The Silence of Copper and Steel
Text: Ar Maria. A
Photography: Farzad Bagheri
Project: Copper and Steel
Architect: Arshad Faruqui
Client: Copper and Steel
Area: 410 sq yards, covered area 3700 sq ft
Contractor: Aqil Gazdar
Year of completion: October 2006
Noticing very small differences existing in ordinary life, and capturing them and visualizing them – this action may be the essence of the outlet Copper and Steel. The passing of time and the changing of light are two of these subtleties. Also emotion and logic: every design needs the balance between fascination and flavor. Both fun and beauty, which appeal to the emotional right side of the brain, and function and concept, which appeal to the logical left, are important elements in design reflected in the project.
While Copper and Steel, a relatively new outlet to join the ever growing mushrooming furniture/accessories outlets might read quintessentially like all others on paper its innovative blend of materials, open spaces and minimalist design with a strong theme creates a space so engaging and warm that it sure makes it stand out amongst its contemporaries.
Located in a rather secluded area of Clifton Karachi, surrounded by townhouses converted into commercial interests and away from the commercial hubhub of 26th street and Zamzama, the outside totally belies the interior until one walks in. Seasons come alive, walking through the falling leaves on a cement and pebbled floor with sounds of water from its various water bodies, one is transported to an entirely different place totally so un-kin to Karachi as soon as one enters through its hidden heavy wooden gate. The courtyard herald’s tranquility; all its landscape generously sprinkled with water bodies which in itself are a play of materials; stone, metal, water and air. When one enters though; the pieces of art are as appealing but what really stands out is the deafening silence, so very unlike any commercial outlet.
Material investigation is all around, from the exterior to the interior. Though the interiors; i.e. less sculptural might be the walls but the furniture and accessories are pieces of art. Metal as in copper and steel are found in abundance. Copper and steel; as the name suggests is an outlet apart from selling the accessories and furniture, is a place where the concept and desire is to have harmony and serenity.
The surroundings, the atmosphere, the spaces that enclose the products to be sold are displayed like they own the place and without them the space looses its mere existence. Designing this space and its relation to the surroundings has a concept behind it; wherein the materials, colors and texture all three combine to give a down to earth feeling, nothing too gaudy and flashy about the place, like most commercial outlets.
The narrow small entrance portico which has its own provoking effect, lifts your spirit and directs you to the open kind of a court yard where centralized water body, gray slate flooring and dark gray curved punch wall behind which small water bodies and different kinds of fountains are displayed. Once you enter the outlet, the interior is spacious and minimalist as the converted townhouse is functionally used as a showcase of furniture and accessories and as the owner’s office. Space is divided into zones where furniture and accessories are displayed according to the design scheme of the rooms/spaces. Lay out of furniture is such that an entire theme of rooms is visible as you meander through the different sections of display.
One of the interesting aspects is the old style mosaic pattern on the floor in white, black and gray colors, and how the furniture arrangement around it enhances the pattern. The double height space with the skylight not only illuminates the space but is a visual connection of all levels and the interiors with exterior quaintly focused by pebbles and a tree; placed at its center with an old piece of furniture. The entire interior has neutral color schemes and same dark gray punch wall, which was used, in the courtyard, to balance and create rhythm in design and especially to connect with the exterior. The balustrade of the staircase is a low wall with open niches where ceramics and pottery is displayed, leading to the upper level which is the continuation of the same design parameters infused with visual delight and calming of the senses.
“It is not easy to design for oneself especially when the space has a commercial angle to it. Although one sees echoes of Bawa’s inspiration but I believe a project like this can blend in anywhere. Though I started with ambitious forms but today my design focuses on simplified, uncomplicated and uncluttered forms and spaces with functionally strong aspects to them.” –Architect Arshad Faruqui
The outlet is a contemporary modern regional design which is so basic that it can blend in anywhere. The same can be said of the furniture that follows the similar design theme. In other words, someone has recognized that the architecture that is ready to be disclosed had an exceptional personality and deserves to return to spotlight, the restoration and re-usage procedure in this case, in addition to being an intellectual action of responsive architecture are also acts of creative nature that exploits the designer’s sensitivity.
A broadened existence of intimacy appears to re-emerge from the design of the outlet; it is frequently considered to be a reserved space and a protected area where the furnishing solutions attempt to repeat the convivial climate of family life, the affectionate relationship of the couple of groups, the elegance of the leisure facilities. It is almost as though there is a desire to create a private atmosphere in the workplace which is increasingly distanced from the unstable structure of the recently developed global society where the digital economy cuts across the spaces multiplying the wandering existence of humanity and promoting effects of creative hybridization among the masses in general.
