Hall of Fame

C N Raghavendran

Architect, C N Raghavendran rao and associates

Born in 1944 to Civil Engineer C R Narayana Rao, C N Raghavendran completed his primary and secondary education in Chennai. Apart from studies, Raghavendran’s childhood was spent playing hockey, football and cricket with his friends and family. After successfully completing his pre-university course from Vivekananda College, Chennai, Raghavendran went to study Architecture at Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur.

Following his graduation, he worked with his father for almost a year, before attending University of California, Berkeley, for postgraduate studies in Architecture. He joined his father’s firm C R Narayana Rao & Associates upon returning to India with M. Arch. from Berkeley, USA.

Over the last 6 decades, their firm has gained immense recognition and expanded their business to cover all the 4 states in Southern India. As early as 1960s, the firm gained recognition for their innovative architecture for the prestigious Dunlop and Ashok Leyland factories. Besides industrial projects, the firm has also designed many educational institutions, textile mills and sports stadiums. Their loyal clients include some of India’s large scale global companies like Infosys, TCS, Wipro, Satyam, HCL, Oracle and Computer Associates among others. A landmark achievement for this firm has been the construction of Tidel Park, a 1.5 million sft building equipped with energy saving measures. A one-of-its-kind energy efficient building, it was inaugurated and praised by the then Prime Minister of India.

With a 250-strong team of dedicated employees, the two brothers, C N Raghavendran and Dr C N Srinivasan are giving face to many dreams.

Sectional daybed

KEY FEATURES
Eco-friendly synthetic olefin reversible cushion
Also includes reversible seat cushions, reversible ottoman cushion,
three 22 x 22 toss pillows and two 18 x 12 toss pillows and glass tabletop for use as coffee table
Loveseat: 80L x 44W x 58H inches; weight: 50 lbs.
Bench: 55L x 25D x 12.5H inches; weight: 18 lbs.
Ottoman/coffee table: 37.5 diam. x 12.5H inches; weight: 26 lbs.
All pieces together as a chaise lounge: 80L x 80D x 12.5H inches
Warm cocoa brown wicker finish in alternating dark and light shades
Canopy folds down when not needed
Cushions reverse from blue-and-brown paisley to solid spa blue
22 x 18-inch toss pillows reverse from solid spa blue to neutral
18 x 12-inch toss pillows have a blue and brown paisley design
Seat cushions feature foam core wrapped in poly fill for
durability and resilience
Do not leave the glass on the ottoman (under cushion) when
using in chaise lounge configuration
Chat set seats 6-8 people; chaise lounge seats 2-3 people
Virtually maintenance-free - hose off to clean; spot clean cushions

 Not only does the Sectional Daybed make your outdoor seating area look exactly like a page out of a home decor magazine, it also offers versatile seating options that are designed to fit all your entertaining needs. Push all the pieces together to create an oversized chaise lounge, measuring 80W x 80D inches, to work on that tan with a friend or two; or pull the pieces apart, remove the ottoman cushion and replace it with the glass table top (included), and you have a chat set where you can catch up with six to eight friends over chilled drinks! Between its upscale contemporary look and functional perfection, this set, which includes a loveseat with canopy, two curved benches, and an ottoman/coffee table, is sure to be the highlight of your patio, poolside, or sunroom.

Designed for years of outdoor use, this set features all-weather resin wicker in variegated warm cocoa brown tones, woven over a fully-welded, powder-coated aluminum frame. Featuring foam cores wrapped in poly fill for durability and resilience, the super-comfy seat cushions will envelope you and your guests in sheer luxury, encouraging you to spend most of your waking hours outdoors. The seat cushions reverse from blue-and-brown paisley pattern to solid spa blue to create a different look whenever you want, while the toss pillows, which are finished with piped edges, add a coordinated feel to the set. Perfect for those who prefer to sit in the shade, the matching spa blue canopy lets you stay cool on particularly hot days and folds down when not needed. You'll also be doing your bit for the environment because all the cushions and accessories are made from eco-friendly synthetic olefin fabric that is soft to the touch and has a canvas-type feel. The greenest choice for outdoor cushions, this cushion fabric is made from recycled materials and can be recycled at the end of its life. What's more, this set is virtually maintenance-free! Simply hose off the pieces to clean and spot clean the cushions to keep the set looking like new even years down the line.

The best possible combination of modern aesthetics and livable comfort, this sectional chaise lounge set makes the perfect choice for anyone who wants to move beyond regular patio furniture, without compromising on style and comfort.


