“We got to see new stone materials, and design possibilities,” say Utkarsha, who does not give a second name. She, Shivani Methi and Bhumika Ostwal are excitedly exploring the range of new materials available. They are part of a group of 50 interior design students from the Institute of Fashion, Media & Allied Arts, Aurangabad, here in Pune on a field trip to see A&i Digest’s Design Exhibition.
This year’s edition features exhibitors from 100 architecture and interior design studios, with design solutions from around the world, and a window to innovative trends across residential, commercial, landscape & urban planning projects, covering the gamut from natural stone materials to integrated automation systems, ergonomic kitchen countertops and stretchable ceilings, laser-cut metal and acrylic lighting solutions, HD veneer prints, brick cladding available at less than ₹125/sq.ft. and hybrid surfaces like a combination of acrylic and aluminium trihydrate (ATH). The hybrid acrylic-metal hydroxide composite created with micro-machining process technology by Infini includes 36% acryclic, 63% ATH, which is a fire retardant, and 1% colouring agents.