Shantanu Poredi

VOL 7. ISSUE 9.

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guggari’s local flavour

ashiesh shah’s urban monastery

atlantis at the palm dubai

cabin class casa buchupureo

eclectic living matharoo associates

home review January 2009. vol. 7. issue 9. EDITOR & PUBLISHER CREATIVE DIRECTOR FEATURES EDITOR SUB EDITOR CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

PHOTOGRAPHERS

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Deepak and Varsha Guggari are architects who believe that structures should stay rooted to their surroundings. Their design scheme builds on a grid-based program that ingeniously explores this ideology, creating a distinctive home that is a synthesis of clever planning and the innovative use of local material. Another designer with his own inimitable style is Ashiesh Shah. This time round we take a look at a beach front residence with an interior choice that is somewhat intriguing. The layout incorporates clean lines with a monotone colour palette of grey and white. The materials used are raw and earthy with an emphasis on no-ornamentation, making this home look more like an urban monastery than a beachy hideaway. The Shah house in Surat, designed by architect Gurjit Singh Matharoo, reflects a highly evolved space with a refined aesthetic. Inspired by the work of Japanese architect Tadao Ando, this designer explores the finer nuances of using light across smooth concrete surfaces, as well as including nature into the house-plan. The result is a home that is in perfect sync with the client's wish list. We also visit Chilean architects Alvaro Ramirez and Clarisa Elton's cliff-top cabin that embraces the ocean with its open-plan layout, and include a feature on artist Bose Krishnamachari's residence that is truly a work of art. Designers Shantanu Poredi and Manisha Agarwal plan spaces that flow into each other, giving the artist's home an unusual juxtaposition of form, colour and texture. We end this issue with a feature on the recently unveiled Atlantis hotel in Dubai, with its overthe-top grandeur and supersized spaces. After a chaotic couple of months, we at Home Review look forward to welcoming the New Year with a large dose of optimism and one filled with good cheer!

ANISH BAJAJ NATALIE PEDDER BAJAJ MALA BAJAJ SHWETA SALVI SAVITHA HIRA DEEPALI NANDWANI DEEPANJOLIE SONYA FIGG SHIBANI AMIN RANGARAJ PAULOMI PATEL PRIYA TANDON K PARVATHY MENON AMRITA SHAH RAVI KANADE PALAK JHAVERI

Editorial & Marketing Mumbai B-62, Cotton Exchange bldg., Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033 Tel 022 23736133/1, 32958501 Fax 022 23743069 Email: [email protected] Delhi Ms Sumita Prakash Flat F 304, Rajasthan C.G.H.S. Ltd, Plot No. 36, Sector 4, Dwarka, New Delhi Tel 09899179540, Email: [email protected] Chennai Mr S. Venkataraaman Flat No. 2, 3 Flr, E-Block, Hansa Garden, 30 Madampakkam Main Rd, Rajakilpakkam, Chennai 600 073 Tel 044 22281180 / 09444021128 Email: [email protected] rd

Bangalore Mr M. S. Mahesh, Mr. Banodaya Reddy MQ Networks (P) Ltd, 228, 2nd A Cross, HBR Layout, 1st Stage, Bangalore-560043 Mob 09980543958/0984511536 Kolkata Mr Subrata Mazumder 2, Nabapalli (Bidhanpalli). Kolkata 700084 Tel 033 2410 4296 Mob 9831131395 Telefax 033 2410 7605 Email: [email protected] Publishing Director Mr. R.I. Bajaj Distributed in India by India Book House Pvt. Ltd. 412, Tulsani Chambers, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021.

We welcome unsolicited material but do not take responsibility for the same. Letters are welcome but subject to editing. All rights reserved. Nothing may be printed 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 REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE Recycling old magazines and newspapers is one of the easiest ways to help the environment. To increase the supply of recoverable wood fibre and to reduce the demand on the world’s landfills, HOME REVIEW urges its readers to actively participate in recycling efforts.

contents january 2009

On The Cover

The Varsha and Deepak Guggari designed residence in Pune. “A Local Flavour” Page 57.

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features Urban Monastery Using monochromes and earthy materials architect Ashiesh Shah designs a beachfront property in Mumbai which reflects the sea theme but in an abstract manner. A Local Flavour Architects Varsha and Deepak Guggari design a 5,500 sq. ft. house in Pune where the core emphasis is on the use of natural materials and elements. Eclectic Living Inspired by Tadao Ando’s style and a few master strokes of the likes of Mies Van De Rohe are evident in this eclectic house designed by Matharoo Architects in Surat. Cabin Class Chilean architects Alvaro Ramirez and Clarisa Elton combine architectural aesthetics with an environmental dialogue in their cliff-top cabin in Buchupureo, Chile. Blurred Boundaries Architectural firm MO-OF and reputed fine artist Bose Krishnamachari blend the best of art and architecture to create a home that combines modern materials and art. The Design of Peace Architect Nitin Katwani of DCA architects designs a Zen-like apartment in Versova which embodies the maxim ‘Less is more’ to the T. Myth meets Magnificence Atlantis, Dubai’s newest resort with its exotic ambience and unprecedented scale is set to break new ground. A Spiritual Aura Salient design studio creates an Italian restobar, Hussh, that exudes a traditional Italian feel. ideas In The Know Design Diary. Unbuilt Works Sameep Padora’s Cascade Court. Retail Therapy Neil Bartett Flagship Store, Tokyo. Cult Product Acoustic Panels. Go Green Guanganmen Green Technology Exhibit, Beijing Lost Architecture Stepwells, India. regulars Editor ’s Note Our Readers Write Letters to our Editor Bars, Spas & Restaurants New places with style

OUR READERS WRITE Send your views, suggestions and questions about this issue to our editor and we’ll be happy to print the best

1 Sustain to attain a better future Star Letter

Good Earth throws open its flagship store in Delhi designed by Lotus Designs. “The Good Life” Page 57.

Over the years we have focused only on growth while ignoring the environment. This is not only an Indian phenomenon but happens in countries all around the world. Challenges of the environment will grow incredibly in cities as India further urbanizes. Your article on LPA Architects, who conceived the award winning house with sustainability at the core of its design was remarkable and in the right direction. The features like low-VOC paints, recycled terrazzo floors and a solar array system make it a model to be imitated. Architect Heinfield cannot be more correct when he says, “All sustainable buildings are the marriage between time-honoured design practices and the best of new technologies available today. Sustainability is not a trend or fad. It’s a value decision.” VINAY JOSHI PUNE

Festive Tips You hear of people wanting to revamp their home all the time, particularly in the festive seasons. Home Review should make an informed choice with trends and materials in home furniture and decor. Special emphasis being given to seating arrangements in the living area, dining area settings, bedroom designs and outdoor furniture along with suggestions for apt furnishings for each individual use. SHRUTI HIRANI NOIDA

Editor’s Choice Multiplicity House Your feature in Home Review on the Y-house is outstanding. It depicts the multi-disciplinary urban spatial experience by just absorbing the range of photographs illustrated in the pages. Although it was re-modelled in 2004 it does not reflect that it was rebuilt. The most noteworthy in my opinion is the kitchen with the eco-friendly bamboo that absorbs carbon dioxide better than trees and gives the space a unique, contemporary and hygienic finish. However I wish you had featured this kitchen as one of your selections in kitchen special section. SHASHANK PANDEY KOLKATA Tumbling Economics Indians are not used to housing busts. Since property seemed for so long to be a one-way bet, some still find it hard to grasp that prices can ever fall. The markets have fallen and even discounts of “buy one get one free” are emerging. The scenario is that plenty of new homes are being finished, but few are being started. You at Home Review could help by recommending ways and means to furnish and design apartments in a more economical way. After a long time homes seem to be just affordable and if interiors are also reasonable people like me may just about get a functional home. RAKESH NAIR HYDERABAD

Kitchen Trends Once again Home Review has come out with a special and it has made planning and making my kitchen a success. I am totally in agreement with you that all household activity gravitates in and around a kitchen. I was tempted to go for a modern kitchen but not as elaborate as the ones depicted by you. After which I went through the suggested planning and implementation tips. However a compromise in the stovetop, ventilation and storage had to be done to suit the flat. The final result has been beyond my expectations so I thought a thank you would be in order. MEGHA SETHI MUMBAI

The star letter and our editor’s choice, receives a 1 year subscription from Home Review Send your letters to: B 62 Cotton Exchange Building, Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033 or Email us at [email protected] Home Review reserves the right to edit and reuse any submissions sent to the editor.

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Design Diary

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Design is a field where innovation is a norm and each small or big innovative enhancement adds to the amazing legacy of design. The scope in design is boundless and keeping a track of all the developments in this stratum is not an easy task. www.designaddict.com is a website that helps you resolve this difficulty. Design Addict a multi-award winning web space is orchestrated by artists Patrick and Alix Everaert. Their passion for design and their need to share it led them to create Design Addict. This Belgian company has been working on the web portal project since 1997. The webpage is a comprehensive resource for modern, post-modern and contemporary design of the 20th-21st centuries where you'll find information on designers and producers, on furniture, lighting, dinnerware and accessories. The website's various sections manage to cover all the aspects of the design community. Index The designer's and producer's Index that features in the website is a very large database which is updated everyday. This useful tool helps you find all the information you need about a designer or a producer (biography, products, links, books...). The index offers its database in an organised alphabetical order making it easy for the user to locate his desired designer or producer. Links It boasts extensive links, which include an international array of online design magazines, museums and the most comprehensive list of dealers on the web. They are categorically divided as new design, vintage design, designers, producers, resources, books and magazines, architecture, and other selected links. One can access the worldwide design community through the design links directory on the portal. There are vintage design dealers furniture producers, virtual exhibitions and designers' portfolios among its links. Calendar The website's international Calendar is full of noteworthy exhibitions, courses, events and conferences related to design. Moreover, their Blog offers you thought - provoking articles, interviews and essays. The forum, too, seems to be permanently besieged and hosts vexing questions concerning the current and future scenarios of design. The best part of all is that every item is photographed, catalogued on their website. Free Ads In order to make this site more lively and useful, the website boasts a space for free Ads. If you want to sell or buy anything related to design this website presents an opportunity

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We at Home Review seek out the most exciting books or web sites each season, to keep you clued-in

to do so. The emphasis at this awesome site is on sharing information by and for design lovers the world over. It is a beautiful, up-to-theminute site with an international feel and is completely absorbed with and dedicated to becoming the be-all and end-all of design destinations. It is vouched to be the leading design portal online, targeting the international community of design professionals and private consumers. It meets its users' expectations in the best possible way and has succeeded in proving itself as an international leader of information websites in the field of product design. Awards Their work has also been recognized and awarded by the prestigious Forbes Magazine that has selected Design Addict in its 'Best of the Web' since the year 2000. This beautifully organized educational site acts as a complete encyclopaedia for all design aficionados. So if you are wondering where design addicts shop, you would get your answer right here.

HR I PROMOTION

 The well renowned brand Durian, has already acquired a household name and has made a significant impact over the years in the building industry with its multi-range of plywood, flush and panel doors with designer P.V.C sheets elegantly impregnated and the supply of exquisitely chosen imported veneers. The company has also taken a giant leap forward by capturing a major market share in the field of imported furniture. The most recent introduction by this multi-faceted company is a range of furnishings from Durian, that include an extensive range of beddings and cushions. The collection is quite distinguished with it’s soft and new-age fabrics and textures that offer style and panache handcrafted for comfort and quality. Durian offers its customers unique bedding solutions that are embroidered or crocheted for a traditional or a contemporary look and feel. The company's collection THIS PAGE The of bedding and cushions extensive range of are also available in retro bedding and cushion and classic patterns with furnishings from Durian. 18 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

a keen eye on details and the latest trends. Durian stands as one of the leading brands in India that exclusively stock only imported furniture - from a wide range of sofa sets, bunkers for children, computer workstations, centre tables, side tables, exclusive office furniture, study desks, dining tables, bar cabinets, bedroom and living room sets. The most coveted furniture styles from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Australia, Spain, Malaysia and Singapore have made their way to India thanks to Durian. With over 40 imported furniture showrooms all over the country, Durian stands as one of the largest furniture brands in India. Contact Durian estate, Connecting Road Between Western Express Highway & S.V. Road, Goregaon (East), Mumbai 400063 Tel: (022) 67142000 Fax: (022) 66783125 Email: [email protected] Web:www.duriandecor.net 

HR I UNBUILT WORKS

Every professional practise, at some time or the other, faces a dead-end situation where a project does not see the light of day. The time, energy, effort involved by the architect then becomes an investment in his learning curve, stashed away in the portfolio as a conceptual accomplishment; yet another testament of his professional prowess.  In this new section, we feature some unrealised projects that stand tall for their out-of-box concept irrespective of the nature of the built, or rather un-built form. We premiere with Mumbai-based architect-ndesigner Sameep Padora's 'Cascade Court', a proposed office building that could certainly have left its mark in terms of vivifying interior-exterior correlations, given its antithesis of a conventional office site-scape. A few years back, a plot of 120,000 sq. ft was earmarked for a commercial building that THIS PAGE The overall would house offices. A structure of the building normal enough building was designed in a such proposal one would say; a way that the 3 prohowever, the added posed units were bonus was that the positioned at an overlappremises would also ping tangent to the house a business centre other, in a manner that complete with conference not only dwarfed the 12 and meeting rooms, storeyed building but cafeteria, gymnasium, also allows easy accesetc and associated sibility.

JANUARY 2009 HOME REVIEW 19

HR I UNBUILT WORKS

infrastructure viz., bank, banquet halls, and allied commercial goings-on. Breaking free of the conventional typology of an office building with its set elevator lobbies and stairwells as well as the clichéd corridor look, Sameep Padora & Associates proposed a model that would align the offices along non-linear axes and bring alive every transitory space in the complex. The premise was worked around a centrally positioned landscaped area as the happening heart of the structure and several bridges that would form connecting arms, THIS PAGE Padora wrapping the building breaks free of the around the green space conventions with the landscaped pathway per se. Beginning with that substitutes the lifts massing, the north side of and staircase, and the the building was opened non-linear arrangement up to accomplish of spaces. Here the maximum natural light cross - sections of the and ventilation. This was building show the followed by chiselling a staggered office and beautifully landscaped circulation spaces. 20 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

HR I UNBUILT WORKS

ramp that would slowly rise up from the ground level, passing every floor to reach the highest point of the building. The proposed floor rise was 12 storeys. With the building mass working around this garden path, the form that began to be programmed appeared to aggregate in three strategic units; each positioned at an overlapping tangent to the other. This not only dwarfed the outward appearance of the high rise structure but allowed easy accessibility, so that one could easily 'walk' up the landscaped path to the highest point THIS PAGE Various without actually feeling it. configurations of "In this connecting arms or project we bridges are worked addressed upon, establishing issues of contact amongst the context through various areas in the our attempts interiors of the to activate building.

FILMSTRIP The gradual site development from the conceptual stage to the final design stage.

