# DEspotlight // interview
By ANIRUDH DATTA DESIGN ESSENTIA MAGAZINE // DE INDIA
Ashiesh Shah the principal architect at Mumbai based Atelier Ashiesh Shah is one of the top celebrity designers of India especially famous in the B-Town for his design expertise . His approach to design has made him a favourite among A-listers . His practice is rooted in the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-Sabi , which has influenced his vision of space and his choice of materials , resonating with his characteristic of being a tastemaker in the architectural world . The aesthetic is described as beauty that is imperfect , impermanent , and incomplete .
Shah is a renowned curator for design exhibits of art , crafts and design that bring together the best of Indian talent under one roof . For Shah , transitioning from interior to product design was a natural progression , propelled by years of designing custom furniture pieces for his esteemed clientele . Gravitating towards geometry , materiality and his simple Wabi-Sabi aesthetic , Atelier is a composition of inventiveness , tapped by artists , coming together to narrate tales of evolving aesthetics .
AD : WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER IN ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN ?
ASHIESH : Hailing from a family of doctors , I gravitated towards dentistry initially . With time , I found my calling in design and architecture . Having been exposed to art from a very young and tender age , I was always inspired by it . With time , I geared towards architecture and design and there has been no looking back ever since .
AD : WHO WERE YOUR EARLY DESIGN HEROES AND ROLE MODELS ?
ASHIESH : Over the years , we ’ ve witnessed some amazing work by designers , both Indian and international . Fabien Cappello , Formafantasma , Gesa Hansen and Lee Broom to name a few . Also , Le Corbusier has been a constant inspiration . I have designed a collection of rugs referred to as Chand L . C inspired by the form and geometry from the facades of Corbusier ’ s iconic buildings in Chandigarh .
AD : IN FEW WORDS , HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE YOUR DESIGN PROCESS – PHILOSOPHY ?
ASHIESH : My work is rooted in the Japanese philosophy of ‘ Wabi-Sabi ,’ finding beauty in imperfection . While designing spaces , establishing the design language I wish to create is extremely crucial keeping the client briefs in mind .
Geometry has always been an important point of departure for my designs and also finds it ’ s standing through the Atelier that makes a conscious effort to incorporate crafts and all local processes to create objects of design .
( ON LEFT ) Joshi House in Mumbai , India by Atelier Ashiesh Shah Photograph courtesy : Atelier Ashiesh Shah
January - February 2022 Edition // Design Essentia // DE INDIA | 27