The Inside Track September 2015

INSIDE TRACKTHE

CONNECTING THE DESIGN COMMUNITY

Volume 9. Issue 09. September 2015 Rs. 25/-

Now view our web edition at www.theinsidetrack.in

INSIDE TRACKTHE

CONNECTING THE DESIGN COMMUNITY

Volume 9. Issue 09 . September 2015 Rs. 25/-

Now view our web edition at www.theinsidetrack.in

continued on page 4

Cover Story Choosing The Right FacadeWhen it comes to picking the right facade system and exterior cladding knowing your choices is half the battle won. BY ALYSSA LOBO

Facades are essential to any buildings’ design; not only because of aesthetic reasons,

but also for structural and practical purposes. There are a plethora of façade systems to choose from. However the type of façade system that is used depends on the kind and scale of the building and on local planning requirements that may affect the building’s appearance in relation to its neighbours.

Façade systems comprise the structural elements that provide lateral and vertical resistance to wind and other environmental actions, and the building envelope elements that provide the weather resistance and thermal, acoustic and fire resisting properties.

Here are some of the more popular façade systems:

MarbleMarble is a common facade type found on older buildings although there are a few newer buildings that use it. Despite its impressive looks, marble often has practical issues with its maintenance; making it a less than ideal option. Deterioration is top among these issues as well as the expense. One doesn’t need to look further than our own Taj Mahal to see the effects of acid rain and pollution on marble surfaces.

Steel, Glass Facades and Curtain WallingSteel and glass are synergistic materials and are often used in facades and roofs of multi-storey buildings. The glass panels allow natural light and heat to enter into the structure but can also let in cold air, especially when improperly sealed.

According to UC Berkeley’s Centre for the Built Environment, high performance glazing products allow larger areas of transparent glass to be incorporated into a building’s facade than was once recommended. However, the larger this area, the more difficult it becomes to accurately predict the effect it will have on energy performance and t empera ture -dependent comfort levels.

Curtain walling is the generic name given to metallic lightweight

Masonry based facades hold up well to the elements and are relatively inexpensive

be used for all types of homes and buildings. This affordable option can be found in a wide range of colours. It is also easy to add insulation to vinyl cladding.

There are several options for f açade c laddings in the Indian markets:

Exterior Façade PanelsFunderMax offers a wide range of exterior solutions for façade and balcony cladding. FunderMax’s products make it possible to change the appearance of a building in a wide variety of ways; from natural, metallic or neon decors to digital print designs.

The variety of possible designs makes Fundermax panels an innovative option for architects. They make it possible to add an identity to a building. In addition, there is a broad selection of assorted formats and mounting variations that also create a whole different character for the building.

cladding or glazed cladding systems that are directly supported by a structural frame.

Curtain wall systems are an assembly of factory-made components which are either made up into panels in the factory and the interlocking units brought to site and installed (unitized curtain walling); or brought to site as components and assembled on the building (stick curtain walling).

Stick curtain walling is more often used on low-rise buildings and in relatively small areas because external access is required to the building elevations. Unitised curtain walling can be designed to be installed without using the main crane and this method is favoured on high-rise buildings.

Br i ckwork and Stonework (Masonry)Brick facades are favoured for both residential and commercial buildings. They hold up well to the elements and are relatively inexpensive. Repair costs are also minimal when it comes to brick facades. Brick facades can be ordinary or ornate. Coloured

bricks add some diversity to this type of facade.

A huge part of a façade system is the cladding material that is used. Facade claddings are non load-bearing panels that are fixed to the supporting structure in some way. Cladding is generally used for its aesthetic properties as it can hide many deficiencies. However, it can also have important thermal and acoustic insulation properties, especially when they are combined with insulation installed behind it.

Metal (generally aluminium or steel) is one of the most popular options because it lasts long and requires little or no maintenance. Its smooth surface gives year-round new and shiny look to the building.

Other popular options are brick, timber, stucco and concrete. Stone is also used and gives a beautiful natural look, however it is expensive and difficult to install.

The most popular type of cladding today is vinyl or UPVC (Unplasticised Polyvinyl Chloride), as it requires almost no maintenance and can

Unitised curtain walling is favoured on high-rise buildings

4

New Age Window Solutions 6

Fine Living Inspired By Nature 7

Climate Control At A Cellular Level 8

Combining Inventiveness and Efficiency 10

Five Incredible Buildings That Are Future-Ready 12

Staying Focused And Engaged 14

Cera Enters The Luxury Bath Segment 15

Harnessing The Sun 16

An Architecture Of Presence 18

Exhibitions and Fairs 20

The Latest On Recent Launches And Products 22

Of HuggableToasters And Phones That Demand Smiles 27Getting Better With Use 28

THE INSIDE TRACK September 2015

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Owner, Publisher & Printer Mr. Anish R. Bajaj for Marvel Infomedia Pvt. Ltd. Printed at Marvel Infomedia Pvt. Ltd., B 62, 1st Floor, Cotton Exchange Building, Cotton Green Road, Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033. Published at B 62, 1st Floor, Cotton Exchange Building, Cotton Green Road, Mumbai 400 033 Tel (022) 23736133/1 Editor Mr. Anish R. Bajaj THE INSIDE TRACK Volume 9. Issue 09. September 2015. English - Monthly. This issue contains 28 pages including both covers.

Creative Director Natalie Pedder-Bajaj Assistant Editor Shweta Salvi, Senior Sub-Editor Alyssa Lobo Sub-Editors Tasneem S. Pocketwala, Rehana Hussain Layout Design Asif Shayannawar, Darshan Palav, Snigdha Hodarkar Marketing: Mumbai Rakesh Kini (Head-Marketing), Ganesh Gurav, Vivek Jadhav B 62, Cotton Exchange Bldg, Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033 Tel: (022) 32656823, 23736133, 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: 9899179540 Email: [email protected] Chennai Mr. S. Venkataraaman, Flat No. 2, 3rd Flr, E Block, Hansa Garden, 30 Madampakkam Main Rd, Rajakilpakkam, Chennai 600 073 Tel: (044) 22281128 Mob: 9444021128 Email: [email protected] Kolkata Mr. Subrata Mazumder, 2, Nabapalli (Bidhanpalli). Kolkata 700084 Tel: (033) 2410 4296 Mob: 9831131395 Email: [email protected] Europe 282, Rue du Noyer, bt 16, 1030 Bruxelles, Belgium.

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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, THE INSIDE TRACK urges its readers to actively participate in recycling efforts.

“FunderMax is for people who create, and gives character to the buildings using over 30,000 SKUs offering high design freedom”, says

adds to the energy efficiency of the building. The exterior panels are Duromer High Pressure Laminates in accordance with EN 438. Double hardened acrylic PUR resins provide effective weather protection that is

INSIDE TRACKTHE

CONTENTS SEPTEMBER 2015

Choosing The Right Facade 3COVERSTORYCOVERSTORY

continued on page 5

Dr. Prashanth Reddy, MD and CEO FunderMax India Private Limited.

Additionally, the ventilation gaps provided between the panels enable the façade to work like a rear ventilation façade system which keeps humidity off the wall and

suitable for long lasting balconies and façade claddings.

The panels’ other properties include optimal light fastness, double hardening, scratch and solvent resistance, impact resistance,

FunderMax’s Max Exterior panels in a vertical adjustable louvers application

5 THE INSIDE TRACK September 2015

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frost and heat resistance and easy installation.

The company is a member of the Indian Green Building Council and their products can be used in constructing green buildings.

One of the latest products is Fascia Exterior Cladding High Pressure Laminate (HPL) panels from Stylam Laminates. The panels have a decorative surface that is suitable for exterior applications and its special quality resins provide extremely effective weather

protection to external facades. These HPLs are produced in lamination presses under high pressure and temperature. Thus, they are resistant to colour fading and are weather-proof with special protection against inclement weather.

Apart from being extremely durable, Fascia’s collection has a wide range of colours available in both horizontal and vertical designs.

