Sustainability is very tricky when it comes to architecture

This discussion focuses on the need to consider sustainability holistically and ascertain it by combining cultural aspects and locally available materials.

What factors would you consider while blending cultural elements with modern architectural designs in your projects?
Each place has its own significance and cultural dynamics. A region’s architecture changes with the era; however, its cultural values remain the same. Similarly, each designer has his/her way of understanding and perceiving art, and designers reflect and represent art in their work based on how they perceive art. In all our projects, we use space and create environments based on the design subject’s functionality, representing the place’s cultural dynamics.

How do you balance aesthetics, technology and functionality in your designs?
Aesthetics is very subjective, while function is vital to architecture’s success. I believe that aesthetics will automatically fall into place when spaces are created in the right direction. Technology is indeed the most critical factor not just in architecture but in all other professions as well. Over time, architectural designs have changed with technology, as evidenced by how architecture has evolved. So, I firmly believe that technology is and will continue to play a vital role in architectural design.

How do you ascertain sustainability through your design philosophy?
Sustainability is a very tricky subject when it comes to architecture. In my opinion, when you design based on the local cultural influence and create spaces by considering the environment of a region and using locally available materials, you would have covered most of the design aspects. However, when only the MEP system is left to be designed, people consider designing a sustainable MEP system alone to ascertain the sustainability of the entire design, which, in my opinion, is debatable.

What are the important factors to consider when selecting materials to ensure project sustainability?
All our architectural projects are based on the geography of the region, the cultural values, and the climatic conditions. For example, the design philosophy/approach we follow to build a house in Jaipur will differ from that we follow for building a house in Lonavala or Mumbai. However, the function or utility would be the same. The approach is based on the region, family culture, and locally available materials. The design will be unique in its own way. And the selection of materials depends on the demand of the design, and making maximum use of locally available materials is the most important method for ensuring sustainability. Designs that consider the above factors will automatically give the best architecture to that region.

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