Vikram Sarabhai Library IIM-A – setting a precedent| Studying architecture via community service| iF Design Centre at Chengdu promises to change the way creatives work| and more

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Heritage

Somaya and Kalappa Consultants Pvt. Ltd. (SNK) once again stand apart for their diligence, sensitivity and vision as they win the UNESCO Award of Distinction for the restoration work of the Vikram Sarabhai Library at IIM-Ahmedabad…

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Editorial Dear IAnDian, It is a proud moment for us Indians and especially for the design fraternity that India is the recipient of four UNESCO awards this year. The highest has been the Award of Distinction swept away by Somaya & Kalappa Consultants (SNK) for their restoration and conservation work on the Vikram Sarabhai Library at the IIM Ahmedabad. The sensitivity to the built form and its inhabitants is integral to Ar. Brinda Somaya’s repertoire and here too, it shines through the tough technicalities mandated by the project, holding its own. Several thoughts chased away at our mind as we imbibed her thorough and easy-to-follow analysis of why buildings should be revived rather than pulled down and built anew. Progressive and pragmatic, Somaya epitomizes the grace, quick uptake and diligent action that is the need of the hour as far as modern iconic heritage is concerned. Do check out our cover story. And of course, there’s lots more happening in the country and overseas. I hope you enjoy the issue. Warmly, Savitha Hira Editor								sponsored

Embroidered Architecture in Thailand| Women in Design 2020 Conference – Registrations open| A game of Jenga for the kitchen| and more

Projects

The Bayeux Media library façade by Serero Architectes Urbanistes is a strong, inescapable visual metaphor, as it stands facing the dense city centre of Bayeux, France.

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Editorial Dear IAnDian, We seem to be brainstorming across the board this week! Our team brings you a potpourri of design stories - diverse; yet, so relatable. Ar. Brimda Somaya has given us much food for thought as she chairs the upcoming Women in Design International Conference coming January 2020, speaking about women achievers and path breakers in the field of architecture and design. But the highlight of the conference is that it will endorse that creatives know no boundaries. Ar. Markus Roselieb of Chaingmai Life Architects takes his signature to another level with his design of an eco-friendly villa in northern Thailand, where locally procured natural materials weave a contextual narrative to shape up the mandates of a contemporary lifestyle. Rooting context in design is the vibrant eatery in Gurgaon that epitomises the happy colours and vibe of Rajasthan. And on an inspirational note is the façade design of the Bayeux Media Library in France that talks about embroidery in architecture. An interesting and challenging take on a building design, the all-glass façade beautifully emulates the 11th century Queen Mathilde embroidery as its skin, becoming a landmark of Bayeux. And not to be left behind - our Product Hub section brings you that covetous addition to your kitchen - a compact and handsome electric multicooker. Enjoy the issue Warmly, Savitha Hira Editor								sponsored

World's first children's restaurant| Adding intrigue with kinetic art| The un-retail retail store| and more

Signature

Sneha Divias Atelier wields the power of minimalism, functionality and materiality to design White & the Bear, a child-focused restaurant cum concept store and activity centre in Dubai…

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Editorial Dear IAnDian, Child rearing has taken on newer dimensions aplenty. Keeping pace with the quick transitions in our urban lifestyles, we see that design and society can broadly be categorised as the two faces of the same coin. Change in one face depicts a corresponding echo in the other. Our cover story, White and the Bear - that claims to be the world's first children's restaurant cum concept store - is a case in point of a holistic approach to child rearing. Check out how design - interiors, graphic, food and experience design - takes on the onus of playing responsibly on the psyche of the little ones. Impressive. And we have kinetic art, an un-retail retail store, a new spiral puzzle and a trendy restaurant where minimalist black is the showstopper. Enjoy the issue Warmly, Savitha Hira Editor								sponsored

Will the Bookworm installation impact the authorities that be?!| Rocky surfaces cull out a luxurious home in Monaco| Eating out – cuisine or ambience; what’s your call? | and more

Projects

Jean-Pierre Lott Architects craft a very upscale project built into a rock in Monaco – a residence that is as exceptional in its space planning as it is in visual appeal…

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Editorial Dear IAnDian, Design has a solution for almost every problem. Our stories this week - especially the Bookworm installation hopes to address the issue of literacy in the country. The installation is proposed to travel to other cities and rural areas creating awareness about the importance of education. Trust this initiative bears ripe - very ripe fruit. On our part, I think we should propagate it as much as we can.  Turning our attention to the cover story - a home cut out from a rock, this close-to-nature exercise is definitely the call of the times. Amidst the luxuries that we aspire for, taking from nature and giving back to it sustainably could contrbute a great deal to maintain the balance of our endangered ecosystems. Moving to the fun part, we seem to be receiving a lot of new restaurant projects from all over the world. This underlines the fact that eating out is man's evergreen favourite pastime. Check out Sutra - the trendy gastropub in Noida and Piur - a pizzeria in Valencia. As always, we will await your comments at editor@indiaartndesign.com Warmly, Savitha Hira Editor								sponsored

Moving architecture at Dubai Expo 2020| Adam Kalinowski’s colour therapy| Instagram is the new interior ‘hotspot’| and more…

Reviews

A rainbow-hued sandpit in Tilburg, Netherlands, is redefining the idea of competitive sports for both - the player and the spectator.

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Editorial Dear IAnDian, Trust you had a fill of indefatigable festive fervour and merrymaking as much as we did. Now we're back rejuvenated to bring you more! Presenting you with a bouquet of features, we take you around the world: from some beautiful homes in Mumbai and Himachal, India, to the much-talked-about International Dubai Expo and its moving-architecture-depicting Italian pavilion; from the massive reading room and library in Shenzhen, China to the Instagram-friendly café in Russia... and more. Always, uncannily, a common thread emerges. Here, it is the human quality of interaction - with object, with person, with space... with self... that seems to drive front seat. And it is endorsed introspectively by our cover story - the Pitch of Coloured Sand by Adam Kalinowski, whose continuous attempts at decoding the human psyche through design and art seems to always result in a new insight. Experimental in nature, this entropic project focusses on the process of creating, as opposed to placing importance on the finished product. So, introspect a little and share your insights with us at editor@indiaartndesign.com Warmly, Savitha Hira Editor								sponsored