JANUARY 2009 HOME REVIEW 21

HR I UNBUILT WORKS

externalities that become operative and surfaces that become performative", explains Padora. While the exterior showed very few openings, interest was created in the interior envelope. The landscaped path was fitted with a retractable roof. Various configurations of connecting arms were worked upon, establishing contact amongst the various areas in the interiors and the building began to look inwards to a more active scale and beat. The vertical garden strips would imbibe elements of light and air, whilst punctuating space and choreographing form. Addressing a smart overall program, the construction was proposed in glass reinforced concrete (GRC) that is known for its high versatility offering both efficiency of manufacture and effectiveness in performance. Sadly, the proposed plot that housed an old factory was riddled with union problems and site litigations that forced the project to remain on paper. On a more positive note, this intimidating façade with its staggered interior floor rise and intercepting floor plates THIS PAGE TOP would have been a LEFT The cross internal rewarding manifestation bridge connections.TOP of the feedback between RIGHT The massing of the multiple forces the building. BOTTOM that affect program, use The roof plan of the building. and space. 22 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

Wienerberger, a world leader in the manufacture of clay bricks and building products, has instituted an award that recognises exceptional brick architecture, encouraging sustainable values with the use of natural products.  Wienerberger, one of the largest manufactures of bricks in the world and the second largest producer of clay roof tiles in Europe, endeavours to create sustainable values with natural products. Since 2004, Wienerberger has honoured creative brick structures as well as their architects from all over the world with their 'Brick Awards'. These awards are held every two years in order to recognise the European brick architecture. On 3rd of April 2008, the Wienerberger Brick Award was held in Vienna presenting 21,000 euros (13 lakhs) as prize money. Thereby, Wienerberger through these awards acknowledged the undoubted role of bricks as an ecological and sustainable building material. Based on the building functionality, usage of materials and the external architectural design, the best projects were recognised. The panel of judges

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Brick Awards 2008

HR I SPOTLIGHT

Kolumba Museum, Cologne By Architect Peter Zumthor

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comprised of renowned international architects, architectural critics such as Lipa Goldstein, Mark Kalm, George Ferguson and Ryszard Jurkowski.

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Extension of Winery, Switzerland By Architect Bearth & Deplazes JANUARY 2009 HOME REVIEW 23

HR I SPOTLIGHT

They gave more emphasis to eco-friendliness and functionality of the building apart from clay usage and creative external architectural design. In the award held this time, a total of 255 projects from almost 19 countries were submitted by the architecture critics. From among the vast number of projects, the three winners selected belonged to Switzerland and Germany. Additionally, Netherlands and Finland were awarded special prizes. The winners also received an illustrated architecture book called 'brick 08' along with the award. This book featured 35 excellent brick buildings from all over the world apart from award winning projects. Part of this collectors tome was for the first time two articles from India, one an office building in Bangalore and the other an endeavour in contemporary Indian brick architecture by architect Anand Prakash. Peter Zumthor, the Swiss architect was the first prize winner for the Kolumba Museum. This museum secures a modest place in the middle of the city. The design is simply integrated in the building mass of a generic perimeter block. It's like a key performer that is standing in the background. Through this project, the architect built a museum that is home to a compilation of the archbishopric of Cologne. Peter Zumthor also allowed a house to develop this art collection which is both sacred and traditional. The second prize winners of 'Brick 08' were architects Bearth & Deplazes Architekten AG for the

extension of a winery in Fläsch in Switzerland. They made use of the speed of a robot and precision and the digital wall construction for this eccentric architecture. The project stylistically resembles a wine estate, a wall that appears to penetrate from larger than life grapes. An architectural gem comprising of technological beauty, the IT Building in Finland was the 3rd winning project. Designed by architects Tuomo Siitonen and Esko Valkama, this building is built with red bricks and seeming contradictions with its aesthetic atrium as an attraction grabber. This award winning building was constructed using the principles of sustainability that is very prominent in the architect's interior design and other work areas. The architect was successful in creating a userfriendly, eco-friendly and modern working environment which is artistic and lively at the same time. Lastly, the winners of the special category were the residential building in Morcote, Switzerland (Architect Markus Wespi, Jérôme de Meuron Architekten BSA) and the Headquarters of the Dutch WWF in the Netherlands (Architect T.M. Rau). The residential building in Switzerland is designed keeping harmony and the present time with the environment. This building is constructed of baked clay which is commonly used in traditional Ticinese architecture. Local traditions and landscape traces are evident in its interiors. Architect Rau did complete justice to technology and nature in every area of the Dutch WWF

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Residential Building, Switzerland By Architect Markus Wespi, Jerome De Meuron 24 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

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Headquarters of the WWF, Netherlands By Architect T.M. RAU ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

building. Carpet tiles fitted in the building were made from recycled jeans, gables of oregon pine and bamboo balustrades. Concrete was used as a granular material for this new building. With its 'phoenix', Rau has implemented the WWF's philosophy architecturally as a building which is fair to animals and nature, a unity between aesthetics and ethics. Hence with great success, the 'Brick Award 2008' was presided over by around 300 guests from countries such as North America, Europe and India. The award ceremony saw a delegation of Indian architects present for the very first time in Vienna. The renowned Indian architects present at this ceremony included Architect Tom Thomas (Principal Architect, Thomas Associates), Architect

Krishna Rao Jaisim (Principal Architect, Jaisim Fountainhead), Architect Kamal Sagar (Principal Architect, Shibani & Kamal Architects), Architects Mr. Suneet Paul (Editor- in-Chief, A+D), Ms. Clare Arni (Architectural Photographer), Architect V. Narasimhan (Managing Partner, Venkataramanan Associates), Architect Anand Prakash (Principal Architect, Archi-Technics), Architect Sanath Kumar Shetty and Architect Edgar Demello. The participation of Indian architects in this event also indicated the growing importance of contemporary Indian architecture and the rapid improvement in construction practices in the Indian subcontinent.. Contact Email: [email protected] Web: www.wienerberger.in 

Brick Awards 2008 First Prize: Kolumba Museum, Cologne Architect: Peter Zumthor Second Prize: Extension of a winery in Fläsch, Switzerland - Architects: Bearth & Deplazes Architekten AG Third Prize: IT building, Finland - Architects: Tuomo Siitonen, Esko Valkama Special Prize: Residential building in Morcote, Switzerland - Architect: Markus Wespi, Jérôme de Meuron Architekten BSA Special prize: Headquarters of the Dutch WWF in the Netherlands - Architect: T.M. Rau

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IT Building, Finland By Architects Tuomo Siitonen & Esko Valkama

JANUARY 2009 HOME REVIEW 25

HR I RESTOS BARS & SPAS

A Bed Bar in Berlin Bangaluu Club  The Bangaluu Club along with its restaurant 'Labor' is situated in Berlin-Mitte and is housed behind the historic edifice of the former Post Ofice of East Berlin. If you are looking for a chic and exclusive nightspot, then the Bangaluu is the place to be. The atmosphere is glamour defined in a unique style. The décor is predominantly pristine white, and complemented by crystal candleholders, white curtains and pure white sofas. Bangaluu is one of the capital's leading nightclubs, known for its one of a kind, spectacular party concepts, which keep its clientele growing. The restaurant, 'Labor' on the first floor of the Bangaluu club symbolizes the new art of club dining. The labaratory-like space of the restaurant bears a distinctly stylish design quotient. A culinary journey, through delicacies from all over the world is presented to the guests. But this is not all. As bite after bite, from excellently decorated plates is enjoyed, attention is also drawn to the delightful floor show, and anyone who cannot resist the urge to get up and dance, after the meal is encouraged to do so! The cuisine is predominantly fusion and molecular and the guests can avail of premium international fare on a pre-selected menu. The unique aspect of this place is that this culinary phenomenon can be experienced standing, seated or even lying down! After dining, guests can look forward to a free access to the legendary parties in progress at the Bangaluu club. The unisex washroom is a pioneering feature, which shares in the bold extravag -ance of the establishment. Bangaluu Club Invalidenstraße 30, 10115,Berlin Tel:+49 30 809693077 E-Mail: [email protected] Web: www.bangaluu.com 26 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

HR I RESTOS BARS & SPAS

North and South Indigo Cafe  Rahul and Malini Akerkar, who own and run South Mumbai's chic gourmet destinations, Indigo and Indigo Delicatessen, have now opened their latest venture in degustation, the Indigo Café. Located in the bustling suburb of Andheri, Mumbai, the 2,100 sq.ft. gourmet hub features an exciting menu catering to diverse tastes that opened to the public on Sunday, August 10, 2008. The menu features a complete range of sandwiches and burgers along with the most delectable Italian food. Freshly baked breads and pastries, desserts and much more are also on the menu. The Indigo Café is a concept envisioned by deGustibus Hospitality, aimed at breaking new ground in the art of easy, hassle free food. Designed by Samira Rathod, who was also the architect for the Indigo Delicatessen, this cafe truly spells class with its easy going ambience and chic vibe. From the classic BLT to a truly delicious roasted mushroom and tofu burger, this menu has something for everyone. It also has an all day "Breakfast Menu". Rahul Akerkar, Managing Director of deGustibus Hospitality, calls it, "casual dining without the fuss". He avers that it is simple, hearty food that is creative and well executed in a space that is warm and conducive to socializing and sharing. This all-day café promises to have its own identity that is yet very similar to the 'Indigo Delicatessen' in terms of the menu and some other elements. Knowing the management, the food is expected to be very creative and gourmet, already making the resto a big hit in this trendy suburb. Indigo Café,Plot No F/46, S.No. 41 (pt.), Oshiwara Village , Off Link Road Andheri (West), Mumbai 4000 053 Tel: (022) 2633 6262 28 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

HR I RESTOS BARS & SPAS

White Paradise Ikies Traditional Houses  The Ikies Traditional Houses complex is situated in the scenic settlement of Oia (Ia), on the northern tip of Santorini Island, Greece. It offers a magnificent view of the Aegean Sea and the Caldera area, which is especially impressive during sunset. Ikies consists of eleven maisonettes, studios and luxury suites, all of which are carved into the volcanic rock and are designed according to the Cycladic architectural style, in shades of bright white, with curves and arches. The area is a favorite destination of thousands of holiday makers, due to its unique architecture and stunning view of the volcano, the Caldera and the deep blue Aegean Sea. Santorini Island in Greece is considered by many people to be the most impressive and mesmerizing vacation destination. Its exquisite characteristics, many of which cannot be found anywhere else, keep beckoning tourists from all parts of the world. Ikies Traditional Houses Oia (Ia), 84702, Santorini (Thira), Cyclades Islands, Greece. Tel. +30 22860 71311, E-mail:[email protected]

30 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

bernd riechers  A tete-a-tete with Mr Bernd Riechers, Global Marketing Head, Hettich Group, who was recently on a visit to India. Offering a range of over 10,000 components, Hettich has become one of the finest and most trusted brands in the furniture fitting industry in India. Hettich India Pvt. Ltd. stands as one among the few companies in the country which make available products for all three segments-kitchen & bath, residential and office. Having started with your Indian operation almost 7 years ago, how would you describe the success of Hettich in India and what would you say has been the biggest challenge here? Being present in India for almost 7 years now, Hettich has witnessed an average growth rate of up to 60 percent year on year. We offer high quality products with a lifetime warranty and give importance to style and comfort with economical prices. The biggest challenge faced by us has been to interface with the tradesmen in India in terms of getting them accustomed to use our products. What we have observed is that the carpenters in India are not as well trained in comparison to other European countries. Hence, we are taking initiatives to provide them with the necessary training and are making all efforts to get them organised in terms of the skills required to work with good quality products. In addition, we are also training the craftsmen and contractors on how to install the desired

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HR I Q & A

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32 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

Mr. Bernd Riechers, CEO, Hettich Group

products perfectly. What would you say is the USP of Hettich's products? What plans do you have to ensure better value for the Indian consumer? Ours is a production company that offers products catering to all segments, right from the kitchen and bath to the service industry, office industry and the research sector. This is the USP of our products. We offer over 10,000 products with a life time warranty. To ensure better value for the Indian consumers, we make available the products as per the taste and requirement of our customers. We also offer reasonable variations in the price range giving the Indian consumers an opportunity to upgrade their product choices. In some categories, Hettich's products are priced at a considerable premium compared to those locally available. Going forward can we expect any rationalisation on the prize front? We offer our customers with a variety of innovative products compared to the ones locally available. Hence, price is not a significant factor if compared to the benefits Hettich's products offer. Fulfilling the desires of our customers, we offer the best quality, innovative products backed by a lifetime warranty.

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HR I Q & A

There recently has been an announcement that the company plans to set up Hettich certified kitchen studios across the country, could you elaborate on this initiative? The Hettich Kitchen Studios initiated by us will encompass high quality levels in its varying designs. In addition, we would endorse the products with a certification assuring its liability. To commence in 2009, the studios will put on view a complete range of kitchen solution under one roof. Offering a price range that starts from Rupees fifty thousand onwards; the Hettich Certified Kitchen Studios will provide the consumers with a variety of choices as per their requirements. In terms of manufacturing plans for India, when can we expect to see Hettich products locally made? At the moment, the plan is still awaiting a final approval. It's in the process of negotiation and we are keeping ourselves open to all opportunities. However, the final decision would be taken by the board. Looking 5 years down the line, what is your vision for Hettich as a company in India and how do you see it placed today?

As on today, we position ourselves as the leaders in the kitchen segment not only in India, but all over the world. We are also putting considerable efforts to consolidate our position by increasing our market share. Hettich has been well accepted by the Indian market and in the future we will like to establish a place for ourselves in other segments as well.

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JANUARY 2009 HOME REVIEW 33

HR I RETAIL THERAPY

Designer Neil Barrett's flagship store in Tokyo, is a contradictory yet stunning confluence of the classic and the modern. Designed in partnership with Zaha Hadid and Patrik Schumacher the store proclaims duality and is open to multiple interpretation.  If a store could actually duplicate the identity of the brand it represented and the design ethics of the products that it showcased, literally, then Neil Barrett's Tokyo flagship comes amazingly close. Based on his minimal aesthetic, that also runs through Barrett's clothing, the store interiors are replications of various design elements. Barrett, who had been planning to open a new shop in Japan for a while decided to debut in the Aoyama district in northern Tokyo, "If you can make it in Japan then you can make it anywhere. In fashion commerce it really is about Japan. The Japanese are vastly fashion conscious - it's hard to compare to anywhere else - and they pull off my designs so well. It is the perfect place to start beTHIS PAGE Furniture on fore rolling out the the ground floor of the designs to my other store is based on a shops," believes Barrett. 'masculine and dynamic The designer collabo- form', while the first floor rated with world re- is more feminine, with nowned architect, Zaha 'fluid contour lines'. Hadid to create this Photo Courtesy Virgile space. The duo teamed Simon Bertrand

34 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

HR I RETAIL THERAPY

up with Patrik Schumacher, a partner with Zaha Hadid to create a shop that shifts between architecture and sculpture, designed to parallel the same folding, pleating, cut-out and fixed-point design ethos utilized in the brand's clothing. "When we sat down to discuss what we were going to do, Zaha came up with a concept in the first ten minutes. She knew exactly what she wanted to do, and I loved it. It's just like when I design my collection - if I don't like the design right away then I throw it out. If it is not eye-catching enough to get someone's attention when walking past it on the racks then it's garbage. The design of this shop was equally instinctive - Zaha, Patrick and I were on the same page of what the shop needed to be about," said Barrett in an interview during the opening of the store. THIS PAGE This The original designs, interplay of the male and once drafted were female theme is further finalised and shaped by accentuated through 3D computer generated the contrast in colour models. These were then and finish of the white processed by the manu- matt Corian furniture facturer using advanced finish against a black software to thermoform  glossy floor. JANUARY 2009 HOME REVIEW 35

HR I RETAIL THERAPY

the Corian sheets into the 3D designed surfaces. According to Hadid, a series of these surfaces were fabricated with joints, ready to be assembled into larger sections on site to create the actual store. Using the latest 3D modelling and CNC programming solutions, the architects have tried to guarantee a very precise and automatic translation of the design into the built structure. It may not come through in the first glance, but on closer inspection and attention to finer details also brings forth the concept of the store which plays with the complementary characteristics and the related dualism between male and female. The design does not define a single room or space, instead the viewer finds that it creates a circular passage and the customer is allowed to experience the space in multiple ways and interpretations. This is also echoed in the furniture design on both floors especially through the formal language and tactile quality of the materials used. The furniture is staged in key points throughout the store to create the spatial concept of a narrow enclosure changing to an open condition. In two formal elements the design shifts between architecture and sculpture, where a compact mass of surface layers unravel and fold to form the shelving display and seating. The emerging folds are designed to showcase Barrett's accessory collection. The furniture piece on the ground floor is designed as a strong, masculine and dynamic form whilst the piece on the first floor enunciates femininity through more fluid contour lines. The first floor is designed in a more playful manner creating different zones that maintain the perspective view between them. This interplay between male and female is followed through in the general aesthetic concept, setting the furniTHIS PAGE A compact ture piece with a white mass of surface layers smooth Corian finish unravel and fold to form against the raw fair faced the shelving display for concrete surface of the accessories and the rest of the space. This is seating space.

