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

Building in hot and humid zones

Building in hot and humid zones

Hot and humid climates can be one of the hardest climates to adjust to, with relentless perspiration and discomfort, and we often feel relief only on entering an air-conditioned space. For people used to modern-day apartments and offices, it is almost impossible to imagine being comfortable in these spaces without ACs. Yet, when we think … Read more

A cultural fusion

A cultural fusion

Luxury home design is a celebration of cultural diversity, where traditional elements from different parts of the world are seamlessly integrated into contemporary settings. This fusion can be witnessed through the choice of materials, architectural styles, and interior décor. Japandi, a style that has recently gained popularity, is a subtle blend of Japanese and Scandinavian … Read more