unown is a transdisciplinary design practice working at the intersection of architecture, performance art and philosophical inquiries. We craft environments focusing on sociocultural, ecological and multisensory approaches to foster collective empathy and equitable futures. Through our designs, we create metaphysical spaces to inhabit different frameworks of time by transcending the body toward an undivided space embodying limitless possibilities and new ways of being.


Contact : studio@unownspace.com
By appointment : 99 Canal Street, New York, NY 10002

Sign up link for studio visits starting August 1st-21st, 2024

"Transcendental Phenomenology" ︎

︎In New York City, WantedDesign, International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) - May, 2024.
︎In Paris, Maison&Objet - September 05-09, 2024.
︎SVA Exhibition, Metamorphosis - May 6 - June 17, 2024.
︎Museum Textile, Threads of tomorrow - April 1 - May 30, 2024.

      

Swati Jain is a transdisciplinary architectural designer, artist, and researcher focusing on sociocultural, ecological, and multisensory approaches to foster collective empathy and equitable design solutions for the future. Born in India, based in New York City ; Her work revolves around themes of gender, identity, and phenomenological embodiment.
Jain holds a Master of Science in Advanced Architecture Design from Columbia University ; Scholarship recipient at The New Centre in Transdisciplinary Studies & Curatorial Practice ; Artist in residence at the School of Visual Arts NYC ; Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Mumbai ; Datatopia fellowship at Floating University. She has also pursued post-graduate degrees in Indian aesthetics; critical theory, aesthetics, and practice. With 6 years of diverse experience in exhibition design, institutional, historic preservation, residential, and urban design projects in both New York City and Mumbai.

In 2022, She wrote and directed a film titled “Kitchen Evolution” that was exhibited at The Kitchen NYC (July 2023), SAWCC (Oct 2022) and The Tank NYC (Nov 2023, off-Broadway theater) and distributed by Mubi (July 2023), Printed Matter (Oct 2022), she presented at AIA WIA at the Centre for Architecture, New York (Nov 2023) and Femmes of the Future at AIA Centre for Architecture (Feb 2024), Most recently, her collection of sculptural furniture titled "Transcendental Phenomenology” was presented at WantedDesign LaunchPad with ICFF NYC, May 2024.



CV

swati@unownspace.com

   

Himil Ramani is an architectural designer, researcher, and artist based in Mumbai and New York. His research focuses on architectural buildings as bodies in the field of performance art. He is the director and writer of a film titled "Ends in Architecture," which explores the weathering of abandoned buildings.

He has designed and executed several projects, including architectural design, art exhibitions, art installations, interior design with Nine Fish Art Gallery and Great Eastern Home. His recent work includes serving as an installation designer and production head for the Rhizome Exhibition at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum in Kalaghoda -  notable collaboration with artists such as Sumakshi Singh, Ratna Gupta, Aditi Joshi, and Reena Kallat.

Himil is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Critical, Curatorial, and Conceptual Practices in Architecture at Columbia GSAPP.

Transcendental Phenomenology

Swati Jain (unown),
Principal Investigator and Creative Director 

Himil Ramani (unown),
Project Manager and Studio Partner

Neelesh Borkar,
Execution Consultant

Abhishek Patole,
Adviser

Interns :
Harsh Karani, Vidhi Bhabra, Natasha Turkar

Performer : Akanksha Dev
Sound: Neil Khopkar

Photography:
Hunar Daga
Niharika Chauhan
Jayesh Sharma
Elton Pinto / Glen Dodd