Threads of sensitivity at Kochi Biennale | Decoding computational geometry| Channelling green tones in your wardrobe for 2017| and more

Dear IAnDians, As we strive to bring you a daily dose of inspiration from the myriad design happenings around the world, we introduce to you a new segment called ‘insight’ starting today. Checking out the increasingly noticeable organic forms in modern building design, we speak to Ar. Vignesh Kaushik as the expert for the first installment in this segment - the niche topic of parametric design or computational geometry. Every fortnight, we shall touch base with a new expert to decode an interesting element in the gamut of built typologies. Do send in your feedback on this. We value it immensely. Besides, our issue this week brings to you a spattering from the fashion, art, and interior worlds with a highlight on the ‘Tower of Wood’ by the young and dynamic Ar. Hermann Kamte. Enjoy your read! Warmly, Savitha Hira Editor

M+M Creative declared 2016 International Space Design Award Winner |Tunisia’s Mahmud Mosque follows High-Low Tech architecture| Casa Green Lattice is a coveted green cocoon amidst Delhi’s pollution| and more

Dear IAnDians, M+M Creative Studio has been named as the Winner of the 2016 International Space Design Award IDEA-TOPS for the 'Best Office Design'. With folks spending almost 80% of their waking hours at work, the environment at the workplace is in a state of constant reinvention. The modern office is a fostering ground for the spirit of congeniality and is flaunting its comfort zones, of late. The award-winning project not only takes care of this aspect; but also ups the quotient of pizzazz and aesthetics in office design. Endorsing this further is the out-of-box office in Beijing that reinvents its ambience at employees’ will; thus exploring a new dimension every single day. Kudos to the client, who facilitated the designers with a carte blanche that turns office design completely on its head! So while you ponder on the newbies in office environments, and browse the other stories with their distinctive take-home, we get busy with bringing you another new round of stories that will educate, inspire and regale you! Happy reading! Warmly, Savitha Hira Editor

DCA weaves tale of ingenuity in small spaces| IAnD’s best of 2016| Praxis’ designs urban penthouse with revivalist elements| and more

Dear IAnDians, We begin the year by bringing you a recap of some of our most trending stories of 2016; and my personal choices under art, design and architecture. Besides, there are new features with some fantastic interior styling ideas. Readers’ feedback has been encouraging and though for the most part you (our readers) have been showering us with compliments, we would love to know what interests you would like us to pursue to give you that extra fillip! Do write in with your inputs. They help us set new benchmarks. Team IAnD is continuously working on bettering your design reading experience. 2017 too will bring you a host of new features, special editions and the like. So stay tuned in; stay happy! Warmly, Savitha Hira Editor

Addressing social problems thru’ architecture| Top fashion designers speak on trends to ditch/ keep in 2017| Bblunt’s interior footprint| and more

Dear IAnDians, We are signing off this year with tons of hope for a brighter, bigger, more evolved 2017. We’ve hand-picked stories for you that endorse fortitude and gratification in a same breath. Mobile homes and disaster control construction as examples of evolution in the built form around us are ably supplemented with inescapable fashion trends that willy-nilly bog us, no matter who we are! They seem to be the barometers of a social decree that we all unwarrantedly cater to. So ring in the New Year. Party hard and have loads of fun. We will soon see you with some newer exciting stories. Wishing you a very warm, joyous, energizing and successful 2017! Cheers! Savitha Hira Editor

If fine art inspires design – you must see the list-toppers at Kochi-Muziris Biennale | The all-black retail experience | Concert hall dedicated to electro nights| and more

Dear IAnDians, There is something hypnotic about the colour black! Whilst in fashion, it is a must-have; in interiors, a complete black envelope is a rare find. Hence, it is refreshing to see AN Design studio carve out an all-black poetic retail experience for Heike in China. The geometric juxtapositions endorse excellent spatial play as does the spell of materials and textures; a totally recommended must-read. Taking colours to another level is yet another installation by Ar. Emmanuelle Moureaux, who has applied her signature ‘100 shades of colours’ to turn around a branding exercise for Japan’s leading bearings’ manufacturer. An amazing collaboration of papercraft and engineering! You must have caught on by now, I guess; our stories this week revolve around colour, material and ‘design impact’ as one interesting feature follows another. Whether the new look concert hall especially for electronic music; or the most happening art biennale in India… there is something for each one of you to ‘take home’. Wishing you loads of Christmas Cheer! Warmly, Savitha Hira Editor