Here, we ask designers to take a selfie and give us an inside look at their life.
Age: 29 (Antonin). 30 (Ignatio).
Occupation: Architects and furniture designers.
Instagram: @pendhapa.architects
Hometown: London.
Studio location: London, Paris, Singapore, Jakarta.
Describe what you make: Pendhapa creates and designs buildings, spaces, furniture, and objects of all shapes and purposes.
The most important thing you’ve designed to date: We’re proud to have designed an ecosystem of artisans, makers, and experts from different parts of the world. From a glass brick townhouse in Jakarta, a villa in the deep tropical jungle of Bali, or a house in the arid desert of the Greek islands, we always aim to explore new territories.
Describe the problem your work solves: Our focus is to create designs that stand the test of time in collaboration with skilled artisans from all over the world. By working together with them, we prioritize the use of high-quality materials to craft designs that are enduring in their appeal and quality. Through our emphasis on timelessness and quality, we strive to reduce the need for frequent replacements or renovations, ultimately minimizing waste and environmental impact. By bringing a level of artistry and craftsmanship to our designs, we aim to ensure their longevity and timelessness while also promoting sustainable practices.
Describe the project you are working on now: We’re currently looking at the design of a house in Greece all the way from the supervision of the construction itself, to bespoke furniture, interior design, and landscape design.
A new or forthcoming project we should know about: We just launched a new furniture collection called AKAR in collaboration with Métaphores, an innovator in weaving and fabrics for interior design, and a sister company of Hermès, belonging to its textile division. We created nine different pieces of collectible furniture, each showcasing a different Le Crin fabric, the specialty centenarian technique of hand-woven horsehair developed today by Métaphores in Challes, France. Meanwhile, the carving of solid mahogany and teak woods were created at our studio in Indonesia. The collaboration showcases the fabric’s unique characteristics, pushing the boundaries of what can be made from solid wood today by using the material in its most organic form. The AKAR collection is available online through The Invisible Collection globally.
What you absolutely must have in your studio: Sunlight!
What you do when you’re not working: Out hunting for inspiration in meeting new people; getting exposed to a new artist, technique or even sometimes landscapes and fresh air (Antonin). I travel a lot. For me, travel multiplies new experiences and is a great source of creativity and energy (Ignatio).
Sources of creative envy: Eric Schmitt and Thomas Heatherwick, two incredible creative minds (Antonin). Zaha Hadid… Indonesian architect Yuri Antar Awal has also always been an inspiration for me (Ignatio).
The distraction you want to eliminate: Always saying yes to everything (Antonin). I need to learn to delegate (Ignatio).
Concrete or marble? Marble.
High-rise or townhouse? Townhouse.
Remember or forget? Remember.
Aliens or ghosts? Aliens.
Dark or light? Dark.
