On July 14 2023, Bastille Day, Paris; Armée de l'air & IAF Rafales fly together overhead, while on the ground the Punjab regiment joins French soldiers to march on the Champs Élysées. It is a special day for France and India.
I am struck by a parallel epiphany on how I find myself in Paris. For me, if you are seated in Labrouste's grand salle at the BNF Richelieu library, probably the most beautiful onel have ever been in, it is reward enough. I stare at the multiple star shaped glass domes far above me, pouring molten sunlight onto pencil thin metal columns. On the walls, gilt ornaments surround bas relief profiles of the great French thinkers. There are several floors of open bookshelves and exposed stairs, with massive archways above housing a continuous trompe-l'œil of massive trees and blue skies. I sit in one of the many wooden carousels occupied by students and researchers, retracing the steps that got me here.
I pause my research on the master plan of Paris the creation of the high-density "Haussmann Block"; its strict use of 'Calcaire Lutécien' for the main structures and grey slate for all the roofing; with elevational guidelines to select from a fixed library of ornaments for the design of windows, railings, cornices and moldings for every building. It is abundantly clear that a few critical decisions made by an individual have ensured the destiny of a city and its people for a lifetime to come. I see the results of absolute decision making around me everywhere and I wonder what do I make of mine?
Esta historia es de la edición Volume 11 No. 1 de Home & Design Trends.
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Esta historia es de la edición Volume 11 No. 1 de Home & Design Trends.
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BUILDING SPATIAL DIALOGUES
In conversation with the powerhouse duo Lijo Jos and Reny Lijo, who dare to break away from accepted design norms and introduce new ideas, forging a path for themselves in the field of architecture
in Balance
Design has always been our first love. It is a vital part of our existence and the fundamental reason we get along
..AND THE LEGACY LIVES ON
Sanchit Arora trains his young eyes towards creating an architectural identity through fantastical concepts. We chart how the architect has propelled the trajectory of RENESA, the studio founded by his father Sanjay Arora, towards being touted as one of the leading avant-garde design firms in the country
UNCONVENTIONALLY MINIMAL
Shivani Ajmera and Disha Bhavsar, the dynamic co-founding duo of Quirk Studio, have forayed their way into the world of interior design with their quirky and unconventional ideas... inspiring many young designers to follow in their footsteps
AN EXPERIMENT IN THE MAKING
Birju Shah, Pooja Shah and Dhaara Shah converge to form Studio-in-Dtale, an Ahmedabad-based design atelier that crafts, creates and pushes the boundaries when it comes to AvantGarde design
THE NEW AGE PURIST
with everything veeram Shan does, ne aims to find equilibrium between luxury and earthiness. From architecture to fashion to product and landscape design, his prowess is impressive and innovative. We meet up with one of the future torchbearers of Indian design
TELLING IT LIKE IT IS
Behind the dramatic overtures and picture-perfect vignettes, there is an incredible amount of work that goes into the realisation of any design. In her most candid conversation yet, designer Iram Sultan lifts the veil on the glamour to reveal the details that make the big picture
TO BE YOUR OWN MUSE
Every project by MuseLAB frontrunners Huzefa Rangwala and Jasem Pirani is a deep dive into research and exploration. For this feature, they probe their past, with an unwavering eye on the future
THE STORY OF AN INDIAN LEGEND
Canna Patel, Founder and Chairperson, HCP Interior Design, is an institution in herself. Over the years, she has diligently worked to reshape the design narrative, be it with her public architectural designs, commercial outings, or residential projects. Canna is a beacon of inspiration. Here she tells us her story, how she started and down to this point in time when her firm has been appointed as the interior sub-consultants for the Central Vista Project, including the New Parliament Building.
THE GREEN ARCHITECT
What drew young Benny Kuriakose into the world of design?
