Studio Teak combines traditional carpentry techniques with modern sensibility and an international design philosophy. They want to serve the Indian market with one-of-a-kind, custom furniture built on a foundation of cutting-edge design and impeccable craftsmanship.
They collaborate with a wide range of concepts, styles, and craftspeople to produce seamless space solutions, ranging from being a pure design studio to a furniture manufacturer. Whether it be for the hospitality sector, real estate endeavors, or business and co-working spaces, we frame, build, and innovate every day, by the hour.
It is not difficult to see that you are really passionate about wood. What is the biggest difference between Studio Teak’s wood creation and others?
The handmade component of the entire furniture creation, in my opinion, is what makes it unique. All of our designers here know how to manufacture furniture by hand and are highly familiar with its structural elements, even though not all of the works are created by them. Furniture built by hand will have a really special touch that will make people feel cosy.
Can you introduce us to a piece of classical furniture that impresses you the most? If possible, can you summarise the essence of Indian furniture?
There are too many historic pieces of furniture that I find impressive to focus on just one piece of furniture. I’ll go with the traditional-backed armchair if we can only discuss one type. The armchair is a fantastic example of how to use lines, which is a significant aspect of traditional culture.
It is astonishing how the conventional armchair still fulfils its function in contemporary furniture design and satisfies the requirements of contemporary space
What is your understanding of sustainable design?
According to our theory, a product can truly have a very long product life if it is functionally sound, robust, and timeless. From another angle, it is a means of minimizing waste. Every piece of furniture sold by studio teak comes with a guarantee that it is a high-quality item that will be cherished for a very long time.
What it the future direction for Studio Teak?
We haven’t really set a special goal to reach a certain scale. In the next two to three years, we will continue to organize more important events like art exhibitions and tea parties and invite our mentors and friends to share their opinions and ideas with people, in addition to developing our products. We started doing this this year, and I believe it to be really significant.
For the majority of people, furniture’s usefulness and aesthetic appeal don’t appear to go hand in hand; it may be beautiful but difficult to use or maintain. Do practicality and beauty rank first and second in your creation, respectively?
I’ve always believed that usability, comfort, and durability are the cornerstones of furniture design. First, these guiding principles must be attained. Additionally, I have been always pursuing beauty. Beauty and usefulness are not mutually exclusive. Designers must make a decision among the two and balance the two.
Interview Attributes:
Prasad Shetty
Director, Studio Teak