Category Archives: re:India

sand, stone and water

 

Architects: Matharoo Associates

If you are thinking about amazing geometry and curves of this house so effortlessly mingling with each other then also note that this house accommodates a family swimming pool in just 450 sqm plot. And let me tell you everything has a functional aspect other than just design!

This stunning house is situated in Jodhpur city, in the middle of Thar Desert.

All the creativity and talent @ architects Matharoo associates is at work here.

Composite walls of dressed stone on the outside and brick on inside are used as construction methods. The brick stone composite wall insulates much more than ‘all stone’ traditional walls.

Another great insulator is predominant focus of design – water – in the form of a swimming pool.

To understand what kind of solace a swimming pool gives to people living without water for many generations, we need to actually live in a desert area! The swimming pool is made into a canopy, which shadows the stone boulders and makes the presence of water felt even if sometimes there is none. The living areas are shielded from sun with the pool above. Simple corrugated GI sheet is used as formwork for the swimming pool soffit.

Continue reading sand, stone and water

enduringly Indian furnishing

 

champa collection

Designers: Sheila Nambiar and Shruti Phagre-Mahajan @ Eucalyptus

I am so tempted to put the title of this post in Hindi – borrowing from an old Hindi song:

Champa – Chameli muskaye {meaning: Champa and Chameli (both are flowering plants) are smiling.} I am not doing that. But let me warn you I am emotional at the moment!

These home-furnishing products are designed by two very talented young designers (NID ians + MS University @ Vadodara-ites) Sheila Nambiar and Shruti Phagre-Mahajan.

Brand new in the market they do not fail to entice you with a very thoughtful and ‘full of memories’ collection.

A lot of India – things Indian, memories of bygone era, Indian native plants have got expressed in their collections! Indian tradition is at rework here.

Though very Indian in theme and colours yet collections has absolutely minimalist and contemporary feel.

chaupad collection

Each and every collection transports me to a different land and era.

Chaupad – lets play- anybody game!

The ancient dice game of India inspires this rich blue Mangalgiri runner embroidered with Kantha.

If you know how to, you can actually play chaupad on it with cowries and gotis.

 

Continue reading enduringly Indian furnishing

earth sheltered building

 

‘Style’ emerges from the project and not from the architect. Every project deserves its own style based on the site, user requirements, available materials and technology.                Space – design Consultants

  

AIIS

Architects: Space-Design Consultants

In the age of ‘hero’ architects or architectural heroism somehow I tend to veer towards this credo of Space – Design Consultants. I am asking myself why it is so that style (first &/or only) attracts most of us more than anything else!

 

Space Design Consultants is Delhi based architectural firm which is concerned about sustainability in buildings. Energy efficiency, material selection for reduction in wastes and pollution are their guides for design.

 

The building of American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS) has a very traditional look and yet it has adopted innovative and simple energy conserving and passive cooling measures. The walls of the building are insulated. A simple strategy of orienting the windows in most favourable directions has been used.

The roof has a terrace garden to keep the building naturally cool. Two courtyards (and that too sunken ones) bring natural light and ventilation. To create a peaceful ambience the courtyards are created with vegetation and water bodies.

Natural materials like brick, exposed concrete, and sandstone have been used.

house triangle

 

house triangle

Architects: @ mayaPRAXIS

This clever triangle house is designed by a young team @ mayaPRAXIS.

mayaPRAXIS is an architectural and design firm based in Bangalore. The primary motivation towards design for architects @ mayaPRAXIS is the opportunity to marry a wide palette of creative resources and constraints available in India.

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Govinda

 

Govinda

A side board in bleached maple with ceramic daisies and ceramic feet.

Ceramists + Designers: Bertozzi  & Casoni @ Dilmos

Master craftsmen and Italian ceramists Giampaolo Bertozzi and Stefano Dal Monte Casoni’s work show tradition and experimentation, link to the past and present along an axis.

And perhaps link between continents as well!

I just plain am biased towards this side board because it is named ‘Govinda’ and it is so beautiful. Govinda is another name of the Hindu god Krishna. Govinda also means – ‘giving the nectar of satisfaction to the senses’. (whatever that means 🙂 )

 

Quell mazzolin di fiori

Ceramic table with silkscreen printed top

Love this Bertozzi & Casoni table also. Somehow I am getting a feeling that mother nature is present here!!

 

light and decor

The perfect curve!

Interior designer + consultants: Nainesh jain Designs

A little bit of creativity, clean harmonious lines, no clutter, a little light and sometimes a lot of light do the magic for Nainesh Jain Designs interiors.

And the result is sometimes breath-taking, at times pleasant and in perfect order and sometimes dramatic!

Don’t guess! The live coals on the table have to be lights!

The fairy-tale bedroom!

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