A Novel Outcome

Humble elements, waste materials and the ability to look beyond the obvious… lead to a novel outcome in this fashion boutique by Manoj Patel Design Studio in Vadodara.

Curated by: Rupali Sebastian
Photographs: Tejas Shah; courtesy Manoj Patel Design Studio

The black and green entrance presents an arresting picture. A random bubble-like pattern of mosaic tiles underscores the composition.

The design intent

Creating novel outcomes from existing forms to promote the reuse of traditional and waste materials and transform a regular boutique into one with distinct compositional narratives.

The material palette

As a cost-effective and environment-responsive project, the design recycles various scrap materials ideal for interior surfaces to create a pleasing ambience. The materials were chosen in a palette of contrasting tones: waste clay roof tiles, waste beer bottles, damaged flooring tiles, recycled window shutters, unused sample tiles, waste metal rings and mirror. At the same time, the quality of these materials provides longevity with aesthetics.

Beer bottles are choreographed into an artwork reminiscent of a necklace.

The spatial flow and visual vocabulary

The entrance gateway is dressed in two dark and contrasting colours (black and green) and energised with a random bubble-like pattern of mosaic tiles. The handles of the main door are fashioned out of old table legs. Inside, the layout combines two rooms together through graphics and material frames, giving a different perspective when viewed from any edge. While one room displays garments, the other functions as a material selection area.

In the former, reused pieces of waste clay tiles add dramatic textures to the walls, underscored with smart lighting. These evoke ‘palav’ ornamentation of Indian saris and torans. Delicate as glass bangles, metals rings attached to slim rods serve to hang garments. An overlapping design made using the same element, forms floral end-pieces for the rods. New life was breathed into an old bench by upholstering it in waste fabrics procured from the fashion designer. In this section and the next, damaged tiles are used as mosaic inserts in floral patterns on the floor, giving a surprising touch to the visual composition. Assigning a new function to reused shutter windows in monochrome theme adds an element of display inside the material selection area.

The material selection area benefits from striking colour and pattern play.

The highlights

The central idea of using a palette of varied recycled objects to add to the energy of a boutique is in itself a unique trait. But within the narrative several elements are especially eye-catching. The walls with their terracotta tile patterns that evoke ethnic textile and cultural ornamentation are striking. Similarly, an accent wall backdrop rendered from glass bottles and inspired by necklace design also adds its own impact to the space.

Fact File

Project: Shefali’s Studio
Location: Vadodara
Area: 350 sq ft
Principal architect: Manoj Patel
Design team: Shivani Tamboli, Aishwarya Gupte, Sonu, Devanshi and Manali
Clay cladding: Tarachand Prajapati