The Dwell 24: Nama Home

Although Namit Khanna earned a degree in business administration, the keeda, or creative bug, was always there, the designer says. He didn’t give his artistic side a chance until a friend suggested he consider product design, advice Khanna took seriously by completing a master’s program at Domus Academy in Milan and an internship at the Valerio Sommella design studio in 2019.

"It just felt right, like when your heart and mind fall in sync," says Khanna. Soon after Khanna returned to his native India in January 2020, the pandemic hit. During the lockdown, at home in Moradabad, he launched Nama Home.

The brand has quickly become known for its surprisingly comfortable metal chairs, such as the O2, O3, and Ohio. Made with slender metal tubes, these chairs are contemporary iterations of popular patio furniture common in Indian homes.

"The studio’s goal ultimately is not just to stay in India," says Khanna. "I believe we have global appeal."

Read the full Q&A with Namit Khanna below.   

Hometown: Moradabad

Describe what you make in 140 characters. The best way to communicate with humans is through stories. I create furniture, lighting and decor accessories in metal that have a story!

What’s the last thing you designed? The last thing I designed last Friday was a chair inspired from a doctor's stethoscope. 

Do you have a daily creative ritual? I have two daily rituals—to not design daily and to keep my eyes open for observations. I only design on Fridays (TGIF). During the rest of the week I am always trying to observe the things around me and noting down the things that seem interesting or boring but can be made into an interesting furniture/decor/lighting piece. When I get down to designing something on a Friday, I have usually worked out the design in my head as I try to process it in my head from the minute I note the idea down.

How do you procrastinate? I try to get things done immediately, especially the boring ones first. That way I am more at peace.

What everyday object would you like to redesign? Why? Hookah/sheesha and the airport luggage collection process. I have literally never come across a nice looking, aesthetically pleasing sheesha. It's high time that we get a minimal, fun sheesha in the market already. The second one is not an object but I thought I would mention this because I've badly wanted to do this since childhood. If we can cut the part where the passengers need to go the conveyer belts and wait in long lines to collect their luggage, it would save so much time.

Who are your heroes (in design, in life, in both)? In design—Valerio Sommella (my mentor), Oki Sato, Dieter Rams. In life—Mom, Dad, Shahrukh Khan (his journey from nothing to stardom).

What skill would you most like to learn? I want to learn how to play the piano but more than that I want to learn the art of public speaking.

What is your most treasured possession? It's a 10 rupee note ($0.13) which I received from someone very poor. They blessed it or something and told me that this would take me a long way and I must keep it in my wallet forever.

What’s your earliest memory of an encounter with design? My family is into exporting and manufacturing furniture and home decor for brands like CB2. I have observed design since my childhood as I used to spend a lot of time playing computer games in the office and also on the factory floors. This is when I was bit by the design spider and the metal furniture DNA started to take shape inside me. 

What contemporary design trend do you despise? I don't understand trends really—especially their names 

Finish this statement: All design should... be simple.

What’s in your dream house? Peace to begin with. That’s fundamental. Also a gaming arcade.

What do you wish non-designers understood about the design industry? Good things take time sometimes.

You can learn more about Nama Home on their Instagram.    

 View the 2022 Dwell 24!