The Address FRIDAY / 29 MAY 2015 IT - Casa Paradox · homes for affluent Indians and NRIs in- ......
1
ONE-OF-A-KIND I am not trying to compete with anyone. I am familiar with Raghuvanshi Mills in Mumbai; today it's become a décor hub. And like all other décor hubs, every store and showroom has its own sensibility. That doesn't make one better than the other; just different from each other. And Casa Pop is distinctly different from the other brands. 2 The Address / FRIDAY / 29 MAY 2015 Aditi.Sharma1@timesgroup.com EXCERPTS: Describe the evolution of your work. Every project that I work on is special. Our involvement has ranged from upgrading slums and large corporate and public buildings, to restoring magnificent colonial buildings. I enjoy the diversity of the work. Every project becomes a journey and a learning experience in itself. I believe that development and progress must pro- ceed without straining the cultural and his- torical environment. My work includes corporate, industrial and institutional de- signs that extend to public spaces, which has been rebuilt and sometimes reinvented as pavements, parks and plazas. These in- clude Colaba Woods, Ganeshpuri Temple and a slew of pavements in South Mum- bai, and the reconstruction of an entire vil- lage in Kutch; each project was different and each had to be a part of its natural en- vironment. We also do a lot of educational and institutional projects. The universities and colleges we have built, keep me going. What fascinates you about architecture? Architecture gives me my sense of place; architecture, for me, has always been about connecting and creating spaces between man and earth. It is about spaces and places, it’s a collective memory. India is a large and complex country with people of different cultural and economic back- grounds. As architects, we are guardians of the built and un-built environment and must be able to work in urban and rural ar- eas of our country with the same commit- ment. I enjoy the diversity that my practice provides. What should a structure achieve? There has to be an element of surprise in the building, which goes beyond its physi- cal appearance. It must come across as an interactive building; the interaction is the result of the space that you have created, the materials you have used, and the way you have designed the building on the site and the climate with its shade and shadow. How has architecture developed in Mumbai? India is changing; the scale of projects is changing with more ambitious, bigger projects. Lifestyles are changing; people have higher and unique aspirations. We’re wit- nessing the emergence of educational campus- es, institutional build- ings, recreational build- ings, shopping, hospi- tals and a huge need of low-cost housing. Therefore, I see huge opportunity for young architects. Do you think there is an increasing globalised approach to architecture? If I had to speculate, the next decade will involve many changes in India. These will include buildings that need to be built keeping in mind the new behavioural pat- terns of the city’s residents. These include new lifestyles, housing, recreational pat- terns, and the shift from manufacturing to service industries within cities. Second homes for affluent Indians and NRIs in- clude gated complexes within cities like Bengaluru, and also country homes near Mumbai, Gurgaon and Noida. However, the residents in the older parts of towns and cities are becoming more vocal about their rights to public space, protection of heritage buildings, natural habitat such as salt pans and mangroves, thus reflecting the steady power struggle between the state and its people. Can you name some architects who inspire you? There are many great Indian architects like BV Doshi and Charles Correa whose works I admire. I also find Spanish archi- tect, sculptor and structural engineer San- tiago Calatrava’s bridges and stations sim- ply breathtaking; I’m humbled by Japanese architect Tadao Ando’s spiritual designs. ARCHITECT SPEAK THE ARCH IT ECT’S E YE An architect and urban conservationist, Brinda Somaya, founder, Somaya and Kalappa Consultants, talks about her imaginative designs and her passion for architecture Aditi.Sharma1@timesgroup.com As we enter through the main door, we immediately lower our tones and look around in amazement. The environment makes us peaceful and gives a sense of comfort. ‘Temple’, some outsiders call it. The home of Anuradha Paudwal in Khar West, Mumbai, isn’t any less than that; it is a space full of calmness and as many claim, divinity. HOUSE WARMING “I bought this house a decade ago. My entire idea of living and doing up a space was based on how it is done in Australia. The houses there have an open plan. They are nothing like the regular Indian homes—boxy and cramped. This is why I got a home that was spacious and