36 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

further accentuated through the contrast in colour and finish of the white matt furniture finish against a black glossy floor. On the ground floor, towering, curved display racks anchored in the center of the vast space have a mystifying air. By contrast, the upper floor houses womens wear in a cozy space with lower ceilings, but an equally eclectic shelving system that folds and curves to create a circular, continuing space. According to Barrett, these architectural concepts will be rolled out to all of the brand's upcoming flagships worldwide to maintain the overall look of the store that replicates clothing details. 

HR I CULT PRODUCT

Acoustics often get treated as a requirement to be taken care of and seldom as a design element. Here, we feature acoustic panels that efficiently combine functionality and aesthetics.  Materials like glass, concrete and wood represent avant-garde architecture. Though these materials succeed in emphasizing the form and massing of the structure - typically around which the contemporary design revolves, they fail in providing good acoustic systems. Today, acoustic design is not just about gypsum boards and foam, it has become an integral part of space design. What follows is a discussion on a few acoustic solutions that perform as a design element by thoroughly enhancing the décor of any given space and simultaneously serve the function of sound control. Offecct Panels Offect is a Swedish company that develops and manufactures easy chairs, sofas, tables and accessories for meeting-places and home environments and lately, it has also been focussing on designing acoustic panels. Offect had given international designers the task of designing their own personal panels to find a solution to the constant struggle with acoustics in interior design work. The focus was heavily on design, that’s both attractive and of high quality, while also reducing noise levels in a functional way and enhancing the surroundings, whether in public spaces or in the home.

And the two outstanding designs that came through this exercise were Karim Rashid’s FLO and Marre Moerel’s Skyline. The panels are flexible, create artistic patterns and have some of the best noise-reducing capabilities on the market. FLO panels designed by Karim Rashid are ripple-like lightweight sound absorbers in the upper frequency range (500 Hz and above). These panels THIS PAGE TOP help reduce disturbing Karim Rashid designs a reflections of environmen- ripple like acoustic panel tal sounds. - FLO for Offect. Karim Rashid says BOTTOM Marre Moerel “When I created FLO I designs a patterned was inspired by sound panel for Offect. waves and digital data. The pattern of ‘Skyline’ People today live in a very offers the possibilty of digital world mentally, and different configurations we need to catch up for the wall. 38 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

HR I CULT PRODUCT

with experiential design in the physical world to create a balance. The FLO panels can be set continuously or broken off in different ways. Placed horizontally the pattern conveys a sense of water, and vertically it could be described as light waves,” says Karim Rashid. These panels are made from recyclable moulded polyester fibre and are available in off-white, grey, anthracite and fuchsia colours. Skyline is another new design that offers a completely different aesthetics than typical wall ornamentation and still has the acoustic properties of the others in the collection. Designed by Marre Moerel, the mesh offers an asymmetrical shape which allows for more variations of the installation. The wall panels can be combined in different ways to meet the needs of almost any room or environment. They can also be used to improve privacy in an open work area such as an office space or a restaurant. Soundwave series is another of Offecct's creation and is also made of recyclable moulded polyester fibre. Soundwave series comprise of four panel types- Luna, Scrunch, Swell and Swell Diffuser. This series of sculptural wall panels combine functionality and aesthetic and is specifically de- THIS PAGE TOP The signed to enhance the Airflake sound absorbing acoustic properties of any screen by Abstracta. interiors used for human BOTTOM Soundwave communication and series by Offect.

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HR I CULT PRODUCT

social interaction. While most acoustic products are concealed in the fabric of the interior, sound wave resembles 3D wallpaper, making acoustic control a visible dimension of design and easy to apply in existing interiors. Each panel in the Soundwave series is designed for a specific acoustic purpose. Successful acoustic design requires a good understanding of the acoustic properties of each panel type and a correct analysis of the needs of an interior and this series is designed keeping in mind the different acoustic needs. Airflake by Abstracta Decorative and functional sound absorbing screens called Airflake are a recent introduction by Abstracta. The Airflake wall coverings are moulded fibre felt panels that divide the space to add a more intimate feel at the same time gives an artistic touch. Designed by Stefan Borselius, this modular system is built around the shape of a hexagon in a variety of designs and colours, which can be freely combined to create the screen. It can be fixed to aluminium rails for mounting on walls or ceilings. Airflake News is a further development of the Airflake idea. Made from moulded polyester fibre, with laminated textile it has pockets that have the same sound absorbing function but can also be used to THIS PAGE Airflake is store magazines. Airflake modular sound absorbNews can also be ing screen introduced by combined with the Abstracta that acts as ordinary Airflake an aesthetical feature in a space. module.

Tides Restaurant, New York  Acoustics play a major role in a community space . New innovative ways and materials are sparingly explored but LTL Architects have come-up with an unique material to deal with the acoustics. Typically, in commercial fit-outs, ceilings often suffer great disservice as the forgotten elevation. Services coordination is easily overlooked, and materials rarely deviate from dry lining. Smoke detectors, light-fittings and sprinklers compete in misaligned unresolved grids, despite the fact that when seen through brightly-lit shop windows, free of merchandise, people and clutter, the ceiling is often the most prominent surface. Tides, a New York restaurant explores different configurations of bamboo. The designers invested a great deal of time in the consideration of the ceiling, providing an inverted acoustic topography that helps mediate what they considered to be an inappropriately proportioned space for a small intimate restaurant. The ceiling constitutes over 120 000 bamboo skewers (cut into three standard lengths) embedded into a back-lit acoustical ceiling. 42 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

HR I GO GREEN

Japanese firm Vector Architects have designed a temporary, easy-to-dismantle and environment-friendly house in Beijing that would be disassembled after 3 years.  Sustainability or green architecture is not just about structures that don't perish, it is also about materials that sustain wear and tear and can be reused for some other function or structure. With diminishing resources, re-cycling and re-use is one of the most favourable solution in the construction sector. In case of temporary structures the scope of re-use is considerably large. As against the general belief that temporary structures are stringently functional and aesthetically mundane, Vector Architects design a 500 square metre floating garden in Bejing, China for the temporary Guanganmen Green Technology Exhibit. This modern, sustainable structure in Beijing is a temporary showcase for THIS PAGE The sustainable residential building features grass design, wrapped in an panels and a green roof eco-friendly envelope of with integrated irrigation its own. The gorgeous systems. Vertical grass green-roofed structure is walls enveloping the situated in the central lawn steel structure help of a residential project by maintain heat efficiency China Resources Land while reducing heat gain Limited. Listed on the or loss.

44 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

HR I GO GREEN

Hong Kong Stock Exchange in November of 1996, China Resources Land Limited (CR land) is the real estate flagship of the China Resources Group. Its major business is development and management of residential and investment properties in mainland China. The design firm Vector Architects was recently established by partners with combined experiences in architecture design practice and real estate development. The firm pursues the fundamental simplicity and logical clarity through the everyday thinking and working process. It has a peculiar design philosophy, its process entails "designing the question", based on the consideration of the program and the clients need, and the understanding of social, cultural, historic, climate, and urban context of each project. They envision the idea of sustainability not only for the completed buildings in their operations, but also as a guidance of the design and construction process. In this temporary green technology exhibit the designers were asked to factor in three things while site selection: minimal impact of the designed landscape construction, minimal impact of planned pedestrian circulation and easy demolition and site recovery after use. "The idea is to develop the con- THIS PAGE TOP cept of "temporary" from RIGHT The aerial view a more meaningful per- of the Guanganmen spective, to design a Green Technology piece of floating "installa- Exhibit.TOP LEFT The tion" in the garden, which oblong form of the could be built, demol- temporary structure has ished and recycled random cut - outs for the through an easy and openings. BOTTOM straightforward way with The aesthetic interiors of the least impact to the the house add to the planned site," the  overall appeal of the JANUARY 2009 HOME REVIEW 45

HR I GO GREEN

designers explain. The building features grass panels and a green roof with integrated irrigation systems. Steel makes up the main structure and is reusable, and it's prefabricated so as to minimize site impact. The building will be used for three years as one of the CR Land's Residential projects. Set for deconstruction in 2011, the steel frames will be salvaged for future projects and the grass panels will be moved to a home on an adjacent fence at the residence compound after demolition. The elevated structure results in a reduction of excavation and foundation work; allowing easy demolition and site recovery after the project is completed. Vertical grass walls enveloping the steel structure help maintain heat efficiency while reducing heat gain or loss. This grass-panelling system that covers the structure's walls and roof also reduces storm water runoff and increases the green space in this urban centre. It also visually harmonizes the temporary structure with the existing garden. The elevation appears as an oblong form with random cut-outs along its length. The interior of the THIS PAGE TOP The structure is not neglected model of Guanganmen and exudes its own charm Green Technology as does the exterior. Af- Exhibit. ter three years time, this BOTTOM LEFT Earthy avant - garde marvel will colours are used for the be dismantled as sched- contemporary interiors of uled, but long after it's the house BOTTOM gone the conservational RIGHT Close - up of the principle behind its vertical grass panel that conception will remain.  are used for the walls.

Project Profile Location : Beijing. Client : CR Land. Architect: Design-partner-in-charge: Gong Dong. Managing-partner-in-charge : Hongyu Zhang. Project Architect : Shuo Li. Architect : FLing Xiang, Chao Li. Structure Engineer: Bo Song. MEP Engineer: Jianjun Lv, Xiaohui Zhong : C Kanglong Lian. Steel Structure, Grass Panel with integrated irrigation system Building Area : 500m2

46 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

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THIS PAGE The colours of the art work and the tones of the yellow Jaisalmer flooring are a rich contrast. The home has several long, narrow corridors ending in nooks where the bedrooms are located.

AN URBAN MONASTERY In a Mumbai beachfront property, architect-designer Ashiesh Shah brings the sea theme into play in a rather subtle way. The monotone palette and the simple materials used make it appear monastic rather than a beachy hideaway. TEXT BY DEEPALI NANDWANI • PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY THE ARCHITECT

M

umbai's famous beachfront, Juhu Beach was once synonymous with old world bunga lows. Now it has a rash of new buildings, some rising even 30 floors and above. Amidst the modern skyscrapers, however, stands a modest contemporary building belonging to one family. It has replaced a bungalow but unlike the other towering apartment blocks and buildings surrounding it, it's two floors high and has a basement. The home is located in an area known for fancy homes owned by Mumbai's lotus eaters, particularly the movie stars. In a clean break from the surroundings, however, designer Ashiesh Shah has THIS PAGE The living eschewed the 'put in room of the house is whatever money can buy' fringed in by French attitude and designed it windows that offer a like a clean, minimal view of the sea. urban monastery. Like BOTTOM The art any monastery it's got the works, antiques and art. It's also got timber sculptures all come from furniture from Ladhakh the collection of the a n d Por t u g u e s e - s t y l e owners who are avid pieces from Goa. But the collectors and also have lines are clean and linear, a home in Ladakh.

the colours are monotone grey and white, the materials used are raw and earthy, and the emphasis is on no-ornamentation. Shah came in at a stage when the inner spaces had to be designed. Architecturally, it was all complete an empty shell with spaces clearly demarcated. The home has several little hidden nooks and corners used for creating seating. Long corridors and passageways lead to rooms that are hidden from the eyes. There is also an elevated outer space, a wooden deck surrounded by neatly manicured lawns and swaying palm trees, which opens to the sea and is separated THIS PAGE Shah has from the living room on subtly used the sea the ground floor by sheer theme. There are several curtains. There are shell accessories placed several coconut trees in all over the house and the compound of the sea shells have even house and the wooden been embedded in the deck is built in a way that walls in some parts. it either skirts them or BOTTOM The home revolves around them. has an elevated outer The ground and first space, a wooden deck level are connected with that opens up to a stone a simple wood and glass platform and the sea.

stairway that has cantilevered steps. The owners enter the home through the living room on the ground level. On the top floor are the private spaces - bedrooms and a guest room. Right below lies the basement, where Shah has created a light-well. It's a simple square space that's topped by a skylight. THIS PAGE TOP The Light streams in through colours used in the this little intervention in home are muted and the ceiling all through the soft so as not to take day. Fringing the away from the stunning light-well is a narrow beauty of the outside. courtyard open to the There is a certain sky. A symbol of fertility romantic quality to the and prosperity drawn décor as is obvious from from Hindu mythology the Goan four-poster has been etched on the bed, the white curtains courtyard ground. "I have and the old photograph tried to incorporate placed on a table. mythology within BOTTOM An ancient design, without making side table from the the space seem overtly family’s antique furniture ethnic," says Shah.  collection.

THIS PAGE The dining table is part of the living room space. To bring that feel of a tropical home or beach house to this corner, Shah has put in a banana plant. The table too is in the shape of a banana leaf.

A glass pane separates the courtyard from the basement light-well, where a collection of art and antiques belonging to the family is on display. It makes for a perfect retreat on a rainy day. "The view is stupendous," says Shah, "so the easiest thing would have been to make it look like a beach THIS PAGE TOP house. But it also had to Some of the walls have look urban, like it be- been plastered with IPS longed in Mumbai. There cement and appear had to be an unfinished. The combielement of practicality: nation of raw grey walls the doors needed to be and antique furniture locked because we are in goes well with the a city and not on some overall modern yet island.The home had to ethnic theme of the be kid-friendly, since the house. BOTTOM The view of the courtyard family has two." The easiest way to do which is open to the sky that was by rounding off and fringes the basethe edges of the custom- ment. The floor motif made furniture. and brass urli represents However, Shah has ex- peace and prosperity in tended those rounded Hindu mythology.

