“We got to see new stone materials, and design possibilities,” say Utkarsha, who does not give a second name. She, Shivani Methi and Bhumika Ostwal are excitedly exploring the range of new materials available. They are part of a group of 50 interior design students from the Institute of Fashion, Media & Allied Arts, Aurangabad, here in Pune on a field trip to see A&i Digest ’s Design Exhibition.
Founded 20 years ago by editor Amit Danait, A&i Digest has been organising the exhibition for 15 years. Mr. Danait says the intent is “to bring architecture and interior design trends, worldwide and ethnic, to the masses.”
This year’s edition features exhibitors from 100 architecture and interior design studios, with design solutions from around the world, and a window to innovative trends across residential, commercial, landscape & urban planning projects, covering the gamut from natural stone materials to integrated automation systems, ergonomic kitchen countertops and stretchable ceilings, laser-cut metal and acrylic lighting solutions, HD veneer prints, brick cladding available at less than ₹125/sq.ft. and hybrid surfaces like a combination of acrylic and aluminium trihydrate (ATH). The hybrid acrylic-metal hydroxide composite created with micro-machining process technology by Infini includes 36% acryclic, 63% ATH, which is a fire retardant, and 1% colouring agents.
The trending home and office solutions seems to be automation, with prices ranging from as low as ₹30000 for Belgian designer switches by TENSE to ₹1,50,000 for automation solutions by CasaDigi & Texecom. On show are individual items like touch panels, motion sensors, and biometric identification devices, as well as companies like CasaDigi and Elan who are showcasing the possibilities of a centralised automation interface. The CasaDigi interface allows differently branded electronic items to be integrated using a combination of compatible hardware similar to an amplifier for integrating sound inputs, and proprietary software and enabling centralised control, such as switching electronic appliances on and off and lights that can change colour.
With the exception of solar panels, the green buyer looking for sustainable and environmentally-friendly materials will find displays focused more on design rather than eco-friendly design solutions such as natural building materials or biocomposites and a lot of stalls featuring importers of furniture and lighting solutions. Nidhi Jaju, of architecture and design firm Exclusiv, says customers are looking for products not easily available in India such as certain furniture designs. Deepti Shah, an interior designer for 15 years who runs her own firm, Mud House, says the consumer is more aware in terms of design preferences, with functionality at the top of the priority list for working professionals, which has resulted in minimalist designs. But, she says, fusion designs are also currently trending, such as ethnic patterns with functional lines.
“This is a really good opportunity to interact with different customers,” Ms. Shah says. “We’re happy to be showcasing our designs here.” For visitors, and especially design students like Utkarsha and her friends, the exhibition provides a great way to explore what contemporary design can offer.
A&i Digest’s Design Exhibition: Ishanya Mall, Pune, up to January 7.