well-ventilated. The décor of the house, on the other hand, has strong Balenese influence. I went to Bali and got my furniture from there. Not only did I like the finishing and the look of wood, I realised that the quality of furniture in Bali is splendid. I bought some paintings from there too,” says Paudwal. Having built the house from scratch, the singer’s motive was to make it look like a villa. BREATHING SPACES Big windows, spacious patio, open doors and lots of breeze—Paudwal’s home is perfect for those who enjoy the company of nature. Agrees the crooner, “There is a lot of ventilation in this home. I don’t like dark, closed spaces. We have two big balconies here. Gayatri Maa’s temple is right in front of our home and has a peepal tree beside it. They say that breeze passing through a peepal tree is supposed to be healthy and positive. A lot of people who come over say they find the home very positive.” A bungalow-like look created by tall decorative items, life-sized paintings, expansive rooms, extended balconies and extravagant furniture renders a rather rich feel to this duplex apartment. FLOOR OF DIVINITY The ground level, while oozing warmth and beauty, is diametrically opposite from the one that is above. The first floor is where the Gods reside, literally. “I am a devotee of Kali Maa. The top floor is a temple; there is a life-size statue of Maa in the temple. I usually do the puja there; if I don’t, then we have a priest who comes and performs the rituals in the morning. I have a room in one corner of this floor. The whole house functions only from the ground floor; upstairs is exclusively for Maa,” avers Paudwal. ETHNIC ELEMENTS “I don’t have too many shelves or cupboards in the house; I believe in bare minimum and having breathing space at home. I love ethnic, Indian designs. Bright colours and soft fabrics appeal to me. I wanted shlokas on the walls, so I got somebody from Jaipur to do some shloka paintings for me. Most of my paintings, doors, even knobs are made to order; others I picked up from my travels,” she says. A pair of lions from Bangkok, a beautiful Buddha painting from Bali, and special wall paints to match the colours of the house— the theme of the entire home revolves around all that is Indian. MY HOME, MY KINGDOM “You like to do up your home the way you are. I am a positive person and I like to be happy. The colours that I chose, therefore, are very vibrant. The house is a reflection of me—it’s an easy going space, there is nothing complicated here. Many people who come here say they instantly feel relaxed and spiritual. I believe that your personality, nature, mindset—everything gets absorbed into the interiors of your home,” concludes Paudwal. Anuradha Paudwal, the acclaimed playback singer, shows us around her peaceful home, which is luxurious and humble at the same time HOME PROFILE A BLISS FU L AB OD E HAVING BUILT THE HOUSE FROM SCRATCH, THE SINGER'S MOTIVE WAS TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE A VILLA STORE SPACE Colour burst! MARKET NEWS Indians aren't very adventurous buyers; the same things sell very differently in the West. A lot of Indian consumers are still in the process of educating themselves in this field. So, one does not come across many already informed customers. STORE FOR ALL If you try and target specific audience, you will never get anywhere. Don't offer what 10 other stores are offering; you will only end up being the 11th! The graphics are the backbone of Casa Pop. We wanted to make them a major part of everyday life, rather than being something that's just on the wall. This is why I brought in lots of colour. It was a good creative outlet for me, at a friendly price point. Raseel Gujral, founder and creative head, Casa Paradox, walks us through her newly launched concept retail store, Casa Pop in Mumbai TOP PICKS Accessory boxes, floor cushions, poofs, iPad covers, phone covers, stoles STYLISH ADDITIONS Bedroom: Colourful cushions Dining room: The bright and beautiful selection of trays Living room: Nest of tables, wall art CHIC LIVING Being yourself is the most important tip for anyone, at any age. On a more practical level, it's important to own that one statement- making piece at home; let the others be subtle. Don't be afraid of colour, and never be afraid to be Indian. — As told to Aditi.Sharma1@timesgroup.com PHOTOS : SAMEER SAWANT PHOTOS: SAMEER SAWANT
Transcript of The Address FRIDAY / 29 MAY 2015 IT - Casa Paradox · homes for affluent Indians and NRIs in- ......
OONNEE--OOFF--AA--KKIINNDDI am not trying to competewith anyone. I am familiar withRaghuvanshi Mills in Mumbai;today it's become a décor hub.And like all other décor hubs,every store and showroomhas its own sensibility. Thatdoesn't make one better thanthe other; just different fromeach other. And Casa Pop isdistinctly different from theother brands.
