A Down to Earth Showroom

At the JB Glass WALTZ Experience Center in Mumbai, Studio Nishita Kamdar has created a dynamic Zen garden-inspired showroom, where guests can meander through a sequence of the brand’s doors and partition systems. We spoke to architect Nishita Kamdar to find out more

Design Anthology: How did you first meet the client?

Nishita Kamdar: The client has followed our practice since we started out and has watched our work evolve. They had been contracting agents in one of our earlier projects and, even though we were a young firm at the time, identified with our ideologies and minimalist design. They’ve wanted to work with us ever since.

What was their brief to you for this project?

JB Glass is an established brand that transforms the way glass and aluminium partitions are used in architecture and interior spaces. They wanted to convert a 110-square-metre shed into a showroom for the WALTZ door and partition systems they supply. Initially the client had a very conventional store in mind — until he met us.

What makes the location unique?

The experiential display centre is located in Worli, Mumbai. It’s on a bustling street, but the space is tucked into an old industrial building compound, so it’s more like a respite from the chaos outside.

How did you approach the project — what design references or narrative did you try to incorporate into the space?

The space was envisioned as a Japanese Zen garden that would provide a soothing experience of movement through different partitions and openings. Zen design has a minimalist philosophy that elevates simplicity to an art form, making use of natural materials, patterns of light and space, and a near-monastic rejection of clutter. A Zen space is meant to be relaxing, contemplative, restrained and visually balanced, which is what we sought to create here.

We considered where to draw the line so that the architecture would take a backseat and the focus would remain on the products, while still telling the brand's story and creating an immersive shopping experience. All the partitions are orthogonal systems bound by sleek aluminium frames around either transparent, translucent or opaque material. We were intrigued by the idea of customers engaging with patterns revealing and concealing as the they walk through the space.

Can you tell us about the materiality? 

The central Zen garden is the highlight of the space — its materiality leads the entire materials palette. It’s a collection of rocks, moss and pebbles that are reminiscent of the popular formations used in Zen, moss or pebble gardens. The pebbles are arranged in a concentric manner, with the larger ones towards the interior and smaller ones moving outwards. We wanted the space to exude a calm, earthy fee,  so we used rough stone flooring and timber furniture with beautiful grains.

Which of the elements are custom designed? 

We specially created steel-framed arched windows that overlook the sprawling garden, and we also custom built the amorphous wooden bench. At the entry is a bespoke reception desk carved from granite, which is an interesting take on a black rock sitting outside the Zen garden.

Do you have a favourite design feature?

In the centre of the store is a beautiful circular metal and fixed glass partition and a circular window representing the ‘window of enlightenment’ in Zen practice. 

We love how daylight streams through the different windows — the varying textures of glass create lovely filters of light. It’s very theatrical as the light passes through partitions, bouncing off the rocks and flooding the space. It makes the retail experience more like a calming, relaxing, meditative walk through a garden. 

What other features are you most excited about?

We’re excited to see customers’ reactions when they enter the store. You probably expect a retail store to look commercial and mundane — people don’t expect to walk through a beautiful garden, be enticed by a product and leave with a smile on their face

Images / Talib Chitalwala