirely from a robust and durable paper containing 50% recycled content. At Orgatec, molo created flexible spaces with benchwall + softseating – expandable, fanning benches that modularly connect together and can interconnect to one another via magnetic end panels. benchwall begins with a 18” tall seat that extends into a 6’ tall back and can stretch into a long, straight bench or be curved into inward facing forms for intimate meetings with impressive acoustic absorption.

www.molodesign.com


REISSREISS UNIThe Reiss Uni acoustic panel is made of moulded non-woven fabric and works as a microporous sound absorber. As a wall absorber on cupboard walls or pinboards in a single shell, it has a thickness of 11mm, whereas when installed as a writing desk or a privacy screen, the panel is 22 mm thick and of double-shelled sandwich construction. The self-supporting, rotatable screens are 1.60 m high, double-shelled and are dimensionally stable. The panel is available in various colours and sizes and is 100% recyclable. There is also a wide range of organisational accessories available such as filing trays, pen holders, etc.

www.reiss-bueromoebel.de

LILI LATIFITROMPE-L’OEIL PANELSThe trompe-l’oeil panels were born out of Lili Latifi’s desire to create a trompe-l’oeil effect by means of a complex combination of design, photography and technology. In the case of this collection, it is possible to feel the material to realise that reliefs and embosses are no more than photographic prints. The idea is to give a 3D effect using 2D materials and techniques. Each subject has been photographed from different angles, creating subtle variations for each design and a subtle range of bicolours.

www.lilylatifi.com

NURUSPITSTOP & LODGEPitstop & Lodge is an innovative experience due to the changes in today’s work habits that provides breathing space to the staff. Pitstop is the stop for quick, productive, creative meetings with guests coming from outside and allows effective teamwork and is also suitable for individual work. Pitstop has technology solutions like lighting, power connection, internet access and LCD screen. In addition to the acoustic effect on the inner and outer surfaces, Pitstop has panels that have different colour and fabric options with adjustable desk height. Lodge is a motivation point which offers units for working, sitting, socialising and relaxation both during the break time and working hours for the employees.

www.nurus.com

CASCANDOPILLOW SPACEPillow Space is a series of acoustic space dividers containing high quality foam that absorbs sounds and improves acoustics. The basic version of Pillow Space has an upholstered panel on the front and rear and is closed at the top and sides. It allows for various configurations; panels can be equipped with coat hooks, brochure holders or LCD screens, while the left or right sides can be equipped with a wardrobe bar, shelves, brochure panels and/or door panels. The top end can also be provided with an integrated planter. Pillow Space is available in various sizes, colours and fabrics and is equipped with casters for enhanced mobility.

www.cascando.nl


LAMMHULTSADDWith a graphic, distinct frame, Anya Sebton creates a storage system with endless possibilities for every space where flexibility is desired. The Add accessories consist of three versions: coat hanger, magazine rack and flower stand. This accessory program can be used as solitaires or be linked together. The foot plate, in casted iron, has a swivel base as an option. The storage rack is multifunctional; it is also possible to use one flower pot and two magazine boxes in the same frame. Linked together, the product creates an exciting room divider.

www.lammhults.se

Convenient & stylish storage systems for your office space

STORAGE SYSTEMS

ESTELHANGING GRATINGSHanging Gratings is a modular storage system consisting of containers of different heights. It is completed by vertical and horizontal gratings of different sizes. The set of elements creates very flexible solutions and its clean design, plays with empty and full elements that complement each other optimally in a variety of working environments.

www.estel.com RENZSITEThe versatile programme Site grows and changes along with your needs. Site’s striking clear lines, generous harmonious fronts and the fine door and drawer seams lend tranquillity to the room. A seamless top cover panel is available in lengths up to 250 cm with a standing or hanging element. Site is available in fine veneer or lacquered in selected colours. Both open and closed elements are available, with swing, sliding or horizontal doors or drawers.

www.renz.de


KOLEKSIYONTUBEKoleksiyon’s office storage solution Tube is a proposal for open offices. Classically ordered or abstractly stacked; Tube by Studio Kairos connects storing space with alternative forms of display. It consists of individual boxes that can be connected to each other in different ways. According to height and function of the individual modules doors can be attached in different variations: as opening up, folding down or pull out drawers. The empty spaces created in between the stacks can also be used as an alternative display.

www.koleksiyon.com.tr

ADECORADAR R13The modular construction of RADAR R13 offers the simplicity and flexibility that life today requires. Space may be arranged individually thanks to the different depths of 25cm, 34.5cm and 50cm and standard heights from 40cm up to 238cm. A simple mechanism allows assembling, removing, extending and modifying this storing system without any special tools. Thanks to highly precise processing without adhesives, a traditional connection through innovative application is used to assemble the elements of the shelf.

www.adeco.chBRAUN LOCKENHAUSTESOROTesoro is a coat-stand and rack system that provides a high level of functionality and robust everyday suitability in a modern, formally reduced design. The safebox with differently sized lockers can be integrated as a free-standing element into the coat-stand system or mounted on the wall in combination with the system’s coat rack elements.

www.braunlockenhaus.com


CASCANDOHEMISPHERECreated by Phil Procter as a new addition to the Cascando collection, these wooden hangers bring a wall to life. Available in three different sizes, they can be used anywhere around the home to store coats, bags and accessories. A small angle on the rear of each hemisphere encourages playfulness when arranging the hangers as the tilt and orientation of each hanger can be decided by the user.

www.cascando.nl

Lighting product & accessories that create the perfect work atmosphere

LIGHTING & ACCESSORIES

DURABLELUCTRAThe innovative Luctra® lighting system from Durable applies latest findings about the biological effect of light for the first time and puts them to practical use for the illumination of individual office workplaces. It proposes that lighting should be adapted according to each user’s circadian rhythm to provide optimal individual support. The range currently consists of four different floor and table lamp models in two designs. Cold white and warm white LEDs with a luminance of up to 1,000 lux and extremely even light distribution ensure that workplaces have illumination that is very close to daylight.

www.luctra.eu

WAGNER SYSTEMSCREW OR GLUEWith an Interior Innovation Award 2014 and iF Product Design Award 2014 along with other accolades, the Screw or Glue series is a design innovation. Having eight different designed varieties, the user has the free choice: for a durable fixation the stops are screwed-on firmly; the assembly material is included. The alternative is the possibility to glue each of the Screw or Glue stops on any kind of smooth flooring due to a special glue pad, and to remove it at any time.

www.wagner-system.de


SCHULTEELEKTROTECHNIKSQUARE80All important connections are within arm’s reach with Square80; connect a laptop easily to electricity and data networks, while the smartphone can be wirelessly charged. The electrification module Square80 was designed for the standard 80 mm openings in desks. It is available with a black or white housing and cover, or with a cover in stainless steel look and a black housing. The cover, which can be easily pushed open, can also be ordered with a Qi-charger function. With this technology, the battery of a smartphone is charged via induction by merely by placing it onto the cover. The adjacent USB connector charges electrical devices conveniently.

www.evoline.com

MOLOURCHIN SOFTLIGHTDesigned by Stephanie Forsythe and Todd MacAllen, urchin softlight invites playful interaction. Utilising a flexible honeycomb geometry, urchin expands and morphs into a multitude of forms as you rotate it through and around its own centre with your hands, which in turn adjusts the intensity, direction and quality of light. urchin can even be turned inside out to create straight walled cylinders and conical forms. The shade which comes in three sizes is made from a paper-like, translucent white, polyethylene non-woven textile and provides ambient diffusion for the energy-efficient LED light source inside available in daylight white or warm white.

www.molodesign.com

KONDATORDIASONIC LED The Diasonic LED desk lamp is an elegant solution with great functionality. It is easily dimmable and flexible for optimal eye reading conditions. The brightness is easily adjusted by holding the touch button. The included USB port allows for power supply of mobile phones or similar accessories. Its power consumption is also lesser in comparison to a fluorescent lamp.

www.kondator.se

TOBIAS GRAUNICENice is a minimalist suspension lamp made of copper, polished or matt black aluminium and equipped with a colour-matched cable. The brilliant LED light is optimally de-glared by an optical lens. This luminaire is equipped with lightdim switch which permits optimal dimming of LED luminaires within a dimming range of 5-100%. Nice has won the iF Product Design Award (Gold) 2014 and the Interior Innovation Award 2014.

www.tobias-grau.com


ARTICULATED KEYBOARD STATIONThis new generation keyboard station has a built in slide and adjustable keyboard holder with a stable design. The 360 degree swivel allows users to move keyboard freely from side to side. The soft palm rest and a stowaway mouse pad ensures a comfortable position. It is easy to assemble and transport while the spring assist helps counter balance. The low profile design of the keyboard station provides maximum leg room.

www.ebco.in

FLAT SCREEN HOLDER - DOUBLE ARM Ebco’s flat screen holder has the table top Grommet Mounting with double arm. It is easy to fit with a height adjustment of 100mm and is compatible for VESA 75x75 and VESA 100x100 with an extra plate.The die cast gives it a polished look. It can be rotated towards left or right as well as tilted up and down with a single arm.

www.ebco.in

WORK STATION TRAY (ROUND)This tray augments the look and feel of any work station and can be fitted to any table. Since this tray is directly mounted underneath the table, no drawers are required. It is aesthetically designed with both, utility and the end user in mind. It is system 32 compatible and is equipped with 360 degree rotation for easy accessibility.

www.ebco.in

UTILITY FLIP BOXThe Utility Flip Box by Ebco is a convenient solution for handling basic office needs. Firstly, it acts as an easy access to switches beneath the table. It sports an elegant design and is easy to install as well. Other than that, it also doubles as a stationery box. The silver finish it is available in lends it a distinct appeal.

www.ebco.in

A range of accessories by Ebco to suit your office’s requirementsPROMOTION


Advertorial


DIGITALIMPRINT

Architects are creatively distinctive and when it comes to Anagram Architects this fact is quite evident in a project they executed for a well known outdoor media organisation

Text By Meghna R KothariPhotographs Courtesy André J Fanthome, Ayush Prakash


In today’s chaos it is the diversity of the language of design and its interface with technology that brings in a sense of fluidity within our modern life. Understanding this simple yet layered fact, Anagram Architects were sure that this prestigious outdoor media company needed an office that infused visual sensibilities ranging from the personal to a mass identity to create a benchmark.