Fascia is also the only Indian manufacturer, and among very few in the world to achieve a CE Marking of product standard EN438-7:2005 from the ITC Czech Republic.

All Fascia panels conform to standard dimension tolerance of +10 - 0 mm.

For those looking for a more eco- f r i endly opt ion, Shera’s Splendid Plank is an ideal choice. With these planks you can create a grooved appearance on building walls. These planks are made from fibre-composites and have different edge profiles that give a variety of overlapping and grooved appearances for interior or exterior walls.

Most importantly, Splendid Plank is easy to handle and requires

Fascia Exterior Cladding panels are produced in lamination presses under high pressure and temperature

Shera’s Splendid Plank allows overlapping installation simply and efficiently

less installation time compared to wood planks. While providing a better finish for sidings, these planks allow overlapping installation simply and efficiently. They are also weather proof, fire-resistant and termite proof and can even withstand salt sprays and flying debris.

The planks come in two styles – Croton and Yellow Flame (dimensions: 10 x 150 x 3000 mm).Contactweb: www.fundermax.at/en www.stylam.comwww.shera.in

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and is at the same time very economical. It can be projected outwards and/or inwards, can be top rung or side rung, or come in butt hinge options.

The product also allows for the possibility of multipoint locking and key locking handles. There is a wide range of finish options to choose from, including powder coating, anodization, marine powder coating, wood finish and PVDF coating.

K-line Vertical Sliding Window by VekaThe K-line Vertical Sliding Window by Veka reflects a unique American style of operation. This style of window is ideal for apartments, villas, bungalows and even schools and hospitals.

The window’s multiple chamber system design facilitates its heat and sound insulation properties. The special hardware used in the window also enables its vertical sliding capability; very different from the rest of the conventional sliding and casement windows. For extremely windy regions, additional reinforcement of thickness that goes more than 1mm is utilised in order to increase its static strength.Contactweb: www.rehau.comwww.aluplastindia.comwww.beautex.inwww.kawneer.com www.veka.in

The Slide & Fold system under the same series, on the other hand, spans the entire width of a room. This kind of system opens a living space to the outside, at will.

Beautex also offers Combination windows, which integrates two windows of either the same or different types.

AA1420 system by KawneerThis window ranks high in performance

THE INSIDE TRACK September 2015

Windows Spl. New Age Window Solutions Manufacturers of window systems endeavour to offer window solutions that present design, performance and energy efficiency in equal measure. BY TASNEEM S. POCKETWALA

Rehau’s Casement windows are made out of uPVC and come in various colours, thus contributing to the aesthetics of the building

Windows not only serve as a viewing point from the inside, but they also

front the exterior of the building structure. Hence, they must present superb aesthetics from the outside besides providing high functionality all the year around. Moreover, with more and more emphasis being put on offering green solutions and energy-efficient options, leading

Energeto Series by AluplastThe Energeto Series by Aluplast is a window without steel reinforcement, which is a weak point in traditional window frames from the view of thermal insulation. Aluplast has developed the ‘bonding inside’, ‘powerdur inside’ and ‘foam inside’ technologies to ensure better thermal insulation.

The product, moreover, also exceeds the energy efficiency guidelines, which makes it an eco-friendly product. Its weather-proof PVC windows ensure protection against the weather, from noise and also from burglary. Most significantly, the window is made out of materials which are 100% reusable and recyclable.

Ponzio Aluminium Windows by BeautexThe Ponzio Aluminium Windows display a seamless integration of beauty and engineering. These windows are available in 12 finishes and in 600 colours. Its Tilt & Turn windows can both tilt inwards at the top and open inwards hinged at the side. Despite its apparent complicated structure, its operation is quite effortless and easy to maintain. Additionally, this kind of a window keeps off burglary without compromising on ventilation.

companies are also coming out with varied, innovative windows and window systems.

In this Windows Special issue, we at The Inside Track pick out some of the most efficient, high functioning and appealing windows and window systems.

u P VC Ca s em e n t Wi n d ow s by RehauC a s e m e n t w i n d o w s a r e quintessentially European. Lately, there has been an upsurge of demand in this kind of windows in India. Rehau’s Casement Windows are a 60mm system with three chambers. The product is protected against dust, wind and rain. Its smooth surface allows for ease in maintenance.

Rehau’s windows are made out of uPVC, a natural insulator that ensures that the heat remains outside the building structure and seals cool air indoors. Moreover, Rehau also provides a wide variety of colours to choose from that contribute to the aesthetics of not only a building’s interiors, but also its façade. The materials used to colourise the window are of a superior quality and present colourfastness and gloss stability.

The Energeto Series by Aluplast even exceed the energy efficiency guidelines and are very much eco-friendly


Spot Light

The minds behind interior design mainstay, The Great Eastern Home have developed

a new brand of furniture and home accessories, Ficus - Fine Living. Ficus draws inspiration from nature to create a style that runs natural and earthy, and which expresses itself in their range of furniture, furnishings and other home embellishments.

Their distinctive offerings seamlessly blur the boundaries between the outdoors and indoors and merge materials, textures, colours, forms and finishes in ways that are contemporary yet timeless.

According to Anurag Kanoria, owner of Ficus, “Ficus - Fine Living combines an aesthetic that refashions the natural in unique and versatile ways to create an urban sanctuary enlivened by style and substance.” This sets it apart from the associated brand, The Great Eastern Home which offers products that exemplify luxury with their unique, timeless masterpieces. Its trade mark opulence has sustained its claim of being India’s premium vintage and period style furniture maker.

Fine Living Inspired By Nature Ficus - Fine Living offers customers a range of products and design services with a modern, yet earthy touch. BY ALYSSA LOBO

coffee tables, day bed, lounger, beds and their pewter cutlery collection.

The response to their ‘complete design solutions’ has been good. The company provides complete interior solutions by their experienced team of in-house architects and interior designers who take on projects ranging from apartments and private residences to large scale projects such as hotels and commercial spaces.

“Designed by us, but inspired by your style; we plan and customise your space with your personal imprint that becomes veritable extensions of your individual style,” says Kanoria. “This option of personalising space as per the requirement has received an overwhelming response.”

Ficus’ flagship store is located in Colaba, Mumbai; exactly behind the Taj Mahal Hotel.

Ficus, on the other hand, has modern, contemporary, nature-inspired furniture for the modern home and lifestyle. Its pieces have clean lines and its furniture is affordable, yet stylish.

Ficus - Fine Living positions itself as a provider of youthful, modern, and streamlined designer furniture. As Ficus offers more urban and trendy designs; the targeted customer segment is niche, young, sophisticated with a modern lifestyle; a person who l ikes to have spac ious rooms with streamlined yet trendy timeless interiors.

Ficus provides contemporary furniture products which include décor accents, linens, lighting, artefacts, mirrors, beds, dining, tableware, soft furnishings and other accessories. The company also provides services

Anurag Kanoria, owner of Ficus - Fine Living

The company also has a presence in Kanpur and Thimphu, Bhutan. With both these outlets receiving an enthusiastic response, the company is confident that they will create a buzz on the global platform.Contact web: www.ficusliving.com email: [email protected] Store - Prasanna Chavan - 022-22819827Byculla Store - Suman Shah - 022-23770079

Ficus provides complete interior solutions by their experienced team of in-house architects and interior designers

that aid the customer in all their interior décor needs. The company’s consultancy team advises clients and architects globally on interiors and aesthetics. Further, one is also able to customise a piece of furniture. “Ficus partners with clients in interpreting their ideas into unique works of art to compliment any décor of their home,” says Kanoria.