THIS PAGE The basement below has a glass wall that offers a view of a narrow courtyard topped by a skylight through which streams in natural light all through the day.

edges to the walls as well. Where the wall meets the ceiling, you notice gently-rounded edges. The designer has subtly used the sea theme across the house - the master bathroom has shell accessories; sea shells have been embedded in the walls in some parts of the house and in the master bedroom, a 19th century four-poster bed has been placed in front of large windows that offer a stunning sea-view. The home reflects Shah's monastic concept through the use of materials and colours - wood, Crema - an Italian marble with matt finish, yellow Jaisalmer stone and a grey-white colour palette makes it look, as he says, "art gallery-ish". The grey works well with the greyish-green colour tones of the Arabian Sea. Some of the walls have been plastered with IPS cement and appear raw or unfinished. Sunrays stream in THIS PAGE The oak through the expansive wood kitchen is rather windows, especially in small but a cosy space the living room, creating located in a corner of the a fascinating play of light lower floor. 56 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

and shadow on the walls. The owners of the home have a collection of contemporary art, including works by Navjot, Rekha Rodwittiya and Justin Ponmany, which is on display. Like any good home by the sea this Juhu bungalow too is elevated, which helps secure the house and keeps it from getting flooded when the monsoons are heavy, which is more often the case in Mumbai. Like a lot of well-designed beach houses, this one too has a front patio and large, floor-to-ceiling windows, affording a sea view from every part of the house. "Generally, I like to go beyond just designing spaces," says Shah. "I like to pick up the accessories, furnishings, china and the tableware. But here I have dipped into the art and antique collection of the family, which spans several centuries and genres. There were sculptures and paintings and ancient carpets to pick from." Clever construction techniques make possible a variety of private spaces that are hidden behind closed doors. An understated décor style keeps the stunning ambience at the core of the design.

THIS PAGE Simple local materials make the floors and walls. Varsha and Deepak Guggari try to avoid the tendency to adopt hi-tech, foreign materials without really trying to use what’s available locally for example there is an extensive use of Basalt stone and sleeper wood in the house.

A LOCAL FLAVOUR Pune based architects Varsha and Deepak Guggari of VDGA create an architectural marvel built on a grid program, amalgamating inexpensive locally available materials with innovative thinking. TEXT BY PAULOMI PATEL • PHOTOGRAPHS HEMANT PATIL COURTESY THE ARCHITECTS

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t first sight of the Patil House, oxymorons abound. Contemporary and classical. High-end style, low-end specifications. And most important, versatility. This house is an out-come of permutations and combinations of spaces in sections. There's a visual continuity between the spaces that make the area look like it is interwoven, as a result, the visual connect, causes the entire house to have a seamless flow of space. Designed by Varsha and Deepak Guggari, the 5,500 sq. ft. house stands in the Clover Pinnacle Ridge area in Kondhwa, Pune. "In any structure, or while building any house, the materials are very important, but what's foremost is the space on which the house will stand, the surroundings and the overall ambience - this forms the soul of the house that ultimately affects the design," says architect Deepak Guggari. Both Deepak and his wife Varsha, who started their practice together some five years ago, are alumni of Prince Shivaji College of Architecture in Kolhapur. The Patil House, owned by Guggaris' close friends Pravin and Pallavi Patil, was amongst their first projects. It took about 18 months to be completed and the approximate cost of the project was around Rs. 1.5 crores. As we enter the house, an alley with sleeper wood

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THIS PAGE The imposing linear form of the structure - there are lawns adjoining the house on all sides. OPPOSITE PAGE Another view of the outer façade. BOTTOM A mosaic wall adds an element of interest and reflects sunlight from one of the balconies of the Patil House.

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pergolas filter in just the right amount of light casting sciographies and exhibiting an interesting play of shadows around our moving bodies, marking the main entrance. The shadows, in fact, are a prominent feature all through the house, caused mainly by the interesting use of light. "Most places in India are blessed with beautiful natural light and I wanted to play with this free resource while creating this place," says Guggari. The house almost charts the time of day and the changing seasons through the play of light THIS PAGE The and shadow on its walls. staircase leading to the It is a space that adapts first level; like the rest of and reinvents itself. The the interiors it’s kept effect - an almost bare and in all-white glamorously eerie feeling colour scheme not of depth and light - breaking away from the creates forms on the overall ambience. otherwise bare walls BOTTOM The view almost like moving from the dining room paintings that respond to diplays the staircase the inhabitants inside the that leads to the upper house and change shape floor while the adjoining with the changing pool casts beautiful natural light outside, reflections. 60 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

thus compensating for any static art installation. While walking through the alley, we get a view of the Zen Buddha courtyard. Long bamboo shoots at the entrance of this courtyard welcome us even as they metaphorically tie up the vertical volume of the house. Again, the shadows cast by their leaves make excellent wall embellishments while their rustle adds subtleness to the overall ambience. Speaking about the obvious emphasis on natural elements as eye-catching ornamentation Guggari comments, "One of my biggest style philosophy is to use as much natural material as possible. With technological devel opments worldwide, THIS PAGE To balance there exists an easy the external, natural tendency to go for hi-tech, elements that adorn the foreign materials, often house, the interiors have without really trying been kept minimal. what's available locally. I BOTTOM Across the am not adverse to living room, there is the technology, but I do prayer-room, divided by believe in exploring the a rectangular pool full potential of the flanked by very inviting materials that are available basalt steps on the to me naturally and  sides. JANUARY 2009 HOME REVIEW 61

locally, before using high-end international items. Not only are the local options often cost-effective, but there's a beauty is their simplicity that seems to be overlooked." The fact that more architects go for the former, also makes local items one-off, adding a 'different' look to the interiors. Moving into the house, the ground floor has the living room, flanked on two sides by beautiful landscape creations. Across the living room, there is the prayer-room, divided by a rectangular pool THIS PAGE The view flanked by very inviting of the entrance and Zen basalt stone steps on the Buddha courtyard as sides. Together, the prayer seen from the living room and adjoining area:the sleeper wood water body create a pergola casts an feeling of sanctity in the interesting set of otherwise modern setting shadows in the entrance of the house. What's court. BOTTOM The more, the house is con- water body in front of structed such that most the Puja room crafts a corners overlook this perfect ambience and central water body. the black basalt stone On the eastern side, steppers in the water the dining area faces the body complete the look. 62 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

lawn. Another smaller pool adjoining the staircase catches the reflections and as we travel up the staircase to the next level, it becomes obvious how natural elements have been used to their best advantage in this house. On the first level, the master bedroom includes a court that opens up an interesting vista and introduces a lot of freshness and natural light into the room. This court is a prominent feature and negates the need for any superficial adornment. There is an abundant use of glass throughout and the THIS PAGE Solid toilet walls too are re- coloured furnishings placed by glass that visu- complement the natural ally open up the space. elements that play the To balance the exter- feature role in the house. nal natural elements, the BOTTOM A natural interiors have been kept light well in the master minimal and the bedroom not just makes furniture simple, coupled this house eco-friendly, with colourful fabrics for but also works well as a soft furnishings that spec- design element because tacularly set off the look, of the way it integrates a concept that repeats in with the overall scheme the entire house. of the house. JANUARY 2009 HOME REVIEW 63

THIS PAGE A side view of the courtyard there is a fascinating emphasis on natural elements and stunning details. BOTTOM Floor plans of the Patil House.

In the family room, on the first level, the ambience changes to that of a darker variety - necessary for the theatre that the room houses. In addition, a table converted from an original camel-cart accompanies lose cushions and beanbags that are spread randomly across the wooden floor adding to the cozy-casualness of the room. Another interesting feature of the house is that all the interior walls are devoid of any colour, which is reflected in the house only through furnishings and artifacts. Only one type of veneer is used which accentuates the simplicity. The flooring has been adorned with low-cost marble and rough hammer tone cudappah complimenting the rest of the materials. According to Guggari, the entire house has been built on a grid (X-axis - 12ft; Y-axis - 8ft). "Since my college days, I have been very fascinated about grids and the way a concept can be developed on them. Even a simple plan has a great potential and a good grid guarantees a perfect final product," he says. He also emphasizes that he does not prefer to follow any particular style of architecture. "Doing so can kill my own potential. I want to be flexible so I look at different styles, but finally our own style is always an amalgamation. Each project that Varsha and I take up is like a first project and before delving into it, I become a child who is looking at the entire gamut of architecture and interiors for the first time." Looking at the Patil House, Godspeed we say! 64 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

THIS PAGE Globally overlapping interior design touches reveal themselves in this niche leisure cum reading room. Circa 1928 chairs designed by Mies van der Rohe occupying place of pride in the library. OPPOSITE PAGE TOP The structure looks like a skewed box that has emerged from the use of composite materials like wood and concrete. BOTTOM An aerial view of the courtyard bound by a ramp, stairs and a lift at its corners.

ECLECTIC LIVING Matharoo Associates create a customized and contemporary residence with a soul, drawing influences from the work of Japanese design guru Tadao Ando. TEXT BY DEEPANJOLIE FIGG• PHOTOGRAPHS JOGINDER SINGH COURTESY MATHAROO ASSOCIATES

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hmedabad based Matharoo Associates were cho sen by a successful diamond-cutter for his Surat home because of their distinctive design philosophy and ability to design and deliver amazing geometrical curves, combining these with immense functionality in private living areas. "The client wanted ‘the ultimate space’ created and that's what we gave him," revealed Principal Architect, Gurjit Singh Matharoo. That their creativity is unrestricted by budget largesse or limitations - and dependent on a client's primary wishes and needs is made very clear by Matharoo, who says at the very onset, "I always stick to the brief - it is important to keep the client's likes and dislikes in mind besides their needs, more so for a residential project. Yes, I do have a definite contemporary style but functionality is never compromised and neither is the beauty of the space." The very structure of the stylish, modernist and rather elitist Shah House in Surat, Gujarat, for 40year old Parag Shah and his 5 member family (a textile designer wife, a college going son, an autistic son and elderly parents) was defined by the migrant businessman decisively wanting to block out the typical Indian city sounds, smells and sights. The last includes two of Parag Shah's pet peeves - a low-slung, gray block and a multi-storied concrete tower. Both these eyesores for the client caused him to wish his home should be far-removed in 'design sensibilities' that he believed most Indian homedesigners and buildings were seriously lacking in; these, Parag felt, took a lot away from the advanced aesthetics - he personally preferred to base his home plan on his favourite architect, Tadao Ando (Japan), a Pritzker prize winner's vision! The story of the Shah house unfolds with the discerning client's wish for converting his 3000 sq.mts, odd-shaped plot in Surat into a personalized, highly evolved and exclusive housing space that would reflect refined, fresh, innovative and international flavours that also absorb innately Indian family needs for a small, social and highly cultured residential group spanning three generations and their huge collection of art! The cross-border interior design touches to the Shah house come courtesy varied influences for both client and designer; there is clear evidence of heavy inspiration having been derived from Ando's Japanese genius for using light across smooth concrete structures as well as his master strokes - including nature into the house-plan, (which Matharoo Associates have also emphasized upon for the Shah house as our support graphics reveal). Additionally, assorted European design embellishments both Gurjit Matharoo and Parag Shah jointly sourced from around the globe on various business trips are also worth a look. Of special mention JANUARY 2009 HOME REVIEW 67

THIS PAGE Apart from the stylish, stainless-steel cooking island and the wood-clad walls, the kirchen is well-equipped with other amenities like, ovens, deep freezers and microwaves, making it a chef’s delight to work in! OPPOSITE PAGE A sky-lit Jacuzzi in the basement area of the Shah House; additional mood lighting provides the intimate touch when needed while a concrete pillar dominates the rest of the setting. 68 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

here, would be, that the home's 'style sourcing' for furniture was pegged at over $100,000 (fixtures and fittings)! With both designer and client having business interests spread across Europe, it proved easy enough to combine trips for attending to these along with a bit of home décor shopping. As a consequence, the Rem Koolhaas dining table of glass and steel makes for designer dinner times, with a Poul Henningsen plastic PH Artichoke lamp well at home perched atop it - indicating Danish design authority recognized by a pair of young men with high style quotients - while circa 1928 chairs designed by Mies van der Rohe claim place of pride in the library (a floor above the dining area). These eclectic home fashion ideas draw attention to a subtle and urbane residential atmosphere that is a point of coming together for chic approaches of international origin fused in the Shah home, as the German touch assuages earlier domination of Oriental or distinctly Indian influences here. As far as the client's clear inclination towards everything with a Tadao Ando touch is concerned, it JANUARY 2009 HOME REVIEW 69

THIS SPREAD The bedroom covered with Burma teak gives a warm touch to the cool concrete slabs that comprise the walls, while Kadapah floors absorb the restricted sunlight that enters the dressing area outside the bathroom. OPPOSITE PAGE Clever use of both lifesize wall art and smaller choices of oil paintings displayed in the central part of the Shah home.

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is very obvious - albeit in a restrained manner - thanks to the convergence of essential Indian materials e.g. the concrete pillar in the basement, the black stone (Kadapah) flooring and rough, red sandstone courtyard (reminiscent of Rajasthani houses) with the vital technique of the famed Japanese architect e.g. the Church of Light, Osaka, which is the understated muse for this Matharoo Associate's creation - the Shah House! Light forms flit across vast areas of the home unhindered by tall, overpowering home décor accents. Most of these are elegant in simplicity when they are not making spiritually powerful statements. A sophisticated, urbane and utilitarian stainless steel cooking island flanked by deep freezers, ovens and microwaves in the kitchen is most appreciated by Meeta, the young wife. Lighter, elemental touches wing across other connecting spaces of the Shah House, such as the corridor where stalks of bamboo whisper low across narrow channels of water that mirror the late afternoon sun's beams off polished black stone floors. Italian travertine in the drawing room, almond trees

in the outdoor pavilion area across and a double concrete skin encasing of the house (to ensure cool interiors) make for other aspects of the Shah House's fundamental design concept - that of blending nature into the sub-continentally situated space, which wears its ancestral roots from Rajasthan (red sandstone open courtyard scheme that allows for free-flowing family gatherings in private, intimate and comfortable surroundings) well as it does its other design highlights. Bedrooms clad in Burma teak (5 in number) lend the Shah home its share of natural warmth; light spilling into various parts of the house from the roof cheers up glass strips within especially delighting the boys, Siddharth 17, and Sumeet, 10, who have their bedroom windows opening to the courtyard in the heart of the house from where the waving stalks of bamboo do the rest of the soul-speak - as intended! If one hums a bar of two of 'Make the world go away' in the Shah House courtyard, it wouldn't be out of place considering that's exactly what the client brief desired and that's what was achieved by the design team. The Shah House's notional centre - its JANUARY 2009 HOME REVIEW 71

courtyard and tree - is enclosed by vertical circulation elements like a ramp, stairway and even a lift that frees up a lot of space for a clean, green and a relaxed living environment for assorted family activities even as the rough concrete shell around these inner areas serves as a climatic and social buffer between the inside world and the one outside. As Mr. Matharoo says, "My design approach is not based on fashion but on something more fundamental - the need to create environments that are customized for clients. I like to build less, build with nature and create spaces, which will emote. These should be spaces that are restrained so that they give a sense of discovery to those looking at them." His design approach to the Shah House reiterates this essential philosophy: with its 'wall to wall' Haveli home construction style so visibly pointing to those built in Northern Gujarat (from where the family originates), merging of distinct spaces that convene business meeting needs with family use functionality and the requirement for each resident here for their own private domain being catered to while also managing to overlap these with vital common areas. So, while site lines are irregular and angular to the point of leaving rectangular margin areas, the design approach, as an attempt at generating a skewed box of wood-form finish reinforced concrete in a bid to ward off externally disturbing forces, has definitely been a 72 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

successful one for both Matharoo and Shah. The courtyard is this core space in this home that has been rightly identified as its cosmic axis. This is so because the lone tree in the courtyard serves as the navel of all energy concentrations for residents - Parag's mother may retire to the cosiness of her bedroom occasionally, but returns to chat with her daughter right outside her room while her elderly spouse prefers to watch the evening come upon him while sitting near the lift where the warmth generated by its heated shaft takes away some of the nip that accompanies dusk. Hence, the primary idea of all radiating site lines converging into this lone tree in the courtyard is what has actually worked more for bringing a harmoni- THIS PAGE A view of ous confluence of indi- the courtyard from the vidual private needs formal living room is within the Shah House ample evidence of the more than all the homage he has crecritically acclaimed pieces atively managed to pay of furniture (outsourced to his favourite architect, from the best design firms Tadao Ando. From from Italy and elsewhere) imaginative use of light or even the customized blended with smooth essentials for doing up concrete to soft natural their kitchen, gym, doors forms filling the open and gates, we declare. courtyard.

