A quick recap of an evening conversation on Contemporary Nostalgia at Abode Bombay

The evening of 13th of July, saw a bunch of eager design and architecture enthusiasts huddled in the cosy Abode Bombay rapt in a discussion revolving around ‘Contemporary Nostalgia’. Set in the quiet bylanes of Mumbai’s art hub, this quaint boutique hotel exudes an old-world charm—a luxurious escape into the rich, historic past of Mumbai. There to enlighten us with their observations and opinions on the nostalgia associated with the city’s many heritage buildings and landmarks and the relevance of preserving iconic yesteryear’s design principles were—founder of Essajees Atelier Sarah Sham, lifestyle photographer Kuber Shah of Doors of Bombay, Vice-chairman of Bharat Floorings Firdaus Variava and owner of Abode Boutique Hotels Abedin Sham.

Over a series of presentations that shed light on their own ingenious approaches into incorporating nostalgia into contemporary design, the dialogue outlined the importance of imbibing a refined version of the past into our present. Sharing interesting excerpts from their own projects and brand journeys, the panel also discussed the need for an Indian mindset to reflect as the inspiration for the changing city skyline. Replete with questions and shared experiences by the audience, the event culminated in a tour of the boutique hotel, which itself was built as a tribute to the forgotten vintage allure of Bombay, as seen in the design and use of materials.

Sarah Sham’s “Nostalgia for me is striking a balance between the old and the new” Firdaus Variava’s “Revisit nostalgia by recreating traditional patterns with modern techniques” Kuber Shah’s “Respecting nostalgia comes from bettering archives while keeping in mind the original insight” Abedin Sham’s “The roots of contemporary nostalgia lie in its classic, timeless appeal”