Fact File
Location: Pune, Maharashtra
Size: 1115 sq m
Principal Designer: Vaishali Kamdar
Photography by: Hemant Patil
The FCML Store in Pune, designed by Vaishali Kamdar Associates, has been conceived as an aesthetic showcase for an extensive range of bath and wellness products, wooden flooring, and modular kitchens. Three floors, spanning 1115 square meters, have been meticulously crafted to deliver a unique retail experience, employing a vernacular material palette curated by leveraging the natural surroundings of the site. “With two levels dedicated to bath and wellness products and one to showcase wooden flooring and modular Italian kitchens, we were able to seamlessly showcase the diverse product range using dramatic and ingenious ways to create a serene design destination—a treasure trove of design ideas, templates, and inspirations, complete with technical details for architects, designers, and their discerning clients,” Kamdar elucidated when asked about the design intent of the lifestyle store.
The first of the “Bath & Wellness” spaces features an industrial palette, where cement floors, exposed ceilings, beams, and columns exude a raw, pared-back aesthetic. Interestingly detailed bespoke vanities add an unexpected touch of luxury and warmth that contrasts beautifully with the rugged shell. On the other hand, the second level is dedicated to its luxury product range, with its décor ensemble suitably “luxe” as well. “On entering this floor, we created a dramatic, lobby-like space with bespoke black and white flooring and pristine white panelled walls to showcase their more classical range,” explains Kamdar. Muted grey walls, diagonally laid oak wood floors, unique accent furniture, and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows are accompanied by a dedicated space for live showers. The highlight of this floor is a functioning jacuzzi, which can be experienced by appointment.
“For the level dedicated to kitchens and wooden flooring, we were careful to create a floor plan to enable customers to experience each kitchen individually. “One of the display kitchens leads into a beautiful, open-to-sky, built-in sit-out engulfed by sculptural trees,” said Kamdar. The wooden flooring displays manifest themselves in the form of distinct bays, where the surfaces and outdoor decks have all been innovatively clad, showcasing inspirational templates for the product’s application. The ever-present detailing is enhanced by accessories such as antique plumbing tools, vintage accent furniture, artwork, lamps, rugs, and plants. “One of the most difficult aspects of the project was incorporating their extensive product range without making it too overwhelming while still allowing each to shine individually.” This involved meticulous planning, extensive customization, prototyping, and innumerable mock-ups,” concluded Kamdar. Creating this plush spatial experience on a retail budget is a testament to the designer’s inimitable dexterity.