Photography: Farzad Bagheri
Project: Copper and Steel
Architect: Arshad Faruqui
Client: Copper and Steel
Area: 410 sq yards, covered area 3700 sq ft
Contractor: Aqil Gazdar
Year of completion: October 2006
Noticing very small differences existing in ordinary life, and capturing them and visualizing them – this action may be the essence of the outlet Copper and Steel. The passing of time and the changing of light are two of these subtleties. Also emotion and logic: every design needs the balance between fascination and flavor. Both fun and beauty, which appeal to the emotional right side of the brain, and function and concept, which appeal to the logical left, are important elements in design reflected in the project.
While Copper and Steel, a relatively new outlet to join the ever growing mushrooming furniture/accessories outlets might read quintessentially like all others on paper its innovative blend of materials, open spaces and minimalist design with a strong theme creates a space so engaging and warm that it sure makes it stand out amongst its contemporaries.
Located in a rather secluded area of Clifton Karachi, surrounded by townhouses converted into commercial interests and away from the commercial hubhub of 26th street and Zamzama, the outside totally belies the interior until one walks in. Seasons come alive, walking through the falling leaves on a cement and pebbled floor with sounds of water from its various water bodies, one is transported to an entirely different place totally so un-kin to Karachi as soon as one enters through its hidden heavy wooden gate. The courtyard herald’s tranquility; all its landscape generously sprinkled with water bodies which in itself are a play of materials; stone, metal, water and air. When one enters though; the pieces of art are as appealing but what really stands out is the deafening silence, so very unlike any commercial outlet.
Material investigation is all around, from the exterior to the interior. Though the interiors; i.e. less sculptural might be the walls but the furniture and accessories are pieces of art. Metal as in copper and steel are found in abundance. Copper and steel; as the name suggests is an outlet apart from selling the accessories and furniture, is a place where the concept and desire is to have harmony and serenity.
The surroundings, the atmosphere, the spaces that enclose the products to be sold are displayed like they own the place and without them the space looses its mere existence. Designing this space and its relation to the surroundings has a concept behind it; wherein the materials, colors and texture all three combine to give a down to earth feeling, nothing too gaudy and flashy about the place, like most commercial outlets.
The narrow small entrance portico which has its own provoking effect, lifts your spirit and directs you to the open kind of a court yard where centralized water body, gray slate flooring and dark gray curved punch wall behind which small water bodies and different kinds of fountains are displayed. Once you enter the outlet, the interior is spacious and minimalist as the converted townhouse is functionally used as a showcase of furniture and accessories and as the owner’s office. Space is divided into zones where furniture and accessories are displayed according to the design scheme of the rooms/spaces. Lay out of furniture is such that an entire theme of rooms is visible as you meander through the different sections of display.
One of the interesting aspects is the old style mosaic pattern on the floor in white, black and gray colors, and how the furniture arrangement around it enhances the pattern. The double height space with the skylight not only illuminates the space but is a visual connection of all levels and the interiors with exterior quaintly focused by pebbles and a tree; placed at its center with an old piece of furniture. The entire interior has neutral color schemes and same dark gray punch wall, which was used, in the courtyard, to balance and create rhythm in design and especially to connect with the exterior. The balustrade of the staircase is a low wall with open niches where ceramics and pottery is displayed, leading to the upper level which is the continuation of the same design parameters infused with visual delight and calming of the senses.
“It is not easy to design for oneself especially when the space has a commercial angle to it. Although one sees echoes of Bawa’s inspiration but I believe a project like this can blend in anywhere. Though I started with ambitious forms but today my design focuses on simplified, uncomplicated and uncluttered forms and spaces with functionally strong aspects to them.” –Architect Arshad Faruqui
The outlet is a contemporary modern regional design which is so basic that it can blend in anywhere. The same can be said of the furniture that follows the similar design theme. In other words, someone has recognized that the architecture that is ready to be disclosed had an exceptional personality and deserves to return to spotlight, the restoration and re-usage procedure in this case, in addition to being an intellectual action of responsive architecture are also acts of creative nature that exploits the designer’s sensitivity.
A broadened existence of intimacy appears to re-emerge from the design of the outlet; it is frequently considered to be a reserved space and a protected area where the furnishing solutions attempt to repeat the convivial climate of family life, the affectionate relationship of the couple of groups, the elegance of the leisure facilities. It is almost as though there is a desire to create a private atmosphere in the workplace which is increasingly distanced from the unstable structure of the recently developed global society where the digital economy cuts across the spaces multiplying the wandering existence of humanity and promoting effects of creative hybridization among the masses in general.
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