From office spaces and penthouses to concept stores and restaurants, architect and interior designer Ashiesh Shah’s oeuvre is diverse. Rooted in the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-Sabi, his practice influences not only his vision but also his choices in the materials used, further echoing his personality of being a tastemaker in the architectural world. We’re in conversation with him about his practice and the recent West Elm collaboration.
What is the importance and duty of design in our world?
It is important to acknowledge that the field of design goes beyond mere aesthetics. Functionality and problem solving are as much a part of the process. One needs to keep in mind the technicalities that go behind the styling aspect.
How would you define good design?
I would use the word ‘sensitive’ in place of ‘good’. With design, finding a successful solution to a problem is paramount while being mindful of key aspects such as context, ensuring the usage of biodegradable resources and processes such as upcycling, with sensitivity towards the environment. This, coupled with the simplicity of the aes- thetic, gives it an iconic stature exuding a sense of timelessness while appealing to all the senses. Design to me is a boundless medium of self-expression that encapsulates a balance between both functionality and aesthetics.
Tell us a little about the collaboration with West Elm?
I consider this collaboration with West Elm very special as it marks the beginning of my first international collabora- tion. It served as the perfect opportunity for me to revisit my meditative drawing and infuse them into this series of simple yet elegant soft furnishings. In addition to these geometric explorations, each rug has been simplified to two-dimensional basic shapes with three-dimensional character. A line and a curve, the basic constituents of a drawing, tufted with colour and layered with texture, the spread, woven with architecture. These hand tufted rugs capture my Wabi-Sabi aesthetic through its fine craftsmanship and detailing.
In today’s day and age, what is it that you would say your practice stands for ?
At the Atelier, we are committed to collaborate closely with craftsmen integrating experimentation, craftsmanship and technique into a creative ecosystem. In addition to subscribing to the idea of “handmade”, we aim to work towards empowering the Karigar by designing objects that employ craft processes and materials native to the country, thereby creating objects that exude the philosophies of perfect imperfection with a contemporary flair.
What’s coming up next?
My recent collaborations with West Elm and Ritu Kumar Home have been quite exciting. There are several residential projects in the pipeline along with an upcoming restaurant in Colaba causeway. I also look forward to bringing my passion project, Atelier Ashiesh Shah to an international platform through our launch at the Invisible Collection. Besides this, we’ve been researching and exploring various crafts and developing a line of several new design objects.
This article is an all exclusive from our February EZ. To read more such articles follow the link here.
Text Unnati Saini
Date 02-03-2022