It’s Punit Jasuja’s world

The creative's colourful workplace brims with collectibles of a kind!

14 Dec 2023

In Shahpur Jat, at the Second Floor Studio, Punit Jasuja and his canine baby Sydney, spearhead their concept store, also a multifaceted studio. They match the energy of an army with the disposition of charming individuals who are equal parts ferocious, stylish and endearing.

At first glance, with its exposed concrete ceilings, brick walls and curious decor, the concept store brings about the right mix of global influences, eclectic flourishes and found objects. But that’s not just by virtue of good design sensibilities but also the core belief, that a designer’s job is to also transform spaces into reflections of personal experiences.

A moodboard in progress at the Second Floor Studio; Photography by Ankush Maria

“Even though I’m in Shahpur Jat, in the trenches of history, craft and inspiration, and I enjoy the life here, I wanted the customer to walk into the space and feel like we’ve been transported, to be reflective of where I’m from — New York City!

And that’s the job of a designer, almost like that of an alchemist” he remarks. But upon second thought, it is quite the metamorphosis of everything that the polymath undertakes.

Set against an antique wooden artwork from Chor Bazaar in Mumbai is Punit’s desk, it is a table sourced all the way from Italy; Photography by Ankush Maria

Second Floor Studio has designed spaces, lent creative expertise to corporate events, weddings and more. “This space is also a mix and match of all the wonderful things that have been a part of our journey, of everything and everyone we love.

For instance, many brands launched at the Second Floor Studio, Pure Earth, Olivia Dar, Antar Agni, KARDO to name a few,” says Punit.

There’s vintage furniture, art collected over the years, knick-knacks and more. “You can point to anything in the room and I can tell you the story behind it. Example, that bar belonged to a client whose home we did in Vasant Vihar.

She didn’t want it anymore so it came to me, and I found a home for it. A chair came to me from a South American themed wedding.

Ikats are from my trip to Guatemala. The wallpaper is from a company called Studio Printworks by Dennis Shah based in New York. We sell the wallpaper in the store so that’s the reason why the wallpaper got on the wall.”

And of course, there’s a designated place for Sydney where they customised her bed from a copper box formerly a bassinet, but now it’s where she has all of her toys. Yet despite his impeccable command over artistry and aesthetic, the decision to turn to designing was more serendipitous than logical.

“Having studied art history and psychology, followed by administration design in information technology, Punit was consulting in fashion and luxury from the strategy side, since he ran a jewellery business.

But in the process of coming out as a gay man, he realised he wanted to be on the creative side of things.

A mix of cultural influences find their rightful place at the Second Floor Studio. The paintings above the black stool (from Turkey) are by Jai Prakash Lakhiwal The painting by Punit, above the cabinet from Gujarat, is inspired by a vintage Gucci print. It is flanked by a maroon vase from Italy; Photography by Ankush Maria

“You can point to anything in the room and I can tell you the story behind it”“When I made that transition, I didn’t limit myself. As a designer you can design spaces, you can design clothes, stores and do so much more.

I allowed myself to embrace different verticals which has strengthened my skills to understand how design works and how people interact with space,” he asserts.

But the lingering question is, why did he choose to call his undertaking the Second Floor Studio? Since the space now spans multiple floors, and is accessed from the ground floor, after traversing the labyrinth that is Shahpur Jat!

He’s quick to explain, “Well because, the original space at Khan Market was located on the second floor. And the name stayed,” he signs off.