Based in New Delhi, Anagram Architects encompasses the vision of Vaibhav Dimri and Madhav Raman; it is a young and dynamic firm that works towards unifying interconnected issues relative to architecture and design that enhance the ability to innovate and experiment.

Vaibhav and Madhav, principal architects who established Anagram Architects, confess, “The approach of our design to the project ‘The Digit’ was to investigate the notion of identity (corporate, organisational and individual) and its urban projection. To this end, we explored, semiotically, the most common idiom of identity, the thumbprint.”

The visual representation of the thumbprint within the 1400 sq m office is the core creative force behind the interconnecting disciplines of design and the mediums that the media company represents.

The red facade in its dynamic architectural form, inspired from the arch pattern within a thumbprint, displays a new visual construct creating an impressionable stand out within the narrow urban plots surrounding it.

Considering the structural sensibilities and site realities the semi-elliptical form of the building also efficiently works to provide natural light and reduced heat gain across the office.

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Design and innovation were used cleverly to capture and project the true ethos of the media company; Vaibhav and Madhav have masked the face of the building with a red aluminium perforated screen and converted it into a veritable work of art.

Taking it a notch further the pattern of the company’s logo is articulated by simply reattaching the stamped-out discs with the help of a pivot detail. The language of the perforated screen is then further carried out in the partitions between the main circulation spine and the workstations in the office.

Another inspiration for the form of the building, spread across three floors followed by a terrace cafe, is also the hierarchy of the organisation rooted in its context of seniority and occupancy; the different layers of cumulative thinking and creativity come together as one creating the vision of the future.

A row of horizontal louvres becomes the perfect cover for the exposed levels on the top floor as well at all levels within the building. Adding to this work of light and shadow are the line of planters placed along the edge of the floor plates across the building, that bring in the required greenery.

The designer duo and their team did not just stop at the ridges of the thumbprint on the exterior of the building but carried the design even further inside. As one walks into the lobby area the visual journey takes on a more individual identity. It is now the turn of the whorl and loop on a thumbprint that finds its space within the entrance lobby ceiling.

An art marvel in itself the defined ridges on the ceiling stand in vivid contrast to the spatial fluidity below. Within the wide range of brand identities that the outdoor media company nurtures, the thumbprint in the entrance just reaffirms their belief of keeping their own individuality unique within the sea of their contemporaries.

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On the various floors, an open plan concept is followed; the required defined spaces which are contemporary in design, have been provided with the help of red screens. It is the minimalistic furniture and sleek design with subtle colour tones that makes the office a part of the future that the exterior reflects so clearly.

Towards the top is the terrace garden that wears a cover of louvres that shades it; this location works as the ideal coffee spot for the entire office.

‘The Digit’ creates a layered yet simple solution to the contemporary needs of a unique identity materialised with an array of mediums. Anagram Architects have not just sketched an impression that is distinct but have brought in an amalgamation of art, architecture and design.

[email protected] www.anagramarchitects.com


DESIGNQUEST

LIGHTS WITH PERSONALITY By

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Mother Gone Mad Design Studio was born to create lights with personality, lights that are modern, out of the box, whacky and infused with an element of fun. They’re designed for imperfect homes with a sense of warmth reflecting the people who live in it. For the client who says, “My house may not be totally practical, but that’s the way I like to live.”

After graduating from NIFT with a specialisation in jewellery design, a lot of my work was defined by design briefs outlining market constraints and consumers who wanted evergreen heirloom jewellery. In an industry where funky was a bad word, it taught me detailing, subtlety and fine craftsmanship.

I joined a group of colleagues from college who had their own design studio; this gave me an all round perspective of architecture, interiors, exhibition design and graphics. Being a novice, becoming a learner again meant I didn’t have to pretend, or know. The room for experimentation was left open to me.


With a new freedom of spirit that comes with age and experience, I wanted to be me; the prime aim was to be wildly creative. The name Mother Gone Mad Design Studio was honest, had attitude and gave me a creative licence.

Experimenting with interiors and furniture, I found a niche in decorative lighting. Thus began my journey in the world of lights. One of the early innovations in this segment is the Pleat light, available in light white to deep maroons and shocking reds. The detailing and attention to the wire is an important feature in this product.

Lighting trends have developed a contemporary taste; from suspension lights to table and floor lamps, they have become a symbol of visual stimulation. This idea served as a design inspiration for one of my creations In and Out, where a colourful thread simply laces “in and out” of holes; again the colour combinations available for this lamp ranges from lime green and neon orange to pink and turquoise.

The lights I design have two important aspects, the electrical aspect and the decorative aspect. When I was scourging through the local market to find a well finished two-point plug or a bed switch, it was next to impossible. Thereon I became very specific in terms of choosing materials for my creations.

Depending on the project I am assigned, I source few materials from Europe. However with respect to the decorative element, from the colourful streets of Chandni Chowk in Delhi to the quaint objects, woodcrafts and ceramics at Chor Bazaar in Mumbai, I feel the grass is greener on our side.

Apart from niche materials even daily objects inspire me to come up with design ideas; a testimony to this example is the Funnel lamp and the Cycle Stand Light.

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In the varied collection of lighting solutions that I have developed, the Black Wrap utilises the concept of wrapping in a systematic or random manner with various textures and colours. A part of the wrap collection, in this lamp the black fabrics and red frame form a playful contrast.

As a designer I feel product design and development will always be my first love and I can do it endlessly. I was surprised by the response I got for my first few products. The madder it got, the more it was appreciated. The change was a sign of the design variations that people wanted to experiment with.

I believe the future is wide open and free. I think the greatest projects would be to customise light installations or do themed works for restaurants, cafes and other projects. I’m not in a hurry, not looking to end this. I’m loving the process - here and now. Ideas are like popcorn. Its starts with one pop and before you know it, you’ve got hundreds. Daydreaming is not a waste of time. I believe some of the most interesting products start with a ridiculous idea.

[email protected]

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Quaint from the outside but contemporary on the inside, Sala Lodges in Cambodia is one of those quintessentially exotic, boutique hotels that works like a magnet to attract tourists hungry for authentic local experiences.


Past Perfect

A boutique hotel in Cambodia resurrects eleven old houses from the countryside and transforms them into a series of charming tourist hideouts. Here’s how.

Text By Christabelle AthaidePhotographs Courtesy Régis Binard


Sala Lodges recreates a traditional village setting, albeit a luxurious one amidst abundant tropical flora.


Quaint from the outside but contemporary on the inside, Sala Lodges in Cambodia is one of those quintessentially exotic, boutique hotels that works like a magnet to attract tourists hungry for authentic local experiences.

Located in Siem Reap, Cambodia, and spread over 7,000 sq. m. of land, Sala Lodges recreates a traditional village setting, albeit a luxurious one, with a cluster of 11 wooden houses flanked by a pool, restaurant and abundant tropical flora.

Weather-beaten and smoothened by years of habitation, some of the houses date back to nearly half a century and exude the precious whiff of history. The owners of the Lodge reveal that the houses were originally discovered in the Battambang countryside from where they were transported to the hotel site and eventually restored and refurbished.

If restoring traditional village dwellings and converting them into contemporary hotel rooms is a trending tourism concept, it was also, claim the owners of Sala Lodges, “An opportunity to preserve an endangered tradition.”

What proved to be the real challenge was identifying 11 houses that fitted the hotel’s concept as well as that could be safely transported back to site. A team of joiners and carpenters were hired to scout the countryside for wooden village houses that met certain criteria of design and durability.


The houses that made the final cut were selected on the basis of their exteriors, interiors and quality of their wood. The hotel owners add, “In agreement with our architect, we chose most of the Sala Lodges houses based on the pictures and technical advice of wood specialists.”

“Transporting the houses back to the site proved a bit tricky”, admit the owners adding that the workers had to be especially careful when putting the pieces together.