Their combination of high quality furniture pieces and design services has helped Ficus make an impression with their clientele. Among their best selling products are: their two-seater sofa,

98 98 THE INSIDE TRACK September 2015

Facades Spl. Climate Control At A Cellular Level rat[LAB]’s new facade system can be optimised for any climatic context and building typology. BY ALYSSA LOBO

The abil ity to control a structure’s temperature and sunlight exposure is the

holy grail of current endeavours in structural engineering and architecture. In fact , one of the major functions of facades is helping to control this aspect of construction.

rat[LAB], an independent r e s e a r c h o r g a n i s a t i o n a n d international network of designers and researchers has developed a

Delhi studio, led by architect and computat iona l des igner Sushant Verma.

The facade; which was developed through the use of computational design and parametric design, can control the heat, light and visibility in a given space.

The multi-faceted geometry of the system – which is made up of individual hexagonal cells of different sizes and angles – controls the solar incidence angle (the angle at which sunlight falls) on localised areas of the facade, thus affecting solar gain through radiation on the entire building skin.

The facade system is designed algorithmically in a parametric work f l ow. Th i s means tha t data related to the prevailing climatic conditions and building requirements such as dimensions, angles , opening s ize , e tc . i s calculated through an algorithm and taken into account while fabricating the facade.

For instance, if a facade has vertical members and horizontal

possible solution to this problem. The organisat ion consists of professionals who specialise in computational design or similar technology-re lated domains . rat[LAB]’s network is spread across the UK, USA, Europe and Asia; with a studio in New Delhi.

The Cellular Morphology Facade was designed and developed by a team of designers from rat[LAB]’s

louvers the distance between one louver and another becomes a parameter of design. The physical structure of the facade is controlled by such parameters which can be optimised to lessen heating and cooling loads.

Instead of a traditional facade of a single piece, this facade system is made of different smaller components that are hexagonal in shape which are mathematically controlled through an algorithm.

As they are of different size, their angles are different; and they respond differently to how the sun hits them and ultimately how it hits the building. By controlling all this data, architects are free to model the facade in any way they feel like.

“You basically change a smooth surface to a multifaceted surface, where each face is controlling how

the sun is hitting the facade. So you can understand what part of the facade is going to heat up and which is not,” explains Verma.

Thi s a l lows the a rch i tec t to develop and test multiple versions of a building against the desired criteria and reach an optimum solution.

rat[LAB] presented a large scale mathematically driven prototype of the Cel lu lar Morphology Facade system in an exhibition a t Galer ie Romain Rol land, Alliance Francaise de Delhi where it was shortlisted as one of 20 designers from Delhi to be a part of 20under35 Exhibition 2015 by DesignXDesign, a joint initiative of Alliance Francaise de Delhi and Studio IF. The prototype was made of cardboard.

A newer prototype made out of aluminium sheets is being proposed

The system is made up of individual hexagonal cells of different sizes and angles and controls the solar incidence angle on localised areas of the facade

Architect and computational designer Sushant Verma


Data related to the prevailing climatic conditions and building is calculated through an algorithm and taken into account while fabricating the facade

but anything that comes in a sheet material can become this kind of facade. Wood and panelling can be used; and rat[LAB] is currently testing a similar facade made of stone for a building in Dubai.

Given India’s climatic diversity and temperature extremes of both highs and lows; our built environment is exposed to harsh dynamics of climatic change that gradually affects the performance of buildings.

“Since building envelopes lie at the intersection of external and internal environment, there is a huge potential of regulating the internal condit ions of a building through a building skin,” says Verma.

The Cel lu lar Morphology Facade is a retrofit-able system as well; hence it is possible to fix issues like overheating of building parts by localised differentiation o f c o m p o n e n t s t h a t f o r m the facade.

A varied angular configuration of each face of the component-based facade system leads to a facade which is optimised to local solar conditions, making the

building more energy efficient. This can potential ly help to make our bui l t environment more responsive and adaptable to chang ing env i ronmenta l conditions in India.

The system is not necessarily restricted to a hexagonal shape. As it is parametrically designed it can take any shape, whether square, quad or octagonal.

The facade form can be changed to suit the desired aesthetics. Thus it can take on any physical shape – be it a roof system on a large scale, or a screen on a small scale.

The research team at rat[LAB] performed a digital simulation of the facade system on Gopal Das Bhawan in Delhi to demonstrate its potential. “We did it on an existing building since people can relate more to the

system if its effects are demonstrated on a real project,” says Verma. “We did an analysis of the convex shape of the facade and then we digitally modelled the Cellular Morphology Facade to it and did the same analysis to do a comparison. We intend to pitch it to the authorities to have it as a large scale system.” Contactweb: www.rat-lab.org


Combining Inventiveness and EfficiencyLeading companies strive to conjoin innovation and performance in their offerings of distinct and efficient roofing solutions. BY TASNEEM S. POCKETWALA

Roofing Spl.

Fundamental ly meant to shield from the severity of the elements, roofs have evolved

both in their looks and functionality. Emergent innovations in the industry pertaining to bettering the efficiency and design of roofing systems are spoiling us with choice in the same. For instance, modern roofing systems provide insulation and waterproofing, while at the same time being inventive in their design and presenting an aesthetics that is appealing.

It is most imperative that the materials used in the making of roofs are of a high standard and quality so as to evade problems either during the assemblage of the roof or later on.

From flat roofs to hipped roofs, to the more contemporary styles in roofing; roofing systems in India are varied and made to suit just as many varied roof types.

Several companies have sprung up in recent years, introducing innovative roofing systems. This is in answer to the growing demand to provide top-notch services and high efficiency when it comes to the roof above one’s head and the exterior, very visible part of one’s home.

What makes each system distinct is the kind of materials used and the

way the materials are manipulated to reach the desired effect.

Wienerberger’s Monnanda Appaiah, MD asserts, “Ventilated and dry roofing systems are the new age contributors to the roofing industry.”

Traditional roofing systems and roofs have not been, of course, fully ousted yet by newer ones, but have in fact gone through several adjustments and adaptations to suit modern purposes. We look at some smart roofing systems and ideas while characterising them according

integrates into a harmonic wave, giving the roof an overall wavy appearance. Stark advantages of this product include its excellent extension of water to a high sealing performance.

Fibre Cement Roofing Roofing sheets made from fibre cement are beneficial in several ways . Evere s t a l so prov ides corrugated sheets made from fibre and cement of a high quality. The rigorous quality-control that the materials are made to undergo is touted to be higher than ISI standards. The roofing is low on cost and maintenance, easy to fix and is fire-resistant.

The corrugated roofing sheets are also non-corrosive, vermin-proof, are consistent in strength along and across the sheets , mature with age and have a low thermal conductivity. The sheets endeavour to keep the inside cool . They a l so have sound absorption properties. Contactweb: www.everestind.comwww.monier.in www.wienerberger.in

Primasteel Roofs by Everest consist of a four-layered protection, contain anti-corrosive and weather resistant elements and come in various colours

produced using high precision rol l forming and component forming machines. Made available in Galvalume and steel, these sheets come in a wide variety of vibrant colours. They are provided with a four-layered protection and contain anti-corrosive and weather resistant elements.

The product is also leak proof due to its anti-capillary groove and return lap. The sheets are also fire and spark resistant, and are adaptable to different surroundings, equ ipped a s th ey a re w i th

coatings and fixings suitable for the harshest locations.

Clay roofsTraditionally used in the making of roofs, clay tiles and bricks are now redefined and repurposed to suit modern needs. Apart from providing the traditional clay roofing solutions, companies today are also offering innovative clay roofing solutions for better comfort and ease of living.

Monier offers fresh new products, imported from European countries, such as Coppo Domus and Plana that ensure impermeability, improved s trength and waterproof ing. Moreover, its roofing systems come equipped with inventive and innovative features. The Elabana Translucent Tiles are designed to match the Elabana concrete tiles and blend in with the overall roof layout. But their translucency provides a free skylight and lets in natural sunlight.

Wienerberger revolutionises the traditional clay brick used for roofing to suit modern purposes. One of its products, VHV, has a slightly curved chute which

The Elabana Translucent Tiles by Monier are designed to match the Elabana concrete tiles to provide a free skylight and let in natural sunlight

to the material primarily used in their making.

