My Life in Design: Ashiesh Shah
Houzz India talks to the interior architect to the celebrities, Ashiesh Shah about design trends for 2017 and decor mistakes to avoid
This series takes a look at the aesthetics, influences and practices of some of India’s biggest names in the field of architecture and design.
Architect at a Glance
Name: Ashiesh Shah
Firm name: Ashiesh Shah Architecture + Design
Education: Rachana Sansad Academy of Architecture, Mumbai; Interior Architecture at the Parsons School of Design, New York
Design style: He believes in the Japanese aesthetic philosophy of Wabi Sabi, the aesthetic of a beauty that is imperfect and incomplete. Asymmetry and asperity thus play a major role in his work.
Photos courtesy: Ashiesh Shah
Architect at a Glance
Name: Ashiesh Shah
Firm name: Ashiesh Shah Architecture + Design
Education: Rachana Sansad Academy of Architecture, Mumbai; Interior Architecture at the Parsons School of Design, New York
Design style: He believes in the Japanese aesthetic philosophy of Wabi Sabi, the aesthetic of a beauty that is imperfect and incomplete. Asymmetry and asperity thus play a major role in his work.
Photos courtesy: Ashiesh Shah
What trends do you foresee in 2017?
I think they will a carry forward from last year’s trend of going organic and natural in interiors. Warm materials like terracotta have become popular once again. Raw white is definitely in – it looks so organic, it’s full of texture and just works so much better than a flat, sterile white. Dark shades of green will become the new must-have. Navy blue is the new black and I also feel like jewel tones will be quite popular this year as well. Mixing patterns and prints is also very much a current trend.
But one of my favourite new trends – one which I’ve been advocating for years – is going artisanal instead of mass-produced. I think we’ll see a lot of beautifully crafted pieces created by highly skilled designers and artists this year.
I think they will a carry forward from last year’s trend of going organic and natural in interiors. Warm materials like terracotta have become popular once again. Raw white is definitely in – it looks so organic, it’s full of texture and just works so much better than a flat, sterile white. Dark shades of green will become the new must-have. Navy blue is the new black and I also feel like jewel tones will be quite popular this year as well. Mixing patterns and prints is also very much a current trend.
But one of my favourite new trends – one which I’ve been advocating for years – is going artisanal instead of mass-produced. I think we’ll see a lot of beautifully crafted pieces created by highly skilled designers and artists this year.
What is the best thing about Indian homes?
It is the ‘big Indian family’. If you’re designing homes in India, you’re almost always designing for three generations – it can sometimes be a little challenging but that’s definitely something that makes homes here unique.
What’s the decor style that will never go out of fashion?
Interior styles are changing quicker than ever, and they’re not about to slow down anytime soon. Knowing your personal interior style is essential if you want to create a home you’ll love for years. Work on your fundamentals; whether you love white and grey or cream, pick a clean neutral base and then mix it up.
It is the ‘big Indian family’. If you’re designing homes in India, you’re almost always designing for three generations – it can sometimes be a little challenging but that’s definitely something that makes homes here unique.
What’s the decor style that will never go out of fashion?
Interior styles are changing quicker than ever, and they’re not about to slow down anytime soon. Knowing your personal interior style is essential if you want to create a home you’ll love for years. Work on your fundamentals; whether you love white and grey or cream, pick a clean neutral base and then mix it up.
International brands or Indian?
To be honest – both. We live in a global world. I don’t feel creativity has borders. One of the things I love about being an architect is the ability to go scout out this talent. Granted the market here is not as big, but lately there has been a steady growth in people’s desire to collect real design and art pieces for their homes. A direct result of this much awaited shift in the market is a rejuvenation of young, homegrown talent in fields like art, design and even fashion.
To be honest – both. We live in a global world. I don’t feel creativity has borders. One of the things I love about being an architect is the ability to go scout out this talent. Granted the market here is not as big, but lately there has been a steady growth in people’s desire to collect real design and art pieces for their homes. A direct result of this much awaited shift in the market is a rejuvenation of young, homegrown talent in fields like art, design and even fashion.
What are the design mistakes to avoid?
The biggest design faux pas that architects and interior designers make is to lose sight of their client’s brief. Homeowners who do their home themselves also often make this same mistake. It’s important to create a brief for yourself – understand what it is you want from the space, create a mood board and then stick to it as much as possible.
When creating your space, I would suggest working on creating an atmosphere that’s intimate yet practical. It’s important that it feels like your home, that shows your personality.
The biggest design faux pas that architects and interior designers make is to lose sight of their client’s brief. Homeowners who do their home themselves also often make this same mistake. It’s important to create a brief for yourself – understand what it is you want from the space, create a mood board and then stick to it as much as possible.
When creating your space, I would suggest working on creating an atmosphere that’s intimate yet practical. It’s important that it feels like your home, that shows your personality.
What’s the project you are most proud of?
It would be my home. It is an expression of what I do and who I am. I feel like it was mine from start to finish. I have worked on some very exciting projects with clients who were keen to experiment, but when you’re designing your own home, there is this artistic freedom that you don’t have the liberty to fully use when you’re working on someone else’s space.
Another thing I love about my home is watching it evolve, I feel like it’s evolved with me and my work. I love how versatile it is and how it’s a constant work in progress.
It would be my home. It is an expression of what I do and who I am. I feel like it was mine from start to finish. I have worked on some very exciting projects with clients who were keen to experiment, but when you’re designing your own home, there is this artistic freedom that you don’t have the liberty to fully use when you’re working on someone else’s space.
Another thing I love about my home is watching it evolve, I feel like it’s evolved with me and my work. I love how versatile it is and how it’s a constant work in progress.
What’s your next project?
It is a collection of furniture, which we will be launching in 2017. The collection has been inspired by the lingam, a form unique to Indian geometry. The iconic shape is often associated with Lord Shiva and is explored in its entirety throughout this collection.
Read more:
Androgyny in The Architecture of Homes
Iconic Architect: Renzo Piano, The Architect Who Designed The Shard
Tell us:
What do you like most about Ashiesh Shah’s work? Share your thoughts in Comments below.
It is a collection of furniture, which we will be launching in 2017. The collection has been inspired by the lingam, a form unique to Indian geometry. The iconic shape is often associated with Lord Shiva and is explored in its entirety throughout this collection.
Read more:
Androgyny in The Architecture of Homes
Iconic Architect: Renzo Piano, The Architect Who Designed The Shard
Tell us:
What do you like most about Ashiesh Shah’s work? Share your thoughts in Comments below.
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Actually, I was a painter first. I have been painting ever since I can remember. There wasn’t a day in my childhood where I didn’t doodle on a piece of paper or use things around me to create interesting objects.
I come from a family of doctors, so when it came to making that big career decision, medicine seemed like the right choice at that time. But I went on to realise quite early that it wasn’t something I felt passionately about. It didn’t allow the kind of creativity I wanted to express. I needed to create something, and architecture seemed like the right choice.
What is a well-designed home?
A well-designed home is fluid, versatile and constantly changing. It allows and helps the space to subtly transform as it begins to be lived in; it remains engaged.
Air, lighting, smart storage solutions are key elements. The first order of the day should be to pay attention to all the practicalities. There should be a balance between aesthetics and functionality. One should also keep the future owner in mind during the design process – a well-designed home gives its owner a platform to create her/his ideal home.