Back to Basics

If it wasn’t for the meltdown,we would still be living in opulence. But what goes up,comes down,and luxe living has given way to a life quite ordinary. “Post cash crunch,it’s all boiling down to basics,” architect Archana Chaudhary refers to the all-new minimalistic set-up,that she feels will top the trend-o-meter of 2009. Designed on the Le Corbusier lines – the column and beam structures,plastered surfaces and brick facades rather,“new constructions are now intolerant to extravagant display,” she adds how architecture is edging towards the simple understated classic look. “Away from kitsch consumerism,” she bids adieu to glass,wood and red sandstone.

Now that “sustainable architecture” is emerging as the new norm,“the idea now is to create something that is in sync with the environment and surroundings,rather than sheer replicas of signature global architecture like those in Dubai and Shanghai,” pitches in Andrew Wilson,an architect from Australia. Swati Nanda,a resident of Sector 22,after taking into consideration Corbusier’s model of shade and light has changed an overbearing glass wall to a brick structure with windows and slanting roof. According to her,“sustainable homes means you can maintain and stay there for a lifetime.”

Also seeing a paradigm shift is the equation of form and functionality. “People have now started paying attention to the utility of the design than the design itself,” says interior designer Anita Bhatia,who feels that now it’s all about organising spaces. “Clutter of artifacts is being replaced by one old classic piece,” she reels,explaining that even when it comes to curtains,it is about giving the traditional ones,an upper hand. “Just remould the old ones and you are done.” She also suggests the conventional use of plants to control climate and to add to the affordable and timeless aesthetic delight.

Bidding adieu to the show-off architecture,“now it’s about the maximum use of every square inch: rooms,roof spaces,the courtyard,gardens,” chips in Shalini Ahuja,an interior design student,who,like most others,is set to enjoy the new era of “classic delight”.