Art of the Matter

For Sarah Sham integrating technology and innovation in design is important

Sarah Sham never planned to be an interior designer. She had always been interested in art considering her background of a family-run 130-year, four-generations-old business dealing in art, antiques and furniture.

She trained as an art historian from the Duke University in the US and Oxford University, UK, and afterwards started working with her father. It was at the suggestion of a client during one of their interactions that she ventured into interior designing. Inspired, she went back to school to train as an interior designer from Rachana Sansad, Mumbai.

Essajees Atelier, the company that she established in 2014, has already completed about 60 projects in residential and commercial spaces.

For Sham, the size and budget of any project are secondary. The main emphasis is on client relations. As she says, “I’ve become attuned to operating on an energy frequency with my clients. It’s literally about wanting to associate with people who are on the same wavelength as me.”

The pandemic has changed many things, including the way people want to design their homes. The focus on quality has shifted to wanting things that last for a long time and that are super easy to use and maintain.

“I’ve not done a single home project in the last three years without a home office integration, it’s literally just not going forward unless it’s a home office,” she says.

A lot of focus is now being laid on sustainable architecture and green environment. However, efficient, effective and affordable eco-friendly products are not readily available. Also the standards and processes are not in place. “Wherever possible, we’re continuously developing and learning about new materials and reusing what’s already there.”

Sarah believes that integrating technology and innovation in design is important, but not if it’s transient or changes very quickly.

What sets the Essajees Atelier apart is that its entire ethos and philosophy is based on sharing. “We have started Whatsapp groups across 150 cities for designers to connect, share information, leads or any kind of information one needs for a young design studio and mentorship to ensure that everyone goes together as an industry.”

By Kamayni, Studio Gulmohar