South India is seeing several instances of emerging architectural firms investigating indigenous structures and materials and translating them for today’s context. In addition to customised oxide flooring, clients are opening up to innovative use of brick, tile and mud construction as young minds build harmoniously for the neighbourhood. One such example is Bengaluru-based A Threshold’s … Read more
The allure of luxury living today extends beyond opulence and convenience. Discerning homeowners now demand spaces that foster well-being, sustainability, and a deeper connection to nature. In India, biophilic design is taking on unique dimensions, drawing from the country’s rich cultural heritage, biodiversity, and climatic diversity. From incorporating Ayurvedic principles in spatial layouts to reviving … Read more
Harshavardhan Neotia (right) with B.V. Doshi. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement The property that got Harshavardhan Neotia the Padma Shri, almost did not get built. Master architect B.V. Doshi would not have designed the social housing project, Udayan, which means ‘rising’. Six months after the septuagenarian Doshi had turned down Neotia, citing a lack of … Read more
The optimum use of floor-to-ceiling structures in modern architecture is becoming increasingly popular as a way to maximise space. This trend is especially evident in metropolitan and urban areas where space is limited and in high demand. While floor-to-ceiling designs have traditionally been associated with penthouse apartments and uber-luxury homes, they are now being integrated … Read more
From Tokyo to New York, Amsterdam to Toronto, the design of a Skinny House is a statement of triumph. Often there’s a colourful history, like the narrow Spite House from 1800s Boston, a result of a spat between two brothers over unequal land division. For both architects and residents, it’s a curiously satisfying experience to … Read more
What does bamboo remind you of? In cities today, its use is mostly restricted to outdoor furniture or for temporary structures like pavilions and gazebos. It is perceived as not as strong and durable as more ‘permanent’ forms of building. But if you’ve been to north-east India, you may encounter bamboo structures that are as … Read more
Rooshad Shroff’s latest collection, Balance, wasn’t meant to be one at all. “When we began with a single piece, a side table, back in 2021, it was a simple exploration of form,” says the Mumbai-based architect and designer, for whom working with furniture is more of an exercise to test ideas and crafts, than an endeavour … Read more
Le Corbusier and Chandigarh, B.V. Doshi and Ahmedabad, Frank Lloyd Wright and American cities, Tadao Ando and his tryst with Japan — architecture has indelibly shaped culture and the experience of cities globally, morphing travel into a celebration of the craft for those who seek it. We round-up some architect-approved destinations for your next vacation. … Read more
Over the last few months, we have been seeing international design trends mirror Indian concerns for upcycling and a focus on neutral, natural colours. Globally too, stone, especially marble is a favourite for its colour and textures, and it is often used in different ways — to create craft-forward pieces and monolithic forms. In India, … Read more
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement Vikram Goyal has always been synonymous with statement pieces — ranging from consoles to triptychs fashioned from brass. The large works are showcases for workmanship, design and engineering skill. Over the years he has honed techniques like repoussage and metal casting, pushing his designs to explore their technical limits. Vikram … Read more