2 The Address / FRIDAY / 29 MAY 2015
EXCERPTS:
Describe the evolution ofyour work.Every project that I work on is
special. Our involvement has ranged fromupgrading slums and large corporate andpublic buildings, to restoring magnificentcolonial buildings. I enjoy the diversity ofthe work. Every project becomes a journeyand a learning experience in itself. I believethat development and progress must pro-ceed without straining the cultural and his-torical environment. My work includescorporate, industrial and institutional de-signs that extend to public spaces, whichhas been rebuilt and sometimes reinventedas pavements, parks and plazas. These in-
clude Colaba Woods, Ganeshpuri Templeand a slew of pavements in South Mum-bai, and the reconstruction of an entire vil-lage in Kutch; each project was differentand each had to be a part of its natural en-vironment. We also do a lot of educationaland institutional projects. The universitiesand colleges we have built, keep me going.
What fascinates you aboutarchitecture?Architecture gives me my sense of place;architecture, for me, has always been aboutconnecting and creating spaces betweenman and earth. It is about spaces andplaces, it’s a collective memory. India is alarge and complex country with people ofdifferent cultural and economic back-grounds. As architects, we are guardians ofthe built and un-built environment and
must be able to work in urban and rural ar-eas of our country with the same commit-ment. I enjoy the diversity that my practiceprovides.
What should a structure achieve? There has to be an element of surprise inthe building, which goes beyond its physi-cal appearance. It must come across as aninteractive building; the interaction is theresult of the space that you have created,the materials you have used, and the wayyou have designed the building on the siteand the climate with its shade and shadow.
How has architecture developed inMumbai?India is changing; the scale of projects ischanging with more ambitious, biggerprojects. Lifestyles are changing; people
have higher and uniqueaspirations. We’re wit-nessing the emergenceof educational campus-es, institutional build-ings, recreational build-ings, shopping, hospi-tals and a huge need oflow-cost housing.Therefore, I see hugeopportunity for youngarchitects.
Do you think thereis an increasingglobalised approach
to architecture?If I had to speculate, the next decade willinvolve many changes in India. These willinclude buildings that need to be builtkeeping in mind the new behavioural pat-terns of the city’s residents. These includenew lifestyles, housing, recreational pat-terns, and the shift from manufacturing toservice industries within cities. Secondhomes for affluent Indians and NRIs in-clude gated complexes within cities likeBengaluru, and also country homes nearMumbai, Gurgaon and Noida. However,the residents in the older parts of townsand cities are becoming more vocal abouttheir rights to public space, protection ofheritage buildings, natural habitat such assalt pans and mangroves, thus reflectingthe steady power struggle between thestate and its people.
Can you name some architects whoinspire you?There are many great Indian architects likeBV Doshi and Charles Correa whoseworks I admire. I also find Spanish archi-tect, sculptor and structural engineer San-tiago Calatrava’s bridges and stations sim-ply breathtaking; I’m humbled by Japanesearchitect Tadao Ando’s spiritual designs.
ARCHITECT SPEAK
THE ARCHITECT’S EYEAn architect and urban conservationist, Brinda Somaya, founder, Somaya and Kalappa Consultants, talks abouther imaginative designs and her passion for architecture
As we enter through the maindoor, we immediately lowerour tones and look around inamazement. The environment
makes us peaceful and gives a sense ofcomfort. ‘Temple’, some outsiders call it.The home of Anuradha Paudwal in KharWest, Mumbai, isn’t any less than that; it isa space full of calmness and as many claim,
divinity.
HHOOUUSSEE WWAARRMMIINNGG“I bought this house a decade ago.My entire idea of living and doing
up a space was based on how it isdone in Australia. The houses there
have an open plan. They are nothing likethe regular Indian homes—boxy andcramped. This is why I got a home that wasspacious and well-ventilated. The décor ofthe house, on the other hand, has strongBalenese influence. I went to Bali and gotmy furniture from there. Not only did I likethe finishing and the look of wood, I
realised that the quality of furniture in Baliis splendid. I bought some paintings fromthere too,” says Paudwal. Having built thehouse from scratch, the singer’s motive wasto make it look like a villa.
