Zardozi arrived in India from Central Asia in the 12th century. Intricately embroidered, this craft was often referred to as painting with gold thread. Passed down through the generations, this appreciation for fine craftsmanship forms the bedrock of Divani, a label that is committed to continuing the legacy. When Zafar and Monika Choudhary of Habitat Architects were called on to revisit the brand’s flagship in Hyderabad, they decided to conceive the 3,000 sq ft space with the intention and care as couture through a series of immersive galleries. “Out of all the spaces, the lobby remains the most special, as it was the first space we began designing and, in many ways, it set the tone for everything that followed,” says Sanya Dhir, Founder & Creative Director alongside Partner Simran Shaad Khan. It was here that the intricate craft was first introduced into the spatial language with Zardoz panels and framed compositions, punctuated with rare antiques and heirlooms in recesses. The story crescendoes through the marble flooring, mapped out before being laid by hand. Positioned as axial markers, crystal chandeliers draw the eye upwards. The ceiling is inspired by the Mughal gumbad and detailed with a jewel-toned mehraab pattern. Arched frames present as portals in the otherwise restrained dark timber envelope. “The most challenging aspect, however, was the coordination and execution at this level of detail,” says Sanya,“The project involved multiple teams and artisans, with much of the work being handcrafted and produced across locations, particularly in Delhi, before being transported and assembled in Hyderabad.” The geographical dialogue also manifests in the store. Though Zardozi is most closely associated with the northern part of the country, the culture of abundance that floods the Deccan proved an equal muse. Drawing from the Nizami heritage, the floor-standing chandeliers called Farshi, traditionally gracing grand durbars, found their way to Divani. Here, a craft that traversed the terrains of history emerges as both archive and ornament stitched into the fabric of time.
Websites: habitatarc.com, divanicouture.com
