Ashiesh Shah Architecture is an interior design studio based in Mumbai, India, founded by Ar.Ashiesh Shah. An extension to Shah's design practice, he opened his very own atelier, Atelier Ashiesh Shah in 2019 which amalgamates experimentation, craftsmanship and technique into a creative ecosystem for collaboration and development. For Shah, transitioning from interior to product design was a natural progression, propelled by years of designing custom furniture pieces for his esteemed clientele.

Yinji:When you returned to India from New York, how do you see the differences in design between the East and the West?
Ashiesh Shah:When I moved back to Mumbai from New York, there was a clear distinction between the way design was looked at. I was definitely a little disappointed by the way interior design was perceived. I think most people dismissed it as something inconsequential. Today, I can safely say that this is no longer the case and design in general is being taken more seriously. This shift in mentality is thanks to a generation of young designers that have really been pushing limits and attempting to take design in India to the next level and I’m very proud to have been a part of this movement.
Besides this, design is closely associated with a response to its context. Cultural differences and backgrounds in turn play a significant role in determining the design response, ultimately the final output marking a distinction between the two.

Yinji:How did you incorporate Japanese Wabi sabi into the interior design? How do you understand wabi sabi?
Ashiesh Shah:My work is strongly rooted in the Japanese philosophy of ‘Wabi-Sabi,’ describing beauty in imperfection where asymmetry and asperity play a major role in the spaces that I create. I don’t make a special effort to bring it to my practice, but my spaces tend to capture that element of finished and unfinished. Every space tries to encapsulate fine craftsmanship through the addition of design objects or certain specific techniques that celebrate handmade processes.

Yinji:How do you think about the color expression of space?
Ashiesh Shah:The colour palette has a significant impact in determining the style and quality of a space. Colour paired with the perfect lighting in an interior environment whether a home office or living space sets the preferred mood and feel. Depending on the space, I tend to lean towards neutral colours and muted tones in the backdrop - tones of beige, white and grey. Also, the addition of art, an indispensable part of the interiors that I create coupled with a series of design objects ties the space together while infusing more colour, character and emotion to it.

Yinji:How to use materials to present high-grade space?
Ashiesh Shah:A play with texture whilst ensuring a visual balance is key to a quality space. A medley of various textures and materials invites tactile movement while adding visual weight. I tend to incorporate both, finished and unfinished surfaces and materials to add more dimension to the space. Usage of quality materials paired with suitable lighting exudes a sense of luxury and makes it visually palatable.

Yinji:How would you capture the inspiration of your design?
Ashiesh Shah:Ashiesh Shah:Geometry has alway been the point of departure while designing. The Lingam, a form unique to Indian geometry has been quintessential to my work at the Atelier. The design objects at the Atelier tend to reflect the essence of the Lingam through its organic form and geometry translated into three dimensions. I am also deeply fascinated by art as is evident through my projects and collection that I have taken years to put together and my work simply seeks inspiration from it. Louise Bourgeois, Yves Klein and Lucio Fontana to name a few find their philosophies reiterated through the objects of the Atelier.

Yinji:Which masters' works do you like to collect? What is their influence on you?
Ashiesh Shah:Ashiesh Shah:I am fascinated by art as is evident through my projects that heavily feature art pieces and my work seeking inspiration from it. Louis Bourgeois, Yves Klein, Zarina Hashmi and Lucio Fontana are few artists that I really look up to. Besides this, I have also been greatly inspired by Le Corbusier’s design philosophy and his invaluable contribution to the field of architecture and design. I have designed a collection of rugs referred to as Chand L.C deriving their form and geometry from the facades of Corbusier’s iconic buildings in Chandigarh.