Metal roofingMetal roofing has been around since a long while. Previously made of tin or copper, this system of roofing graduated to making use of galvanised iron and aluminium, before gradually settling on to steel. This kind of roofing ensures low cost, low maintenance and lightness of weight while at the same time being durable, safe and even stylish.

In fact, Amit Oberoi, GM, Everest opines, “The metal roofing is the biggest innovation and the new fixing technique for fixation.” Everest’s Primasteel Roofs are


Spot Light Five Incredible Buildings That Are Future-Ready Ensconced in the following buildings could be the future of architecture in all its ingenuity. BY TASNEEM S. POCKETWALA

Of late, there seems to be an all-pervasive obsession with determining what

the future holds for architecture. Unsurprisingly, this is gauged by analysing the buildings recently planned, already built or in the process of being built all around the world.

With the World Architecture Festival (WAF) having announced the shortlist for its design award and featuring 338 projects, the

To be on par with this latest trend, then, we present to you a roundup of the five most incredible buildings that are the future.

Aqua Tower, USAArchitect: Jeanne Gang, Studio Gang ArchitectsInspired by the natural striated limestone outcroppings in the

against the sun. Visitors can also climb over the structure for a panoramic view of the city. Contactweb: www.jmayerh.de Kundu, TurkeyArchitect: GAD ArchitectureThis future project is a sustainable housing development planned in the c i ty of Anta lya . The buildings are laid out from north

Great Lakes area in the country, the building’s façade is covered in a beautiful rippling pattern. Its ripple form also undermines the usual angular formations and smooth surfaces seen over buildings elsewhere.

The 82-storey building is a residential and hotel tower whose undulating balconies present a vantage point which offer magnificent views of the city and its other skyscrapers.

focus on buildings that are futuristic in appeal, design and concept has increased even more.

Architect Marc Kushner’s recently released book, The Future of Architecture in 100 Buildings in which he lists 100 of the most innovative buildings in the world today, further epitomises this intense speculation.

Aqua Tower is covered in a beautiful rippling pattern, inspired by the natural striated limestone outcroppings in the Great Lakes area

The tower also houses a swimming pool, a library, sky gardens and a billiard room.Contactweb: www.studiogang.net

Metropol Parasol, SpainArchitect: J. Mayer H. ArchitectsThis grand feat of architecture is breath-taking in its design. Splendidly made of wood mostly, this is the largest glued structure in the world. Its design protects the ruins found around the area, provides room for cafés and for parking, and is overall an excellent public area.

The shading structures also protect the crowd milling about

to south so as to benefit from natural sunlight.

One half of the structure, folded in a smaller angle, creates a passageway to reflect indirect sunlight and flood the centre of the house with it.

The houses will be made of natural wood externally. The proximity of the houses is intended to maximise solar benefits, and openings strategical ly placed in the buildings allow for cross ventilation. This environmentally aware housing project also allows for parks and other public spaces.Contactweb: www.gadarchitecture.com

The Metropol Parasol is made mostly of wood and is the largest glued structure in the world

Kundu is a sustainable housing development planned in the city of Antalya


Diamond Hill, ChinaArchitect: 5+designThis mixed-use retail complex in Shenyang has found inspiration in the mountains of traditional Chinese landscape paintings. The four floors high mall contains a roof garden and a glass atrium for protection against the region’s harsh winters.

Peripheral to the structure are offices and residential buildings and to ensure that these structures receive at least two hours of daily sunlight, the structure is designed using dramatic sloping rooflines.

The structure’s similarity to mountains does not stop at its roofs.

Diamond Hill is a four floors high mall with a roof garden and a glass atrium for protection against winter

The materials palette and façade design reflect sedimentary rock layers, while the skylights and the glass-covered atrium located at the centre signify a string of mountain lakes. Contactweb: www.5plusdesign.com

Wendy Pavilion, USAArchitect: Hollwich KushnerDesigned by Marc Kushner’s firm itself, this structure looks as quirky

as its function is essential. With the air quality in urban areas increasingly deteriorating, it’s time something be done about it.

Enter Wendy. The structure extends its surface area to expose its titanium-nanoparticle-coated skin to the environment, as much as possible. Each part of this structure’s surface sucks carbon dioxide out of the air. Contactweb: www.hwkn.com

The Wendy Pavilion extends its surface area to expose its titanium-nanoparticle-coated skin to the environment as much as possible


Interview

Its launch of multiple new collections at ISH 2015 is only a part of Villeroy & Boch’s efforts

to reach out to newer customers. Last year the brand set out to expand their reach and have made changes in their distribution and marketing strategies. We spoke to Abhijeet Sonar, Marketing & P.R. Manager, and Key Account Manager- Hot Tubs, Villeroy & Boch about why these efforts are important.

Staying Focused And Engaged For Villeroy & Boch, engaging with their customers is more important than mass marketing campaigns. BY ALYSSA LOBO

In the past people would copy the designs and make it from the local carpenter, but you would never get the same finish, hinges, durability, etc. But lately people are investing in bathroom furniture because there is a lot of utility. The bathroom looks better and there are several new water resistant materials. Some vanities have integrated sound systems that can be connected via Bluetooth, so there is technological advancement.

Vanities and furniture; especially our complete vanity with mirrors, have got a good response. There is utility, storage, and a feel good factor. In fact a project in Pune has asked for Villeroy & Boch vanities as an added advantage to customers.

Abhijeet Sonar, Marketing & P.R. Manager and Key Account

Manager- Hot Tubs, Villeroy & Boch

Villeroy & Boch’s Venticello collection of vanity and furniture: People are now investing in bathroom furniture due to utility, storage, and a feel good factor

Customers mostly ask for a particular colour or finish: some want a veneer feel, a nature feel, or a matte finish.

Last year, you had plans to expand your distribution reach. How has this progressed?

We’ve been exclusive in our distribution in our main channel partners to penetrate into the two and three tiered cities. We refer to our channel or value partners as our ‘business associates’ in our communication. They are important as they actually get the brand to the main consumer.

We have also appointed ‘associate partners’. In the normal terminology they are called sub-dealers, but we have coined this new term to give them

credibility and respect. When you call them sub-dealer, the treatment is quite different and if they are attached to Villeroy & Boch we want to make them feel special. There are different advantages for a main dealer and an associate value partner; but the communication and marketing activities are the same.

What is your marketing plan for next year? What are your revenue targets?

We have minimal advertising but we focus on the right publications to reach our target customers (architects, specifiers and end consumers). We do a lot of activities like taking architects to Germany and showing them the

plant. But our marketing activities are not of the magnitude that other brands do. We are more focused on engaging with the customer because then only will he realise the actual value add of the brand.

Other competitors focus on the looks, mass housing and low pricing products. But we are the only product in the bathroom category which is directly from Germany. Our competitors have factories here, so the product is now made in India.

We want an average year to year growth of 20-30%. Sales and profitability is important, but the client, and sustainability and awareness of the brand are more important.Contactweb: www.villeroy-boch.asia/[email protected]

outside their villas so they can enjoy hot water therapy during winter.

Villeroy & Boch Spa is a hot tub that we created for a family setting. Maintaining a swimming pool is a problem due to the hygiene factor. Our hot tubs give you the advantage of both a swimming pool and a tub. They are big in size and have hydrotherapy for every kind of massage. You also don’t have to go to a particular position to enjoy the massage because the massager comes in a jet pack that can be removed and put in wherever you like.

Bungalow and villa owners, commercial spas, and resorts are our main customers. We also have unique users. A customer in Mumbai has a fully functional spa in his flat which we had to install with a crane.

How are your after sales services geared to meet the challenges of the high-end bath and sanitary ware segment?

There are certain basic things that Indians don’t realise when installing, especially with respect to pre-instal lation and post-installation. The contractors are not well equipped with the knowledge of how to install the product and sometimes they tell the customer that it’s not working.

