A deep dive into luxe design -Anahita Panicker, THE HINDU

This weekend Worli’s NSCI Dome will transform into a buzzing hub for design aficionados as it will house the second edition of D/code – dubbed by the organisers as “India’s first curated luxury living show”. D/code has been curated by a panel of seven – a mix of established names from the design industry – that’s led by Krupa Zubin and Zubin Zainuddin, the husband-wife-duo who run ZZ Architects.

Calling homeowners

“It just adds more flavour to the entire scheme,” says Zubin about the collaborative process of curation which will draw a string of national and international décor brands to the show. Zubin explains that each sub-curator ensures the event dips deeper into a variety of subjects. To help ‘decode’ technology, there’s industrial designer and co-founder of The Busride Design Studio, Ayaz Basrai; for art there’s art collector and founder of online auction platform Artiana and The Serigraph Studio, Lavesh Jagasia; for a dive into luxury, there’s interior designer Aakif Habib of Atelier Habib. When asked about the brands he’s roped in for the event, Habib says, “Absolutely original designs, [and] that the finish of the end product is very high.” He promises the glitterati will be pleased with his selection of high-end brands – from Turri’s luxury Italian furniture, to the French Saint-Louis chandeliers.

Krupa shares that the event is shaped for both new and old home owners, looking for a one-stop shop. “We wanted to have a nice spread of products under one roof, to make [designing] convenient, accessible, and more organised.” The brands include, suppliers like Classic Marble Company, French brand Elitis and Italian Wall & Deco for décor solutions; and audio systems from French brand Focal or lighting from the Italian Oty Light.

Second time round

This edition has been imagined keeping the space in mind. “It was fun to create a more circular layout,” says Zubin, “It’s more like a circular maze. We want people to immerse themselves.” Tackling the flow of people in this larger venue, is the central point co-curated by design consultant (also former Editor, Elle Décor) Pramiti Madhavji and architect Sanjay Puri.

Madhavji, founder of The Blue Pencil Design Company, shares that she and Puri envisioned their space as a deliberate departure from the usually linear experience of an exhibition. “At the central point of the venue, to generate some activity, we are having a little piazza,” she shares. Arranged around this space, reminiscent of market squares in European towns, will be stalls of the brands she has curated for “D/code finds”. Her collection, set-up like a marketplace with small, bustling streets, includes quirky pieces by Samira Rathod Design Atelier, Portside Café, Casa Paradox and Bharat Floorings. Pivotal to this set-up is Puri’s installation – as the architect turns artist in his role as a sub-curator. “It’s a raised stage,” he shares. Describing the platform as abstract and sculptural, Puri says, “[The] stage serves as a multi-purpose [element]. It becomes a focus and breaks the monotony of stalls [and] the daunting length [of the Dome].” Made out of reused galvanised iron, the structure’s floor stands at a height of seven feet, and its structural elements hit about 25. “It’s [also] got these steps, and people can hang out there,” adds the architect.

Talking point

Peppered throughout the weekend are panel discussions and talks on design trends around the world – including a talk on the ‘The Renewal of Italian Artistic Tradition in the Future of Design’ by designer Matteo Nunziati, and a panel on ‘Designing Products for Modern India’ moderated by multi-disciplinary designer Divya Thakur.

D/code will take place on March 2 and 3 at the NSCI Dome, Worli from 10 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.