Q. What qualities or features do you think an iconic design should possess? What according to you makes a design iconic?
An iconic design has the power to move people; physically, mentally or culturally. It’s a new way to blend design and individuality.It creates a bold expression and leaves a lasting impact forever altering the future.
I feel any impactful design needs to be clear in its expression while holding a strong personality. It should be an indulgent experience, that’s a perfectly measured blend of form and functionality.I would imagine an iconic design as an escape from the dull and mundane; as a sense of fantasy. A fantasy of something magical and beautiful, that allows us to momentarily remove ourselves from everyday ugliness.A design that prompts a comfort and sensory luxury which we can lose ourselves into: to rest, to muse, to inspire.Q. Out of all your projects, please enlighten us with details of your most unique project and what made it stand out?
Heritage in South Ex, Delhi is a boutique retail store, whose rustic interiors aim at creating a bold and dramatic statement, while also providing the users with a unique and relaxed shopping experience.
Taking inspiration from the store’s raw, organic and contemporary expression of conventional handlooms, the material palette for the bespoke furniture and retail fixtures was outlined by rustic metals, weathered wood, and metal industrial detailing, creating an Avant Garde interior.
There was a strong focus on meticulous, minute detailing to tie various interior elements together through the furnishing, while creating the perfect balance to allow the display to shine through. All materials, from rusted iron and reclaimed wood, to elements in polished and rustic copper, have been designed to articulate their truest form, creating an artistically immersive experience.
The entrance is marked by a multicolored screen made of threads, glass and suspended metallic alphabets. The threads symbolize the vibrant and delicate process of weaving, accentuating the dreaminess and warmth of the surrounding wood and exposed bricks. Meanwhile, the letters follow a pattern created from deconstructing the word Heritage, penned in two different languages, signifying modernization while paying a homage to the nostalgia of its humble grassroots.
A solid, reclaimed wooden counter sits in the center of the space under a huge bespoke copper light installation, creating a strong visual statement while also drawing attention to the display behind. This irregular shaped counter celebrates the aged wood, including all of its cracks, grains and knots, lending a serene stoicism and sense of romanticism to the interiors. The display behind is made with reclaimed wood and copper, complementing the setting and further adding to the elegance and charm of the store.
Q. What are the new signature styles or trends that you have been noticing in the field of designing today? Is there anything exciting that you haven't done yet and planning to incorporate the same in your future projects?
The design trends now are diverse and hard to fit into a singular definition. The lines between functional forms and art work are blurring, calling for imaginative shapes, colors, textures and patterns, with distinctive furniture, indoor planters and irregular shaped products are pushing the perceptions of design.
There is a new focus on eco conscious materials like reclaimed wood,hemp fiber and vegan leather, in creative combinations with materials like concrete, acrylic solid surfaces and metals. There is also a new wave of designs combining artisanal styles with technology like digital printing and CNC Cutting to create interesting products.
I am planning to explore the world of experimental technology soon.I am especially interested in working with parametric designs and 3D printing, as itallows for innovation and creation of complex geometries with high precision and quality. I feel 3D printing holds an immense potential for manifesting a further evolution in materials and creativity, further enriching the global design.Q. Are there any designs you look up to? If yes, what do you admire the most about it?
I find inspiration in all kinds of work, but Zaha Hadid is always going to be my favorite designer. I admire her grit and her futuristic design approach. Her work is an epitome of design aesthetics flawlessly merging with engineering brilliance, through a delicately assembled material palette; creating experiences that are larger than life, mystifying everyone alike.
Characterized by curving façades, whimsical directionality, massive volumes and sharp angles, her work is mesmerizing. She has managed to manipulate the strongest materials, like concrete and steel; to form objects that appear soft and sturdy at the same time. I am in awe of the grandeur her work embodies, while exhibiting a sense of minimalism.