Friday Five with India Mahdavi

Paris-based India Mahdavi is an architect and designer who grew up between Massachusetts, New York City, Heidelberg, the South of France, and Paris, before graduating with degrees in architecture (DPLG – Paris), industrial design (Cooper Union – NYC), graphic design (School of Visual Arts – NYC), and furniture design (Parson’s – NYC). After earning her degrees, the well-versed Mahdavi became the artistic director of Christian Liaigre’s for seven years before opening her eponymous studio in 1999, where they tackle global architecture, industrial design, furniture and object design. Her sought-after aesthetic can be found in many renowned hotels and restaurants, as well as her Parisian showrooms filled with her high-end pieces of furniture. Along with co-authoring a book, Home Chic, Mahdavi was named a part of Architectural Digest’s AD100 list in 2014 and 2017, and has also won many awards for her designs. In this week’s Friday Five, she shares some awe-inspiring places, along with a favorite color. Take a look.

Photo by India Mahdavi

1. SIWA/ Egypt
The most beautiful place on Earth. It’s an oasis located in the middle of the Western Egyptian desert. The eco-lodge Adrere Amellal is built out of salt blocks and mud. Only the stars, the moon and candle lights to guide you.

Photo by India Mahdavi

2. FONDATION LUMA/ Arles
Developed by patron Maja Hoffmann, built by architect Frank Gerhy – and still under construction, due to open in 2018 – it’s about to become a cultural complex which will include artistic, intellectual, responsible, -socially and economically- interactions. Located in the South of France.

Photo by India Mahdavi

3. INHOTIM
Located in a huge park of thousand hectares in Brumadinho, The Ihnotim Institute in Brazil is one of the largest open-sky contemporary museums in the world. This botanical garden has a beautiful palm trees collection. It’s just amazing. My favorite pavilions are by Brazilian artist Tunga.

4. JFCHEN
One of my favorite spots in Los Angeles. Created by Joel Chen (with me in the picture), who owns 30,000 sq ft of exhibition space spread out in three locations in the same area. He presents furniture and decorative arts from 20th and 21st centuries. It’s like an American version of the French “Puces” in Paris.

5. PINK
Because it’s my lucky color. The Pantone reference for rose quartz is 13-1520. I’ve used it for The Gallery at Sketch in London in 2014, and it has become a very fashionable color ever since – and was even appointed Color of the Year 2016.

from Design MilkDesign Milk http://design-milk.com/friday-five-with-india-mahdavi/