08 , March , 2022
There is no denying the fact that during the pandemic, our attitude toward our home changed significantly and none of us could really predict the impact it would have on the interior design market. But one thing is for sure that the consumption habits will be changed dramatically. REALTYDEKHO team explores the interior design market and interacts directly with the founders of interior designer and architectural firms to take their responses. Their forthright responses will paint a picture of a changed yet enduring industry that will continue to thrive—even in the aftermath of a crisis. Here are the excerpts.
Talking about the Post-Covid Architecture, Aparna Kaushik - Founder & Architect, Aparna Kaushik stated that post-Covid, we will be entering a changed world, where we all need to alter the way, we live and work. And as architects, we have our role cut out to pave the path for a better future that will keep us connected with Nature. We need to exercise our control over the built environment in a dutiful manner to safeguard our environment. Architecture needs to become more responsible and holistic. We don’t have to give in to people’s insatiable appetite for meaningless luxury by compromising on the safety of our natural habitat.
Architects should, in the first place, have an in-depth understanding of how sustainable design can be achieved. Starting from space planning to designing the layout, selecting the materials and the way we use non-renewable energy – all call for careful consideration and sensitivity.
We will also see a shift in the work culture, where all kinds of wastage will be looked upon as crime. Whether it is water, energy, resources, or our privileges, we need to use everything judiciously. That will be the new psychological make-up of society.
Talking about the performance of interior market in the Tier 2 cities amidst the ongoing pandemic, Rashi Bothra and Ruchi Gehani - Co-Founders and Creative Head of Azure Interiors, told, “Over the past decade, the business of interior design has evolved to become a more democratic space. With exposure to good design and extensive travel, people today understand the importance of professionally designed interior spaces. They are aware of the latest trends and new materials on the market and are honing their sensibilities on the lines of international standards of design and finish. As a result, they are willing to invest in good design that not only results in ultimate luxury and modern comfort, but also features carefully thought-out décor customized to the letter T. The best part is people from across the cities today have easy access to professionally trained interior designers”.
“People from tier 2 cities are equally exposed to the beauty and comfort modern interior design has to offer, and they want to incorporate them into their lifestyle. The availability of talented interior designers in small towns makes it easier for them to update their homes according to the latest trends. Clients in small towns realize the value of their home and are keen to spend on quality products and materials, which totally transform their lives and elevate their lifestyle. So, the interior market scenario in tier 2 cities is not much different from that in big cities or metros”, she added.
On Interior trends emerging out of the pandemic, Meenu Agarwal - Founder & Interior Designer, MADS Creations opined that home has come to mean so much during the past one-and-a-half year that, it is viewed as a perfect sanctuary that takes care of all our physical needs, and soothes our minds and souls. It has become imperative to design the home in a manner that it exudes peace and calm, while also being multi-functional. A home today makes up for all the activities we once did outside – whether playing, entertaining, or enjoying Nature. This trend will continue.
Besides this, when the pandemic struck, everyone put together make-shift office spaces at home. But when they realized, work from home is going to be here, they started investing in full-fledged offices. A beautifully decorated, happy and inspiring space that helped them get productive every morning seemed essential. Now, offices have become a crucial part of all home makeovers. With most companies finding it a viable option, people find it important to create stimulating environment to work in.
Priyanka Khanna - Founder & Architect, 42 MM shared her opinion on Workplace Solutions amid pandemic and told our team that the pandemic did bring about a radical change to our style of working but for a brief period. Thankfully we have reverted to our traditional ways of working, and it is much effective and familiar. Although we discovered the merits of remote working and online meetings and continue to heavily depend on online meetings for quick resolution of issues. It is extremely convenient and time effective.
The biggest challenge that we are incurring presently is import of furniture and market visits abroad. Although we are still working on finding a solution for the same with the help of local curators and manufacturers.
The use of plastic and disposable protection gears has become an add on component in the post pandemic era. However so far, no widely accepted sustainable alternatives have been formulated to resolve the issue. Presently the most effective step towards sustainability is isolation and limited social gatherings, to operate remotely, travel seldom, limit meeting etc to generate minimum amount of waste possible. It is hoped in the future that with the wide distribution of vaccination the need of disposable protective gears can be eradicated.
Large open offices with many workstations parked together consequently is soon to efface. Offices now tend to shrink in terms of physical space, housing fewer people at one point in time. They would transform into places of meetings, to host inevitable physical interactions. There will be a transition in offices from being spaces where people work at their desks to interaction hubs. But unlike the open office concept where all the space is combined as one, multiple small meeting cabins with fewer workstations shall dominate.
