The first Bharat Floorings Walk
in 2016 was a memorable event curated by Instagram influencer and photographer,
Kuber Shah. The walk was themed around the appreciation of the heritage rich
city where the brand’s headquarters reside i.e. Mumbai, and it took us on a
journey through some of the most beautiful heritage structures in South Mumbai,
namely the Abode Boutique Hotel and the iconic Royal Bombay Yacht Club in
Colaba, amongst others.
After a highly successful event,
we set off again on a sequel to The BFT Walk, this time with an entirely
different theme, i.e. how design influences the way we interact - led by
founders of design firm Studio Osmosis - Shilpa and Sameer Balvally and the
Vice-Chairman of Bharat Floorings, Mr. Firdaus Variava. The team at Studio
Osmosis are experts at combining multiple materials to create plush, warm
interiors that blur the lines between formal and informal settings. For this
very reason, we invited them to join us on a walk that focussed on how multiple
design elements come together to create multi-functional spaces that cater to
people’s personal, professional and social needs.
Increasingly, spaces are being
designed such that they enhance social interaction, especially in co-working
spaces where networking plays an important role when it comes to forming
professional relationships. It should be a space where members feel connected,
since co-working is fundamentally about giving people access to each other. Members
should be able to shift out of the professional setting occasionally so that
they are making friends rather than just associates.
Our first stop as part of the
walk was a co-working space designed by Shilpa and Sameer – RISE Mumbai located at Lower Parel – a
co-working space by Barclays. For any given co-working space, the place itself
needs to have elements that inspire creativity. Creativity is all about
experimenting with different colour combinations and unique patterns, and Shilpa
and Sameer have incorporated that in the design of their meeting rooms. They’ve
used the quirky handmade BFT+ designer collaboration tiles, Azul Iket pattern
from the Origametes collection. These patterns are derivatives of the company’s
design motifs and can be seen in different accent colours throughout the space
giving a local context to the otherwise global design sense.
Flexible
and fixed patterns cohesively map out the different uses of the spaces in the
layout. The kitchen and bar act as a social interactive space of the office
area. Shilpa and Sameer designed each of these different areas so beautifully
keeping the central objective of the co-working space in mind i.e. attaining a
merger between their existing design language and a subtle modernist Indian
essence.
Our second stop on the walk was one
of Mumbai’s most iconic addresses - The
World Towers. Here we had access to a beautiful private residential space
designed by Shilpa and Sameer. We also got to visit some of the common spaces
designed for residents of the World Towers to unwind and socialize in a
comfortable, cosy setting.
These days a home isn’t just perceived
as a space where you live and perform all your day to day activities, but also
as an entertainment spot. It’s become a space of hospitality and living
combined. For instance, the seating in the living room of the residence that we
visited has been designed for flexible and fun social interactions and can be
added to easily for larger groups.
The balcony, which runs along the
curve of the living room, has been converted into an outdoor bar and is the
perfect outward looking social space for informal gatherings with casual
colourful seating and offbeat bar counters mimicking the Mediterranean colours.
Besides
the fact that this esteemed residential tower is an architectural marvel and a
symbol of luxury, what also makes it an attractive choice for homeowners is the
community spaces. We had the opportunity to visit the elegant art gallery set
amidst carefully curated flowering plants and trees, that houses the artworks
of renowned artists from around the world as well as a cafe that serves healthy
beverages and snacks. Pops of colour in the décor along with comfortable seating
options where residents can relax, read a book from the library, or even enjoy
a stimulating conversation with friends as they sip on a cup of coffee, make
this space an ideal spot for residents of this prestigious development to unwind,
socialise, network, or even work in solitude!
Another highlight of our visit to
the World Towers was the grand ballroom – The Sea of Blue where we got to
witness the magnificent lighting design installation created by ace architect,
Arjun Rathi which stands out as a distinct work of art in this beautifully
designed space.
Literally next door to The World Towers is
Mumbai’s most popular entertainment hub! Our third stop on the walk was Riyaaz
Amlani’s newest, revolutionary concept in the city’s entertainment arena – Flea Bazaar Café located at Kamala
Mills. The way the Café has been conceptualised and designed is a classic
example of how multifunctionality serves as a catalyst to create a wholesome,
one-of-a-kind experience for anyone who visits this eclectic space. Flea Bazar is a casual and very friendly space
designed to offer something for everyone. It is also busy throughout the day
making it a great choice for lunch, coffee, dinner and even drinks. Currently
home to 12 food pop ups, a bar, a wine shop, a paan stall, it promises a world
of entertainment and food under one roof.
A very interesting design concept used
at Flea Bazaar Café are the tables set up in front of the stage. When the venue
needs to make space for dancing or performances, the tables have a simple
mechanism that pull them up to the ceiling! An ingenious,
space-saving solution! The venue is designed in such a way that it creates a
casual vibe, acting as the perfect hangout spot for large groups. It has taken
the idea of the food court to the next level by creating something that we have
never seen before in India!
Finally, we concluded our journey
of versatile spaces in Lower Parel with lunch at one of the most popular
restaurants at Kamala Mills – The Bombay
Canteen. This place is not only popular for its food but also the vibe. Classical
Indian dishes served with a modern twist in an old colonial style bungalow
atmosphere provide for a nostalgic experience. It’s an airy space complete with
high ceilings. A combination of Bharat Floorings’ Windmill and Bell Flower
patterns from the Heritage collection adds to the old school charm of the
space. This multifaceted space is filled with the buzz and bustle of large
family groups in the day and enthusiastic party goers out for a good time in
the evening. The diversity of the menu and the casual vibe of this all-day
dining restaurant makes it a popular choice among residents of South Mumbai and
beyond.
The BFT walk attendees got the opportunity
to chat with Sameer and Shilpa Balvally from Studio Osmosis as well as our Vice
Chairman Firdaus Variava and understand design processes at both ends; i.e. how
designers and brands work together to create homes that tell a story!
Follow us on our Instagram
account for updates on upcoming events that you could be a part of -
@bharatfloorings and Facebook page - @Bharatflooringsandtiles!
To know more check out our
website - https://www.bharatfloorings.com/
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