With the original exterior architecture of all 11 houses restored, changes in height were adopted to bring harmony to the different structures. The hotel’s interior designer - Marina Cardis - developed the idea of blending traditional dwellings with contemporary architecture and worked with French architect Claire Campens to extend this look to every corner of the hotel.

The owners generously add, “Sala Lodges complex would never have presented such character without this harmonious collaboration.”

Beneath their rustic appearance, the houses reveal large bedrooms decorated in an understated and refined fashion. The owners place credit for the hotel’s clean, contemporary interiors at the feet of their Swiss designer adding, “Marina Cardis immersed herself in Cambodia and learned to understand its people in order to create novel interiors; all of which are different but imbued with the same spirit and sentiment.”

On a hunt for vintage furniture that would complement the rustic atmosphere, Marina travelled to India - a country intimately linked to Cambodia’s history and one with a significant influence on the art and architecture of the region.

Beneath their rustic appearance, the houses reveal large bedrooms decorated in an understated and refined fashion.


Weather-beaten and smoothened by years of habitation, some of the houses date back to nearly half a century and exude the precious whiff of history.

The owners place credit for the hotel’s clean, contemporary interiors at the feet of their Swiss designer Marina Cardis.


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Marina found just the thing she was looking for in the markets of Rajasthan - patina furniture in contemporary designs - and shipped loads of these back to the hotel in Cambodia.

At Sala Lodges, the bedroom’s minimalistic interiors are sprinkled with hand-crafted artifacts that elevate the resident village atmosphere. At the same time, guests are pampered with modern conveniences like air-conditioners, fans, modern toilets, rain showers and the indispensable wi-fi.

The unfussy, contemporary look is further extended to community areas like the pool and restaurant, yet all the while keeping a close eye on maintaining aesthetics that appear more natural than manufactured.

Explaining the origin of the hotel’s name, the owners say it was inspired by the Cambodian word ‘salarien’ which refers to a kiosk on the roadside or in a pagoda and which is designed as a space for travellers to rest. For sure, there’s much to look forward to in this hotel with a past.

[email protected]

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82 Home Review December 2014 Home Review December 2014 8382 Home Review December 2014 Home Review December 2014 83

WHEREEindhoven is located in the southern part of the Netherlands. It is one of the oldest settlements of the country but it was only noticed in the early 20th century with the birth of the electronics giant, Philips. It is thus often referred to as the City of Light. Over the years, industrial development has promoted Eindhoven from its village stature to the fifth largest city of the Netherlands.

EINDH OVENDESIGNDESTINATION


WHENSunny and warm weather characterises summertime in Eindhoven making it the best time for a visit to the city. Winter months are frosty with temperatures often dropping to zero degrees celsius. The weather is unpredictable and rain is known to play spoilsport quite unexpectedly.

WHY Eindhoven is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands but in recent years it has come under the global spotlight for its ultra-modern industry and innovative design. The many design attractions and most importantly the annual Dutch Design Week held here since 2002 has firmly pinned Eindhoven on every design enthusiast’s must-visit list.

EINDH OVEN


The walls too have been treated differently in different rooms textured, layered with strips of wood, wallpapered or covered with a full-size black and white photograph. The loft rooms which are located in the Philips Tower incorporate the industrial origin of the building with the exposed concrete walls and the high ceilings. Like in the lofts, in these rooms too, the flow from the living area to the bedroom to the bath is uninterrupted.

History of the original Philips Light Tower and the influence of the artistic neighbourhood come together at the Eindhoven Art Hotel to create an ambience that represents the true vibe of the city.

WORK OF ART

Art galleries, musuems, boutiques, quaint cafes and elegant restaurants buzz in the Eindhoven centre. It requires quite a stretch of imagination to picture this neighbourhood as it was over 100 years ago when light bulbs were tested in the Philips Light Tower that reigned here. The Light Tower still exists but it now houses part of the Art Hotel, the other part of which extends into another building.

Floor-to-ceiling windows allow daylight to flood the hotel lobby while strategically placed giant sofas and vintage cabinets ensure privacy from the outdoors. Earth-toned furnishings and a sombre colour scheme give the bar, restaurant and other public spaces of the restaurant a warm and rich appearance. Boats suspended from the ceiling, customised light fixtures and artwork lend an eclectic touch to the Hotel.

All 200-plus rooms have been uniquely decorated, and no room resembles another. Furniture has been carefully chosen to complement the individual theme of the room. The colour palette across all rooms is white, black and tints of cocoa, with accessories providing an occasional burst of colour.


WHERE DESIGN LIVESIt is only fitting that a city that is devoted to design has an address that does the same. Het Designhuis aka the Design House is just that. The exterior of the Design House has not been altered much from when it served as a district court building. The interior has been effectively metamorphosed into a museum space.

Design, art and technology all come together under one roof to inspire design lovers. Permanent and changing exhibitions, workshops, lectures, etc. all come together to highlight the need and impact of design in all the elements of our lives.

For those who are unable to visit Eindhoven during the Dutch Design Week, Het Designhuis will feed their appetite for all things design.


ART MEETS FASHION

Design and fashion come together seamlessly at You Are Here, Eindhoven’s award-winning concept store. A variety of women’s labels - local and international, new and established - are presented here. But, the store goes beyond its interesting merchandise and aims to create an experience out of a shopping trip.

Eclectic window displays lead into the stark white interiors with garments and wall art providing a pop of colour. The most eye-catching areas in the store are the changing rooms bursting with colour and interesting applique details. Local artists and designers are roped in to recreate the store design every six months ensuring that You Are Here is always en vogue.


IN A NEW LIGHT

It has been many years since Philips moved its headquarters out of Eindhoven but the city’s attachment to light stays on. Launched in 2006, the Glow Festival in November, each year, celebrates this connection between light and the city.

Local and foreign artists and creators use modern techniques like computers, sensors, animation and projection techniques to transform the city into an exhibition of light. Every year thousands of visitors throng Eindhoven to witness these fascinating and unusual installations that cover building facades, public spaces and the streets. The Glow Festival highlights Eindhoven as the city where design and technology truly work hand in hand.

Text By Himali Kothari


The freshly crafted DPA Design Studio is the perfect miscellanea of traditional elements within a contemporary setup.

VERNALMELANGE

Text By Kruti Choksi KothariPhotographs Courtesy Suraj Vyas


In the staff area, a cross legged, white topped table stands out against the grey tinted wall, decked with voguish black and white paintings by artist Arpita Bhavsar.


When a designer initiates his career, many ambiguities about his calibre are attached to his persona and his personal workplace becomes a testimony of his design abilities. That’s precisely the cause and effect of emerging enthusiastic interior designer, Dhaval Patel’s studio at Ahmedabad. The fit-out also serves to enhance the firm’s branding and identity.

Ask Dhaval about the underlying concept and he elucidates, “I desired a space where as I sat to work, I would be surrounded by artefacts instead of dead walls. Owing to the tight budget constraints, this appeared as a challenge. I decided to turn it into an opportunity to prove that cost does not dictate my creativity.” The outcome is a living, breathing space that inspires out-of-the-box designs.

Sometimes it is the hidden items that spring the most surprises; a pearl in a shell, for example. Otherwise it’s hard to imagine a coeval concoction crafted out of the tight 600 sq ft office, on the tenth floor of a staunchly rigid commercial building in the midst of urban fabric.

The very entrance gives a glimpse of the marvels to follow. The linear, directional walkway welcomes one warmly with artist Vaidehi Parikh’s ‘Pichwai’ paintings, depicting sacred Lotus patterns as a symbol of prosperity and bliss. An innovative ensemble of handmade earthen pans, locally known as ‘tavadi’, is embedded into a plywood panel structure in the ceiling. Vaidehi Parikh and Jay Shah further installed intricate stone niches in order to showcase traditional ‘diyas’ to complete the collage.

Done in IPS stone finish, the walls are treated as vertical planes against the contrasting horizontal plane of floor done in seamless ochre tinted industrial paint, recalling the Jaisalmer natural stone flooring found in traditional Indian architecture. Hence, here the walls and floors act as the backdrop to accentuate the elements of focus.

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The informal discussion space is marked by a low height, portable antique finish table. As a source of inspiration, the splendid collection of artefacts is displayed adjacently.


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An avid traveller, Dhaval has a mind boggling collection of unique artefacts from round the world. These antiques soon become the elements of décor at his workplace. The clients, who visit the studio for meetings, usually land up buying these elements for their own home décor. In a way, this is not only an interior designer’s studio but also an outlet for handpicking some of the most alluring art pieces. A glance through the studio fills the sight with amazing sculptures, intricate stone objects, vibrantly coloured vases, chic lamps and alluring paintings from various artists. To highlight these elements of décor, the space is treated like a blank canvas with minimalist décor. The functionally efficient furniture is carved from seasoned natural wood.

The three functional zones of the office are Dhaval’s workspace, staff area and discussion space. In the staff area, a cross legged, white topped table stands out against the grey tinted wall decked with voguish black and white paintings by artist Arpita Bhavsar. The toilet door is camouflaged behind the display. The custom designed chairs are the contemporary version of the traditional Gujarati ‘patti’ weave seen in the local bed called ‘khatlo’.

