Bridging global trends with India’s cultural mosaic

In an exclusive interaction with Shayona Consultant, Prashant Parmar discusses his upcoming ‘Modern Contemporary House’ project while achieving sustainability and the rich cultural diversity that defines India.

Can you provide an overview of one of your current projects that you find particularly inspiring? What aspects of this project challenge or excite you the most?
Our recently completed project, the “Modern Contemporary House,” on a 3900 sq. ft. east-facing plot in the densely populated Paldi, Ahmedabad, showcases our commitment to delivering the envisioned result from the initial planning stage. The house is designed for a three-generation family and prioritises a seamless connection with gardens, ensuring visual and personal links across all floors. Considering the city’s climatic challenges, where summer temperatures soar to 45–47 degrees Celsius, our innovative approach involved creating a self-shading structure using staggered cuboid volumes. This design allows for the use of balcony spaces even during the daytime. The strategic placement of activities at the rear, with elevated gardens on each floor, contributes to the overall functionality.

Additionally, a buffer of toilets on the west side protects bedrooms from excessive heat, and a gentle ramp replaces traditional steps for easy accessibility. The exterior aesthetics boast a harmonious blend of red brick cladding and stone Crete texture in grey and white tones. At the same time, the interior spaces feature a thoughtful combination of veneers, stone veneers, fluted panels, modified clay material, and Italian marble flooring, enhancing the subtle tones and overall appeal.

In the context of environmental sustainability, how do you incorporate eco-friendly elements into your design in this project?
Our commitment to environmental sustainability for the “Modern Contemporary House” has incorporated passive design strategies such as self-shading structures and strategic orientation to optimise natural light and ventilation. Integrating green spaces on each floor enhances biodiversity and promotes natural cooling. Additionally, the careful selection of eco-friendly materials, including recyclable red brick cladding and responsibly sourced veneers, aligns with our goal of creating a sustainable and environmentally conscious living space.

What innovative materials or textures have you recently integrated into your designs, and how do they contribute to the overall aesthetic and functionality of the space?
Our firm, with a presence in diverse regions globally, emphasises context-specific design. Our projects integrate local materials, consider climatic conditions, and align with cultural contexts. We’ve employed modified clay, natural stone, textures, and bricks for exteriors. Internally, our designs feature a variety of materials like MCM, veneer, and fluted panels, showcasing a commitment to creating unique, contextually relevant spaces that balance aesthetics and functionality.

How do you see global architectural trends influencing the work of architects in India?
Global architectural trends play a pivotal role in shaping the creative direction and methodologies of architects in India. The exchange of ideas on a global scale has led to a cross-pollination of design concepts, pushing Indian architects to embrace innovation and experiment with diverse materials, styles, and technologies. This infusion of global perspectives contributes to the evolution of contemporary architecture in India and fosters a rich tapestry of designs that harmonise global trends with the unique cultural contexts and challenges present in the Indian architectural landscape.

With India’s rich cultural diversity, how do you ensure that your designs resonate with local culture while embracing global architectural trends?
We achieve a harmonious balance between global architectural trends and India’s cultural diversity by conducting thorough cultural research, incorporating local materials and techniques, selecting global trends, engaging with the community, using symbolism, providing flexible design solutions, and incorporating contextual storytelling. Our approach respects and celebrates the rich cultural heritage of India while embracing contemporary design principles.

For more info visit: https://www.prashantparmar.com/

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