We have a trained solutions company to which we outsource this function. We also have our own technical manager, who has been trained in Germany about all the bathroom and wellness products. So if someone wants to install a very expensive spa, he’s there for pre-installation and post-installation and also for how to read the manual and operate it.

What has been the response to your bathroom furniture and vanities? Are there any specific needs that customers have?

Normally Indian bathrooms are wet bathrooms. Earlier the trend was that people did not want furniture in the bathroom. They preferred marble or granite as we use a lot of water and it spills everywhere.

What are some of the new products that your company has introduced to the bath segment this year?

We have different categories of product offerings for projects: Premium, Design, Plus and Star.

In terms of retail we have Classic; which is nostalgic with vintage charm and is very high-end in terms of pricing. The Country collection is inspired by nature. Metropolitan is based on straight lines, sleek design and is very minimalistic.

Initially Villeroy & Boch focused on the premium and mainstream segments. The gap was in the lower two segments – the Design and Plus categories. At ISH 2015, we bridged that gap by introducing five to six new ranges. So there is a lot for architects and developers to offer customers, depending on their budgets. We’ve covered all the segments in targeting and positioning that a brand requires.

What are the trends in the spa and wellness segment in India? Are there a lot of takers for products in this segment?

For the bath and sanitary segment, spas generally mean hot tubs. There isn’t a lot of demand; but there is a significant need for this product up north. Due to extreme climatic conditions, people in two and three tier cities have bath tubs

15THE INSIDE TRACK September 2015

Interview

Cera, a pioneer in sanitary ware in India, has announced its entry into the premium segment with

i t s par tnership with Ita l ian brand ISVEA.

ISVEA is wel l known for i ts technological ly advanced bath products and is a world leader in ceramics for more than 50 years.

The Inside Track spoke to Atul Sanghvi, Executive Director, Cera Sanitaryware Limited about

Cera Enters The Luxury Bath SegmentCera has partnered with Italian brand, ISVEA to bring its designer sanitary ware to India. BY ALYSSA LOBO

ISVEA’s products are technologically advanced and have high quality designs

d e s i g n e r s , c o n s u l t a n t s a n d developers. Now Cera can cater to their luxury sanitary ware requirements also.

What is your sales and distribution strategy? Do you have any revenue targets for the next two years?

For ISVEA, we will select a few top-end distributors chosen from within the Cera list initially. Yes, we do have revenue targets, but Mr Atul Sanghvi,

Executive Director, Cera Sanitary ware Limited

turn Cera gets technology and design support from ISVEA.

How many product lines will you be launching initially? What is the USP of these products?

We will be launching seven to eight designer ranges. Each design is from a different designer with his/her exclusive design touch and uniqueness. ISVEA is technologically advanced, apart from having high quality designs.

How do you want to position yourself in this segment?

ISVEA would be positioned as a luxury designer brand from Italy.

Will the new product lines be manufactured in your existing facility? Are there any new materials, or changes to the materials being used to make these products?

Currently there is no plan to

it would be premature to disclose it now.

Are there any plans for offering complete bathroom solutions?

ISVEA has bathroom furniture, apart from sanitary ware currently. Other products will be rolled out in the future.Contactweb: www.cera-india.comemail: [email protected]

the reasons for entering into this new partnership and how they plan on positioning the brand in the market.

What has prompted Cera to enter the premium sanitary segment?

Cera is well established in the upper-middle segment of bathroom solutions. However with increasing purchasing

power and internationalisation of brands, we felt the need to enter the luxury sanitary ware segment as well.

What was the motivation behind partnering with ISVEA?

Our partnership with ISVEA is a win-win situation for both of us. Cera opens up a huge market for ISVEA. In

manufacture these ranges in our factory and they will be imported from Italy.

How do you plan on competing with international brands that have been in this segment for a long time?

Cera has a strong loyal base of distributors, architects, interior


the same, by strictly adhering to the green and sustainable development model that we always follow, that would send a message to the world,” says V.J. Kurian, Managing Director, Cochin International Airport Ltd.

“In fact, we are producing a few megawatt of extra energy which is being contributed to the state’s power grid.”

Over the next 25 years, this green power project will avoid carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants by more than three lakh metric tons, which is equivalent to planting three million trees or not driving 750 miles.Contactweb: www.cial.aero

Both these plants are equipped with a SCADA system, through w h i c h r e m o t e m o n i t o r i n g is carried out and have jointly saved more than 550MT of carbon emissions.

Another larger, 12MWp solar PV plant will be set up in an area of about 45 acres near the International Cargo premises. The project components include PV modules of 265Wp capacity manufac tu red by Rene so l a , and inverters of 1MW capacity manufactured by ABB India.

After commissioning, this installation is expected to generate around 48,000 units per day; which along with the electricity generated from the existing 1.10

MWp plants, would be sufficient to meet the power requirement of the airport.

The airport works on a grid-connected system without any battery storage, although a power banking module with the Kerla State Electricity Board (KSEB) has been worked out.

CIAL transfers the power it produces in the day time to the KSEB grid and ‘buys’ back the power from the board when needed (especially at night). This plant will produce 18 million units of solar power annually – the equivalent of powering 10,000 homes for one year.

“We consume 48,000 units (KWh) a day, so if we can produce

Green Speak

Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) is now the world’s first completely solar

powered airport. The 12 MWp solar power plant was formally inaugurated by Kerala Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy on 18th August 2015.

The plant consists of 46,150 solar panels laid across 45 acres near the airport’s cargo complex.

With the new solar panels, Cochin airport will have 50,000 to 60,000 units of electricity per day to be consumed for all its operational functions, which technically makes the airport ‘absolutely power neutral’. This is also the country’s first airport built under the PPP (public-private partnership) model.

This is just the latest step in CIAL’s long term policy of sustainable development. In March 2013 the airport ventured into the Solar PV sector by installing a 100 kWp solar PV plant on the roof top of the Arrival Terminal Block.

This was a trend setter in the field of grid-connected solar PV in the state of Kerala. The plant was installed by the Kolkata based M/s Vikram Solar Pvt. Ltd. and made use of 400 polycrystalline modules of 250Wp with five 20kW capacity Refu-sol make string inverters.

After the successful commissioning of this plant, CIAL installed a 1 MWp solar PV power plant partly on the roof top and partly on the ground in the Aircraft Maintenance Hanga r f a c i l i t y w i th in the Airport premises.

T h e p l a n t u s e d 4 0 0 0 monocrys ta l l ine modules of 250Wp with thirty-three 30kW capacity Delta make string inverters, making it the first Megawatt scale installation of Solar PV system in Kerala.

Harnessing The SunCochin International Airport becomes the world’s first to operate completely on solar power. BY ALYSSA LOBO

Smaller tile sizes require more grouting and are difficult to clean

Cochin airport’s solar plant produces a few extra megawatt of energy which is transferred to the state’s power grid

CIAL transfers the power it produces in the day time to the KSEB grid and ‘buys’ back the power from the board when needed

The plant consists of 46,150 solar panels laid across 45 acres near the airport’s cargo complex


Spot Light

A chance to design his first house changed Veeram Shah’s outlook on design and life.

The project was commissioned while he was still in his fourth year of architecture and the drawings and details were ready on paper by the time he was finished with college. “After seven years of studying,

An Architecture Of Presence Design ni Dukaan’s furniture and spaces show a keen sensitivity to the surrounding reality of their creations. BY ALYSSA LOBO

Canteen Project at Himmatnagar: Bare walls becoming backdrop for existing trees and communal activities

reading and travelling, to finally be an ‘approved architect’; I thought I had everything figured out,” says Shah.

But he quickly realised that the real journey had just begun.

For two years he worked with labourers, stone masons, and carpenters and scoured the local market to ensure that design and aesthetics didn’t compromise the budget. Handles were made out of pieces of waste wood, the cheapest stones were used to create patterns and pre-cast blocks were created on

site to save costs. However none of this eclipsed the joy that he felt at having completed his first project before he was even 25 years old.

