Orvi Surfaces, a pioneering company in architectural artefacts, has redefined the field of offering unique and visually stunning materials. With a strong emphasis on craftsmanship and a seamless blend of art and technology, Orvi Surfaces has transformed our perception of surfaces in architecture and design. The inception of ‘Orvi Surfaces’ dates to over a decade and can be attributed to its founder, Sanjeev Agrawal. During his travels across Europe and other parts of the world, Agrawal encountered fascinating craft techniques that piqued his interest. For instance, he came across Pietra Dura, a craft technique, as well as the Japanese art of Raku firing. These experiences led him to contemplate how India, renowned for its craftsmanship and talented artisans, could incorporate global craft techniques. Agrawal envisioned a process where Indian artisans could be trained to become experts in these techniques, blending their skills with newfound knowledge to create unique surfaces.
These surfaces, handcrafted by skilled artisans, could adorn various spaces such as floors, walls, facades, interiors, and exteriors of buildings and that is how Orvi Surfaces was born. The focus was on living spaces, ensuring that the artistic elements were seamlessly integrated with the environment. Additionally, the brand name, urvi, derives from the Sanskrit word “Ur,” which translates to “urvi” or “Mother Earth.” This connection to Mother Earth is central to our brand’s identity. Consequently, the brand exclusively works with natural materials sourced from the earth itself. These materials include natural stones like marble and sandstone, as well as wood, glass, metal, ceramics, and other similar resources. By utilizing these organic elements, Orvi Surfaces maintains a commitment to sustainability and create products that resonate with the inherent beauty of nature.
The brand has effectively challenged traditional notions of architectural surfaces, revolutionising the industry. Through their unwavering pursuit of excellence, the company has pushed the boundaries of material possibilities, resulting in an exquisite range of surfaces that captivate and inspire. From natural stone to unparalleled beauty to intricate glass mosaics and meticulously crafted ceramics, Orvi Surfaces boast a diverse palette that harmoniously combines traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics. Placing great emphasis on research and development, every bespoke project is seen as a challenge, and Orvi delves deep into exploring novel ways to utilize existing materials. “We constantly strive to discover fresh methods of combining materials in intriguing ways, while seamlessly integrating technology and traditional craft techniques, all under the guidance of skilled master artisans” mentioned Meghna Jain, Group VP – Marketing, Orvi Surfaces.
In their latest collection, the Test Array Collection, they have introduced the concept of micro mosaics; drawing inspiration from the time-honoured Roman mosaic art. This collection incorporates mixed media, including natural stone, coloured glass, and semi-precious materials like lapiz, Missoula, malachite, and more. The brand’s skilled artisans meticulously cut these materials into tiny pieces, assembling them one by one to create stunning wall panels and art pieces. These examples highlight the innovation, research, and development efforts that underpin the creation of our distinct surface materials. They continuously strive to explore new techniques, materials, and combinations to bring forth captivating and unique creations for their clients.
It is worth noting that their creations go beyond being mere products. They don’t simply sell items in the market. Instead, they passionately craft pieces that are imbued with intricate details and are the result of months of meticulous handiwork by skilled artisans. Each piece carries a distinct essence, adding character and soul to any space they occupy. Orvi Surfaces take pride in the artistry and craftsmanship that goes into their creations, making them truly unique and captivating. There is a wealth of innovation happening worldwide in the realm of surfaces, designs, and materials. While they do draw inspiration from these global advancements, they also strive to be pioneers themselves and set new trends through their innovative endeavours. Their driving force is the passion to surpass their previous achievements!
When it comes to the practical functionality of their creations, Orvi prioritizes collaboration with architects and designers. Working closely with them, they ensure that the visualized concept seamlessly integrates into a living space. Currently, they collaborate with over 19 handcraft techniques and employ over 200 in-house artisans. However, they continuously seek to introduce new materials and explore exciting possibilities with them. To maintain its position at the forefront of innovation, Orvi constantly seeks to integrate new technologies and machines into its processes. They train their artisans to leverage these tools effectively, all while preserving and enhancing their unique handcraft skills. This dedication allows them to stay ahead of emerging trends and continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible in their field.
Orvi Surfaces embraces every project as an opportunity for continuous growth and the acquisition of valuable knowledge in the realm of architectural surfaces. While it is challenging to pinpoint a single project that defines their expertise, each undertaking contributes to their evolution and proficiency. Whether working on a prestigious hotel project in Paris or a residential endeavour in India, Orvi Surfaces approaches each opportunity with a mindset of learning, adaptation, and expansion of capabilities. When it comes to their work on homes in India, Orvi Surfaces encounters unique challenges that test their creativity and problem-solving skills. Spatial constraints often pose significant hurdles, requiring the team to find innovative ways to incorporate exquisite design elements within limited space. They invest considerable time and effort in identifying the perfect shade or hue of stone that harmonizes seamlessly with the existing aesthetic, ensuring a cohesive and visually pleasing outcome.
Moreover, the technical and logistical aspects of executing projects in India present additional complexities. The delicate nature of Orvi Surfaces’ materials demands meticulous handling and precise installation. Unfortunately, there may be instances where the installation team or individuals responsible for transportation lack a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies involved. The brand embraces the challenges presented by each project, leveraging them as opportunities to expand its expertise and capabilities. With a relentless pursuit of innovation and a dedication to collaboration and learning, Orvi Surfaces continues to thrive, creating remarkable architectural surfaces that leave a lasting impression.
When it comes to sustainability, Orvi Surfaces adopts a “people, planet, and product” approach. Their foremost focus lies in prioritizing the well-being and empowerment of individuals. To achieve this, they have implemented a noteworthy initiative within their mosaic collection. Specifically, Orvi Surfaces actively seeks out women from local rural areas who face financial difficulties and are primarily homemakers. These women undergo extensive training in mosaic art, a process that requires substantial time and effort. Subsequently, Orvi Surfaces offers them steady employment with monthly salaries. This initiative not only provides financial empowerment but also equips these women with valuable artisanal skills that can be utilized for personal and financial growth even beyond their tenure with the company. Orvi Surfaces is committed to fostering an environment where these individuals can thrive and flourish.
In addition, the company has implemented large-scale water recycling plants in their manufacturing setup. This allows them to recycle and reuse all the water consumed during their production processes, effectively minimizing water waste and contributing to the conservation of this valuable resource. Moreover, Orvi Surfaces strives to reduce waste by repurposing smaller but high-quality stone pieces that may not be suitable for creating single large surfaces. Rather than discarding these pieces, they creatively integrate them into new collections. These smaller stone fragments are transformed into mosaic compositions or meticulously assembled to craft exquisite artistic wall panels or floor surfaces. By adopting this approach, Orvi Surfaces not only minimizes waste but also adds artistic value and uniqueness to its creations.
The combination of bespoke capabilities, collaboration with designers and clients, utilization of natural materials, and integration of advanced technology positions Orvi Surfaces as a brand that is adaptable, innovative, and dedicated to providing exceptional surface solutions.
“Our inspiration comes not just from the architecture of the past, but also from designers and architects of the present day who, with their vision for pushing the boundaries of creativity, are the people who create the challenges that inspire our team at Orvi. We are eager to explore the endless possibilities around combining different materials – like stone, metal, glass and ceramics – in captivating new ways. The result is a vast range of different surfaces, each one intriguing to the eye, gratifying to the touch and innovative to the core”
– Sanjeev Agrawal, Chairperson
All Image Courtesy: Orvi Surfaces
