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Living in glass house

Jain and Veena broadened their creative minds allowing novelty to make its mark, says HARJEET KAUR ALLAGH

FOR A CLASSY IMPACT Extensive use of glass can add sheen PHOTO: RAJU. V.

The abode of C. L. Jain and Veena is a perfect showcase of his vocation. A leading glass manufacturer and dealer, his manufacturing unit Mahaveer Safety Glass, in Chennai, churns out varieties of glass including float, reflective, tempered, laminated, insulated and security glass. Their beautiful house in the lane opposite D.V. Manor, though built eight years ago, has a very futuristic, ultra modern look.

Use of glass is almost indispensable for building a modern house. We find extensive use of glass for doors and windows but how many of us realize that glass is a special state of solids in which the molecular units have disordered (amorphous) arrangements. It, however, has sufficient cohesion to produce overall mechanical rigidity. Molten glass is flattened between counter-rotating metal rollers. This process produces large flat sheets of consistent colour and thickness.

The main entrance is unique in itself but deceptive. It appears like a fascinating blend of steel, chrome and glass but is actually made of wood coated with Duco paint. The glassy touch adds a different dimension to the door, acid washed and with stained glass pieces fitted into it. The front wall has different sections with stained glass pieces in the elevation.

Grooming a niche

In the lobby to the right are the stairs leading to the first floor. Unlike the general practice of neglecting the alcove beneath the stairs, a lot of care has been given to this space. Glass blocks integrate with bricks to cover the front portion lending a classy and innovative touch to the place.

Not happy with the quality and consistency of glass blocks manufactured by Indian companies, Jain had them imported when the concept of glass was not really in vogue. The glistening blocks are interspersed with bricks that are air brushed in bright colourful patterns. The panel alongside is again of glass stain, air brushed in a circular pattern with a red rose in the centre. It gives an impression of a fiery orange glob of sun with red and yellow shades.

The passage leading to the rooms also has a D-shaped glass mirror panel, which is again acid washed with pieces of sea blue, sea green, bronze, glass pieces and air brushed pieces of purple, red and orange with glass crystals embedded in them.

Fool proof

The main door opening into the living room is made `burglary proof' glass. It cannot be broken even with a sledgehammer! In the centre lie two sheets of glass with tempered glass of PVB— Poly Vinyl Butyl, melt and amalgamated to make it strong. The outer glass is etched in a geometric pattern and acid washed. Each glass is a work of art. A couple of glass sheets combined and embossed with glittering paintings of matka motifs form the shelves in the kitchen. The dining table has glass legs and a bevelled glass top.

Jain's family migrated to Vijayawada when he was just 15. He joined the family business, which grew by leaps and bounds. To dream big and brings it to fruition is his obsession. Jain is happy that one of his dream projects of a multiple complex and a mall has just taken off and he might be able to complete it by the end of next year. His passion for travelling provides him a greater insight into the latest discoveries and trends in the profession.

Veena is a contented homemaker and enjoys cooking for her family. The couple has two daughters, Anjali and Himansee and a son, Kaushal. Anjali is married; Himansee is pursuing BBA at Pune while their brother is in his final year of engineering in Chennai.

"I make new friends to absorb new ideas that help me keep pace with the changing times," says Jain.

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