Material Playground: Textures and Forms in Design
We treat every material as a character in our design story. From the age-old technique of terrazzo casting to the light-play of brick jaalis, we experiment with textures to build spaces that feel warm, lived-in, and uniquely yours.
We love using terrazzo for its endless design possibilities. This video shows the age-old process of laying terrazzo, from placing aggregates like stone or glass to pouring the pigmented cement and buffing it to a smooth, unique finish.
The facade of our Project 723, featuring linear Baliapatanam bricks. The interplay of the warm brick, clean white plaster, and the natural foliage creates a modern yet earthy exterior.
A close-up of the facade of Project 723. We used linear Baliapatanam bricks in both soldier and stretcher bonds to create a visually captivating pattern that gives the building a distinct textural quality.
The corner detail of Project 723, where the brick jaali pattern wraps around the building. This architectural element provides both visual interest and functional benefits like ventilation and dynamic light play.
Inside Project 723, the brick jaali screen creates a beautiful play of light and shadow in the stairwell. This feature ensures natural ventilation and connects the interior with the building's external identity.
A detail of the recessed handrail in the stairwell of Project 723. This subtle design choice, combined with integrated lighting, makes the staircase feel more spacious and adds a clean, modern aesthetic.
A bar front and ceiling crafted almost entirely from bamboo for our Dubki project in Goa. This showcases the versatility of bamboo in creating large-scale, structurally expressive, and sustainable architectural features.
These large, ornate pendant lights are hand-woven from bamboo. Used in our Maya project, they serve as dramatic sculptural elements that highlight the double-height space and celebrate the craftsmanship of natural materials.
In this restaurant interior, we used cane and rope to create a warm, natural, and cohesive look. The design includes rope-wrapped columns, woven pendant lights, and cane-backed chairs, all contributing to a relaxed, tactile environment.
A passageway where we used thick ropes to create a unique ceiling installation. This, along with the crazy-paved stone path and terracotta brick wall, creates a journey of textures for anyone walking through.
About Our Material Playground
When we pour our custom terrazzo mixes, we adhere to a 7 to 14 day wet-curing cycle before starting the multi-stage grinding process. This specific waiting period is what allows the cement to settle, ensuring the stone and glass aggregates bond securely for a floor that stands the test of time and heavy foot traffic.
Our design approach is rooted in the physical reality of construction. We believe that materials carry memory, and our work involves curating that experience.
The Architecture of Brick
At Project 723, our fascination with brickwork led us to use linear Baliapatanam bricks in alternating soldier and stretcher bonds. This arrangement creates jaali patterns that actively filter light through the stairwell. These screens are not just for aesthetics. They provide natural ventilation and create a dynamic play of light and shadow that shifts throughout the day, connecting the interior atmosphere to the exterior environment.
Bamboo and Natural Fibers
Collaborating with specialized craftspeople, we treat bamboo, cane, and rope as structural elements rather than simple decor. In our restaurant projects, we use these materials for large-scale ceiling installations and custom pendant lighting. Because they are resilient and sustainable, they bring a tactile, earthy warmth to commercial spaces, making them feel inviting and grounded rather than polished or sterile.
Terrazzo and Surface Play
We view terrazzo as an opportunity for creative expression. By mixing custom background colors with varied aggregates like colored glass or marble, we define specific zones in a room. We often incorporate brass or copper inlay strips to create geometric patterns that serve as functional art underfoot. This process results in a seamless, durable surface that adds character to any floor or tabletop.
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