An interestingly designed centre piece, which also serves as the library, subtly segregates Dhaval’s personal workspace from the staff area while maintaining visual connectivity. The horizontal planks of this storage unit are creatively supported by empty beer glass bottles. The two huge industrial lamps, flanked on the two sides, establish equilibrium.

The quirky display of circular monochromatic artefacts, on the wall behind Dhaval’s table, adds the perfect zing to the entire composition. Interestingly, these artefacts are created from the traditional ‘pav-bhaji tawa’ coated with white PU finish and rendered with black graphics by Maulik Jepiwala and Apeksha Agarwal.

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The space is flooded with natural light and ventilation through huge windows adorned with linen curtains. The bamboo ‘chikhs’, on the outer side of the window, filter the light while maintaining a visual transparency with the dynamic exterior. A small niche, crafted from a twenty year old wooden plank supported by clutch wires, serves as the prayer space.

The informal discussion space is marked by a low height, portable antique finish table. As a source of inspiration, the splendid collection of artefacts is displayed adjacently while the versatile projects of the firm are presented on the rare wall. The overwhelming display of bright, colourful paintings by Vaidehi Parikh energises the overall ambience with soothing light radiating from the unique Jaipur lamps.

Compact yet cosy, this studio sets a perfect example; a contemporary design inspired by traditional crafts.

[email protected] www.dpadesignstudio.com


FRancoisazam8our6

He is known for his cutting-edge, yet poetic designs. From laser-cut chairs to lamps that float like ethereal sea creatures, François Azambourg blends scientific exploration, technical skill and an eye for beauty effortlessly

Text By Chryselle D’Silva Dias Photographs Courtesy The Designer

Home Review December 2014 95


He has been called a designer, an inventor, a poet. François Azambourg is all three and then some.

Born in 1963, Azambourg had his initial training in electro-technics followed by studies at the College of Applied Art in Rue Olivier de Serres, Paris. His leanings towards simple and light objects took him towards the unusual right from the start. This was showcased effortlessly in 1985, when he won the Musee des Arts Decoratifs competition with a coffee pot made entirely of paper.

From 1989-1999, Azambourg worked with Hermès and Mandarina Duck researching new materials. This resulted in one of his earliest works of poetry - the Fireside Chair and Footrest “Bois-Mousse” (1998), a “flexible sandwich of aviation-grade birch plywood”. This iconic chair has won several competitions and has been exhibited all over the world.

In 1999, his focus on structure intensified with the creation of an unusual design called the ‘Pack’ Chair. This is possibly the world’s first 3-D chair to be made entirely out of textile. Created out of hand-sewn and woven polyester sailing canvas, this made-to-order chair is meant to be inflated before use.

In its compact state this chair is no bulkier than a soda canister. So that the chair can take on its ultimate shape, the fibres of the double-walled textile that it is made of harden on contact with an emulsion of two chemical products. Patented in 1999, this invention, which simultaneously represents shape and textured covering, considerably changes the industrialisation process for design items and allows for large savings in manufacturing costs.

Azambourg’s ‘Very Nice’ chair come in a range of colours, textures and looks. The first ‘Very Nice’ chair (2002) is a beautiful laser-cut Birchwood chair with Art Deco leanings. The 2013 version ‘Rouge’ is a glamorous chair wrapped in hand-stretched polyester especially created for Azambourg.

Fireside Chair And Footrest Bois-Mousse

Rouge Chair

Pack Chair

Horloge Pixel Carree Applique

Tabouret Cuivre


Beautiful poetic designs seem to be an Azambourg hallmark. His Mister Bugatti chair and armchair (2006) are made of deeply lacquered and crumpled tin metal. The metal is “only a few tenths of a millimetre thick that has had polyethane injected into it.”

The glossy body paint used on the Mister Bugatti chairs shows up in other alluring designs as well. The ‘Very Nice’ trestles, the ‘Grillage’ armchair and the ‘Quadrille’ chair are good examples of shiny, happy Azambourg furniture.

François Azambourg also has an extensive lighting portfolio with many of his designs now coveted worldwide. The Lamp ‘Inga’ (1999) was crafted out of hand-turned sycamore with an LED light and is a collector’s item today.

Playing with shape and texture leads us to the sensuous and other-worldly shapes of ‘Yvette’, ‘Vertigo’ and the ‘Spaghetti’ hanging lamps. Azambourg began his journey with fiber-optic lights in 2002 where the LEDs were embedded within the shape of the lamp itself. More recently, the Bouclette and Arc Lamps follow similar principles.

One of my personal favourites in his range of lamps is the ‘Sputnik’ (2009). Is it a sheep? Is it a rocket? The design is truly out of this world, pardon the pun. Made from plywood cut to three millimetres thickness, the lamp is then hand-wrapped with polyester with a ribbon of LED lights running through it. It is one of those designs that is a sure fire conversation starter.

The Grillage Armchair

Lamp Inga

Sputnik

Petit

Centre De Table Termitiere


Azambourg’s other eye-catching designs include the vibrant ‘Very Nice’ hanging light, the ‘Very Nice’ side-lamp (which really looks like it is made of bamboo, but isn’t) and the ‘Petit Theatre’ lamp which looks like a science experiment with its glass bell jar and strips of LED lights.

François Azambourg has recently launched his own collection, which is a result of over 20 years of research and experimentation, challenging the frontier between aesthetics, structure, materials and technique.

This collection includes 20 objects, as diverse as the Mobile Feuilles made of real leaves hanging from piano strings, the Inga Lamp, the Very Nice chairs, the Chauffeuse Bois-Mousse, ‘Animal Object’ (“Alligator skin wetted, stretched and shaped on an aluminium skeleton. Resulting shape is 3D scanned to create polyester resin coated shell. Skin is then re-formed over shell”) or the Douglas Vase, a fantastic glass jar blown in a wooden mould.

Azambourg’s focus on using the principle of lightness and economy of materials results in surreal yet entirely user-friendly and practical designs. This “weaver of furniture” continues to experiment - and the design world is all the better for it.

[email protected] www.azambourg.com

Petit Theatre Lamp

Douglas Vase

Very Nice Hanging Light and Side Table Lamp

Animal Object

Mobile Feuilles


GREEN PROJECT

Second Innings

Careful planning and restoration turns ‘old’ into ‘gold’ as in the case of this vintage countryside house in Formentera, Spain.

Text By Christabelle AthaidePhotographs Estudi Es Pujol de s’Era

A charming amalgam of mid-19th century architecture and modern linear design, this sustainable residence is rooted in the landscape and culture of the picturesque island of Formentera, Spain.


Time was when a house, even an ordinary village house like Can Manuel D’en Corda in Formentera, Spain was built to last forever. A thing of beauty, this unassuming house stands as rock-solid today as it did years ago prompting its owners to retain the original structure when considering plans for its expansion.

In 2008, architectural firm Marià Castelló + Daniel Redolat penciled in another 43,003 sq m to the existing 16,527 sq m to add in more bedrooms and courtyards.

The original structure was left intact right down to its gabled roof and dry stone walls as the owners were now keen to preserve it for its “ethnographic and cultural value”. Besides retaining the old structure also upped the green quotient of the project.

Up until recently, Formentera was a relatively unknown island in Spain, lounging in the shadow of its boisterous neighbour Ibiza, only a ferry ride away.

Today as the allure of Ibiza diminishes, and the virgin beaches of Formentera top destination charts, tourist development is beginning to leave its imprint on this small island.

Fortunately UNESCO made it to the island much before the sybarites did, declared it a World Heritage site and left only after instituting several construction laws that protect the coastline, architectural heritage and local culture from modern development.

It is a result of these efforts that houses like Can Manuel D’en Corda on the island are faithfully preserving their mid-19th century architectural heritage while still keeping up with the times which demand a respect of the environment.

Gravel for the rooftops and courtyards were resourcefully procured from stones around the house.

The architects created a number of outdoor spaces where the owners can make the most of the excellent weather.


Typical of architecture in the region, this house “highlights the link between this type of building and the farms which they were located close to,” explains Castelló.

The Pine and Juniper forest on the western side which are integral to the identity of the area were left untouched. Native vegetation is known to benefit the ecology far more than any landscape design chosen for its mere looks.

As per the expansion plans, the living quarters were based in the original house and the newly-constructed area houses the bedrooms, utility spaces, courtyards and terraces from where the owners can enjoy panoramic views of the Mediterranean, especially Ibiza.

Natural and unpretentious materials mark the rustic appeal of Can Manuel D’en Corda. In the original structure the beautiful stone walls and wooden beams are offset by polished concrete floors.

The kitchen, bathrooms and even the swimming pool are clad in cement to create a “pavement-like finish”.

The outdoors make an unabashed appearance indoors with coarse textures like unfinished concrete on new ceilings, limestone flooring in the basement and gravel flooring on the roof and courtyards.These are suitably partnered by chalky white walls and sparse interiors typical of traditional agrarian households.

Much of the furniture was created on site with the help of local artisans. Classics like the Torres Clavé armchairs, Miquel Mila’s Cesta Luminaire and traditional esparto skating chairs introduce whimsy and flair into the breezy interiors.