CABIN CLASS A true-blue Rústico Retiro that allows its architect-owners the quietude of a holiday home and a space to embrace the ocean. TEXT BY DEEPANJOLIE FIGG • PHOTOGRAPHS CARLOS FERRER, ALVARO RAMIREZ AND CLARISA ELTON.

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or Chilean architects Alvaro Ramirez and Clarisa Elton, their personal needs for restorative holi daying and professional inspiration for combining architectural aesthetics with environmental dialogue in a natural, contemporary yet minimal way proved to be the guiding force behind their contemporary cliff-top cabin in Buchupureo, Chile. Granting residents a breath-taking view of the Chilean coast, this rustic retreat is located on a secluded coastal strip in the central-south of Buchupureo, (VIII región del Bío-Bío of the Northwest Territories). It has been designed in a manner that integrates both the local respect for indigenously available and traditionally preferred materials although, these were given an unconventional twist. The roof design of the cabin is particularly significant in terms of traditonally popular materials being used in an alternative way. Lime stone is regarded as quite a protagonistic element among local "architecture materials," it has only been used to build walls (a common style in Ireland, the designers reveal); never been used as a roof covering as the Alvaro-Moletto team have reinvented it as being useful for! The roofing was one of the many architecturally salient features Alvaro and Clarisa achieved for their rústico retiro; others include design concepts like the cabin being perched on exposed stilts (a feature that reduces the project's intervention into the soil), its distinctive shape and its position (on a steep slope) 74 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

that reduces environmental impact through minimal excavation as the elevated arrangement allows for the free flow of water beneath the structure. The cabin plan combines 3 different living conditions into its compact and utilitarian form in a manner that promotes maximum functionality with minimum fuss. At the fundamental level of design planning, the Casa blueprint lay the firm grounding for the cabin to include a room with a bathroom, an open space meeting the kitchen area and keeping the terrace in the middle to serve as the articulator of both these main spaces. All these sections within the cabin afford a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. The open space leading up the kitchen serves as a welcome zone for entertaining and interacting with extra 'guest spill-overs' while the hosts attend to kitchen chores; its modern residential design scheme intends fashion to occasionally take-over from functionality but never deviates from utilitarian grounds as the brightly coloured deck-chairs, the white foot stools made from pine trees (designed by the architect duo), the otherwise regular-looking dining chairs (courtesy Home Depot) that were given a dash of red paint at their feet by the designers themselves - "just to perk them up a bit!" so clearly show. The architect-owners of the cabin have been profesionals since 2002 and hail from Santiago, the capital of Chile, travelling often to this area "to enjoy the rustic life and the natural enviroment of this area,

THIS PAGE A view of the pine-wood cabin from the bottom of the cliff it is perched on. OPPOSITE PAGE Casa Buchupureo’s aerial view displaying the resourceful use of locally available materials in an alternate way as limestone (Laja) restricted for building walls finds itself serving as roof covering.

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just six hours away by car but favorable more as a weekend getaway or summer vacations, since work-life at the office is demanding, too," revealed Alvaro. "The cabin is used seasonally, from late August to beginning of May, but we occasionally use it in winter too; it was designed more as a summer retreat. A temperate climate, characterized by four clearly demarcated seasons - lots of rain during winter, a healthy mix of sun-and-rain in spring and plenty of sun and wind during summers made us decide on the cabin's northward orientation while the roofing element of the cabin helps to maximize the sunglight received all-day long. The limestone on the terrace provides protection from the chill-factor of southern winds during summer and we have included a simple, yet effective heating system in the living area," elaborates Alvaro. (An old-style "wood cooker" stove facilitates heating as well as cooking while the bedroom has the classic wood stove). The bathroom, done up in pure pine wood, is a peaceful, private rejuvenating spot for the residents: "Yeah, the bathroom is a special place for us. In all our projects, we put some detail in material that gives a unique "ambience", in this case we chose only wood as the main covering material, the exception was the tub area, which we covered with limestone. The  76 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

THIS PAGE Mixed décor accents fill up this cozy cabin space and a part of the outside environment seeps into the warmth of the kitchen, dining and lounge area via the glass window. OPPOSITE PAGE Clarisa absorbing the rejuvenating sights and sounds of the ocean ahead and its contextual dialogue with the homely, yet unconventional design of her cabin bound by the expansive environment enclosing it.

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washbasin is actually a wood salad bowl hand-crafted by men from the south of Chile; they worked this way with wood from the humid forest. It's still working!" The loyalty to the local touch is in evidence in the couple's luxurious bedroom-ensuite as well, as Alvaro revealed, "We designed the bedspreads; they were produced in a village close to Buchupureo and we specified the black strips were to be alternated with raw color." Clarisa's creative hobby-crafting occupies place of pride in their private space and Alvaro underlines the fact that though a house is made of bricks, a home is built up of many, small personal touches as he tells us "Well, we bought the lamps - typical Japanese paper lamps...Clarissa made the macrame wall hanging." Though it is designed much along the lines of a modern country cabin, Alvaro and Clarisa's holiday home allows them to stay connected with their ethnic roots much in part due to the fact that its location is so unique, their green surroundings that are part of a bio-reserve and also because of their personal beliefs: "Our designs beliefs are that architecture has to be a close dialogue with the enviroment. We try to print this idea in all the designs we make." Alvaro elucidates, " We were very clear about the position of the cabin before we had the budget to do 78 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

it, it was a little and protected "corner" before the cliff begins...a place that faces the north, which has a lot of local vegetation too. These were important points to consider for conceptualizing the cabin design, especially in the way that the cabin joins the slope; that's why we considered pillars as the main structure - so as not to ruin the "flora" and ensure we are always sourrounded by it. The other consideration was the panoramic view - being closer to the waves and ultimately, to the infinite ocean." Thus, the project was implemented taking into consideration the sportive (Alvaro is happy surfing in summer), the tranquil (Clarisa is content drinking in the calm of the view from her cabin's sit-out) and the scenic possibilites (their guests confess to never getting enough of the renewing sounds and sights of the vast ocean view) of living along a remote coastal trail where the tremendous surge of the ocean waves conducts a contextual dialogue with the structural design of the cabin and the expansive environment enclosing it. With such clear-cut design concepts governing the minds of the creators, it was no wonder that the cabin project was wrapped up in a mere 6 months of construction work starting on it - a fact that also enabled the architect-owners to work up a fabulously affordable, functional and environmentally-friendly 

THIS PAGE A partial view of the glassenclosed sit-out underlines the fact how the natural timber of the framework blends with the colours of the cliffface in a innately personal manner, integrating the building into the landscape elements and its interiors. OPPOSITE PAGE LEFT The close up of the Laja - clad roof. RIGHT The compact, peaceful ambience of the softly-lit bathroom at Casa Buchupureo that is all it promises to be is done up in pure pine wood.Its highlight is the wood salad bowl washbasin, hand-crafted by men from the south of Chile.

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THIS PAGE The local stone Laja used to cover roof, was thought of as an element of both local architecture and landscape elements blending the building into the rocky shores below. Conversely the view up from the beach sees the timber framework match the colours of the cliff face. BELOW The section and the plan of the cliff house - Casa Buchupareo

retreat in approximately USD 15,000 for the 55m2 Casa Buchupureo project. Most of the structural elements of the cabin, including external and interior cladding, are left open to view and have been created from locally available wood but treated according to the roles they have to play. For example the pillar structures and beam pieces have been treated differently so they provide protection against moisture while the interior cladding has been brushed and left un-treated as precipitation is insignificant inside, but the external cladding has been painted with carbolineum for maximum resistance to natural elements. Locally preferred materials like Laja stone and wood that dominate architecture in the region (most fences in the area are built with laja stone and mud and many re-use old house floors for extra support and to economize on construction values) have been used innovatively for the roofing structure in Alvaro and Clarisa's Buchupureo cabin, where the V-shaped roof detaches itself from the wall designs towards the front and rear of their home to let in light, warmth and a considerable sense of spaciousness. While the Laja stone serves as a protective cladding on the roof, it is also a mark of cultural adaptation and natural connectivity as it integrates the building to its rocky beginnings and when viewed from the beach, the natural timber framework of the cabin blends in with the colours of the cliff-face - a homecoming of all visual, structural and emotive experiences!  80 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

THIS PAGE The overall scenario is that of a dominant floor plane with darker and heavier materials, while the pivoting/ rotating surfaces that reconfigure spaces, are at different times, based on the use of lighter/ translucent materials to create a dialectic ambience. OPPOSITE PAGE The fluoroscent green chair in the living area comes through as an element of awe in an otherwise neutralised setting.

BLURRED BOUNDARIES Architectural firm MO-OF and reputed fine artist Bose Krishnamachari blend the best of art and design to create a home that juxtaposes panache with temperance. TEXT BY SAVITHA HIRA•PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY THE ARCHITECTS MO-OF

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hen two creatives merge their individualistic sensibilities, the resultant 'work of art' either follows a dominant-submissive line of thought or converges at a point of harmonic synergy. Reputed fine artist Bose Krishnamachari's residence in suburban Mumbai is a fine example of the latter, as his artistic nuances mingle with those of his architects and designers Shantanu Poredi and Manisha Agarwal. Refurbishing Bose' residence entailed connecting two one-bedroom apartments to create a large twobedroom home with an open landscaped terrace. Needless to say, the apartment was to be a projection of his artistic leaning and lifestyle. Following a brief that underlined minimum clutter as its foremost requisite and envisaged a one-ness with nature, the spaces are designed to flow into each other with a conscientious juggling of essential partitions and the apartment stylised in an unusual juxtaposition of form, colour and texture. Working on a premise that goes beyond the physical plane, the designers and the artist establish a dialogue that seeks to meet the aesthetic apparent of both. An open-plan schematic is endorsed by the homeowner's user patterns, and a flexibility of spaces is achieved by shifting and sliding surfaces; folding planes of enclosure to expand and combine spaces of living based on their function and programmatic specificity. Further, hinging and pivoting objects (suspended T.V) and furniture (Murphy bed) allow for enhanced flexibility as the design seeks to dissolve the hermetic distinctions that are generic to a Mumbai apartment format. JANUARY 2009 HOME REVIEW 83

The home is announced via the characteristic and charismatic bold strokes of a Bose painting on the entrance door. The apartment then unfolds through an amalgamation of audacious, commanding elements viz., a parrot-green acrylic chair, large sculptural centrepiece in natural fibre, yet another in black granite, a quaint coat hanger… forming distinct pockets of interest and interpretation. Individual vistas attract and then merge into each other creating a holistic inclusion; indoors become one with the outdoors as large bay windows sustain awareness of the terrace beyond. Form, colour, texture and materials vie for attention, simultaneously, yet communicate restraint in the viewer. To capture the essence of Bose' work, the entire home is treated with a backdrop of dull metallic hues against which are juxtaposed vibrant shades of joie de vivre and chiaroscuro elements that bathe the apartment with a touch of whimsy. Creating a dominant ground plane is the flooring in engineeredwood and copper-finished metallic vitrified tiles, that connects the entire house homogenously. A vibrant use of colours that are so integral to Bose' art are the next most significant element that catch the eye, bouncing off with the play of natural and artificial 84 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

THIS PAGE The use of bright and bold colours is a clear reflection of Bose’s influence in the space OPPOSITE PAGE TOP An element of awe in an otherwise neutralised setting. BOTTOM The kitchen is conceptualised as a semi-privy space and is enclosed via a doublelayered brush-finished stainless steel perforated screen that shifts to allow for inclusion rather than exclusion of spaces.

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THIS PAGE TOP The master bedroom has a platform bed with a ledge running on three sides.

light creating varying hues. Likewise, silver leaf-work on the wardrobe with back-lit translucent glass contrasts with rich colours, leading to an overall scenario that holds the dominant floor plane with darker and heavier materials, while the shifting/ pivoting/ opening/ rotating surfaces that reconfigure spaces, are at different times, based on the use of lighter/ translucent materials to create a dialectic ambience. Seamless and easy to maintain materials ensure functionally dedicated spaces whilst the major area is left roomy. The bay windows connecting livingdining areas to the terrace account for an expansive unified space ideal for a large gathering. Taking the inside-outside premise a step further, the simple furniture is effectively added on to through a wide seat in one of the bay windows. On a similar principle of connectivity, the kitchen is conceptualised as a semi-privy space and is enclosed via a siding shutter that opens up partially or completely to fulfil situational demands. Incidentally, this shutter extends to the master bedroom too providing it with a ditto treatment. These double-layered brushfinished stainless steel perforated screens shift and combine to allow for inclusion rather than exclusion 86 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

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Bose Residence Borivili, Mumbai Radhika and Bose Krishnamachari MO-OF, Shantanu Poredi and Manisha Agarwal Mangala Shetty 1300 Sqft MO-Of Team January 2006 July 2006

of spaces as desired. The concept of visually expanding the existing 1300 sq. ft. area of the apartment was initially to be highlighted through canopied shutters for the terrace where the living room was to open into the terrace via top-hung mechanized doors powered by hydraulic pumps; regrettably, this did not prove very pragmatic. However, the resultant spatial configuration with the use of bright and bold colours

THIS PAGE TOP The roomy living room connects with the terrace through large bay windows. Select accessories anoint the area. . BOTTOM Another view of the colourful living space.

is a clear reflection of Bose's influence in the space. In fact, Bose helped determine the palette of colours of each space and element. The client-designer synergies were enhanced by Bose hand-picking small fitments and fixtures and the designer integrating them into a complete whole with the added expertise on the kind and type of lighting, which is integral to an effective intended ambience. As the architects say, "Interior Urbanism is a vital feature of our practice it simply refers to an increasing interest in not only creating interior spaces relative to the public realm but also concerns the integrating of internal and external environments". Thus emerges a home that blurs boundaries. JANUARY 2009 HOME REVIEW 87

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 The Kaneria Group founded and initiated by Shri Anil Kaneria (CMD) has been manufacturing ceramic glaze frit for the last couple of years. Kaneria Glaze International, one of the units of the group stands as a fast growing name worldwide serving large number of industries with exceptionally good performance. Kaneria Tiles produce polished vitrified granito tiles which are available in variants like full body tiles, double charge tiles, multi-charge tiles, natural stone tiles and soluble tiles. Maintaining quality as the supreme benchmark, the company uses imported raw materi-