A number of friends contributed to the project at various stages and on various aspects of design. It was during this time that Shah met Akshita Kaur Bhatia who was working as an interior designer with Parul Jhaveri and Nimish Patel at Abhikram. She had experience in traditional art and craft while working on the Celebration mall at Udaipur and through the various

traditional and contextual hospitality projects she had done during her five years with Abhikram. She was also a moderator with NASA (National Association for the Students of Architecture) India’s trophy for Unknown Crafts Persons.

The duo shifted base to Shah’s home town in south Gujarat where they started documenting his father’s collection of antique furniture

and soon they began designing contemporary versions of them. Thus Design ni Dukaan was born.

Shah says, “We realised that architecture is much beyond the five years of college. It can be learnt only hands-on, and it does not take much money when you are dedicated to a singular cause. The joy of creating is unparalleled.”

They gradually grew their business and were soon able to take on new projects. Among their first commissioned work was an 18,000 sq. feet home in Himmatnagar. They have also designed scooters and learnt to restore old furniture.

The team collaborated with other architects and designers on their projects. “It all seemed to fit into place because the vision was singular,” says Bhatia. “We lived under the same roof, cooked

together, played music, spent time on the right thoughts. It had become like a ‘dukaan’ and thus we named it such. Design ni dukaan is a place where likeminded people come together and design things.”

They took up a wide range of projects that required them to design anything – from a chair to a house. Currently the studio is focusing on complete projects where

Pieces from Design ni Dukaan’s restored antique and antique inspired furniture collection

Enclosure: an 18,000 sq. feet residence at Himmatnagar was a challenge to design a large space without an elevation


The clay pot in the front patio, a tulsi in the sun-lit courtyard, houses so closely spaced to avoid the harsh sun and balconies almost nudging each other; according to Shah and Bhatia these details created very powerful images which went beyond architecture.

Although these examples are from a past age and moulded by a different culture; they reflect,

they will take care of the overall design, furniture design, graphics, murals and whatever is required by the client.

The studio is currently working on a series of tables for a café in Ahmedabad; inspired from the concept of a ‘Nuance’. “We have translated this intangible expression to design form by articulating the simplest element of design – lines,”

respond to and respect the realities prevalent then. Beyond architecture, these intangibles added a certain drama and timelessness to the built order of spaces.

Design ni dukaan tries to focus on these intangibles in their work. They look at architecture, interior design, furniture design and even scale models not as synthetic decorations or add-ons; but as living breathing sculptures, designed for that particular context and space.

Their belief in “architecture or design of presence” manifests itself in the unique aspects of their products and spaces such as courtyards which are complete only when nature takes over them, seamlessly merging the built and open spaces; bare concrete walls which are created only as a back drop for communal activities; spaces which are woven around existing trees; bookshelves as sculptures of light and shadow inspired from S.H Raza’s paintings or art deco inspired furniture in an

says Bhatia. “The continuous lines disintegrate into various forms along their journey with subtle nuances. The rhythmic progression of these lines and voids creates a symphony of pure and deconstructed forms.”

Design ni dukaan’s design philosophy is based upon the idea of ‘architecture of presence’. Spaces have always had a deeper meaning and function within traditional forms of architecture in India. The front patios were designed as social interactive zones; sometimes offering water to weary travellers in hotter regions. The courts were of a more private nature where women would do daily chores and festivals would be celebrated. Says Shah, “Metaphorically, this created ‘talking streets’. The dialogue between the users and the built forms was very evident. It was a perfect balance of the tangible and the intangible, where the material order of things created a perfect backdrop for the cultural order.”

old Parsi house. The ‘presence’ in their designs arises on the dividing line where the intangible silently absorbs architecture and design. It is design with a deeper meaning and yet without some ‘fancy concept’ to articulate the visual aesthetics.

The team’s influences include thinkers from a wide range of fields such as Le Corbusier, Carlo Scarpa, Luis Barragan, Satyajit Ray, Haruki Murakami, Gabriel Garcia Marquez,

M.K. Gandhi and Friedrich Nietzsche . They are also influenced by Indian classical music, nature, traditional arts and crafts , architecture; which they try to imbibe into contemporary forms.ContactFacebook:www. f a c ebook . c om /designnidukaanemail: [email protected]:+91-9426370930/+91- 9898915515

Farmhouse at Ahmedabad – Courtyard: The studio focuses on complete projects where they will take care of the overall design, furniture, murals, etc

Shah’s father’s collection of antique furniture

Table and mural for cafe in Ahmedabad from the ‘Nuance’ collection


Fair News

London Design FestivalDate 19th - 27th Sept 2015Venue London, UKContact www.londondesignfestival.com

The London Design Festival is one of the most significant annual design events, providing a platform for emergent design talents with over 350 events and installation. The Festival has been readied to showcase ideas from over 250 partners and represents the heart of the city’s vibrant design community.

The festival comprises sundry events in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum, which as the central hub location for the festival, will house an array of activities including installations, events, talks and workshops. A significant aspect of the festival’s programme is the presentation of Landmark Projects in several locations in the city. These projects are site-specific installations that are meant to showcase the imaginative talent of their designers.

Other programmes enlisted include the Global Design Forum, which holds talks and discussions to explore the place and role of design in a sustainable future. A wondrous location housing several of the projects this year will be the Somerset House. This setting is touted to be a crucial destination for the visitors, being a centre of London’s art and culture.

Architect at WorkDate 16th -17th Sept 2015Venue Vienna, AustriaContact www.architectatwork.at

Following the demand of both exhibitors and visitors, Architect at Work premiers in Austria this September. The event boasts of a fresh concept that is reflected in its unique exhibition layout. Optimal contact between visitors and exhibitors is taken to be crucial and to ensure that, visitors are led along a path that winds through small, uniform modules. The innovations displayed by the exhibitors are presented in corner units and on the walls.

Before showcasing products at the event they have to be first approved by a judging panel comprising architects and interior designers. All products are assessed based on their degree of innovation and the information provided by the exhibitor. The event also incorporates various seminars aiming to provide an opportunity for the fellow architects to share their experiences with visitors and talk about current issues pertaining to the sector. Visitors at this event will include architects, interior architects, designers, urban planners, government agencies and lecturers.

Beijing Design WeekDate 23rd Sept - 7th Oct 2015Venue Beijing, ChinaContact www.bjdw.org

Beijing Design Week is an international design event which serves as one of the largest and most influential platforms in Asia for the display and promotion of creative designs, for trading and the exchange of creative ideas.

This event will display and introduce the most innovative products out of the design industry. It aims at facilitatating the exchange of ideas and for Chinese as well as international designers, institutions and organisations to meet and network. The event serves as a space for innovative perspectives to inspire and shape the current design discourse.

Some of the key sessions under this event include Design Night; Design Awards that seek to honour the most inspirational and innovative design projects or work; Design Trade; Design Service, which aims to promote business start-up and innovation; and Design Hop, which is a city-wide event of exhibitions, installations, pop-ups, workshops and seminars.

Fairs & ExhibitionsDate 21st Aug - 22nd Sept 2015 , Exhibition of Drawings by Sir Peter Cook Venue New Delhi Contact www.galleryespace.com ,www.architecturediscipline.com Sir Peter Cook, one of the leading figures in architecture today, is visiting India for the first ever exhibition in Asia of his drawings and sketches. Sir Peter will be in New Delhi from 18th to 26th of August but the exhibition will remain open from 21st August to 22nd September. The event is presented by Gallery Espace in association with Architecture Discipline, established by Akshat Bhatt. Gallery Espace in Delhi will display 34 sketches of the architectural icon drawn between the 60s and 2000. Since constructed development is a hot topic today, these works are very much contextual to the current milieu.

Sir Peter Cook is most renowned for his concepts and drawings for architectural projects that are avant-garde. He is also the founder of Archigram and has been a legendary figure in world architecture for over 50 years. The drawings exhibited include the 1963 Montreal Tower, ‘Trickling Towers’, the ‘Tower of Studios’ and a series of conceptual drawings under the name ‘Skywaft City’.


