One of the most inspiring stories emerging in Indian design is that of Bamboo. This however, is not simply a tale of designers creating cutting-edge aesthetically driven products from eco-friendly material; this is about a holistic approach to sustainable design that is empowering artisans in rural India to become self-sufficient.
In Tripura, a state in the north-east where bamboo is cultivated, young designers are coming up with simple products that minimise the use of hardware, are sourced locally and develop local skills. Rebecca Reubens, who runs social design firm Rhizome, which works with the Kotwalia community of Gujarat, has taken the project one step further by opening her own retail outlet, Bamboo Canopy, to provide a vital link to the urban markets these communities are so removed from.
The drive is supported by design programmes at the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad, which has produced a raft of designers in recent years, including Sandeep Sangaru, Andrea Noronha, Manali Beri, Rajiv Jassal, Garima Aggarwal and M P Ranjan, who are all innovating new techniques for working with bamboo.
'The Tree' bookcase by Sandeep Sangaru for Sangaru Design Studio
'Flying bird' coat hanger by Rajiv Jassal, from the National Institute of Design, India
'Bo' table lamp by Andrea Noronha from the National Institute of Design, India
Laminated stool by Manali Beri from the National Institute of Design, India
Tripod stool by Garima Aggarwal from the National Institute of Design, India
Cube stool by M P Ranjan from the National Institute of Design, India
'Tessellation' coaster by Rhizome, from Bamboo Canopy
'Kids' hanger by Rhizome, from Bamboo Canopy
Bamboo pillar candle holder by Rhizome, from Bamboo Canopy
'Bar mitzvah' bamboo stopper candle stand on reused bottle by Rhizome, from Bamboo Canopy
'Branch' hat stand by Rhizome, from Bamboo Canopy
-
Wallpaper* checks in at the refreshed W Hollywood: ‘more polish and less party’The W Hollywood introduces a top-to-bottom reimagining by the Rockwell Group, capturing the genuine warmth and spirit of Southern California
-
Book a table at Row on 5 in London for the dinner party of dreamsRow on 5, located on the storied Savile Row, emerges as a perfectly tailored fit for fans of fine dining
-
How a bijou jewellery salon in Monaco set the jewellery trends for 2025Inside the inaugural edition of Joya, where jewellery is celebrated as miniature works of art
-
Indian furniture brand SĀR Studio is putting Pune on the map with a new flagship and residency programmeSĀR Residence, a multi-use concept space, acts as an extension of the Indian furniture brand
-
Pierre Jeanneret and Edward Armitage: tracing design inspiration in ChandigarhBritish designer Joe Armitage set off for Chandigarh, India, to trace his grandfather Edward’s footsteps and recreate a photograph of the latter’s ‘Armitage’ lamp. A trail of intrigue around its inspiration lay in wait, as he reveals
-
It’s the first-ever Design Mumbai: here’s what to seeAt least 100 international and Indian brands will showcase at Design Mumbai, referencing India’s rich and storied heritage of craftsmanship and highly specialised craft clusters (6-9 November 2024)
-
Pierre Jeanneret’s Chandigarh furniture meets South Asian diasporic art in an unusual London exhibitionRajan Bijlani opens a show combining Pierre Jeanneret furniture for the Indian city of Chandigarh with works for sale by six artists of South Asian origin – in his own London townhouse
-
Joe Armitage's new chandelier and lamps are an enlightening take on a family heirloomDesigner Joe Armitage follows his grandfather’s footsteps in India, reissuing his elegant midcentury lamp and creating a new chandelier for Nilufar Gallery
-
Play on this silver ping pong in Paris' latest Olympics-inspired design pop-upThis silver ping pong room in the heart of Paris is the result of a new collaboration between India Mahdavi and Crosby Studios: come and play at Project Room gallery until 2 August 2024
-
India’s stepwells inspire Shalini Misra’s rug collectionShalini Misra’s Stepwells collection of rugs for Cc-tapis is informed by the traditional structures, recreated in three designs
-
At home with India MahdaviIndia Mahdavi invites us to her Paris and Arles homes, and tells us about her approach to interiors, the objects that surround her and what inspires her