When considering plans for renovation and extension, the owners decided to leave the original house intact to preserve its ‘ethnographic and cultural value’. Retaining the old structure also upped the green quotient of the project.

The original house was connected to the power grid during renovation and new wiring was concealed behind vertical wooden panels at appropriate locations. Solar energy - one of the many benefits of living in sun-blessed Formentera - is effectively used to power solar water heaters.

The architects also installed energy-efficient lights and upped the ‘green’ quotient of the house with rainwater harvesting.

Can Manuel D’en Corda’s sweeping beauty lies in its architecture that throws the house open to the friendly Mediterranean climate letting the sun and breeze in with the help of high ceilings, large doors, wide windows and skylights. This helps curtail the use of energy and again enhances the sustainability aspect.


Since the residence functions as a second home, the architects designed different exterior areas which allowed the owners to enjoy the balmy climate of the Mediterranean. This in turn encouraged the owners to spend a majority of their hours outdoors, thereby leading to reduced power bills.

Around the house, the architects resisted the urge to carve out a formal garden with the explanation that, “the intention was to try and leave the areas not directly occupied by the house unaltered and mixed with the natural surroundings.”With its captivating blend of rustic and modern, Can Manuel D’en Corda is a winning representation of a sustainable house in complete harmony with nature.

[email protected] www.m-ar.net

A solarium and swimming pool in the northeast area offer spectacular views. Dry stone walls, gabled roofs and wooden beams mark traditional houses in the region.

PB Home Review December 2014 Home Review December 2014 103

TARA

TARA stands for the society for Technology & Action for Rural Advancement and provides scalable solutions for people and our planet.

It is a social enterprise that was set up in the year 1985 in New Delhi. TARA is an “incubation engine” of the Development Alternatives Group which has been providing development solutions in India and elsewhere.

The vision of Development Alternatives Group is to create sustainable livelihoods on a large scale and to thus mobilise widespread action to eradicate poverty and regenerate the environment.

The Development Alternatives Group also wants to build capacity, incubate business models and manage processes to create economic, social and environmental value on a large scale.


TARA makes this possible as TARA as an “enabler”, is instrumental in the creation of livelihood support systems, training and capacity building for the rural poor and marginalised communities. TARA as an “aggregator” bundles support service packages, helps large corporations to explore new markets and also aggregate the output of local producer groups including micro, mini and small enterprises and connect these groups to market opportunities for BOP access and market development for ethical products and services.

Governments, large corporations and civil society networks benefit from TARA’s expertise as a “manager” of substantial awareness creation, environmental action, community development and service delivery programmes in areas such as affordable housing, renewable energy, water management, sustainable agriculture, waste management and recycling.

TARA has been developing replicable models for transforming waste to wealth in the fields of hand-made paper, red clay brick production, stabilised soil block production, pulverised ash block production, concrete roofing, walling and flooring solutions.

The “waste to wealth” solutions ensure profitability for enterprises as the products they make are affordable, ensure easy replicability and wider acceptance.


The “waste to wealth” solutions concentrate on the development of technologies for rural, urban and industrial applications for the SME sector. Two major approaches followed are: Facilitating cleaner production solutions and enabling profitable businesses and customisation of technology based solutions to convert waste to wealth and create livelihoods.

Within the span of 25 years TARA’s “waste-to-wealth” technologies have spread to almost all parts of India and even abroad. These have helped in creating jobs and saving natural resources and additionally the utilisation of waste materials ensures a great reduction in load on city dumping grounds.

At TARAgram are displayed several kinds of handmade paper made by the Sahariya tribal women and other marginalised groups working in the Bundelkhand region (Central India).

All the products at TARAgram become a platform for artisans to showcase their skills with the help of mere rescued materials.

One arm of the concern TARA is TARAgram where one may discover a responsible shopping experience. At TARAgram, livelihood securities meet sustainable lifestyles. Style, design, quality and sustainability are combined to create collections in stationery, desktop accessories and home décor. TARAgram reflects sustainable lifestyles inspired by the famous cities in India, historical monuments and also by traditional Madhubani paintings.


TARAgram retails from its outlet located at the headquarters of Development Alternatives, the not for profit organisation situated in Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi.

TARAgram’s esteemed clients include PepsiCo India, ApolloTyres Ltd, GIZ, NIIT Technologies Ltd, TATA Teleservices, Vardhman Textiles Limited and the IFC-World Bank Group.

Current initiatives of TARA are the manufacture of handmade paper utilising waste paper and waste hosiery, pulverised coal ash technology package, use of sponge iron waste in brick making, stone dust abatement, use of crusher industry dust for building material, creation of renewable energy from waste biomass and production of cooking fuels from waste biomass and biogas.

www.tara.in

The walls of the TARAgram office too in keeping with the company’s ideology are clad with scraps of waste material sourced from companies such as Puma and Blackberry.

PB Home Review December 2014 Home Review December 2014 107

SIMPLICITYWORKS

Making most of mature shady trees, Lovekar Design Studio have designed their new office using a simple and free flowing architectural vocabulary that leaves us wanting more.

Text By K Parvathy MenonPhotographs By Hemant Patil


Wooden gates slide to usher us into a lush green compound, where a quaint bungalow nestles amongst the trees. Draped in earthy tones of rust, the bungalow was recently renovated and converted to function as the design studio of Pune based Lovekar Design Associates.

The new studio, a recipient of the 2013 IIID regional award, is a manifestation of the simple and straight-forward design philosophy of the practice, led by Ashwin and Anjali Lovekar.

Located on the bustling yet quiet Paud Road the studio design features an open plan speckled with interactive zones that connect the green outdoors with the spaces inside. Says principal architect Ashwin Lovekar, “We wanted to employ an eco-friendly design and create a serene and peaceful environment which stimulated creativity.”

A glass roofed porch marks the entrance to the building and sets the tone for the design ethos to follow. Under the visible blanket of tree boughs, the porch as a modern and simple statement, weaves the outside world into its bosom, making it a perfect spot for relaxed conversations.

The simplistic design leads you further inside up a few steps to the reception where a bright blue partition breaks into the rust monologue of the walls.

A quick perusal shows the clear demarcation in functional zoning within the free-flowing plan. “We have placed the main cabin, conference and discussion areas in the west and the studio at the other end of the bungalow,” explains Ashwin Lovekar. When they started working on the structure, a few walls were brought down to create open spaces and certain changes were even made to the external elevation to make way for more interactive areas.

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The frontal entrance of the building was shifted to the side and the original porch was converted into a conference room. The designers call this space ‘peculiar’ with its low height ceiling; a remnant characteristic of the erstwhile porch, and its three louvered sides.


The conference room faces west, and hence a solid light barrier was a necessity. White vertical louvers on all three open sides can be adjusted to modulate the bright sunlight as required.

The project encompasses interactive outdoor spaces which are key to the fluidity of design; these create pauses in the flowing space. One can step out into a shaded porch from almost any room, creating the ‘indoor-outdoor’ connection.

An outdoor deck in earthy shades and textures, adjacent to the reception is a pleasant invitation to the visitors and staff alike. This space overlooks the entrance lobby and also functions as an interactive space.

The walls clad in Shahabad and Cuddappah stone, act as a backdrop to the shadows cast by the pergola and the faint music of the water fountains creates an ethereal environment that is further perfected by a large ‘Ganpati’ statue that the couple acquired on one of their trips.

The architects are proud of the personal touch seen in their studio, which they believe is an important requisite for even a work space; so memorabilia, lovingly collected from around the world are spread all over the office.

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Another connecting feature is the amphitheatre next to the parking that has become the natural get-together ‘adda’ for student and design fraternity interactions.

The studio is an uncomplicated expression of the designers’ thoughts, flowing unrestrained from one spatial zone to the other. Ashwin says, “The entire space has a straightforward design defined by a play of earthy colours, straight simple lines and a constrained palette of materials, colours and textures.”

In the presence of the shady trees that yearn to enter through the many open decks and flowing spaces, one feels at peace and revitalised to take the next step forward.

[email protected] www.lovekardesign.com


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The rich greenery of the resort offsets the starkness of the sand dune in the background.



A beautifully landscaped luxury resort in Rajasthan makes living in the desert an unexpectedly soothing experience.

Landscapes

Text By Christabelle AthaidePhotographs Courtesy Ar. Kishore D. Pradhan

RAJASTHANI BEAUTY


As a tourist destination, Rajasthan is admittedly overwhelming. Its numerous palaces, havelis and forts teeming with tourists and hawkers under the scorching desert sun can take its toll on even the most intrepid traveller.

Enter Samsara, a luxury resort and camp designed to be a stop-over destination for tourists en route to Rajasthan’s heritage sites. Located in Dechu, on the desert highway between Jaisalmer and Jodhpur, Samsara springs out of the arid landscape with all the promise of a refreshing and rejuvenating stay.


The landscape character for Samsara was inspired by the juxtaposition of sand dunes and lush green fields. Plants, trees and shrubs for the landscape were selected based on their ability to survive the severe climate of Rajasthan.

The landscape greenery comprises mainly of trees, ‘Kharek’ palms, shrubbery of hardy perennials and hedges and all plant species being selected to suit the local environmental conditions. One of Samsara’s main attractions is a natural sand dune located right outside the resort complex.

