Rooted in vernacular design

Rooted in vernacular design

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

Biophilic design: A 2024 hit

Biophilic design: A 2024 hit

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’s lessons in persistence

Harshavardhan Neotia’s lessons in persistence

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

Optimising floor-to-ceiling designs

Optimising floor-to-ceiling designs

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

OMA: luxury restored

OMA: luxury restored

An enunciated pronunciation of the Sanskrit Om, luxury home and interiors boutique OMA opened doors in a three-storied Victorian building in Kolkata recently. Right next to a line of luxury boutiques featuring Ritu Kumar, Anita Dongre, Shantanu & Nikhil, it sits on the crossing of Elgin Road and Woodburn Park Road. OMA is on the … Read more

Emerging design brands to track

Emerging design brands to track

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

Viya’s daily objects

Viya’s daily objects

| 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

Climate-conscious architecture of Old Madras

Climate-conscious architecture of Old Madras

Centuries before it became a metropolis, Madras was a cluster of settlements like Mylapore, Triplicane and later, George Town. These settlements emerged from the interplay of sea, rivers and wetlands, and their inhabitants contending with a challenging climate — a cycle of hot-humid summers followed by torrential monsoon rains. Across millennia, Madras developed an architecture … Read more