ArchShowcase 
Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Khanna Jewellers in New Delhi, India by groupDCAMay 17th, 2020 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: groupDCA Founded in 1953 by Late Shri Wazir Chand Khanna, Khanna Jewellers is house to one of the finest collection of exotic handcrafted jewellery. Having completed six decades in the business, they are a trusted name amongst clients as one of the oldest and most respected jewellery houses in the country. For the enterprise’s flagship store in South Extension, they wanted a space that would be outstanding, justifying the legacy of the organization and the clientele they cater to; the intent was to ensure that the space lived up to the public image and the reputation of the jewellery house.  Image Courtesy © Andre J Fanthome
 Image Courtesy © Andre J Fanthome Spread across two floors, this luxury brand sells gold and platinum on the ground floor, while the upper floor is reserved for diamond jewellery, catering to exclusive clients. The intention to create mystery has been kept constant, leading the visitors into a lobby cum waiting space, from where buyers can move towards the retail counters. The store consists of a reception cum waiting space, multiple display bays, a VIP lounge, an administration office, multiple owner counters to offer personal attention, strong rooms, and satellite storage areas along with ancillaries. A necessity to make the space formal and royal, fixated the focus on a design that was clinically symmetric. A classical design approach with a coordinated orientation has been achieved by providing neat, well-laid and clean spaces that abide by the local and overall symmetry. Whilst an asymmetrical design gives a more playful liberty, the aristocracy associated with high-end luxurious jewellery called for a formal and geometrically accurate layout. The architecture is classical, whereas the treatment of the spaces has been done with a neoclassical approach.  Image Courtesy © Andre J Fanthome  Image Courtesy © Andre J Fanthome The ground floor is clearly differentiated into two zones, a long hall and a small hall. The long space deals in regular jewellery and commonplace items for sale, whereas the counter sitting comfortably in the smaller hall deals in exclusive gold and platinum collections. This space is segregated from the waiting areas by a unique metal jaali work. Crafted with stainless steel and bronze-plated exclusively for this purpose, this jaali provides ample visibility to the customers coming in, and yet provides the spatial distinction. At one end of the floor is the room for VIP guests, and the staircase sits beside. A thin chunk of space behind the staircase has been judiciously converted to the utility space, promoting efficient space usage. On the other end of the room is the owner’s cubicle. Intentionally pushed to the back, this space provides the owner with the required privacy and a complete view of the entire floor so as to keep a manual check. The ground floor strong room sits beside the owner’s cubicle and is strategically planned to ensure functional efficiency.  Image Courtesy © Andre J Fanthome  Image Courtesy © Andre J Fanthome On the upper floor, the central space serves as the focal point; the unusual orientation of the counters, sitting at an oblique 45 degrees on the corners of the central square space takes the visitors by surprise. Two additional sales counter sits on one side of this central square, balanced by the main administration office, staff washroom, the dining space and the pantry on the other side. The administration office sits directly on top of the VIP room, and the staff wash and dining spaces occupy the narrow space behind, on top of the ground floor service area. An owner cubicle has been placed exactly on top of the ground floor cubicle, which again ensures smooth operations. The first-floor strong room sits above the ground floor strong room, again beside the owner’s cubicle. On both sides of the central square sits two identical rooms, centrally mirrored. Originally aimed to be a multifunctional space, they also act as daytime, satellite strong rooms. The incoming and outgoing stocks are stacked in these rooms for the day to ensure optimum functionality before being transferred to the strong room prior closing. The smaller spaces having the least potential are judiciously carved out to provide for electrical and assorted services. The treatments have been done keeping in mind the importance of providing an ultra-premium and plush aesthetic. An intelligent neo-classical treatment to the classical design elements brings out the statement perfectly. While the overall design follows a theme of simplicity, all the elements used have been treated to give a flashy outlook. Elements such as wood, metal, wallpapers, curtains, chandeliers and rugs firmly establish the classical essence. Incorporating attention into designing commonplace element details like staircase railings reinforces the spatial statement. Copper plated stainless steel metal work has been used extensively to enhance stonework on the walls.  Image Courtesy © Andre J Fanthome  Image Courtesy © Andre J Fanthome The walls are a combination of crème painted surfaces, boxed inside dark brown wooden reliefs that extend to wooden shelves on the below. The crème walls are in turn interspaced with deep relief shelves containing dummies for displaying jewelries. Clad in light indigo velvet, these shelves are encased in glass with glittering golden borders, which serves as a visual delight. Vibrant chairs clad in a deep violet velvet finish throw in the necessary spark to the overall spatial quality. The flooring has been designed to be clean and crisp; a simple combination of exotic Italian marble, laid out in geometric patterns presents a simple yet powerful balance to the space and reinforces the overall spatial symmetry. To ensure sufficient reflection of light, white marble has been predominantly used with grey marble being generously used to complement the brightness of the white. A third color representing the shinning color of gold- yellow sienna has been used to provide a spark in the central square space on the first floor as well.  Image Courtesy © Andre J Fanthome  Image Courtesy © Andre J Fanthome In keeping with the overall theme of simple aristocracy, the ceilings have been designed specially using imported light fixtures so as to keep surfaces plain and smooth. As opposed to a regular jewellery store, the lights on the ceiling are not visible. Deciding on the lights was one of the crucial parts of the design development- an out-of-the-box solution demanded light fixtures that would be necessary to implement the solution on-site. Lights fitting the requirement were found to be produced by a company named DiaLumen, and they were imported right from their office in Switzerland. Previously a jeweler himself, the owner of this organization realized the importance of lights in the jewellery industry; having gathered enough interest, he decided to start DiaLumen, which exclusively focuses on client-specific lighting solutions. This single factor has escalated the project illumination to the next level. The roof is plain, and despite having all services active, none of them are visible to the users. A plain white ceiling encompassed by a Victorian design champagne gold foil finish cornice lets the theme to flow constantly through all the elements.  Image Courtesy © Andre J Fanthome  Image Courtesy © Andre J Fanthome A wrap around façade measuring thirty feet by sixty feet has been added. Retaining the existing façade, it has been enhanced by additive enhancements; three doorway arches have been placed on the façade and connected to each other using cornices and elements attached to the façade. Special attention has given to the metalwork on the door and the framework around it; the black frame puts up a brilliant interplay of color for the passerby to admire. Upon looking closely, one is able to note gold plated hand knobs, which again pairs with the black of the door. Neoclassical elements like lanterns and gold plated designer elements add the finishing to the classic details, taking the existing façade to a whole new front. A small portion of land in front of the shorter façade has been optimally landscaped so as to complete the design experience. This project serves as a classic case of a combination of design detail and reverse engineering. Given the brief, it was essential to decide on the look of the space on priority. Intricate details like providing a thin band of shining brushed metal in between marble flooring have been worked out to create a chic-effect. Exploration of materials has been pushed to the maximum- the outcome therefore is a grand piece of design, clean, consciously compact and cozy, which successfully elevates the image of Khanna Jewellers.  Image Courtesy © Andre J Fanthome  Image Courtesy © Andre J Fanthome  Image Courtesy © Andre J Fanthome  Image Courtesy © groupDCA
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