While the resort’s architecture emulates exotic India for the itinerant visitor, much of Samsara’s appeal lies in its profusion of greenery and evocative landscaping by Mumbai-based landscape architect Kishore D. Pradhan.

According to Pradhan, Samsara’s location in Dechu places it in an advantageous position to enjoy the overlapping topography of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. In Dechu, sand dunes co-exist naturally with tall trees and luxurious fields. Although the agricultural cultivation in the vicinity hints at the existence of ground water, the challenges to landscape an 8.5 hectare plot with a footprint area of 5,500 sq m under hostile conditions could not have been an easy one.

The landscape design for Samsara was inspired by the unusual surrounding landscape where sand dunes co-exist with lush fields and trees.


“The rich greenery of the resort complex pleasantly offsets the starkness of the sand dune backdrop,” remarks Pradhan.

Samsara’s undulating lawns, flowering trees and lush shrubbery are to be admired for their healthy foliage and vibrancy, especially in the face of an unapologetic desert sun, not to mention the region’s scarce water resources.

Regarding the latter, Pradhan appears to have it all sorted out, adding confidently, “The major sources of water for irrigation are ground water extracted from tube wells and recycled water from sewage treatment plants.”


Water also plays a more significant and visible role in the landscape design apart from keeping the greenery alive. A prominent feature is the lavish swimming pool surrounded by pergolas, daybeds and inviting cabanas at one end of the resort.

But much before visitors can swoon over this brochure-perfect scene, they are met at the resort’s entrance with the uplifting vision of a clear pool flowing past the lobby, restaurant, bar and banquet hall, reflecting the resort’s architecture and deep-blue sky in its serene face.


The reflecting pool coupled with a water-fountain feature at the entrance is no doubt a terrific way to quench the travel-weary visitor’s thirst for a change of scene from the monotonous sun-n-sand vista.

Pradhan however admits that the pool also serves a more practical purpose. “The pool creates a cool micro-climate as water evaporation lowers the ambient temperature,” he explains.

The swimming pool extends into small niches which are covered by pergolas for semi-shade. Together with the daybeds and cabanas, this setting is certain to make guests go weak in the knees.


Roads for vehicular traffic are paved with concrete for durability, whereas pedestrian areas are paved using locally-available sandstone.

The landscape architect further adds, “Segregation of vehicular and pedestrian circulation was carried out to ensure a tranquil atmosphere in major parts of the premises so that guests could enjoy undisturbed views of a variety of birds, including peacocks, and listen to their mesmerising calls.”

Spending a vacation in the desert has indeed never sounded as attractive as this.

[email protected]

Within the resort designed by architect Nimish Patel and Parul Zaveri there are 30 guest rooms and two suites. These are arranged in two clusters with central open squares resembling village squares. The resort’s plan also includes a longitudinal building that accommodates reception, lounge and banquet areas.

The highlights of the guest rooms are the private sit-outs with a landscaped garden that offers an exquisite view of the resort and desert landscape.

In order that the resort complex sport a look as natural as possible, even the parking lot is shrouded by tall shrubs, blocking out the view of metal and chrome.


The highlight of the guest rooms is the private sit-out with a sizeable garden that overlooks the resort and sand dune.

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The major sources of irrigation at Samsara are ground water extracted from tube wells and recycled water from sewage treatment plants.


Noida-based Studio Symbiosis works a design palate that is a beguiling mix of the elegantly simple, the futuristic and the complex.

Led by founding partners Amit Gupta and Britta Knobel Gupta, Studio Symbiosis emulates the connotation of its name to the hilt. The firm’s thought process tosses together not just design ideas, but implications decided by topography, geography, culture and many other considerations beyond the strict confines of architecture. It also accords healthy importance to the idea of sustainability. In terms of the look and form, the firm’s projects are marked by their predilection towards clean geometrical shapes, including eye catching loops which have a hypnotic aura about them. As the following three projects demonstrate, Studio Symbiosis carries a studious air of efficiency embedded in flamboyance.


Text By Shruti Nambiar Photographs Courtesy The Architect

“The unique position of being next to the holy river Ganga but not being able to access it or enjoy this unique location was the main design driver,” states the design team about this project. City re-development projects make for exciting study subjects because they encompass a wide array of challenges, ranging from topographical, cultural, and as is in this particular case, even the religious.

This 457-acre stretch along the Ganges is naturally influenced by the river’s undulating form on one end, and the existing cityscape on the other. But the key Studio Symbiosis touch here is the deep sensitivity shown to the pre-existing and the planned addition of new structures without disrupting any of it.

The aim of this project is the relocation of the area’s tanneries away from the pollution-troubled river, rehabilitation of its banks, and also provision of housing solutions to the slum population here.

The team coupled the water and waste management with energy efficiency by creating green corridors to inspire unprecedented transport accessibility.

Living alongside the legendary Ghat will be newer formations like restaurants, public plazas, a museum, a shopping arcade and more.

The master plan has great respect for the connecting paths within this patch and has tried to maintain it in good spirit even while making its efficacy more environment-friendly. Even the skyline plan is in tandem with both the edges i.e. fluid near the river and matching of the scale on the city-side.


Studio Symbiosis has no qualms in admitting that with this project the team wants to create something “iconic”. To be completed in 2015, this five-star hotel complex plan includes a fabulous façade whose ambition is to pull guests into its flashy embrace from the first step in. The fulcrum of the design magic here is the seamless marriage of the dramatic and the relatively mundane hotel design business.

The entry points and the public areas will be located in the lower floors of the building and the entire space will be encased on both sides in three giant waves of solid aluminium that dance out on both ends to form free-standing, cantilevered steel truss entry canopies.

These waves, inspired by the shape of natural canyons formed by the slow erosion of rivers, will undoubtedly be the centre of all attention as they rise, thick and proud when high, and then taper off slightly when low.

Vertically, they subtly dance off and straighten up to form more conventional shapes to mark the rooms in the upper floors. The ground-level café and a bit of the banquet area will help guests feel one with the façade and the extended landscape. Right at the top is the terrace with a swimming pool and a sky lounge, aided of course by mouth-watering views of Ahmedabad.


This white-and-gold, multi-textured space full of swirling back-lit curves is fit for ‘The Jetsons’ to live in. Studio Symbiosis was commissioned to design this bespoke lounge-cum-guest space inside a Delhi residence, and the team has responded in characteristic style by combining eye-catching forms, efficient space division and careful cost-effectiveness.

The 37 sq m of available space has been stylistically split into two areas - a seating segment and a feature wall. The former has a concave table, a long supine sofa capable of seating a whole school of party guests, a smaller sofa shaped like a video-game controller and a low-frequency LED lighting scheme that creates the perfect relaxing atmosphere.

The sofas are filled with foam and fitted with hand-stitched upholstery, but the most remarkable thing about them are their beautifully-crafted wooden ribs that bring to mind the fossilised remains of prehistoric birds.

To uphold sustainability, locally available resources were put to use; low-impact and renewable materials were utilised by local craftsmen at the site. This project further confirms that Studio Symbiosis is brilliant at conjuring up remarkable spaces, no matter how big or small the built area is.

[email protected] www.studio-symbiosis.com


To spur creativity people often derive inspiration from nature; within this lot, some tend to be more eco-conscious and try to be as nature friendly as possible - our specialist for this month heralds this unique trait.

A look at her designs and I am prompted to ask, “How did you imagine these creations which are alive yet serene?” Prompt comes the answer, “Nature, always nature, there can be no greater inspiration, because nature is everything at once: serene and calm, violent and harsh, nurturing yet unforgiving, unpredictable but infinitely beautiful.”


NATURALLY ILLUMINATED

TEXT BY VIKAS BHADRA


A day has dawned where I am having a conversation with Jenny Pinto at her studio at Harlour Road in Bangalore; at this juncture it would be fit to add that right from her studio to her products everything espouses an eco-friendly quotient. Her studio was one of Bangalore’s first green buildings whilst her paper lamps which adorn numerous living spaces, restaurants and hotels too do their bit to keep the planet happy.

An advertising professional who designed ads and jingles for almost 17 years, Jenny decided to move into nature’s domain and engage in something that would reconnect her with earth - that is how the process of papermaking began, the first step towards lamp making.


Most paper lamp artists I have met or interviewed prefer sourcing paper, (the core raw material required) from a third party but with Jenny it’s a different story. Jenny prefers making the paper herself; the paper is made from natural fibres generated from waste derived from agriculture and the rural cottage industry.

Jenny’s love affair with paper is nostalgic. “What I liked about paper is its ephemeral quality and its impermanence. Having said that paper can last for 400 years but as a material in our daily life, it builds up a nice relationship with us. The more you care for paper the more it gives you. A diary for instance, can be an intimate object in which you can pour your heart out, I find that with paper lamps as well. They adapt to your mood.”

When it comes to choosing the precise fibre for the paper making process Jenny informs, “The paper that I derive for my lamps are primarily from banana fibre and lokta fibre, but specially banana fibre since it is very strong and the paper has warmth that really adds a lot of character and texture to a room. The way I process my paper, makes the paper really tough. I also texture the paper so that even when the lamp is off, it has character and depth.”

