Future → Built Creatively
“Rooted Geometry” is a project by Debadrita Sarkar, a BSc Interior Design and Decoration 2023 batch student at JD School of Design, powered by JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Bengaluru. Inspired by the traditional Natungram woodcraft of West Bengal and the symbolic wooden owl known as the Kather Pecha, the project explores the theme of cultural storytelling through functional furniture design. It aims to transform a conventional wardrobe into an interactive and sculptural storage element, while responding to the spatial constraints and evolving lifestyle needs of contemporary urban homes.
The project is designed for modern residential users seeking functional, space-efficient, and culturally expressive furniture, keeping usability, interaction, and emotional connection at the core of the design process.The design approach focuses on biomimicry, innovation, functionality, and experiential interaction, ensuring that the furniture remains both practical and visually engaging. Through research into Natungram folk art, symbolic storytelling, and the biological movement of owls, the project identifies the need for furniture that combines utility with cultural identity.
Materials such as sustainably sourced timber, internal metal reinforcements, eco-friendly lacquers, and textured hand-finished surfaces, along with techniques inspired by traditional wood carving and modern mechanical engineering, were chosen to achieve durability, smooth kinetic movement, and strong visual character.Visually, the project is defined by cylindrical forms, bold folk-inspired colour palettes, concentric circular motifs, and handcrafted textures, reflecting protection, wisdom, and vibrancy. The final outcome, a 360-degree rotatable wardrobe for a residential 4BHK space, embodies movement, storytelling, and spatial innovation, seeking to transform the everyday ritual of dressing into an interactive and immersive experience.Through this project, the designer aims to highlight how traditional crafts can evolve into contemporary functional systems, positioning design as a tool for cultural preservation, innovation, and emotional engagement. Ultimately, “Rooted Geometry” stands as a reflection of the harmony between heritage and modern living, where furniture becomes both a guardian of belongings and a living expression of craft and identity.
