With over two decades of experience in the field of design and architecture, architects Lijo Jos and Reny Lijo have carved out a niche for themselves and their journey has been as inspiring as it has been challenging. Where did it all start though? For Lijo, architecture wasn't really his first preference. He has always had an artistic bent of mind; he also loved making things and being hands-on. "I wanted to do something related to art," says Lijo. "But when it was time to pick a profession, I chose not to learn art professionally because I realised that certain art schools have certain philosophies. They mould students in a manner that they end up practising in similar ways.
I did not want that kind of moulding to happen for me, I wanted free thinking. So, I decided to pick something creative but that had a lot of art infused into it. Architecture, I realised, had that kind of a blend." What drew Reny towards this profession was the fact that it entailed creativity and also called for technical knowledge. "Other fields which were open for me as options then were civil engineering and other technical fields which didn't inspire me as they lacked creativity. Architecture was the only profession at that point of time that I was open to which I thought would be the right mix of what I wanted," she reveals.
The duo met at an architecture studio in 2003, where they were working back then. It was during this period of time, while working on different projects together, that they realised how well they complemented each other in terms of their design sensibilities. Their wavelengths matched and they were able to work in sync while also bringing different viewpoints and skillsets to the table. This eventually led to them launching their own boutique practice in 2005, LIJO.RENY. architects, and over the course of the last 17 years, they have undertaken several projects and set new benchmarks.
This story is from the Volume 11 No 4 edition of Home & Design Trends.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Volume 11 No 4 edition of Home & Design Trends.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
BUILDING SPATIAL DIALOGUES
In conversation with the powerhouse duo Lijo Jos and Reny Lijo, who dare to break away from accepted design norms and introduce new ideas, forging a path for themselves in the field of architecture
in Balance
Design has always been our first love. It is a vital part of our existence and the fundamental reason we get along
..AND THE LEGACY LIVES ON
Sanchit Arora trains his young eyes towards creating an architectural identity through fantastical concepts. We chart how the architect has propelled the trajectory of RENESA, the studio founded by his father Sanjay Arora, towards being touted as one of the leading avant-garde design firms in the country
UNCONVENTIONALLY MINIMAL
Shivani Ajmera and Disha Bhavsar, the dynamic co-founding duo of Quirk Studio, have forayed their way into the world of interior design with their quirky and unconventional ideas... inspiring many young designers to follow in their footsteps
AN EXPERIMENT IN THE MAKING
Birju Shah, Pooja Shah and Dhaara Shah converge to form Studio-in-Dtale, an Ahmedabad-based design atelier that crafts, creates and pushes the boundaries when it comes to AvantGarde design
THE NEW AGE PURIST
with everything veeram Shan does, ne aims to find equilibrium between luxury and earthiness. From architecture to fashion to product and landscape design, his prowess is impressive and innovative. We meet up with one of the future torchbearers of Indian design
TELLING IT LIKE IT IS
Behind the dramatic overtures and picture-perfect vignettes, there is an incredible amount of work that goes into the realisation of any design. In her most candid conversation yet, designer Iram Sultan lifts the veil on the glamour to reveal the details that make the big picture
TO BE YOUR OWN MUSE
Every project by MuseLAB frontrunners Huzefa Rangwala and Jasem Pirani is a deep dive into research and exploration. For this feature, they probe their past, with an unwavering eye on the future
THE STORY OF AN INDIAN LEGEND
Canna Patel, Founder and Chairperson, HCP Interior Design, is an institution in herself. Over the years, she has diligently worked to reshape the design narrative, be it with her public architectural designs, commercial outings, or residential projects. Canna is a beacon of inspiration. Here she tells us her story, how she started and down to this point in time when her firm has been appointed as the interior sub-consultants for the Central Vista Project, including the New Parliament Building.
THE GREEN ARCHITECT
What drew young Benny Kuriakose into the world of design?