OONNEE--OOFF--AA--KKIINNDDI am not trying to competewith anyone. I am familiar withRaghuvanshi Mills in Mumbai;today it's become a décor hub.And like all other décor hubs,every store and showroomhas its own sensibility. Thatdoesn't make one better thanthe other; just different fromeach other. And Casa Pop isdistinctly different from theother brands.

2 The Address / FRIDAY / 29 MAY 2015

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EXCERPTS:

Describe the evolution ofyour work.Every project that I work on is

special. Our involvement has ranged fromupgrading slums and large corporate andpublic buildings, to restoring magnificentcolonial buildings. I enjoy the diversity ofthe work. Every project becomes a journeyand a learning experience in itself. I believethat development and progress must pro-ceed without straining the cultural and his-torical environment. My work includescorporate, industrial and institutional de-signs that extend to public spaces, whichhas been rebuilt and sometimes reinventedas pavements, parks and plazas. These in-

clude Colaba Woods, Ganeshpuri Templeand a slew of pavements in South Mum-bai, and the reconstruction of an entire vil-lage in Kutch; each project was differentand each had to be a part of its natural en-vironment. We also do a lot of educationaland institutional projects. The universitiesand colleges we have built, keep me going.

What fascinates you aboutarchitecture?Architecture gives me my sense of place;architecture, for me, has always been aboutconnecting and creating spaces betweenman and earth. It is about spaces andplaces, it’s a collective memory. India is alarge and complex country with people ofdifferent cultural and economic back-grounds. As architects, we are guardians ofthe built and un-built environment and

must be able to work in urban and rural ar-eas of our country with the same commit-ment. I enjoy the diversity that my practiceprovides.

What should a structure achieve? There has to be an element of surprise inthe building, which goes beyond its physi-cal appearance. It must come across as aninteractive building; the interaction is theresult of the space that you have created,the materials you have used, and the wayyou have designed the building on the siteand the climate with its shade and shadow.

How has architecture developed inMumbai?India is changing; the scale of projects ischanging with more ambitious, biggerprojects. Lifestyles are changing; people

have higher and uniqueaspirations. We’re wit-nessing the emergenceof educational campus-es, institutional build-ings, recreational build-ings, shopping, hospi-tals and a huge need oflow-cost housing.Therefore, I see hugeopportunity for youngarchitects.

Do you think thereis an increasingglobalised approach

to architecture?If I had to speculate, the next decade willinvolve many changes in India. These willinclude buildings that need to be builtkeeping in mind the new behavioural pat-terns of the city’s residents. These includenew lifestyles, housing, recreational pat-terns, and the shift from manufacturing toservice industries within cities. Secondhomes for affluent Indians and NRIs in-clude gated complexes within cities likeBengaluru, and also country homes nearMumbai, Gurgaon and Noida. However,the residents in the older parts of townsand cities are becoming more vocal abouttheir rights to public space, protection ofheritage buildings, natural habitat such assalt pans and mangroves, thus reflectingthe steady power struggle between thestate and its people.

Can you name some architects whoinspire you?There are many great Indian architects likeBV Doshi and Charles Correa whoseworks I admire. I also find Spanish archi-tect, sculptor and structural engineer San-tiago Calatrava’s bridges and stations sim-ply breathtaking; I’m humbled by Japanesearchitect Tadao Ando’s spiritual designs.

ARCHITECT SPEAK

THE ARCHITECT’S EYEAn architect and urban conservationist, Brinda Somaya, founder, Somaya and Kalappa Consultants, talks abouther imaginative designs and her passion for architecture

[email protected]

As we enter through the maindoor, we immediately lowerour tones and look around inamazement. The environment

makes us peaceful and gives a sense ofcomfort. ‘Temple’, some outsiders call it.The home of Anuradha Paudwal in KharWest, Mumbai, isn’t any less than that; it isa space full of calmness and as many claim,

divinity.

HHOOUUSSEE WWAARRMMIINNGG“I bought this house a decade ago.My entire idea of living and doing

up a space was based on how it isdone in Australia. The houses there

have an open plan. They are nothing likethe regular Indian homes—boxy andcramped. This is why I got a home that wasspacious and well-ventilated. The décor ofthe house, on the other hand, has strongBalenese influence. I went to Bali and gotmy furniture from there. Not only did I likethe finishing and the look of wood, I

realised that the quality of furniture in Baliis splendid. I bought some paintings fromthere too,” says Paudwal. Having built thehouse from scratch, the singer’s motive wasto make it look like a villa.

