The Ice Lounge

Many throng to Ice Lounge like you would to a tourist spot. They have not ever seen anything quite like it. How can a bar be made entirely of ice? Ice walls, ice sculptures, ice bar counter, ice sofas and chairs and come on...even drinking glasses made of ice!And not just any kind of ice blocks stacked together either. 

This is ice in its purest form, 35,000 kg of it flown all the way from Canada and sculpted by Julian Bayley, skilled ice designer and co-founder of Ice Culture, the leading designers of frozen bars - from Las Vegas to London to Dubai to now, India.

The theme is Mughal India and Julian has left nothing to chance. An ice lady in an ice saree greets you with a namaste as you enter. Motifs from Mughal architecture form design elements. In case you have missed the point, Indian national bird, the peacock, occupies pride of place behind the ice bar counter. Not enough? Ok, turn around and an ice tigress with frozen cubs greets you. The Taj Mahal is sculpted in ice on one wall. Though 21 Fahrenheit in Mumbai is really the first ice bar of the country, Ice Lounge takes the lead in introducing ice sculpture to India and being the first in Delhi.

Vythiri Resorts

An exquisite eco friendly jungle getaway in the heart of Wyanad in north western Kerala India . Wrapped in the lush embrace of a tropical rainforest, you will dwell in perfect harmony with nature, pristine and waiting to be explored. Allow yourself to be seduced by the orchestration of delicate, subtle sounds accompanying the theatre of nature . Quietly elegant and exclusive, the Vythri Resort is a state of mind with breathtaking views

Spread across either bank of a sprightly mountain stream that runs through the 150 acre property, the Vythiri Resort is a delightful jungle hideaway and the treasure trove a naturalist. Wrapped in the cool embrace of a rainforest, stone lined pathways, canopied by majestic trees, lead to brick coloured cottages built in the style native to the region. Built of brick with wooden rafters on the roof, furnished in cane, wood and fabrics of discreet elegance, the cottages are equipped with all modern amenities.

The accommodations are designed so as to provide residents an immediate experience of the surrounding sights and sounds. Available in configurations ranging from heady tree houses, to cottages on stilts overlooking the stream and further downstream, cottages with jacuzzis, private pools and a suite, everywhere, the muted hiss of the stream is a continuous serenade. A rope bridge across the stream, leads to the restaurant overlooking the swimming pool at one end and a sweeping view of the forest all around.

Days begin with the rousing melody of a Malabar Whistling Thrush. The forest comes alive with an orchestration of sounds and bands of foraging monkeys. The day ahead is ripe with possibilities. Guests may chose to relax in their cottages, go for walks in the forest in the company of the resident naturalist, swim in the freshwater pool , opt for treatments at the Ayurvedic spa.

Bettadpura Residence

Balcony is the most interesting part of the entire house as we attempted to create some green space for the apartment. Here we designed a water cascade in strip slate stone cladding and planters at different levels to create a mini-garden. A bamboo framework wall on the parapet with creepers, slate green tiles for flooring intercepted with white pebble tiles completed the look. Bamboo furniture of table and chairs complements the entire setup. Drip irrigation (by ZTC International Landscape Solutions) takes care of the water needs of the plants. The "green-wall" (bamboo framework with creepers) has been designed to create a buffer and cut down some of the harsh western sunlight during the later part of the day. This has been fixed with space in between so that the visual view is not blocked entirely. (We have attached a copy of the balcony drawing with all the specifications) A counter with storage is designed in the corner to cater to the food and drinks need during get-togethers

Architect Sathyanarayana completed his Bachelor of Architecture from Malnad College of Engineering, University of Mysore, Hassan, Karnataka and started "Sathyanarayana Architects & Interior Designers".

O7 ARCHITECTS

O7 ARCHITECTS founded in early 2003, by a team of three young and aspiring architects and designers ALEX MATHEWS, ANIL KOUL & SWAPNIL KHAIRNAR with their individual expertise and engaged in a wide range of interior design and landscape services and further to add with their expertise on architectural services powered by O7 ASSOCIATES by ADINATH PATKAR.They are a firm of architects who recognise the need for quality & efficiency and believes in providing flair to their projects within commercial parameters.

