From Concept to Creation: Inside Obeetee’s First Collaboration with an Architect
Obeetee has been in the retail segment for around 6 years. In this time, we have collaborated with many designers. Just as designer wearables have emerged, so too have designer rugs. We teamed up with established industry names, such as Tarun Tahiliani, JJ Valaya, Ashdeen, and many others, to bring to life carpets that cannot be called mere floor coverings. Between these collaborations, we launched a collection with an Architect. Just like many, you might have this question in mind: how can a designer and an architectural collection be different? The difference is the same, that is, between design and architecture. Architecture focuses on the high-level strategic and structural planning of an infrastructure element, while design focuses on the overall visuals, along with the minute details of it. Technically, a design is also developed by an architect, but there is a very thin line that separates the two.
Our 1st architectural collection was with Mr. Shripal Munshi. Munshi has been in the industry for over 2.5 decades now. As an established architectural practice, he has developed rapport in the world of design as well. Being one of the principal architects of the SVA, he has worked on bringing many townships, gated communities, private and commercial residences, schools, and rail infrastructure from the ground up. He is one of the few who bring sensibility and sensitivity to infrastructural projects. The collection that we launched with him is called ‘Mosaic’. A set of hand-tufted rugs, each of a different character. One thing that is common in the entire collection is the inspiration- architectural elements.
Crafted using sustainably sourced materials like wool, viscose, and cotton, each rug is nothing but a piece of art. Handmade using centuries-old hand-tufting techniques, the rug comes with a strong construction, is durable, and extremely comfortable underfoot. Munshi brought the everyday things that we see but ignore to life via this collection, along with many geographical elements. A water stream flowing out of a snowy valley, wires and cables crossing paths between sky-scrapers, a view of a regular over bridge with a train passing, or the top view of an open meadow, etc, can be seen on these tufted canvases. Architecture is about establishing the structural base, and many rugs in the collection feature geometrical motifs of construction equipment. Bend It Like Steel is one such piece.
The Mosaic collection falls into the contemporary realm of rugs. While the design features abstract art, the color palette that Munshi has blessed these designs with is remarkable. Vibrant, yet subtle and charismatic, every rug in the collection is indeed an artwork and not just a decor accessory.
To explore the rugs in the collection, you can click the following link, https://www.obeetee.in/collections/mosaic-by-shripal-munshi, or visit any of our rug shops in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune, Bangalore, and Ahmedabad.
