Khanna Jewellers

New Delhi, India

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Khanna Jewellers

New Delhi, India

Firm

groupDCA

Type

Commercial › Retail

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2018

SIZE

1000 sqft - 3000 sqft

BUDGET

$10K - 50K

Founded in 1953 by Late Shri Wazir Chand Khanna, Khanna Jewellers is house to one of the finest collection of exotic handcrafted jewellery in India. 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, New Delhi, 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.

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.

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.

The ground floor is differentiated into two zones, a long hall and a small hall. This spaces are 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.