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A custom Fynbos server at Nando’s Central Kitchen in Lorentzville, Johannesburg. -
Fine brass and steel detailing creates a dynamic dialogue with the hand-glazed ceramic surfaces. -
Nindya Bucktowar and Nikhil Tricam of Studio Kalki.
WORDS Lynette Botha PHOTOS Nikhil Tricam
Durban-based design duo Nindya Bucktowar and Nikhil Tricam of Studio Kalki take us through the inspiration behind one of their latest creations – the Fynbos Server.
The Idea
“The piece uses our signature Kalki Ceramics tiles to create patterns inspired by local South African flora. But while the shapes and colours are inspired by fynbos, the possibilities for pattern and colour combinations are endless. The idea arose from our love for South Africa’s landscape, something that has really shaped our outlook on design. The inimitable geometries, colours and forms of fynbos seemed like a natural starting point for the first iteration of the piece.”
The Creative Methodology
“We aimed to create a contemporary form of lightweight steel and timber, which becomes a blank canvas for any pattern and colour combination. The form – a simple extruded rectangle with ceramic tiles on the top and sides – belies the complexity of the construction; the steel framework allows nearly seamless joints while providing a neat edge onto which the tiles abut.”
The Ergonomics and Engineering
“We chose steel as the primary material; it easily carries the weight of the ceramic tiles. Our intention was to draw inspiration from the materials. In this case, emphasising the tiles and colourful glazes is paramount. The structure enables the tiles to be at the forefront of the design, while ensuring seamless operation of the doors. The doors are hung with custom brass pivot hinges and operated via concealed push-to-open stoppers. The absence of handles and hinges results in a seamless patterned surface.”
The Materials
“The primary structure is steel, which is primed and painted; it is then clad with timber and finished with our glazed tiles. The accents and pivot hinges are brass, machined in-house at our Studio Kalki workshop. And, excitingly, we will be launching an option with a stone top soon, for use in higher-traffic restaurant contexts.”
Next Stop
“We loved creating this piece, and we are excited for what’s to come. We’re moving towards exploring bespoke design, leaning into our ceramic roots, and incorporating many more natural materials such as marble, travertine and raw timber into the pieces we make. We are blurring the lines between art and design, with each piece being a one-off collectible (or, in the case of our lights, a limited-edition run consisting of numbered and editioned pieces). “In terms of exciting projects that are imminent, I [Nikhil] am completing a large, multistorey glazed- bead installation in London, and Nindya is about to launch the beautiful Blom sconce and floor lamp. We have a host of incredible new lights planned, as well as some iconic feature pieces, such as customised wood-and-ceramic dining tables and new ceramic-and- steel servers. I could go on forever!” | studio.kalki | kalkiceramics
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