Located in the bustling hub of Kirti Nagar, New Delhi, Furnish and Shade stands as a 6,500 square foot retail marvel, distinguished by its dynamic play of architectural volumes and meticulous design.
Project Name- Furnish & Shade
Studio Name- OSA studio
Location- Kirti Nagar, New Delhi
Total Area- 6500 Sq. Ft.
Lead Designer- Daksh Goel
Photography Credits- Rahul Sethi
The client’s design brief emphasized a minimalist interior where blinds and fixtures would be the focal points while ensuring strict adherence to Vaastu principles, reflecting a harmonious balance of aesthetics and spirituality.
The store’s design deviates from the conventional retail spaces in Kirti Nagar with its innovative spatial arrangement. Unlike typical shops in the area, Furnish and Shade breaks the monotony by incorporating a triple-height volume that connects the basement, ground floor, and first floor. The vertical integration of these spaces is facilitated through sculptural folded plate staircases, creating an engaging and visually stimulating experience. This seamless connection enhances the spatial fluidity, offering visitors a cohesive shopping journey that is both functional and architecturally inspiring.
From the first floor, the movement through the store takes a unique turn as the staircase wraps around a central lift, introducing a new navigational rhythm that intrigues and guides visitors through the space. This thoughtful design element ensures that the movement within the store is not just a means of getting from one point to another but a deliberate experience that engages the visitor at every step.
The front reception area is an architectural highlight, offering a panoramic view into the basement where jagged, cantilevered staircases and double-height spaces create a sense of dynamic movement and spatial drama. This design not only fosters a visual and spatial connection between the basement, ground floor, and first floor but also ensures an immersive experience for visitors as they traverse through the store. The interconnected volumes and strategic visual links contribute to a sense of openness and continuity, making the space feel larger and more inviting.
The façade of Furnish and Shade is a masterpiece of traditional and contemporary design.
By incorporating a traditional Rajasthani jali, the façade elegantly filters the southern light, casting intricate shadow patterns that dance across the walls. This interplay of light and shadow enriches the interior spaces with cultural depth and visual interest. The use of a rusted copper finish adds a modern yet weathered aesthetic, enhancing the building’s visual appeal while contributing to its thermal comfort. The façade’s design not only serves an aesthetic purpose but also addresses practical considerations, exemplifying a fusion of heritage and functionality in contemporary architecture.
By night, the façade transforms into a luminous artwork as lights illuminate the rusted metal petals, infusing warmth and a sense of connection into the urban landscape. This dramatic transformation creates a striking visual impact, making the store a landmark in the area. The façade opens up to the street on both the first and third floors, creating a seamless interaction between the interior and the exterior. This design approach not only invites the outside in but also reinforces a dialogue between the store and its surrounding environment, blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors.
This sense of connectivity is thoughtfully extended to the interior design, particularly in the custom-designed furniture, which was crafted on-site. Each piece is a testament to the meticulous attention to detail and the seamless integration of form and function.
One of the standout pieces is the main discussion table, featuring a cantilevered end and a gracefully curving form that integrates with the ground. This table includes a cylindrical planter at one end, merging modern design with organic elements and bringing a touch of nature into the space. Its innovative design not only serves as a functional centrepiece but also adds a visually striking element to the discussion area, embodying the store’s ethos of blending aesthetics with functionality.
Throughout the store, spaces between storage areas have been utilized creatively to form niches and seating areas. A notable feature is a serene nook designed with a gracefully curved panel enveloped in soothing blue fabric.
This tranquil retreat harmonizes with the architectural curves of the site, offering a serene escape within the dynamic design. The intimate space invites moments of contemplation and provides a peaceful contrast to the more active areas of the store, ensuring a balanced and holistic experience for visitors.
Furnish and Shade’s design exemplifies a sophisticated interplay of traditional and modern elements, with a strong emphasis on spatial fluidity, cultural depth, and functional elegance. Each design choice, from the striking façade to the bespoke furniture, contributes to an immersive and cohesive retail experience that seamlessly integrates heritage with contemporary design. The store is not just a place to shop but a carefully curated environment that engages the senses, tells a story, and leaves a lasting impression on its visitors.
