Rough Luxe: Infusing Natural Materials in Modern Structures
Citing examples from their projects, the panellists highlighted how the roughness and uneven shapes and textures of the natural materials can be used to break the monotony and uplift the design of the space.
While luxury often is associated with grandeur and opulence, in recent times connecting with nature and raw and rustic style seems to be in vogue. Rupande Shah, Founder and Principal Architect, Rupande Shah and Associates opined, “Luxury has somehow always been associated with expensive things. But does it really have to be that way? Can we not bring out luxury by using basic materials that we are used to and want to use?”
Responding to the same, Ajay Arya, Founder and Principal Designer, A Square Designs said, “Rough luxe is essentially a combination of rustic and luxury. Design evolves with the demand and if we look at the millennials or the gen-next, their perception of design is very different. They have moved away from gold and silver, or anything very opulent. This is quite evident with a lot of work that has been happening in the field of architecture and interior design. The simplicity of using natural materials is luxe in its own way.”
Devyani Jaiswal, Founder and Principal Architect, DJ Associates added, “I think while designing a washroom both kinds of materials – opulent as well as basic, are required for creating a rough luxe look. You can always mix both materials and achieve the look. There is no set proportion to it.”
Pooja Bihani, Founder and Principal Architect, Spaces and Design shared, “My perspective to bringing rustic and luxury together is actually not at tangible levels. I believe that the design has to cater to all the six senses of the user. I have seen and experienced that natural materials elevate your senses to another level. The tactile nature when you touch a rough stone or a saw-cut wood really brings out curiosity and that is an anchoring point to bringing out the luxury.”
Ambarish Kumar Srivastava, Principal Architect, Planarch advocated using materials with natural forms and shapes. “Rough luxe can include raw cement finishes and raw wood. The idea is to embrace the imperfections and shapes available naturally. For example, when we see a modern art painting or we see a sculpture, we don’t see everything perfect in that.”
Calling for the usage of local materials available in and around Kolkata, Arya opined, “All the vernacular materials that are coming in from our region, some of them are underrated and we are to be blamed for it. For example, Jute can be a wonderful material for a wall-covering. I have seen a wide range of international projects that use jute as a wall covering, but I haven’t really come across much of it in our projects.”
“Rough luxe can include raw cement finishes and raw wood. The idea is to embrace the imperfections and shapes available naturally. For example, when we see a modern art painting or we see a sculpture, we don’t see everything perfect in that.”
Talking about using natural materials, Bihani added, “I feel that most of the time, my clients have understood that the glory comes out by using natural materials. And, I would like to extend it to a more vernacular existence of the materials in terms of what is available in the vicinity.”
But is this trend a fad or is going to stay? Jaiswal opined, “In my perspective, rough luxe is something that is going to be here for a long time or rather always. People like to be connected to nature and both luxury and nature have to work hand-in-hand.”
Talking about the growing acceptance of the rough luxe concept, Srivastava added, “I have been using the concept of rough luxe for a long time. Initially, I faced issues with clients being sceptical about this concept. But now, the younger generation is more forthcoming and the rough luxe concept is gaining wide acceptance. How you design a space; how you make the user feel in that space; and how you can create a luxurious environment irrespective of using opulent materials or natural materials is crucial.”
Shah opined, “Because of western influence, the widely-travelled younger generation is really catching on to this trend and the rough luxe will always appeal to certain strata of society.”
[Edited Excerpts from a Panel Discussion on ‘Rough Luxe: Infusing Natural Materials in Modern Structures’ held at JW Marriott, Kolkata as part of the curtain-raiser of Hansgrohe India presents Wb. Washroom Design Challenge 2022-23.]