 Symphony, one of the largest air cooler manufacturers has come out with yet another innovation, and this time it is with a new range of Sauna Water Heaters that come with a new Power Saver Technology (PST) in the geysers segment. PST comprises of unique double insulation which retains the temperature of water for longer periods and further reduces power consumption. PST also comprises of an exceptionally superior technology termed the ‘Whirlflow’ mechanism to enable faster heating while avoiding direct contact between the cold and hot water inside the tank, which further helps in saving power. In addition, Symphony Sauna consists of high density Polyurethane Foam (PUF) insulation that minimizes the heat loss. There is also a second layer of special glass wool insulation in the storage water heaters. Thus double insulation ensures minimum heat loss and maximum power savings. Energy efficiency of Sauna water heater is equivalent to 5 star energy standards. Its rust and shock proof body meets the highest safety standards and comes in all capacities with designer control panel and multiple colour options. The product also comes with a heavy gauge tank which can withstand high pressures as well as hard water conditions. Symphony is one of the few consumer durable companies to have introduced path breaking new products during last 14 months. Its products are widely exported and are available in more than 42 countries 88 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

als to give texture, lustre and durability. Hence, with the strict quality control mechanism adhered to by the company, the tiles retain the glossiness and brightness for a long time to come. The company also puts its products through heat tests, giving the tiles thermal shock resistance, higher stain resistance and lower product contamination. Keeping track of the changing tile preferences, Kaneria Tiles has introduced tiles in different sizes from 600x600 mm to 1805x905 mm. Estimating that 2.50x2.50, 800x800 mm tile shall be an ideal preference for Indian markets, the company further sets plans to launch this tile version, which would be cost effective and available in different shades and colours. Kaneria encompasses a favourable marketing divide in 13 zones and showrooms in all major cities in India. As per the company's expansion plans, it shall escalate its production from 16,000 sq mt per day to 32,000 sq mt per day by October 2010. Contact Kaneria Granito Ltd. 606/A-2, Tirupati Plaza, Nr. Collector Office, Athwagate, Surat - 395001, Tel: (0261) 6588888 / 6599999 Email: [email protected] Web: www.kaneriatiles.net 

all over the world. Contact Symphony Comfort System Ltd ‘Saumya’, Bakeri Circle, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380014 Tel: (079) 26424430 Email: [email protected] Web: www.symphonycomfort.com 

A SPIRITUAL AURA Nitin Khatwani conjures a mediatative haven wth a Zen-like aura in a city apartment. The architect cleverly fuses a linear design program with a minimalist aesthetic. TEXT BY KANISHKA RAMCHANDANI•PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY THE ARCHITECTS

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hen spiritualism is the way of living, what better than a Zen-inspired design for your home? DCA Architects' client Ninad Pardesi wanted such a place for himself, wherein he could proclaim his faith. He explicitly wished for a minimalist approach with due stress on practicality. And what Architect Nitin Khatwani created for him was a home that has all the comforts of modern living and an enhanced aura of divine presence in it. The site was a two bedroom apartment that opened both on the east and west fronts. Keeping in mind the client's requirement for a meditative haven, Khatwani designed the space on simplistic lines, with a touch of Zen. The design created linear divisions between the living area and the bedroom and prayer room, divided by the service areas. Khatwani has created a true Zen ambience, down to the last detail. A Zen style calls for harmonious interface of form and space, which results in a soothing and pleasing atmosphere. With the linear division of space, the living area sits facing the multitudinous expanse of the ocean in the west whilst the bedroom faces the rising sun. Following the diktat 'less is more', the designer has pared down the use of furniture and other accessories to a bare minimum. But nowhere will one find a lack of comfort or absence of style due to the minimalist approach. The living area comprises the seating arrangement and the dining table. These two spaces intermingle and yet are set apart due to the use of a distinct style and of course functionality. Drawn on simple clear lines, the furniture used

THIS SPREAD The living area comprises the seating arrangement and the dining table. The furniture with its simple straight lines and warm earthy hues is a perfect balance to the white colour palette bringin out the desired Zen- effect. BOTTOM The master bedroom comes across as a private haven as it lies awash in white with dark veneer furniture. The bedroom has a platform bed that extends into a side table. JANUARY 2009 HOME REVIEW 91

is completely uncluttered in look and feel. Khatwani has effectively used warm earthy hues as well as whites. He explains, "The living room is kept as open as possible for the view and the colour. The sea, sun and sky contribute to the room space and the free flow of these natural elements creates natural and beautiful effects of light, space and colour in the room." Most of the furniture has been made on site with variations introduced in the detailing to mark out its use. Furniture and accessories in a Zen style are known to be minimal and with a specific use. As seen in Khatwani's creation, the box-like sofa and the low centre table come across as bare minimum necessities yet fulfill their highly functional role in the living room. Again the use of clear lines in the furniture design falls in harmony with the structural layout of the apartment like the rectangular windows in the background. The dining table is a successful experiment with minimalism. Resembling a block of wood, the dining table camouflages three low backed chairs on one side and a long low settee on the other. These can be pulled out from under the table when required. Here again, addition of minute details brings forth the continuity of thought in the overall design. In the wake of the rectilinear attitude of the living room, the dining table block is length-wise split into two. The 92 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

dining area ends dramatically with two columns that stand as sentinels, with lights glowing behind them. It is also important to note the peculiar layout of the furniture. The centre table is kept in line with the dining table to emphasise the structural form of the room. The furniture is made with dark veneer that stands out against the white background. THIS PAGE TOP The The expansive bal- balcony dividing wall cony runs parallel to the has been done away living and dining areas. with and is replaced Since the balcony has with a glass water body clear glass balustrades, an which demarcates the onlooker gets an uninter- living area from the rupted view of the sea balcony and also add to beyond. The balcony the aesthetic quotient of walls have been done the apartment. OPPOaway with to be replaced SITE PAGE In a with a fixed line of a glass peculiar attention to water body, which de- detail the centre table is marcates the living area kept in line with the from the balcony. Pres- dining table in the ence of a water body rectilinear space to adds another aesthetic emphasise the structural touch. The openness of form of the room bringthe balcony also invites ing forth the continuity of lot of natural light and thought in the overall keeps the room airy. design.

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Stressing the minimalist ambience is the effective use of lighting. During the day sunlight floods the apartment, which can be muted with the drop of mat shades. By evening the apartment dons a different look. As Khatwani puts it, "We have maintained indirect lighting in the apartment, integrating the source within furniture or other essentials of the house." Moving on to the functional areas of the apartment, one notices the continuity in design. While revamping the kitchen, Khatwani regarded this flow of Zen design a more challenging factor than space constraints. "Since we were designing for essentials, the challenge was to continue the same look in the kitchen too," he comments. A long L-shaped counter offers lot of utility space, while the modular design keeps the kitchen unencumbered. Similarly the bathroom too is made up of clean lines and compact nooks. Khatwani has experimented with sandstone and earthy tones here. It is the very simplicity of design that imparts a sense of class to this modern setup. At the very first glance, the master bedroom comes across as a private haven; the milieu here is that of a meditative alcove. It lies awash in white with dark 94 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

veneer furniture conspicuous in its elegance. The bedroom has a platform bed that extends into a side table, while the storage room is transformed into a walk-in wardrobe with a frosted glass door. Khatwani's minimalist style comes to fore in the puja room, which is actually an enclosed balcony. The atmosphere in the puja room is serene and peaceful and the totally uncluttered look is very appealing - making it a meditation space rather than a ritual corner. True to the client's requirement, Khatwani has created an apartment that is highly personal THIS PAGE The dining a n d table resembles a block introverted. He has of wood which is split effectively combined the into two. The table uncomplicated archit camouflages three low ecture of the backed chairs on one entire apartment with side and a long low the Zen-inspired interi- settee on the other. The ors. In simple terms, the dining area ends apartment is a home dramatically with two that calls for thorough columns that stand as relaxation, reflection and sentinels, with lights rejuvenation. glowing behind them.

MYTH MEETS MAGNIFICENCE Atlantis, The Palm - Dubai's newest resort creates an atmosphere of surprise, intrigue and indulgence that’s is set to break new ground with its unprecedented scale and beauty. TEXT BY RAJESH KARAMCHANDANI • PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY ATLANTIS, THE PALM

THIS PAGE The ornate and royal grand lobby is highlighted with nature and art and has a wall of windows that overlook the azure blue waters.

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THIS PAGE An ariel view of the Atlantis, The Palm. OPPOSITE PAGE Dale Chihuly’s stunning glass installation takes centre stage in the Grand Lobby.

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ubai is fast emerging as a world class travel destination combining facilities of the high est international standards with the charm and adventure of Arabia. Apart from the seven star Burj Al Arab, that's now a landmark in itself, Dubai newest resort Atlantis, The Palm is all set to break new ground, and lure its guests into a dazzling world of imagination, pleasure and luxury. This stunning 1,539 room resort opened on the 24th of September 08. With its enviable location atop the crescent of The Palm Jumeirah, it encompasses a 46- hectare site with 17-hectares of water themed amusement at Aquaventure, extensive fresh and salt-water pools and lagoon exhibits, an open-air marine habitat, luxury boutiques, numerous dining choices that include four celebrity chef restaurants, an exciting nightclub, a spa and fitness club, and 5,600m² of meeting and function space. Accessed by a six-lane underwater tunnel, guests may alternatively choose to board a monorail to be transported through the centre of The Palm Jumeirah directly to Atlantis, The Palm. The structure appears part Arabic part mythical with its moorish archways which rise above the azure blue waters. The residences are divided into two towers the east and the west, in the centre of which is the grand lobby. 98 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

To the side of the east tower is the Lost Chambers - a maze of underwater halls and tunnels inhabiting over 65,000 species of fish, Aquaventure, the water park and The Avenues, a luxury destination for shopping and dining. To the side of the west tower is the spa, fitness centre and the conference area. Arrival in the travertine marble floors of the Grand Lobby presents a dazzling interplay of water, light and sounds as a water wall cascades into a pool. Artist Dale Chihuly has created a 10 metre glass sculpture with over 3,000 pieces of intensely coloured blown glass ranging from fiery oranges and reds to tranquil blues and greens. The lobby's 19 metre high arched ceilings feature eight hand painted murals on canvas by Spanish artist Albino Gonzalez highlighting various constellations and planets and tell the story of the ancient mythological city of Atlantis. The 1,539 guest rooms designed by Wilson and Associates boast of breathtaking views of the tranquil waters enjoyed by The Palm, Jumeirah. The designers have fashioned the interiors in an elegant yet understated contemporary style. The earth tones and splashes of colour bring the beatific natural elements indoors. The resort's three signature suites indulge on a grand scale -The Bridge Suite revels in complete opulence, including a dining room with a gold leaf

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OPPOSITE PAGE Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s newest restaurant flanked by frosted blue mirrors and a wall encrusted with metal work flowers. THIS PAGE Three dimensional woven Abaca panels surrounding the dining area of Nobu are punctuated with a glowing composition of custom suspended pendants.

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table that seats 18 and a large lounge area while the two Lost Chambers Suites called Neptune and Posiedon, each stretching over three floors are truly extraordinary with floor-to-ceiling window walls looking directly into the Ambassador Lagoon, creating an illusion of being beneath the sea whilst looking directly into the heart of Atlantis. To showcase some of the world's most celebrated cuisines, designers Jeffrey Beers, David Rockwell and Adam Tihany have each brought their incomparable style and design to the Arabian culinary scene. Sol Kerzner challenged these designers to come up with something that captured the essence of Atlantis and truly paid homage to the wonder, the water and the sense of discovery and yet is weaved together with distinct Arabian elements. For Rostang's a French restaurant, Beers designed a traditional 836 square metre space with some modern twists. Antique mirrors contrast with modern design elements of exposed metal adding a contemporary flair to the dining area. To create a rustic yet stimulating environment for Ronda Locatelli, Beers blended the charm of the Italian countryside JANUARY 2009 HOME REVIEW 101

with the modernity of Dubai. Here a calming water pond juxtaposed with a custom built fireplace greets guests upon entering, while a central stone clad structure houses four pizza ovens and grounds the space. The Rockwell Group collaborated again with world-renowned Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa to create Nobu, the legendary chef's newest restaurant. Using traditional and modern Japanese elements, it features natural elements of ash, river stones, branches, woven textiles and fishing baskets juxtaposed with THIS PAGE A central more man-made ideas of stone clad structure light and composition to houses four pizza ovens create a rich and in a restaurant that is spectacular dining designed to imbibe an experience. Adam D. Italian countryside Tihany integrated bold flavour. BOTTOM and contemporary design Sumptuous suites for Saffron, the resort's appointed with walk in modern, interactive wardrobes and jetted buffet. Sleek and tubs boast of breathtakminimalist, the restau- ing views of the Arabian rant has high, open Gulf. 102 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

THIS PAGE TOP Eight murals by Spanish artist Albino Gonzalez adorn the ceiling. They depict the solar calendar, its constellation and planets that represent the four seasons and four elements of nature (earth, wind, fire, water). BOTTOM The Leap of Faith water slide at Aquaventure.

ceilings featuring strong red and orange colours in metallic and glass. The Beers-designed Sanctuary provides an indulgent end to any evening, as the decadent dance club, lounge and outdoor terrace welcomes guests with a modern baroque sensibility. Large floral patterns, baroque details, custom pendants and fixtures, as well as an interpretation of Arabian architecture add drama and romance. The magnificent new waterscape - Aquaventure at Atlantis boast of never-before-seen water rides, awe-inspiring water slides and non-stop water play. The Ziggurat in the centre reaching 30 metres into the sky features seven heart-pumping water slides. Surrounding it is the river ride called Rapids, 2.3 kilometre river adventure. Dolphin Bay, a habitat for dolphins with seven interconnected resident pools spreads across an enormous 4.5 hectare lagoon. Atlantis, The Palm is a man made wonder that's not just dazzling in its magnificent scale and beauty, it's a tribute to nature with its commitment to marine life conservation, the ultimate gourmet destination, a place to live your dreams amidst the warm Arabian Sea. JANUARY 2009 HOME REVIEW 103

HR I LOST ARCHITECTURE

Ancient India has been witness to some of the most diverse and beautiful architecture. But the lesser known and commonly ignored feature of this treasure is the 'stepwell'.  Stepwells, also called Bawdi, Baoli or Vav, were in essence wells in which the water could be reached by descending a set of steps or series of levels and were one of the features that defined India’s splendid architectural glory. Stepwell construction is known to have gone on from at least 600 AD. In Gujarat and Rajasthan - the arid western states of India where water is considered the most sacred, preserving the little amounts of water the area does receive during the monsoon has been a long-standing challenge. And hence the inception of the stepwells came about. The construction wasn't just utilitarian, but sometimes included significant architectural embellishments. Instead of simple wells, these structures were almost always constructed as magnificent meeting places, usually three to nine stories deep in the ground. The underground facilities THIS PAGE TOP The were used as sites for view from one of the drinking, washing and corridors of the Adalaj bathing as well as for col- Vav shows the intricately ourful festivals and sacred carved structure - beam, rituals. Some 3,000 slab and column of the stepwells were built be- stepwell. tween the fifth and 19th BOTTOM The view centuries. Today, how- displays the complex ever, these buildings are arrangment of steps in among the least known Chand Baori of or visited monuments Rajasthan.