BBRREEAATTHHIINNGG SSPPAACCEESSBig windows, spacious patio, open doors andlots of breeze—Paudwal’s home is perfectfor those who enjoy the company of nature.Agrees the crooner, “There is a lot ofventilation in thishome. I don’t likedark, closed spaces.We have two bigbalconies here.Gayatri Maa’stemple is right infront of our homeand has a peepaltree beside it. Theysay that breezepassing through apeepal tree issupposed to behealthy and positive. A lot of people who

come over say they find the homevery positive.” A bungalow-likelook created by tall decorativeitems, life-sized paintings,expansive rooms, extendedbalconies and extravagant furniturerenders a rather rich feel to thisduplex apartment.

FFLLOOOORR OOFF DDIIVVIINNIITTYYThe ground level, while oozingwarmth and beauty, is diametricallyopposite from the one that is above.The first floor is where the Godsreside, literally. “I am a devotee ofKali Maa. The top floor is a temple;there is a life-size statue of Maa inthe temple. I usually do the puja

there; if I don’t, then we have a priest whocomes and performs the rituals in themorning. I have a room in one corner of thisfloor. The whole house functions only fromthe ground floor; upstairs is exclusively forMaa,” avers Paudwal.

EETTHHNNIICC EELLEEMMEENNTTSS“I don’t have too many shelves or cupboardsin the house; I believe in bare minimum andhaving breathing space at home. I love

ethnic, Indiandesigns. Brightcolours and softfabrics appeal tome. I wantedshlokas on thewalls, so I gotsomebody fromJaipur to do someshloka paintingsfor me. Most ofmy paintings,doors, even knobsare made to order;

others I picked up from my travels,” she says.A pair of lions from Bangkok, a beautifulBuddha painting from Bali, and special wallpaints to match the colours of the house—the theme of the entire home revolvesaround all that is Indian.

MMYY HHOOMMEE,, MMYY KKIINNGGDDOOMM“You like to do up your home the way youare. I am a positive person and I like to behappy. The colours that I chose, therefore,are very vibrant. The house is a reflection ofme—it’s an easy going space, there isnothing complicated here. Many people whocome here say they instantly feel relaxed andspiritual. I believe that your personality,nature, mindset—everything gets absorbedinto the interiors of your home,”concludes Paudwal.

AAnnuurraaddhhaa PPaauuddwwaall, the acclaimed playback singer, shows us around herpeaceful home, which is luxurious and humble at the same time

HOME PROFILE

A BLISSFUL ABODE

HAVING BUILT THEHOUSE FROMSCRATCH, THE

SINGER'S MOTIVEWAS TO MAKE IT

LOOK LIKE A VILLA

STORE SPACE

Colourburst!

MMAARRKKEETT NNEEWWSS Indians aren't very adventurousbuyers; the same things sell verydifferently in the West. A lot of Indianconsumers are still in the process ofeducating themselves in this field. So,one does not come across manyalready informed customers.

SSTTOORREE FFOORR AALLLLIf you try and target specificaudience, you will never get

anywhere. Don't offer what 10other stores are offering; you

will only end up being the11th! The graphics are thebackbone of Casa Pop. We

wanted to make them a majorpart of everyday life, rather

than being something that'sjust on the wall. This is why I

brought in lots of colour. Itwas a good creative outlet for

me, at a friendly price point.

RRaasseeeell GGuujjrraall, founder and creative head, CasaParadox, walks us through her newly launchedconcept retail store, Casa Pop in Mumbai

TTOOPP PPIICCKKSSAccessory boxes, floorcushions, poofs, iPadcovers, phone covers,stoles

SSTTYYLLIISSHH AADDDDIITTIIOONNSSBBeeddrroooomm:: ColourfulcushionsDDiinniinngg rroooomm:: The brightand beautiful selection oftraysLLiivviinngg rroooomm:: Nest oftables, wall art

CCHHIICC LLIIVVIINNGGBeing yourself is the most

important tip for anyone,at any age. On a

more practicallevel, it'simportant toown that onestatement-

making piece athome; let theothers be subtle.Don't be afraidof colour, andnever be afraid

to be Indian.

——As told to [email protected]

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