Advertorial

In creating the P3 Comforts complete bathroom range, Duravit and Phoenix Design

concentrate on the definition of comfort. As design satisfies very fundamental human requirements for appearance and functionality, it also demands to be experienced by all the senses. P3 Comforts satisfies these needs, and does so with a clean and effortless design.

For P3 Comforts, simple geometric forms have been modified to render them aesthetically calming ensuring that the range blends naturally into our living environment. The details are impressive: the raised tap platform on the washbasin serves as a generous shelf surface for bathroom essentials. Another practical feature is the pronounced depth of the basin, which optimizes draining and facilitates cleaning.

Duravit’s P3 Comforts

The design of the toilet blends in seamlessly with the style of the washbasins. The additional width makes sitting noticeably more comfortable. A number of the toilet models are rimless, with an open design of the flushing rim, which makes cleaning easier.

The wide, c lear ly def ined bathtub rim offers space for tap fittings and shampoo. The special shower trays created with the new DuraSolid A material blend in beautifully with the overarching design of the P3 Comforts range.Contact Duravit India Private Limitedtel: 079 66112300email: [email protected]: www.duravit.in

Duravit’s P3 Comforts range - perfect comfort that is perfectly cool.


It Products Visionnaire Introduces Furniture By Steve LeungVisionnaire has recently collaborated with renowned Hong Kong-born designer and architect Steve Leung to release exquisite furniture designed by Leung himself. Leung has designed for Visionnaire a collection called ‘Nature’s Jewel Box’ in which he takes his inspiration from nature for his design.

The collection includes sofas, consoles, armchairs, low tables and dining tables. The designs of the furniture items present a confluence of influences from the East and the West and are ideal for apartments, villas, hotels and resorts.

The collection designed by Leung comprises the Hagal sofa which is structured on a sanitised aluminium base and has luxurious quilted upholstery. The Kenaz low table consists of a green agate table top with an aluminium fusion base and a bronze lacquered finish.

Encraft has recently come up with a Folding and Sliding Door System that goes well with any space, need and style. The door system has been infused with high quality uPVC profiles combined with specially made steel reinforcements. The door system has also been equipped with a superior hinge and door locking mechanism, thus ensuring safety, security and reliability.

Encraft Launches Folding and Sliding Door System

Encraft’s Folding and Sliding Door System lets sunlight flood in abundantly. There is an option of three to six operating panels in various configurations to pick from. The door system is available in white, dark oak, golden oak and walnut. It is also reasonably priced. You can make the most of your balcony or garden and enhance the style of your outdoor living space with these beautifully designed doors. Contact www.encraft.in

Then there is the Aurora console, which is a high unit cabinet framed in wood and chromed steel.Contactwww.visionnaire-home.com


It Products

Bleu Concepts Introduces Its Interactive Kitchen

In a bid to cater to the needs of people as they become increasingly techno-savvy, Bleu Concepts has recently introduced its Interactive Kitchen. This kitchen enables people to engage with entertainment mediums and other technologies while spending time in the kitchen.

In a segment of the kitchen a panel system can be installed to incorporate a television, laptop, speaker or a Wifi. The kitchen is also equipped with a small counter for sitting

along with a small bar, so that the space can be utilised for engagement and interaction with family members. Its design reflects luxury: the shutters are painted in high gloss on MDF whereas the cabinets are made of high quality MR grade plyboard. Made of materials that have been derived using advanced technology and look elegant and sophisticated, the Interactive Kitchen gives off a very contemporary feel.Contactwww.bleuconcepts.com

Zody Chairs By Haworth

A high-performing task chair, Zody blends science-based wellness and comfort with sustainability and international design. This high-performance, mid-priced task chair is the first of its kind to have PAL, a passive pelvic support system and a user-selected,

asymmetrical lumbar support system. Zody has also been recommended by the American Physical Therapy Association.The designers of Zody conducted extensive research before coming up with this product. Its PAL back support enables users to choose the amount of support they need on either side of their lower back to maximise the level of comfort. Zody is also available with 4-D arms that let the user adjust the armrest at four levels: in/out, forward/backward, up/down and left/right. The Zody headrest is an ergonomic option which can be added to provide optimum comfort.

A one of a kind task chair that is versatile and goes from the conference to the CEO’s office, the Zody chair range has been certified as a Cradle to Cradle TM Gold Product by the MBDC (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry, LLC).Contact ap.haworth.com/zody10thanniversary

Slide And Fold Door System By Veka

Its rollers, along which the door slides, ensure smooth gliding and are strong and reliable. The door system is available in white and ivory, in wood-grain laminates in mahogany, dark oak and other colours.

This door system is suitable for both residential and commercial applications. The system is equipped with compression gaskets, with its units offering a superior air and water tightness functionality.

The door system also ensures optimal heat and sound insulation. Moreover, the design of the running rail at the sill is such that the weight of the sashes is transferred safely to the floor, rendering the door system absolutely safe.Contact www.veka.in

Grandeur brings Bonaldo Letti beds, with its high comfort level and the wide ranging contemporary designs, to India. The collection is made-to-order to carve out elegant Italian bedroom suites with customisation to suit one’s own requirements and taste.

Coming with the option of hydraulic-assisted storage are double beds, made using the best materials and fabrics.

There is an assortment of personalisation and customisation options available and the beds come in a wide range of styles including Campo

Hollywood, Amlet, Cuff, Squaring and Basket. The Amlet bed, for instance, is a trapezium bed placed on a specially titled frame which makes possible a unique, elegant silhouette.

The Basket consists of padded headboards and rounded sides that snugly close in on the sleeping space, creating a comforting, sheltering feeling. Made from high quality fabrics and available in contemporary designs and patterns, Letti gives the look and sense of sophistication and excellence.Contact www.grandeurinteriors.com

Grandeur Brings BonaldoLetti Beds To India

The Slide and Fold door system by Veka is wrought using rollers of a superior quality, 3-D hinges and locking systems that are secure and reliable.

The door system is emblematic of modern style, design and efficiency.

It Products Original Excellence Collection By Pergo Pergo has recently introduced its Original Excellence collection of laminate flooring for commercial space that is as sturdy and efficient as it is attractive. The collection is available in 25 decors and is quick and easy to install. The range exudes elegance, quality and efficiency in their make.

Among the collection you will find single strip and multi-strip plank pattern with the shades of walnut, merbau and oak. The GenuineTM sawcut, GenuineTM wood and GenuineTM rustic surface structure gives the space a beatific openness. The range is designed for high wear and comes for residential usage with a lifetime guarantee.

Moreover, the TitanXTM Advanced coating shields against wear and scratch and is also fire-resistant. Protection against bacterial formation is

also ensured by the Hygiene feature of the flooring. The flooring is also anti-static in nature. The available formats in this range include 2050 x 205 x 8 mm, 1200 x 190 x 8 mm, 1200 x 123 x 8 mm.Contact www.pergo.co.in

VitrA has recently launched a new series of luxurious bathtubs, bathroom furniture and water-saving faucets titled T4. This range has been designed by the design studio NOA. The bathtubs on offer come with built in furniture. Drawers integrated with the bathtubs can be used to stow towels, and the space that extends from the tub in a continuous flow can be utilised as a hygienic seating area or for personal care.

Faucets with cascade flow are made with auto-clean silicon aerator. The built in basin mixer is elegant and provides a smooth

VitrA Introduces Its T4 Series

flow while saving water. Perfectly complementing the washbasin with its short spouts is the small basin mixer. The bathroom can also be personalised by installing panels of different colours. Other refined products from this series include washbasin units, mirror cabinets and mirrors in a wide range of forms and sizes.Contact www.in.vitra.com.tr

THE INSIDE TRACK September 2015 25


It Products

Launch Of Parag Showroom In IndoreParag Showroom, a one stop shop for both commercial as well as residential furnishings and decor items, was recently launched at Race Course Road, Indore. The store deals in tiles, sanitary ware and lighting.