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in India. All forms of the stepwell may be considered to be particular examples of the many types of storage and irrigation tanks that were developed in India, mainly to cope with seasonal fluctuations in water availability. A basic difference between stepwells on one hand, and tanks and wells on the other, was to make it easier for people to reach the ground water, and to maintain and manage the well. In some related types of structure (johara wells), ramps were built to allow cattle to reach the water. Ultimately, several thousand stepwells were built in the towns and villages of western India. The grandest period of stepwell construction spanned half a millennium- from the late eleventh through the sixteenth century- dotting the countryside with exquisitely embellished public monuments. Owing to its delightful qualities and lucid design, the stone stepwell remained the state of the art in Indian water management for more than a thousand years. Yet with the onset of the British Raj in India in the nineteenth century and with it, the installation of pipes and taps for drawing and distributing THIS PAGE TOP The water stepwells fell on beautiful and intricate hard times. carvings found inside a In concept, the Indian stepwell. stepwell is cunningly BOTTOM The corridor simple. Monsoon rain is of Adalaj Vav of Gujarat caught in a depression or displays traditional behind a hand-built  carved stone arcades.

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earthen dam. The rainwater percolates down through fine silt, which screens out particulates, until the water reaches an impermeable layer of compact clay that keeps it from sinking deeper into the ground. In that way the muddy runoff of the monsoon is stored near the surface as a giant sheet of clear water: an underground aquifer. A long staircase, punctuated with landings, leads down to the well at the bottom. At each landing there was an open porch, supported by columns and protected from exposure to the broiling sun. Vavs or baolis (stepwells) consisted of two parts, a vertical shaft from which water was drawn and the surrounding it were the inclined subterranean passageways, chambers and steps, which provided access to the well. The galleries and chambers surrounding these wells were carved generously, which became cool retreats during summers.Walls of stepwells were lined with blocks of stone, without mortar, and created stairs leading up to the water. While appreciating the carvings lets not forget the science and engineering skills behind these stepwell. So many pillars and lintels are made to THIS PAGE TOP The support the five or seven Rani ki Vav in Gujarat storeys of the well and has stepped corridors that too under the surface that progress upwards of the earth.Stepwells upto 27m. have also withstood the BOTTOM The much earthquakes in the range simpler Islamic stepwell of 7.6 on the Richter scale - Fatehpur Bawdi. - the large flat stones joined superbly are hard to move.The stepwells were constructed with calculated precision.The heavy blocks of stone that were used for construction were marked with hand-size, deeply carved numbers and letters to indicate their intended placement. The most extravagant of stepwells is the Rani ki Vav, at Patan and Adalaj Vav in Gujarat. Rani ki Vav Rani-ki-vav, the most magnificent step well in Gujarat is said to have been constructed by Udaymati of Solanki dynasty. The stepwell measuring about 64mts long, 20mts wide & 27mts deep, is built up of bricks faced with hewn stones. It has stepped corridors beginning at the ground level & leading down to the kund and possesses four surviving parts which are the entrance staircase, the side wall of the stepped corridors, mandapas or multistoried pillared pavilions, and the back walls of the well. The pillars which support the roof have square base decorated with Ghat-Pallav (vase and foliage) motifs, quadruple brackets at the top, having four armed kichakas. The architectural brilliance and elegance of the vav, is represented in its pristine glory in the ornamental work. The beautifully proportioned sculptures, adorn 106 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

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the walls flanking the staircase and within the walls of the well, depicting rhythm, vigour, beauty and various moods in stone. The shaft of the well is highly ornamented with intricate carvings. This wall projects the large vertical brackets in pairs which supported the different galleries of the well. The brackets are arranged in tiers. The full size sculptures of the stepwell are taken from the entire Hindu pantheon, for example, Vishnu, Shiva and their various aspects appear with or without their consorts. The painstaking efforts of archaeological survey of India exposed the hidden treasure of sculptural and architectural wealth in its original dimension and splendour. The minute and exquisite carving of this largest and most sumptuous vav is one of the finest specimens of its kind. Befitting its name, the Rani-KiVav is now considered to be the queen among step wells of India. Adalaj Vav This step well at Adalaj is an architectural marvel. It is really surprising that in absence of standard engineering practices before around 500 years, how such structures would have been created. The Adalaj step well is on the North side and the entrance to this well is on the south side. This has been the general practice while making such step wells. This vav is open octagonal surrounded by galleries on four levels with circular well at the bottom. It is the finest example of the Muslim period. The total length of this step THIS PAGE TOP A well is around 240 feet. It view of the Stepwell at has 3 entrances with three Jaipur and the Pushkarni separate gates for each Stepwell atHampi. entrance. There are five (below) BOTTOM The stories to this well. The famous Adalaj Vav of entire platform of the well Gujarat.

rests on total 16 pillars. The eight pillars are situated on the four corners and two pillars are located in front of each main gate. Numbers of surviving hydraulic monuments (stepwells) can be found in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Stepwells are the finest example of visible architecture that gave access to an invisible landscape of underground aquifers. The demise of the stepwell as a source of water, as a gathering place, and as a focal point for many of the deepest feelings of the local people has brought about a tangled mix of environmental, social, and even religious consequences that continue to unfold to this day. 

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COUNTRY CHARM In Hussh, Kolkata's Italian fine dine restaurant, Salient Design Studio plays with two basic, contrasting colours - black and white. Despite the use of a cold colour palette and materials like white china mosaic, the restobar looks like a warm Italian home. TEXT BY DEEPALI NANDWANI •PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY THE ARCHITECTS

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THIS PAGE The indoor restaurant section has an end-to-end terracottatiled wall. That’s the only splash colour in the black and white colour scheme. OPPOSITE PAGE A day view of the bar. It is crafted out of glass, wood, wrought iron and mosaic chips, which reflect the constantly changing light in the nighttime. The bar top is made of Kudappa stone.

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ushh, the Italian Resto Lounge and Bar is located within Kolkata's new-age mall, City Centre. It opened its door to the city's residents almost a year ago and shares space with Kobe, the popular sizzler restaurant. Designed by Salient Studio, a boutique design group that's worked on several hospitality, office and residential properties, the restobar is done in stark colours of black and white, a favourite contrast with modern-day designers across the world. Hushh is spread over 3,500 square feet and architect Vivek Rathore, who heads Salient, says "fits in perfectly with our design philosophy that's aimed at building environments that are small in ecological foot print. The restobar is designed to be a calm and soothing space". There are intermittent splashes of red in the form of a terracotta-tiled wall that runs end-to-end in its indoor restaurant section. Hussh is built over two levels and is divided into

three sections - an indoor restaurant area that opens to a patio that holds the bar. There is a terrace section normally utilised for private parties and lavish banquets. "It's designed to offer an authentic Italian experience," says Rathore. "In some ways, it is designed like an Italian home." Most homes in Italy, especially in the countryside, have extensive outdoor spaces and patios that are used to throw parties and entertain guests. Water fountains, date palm trees, big beds, AC tents…the designers have resorted to every means in the book to make Hushh look as if it's located in a relaxed beach resort, rather than in a chaotic Indian metropolis. When Rathore and his team began work on the restobar, it was merely an empty shell with four walls. "The space had to house two restaurants belonging to the same owner - Hushh and Kobe," says the architect, "and that was quite a challenge. We had JANUARY 2009 HOME REVIEW 109

to create two separate kitchens. Besides which, the planning had to be in accordance with Vaastu Shastra." Space constraint led them to come up with a unique solution and they moved the bar to the semi-covered patio, which fringes the restaurant. The architect has used a metal mesh wall to enclose the bar space on one side. On the other side the tables are fringed TOP The bar is located by yellow bamboo, in a semi-enclosed which offers privacy to patio. The pathway is their occupants. made of pebbles and In the bar area the mosaic chips. The bar floor is made out of white itself is crafted of china mosaic tiles. The wrought iron and glass. tables, crafted out of The colour combination black kadappa stone, are in the bar keeps topped by white umbrel- changing from warm las. At night the mosaic red to psychedelic green tiles shine in the soft to even cool blue, thanks candlelight, the main to the 52 colour LED source of lighting in the light fixture. BOTTOM section. The pathways are Handmade wooden made of loose stone grit, jaalis separate the broken mosaic tiles and seating section from pebbles, while the bar each other. 110 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

itself is made out of glass, wrought iron and mosaic chips. Salient often uses high-end technology in its projects, especially when it comes to lighting the space. In the bar section, for instance, they have installed a 52-colour combination high-flux LED mood refractor light, which changes colour and pattern every few seconds. The décor makes you believe you are seated in an outdoor café in a beachside resort rather than in the middle of a bustling city. TOP The terrace has A glass door separates several air-conditioned the outdoor bar from the tents like this one, which indoor restaurant. Within are separated by sheer the restaurant, the colours white cottons. white, red and black Transparent Polyurethane dominate. The upholstery envelops each tent. and furnishings are all in BOTTOM The design white. The wood fixtures, elements in the wall including the flooring, niches behind the have been treated till seating keep changing their colour changed to regularly. Sometimes, charcoal black. White- there are fresh seasonal coloured fabric is draped flowers, sometimes over wooden rafters on textured stones and the ceiling and the  sometimes, bric-a-brac. JANUARY 2009 HOME REVIEW 111

lights are hidden under the fabric. This makes the lighting in the restaurant mellow and diffused. Rathore has placed a floor-length mirror at the entrance, which reflects the diners sitting on tables across it. The mirror also makes the space look larger and less claustrophobic. Salient has been working with local Indian craftsmen and constantly improvising with their THIS PAGE Some of traditional skills. The the benches in the seating in the indoor area, terrace section are for instance, is separated made out of pebbles, by intricately carved much like the flooring. wooden jaalis. Next to They look as if the the jaalis are lit-up niches flooring has been in which the owners place continued to form a seasonal flowers, sculp- bench. 112 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

tures and even stones. This little décor detail constantly changes with the changing season. The bar area also leads up to a black staircase, which connects the terrace to the lower areas. This completely outdoor space has an open seating section and large air-conditioned tents made from mild steel. They are topped by transparent polyurethane canopy. White cotton sheers separate one tent from the next. The terrace also has a large 'de-stress section' - huge wood and leather beds where you can get a foot or head massage even as you sip on your drink. Hushh makes for a refreshing change: in contrast to the aseptic, ultra-shiny, modern restaurants that have become the norm of late, Hushh Lounge and Restobar depends on rough and raw materials like burnt wood, terracotta tiles and black kadappa, interspersed by cold materials like white china mosaic and glass.

World Architecture Festival A Big Draw Held in Barcelona, the World Architecture Festival served as a perfect platform for architects around the world to showcase and review the latest design trends. The World Architecture Festival Awards (WAF Awards), held between the 22nd and 24th of October housed its debutant festival at the Centre Convencions International, Barcelona. Organised by Emap, it was one of the biggest architectural events ever held. The festival highlighted the works of 722 architects from over 60 countries. These works were divided into 17 listed categories spanning from the 'Building of the Year' category and the 'Private House' category to more concerning issues such as the energy, waste and recycling category. The WAF awards can be marked as a truly significant festival. Among the most prominent jury members were architects such as David MackaySpain, Will Alsop-UK and Raj Rewal from India. Commenting on the festival held, Mr.Paul Finch, Editor of The Architectural Review and Programme Director of the World Architecture Festival, said "The World Architecture Festival was an unprecedented gathering of the world's architectural community. The calibre of both the awards entries and the speaker line-up has undoubtedly stimulated the thousands of architectural decision-makers and influencers that attend the festival." Held for a span of three days, the WAF awards

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HR I SPOTLIGHT

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Nordpark Cable railway, Austria, by Zaha Hadid Architects 114 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard, Smithsonian Institution, USA By Foster + Partners

NK'Mip desert Canada, by Hosten Bakker Boniface Haden Architects

Sports Hall Bale, Croatia, by 3LHD Architects

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HR I SPOTLIGHT

were given the task of redesigning a brown field site in Barcelona, within the period of 36 hours. British Professor David Dunster of Liverpool University and Barcelona architect David Mackay judged this event. On the final day, the award function opened with the first award category - 'Building of the Year.' The winner of this category was Grafton Architects, Ireland. One of the judges on the panel, Cecil Balmond, Arup, said he admired, "…the 3D design which took architecture, construction and design, using it to create an urban weave. Its effortless structural solution suspends offices over a subterranean concourse." Next, the landscape restoration of a controlled refuse tip located outside Barcelona, designed by Spanish practice Batlle & Roig Architects, was awarded the winner in the energy, waste and recycling category. The judges' comments on the same were, "a perfect example of bringing dead nature back to life by converting rubbish into a beautiful piece of landscape architecture." While, UK based company, Zaha Hadid Architects, bagged the award in the transport category for the Nordpark Cable Railway, Innsbruck, Austria. They won against fierce competition from a shortlist of 14 entries. Following which, the Arlene Kogod Courtyard, Smithsonian Institution, Wahington, USA won the award in the New and Old category. The judge's view on this entry was, "This technical and highly sophisticated canopy not only creates a new thermally conditioned urban room for Washington but also excellent acoustics and new connectivity. The theme 'New and Old' has been interpreted liberally to include the conversion of the existing building, as well as using them simply as a point of departure and recycling industrial components."

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offered the visitors an opportunity to listen to the 224 short listed candidates and learn the challenges they faced in creating their final vision. The guest also got an opportunity to view all the award entries at the award entry gallery. In addition to this, they got unlimited access to view a separate product showcase, with selected products specially chosen by the participating architects themselves. Catering as an informative trench, the WAF addressed issues such as climate, cost, energy and social conditions in relation to design, in their 'Height-Between Possibility and Responsibility' exhibition and seminar. At this juncture, they mainly examined the relationship between architecture and the factors which influence the creation of tall structures with regards to the environment. However, the highlight of the festival was undoubtedly the student programme, where six architectural schools from around the globe competed at the WAF student charrette. With the aim to select the 'starchitects' of the future, the schools 

Sports Hall Bale, Croatia, by 3LHD Architects

JANUARY 2009 HOME REVIEW 115

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HR I SPOTLIGHT

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Lastly, Japanese company, Fujimoto Architect for their final wooden house design, won the award for the best house in the private house category. The judges praised the scheme as a "captivating work in which building fabric, structure, furniture and so on merge in an ever changing landscape of inhabitation. This is a difficult house but one which opens up the way we might think about domestic space." Moreover, in addition to the various seminars and exhibits displayed, Emap also organised an architectural city tour for those visitors who were keen on viewing the architectural heritage that Barcelona had to offer. Local experts from the Collegi d' Arquitectes de Catalunya, Barcelona, guided the tours that were specially organised for the visitors and participants of the WAF Awards. Besides witnessing a one of its kind gathering of prominent architects from across the globe, the architects also got an opportunity to expand their network and create noteworthy business ties. On a concluding note at the WAF Awards, Mr. Finch, said: "We saw a huge response to these Awards, which recognise and celebrate international excellence. The quantity and quality of the entries provides a real showcase of global architecture and highlighted how architects change the way we think about buildings." Contact email: [email protected] web: worldarchitecturefestival.com 

Final Wooden House, Japan by Sou Fujimoto Architects 116 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

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Exhibition and Automobile Delivery Center, Germany, by Coop Himmelb(I) au

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K Fem, Sweden, by Wingardh Arkitektkontor AB

HR I SPOTLIGHT

Winners of the various categories: Health - Centre pour le Bien-être des Femmes et la prévention des mutilations génitales féminines ´G.Kambou, Burkina Faso, designed by FARE studio, Italy. Holiday - Nk´Mip Desert Cultural Centre, Canada, designed by Hoston Bakker Boniface Haden Architects, Canada. Nature - Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle Art Museum, USA, designed by Weiss/ Manfredi Architecture/ Landscape/ Urbanism, USA. Civic - GZBICC - Guangzhou Baiyun International Convention Center designed by Buro II. Culture - Oslo Operahouse, Norway, designed by SNØHETTA, Norway. Housing Development - Mountain Dwellings, Denmark, designed by BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group, Denmark. Pleasure Sheep Stable, Netherlands, by 70F Architecture, Netherlands. Production - BMW Welt - Event, Exhibition and Automobile Delivery Center, Germany, by Coop Himmelb(l)au, Austria. Religion & Contemplation Dornbusch Church, Germany by Meixner Schlüter Wendt Architekten, Germany. Sport - Sports Hall Bale, Croatia, by 3LHD Architects, Hungary. Shopping - K:fem, Sweden by Wingårdh Arkitektkontor AB, Sweden. Office - Duoc Corporate Building, Chile, by Sabbagh Arquitectos, Chile Energy, Waste & recycling Landscape Restoration of the Controlled Rubbish Dump "La Vall d'en Joan", Spain , designed by Batlle & Roig Architects, Landscape Architect Learning - Universita Luigi Bocconi, Italy , designed by Grafton Architects New and Old - Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard, Smithsonian Institution, USA, designed by Foster + Partners Private House - Final Wooden House, Japan designed by Sou Fujimoto Architects Transport - Nordpark Cable Railway, Austria, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. JANUARY 2009 HOME REVIEW 117

Sustainable Construction in Global Spotlight

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HR I SPOTLIGHT

The Holcim Foundation promotes innovative and sustainable approaches from the building industry.