The paper making process sets the stage for a well designed paper lamp. The fibre is immersed in an acidic solution and processed until it becomes a pulp. It is then “lifted” in a deckle and mould and pressed and dried.

To ensure that the lamps have the designs imprinted in them, the paper is textured and embellished in the wet stage. This says Jenny “adds to the uniqueness of the end product.”

To make Mother Earth even happier Jenny’s modus operandi involves the minimal use of harsh chemicals during the entire procedure of making the paper. Post this process the final design of the product is finalised in terms of the shape and the look. This stage too involves seamless co-ordination as she engages a team of artisans to help her design the end product.


Jenny PintoHarlour Road,Off Sharjapur Road,Bellundur Gate,Bangalore. +91 944 [email protected]

Till date Jenny has designed many paper lamps for a number of well-known clients which include Serai Resorts, Cumins Pune, Informatics, Google, Microsoft, Cafe Coffee Day, Nandos, The Park Hotel, Green Park Hotel, TCS, etc.

Though paper can act as the genesis of a number of products, Jenny has set her sight only on lamps as she believes it’s a field that still has dimensions that she can explore.

Apart from her own designs Jenny also designs a lot of customised and site specific lamps for homes, hotels and commercial spaces. The time line depends on the work involved which ordinarily ranges from 4-6 weeks.

So if you are still looming in darkness in search of that perfect lamp for your table, wall ceiling or floor, turn on the switch and contact Jenny now. Let there be lamps!


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IMMERSED IN THE LANDSCAPE

Text By Mala BajajPhotographs Anantara Hotels & Resorts

Designed specifically to suit its location that being the island, The Palm Jumeirah, is Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa. It is as unique a destination as the surrounding landscape it is immersed in.


The Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa: a destination as unique as the surrounding landscape it is immersed in.


Exclusive clusters of only four to eight guest rooms maximise privacy and 130 of these rooms boast direct access to 10,000 square metres of lagoon pools.


The Palm Island Jumeirah is one of two man-made islands in Dubai, United Arab Emirates built in the shape of palm trees topped with a crescent moon. Sitting on the eastern side of this crescent is Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa. A mere 45 minute drive away from the Dubai International Airport, the resort is within easy reach of other must-do’s like the Aquaventure Water Park, Mall of the Emirates, Ski Dubai and Dubai Marina.

293 guest rooms and villas line a dramatic beachfront and are designed sumptuously and elegantly encompassing every modern amenity. Exclusive clusters of only four to eight guest rooms maximise privacy and 130 of these rooms boast direct access to 10,000 square metres of lagoon pools. The resort offers two bedroom beach pool villas as well which are perfect for families and friends.

But the highlight of the resort most definitely is Middle East’s first over-water-villas fitted with glass viewing panels that let the guests witness the most amazing magic of sea life all through the day.

Even during the night the spectacle of sea life can be enjoyed as the lights actually attract the fish. There is a plan to coral seed the poles whereby coral colonies could flourish and add to the guest’s delight a little more.

Surrounded by the splendid man-made beauty of this palm shaped island, Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa provides its guests with an extensive variety of facilities like tennis courts, gyms, three turquoise lagoons and of course the iconic Anantara Spa.

Six specialty restaurants and bars keep the most fastidious foodie satiated; additionally a ballroom, six meeting rooms, a kids’ club and teens’ club makes it akin to a grandiose desert mirage.

Apart from being a five star leisure resort Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa is also totally attuned to holding events related to business and pleasure. The state-of-the-art facilities, flexible meeting spaces, and flawless attention to detail produce a framework that ensures success whether it is formal or informal.

The inside of an over water villa; the glass viewing panel on the floor lets the guests enjoy sea life visuals all through the day and night

Designed sumptuously and elegantly and encompassing every modern amenity is this Pre-mier Lagoon Access Villa.


Relax and take in the views of the glittering Dubai shoreline while you enjoy a selection of Mediterranean cuisine, including pizzas, tapas and seafood, complemented by signature cocktails at the Beach House.


Choose the offer and location that best meets your area of interest, and let the resort create an unforgettable experience for your group.

Sumptuous breakfasts, lunches and dinners may be indulged in at the Crescendo, the all day dining restaurant. Mekong supplies the exotic flavours of the Far East and The Bushman’s Australian Restaurant & Bar whisks you straight to the ‘down under’ with its hearty menu full of exotic meats and seafood.

The Beach House, The Lotus Lounge, the Mai Bar and the swim-up bar are some more destinations to let one’s hair down and pander to one’s taste buds. Under the high ceiling of the reception and lobby area of the Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa, the guests are further charmed by the presence of a falcon in the competent hands of a falconer. The lobby also features a Dubai heritage corner, which showcases various indigenous artefacts and relics from the times gone by.

The enthrallment of the guest is an ongoing process here and taken very seriously, so you have floating market boats gliding across the lagoons serving tropical beverages and three wheeler tuk-tuks transporting guests all around the expansive resort.

Delight in the rituals that only promise to rejuvenate you at the Anantara Spa at the resort. 16 luxurious treatment suites offer revitalising traditional Thai massages. You may even sample one of Anantara Spa’s other signature treatments, such as the indigenous Arabian massage.

For hundreds of years throughout Thailand, people would leave a jar of water outside their house to provide refreshment and extend a welcome to the passing traveller. Anantara is a Sanskrit word that means ‘without end’ and at Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa this ancient tradition is perpetuated continuously, aided only by the heartfelt hospitality that lies at the core of every Anantara experience.

www.dubai-palm.anantara.com

Mingling is encouraged at The Lotus Lounge, a lively day and night-time spot with marvellous views and a charming ambience.

The vibrant culinary cultures of Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine may be enjoyed at Mekong, the resort’s signature dining venue, named after South East Asia’s legendary river.


The store has special areas where all several products are displayed together like art, accessories and furniture.


Let’sTranceforme!

Retail Therapy

Can a musician and an architect “transform” the concept of home décor by injecting a new vitality into the same? ‘Tranceforme’ started as a partnership enterprise between a musician, Purvi Parikh and an architect, Samira Rathod; incidentally specialises in transforming ordinary spaces into special ones.

Text By Dhanishta ShahPhotographs Tranceforme


‘Trance’ from music and ‘forme’ from architecture fuse together to formTranceforme; the location of this huge 5000 square feet store is right in the hub of a plethora of upcoming as well as old and established décor stores, in the vicinity of Mahalaxmi in Mumbai.

The building that houses the store used to be an old warehouse. Thus, there is an industrial feel to the whole place and the exposed huge metallic columns and tubes evident all over the store just enhance the ambience.

As you enter the store, a vast expanse greets you. The whole area flows as a whole, with a small mezzanine floor as a separate entity. The store has varied flooring that divides the huge open space visually. “We have a combination of wooden, black granite and cement flooring,” explains owner Purvi Parikh.

The space has huge windows that let in streams of sunlight. This feature has also been put to good use. Some of the furniture, like pieces of sculpture are displayed well against the industrial background of the warehouse. Achieving a harmonious balance and blend between products is often challenging. But here, one can see the perfect blending of furniture and accessories.

The Bent Table Clock seems to depict the ideal state of mind especially in the morning.

What works for Parikh, is the striking industrial charm of the space along with the innovative displays that combine to entice the customers and “transform” their notions about home décor with authentic and creative products. There is a vast choice, as the canvas is large enough to hold different representations of the numerous corners of a home.

Can there be a better way to display furniture? “We try to create niches to simulate the living room area, bedroom area, study corners and so on. There are special areas as well, where all the products are displayed together like art, accessories and furniture, while the mezzanine area is dedicated to home linen, clocks and bathroom accessories,” says Parikh.

Inspired by Rubik’s cube the Bird cube functions as a smart seat and side table.


In a quiet way, Tranceforme is putting its stamp on the décor map of the city. Not only does it create a fully aesthetic shopping experience, but also combines professional design and customisation services with it.

Besides, in an effort to encourage Indian craft and design the store showcases new products designed by known and upcoming designers at regular intervals.

Transformation indeed!

www.tranceforme.in

A key trend in décor shops right now is to host events. Tranceforme is no exception, especially given the fact that they have a good spread of area to host events. Here, several new and unique events take place, during which the displays are changed accordingly. These events are helpful in marketing and increase sales since newer people come in and get to know the store first-hand.

There are numerous décor shops in the neighbourhood. What makes Tranceforme stand out so? “All other shops have specific categories while we have a mixture of all categories, such as furniture, accessories, art and interior styling services,” states Parikh.

The wide range of products includes well-priced furniture, home accessories, textiles, lighting, art and more. In addition, they offer customisation of furniture and styling services.

Tranceforme houses designs from various designers apart from the various in-house creations; the shop is always on the lookout for organic and natural materials in the products.

A beautifully aligned and uniquely designed office chair.

Add serenity to your living space with the Bell Lamp; the lamp is available in a variety of shapes.

This bar stool takes innovation to a whole new level.

