Dhruvkant Amin, Founder and Designer of Tectona Grandis Furniture, shares how an opportunity in 2014 led to the inception of his brand and the journey since.
What is your idea of good design?
My idea of good design is to make it simple but significant.
Who do you look up to for design inspiration?
Inspiration comes from nature, events, ideologies, or the need to solve a client’s requirement. I cannot attribute my inspiration to a single source—different moods and times bring different sparks of creativity.
Who is your design idol?
Without a second thought, it is Gajanan Upadhyay – well known as GU – widely appreciated for his simplicity, finesse, and “construction aesthetics.” He collaborated with renowned architects and designers like Ray and Charles Eames, Louis Kahn, George Nakashima, Poul Kjærholm, Nils Fagerholt, Bo Bonfils, Jens Moeller Jensen, Hans Gugelot, and many others.
Which was one of your earliest products that garnered attention?
The Ripple Coffee Table was one of my early designs that received a lot of attention, followed by the Nordic Sofa and Mastaba Console.
In your journey so far, what are some memorable products you have designed?
The first will always be special – designing furniture for the Karma Café at the Navjivan Press, founded by Mahatma Gandhi in Ahmedabad. Learning about his life and incorporating that spirit into my creations was inspiring. The Karma Chair, a stackable design named after the café, remains close to my heart. Another favourite is our latest addition—the OREKA Coffee Table, designed not just as a functional piece but also as an art object that elevates a space.
What’s the secret of your steady relationship with timber?
My love for timber, especially teak, has always been there. But after working with other materials like steel and aluminium, I realised how deeply nature and natural materials attract me. Timber’s varied grains, textures, warmth, and versatility inspire me to enhance its beauty through functional forms. We work exclusively with reclaimed wood, conserving nature while celebrating it in our designs.
What led to the inception of Tectona Grandis Furniture?
The brand was waiting for the right moment. Although NID had a degree in Furniture Design, independent furniture designers were not fully recognised – most worked within larger design houses. In 2014, I had the opportunity to design furniture for the Karma Café at Navjivan Press, and that’s when Tectona Grandis Furniture was born. That project set things in motion, and there’s been no looking back.
Do you offer customised products? How much time does it take to design one?
We design and manufacture a wide range of products, and we customise them to client requirements, including entirely new designs for projects. As for how long it takes – good things take time.
Is the language of design universal, or does it depend on cultural affinities?
The language of design is global. A design is good as long as it serves its purpose. As Albert Einstein said, Creativity is contagious, pass it on. While cultural influences make each design unique, the core principles transcend borders.
Do you cater globally or focus only on the Indian market?
When the language of design is global, it cannot be restricted to one region. Tectona Grandis Furniture serves clients worldwide, step by step reaching new regions across the globe.
Connect Online: www.tectonagrandis.in
