Page 41 - 10 Most Promising Architecture & Interior Design Consultants 2020

he changing architecture culture in modern India, The Shift in Design Sensibilities
Tboth as a lifestyle and as a profession, has been eye-
opening. In terms of lifestyle, we have never predicted The rising economy and population have led to huge
to what extent architecture and design could affect us, housing needs, driving the scale of architecture work
as well as the society and culture in which we live, nor and creating massive opportunities in the country. It is
have we predicted how deeply symbolic they would also one of the reasons why it has increased the number
become of our beliefs and attitudes. As a profession, the of international architectural companies employed in
huge wave of development and technology that caused India. The ability to build and make a difference in India
us to try and ape everything that did not belong to us has has become enormous in the wake of towns burdened
caused us to question and search for our own identity, by lack of infrastructure. This has also contributed to
and has led us to revisit the solid traditional roots and an increasing number of Indian architects who have
foundations of Indian architecture. returned to India to practice and be part of the country’s
change since completing their architectural education
The ‘Architect’ in Architecture overseas.

Speaking for the profession in India, it is imperative Glass, steel and aluminium might remain as ‘fashionable’
that the role of the architect be acknowledged more materials, but there has been a shift in sensibilities with
strongly, especially in the planning of cities. The the revival of Indian crafts and the use of natural and
Indian government’s massive Smart Cities Mission, alternative materials such as brick, mud, clay, bamboo,
which aims to develop 100 sustainable and citizen- wood, stone, etc. Significantly, many architects are
friendly cities all over the country, has done very little innovatively bringing forward these materials to create
to include architectural voices into the conversation. statements.
Same goes for our heritage structures that are being
replaced by modern structures despite resistance shown To conclude, Indian architecture is in a state of
by architects. flux where we have everything—explorations,
opportunities, experiments and evolved sensibilities—
As a result, architects are making efforts and are and a step in the right direction could yield great results
regularly creating platforms that can give way to and maybe help in re-discovering what we have lost.
solutions to better architecture. The need of the hour is to not be carried away with
what is happening around us, but to understand our
Women’s participation in the field is definitely growing needs, our expectations, our roots and work towards an
worldwide, but particularly so in India, where they are architecture that adapts to changing lifestyles but stays
contributing to architecture and planning in a myriad of true to its values and identity; that communicates to
ways and are holding authoritative positions. This is a people and shapes our society; that helps in building
far cry from the gender-biased profession architecture memories and gives us buildings and spaces that can
was in India even a decade back. Needless to say, sustain till posterity.
on many forums, it is the women who are initiating
changes.

The Need to See ‘ Cities ‘ So rather than ‘ Buildings’

Many more of India’s major cities are facing housing,
critical planning and sanitation problems, though little
attention is paid to them. Although smaller towns tend
to be great examples, urban planning always needs to
be looked from scratch. India has a number of architects
who concentrated on incorporating design and urban
planning. Numerous architects in the country have
learned that operating in silos and alone might not fit
for their own buildings. Many are beginning to look
at the larger picture within their cities, and rather than
focusing solely on individual projects, are seeing the
need for architecture to engage with cities.

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