THE MARKETPLACE


Venus Presents High-Technology Water Heating Solutions

Villeroy & Boch has a history of 265 years of customer satisfaction and is now a well- known European lifestyle brand active in 125 countries. The head office is in Mettlach in Germany and the production plants are located in Europe, Mexico and Thailand.Villeroy & Boch recognises that the bathroom is the central location for important and frequent hygienic and rejuvenating activities. A simple sink with a mirror above it cannot meet all the functional and aesthetic requirements of the user. Comprehensive washing place solutions comprising a ceramic sink, tap fitting, mirror, light, shelf and storage space are necessary.

The Architectura series not only includes oval and rectangular surface-mounted sinks, but also round ones that are highly suitable for different washing arrangements: with open wooden panels or combined with a piece of furniture. This produces an exciting

The Architectura Collection Brings Cutting Edge Bathroom Solutions From Villeroy & Boch

Venus offers the Splash GI and Splash Digital water heaters which boast of an aesthetic and user friendly design. The model comes with Porcelain Enamel Technology using Dry Powder Enamel introduced for the first time in India. The new enhanced features help energy conservation and provide hard water protection to prevent scaling for a long lasting performance.

The durable and reliable water heaters from Venus are triple certified to provide everlasting warmth. Venus is the first water heater company in India to be awarded the prestigious ISI certification for its range of water heaters with vitreous enamel tanks and guarantees safety with quality to the users.

contrast between the straight line of the sub-base and the organically rounded shape of the ceramic sink. Wall-mounted tap fittings e.g. from the Just or Cult series emphasise the solitaire character of the freestanding bathroom sink.

www.villeroy-boch.com

Venus water heaters also meet international standards of safety and quality. The water heating solutions have been awarded the S mark certification and CE marking from Intertek for European Product Safety. Thus Venus water heaters also conform to European safety standards.

www.venushomeappliances.com

Stylam Industries has earned its reputation of being one of the pioneers in manufacturing international quality laminates and adhesives in India. Living up to its name, Stylam has launched yet another superior quality exterior floor board in India under the name Walkon.

Walkon exterior floor boards are processed in laminate presses under high pressure and at a high temperature. As a result, the boards are weather-proof and long-lasting. The CE marking further testifies Walkon exterior floor boards as an excellent choice for construction purposes.

The Walkon exterior floor boards will change the way people look at exterior flooring. They are slip-resistant, frost-resistant, slate-free and environment-friendly. While the boards are available in a variety of colours, designs, grains and thickness; customised versions are also available. Stylam offers a gamut of strikingly beautiful designs that elevate lifestyles. The blend of innovation and commitment has given Stylam a trusted clientele in more than 60 countries around the globe.

www.stylam.com

Eye-Catching Exterior Flooring Solutions By Stylam Industries


THE MARKETPLACE


The latest generation of ‘Smart Home’ by Schneider Electric brings home a whole new experience. Wiser Home Control is the perfect solution for integrating different technologies to have better control over your home life, helping you to achieve a better lifestyle, home and environment.

One of the most crucial breakthroughs of Wiser Home Control is its out-of-home control function which makes home control mobile. You can control the lighting, music, home theatre, cooling system, curtains and shutters, security systems and much more within the home with a mobile phone or a laptop computer from office or even your car.

Installed IP cameras show you the commands being followed. Wiser Home Control incorporates encrypted wireless technology to ensure secured data transaction. Users can also coordinate their installer’s service call via the secured remote access without physically having to enter the home.

www.schneider-electric.com

Smart Home By Schneider Electric Makes Convenience A Reality

Roca’s Open Faucets Blend Excellence With Form And Functionality

Roca is a frontrunner in the bathroom space trade and has a heritage of almost 100 years. The core values of design, innovation, sustainability and well-being are represented by this company.

They are deeply committed to the excellence of designs of their products. It carried its presence in over 135 countries and 76 production plants across five continents. 21,000 people are directly employed at Roca and it is a well-known leading bathroom solution brand all over the world.

Roca has now launched exquisite open faucets that exemplify matchless sophistication in form and also reduce water consumption. The basin mixer and high-neck basin mixer are epitomes of style and utility. The flowing water can be touched and felt allowing you to enjoy the stimulating sensations it exudes.

The faucets promise maximum water saving and set a higher benchmark in bathroom solutions. The open basin mixers give users a new and unrivaled water experience with their high-quality finish and original design. The basin mixer with pop up waste is priced at Rs. 46,000 and the high-neck basin mixer with pop-up waste is priced at Rs. 64,000.

www.roca.in

EBAX bath accessories are marketed by Jyoti Industries (India), makers of NIRALI, India’s No. 1 stainless steel kitchen sinks.

The exquisite ranges of EBAX bathroom accessories add that much needed classic look and feel to any bathroom. Superbly crafted in an immaculately styled finish, you have a variety to choose from; stainless steel and ceramic bath sets available in various colours and finishes.

Ebax Kitchen & Bathroom Accessories- The Perfect Bathroom Ensemble!

EBAX bathroom accessories come in a set of four pieces (Soap dispenser, tooth brush holder, soap dish, tumbler) that complete every requirement in a bathroom.

www.ebax.in

THE MARKETPLACE


Somany Ceramics Ltd. was presented with The American Ceramic Society’s (ACerS) Corporate Technical Achievement Award 2014 for the development of Veil Craft (VC) Shield Floor Tiles. Through this award, ACerS recognises a single outstanding technical achievement in the field of ceramics. The award has shown the significant merit that Somany has offered to the society through commercialisation of their technology.

Since 1898, ACerS has been the hub of the global ceramics community and one of the most trusted sources of ceramic materials and applications knowledge. The society strives to promote involvement and access to leadership opportunity. More than 9,500 scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, students, marketing and sales professionals from more than 70 countries make up the members of The American Ceramic Society.

The award was received by Shri Shreekant Somany, Chairman & Managing Director, Somany Ceramics Ltd. and Deputy Chairman, Northern Region, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Somany said, “I am humbled and honoured to receive the prestigious ACerS 2014 Corporate Technical Achievement award for our development of Veil Craft (VC) Shield

Somany Ceramics Accredited The ACerS Award For The Veil Craft Shield Floor Tiles

Floor Tiles. Setting standards and creating trends has always been a driving force for Somany Ceramics. In the year 2009, we became the first ceramic tile company in India to get a patent for glaze and process of the VC Shield technology. VC tiles have earned a very high reputation in the Indian market and have become a benchmark for other ceramic floor tile manufacturers to follow.”

He further added, “Currently, we sell close to 5 million sq. metres of VC Shield tiles in India per year. I would like to thank our R&D team who relentlessly worked with me to successfully complete the development of VC Shield Floor Tiles.”

Somany Ceramics had commenced the research for these tiles to address the need for floor tiles that remain physically and visually unchanged, even in areas with heavy footfall. The research resulted in a process in which a chemical composition, christened “Veil Craft shield,” could be coated on the tile above its print. This would not only significantly improve its abrasion resistance but also increase the glaze on the tile surface. The abrasion resistance of tiles is determined by rotation of an abrasive load on the surface and assessment of the wear by means of visual comparison of abraded test specimens and non-abraded tiles. The number of revolutions sustained without any change in visual appearance is the

measure of abrasion resistance. Testing is done according to the grading system of Porcelain Enamel Institute, PEI, USA which categorises glazed ceramic tiles according to their abrasion resistance in six classes:

• Class0(revolutions100)• Class1(revolutions150)• Class2(revolutions600)• Class3(revolutions750-1500)• Class4(revolutions2100-12000)• Class5(>12000) Floor tiles coated with Veil Craft shield are found to withstand 50,000 revolutions, much higher than that specified by PEI, and still retain their stain resistance. In 2009, Somany Ceramics became the first ceramic tile company in India to receive a patent (Indian Patent No.227692) for its Veil Craft technology.

Somany’s Veil Craft shield tiles have since set a benchmark in not only functionality but also in aesthetic appeal. Innovations from Somany include ‘Slip Shield’ tiles which increase the coefficient of friction even in wet conditions to reduce slipping. A patent application has been filed for this product. Somany has also introduced ‘Glosstra’ tiles with enhanced gloss on the tile surface to lend a style to the ambience. Somany was recently invited to present a research paper in Qualicer, Spain which is a leading forum for exchange of research results on ceramic tiles.

www.somanyceramics.com

Companies today need furniture which is aesthetically appealing and contemporary in style. Wish is a modular desk based system with excellent sturdiness coupled with a contemporary sleek look. A unique combination of a tile based and a panel based system, with open-able tiles which provides flexibility and strength along with gapless honey comb block partition with linear panels which provides contemporary look.

Wish Modular Desk System By Godrej Interio Wish optimally uses the space and fits

seamlessly to various layouts without losing the number of workstations. Its design supports a unique trend of horizontal expanse.

Wish gives an office a sense of openness. Its 6 feet wide monolithic panels give a clutter-free appearance while its glass paneling adds to the contemporary sleek look. An elevated workstation helps in air circulation as well as easy maintenance along with a lighter look.

It’s a perfect choice for any modern day office with its extensive wire management system and easily accessible inner frame. The system also includes multiple accessories that can be mounted on the screen.

www.godrejinterio.com

Photo credit: The American Ceramic Society


THE MARKETPLACE


home review-december 2014

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