What they have to say is that as per the current financial and technological climate, we have to respond to our clients needs quickly and effectively. Clients requirements are met by forming teams within the company tailor made to respond to each challenge. Here we present one of their projects . 

As a part of our design strategy there is also an attempt to experiment and work with newer unconventional constructional techniques as a means to enhance the formal as well as the functional aspects of our designs. We can proudly say that even in this limited period we have been able to complete a many works that embody this side of our approach. 

Floral cut outs on Mdf boards coated with duco paint in the backdrop of the sitting area is one of the highlights of this 1650 sqft 3 bedroom apartment . Coconut shells and plaster of paris are pasted to the gypsum board in the ceiling of the living room for giving that texture effect . Custom made furnitures to this apartment had given iceing on the cake for the client . 

Football theme in one of their bedroom with custom made manchester united log on the drapes is an added beauty .A wall in the masterbedroom is coated with rough textured gold leaf work and sandblasted granite tiles joined by wooden plank with laser cut designs .The mainly used materials for this interiors are wooden veneer finished panels , sandblasted granites tiles ,gypsum boards , mdf boards and Italian marble flooring .

Arhana Residence by Studio 5

Studio 5 is a venture started by individuals whose intent is to do the right thing and not the usual thing. With professional work experience in the field of interior designing since 2000, Studio 5 has credited to itself with professional experience that boasts of clients who have never looked elsewhere to fulfill their design needs.

They are a team with a flair for innovative ideas and designs and they believe in creating a final product that reflects on the individual style and taste of the client, fulfilling their requirements. Studio5 motto "Less is more" and we strive to create interiors that are both functional as well as aesthetically appealing by making optimum use of space and materials.

They have different teams of various sizes to respond to the demands of a wide range of projects . To remain agile and innovate to bring a smile on clients face with each work is what makes them happy .Their work accomplished is a growing study, each former experience building upon the latter .

Their Core Team consists of Dhanashree Khapte Which says designing to her is like creating Rainbows . Sachin Khapte ,Dinesh Shah , Preethy who believes designing is a never ending process , Sayali Joshi the one who makes the impossible possible and Anil Panchal who dont follow trends but make them.

Kumpal Agrawal Mittal

Kumpal & Associates was established in 2002 by Mrs. Kumpal Agrawal Mittal with the belief that a beautiful decor can have positive impacts as well as beneficial influences in lives. She believes that an individual’s home interior and decor will reflect his or her personality.

Kumpal & Associates was established in 2002 by Mrs. Kumpal Agrawal Mittal with the belief that a beautiful decor can have positive impacts as well as beneficial influences in lives. She believes that an individual’s home interior and decor will reflect his or her personality.Her love of design and her ability to bring out and execute the best for the clients are the main factors responsible for huge success of Mrs. Agrawal in the field of interior designing. According to her what really matters is not about the latest trends or fads but to bring out what exactly the client really desire.

Times Designing Competition takes off in association with the India Art and Architecture

The winners of the Times Interior & India Art and Architecture design event is announced.

• First Prize : Agnieszka Makowska
• Second Prize : Julio Martin

We extend our gratitude to the whole bunch of 72 talented participants of our online contenst. Times shall be publishing the designs of all our participants shortly. Kindly logon to our website to get posted on the upcoming design events.

Our honourable judge for the contest is Farayand Design Group- Managing Director Dr. Azizi, who has achieved his doctorate in architecture from the University of Sapienza at Rome, in 1980 . The company has designed and supervised over 1000 projects so far and was formed under the management of Dr Azizi.

Farayand Group has always primarily focused on architecture, urban and landscape designs. The company constantly tries to use the native sources and the domestic powers in order to construct the projects, following one of main principles of architecture and urban design. Architecture and civil engineering has been the main field that the family has studied and worked on for the past 2 generation. You can find more about him in his website - http://www.artandarchitecturesrl.info/

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