It has been the mission of Holcim Foundation to select and support initiatives that combine sustainable construction solutions with architectural excellence and enhance the quality of life beyond technical solutions. The Holcim Foundation therefore encourages sustainBrazil - Low-energy university able responses to the technological, environmental, mediatheque, Rio de Janeiro socio-economic, and cultural issues affecting building ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ and construction. The primary objective of the Holcim Foundation is In 2008, the Swiss-based Holcim Foundation for the non-commercial promotion and development of Sustainable Construction conducted the USD 1.35 sustainable construction at national, regional, and million regional phase of the 2nd Holcim Awards global levels. Utilising the global reach of the Holcim and launched three publications and an online Group, the Foundation accelerates progress towards events calendar. Encouraging best practice, the sustainable construction, encouraging initiatives in Foundation aims at promoting the inspiring support of sustainable approaches to the provision of architects, engineers and developers to adopt housing and infrastructure in developing and sustainable parameters for their building projects. industrialised nations alike. The Foundation also seeks The results of the global phase of the Holcim to unite diverse global expertise and increase awareAwards competition will be rightly announced on ness of the critical role of the built environment in May 8, 2009. sustainability. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Low-impact greenfield university campus, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 118 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

Switzerland - Autonomous alpine shelter, Monte Rosa hut

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HR I SPOTLIGHT

The Foundation conducts the Holcim Awards competition for projects and visions in sustainable construction in parallel across five regions of the world. Almost 5,000 projects from authors in 90 countries were submitted in the competition which aims to promote sustainable responses from the building and construction industry to technological, environmental, socioeconomic and cultural issues. The 15 winners of the gold, silver and bronze prize in each of the five regions automatically qualify for the global phase of the competition where a total of USD 650,000 in additional prize money is on offer. The global Holcim Awards finalists include projects from Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Hungary, India, Morocco, Slovenia, Switzerland, UAE, Uganda, USA, and Vietnam, and involve additional project teams from Japan and Spain. Each of the teams would now prepare a more extensive submission that will be evaluated by an independent jury headed by acclaimed Indian architect and planner Charles Correa and include renowned representatives from architecture, science, and business. The other members of the global Holcim Awards jury are Peter Head (Civil engineer, UK), Enrique Norten (Architect, Mexico), Saskia Sassen (Social scientist/economist, USA), Hans-Rudolf Schalcher (Civil engineer, Switzerland,TCC), Rolf Soiron (Social scientist, Switzerland, Holcim) and Achim Steiner (Economist/administrator, Kenya).

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India - Energy-efficient office complex, Hyderabad JANUARY 2009 HOME REVIEW 119

HR I SPOTLIGHT

USA - Self-contained day labor station, San Francisco

Slovenia temporary urban extension in a former landfill, Maribor 120 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009

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The jury is supported by the Technical Competence Center of the Holcim Foundation (ETH Zurich, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Tongji University) and will evaluate the projects according to the 'target issues' for sustainable construction developed by the Holcim Foundation in collaboration with its partner universities. The two new books launched by the foundation are namely, Office Building In India and Community Centre In South Africa. These books clearly emphasise on sustainable construction in practice as part of an ongoing monographic series. The Holcim Foundation, in addition supported the launch of a collection of essays from eminent thinkers on the topic of sustainability and urban transformation inspired by the international Holcim Forum 2007 held in Shanghai. The 400 page publication considers urban transformation from many perspectives: seen through the eyes of more than 50 international architects, urban planners, politicians, and artists including Saskia Sassen, Robert Somol, JeanPhilippe Vassal, Eyal Weizman, Teddy Cruz, Rahul Mehrotra, and Enrique Peñalosa. Further, the Foundation also launched a web-based events calendar to act as a networking tool, listing events related to sustainable construction hosted by associations, universities, NGOs, IGOs, corporations etc. world-

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HR I SPOTLIGHT

wide. The database which boosts the interchange of diverse global expertise in the field of sustainable construction now features some 600 entries from more than 30 countries. The activities of the Holcim Foundation run in cooperation with renowned partner universities: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich), Switzerland; Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA; Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico; Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil; the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa; and Tongji University, China. The Foundation is supported by Holcim Ltd. and its Group companies in more than 70 countries, but is independent of its commercial interests. Holcim is one of the world's leading producers of cement and aggregates, and was recently named 'Leader of the Industry' in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the fourth year in succession. Contact email: [email protected] Uganda - Low-cost school and home for HIV orphans, Rakai ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ web: www.holcimfoundation.org 

Global Holcim Awards 2009 F inalists Finalists Brazil: Low-energy university mediatheque, Rio de Janeiro Main author: Angelo Bucci, architect, SPBR architects, São Paulo, Brazil Brazil: Solar water heating and rainwater tower, Florianópolis Authors: Maria Andrea Triana, architect, Roberto Lamberts, engineer, and Marcio Antonio Andrade, LabEEE-UFSC, Florianópolis, Brazil Canada: Living with Lakes Center for freshwater research, Sudbury Main author: John Gunn, scientist, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Canada China: Sustainable planning for a rural community, Beijing Main authors: Yue Zhang, academic, Tsinghua University, School of Architecture, and Feng Ni, government officer, Beijing Municipal Commission of Urban Planning, Beijing, China Colombia: Urban integration of an informal area, Medellín Main author: Gustavo Adolfo Restrepo, architect, Empresa de Desarrollo Urbano, Medellín, Colombia Hungary: Contextual government quarter development, Budapest Main author: Peter Janesch, architect, Team0708 Kft, Budapest, Hungary India: Energy-efficient office complex, Hyderabad Authors: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, New York, USA and Maytas Properties Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad Morocco: River remediation and urban development scheme, Fez

Main authors: Aziza Chaouni, architect, Extramuro LLP, Fez, Morocco and Takako Tajima, urban planner, Los Angeles, USA Slovenia: Temporary urban extension in a former landfill, Maribor Main author: Belinda Tato, architect, ecosistema urbano, Madrid, Spain Switzerland: Autonomous alpine shelter, Monte Rosa hut Main author: Andrea Deplazes, architect, Studio Monte Rosa, DARCH, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich), Zurich, Switzerland UAE: Lighthouse tower with low-carbon footprint, Dubai Author: Shaun Killa, architect, Atkins PLC, Dubai, UAE Uganda: Low-cost school and home for HIV orphans, Rakai Author: Koji Tsutsui, architect, Koji Tsutsui Architect & Associates, Tokyo, Japan USA: Self-contained day labor station, San Francisco Main author: Liz Ogbu, designer, Public Architecture, San Francisco, USA USA: Solar 2 Green Energy, Arts and Education Center, New York Main author: Christopher J Collins, Solar One Green Energy, Arts and Education Center, New York, USA Vietnam: Low-impact greenfield university campus, Ho Chi Minh City Main author: Kazuhiro Kojima, architect, Coelacanth and Associates Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan

JANUARY 2009 HOME REVIEW 121

RESOURCES ADDRESS BOOK FOR ALL GOODS AND SERVICES IN THIS ISSUE UNBUILT WORKS SAMEEP PADORA ASSOCIATES 603, Marble Arch, 94, Pali Hills, Bandra, Mumbai 400050 Tel (022) 249217811 / 32458664 Mob 9820027973 RETAIL THERAPY NEIL BARRETT FLAGSHIP STORE, JAPAN Zahahadid Architects Studio 9, 10 Bowling Green Lane, London EC1R 0BQ Tel +44 (020) 7253 5147 Mob +44 (0771) 6086376 Email [email protected] CULT PRODUCT ACOUSTIC PANELS Offecct Ab Head office and showroom Box 100 SE-543 21 Tibro Tel +46 (0)504-415 00 Email: [email protected] Abstracta Tel +800 (0223)7315 E-mail [email protected] GO GREEN CR LAND GUANGANMEN GREEN TECHNOLOGY SHOWROOM Beijing Vector Architects Rm1002, Builidng 1, Xiaguangli 66 Changyang District CN -100027 Beijing Tel +8610 (0844) 67 81 6 Email vector.architects @gmail.com FEATURES AN URBAN MONASTERY AA HOME Kailash Nagar housing society, Forjett Hill, Tardeo Road, Mumbai 400007 Tel (022) 32536125 A LOCAL FLAVOUR VARSHA & DEEPAK GUGGARI ASSOCIATES 943/5-B, Uma Niwas,

PMC colony, Senapati Bapat Rd, Pune 411016 Mob 9373011102 ECLECTIC LIVING MATHAROO ASSOCIATES 24 - E Capital Commercial Centre, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad - 380 009, Gujarat Tel (079) 26577757 Email [email protected] CABIN CLASS RAMIREZ+MOLETTO ARQS aurelio gonzalez 3330, Vitacura Tel +562 9535248 Email [email protected] BLURRED BOUNDARIES MO-O F Manisha Agarwal 9 sagir Apts, 35 Turner Rd, Bandra West Mumbai 400050 Mob 9820929396 A SPIRITUAL AURA DCA ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN Nitin Khatwani B-41 Ruturaj Bldg, Opp SNDT College, Juhu road, Santacruz (W), Mumbai 400 049 Tel 26613778 / 3573 Email [email protected] Mob 9833006265 MYTH MEETS MAGNIFICENCE ATLANTIS - THE PALM Crescent road, Palm, Jumeriah, Dubai Email [email protected] Tel +97 1 4 426 0000 A SPIRITUAL AURA SALIENT PVT. LTD D-405, City Centre, DC block, Sector – 1, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700064 Tel (033) 23589080/0979

HR I PROMOTION

 Powered by innovation and a no-compromise quality policy, Simpolo has grown to become India's fourth largest production house in the branded sanitary ware segment. Along with ISO 9001:2001 certified processes and ISI labelled products, the company has already made a name for itself in the field of quality, product range, innovation and reliability. Crossing many milestones along the way in the sanitary ware segment, the company has recently forayed into the tiles segment. Enjoying a very good response for its introductory range of tiles - the single tone and soluble salt collection, Simpolo is now set to prove it’s innovation capabilities in the tiles segment, with future plans to enhance its market share with some of its own innovative tile collections. The company's current collection includes the Salt and Pepper series which is available in both polished and non-polished variants. Made of multi-coloured granules, these tiles are prepared by a spray dryer providing a perfectly homogeneous surface. With an absolutely natural look and surface of marble and stone, Simpolo also offers the fullbody vitrified tiles. After various processes, these tiles resemble stone and marble with natural looking veins and colouration. The company has also brought in as a part of the collection the advanced Double Charge technology. Going through different processes, this technology helps tiles obtain the scintillating aesthetics of natural marble or granite. Accentuating the ethnic class is Simpolo's Rustic and Lapato category of tiles. In order to get the natural

and elegant look of genuine stone, various types of printing and surface applications are employed. International shade or colour variations add to the product impact. Another category is the metallic tile series that exude a strong European design sensibility with its metallic tones - copper, metallic brown, silver and gold. The unique sheen of the tile is achieved by the oxidised effect that imitates the shine and texture of metal. Lastly, delivering unlimited possibilities of design is the Water-Jet technology. Autocad details are fed to a master workstation, which guides the water-jet to carve out desired designs. All the tiles are available in 600mm x 600mm, 600mm x 300mm, 1000mm x 1000mm. Simpolo is striving to improve its quality further, the prime objective being satisfaction of it’s customers. Hence, it uses world class technology and the latest Nano technology to achieve this level of brilliance in quality and design. Nano technology gives tile surfaces a mirror like glossiness. Lending a high gloss finish, the tiles surface yet remains anti-skid. The process involves the use of environment friendly nano-tech coating material and makes the tiles durable and stain resistant with a smooth and homogeneous surface. Contact Simpolo Ceramics Old Ghantu Road, Morbi-363642, Gujarat tel: (02822) 240930/329855 fax: (02822) 240935 email: [email protected] web: www.simpolo.net 

JANUARY 2009 HOME REVIEW 123

HR I PROMOTION

 Bathroom vanities and bathroom cabinets make the whole style of your bathroom come alive, and set the tone of your bathroom design. Vanities and cabinets serve as the centrepiece of your bathroom. Reflecting an exceptional fusion of fashion and function, Hindware, a market leader in sanitaryware, now presents the fashionable Wood Art collection to beautify and equip your bathroom. Hindware has launched an attractive Wood Art range where the goodness of wood combines with excellent craftsmanship to give your bathroom an eternal style. The range comes with a solid wood cabinet, wash basin and mirror console. In some models, the cabinet is coupled with a marble top and the mirror comes with a lamp, there are also special hinges for soft door closing action. Crafted especially for style and usefulness, Hindware's attractive Wood Art range products are made with water resistant solid wood which increases the durability of products. The collection comes in 6 different ranges namely Viola, Floret, Aster, Rosette, Anther and THIS PAGE Hindware’s Azara. Each range has a newly launched Wood different pattern and its Art range that comes own style statement. with a solid wood Priced at Rs 31,195 cabinet, wash basin and onwards, the collection is mirror console.

offered in 2 elegant colours, namely cedar and wenge. This new range from Hindware is exclusively available at Evok, the Home Fashion Mega store, Crown Interiorz Mall, Faridabad, West Gate Mall, Rajouri Garden in addition to a wide network of retailers of Hindware outlets across India. Contact Hindustan Sanitaryware & Industries Ltd. III Floor, Unit 301&302, Park Centra, Sector 30, NH 8, Gurgaon 122001, Tel: (0124) 4779200 Email: [email protected] Web: www.hindwarebathrooms.com 124 HOME REVIEW JANUARY 2009