Project

Shanty

Client

BD Barcelona

Year

2014

Type

Cabinet

Description

Shanty is a cabinet conceived as a tonal patchwork of corrugated surfaces. The key inspiration for the design came from an area of land outside of Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi, which had been cordoned off from the main site using corrugated steel panels. This ad hoc arrangement of metal sheets created a striking composition, with Doshi Levien appreciating the contrast between the ancient stone monument and this zinc-plated temporary construction in which different elements came together to form a staggered, layered surface. This visual reference became the starting point for a cabinet whose façade appears to be a spontaneous arrangement of differently coloured corrugated panels, which settle into a layered composition. Behind this undulating façade lies a rational and carefully considered storage volume, providing further contrast between exterior and interior.

Credits

Photos: Doshi Levien

(Fig 1)

SPONTANEOUS AND RATIONAL

Shanty’s façade uses different coloured corrugated surfaces, arranged like a spontaneous patchwork. This seemingly improvised exterior contrasts with a rational, carefully planned storage volume.

(Fig 2)

BEAUTY OF IMPROVISATION

Shanty was inspired by a corrugated steel construction outside Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi.

(Fig 3)

ORDER IN COMPLEXITY 

Creating the illusion of random overlapping surfaces posed a challenge: not only in designing an organised interior for the cabinet, but also in ensuring that each coloured surface remained coherent when opened.

(Fig 4)

INITIAL CONCEPT DRAWING BY NIPA DOSHI

“I have always admired Nipa's ability to capture the charm and beauty of an idea in a single drawing.” –Jonathan Levien.

(Fig 5)

TWO PROJECTS DESIGNED IN THE SAME YEAR

Nothing is lost in translation from the first sketch of Shanty to the finished piece, seen here standing alongside the Almora lounge chair in Doshi Levien's studio on Columbia Road.