# DEspotlight // interview
By ANIRUDH DATTA DESIGN ESSENTIA MAGAZINE // DE INDIA
Farah Ahmed Mathias & Dhaval
Shellugar , are the principal designers at Bangalore based FADD Studio . While FADD is an acronym for Farah and Dhaval Design , it is also a play on the word ‘ fad ’. It is easy to stagnate into a style that becomes a firm ’ s identity .
“ We believe that having a singular style defies the purpose of design , which is to push beyond what we know , achieve something novel and unique in every project , and be constantly propelled out of our comfort zone into a world where we not only embrace new concepts and techniques but also create fads of our own . With this stubborn sensibility and desire to be original , we aspire not to create a style unique to us but to give you a design identity that is exclusive to you and your space whether it is a home , restaurant or store .” says Farah & Dhaval .
AD : WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER IN ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN ?
FARAH : The Shiro that Sandeep Khosla designed in Bangalore was one of my inspirations . Until then I was still experimenting and discovering .
DHAVAL : My early exposure significantly influenced my design fondness . In a young age helping my father in his automobiles business where I would come across to posters or calendars of innovative vehicle designs use to excite me a lot . This is something I recollect as my first introduction to the design field . In my college days I used to visit my uncles office who practiced architecture himself . With the zeal for creativity and passion for drawings I decided to pursue design professionally .
AD : WHO WERE YOUR EARLY DESIGN HEROES AND ROLE MODELS ?
FARAH : If I need to choose a few specific names then it would definitely be Dale Chihuly and Jackson Pollock .
DHAVAL : For me few of my design role models would be Philippe Starck , Marcel Wanders , Kelly Hoppen & Jaime Hayon .
AD : IN FEW WORDS , HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE YOUR DESIGN PHILOSOPHY AT FADD STUDIO ?
FARAH & DHAVAL : The world of design is in a constant state of flux ; exploring and evolving into and out of new ideas , concept , trends and fads . It is also about revisiting older trends that were set decades ago and reinterpreting them in a fresh and contemporary way .
So is the philosophy of FADD Studio .
( ON LEFT ) KESSAKU 16 , a residence in Bangalore , India by FADD Studio Photographer : Suleiman Merchant
38 | March - April 2022 Edition // Design Essentia // DE INDIA