BBRREEAATTHHIINNGG SSPPAACCEESSBig windows, spacious patio, open doors andlots of breeze—Paudwal’s home is perfectfor those who enjoy the company of nature.Agrees the crooner, “There is a lot ofventilation in thishome. I don’t likedark, closed spaces.We have two bigbalconies here.Gayatri Maa’stemple is right infront of our homeand has a peepaltree beside it. Theysay that breezepassing through apeepal tree issupposed to behealthy and positive. A lot of people who
come over say they find the homevery positive.” A bungalow-likelook created by tall decorativeitems, life-sized paintings,expansive rooms, extendedbalconies and extravagant furniturerenders a rather rich feel to thisduplex apartment.
FFLLOOOORR OOFF DDIIVVIINNIITTYYThe ground level, while oozingwarmth and beauty, is diametricallyopposite from the one that is above.The first floor is where the Godsreside, literally. “I am a devotee ofKali Maa. The top floor is a temple;there is a life-size statue of Maa inthe temple. I usually do the puja
there; if I don’t, then we have a priest whocomes and performs the rituals in themorning. I have a room in one corner of thisfloor. The whole house functions only fromthe ground floor; upstairs is exclusively forMaa,” avers Paudwal.
EETTHHNNIICC EELLEEMMEENNTTSS“I don’t have too many shelves or cupboardsin the house; I believe in bare minimum andhaving breathing space at home. I love
ethnic, Indiandesigns. Brightcolours and softfabrics appeal tome. I wantedshlokas on thewalls, so I gotsomebody fromJaipur to do someshloka paintingsfor me. Most ofmy paintings,doors, even knobsare made to order;
others I picked up from my travels,” she says.A pair of lions from Bangkok, a beautifulBuddha painting from Bali, and special wallpaints to match the colours of the house—the theme of the entire home revolvesaround all that is Indian.
MMYY HHOOMMEE,, MMYY KKIINNGGDDOOMM“You like to do up your home the way youare. I am a positive person and I like to behappy. The colours that I chose, therefore,are very vibrant. The house is a reflection ofme—it’s an easy going space, there isnothing complicated here. Many people whocome here say they instantly feel relaxed andspiritual. I believe that your personality,nature, mindset—everything gets absorbedinto the interiors of your home,”concludes Paudwal.
AAnnuurraaddhhaa PPaauuddwwaall, the acclaimed playback singer, shows us around herpeaceful home, which is luxurious and humble at the same time
HOME PROFILE
A BLISSFUL ABODE
HAVING BUILT THEHOUSE FROMSCRATCH, THE
SINGER'S MOTIVEWAS TO MAKE IT
LOOK LIKE A VILLA
STORE SPACE
Colourburst!
MMAARRKKEETT NNEEWWSS Indians aren't very adventurousbuyers; the same things sell verydifferently in the West. A lot of Indianconsumers are still in the process ofeducating themselves in this field. So,one does not come across manyalready informed customers.
SSTTOORREE FFOORR AALLLLIf you try and target specificaudience, you will never get
anywhere. Don't offer what 10other stores are offering; you
will only end up being the11th! The graphics are thebackbone of Casa Pop. We
wanted to make them a majorpart of everyday life, rather
than being something that'sjust on the wall. This is why I
brought in lots of colour. Itwas a good creative outlet for
me, at a friendly price point.
RRaasseeeell GGuujjrraall, founder and creative head, CasaParadox, walks us through her newly launchedconcept retail store, Casa Pop in Mumbai
TTOOPP PPIICCKKSSAccessory boxes, floorcushions, poofs, iPadcovers, phone covers,stoles
SSTTYYLLIISSHH AADDDDIITTIIOONNSSBBeeddrroooomm:: ColourfulcushionsDDiinniinngg rroooomm:: The brightand beautiful selection oftraysLLiivviinngg rroooomm:: Nest oftables, wall art
CCHHIICC LLIIVVIINNGGBeing yourself is the most
important tip for anyone,at any age. On a
more practicallevel, it'simportant toown that onestatement-
making piece athome; let theothers be subtle.Don't be afraidof colour, andnever be afraid
to be Indian.
——As told to [email protected]
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