WHAT'S INCLUDED
Loveseat, canopy, 2 curved benches, Ottoman/table, Glass table top, Reversible seat cushions, Reversible ottoman cushion, 3 22 x 22 toss pillows, 2 18 x 12 toss pillows


DIMENSIONS & SPECIFICATIONS
Frame Material
Aluminum
Material
Resin Wicker
Weight
18 lbs. (Each Bench) , 26 lbs. (Coffee Table) , 50 lbs. (Loveseat)
Bench Dimensions
55L x 25D x 12.5H inches
Seating
2 - 3 Person
Type
Double
Loveseat Dimensions
80L x 44W x 58H inches
Brand
Coral Coast
Position
Non-Reclining
Coffee Table Dimensions
37.5 diam. x 12.5H inches

CARE
Hose off to clean. Use mild dish soap and water to spot clean cushions. If the cushions do get wet (rained on), stand them on their side to allow water to drain out the seam. Do not use harsh chemicals. To prolong the life of  furniture and cushions, store when not in use.

Great Home Ideas

Tired with lots of guests??

check out the design in the picture perfect for a basement and all those sleepovers and house guests during holidays!! All tensions gone with this simple and easy makeover of the basement.

ANTILA - MOST EXPENSIVE HOME

Antilla, the home of Mumbai-based petrochemicals giant Reliance Industries head Mukesh Ambani, stand 27 stories high.

 Lobby
Nine elevators dot the lobby floor: Two are designated for parking areas, three for guest quarters, two for the Ambani family residences and two for service. The lobby opens to numerous lounges, reception areas and powder rooms. Dual stairways lead from the lobby floor down to the ballroom, which is designed in an open layout with a two-story roof.


Ballroom
The most striking features of the Antilla ballroom are the crystal chandeliers that will take up approximately 80% of the ceiling. The silver stairways lead to a central landing, behind which two retractable doors can open to display works of art. There is also a stage for entertainment or speeches, with a projection screen behind it. A kitchen, about the same size as the ballroom itself, can service hundreds of guests.


Bathroom
One of Antilla's key design themes is the mix of lavish features seen in worldwide homes and elements that are distinctly Indian. The Gingko-leaf sink designs are a good example. Native to India, the leaves in the sinks are shaped in such a way that their stems guide water into the bowl created by the basket of the leaf.

Traditional Lounge
Ambani's home features countless lounges, offering Reliance Industries guests a quiet escape. Chandeliers and mirrors are a common feature of these rooms, as are finely woven Indian area rugs.

Modern Lounge
Each space and floor uses materials not seen anywhere else. The idea is that spaces will blend into one another, giving the impression of consistency and flow, while at the same time displaying different influences and traditions. This furniture, floors, lines and dark woods of this lounge have a more minimalistic approach than the home's other lounges.


Entertainment Level
It's very common in large homes to have a theater or screening room, but usually they're just large projection screens with a few nice seats. The Ambani's theater is --a full-fledged theater, indistinguishable from a cinema. A wine room, snack bar and entertaining space, including couches and tables, fill out the room.


Health Level
The indoor/outdoor health level features a lap pool and Jacuzzi that take in views of the city skyline, as well as lounge chairs shaded by trees. Yoga and dance studios, changing rooms for men and women, gyms and a solarium with a juice bar fill out the interior space. There are plans to include an ice room in the center space, where the Ambanis could sit on a hot Mumbai day to cool off in a man-made snow flurry.


Garage
The first six floors of the residence will be dedicated to parking for the Ambani family, guests and employees. Hanging vertical gardens dot the exterior. While they make for good decoration, their key function has to do with energy efficiency: The hydroponic plants, grown in liquid nutrient solutions instead of soil, lower the energy footprint of the home by absorbing heat and sunlight and providing shade that helps keep it cool.


Roof
The top floor features a covered, outdoor entertaining space with panoramic views of the Mumbai skyline as well as the Arabian Sea. On those days when it's too hot, or cold, an interior space with floor-to-ceiling windows provides the same luxury.

CHANGING TRENDS IN ARCHITECTURE

ORNAMENTATION IN ARCHITECTURE

Architecture has transformed from a complex creative process of integrating diverse functions, structural systems, myriad services and utilities, inter-related spaces and exterior-interior visual connections into a game of appliqué where one cuts and pastes decorations and ornament onto four sides of dull boxes.

The building in the picture above has a facade that is completely covered with sheets of perforated metal and acryllic translucent sheets. Diffused lighting techniques have been used to illuminate the facade of the building.


All of us agree that when we evaluate a building for its overall appeal, the exterior facade takes the first place. The exterior aesthetics has gained more importance than the interior functionality. The building has to be made look good.