When architects turn product designers, there is the interplay of form, function and context. A look at five such brands from across India

With rising disposable incomes, homeowners today desire unique art furniture pieces that can be a value addition to the home, going beyond utilitarian design. Solai by Urban Workshop, Chennai “Two ‘M’s — memory and material — play an important role in my work,” says Solachi Ramanathan, who began her architectural practice Urban Workshop in Chennai 10 years ago. Ramanathan’s human-centric orientation using sparse materials exploring their tactile nature sums up her central concern: “I like to discover the essence of things.” sales@solaistudio.co Industrial Playground by ASDS, Mumbai Industrial designer Ajay Shah, who designed Crossword Bookstore at Kemps Corner, Mumbai, says, “My furniture should fulfil a sense of personality and character going beyond function. I like to bring a certain atmosphere to the space with furniture — ideally happy, friendly, not serious or over-detailed.” Looking back to mid-century developments, when furniture design was poetic, flamboyant and extremely stylish, Shah says, “I’m looking at more monolithic forms and shapes, where an overall shape and colour does not come across as standard furniture.” His products have kinship with early design canons such as the Panton chair of the 1960s by progressive Danish designer Verner Panton, a one-piece chair of laminated FRP, a huge success after many trials. “Everything we design, sways — swings, day bed, cradle, rocker.” Over time, P.O.D has garnered a reputation ‘as the only brand that does only one thing’.