Design Anthology

[Print] Brass Tacks: Vikram Goyal

Vikram Goyal never meant to pursue design, much less make a career out of it. “In a way, design found me,” says the celebrated New Delhi-based product designer, who has, in the past two decades, emerged as an éminence grise in the Indian design firmament. His oeuvre of brass works has found particular resonance on the world stage, speaking to a global audience while echoing, even amplifying, India's rich artisanal legacy.

[Print] Rediscovering Heritage: aequo, India's First Collectible Art Gallery

A chance encounter in Paris in 2019 led Tarini Jindal, the third-generation scion of Indian conglomerate JSW, to meet French designer Florence Louisy—and the rest is history. "I was raised in a tradition of arts patronage and had connected with many craftspeople. Elevating Indian craftsmanship has always been a cause dear to me," she shares. Her convinction resonated with Florence and the two decided to explore a working partnership.

[Print] Cover Story // Delhi: From the Land, an Earthy Abode by Ashiesh Shah

In a leafy neighbourhood in New Delhi, sits a house that appears to have been fashioned from the earth. 'When the clients approached us to design their new home, the architecture was already established. We began the design process with careful consideration to the context while ensuring that it complemented the interior profile,' says Ashiesh Shah, founder and principal architect of his eponymous Mumbai-based studio, who was enlisted by the homeowners to create a calming interior-exterior oasis.

Ahmedabad: A Restrained Retreat

In a city like Ahmedabad, where traffic and people are always aplenty, a quiet escape can be a rare luxury. This multigenerational household — a couple, their two grown-up children and the husband’s mother — wanted a home far removed from their busy surroundings. ‘They wanted a space that provided a sense of escapism, where comfort and quiet would reign supreme,’ says Rajesh Sheth, founder and principal of Ahmedabad-based interior architecture firm Designer's Circle, who was hired by the family

Victoria’s Historic Portarlington Grand Hotel Gets a Modern Revival — Design Anthology

The Portarlington Grand Hotel has long been an architectural hallmark of its namesake town. Perched on the town’s main street, opposite a ferry pier, the sea-facing hotel was originally built in 1888 to support the swell of beach-seeking holidaymakers arriving via the novel steamer service. However, its allure as a coastal getaway had faded in recent decades and its century-old bones were in dire need of a facelift. Enter Technē Architecture + Interior Design, the Melbourne-based firm called on

Mumbai: A Desert-Inspired Home in the Mangroves

Situated amid Mumbai’s historic mangroves this apartment both reflects and resists its surroundings. The interior holds a mirror to the desert, with earthy shades, jute and linen textiles and oak and teak grains dominating the palette. ‘The home nods to the shifting nature of sand, suggesting a space that can evolve along with its inhabitants,’ says Nishita Kamdar, founder and principal architect of her eponymous studio, whose team was tasked with designing a minimalist home for a mother and dau

Mumbai: A Celestial Apartment in the City

In Mumbai's upscale Hiranandani neighbourhood, this apartment is far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city. 'The client wanted a modern, minimalist aesthetic rooted in high function and low maintenance,' say Raj and Roshan Tatia, co-founders and principal designers of White Luxury Studio, who were brought on board by the homeowners to help give the property a facelift.

With moon-inspired forms and artworks and pearlescent finishes, the home is characterised by cosmic references. 'The

Taiwan: A Sanctuary-like Villa Near the Highway

Situated just off the thoroughfare in Tainan City, this home — named Eden Oasis — is well connected to arterial roads yet cocooned in luxurious nature. ‘The home is held in by a U-shaped glass enclosure, making nature a neighbour and offering the illusion of living in a forest as opposed to just off an urban highway,’ says Keng-Fu Lo, founder and managing director of Chain10 Architecture & Interior Design Institute, who was enlisted by the homeowner, a young professional, to give the villa a san