100 Years
100 Stories

Collaborations between English and Indian architects, such as Messrs Gregson, Batley, and King, flourished. Pioneers like Master, Sathe, and Bhuta; Sykes, Patkar, and Divecha; and Mistri and Bhedwar executed the Bombay Deco tradition with finesse. These Anglo-Indian partnerships became common in the early decades of the twentieth century as the influence of architects based out of England (like George Gilbert Scott, who designed the Mumbai University) gradually declined. Responding to the changing times, Bharat Tiles and Marble, a leading company, developed a range of innovative materials like cement tiles, colored marble, and colored plaster. These materials can still be found in iconic buildings in locations such as Oval Maidan and Marine Drive. Bharat's flooring solutions and coloured cement played a significant role in creating the towering ziggurats, sensuous curved balconies, and vibrant tropical and nautical ornamentation seen in Art Deco buildings.

One notable architectural firm, Gregson, Batley, and King (GBK), played a vital role in executing various Art Deco projects in partnership with Bharat. GBK employed Bharat's products, such as terrazzo floors and colored cement facades, in buildings like the Maneckji Wadia Building and the Havero House. The collaboration extended to the Shree Pant Bhuwan, where Bharat laid marble mosaic tiles, and the Brabourne Stadium, featuring unique blue Bharat tiles. The company also implemented an elaborate flooring project consisting of mosaic and non-slip tiles to finish the floors and platforms of Claude Batley's 1930-opened Bombay Central Station.

Master, Sathe, and Bhuta, the first all-Indian-led architectural firm established in 1928, became rising stars in the Indian architectural scene of the 1930s. Their projects combined Art Deco elements with traditional motifs, challenging long-standing architectural traditions in India. Bharat's diverse product range perfectly aligned with their vision, and their collaboration resulted in remarkable structures like the People's Cooperative Bank Vault in Surat and the Mafatlal Park Buildings, which showcased Bharat's marble work and mosaic floors.

The Bombay Mutual Building had its tile and marble work done by Bharat for which they were commended. This can be seen in a Times of India article from 1940, “The Architects, Messrs. Sathe and Bhuta, are to be congratulated for their initiative in planning the interiors on modern lines and Bharat tiles and marbles have provided a wonderful demonstration of the variety of marble and tiles which can be used to beautify modern offices.”

The floor of the Tower building, which was created by Merwanji Bana and Co., was tiled with mosaic tiles in a contemporary plain design. The firm of Mistri and Bhedwar by the late 1930s was responsible for various works including mills, temples, mosques, fire temples, churches, palaces, theatres, cinemas in places as far apart as Delhi, Calcutta and Ceylon. In Bombay the Palm Court building designed by Mistri and Bhedwar featured Bharat’s marble mosaic work. The library and departmental building of the Madras University Building designed by architects Messrs. Edwards, Reids, and Booth were also paved by Bharat. The Trading Hall at the Cotton Exchange, designed by architects Sykes, Patkar, and Divecha, features upper floors covered in marble mosaic laid by Bharat.

Bharat Tiles has consistently aspired to be a steadfast partner to the best architects of its time. From its early collaborations during the Art Deco era to its ongoing commitment to setting higher benchmarks, Bharat's products and craftsmanship have contributed significantly to the architectural landscape of Mumbai. The Bombay Deco tradition lives on, a testament to the vibrant blend of Indian and Western design influences that continue to shape the city's identity.