In the forth edition of London Design Biennale, The India Pavilion “Chowk and Charpai: An urban living room” took a significant place.

London Design Biennale is an interactive, musical and kinetic exhibition of design-led innovations from across the globe. Where this year, under the theme of ‘The Global Game: Remapping collaborations‘, more than forty designers from around the world took part. The festival took place from 1st June to 25th June, artistically directed by the Nieuwe Instituut.

The India Pavilion in the forth edition of London Design Biennale was a joint venture by The Design Village and Studio Archohm. Called ‘Chowk and Charpai: An urban living room’, the installation was a multi-sensory evocation of a contemporary Indian city essence.

Editor’s note : “Studio Archohm and The Design Village join forces at this year’s London Design Biennale to present a captivating multi-sensory pavilion, intricately attuned to India’s urbanscape. Embracing the essence of Indian culture, the renowned Charpai takes centre stage in an open street market installation, showcasing its timeless beauty through exquisitely woven threads. This amalgamation of tradition and modernity offers a remarkable interpretation, resonating wonderfully with the 21st-century world of design.”~ Venessa Thomas (Co-Editor)

Speaking about the opportunity, Sourabh Gupta, founder of Studio Archohm expressed “The India Pavilion in its essence is a collaboration between students, artisans and practitioners. Between practice and pedagogy. We are delighted to represent India at this global design forum amongst 40 other countries and organizations. Somerset House is an August cultural destination; we are excited to showcase the essence of contemporary India”.

The exhibition not only highlights the vital role of design in addressing challenges and providing solutions, but encourages international collaboration and forges future partnerships. The Indian pavilion is a multi-sensory evocation of an Indian city chowk; an open market at the junction of streets. Through the visual metaphor of a charpai; a traditional woven daybed found across India.

The charpai is a design icon that transcends time, and its weave is representative of Indian craft. The pavilion stands as a large urban charpai sculpture, gently shading Somerset House as it basks in the British sun. Where the weave of the charpai renders a play of light and shade to make a street square; a chowk. It also represents India through the oversized web of the charpai; modern in its outlook, rooted in its culture.

Through the elements of touch, sound, sight, smell, and taste, the chowk represents Indian urbanity which adapts through dense landscapes. And the terracotta cups dot the façade generating a “kullad chai” tasting experience – a testimony of Indian hospitality and craft. In addition, urban furniture inspired by the Pavilion punctuates the area. Where they act as physical ambassadors and find a place in other pavilions at the Biennale.

Inside, one can hear the humdrum of Indian streets, under a maze of exaggerated Charpai weaves. Notes of “Petrichor” – the quintessential Indian smell of the first monsoon rain on mud developed by Boond from Kannauj, complements the experience. Matching the scale of the Pavilion, Puppeteers from Kayakalp Trust perform a story of the Mango fruit, questioning Climate Change.

“It was important for us to show various layers and complexities of narratives. Our country is multidimensional and therefore its true representation is hard to recreate in a singular inanimate manner. Our students had the chance to work closely with artisans and professionals through this journey of making the India Pavilion. And that makes it very special.” – adds Mridu Sahai, Co-Founder of The Design Village.

Established in 2016 by Sir John Sorrell CBE and Ben Evans CBE, London Design Biennale promotes global role of design. Since its inception the Biennale welcomes the world’s most exciting and ambitious designers, innovators and cultural bodies to the capital.