Viya's Unique Design Language Blends Homegrown Metal Craft With Dark Naturalism

I'm a big fan of postmodern design and have been working on my home interiors to achieve that. It has been a little tricky though. A rejection of formal structures, postmodernism calls for a playfulness and subversion of rigid design rules established before it (like modernism). But in the process of making these choices, I end up falling into the same traps postmodern design aims to dismantle. It stems from the inclination we have as humans towards things that are perfect or polished; our learned notions of structure. This rigidity also seeps into man-made designs, unless you actively choose to create with an intention to break norms.

Nature is the opposite. The ridges of canyons sculpted by water over years, the textures of the bark of a tree, even the unassuming geometry of flowers - all of these are uncalculated. They are untainted by ideas of perfection or an imposition of aesthetics. Their beauty lies in the fact that they exist without the need to fulfill a conceived purpose. No matter how well curated a room or a house is, with all the principles of design in mind, it cannot compete with the awe-inspiring magic of a walk in the forest. It is this very mystery and untamed charm of nature that inspires Viya Design.

Founded by contemporary designer Vikram Goyal as an extension of his practice, Viya is a design studio that taps into natural, ancient and organic shapes, bridging the gap between human artistry and nature’s quiet wonder. This is supplemented by their deep commitment to materials — brass, semi-precious stones, and organic fibers form the backbone of Viya's creations, exuding a story through their materiality and form.

Viya's unique design language is informed by the abstract forms found in nature recreated with metals. But even this rendition has a very specific tone. The nature Viya derives its inspiration from is less 'flowers & rainbow', and more 'the woods are lovely, dark & deep'. The result is an ominous but opulent aesthetic that feels both mythological and futuristic. The Kameti table lamp based on the Himalayan mountains, the console table taking after the prop roots of a Banyan tree and the Belum side table embodying the hanging stalactites of Andhra Pradesh's Belum caves are the prime examples of that. But Viya doesn't limit itself to the silhouettes of nature alone. The Coonoor table table replicates the diverse hues of the Indian landscape. The azure blues of oceans and lush greens of the forests are depicted in it through semi-precious stones.

The characters of Viya's sensorial pieces can be credited to the incredible skill behind the techniques employed. Pietra dura, for instance, known as Parchin Kari in India, has been historically used in Mughal monuments like the Taj Mahal. This intricate inlay technique uses highly polished stones to create vibrant, detailed designs. Then there’s the art of cane weaving, a practice that dates back to the 7th century in India. Viya breathes new life into this technique by transforming the delicate strands of rattan cane into sleek, Forestpunk furniture. Casting & repoussé that Vikram Goyal is known for are also used in creating intriguing textures within metal, particularly brass.

Viya's designs, stylistically feel gothic due to the intricate details, material subversion and naturalism. It could be the Halloween season but to me, they make perfect statement pieces for a vampire's mansion who likes nature but can't stand the warmth and vitality real plants bring to a space; he craves something more sombre. Lilies are pretty but they stand no chance against Viya's Glory Lily Chandelier that looks like the flowers died a tragic death in a battle with Medusa. This gravitas is attained through a thoughtful craftsmanship and Vikram's avant garde sensibilities. Rooted in an intelligent and creative approach to materiality, Viya is establishing a new era of luxury design that is rich in character, vision and lore.

If you enjoyed reading this, here's more from Homegrown:

Indian Creative Anand's Cat & Alien Sculptures Reject The Hyper-Seriousness Of Modern Art

Jagdish Sutar's Objects Of Legacy Reimagines Traditional Furniture Through Modern Design

A Homegrown Studio Is Bringing Sculptural Sensibilities To Their Bespoke Dinnerware

Follow Viya here.