The showroom is to become a major shopping destination for architects, builders and designers alike with its wide range of products under sanitary

The Equestrian Collection By Bandhini Home

Bandhini Home, a design house that creates luxury home products, has recently launched The Equestrian collection. It is a brand that focuses on Indian craftsmanship and techniques

such as handloom, weaving, tie-and-dye and hand embroidery with its product collections usually centred on a cultural theme.

Bandhini Home’s bespoke product range includes bedspreads, bed sashes, luxury throws, upholstery fabrics, wall art and designer cushions. The Equestrian collection seeks to bring the equestrian lifestyle into the living space with its range of bold weave, metal horsebit, hand quilting and leather accents. The collection is based on a heavy weave made with expensive art silk thread. The elegance and sophistication of the range is provided by leather quilting and suede trims.Contact www.bandhinihome.com

Anchor Introduces Luxurious LED Lights

Anchor by Panasonic has recently launched its new range of Luxurious LED Lights. These include the Panasonic Large Ceiling Lights, Compact Ceiling Lights and Pendant Ceiling Lights.

The Panasonic Large Ceiling Lights are energy efficient and reduce lighting waste. The lighting thrown by this product is evenly bright. A smart remote enables colour tuning and dimming and also allows for remote control adjustments. Its silver frame with decorative crystal glass adds to the aesthetics of the room. Its luminaire lumen efficacy is 71.21m/W.

The Compact Ceiling Lights have been manufactured using

Panasonic Lens technology, thus enabling the product to brighten the entire room and even the surrounding area. It has an acrylic cover and makes for a great centre decoration. Its luminaire lumen efficacy is 72.6Lm/W.

Energy efficient and aesthetically appealing, Pendant Ceiling Lights brighten up the entire room and also add to the style quotient of the house. The product has a chrome finish body with a cut glass decoration. These lights are equal to a 60W incandescent lamp. Its luminaire lumen efficacy is 47.4Lm/W.Contact www.anchor-world.com

ware, lights, tiles and flooring. Among the brands of tiles joining hands with this showroom is AGL Tiles, among others such as Icon, Simpolo & Spa and Luxaddi. Brands dealing in sanitary ware that are featured include internationally renowned brands such as Duravit, Kohler and Hansgrohe.Contact www.parag.co.in

Nitco Launches Its Explorer Edition 2015 Nitco has recently launched its newest collection of tiles, the Explorer Edition 2015. The new range promises to be durable and high performing.

The tiles included cover all sections, such as wall tiles, ceramic tiles, glazed vitrified tiles and vitrified double charged tiles. Nitco’s Explorer Edition 2015 presents a wide range of colours and designs in tiles under its brands Nitco Casa, Dura Digi, Dura Cottura and Trulife.

The Nitco Casa tiles, with their reactive finish, give off the effect of an engraved surface.

They also reflect light off their surface, therefore giving the design a depth. The Dura Digi is digitally produced with a combination of flat and digital printing technology.

The tiles come in a wide range of designs including wood, slate, stone, marble and geometric. A kind of classic elegance defines the Dura Cottura collection, with its clean structural style and chic finish. The Trulife collection takes its inspiration from the rhythmic pattern of nature and gives off a soothing, relaxing feel.Contact www.nitcotiles.in


Spot Light

London student Ted Wiles has transformed simple, mundane household products into lively

objects that need hugs and smiles for them to function.

Wiles, a student of the Royal College of Art in London has created interactive products in a bid to foster feelings of happiness in their user. These products include a toaster that requires a hug to work and an alarm clock that asks to be carried over the head in the ‘victory pose’ to stop buzzing.

Dubbed Involuntary Pleasures, the series requires user interaction in a way that fosters positivity and wellbeing in the users.

Of HuggableToasters And Phones That Demand SmilesTed Wiles has designed a series of interactive household products that induce positivity and joy in their user. BY TASNEEM S. POCKETWALA

This pressure must be kept up all through the duration of cooking. The act of hugging ups the levels of dopamine and serotonin, which increase feelings of comfort and happiness in the user.

The Victory Alarm Clock is a yellow box-like structure that has attached two actuators. The user must hold the actuators above the head in a victory pose for two minutes. Accelerometers inside the actuators communicate their

position via Bluetooth back to the base, stopping the alarm after two minutes. The ‘victory pose’ posture is known to lower the levels of cortisol and increase testosterone, thus making the user feeling confident.

The third product in these series is The Smile Telephone that requires

The Smile Telephone requires its user to smile in order to make or receive calls

The Victory Alarm Clock is a yellow box-like structure that has attached two actuators

The Hugging Toaster functions only when pressed against the body

“A series of electronic products which require physical interaction from the user to engage with them; these physical interactions create chemical changes within the user’s brain which engender feelings of delight and happiness,” explains Wiles on his website.

The Hugging Toaster functions only when pressed against the body. Only when pressure is applied to the sensors within the product’s red felt-covered body is the device activated.

it’s hard to say if they could translate well enough in real life. However, these products will force a smile out of your face which, perhaps, was the intention behind their creation after all.Contactwww.tedwiles.com

its user to smile to make or receive calls. This wall-mounted telephone has attached a mirror with a camera that has a facial metrics scanner to gauge the user’s facial expression. With its requirement to smile every three seconds at one’s own reflection, the telephone boosts positive self-image in the user and increases the levels of serotonin.

Somewhat nebulous in its intention, Wiles’ Reflective Mirror presents a distorted and amplified reflection of the user in an attempt to offer “a moment of meditative contemplation,” as Wiles’ says on his website. This also serves the purpose of reminding the user that everything experienced is from a subjective point of view.

Conceptually, the idea of having lively, interactive household objects is certainly an interesting one. But

The user must hold the clock’s actuators above the head in a victory

pose for two minutes to stop the alarm


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Spot Light

That things wear out with usage is inevitable. But what if they ‘wore in’ with

usage – in a sense, got better with frequent use?

For the restaurant Torafuku Modern Asian Eatery in Vancouver, Canadian architecture studio Scott & Scott have used the kind of materials

Getting Better With Use A Canadian restaurant has been designed with materials that improve in functionality with wear and frequent usage. BY TASNEEM S. POCKETWALA

for its interior design that will not wear out with use and instead, change for the better with age. The materials used are not refined, which is what is most intriguing because that is what primarily interests the architects.

In designing the interior, the architects picked out materials most essentially for their utility and are left, unrefined and coarse, in their basic construction standard. Substance of strength and sturdiness, the materials will be grown accustomed to and grow in ease and familiarity.

The restaurant is planned out in such a way that a large cast-concrete

community table rests in the front part of it, whereas four smaller booths are placed against the wall on the left. The kitchen in an open one and is situated right in the middle, with the diners enjoying a full view of the chefs and vice versa. In a niche facing the kitchen, a row of two-person tables are further placed.

Hovering above the concrete community table, which appears crude but sturdy, is a long strip of LED lights made especially by the architects themselves. Made out of plain steel flats finished in red oxide paint, these LED lights can be held for up and down lighting. On either end of the steel bar are attached

moulded leather boxes, in which the transformers are kept. For acoustic purposes, quilted pads made from denim and wool are placed above the booths. Dressed in bare, plain brown, the pads as well as the lights in reddish steel strike off well against the bare grey of the concrete table.

Most of the furniture housing the restaurant is made by the architects themselves. Besides those, Michael Young’s chairs made out of wood and aluminium designed for the brand Emeco, and Lars Beller Fjetland’s cork-topped stools designed for Discipline have also been used. Contactwww.scottandscott.ca

The long strip of LED lights above the community table is made of plain steel flats finished in red oxide paint

A large cast-concrete community table rests in the front part of the restaurant

The architects picked out materials essentially for their utility which are left, unrefined and coarse, in their basic construction standard

Documents

The Inside Track September 2015