Museum architecture| Landscaping ideas| Reinventing installation art| Techno-ready urban design and more

What is it that drives the thirst for something new each time? Why do we have such a short satiation-quotient? What makes us critical despite the fact that we, ourselves may not be good at creating anything? Well, the answers to these and more are really hidden within a jamboree of simultaneously operating mechanisms that are rooted in our psyche and glimpsed through our personas. So, at times, what may seem grotesque to us – say a bat installation – becomes a muse for a new idea that can be rejoiced in – like the Nature Concert Hall 2016, which has ingeniously used paper bats scenography in sync with its nature thematic. But off-the-cuff likes and dislikes apart, critiques ensue from awareness; and awareness is fed by reinvention. This issue is packed with ideas – piezoelectric gardens talking technology; a photographer’s perspective enlightening insights into the mundane; new initiatives – like New Delhi’s bronze gallery; and much more… Awaiting your feedback. Warmly Savitha Hira Editor

Experiential Art, Luxury at its peak, Home fashion and lifestyle trends, Sculptural architecture and more

The little three-letter word packs in a universe of connotations! Art is a tool - aesthetically enhanced, status-driven, a trendy expression that holds the magic of driving change. Ar. Jean Verville in Montreal, Marc van Vliet in Denmark and Daniel Valle Architects in South Korea use art installations and art thinking as an interactive platform, gauging and influencing social behaviour in individual instances. Paired with the built form, sculptural spaces evoke an architectural emotion that goes beyond the regular fare. Invent Architects and Sanjay Puri Architects’ projects are noteworthy in context and scale as they homogenize site-specific natural factors with the man-made. Swerving away from the serious banter, we bring you luxury at its peak with thematic interiors designed by none other than the queen of sumptuousness - Kelly Hoppen! Enjoy the issue and keep us posted on your take-aways. Warmly Savitha Hira Editor

Japanese traditional crafts to the fore| Revisiting the classic French bistro| Smart waste management | Timeless design| and more

Introspection is a power-packed tool. Artist Maxwell Rushton’s social experiment ‘Left Out’ coaxes the onlooker to peer within and question the seemingly dormant status quo called the comfort zone. It also subtly refers to all inbuilt mechanisms that are responsible for social behaviour, thought and reaction... going beyond to the core of one’s value system. Art works as a seminal tool in such instances, very effective in proposed social change. With the initiation of this rather heavy thought process, we look sombrely at the why and how of our other features, contemplating on the musings of the varied design doyens and their methodologies. Check out Bistro de l’Arc – Paris’ traditional homely French bistro that revels in its classic representation; Makoto Yamaguchi Design’ remodelled resort near Tokyo that uses traditional Japanese crafts as decor elements; Hyderabad’s El+D design studio and its brand language and lots lots more... Until next week, Warmly Savitha Hira Editor

Sky Garden: Novelty with purpose; A journey called design; Hybrid seats and more

What a creative brain pours out, at times consistently; periodic surprises at others, is basically what maintains the intrigue of life and living. When I first read about the social experiment 'Devices of Abstraction', my interest was piqued to know more - especially the outcome. That is when it dawned that there is no definite, no finite outcome. There is continuum. Novel, reinvented, resuscitated continuum. Our stories this week take you from Instanbul’s newest attraction to the waterfront in Amsterdam; from an interactive design school in Gurgaon to a luxe home in a posh Mumbai suburb and a lot more... Do give us your feedback and stand a chance at winning an original painting. The offer is closing soon. Warmly Savitha Hira Editor

Of Islamic art and artistry| The iphone of lugguage| A fairytale home in the woods| A visually connected home| and more

Every space has its calling. The tangible-intangible, when harmonious, create a narrative that communicates with the user on his metaphysical plane. Our issue this week is all about unique connections. Check out our trending story by Collage Architecture. This visually connected home goes beyond spatial intelligibility to evoke a strong emotional connect. Experiencing the built form and nature almost simultaneously in this abode gives a new high! A similar experience is evoked in the Al Sultan restaurant at Mayfair, London, where the designers IDEA interiors have woven a bespoke aura of mid-eastern architectural motifs, aesthetically presenting it in the now. The vocabulary of subtlety and contextuality is reflected in the other projects too – Ar. Brinda Somaya’s prayer room for the Goa Institute of Management, Ar. Jean Verville’s fairytale home in the woods; KNS Architects’ monochromatic magic in a Mumbai apartment; Ar. Yoshitaka Uchino’s ingenious bookcircle as the highlight and most significant interior component in a Tokyo home... allude to bespoke design solutions that make a strong – very strong connect. Enjoy the issue!  Warmly, Savitha Hira Editor