The Vernacular Modern, formerly Woodlabs, is a Bangalore based design studio founded in 2017. Evolving in 2024, it now integrates broader vernacular wisdom and materials. Collaborating with artisans, the studio revives sustainable, culturally rooted practices, creating collectible modern heirlooms that blend tradition with contemporary luxury for everyday living.

In the press

  • The Art Newspaper, New York, Sep24

    The article by Benjamin Sutton talks about Collectible design fairโ€™s New York debut with around 100 exhibitors at Water Street Projects in Manhattan. Showcasing handcrafted designs, the fair featured diverse functional objects, from lamps to outdoor furniture. The Vernacular Modern presented elemental screens and a detailed wooden bench depicting a gharial, a crocodile species.

  • Curbed, New York, Sep24

    The Article by Morris Meier โ€œFrothy Gazebos, Beehive Lamps, and More finds at a Brussels Design Fair in Fidiโ€ talks about the debut of Collectible design fair, after seven successful runs in Brussels, debuted in New York at the WSA building, showcasing over 100 galleries and designers. Focusing on unique, concept-driven works, the fair highlights modern design trends. Bangaloreโ€™s The Vernacular Modern presented soil-based partitions, drawing inspiration from sustainable Indian mud homes.

  • COLLECTIBLE, New York, Sep24

    The "COLLECTIBLE In-Depth" series features Abhirup Dutta and Deeptashree Saha of The Vernacular Modern. They discuss their 2024 collection, Ubhaychar, which celebrates traditional craftsmanship, storytelling, and sustainable practices.

    The collection highlights the blend of vernacular techniques with contemporary design, reflecting the harmony between nature and culture. The editorial takes a deep look at the narratives that form the foundation for the studio.

  • Think Matter | Praxis, India, Aug24

    In partnership with ลžiลŸecam Flat Glass, Matter's editorial project PRAXIS explores diverse contemporary practices in India.

    In the feature โ€œPraxis | The Vernacular Modernโ€ Abhirup Dutta and Deeptashree Saha delve into their intellectual roots, blending material culture and engineering with vernacular and modern aesthetics. Their meticulously researched work, driven by an artisan-led approach, emphasizes 'slowness.' Using reclaimed timber, they create functional art, architecture, and objects that reflect India's craft heritage. Their work questions the essence of collaboration and the purpose behind creating products that resonate with both tradition and contemporary narratives.

  • Livingetc, India, Jul24

    The Vernacular Modern was featured in the design magazine Livingetc in an editorial titled "A New World' under "Trending Green Guide" highlighting sustainable practices of design brands, written by Tanvee Abhyanakar.

  • 108 Potraits of Indian Design, India, Feb24

    108 Portraits by Dr Alka Pande and Published by Arthshila is a book that attempts to take one on a journey of Indian Design and parts of its manifold magnificence.

    Woodlabs was featured in its volume "108 Portraits of Indian Design" under "Furniture and Interior Design"

  • Elle Decor, India, Feb/Mar24

    The Vernacular Modern was featured in the design magazine Elle Decor as the Editor's Pick for an editorial titled "Artful Abodes" under "Elle Decor Buzz "

    "A concoction of the adrenaline that brews in the wresting grounds blended with the brilliant redness of Karnataka's soil, the Akhara Sandhara coffee table by woodlabs is steeped in the legacies and rituals of the sport." text by Hitakshi Nagda and Namrata Dewanjee.

  • Livingetc, India, Jan24

    Phantom Hands was featured in the design magazine Livingetc in an editorial titled 'Meet the Makers - Material Magic' highlighting our founders Abhirup Dutta and Deeptashree Saha reviving vernacular practices prevalent in India to make furniture that last generation, written by Varuni Mohan & Kriti Saraswat-Satpathy.

  • Livingetc, India, Jul23

    The Vernacular Modern was featured in the design magazine Living ETC as a cover story featuring a Bangalore project by TaP Design Inc. "A Language of Light" written by Varuni Mohan, the project by TaP Design harmoniously blends understated luxury and organic texture.

  • The Hindu, India, Feb23

    The article "Bengaluru's Quiet Design Revolution" written by Manju Sara Rajan for the Hindu highlights how India's software capital is now building a new identity as an emerging design hub.

    This cover story features woodlabs along with other contemporaries from Bangalore highlighting artisanal capabilities that studios have to offer.

  • Wood News, India, Nov22

    Wood News Magazine features Woodlabs as their cover story "Old Wood, Fresh Purpose" written by Kushi Rawat and Roy Thomas.

    The story features the journey of woodlabs as a studio and highlights its vision of sustainable furniture making and its business model.

    "With a hands-on, artisan-centric approach to design the company strives to produce heirloom pieces that can be passed down for generations"

In Conversation

In partnership with ลžiลŸecam Flat Glass, Matter's editorial project PRAXIS explores diverse contemporary architecture practices in India. Abhirup Dutta and Deeptashree Saha of The Vernacular Modern delve into their intellectual roots, blending material culture and engineering with vernacular and modern aesthetics.

Read the full feature