Architecture as a tool

 The hidden potential of man is to visualize and architecture to make it real. Once in our lifetime we all dream about that perfect world we could live in. To fantasize is to be human. To build is to be a creator. Architecture is a powerful tool that tells us how our world used to be and how it can be. It is the fiction of the real world and has to potential of turning fantasies or dreams to concrete reality. And that’s the true beauty of this art.

People often say “if you don’t like something, change it’. Architecture has the strength to change reality as we see it. It improves lifestyle. Develops society. It has the power to bring people together and reflect the people around it. A city has a beginning but it has no ending. It is always evolving. New building and elements are always being added or the old ones being subtracted. If one has the skill of visualizing the expansion of the said city then through architecture one can turn his “vision” or “dream city” into a reality.

Though a mighty tool, architecture just like any other organism, has evolved over the ages. And just like the society it has evolved for the best. In the book A Theory of Architecture, Nikos Salingaros has examined the idea of Darwinian selection that might apply to architecture. Though his ideas of modernism may be quite extreme and controversial it is something to think about.

The modernist style of architecture, otherwise called the international style, has been the overriding building style form the 1920s until now. The style is instantly recognized by its geometry of cubes and rectangular slabs, flat plain surfaces, use of steel, glass and/or concrete panels. The said style has not only made architects generic but is ruining the personal identity of a region. In my opinion it is very important for Architecture to have a metaphor or a story behind it a meaning instead of a modern box filled with bare minimum elements and polished surfaces. To integrate nature and the context of the site. To build for the people instead for machines.

Less may be more but as started by Robert Venturi, it is also a bore. It may be easy to adapt an idea that is simple and understood widely but it is also important to evolve. Architecture should be more about Evolution. It should vary from place to place and complement the region. The relationship of places and their communities is mutually influential. Places grow out of the needs and actions of their communities, and in turn shape the way these communities behave and grow. We need to make a smart growth developments and design humanist, contextually sensitive design. Those who have a privilege to know have a duty to act. We have been handed all the tools and technology of the 21^st century all we need to do is excavate and lay the foundation of our future. As architects we may have the ability to shape the world but we also have an obligation towards it.

                                                                                                                                                                                         

Student Housing

Designing for the 21^st century students may be easier than one might think. However if one needs to succeed in designing an abode for the millennials it turns out “living and learning” may not be enough.

Social and academic interaction has also become an important aspect and requirement for the same.

As a student I can assure you we like to co-habit. Living with like-minded people. And so communal spaces becomes an integral part of the design. With a good communal spaces students will have more reason to interact and share ideas instead of staying inside a room. A good common area starts a dialogue between people. Motivate group studies and/or activities.

Students have a very different mindset about community in general. We are more optimistic about the world and how it should be. And so we try making our immediate surroundings the way we see our future. We don’t mind sharing rooms with multiple people. Some may even prefer it. However we don’t like to lose the sense of self amidst the community, and so we want the living quarters to have the intended privacy that we need. To maybe concentrate on the upcoming exam.

Hence having community spaces is great as long as we don’t lose the notion of “self” and our privacy in it.

Pros and Cons of publishing architectural content online.

In the era of machines where the internet rules the minds and souls of the general population, the addition of architectural content to the lexicon was inevitable. Knowledge is the one privilege that in my opinion should be free and easy to access to the general public. By publishing online we not only make it accessible but succeed in making them aware and susceptible towards the importance of architecture and design in the society. Architects keep themselv

es updated by instant and regular newsfeed. Not only that many may get inspired by someone’s work on the other part of the world.

The internet is a brilliant invention of the 21^st century and to use it to its fullest potential is not only 

our right but an obligation. Architecture is something to be thought about.

Being said that there are certain shortcomings of publishing online that cannot be ignored. Publishing online does not count as publishing specifically. One cannot be 100% sure of the legitimacy of the content. Though public credit does increase the trust of the information some still may doubt. Also since it is a quick database where information is available just a click away students become quite lazy doing research and many times plagiarize articles and research topics.

There are pros and cons to every aspect in life. We must weigh them properly and then act accordingly. 

Happy Birthday to... Me!

Okay before you think any further let me just say. I agree it may sound sad, me wishing myself. 

What sort of a psycho does that? 

In my defense, Self love is the only love you need. So don’t be haters.

It is a Sandarbh tradition to give birthday shoutouts. Hence this is mine… albeit from me it still counts.

Few words of wisdom from the birthday gal!

This birthday, aside from receiving blessings and gifts from my loved ones it was important for me to set aside a few distractions and reflect on myself and my dreams (goals) in life.

Instead of going for the regular I believe it is very important for a person to look inside and see what matters. See what makes you happy, cut out stuffs that make you sad. And leave things that’s holding you back.

So I implore you. Make your birthday a little more than the usual parties and cakes. Give some meaning to it.

Love and best wishes,

Shreya

To be or not to be

A question asked by many.

Answered by a few. In case you are thinking to become an architect. Or study a field close to it. Still have doubts if you should or shouldn’t.

Let me make it a little clearer by giving you 5 reasons to become an architect.

1.    You won’t get bored in College.

In India, Bachelors of Architecture is a five year course. It is long and often tedious. However on a brighter side the study of Architecture is so vast and cosmic everyone finds something of their interest. Be it History of architecture, or research in new technologies or just plain design.

If there is a particular topic you are really interested in, you can incorporate it in your design.

2.    You will see the fruits of your labor.

Unlike other professions Architects have the immense pleasure of seeing their dreams to be turned into reality, or should I say… concrete reality.

It is not often that on paper comes to life. And dreams don’t often come true. However once you are one of us. You will have the power to do so.

3.    Architects are passionate.

Architects are very passionate people. Often intensely so. They hold their opinions in high regards but it is not so in vain. They really know a lot of stuff about a lot of stuff. And most of the time they have the tools and hard evidence of making you agree with the point they put up.

4.    You could become either a generalist or a specialist.

So architecture is a very vast field. After all it talks about cultures, times, spaces, art and politics all at the same time and then talks about its influence in architecture because lets be serious, people are shady and they very often influence the built environment around them. So it is really impossible to know everything about everything.

But worry not. You still would have a way out. You could either know a little about everything or still perform well or you could specialize in one specific field and know every detail about it. So even if you like to be a jack of all trades or just master of one. Architecture is for you.

5.    You could touch people’s lives.

Contrary to the angst image of an architect who only listens to himself and doesn’t really considers people’s opinions about him, a good architect is receptive to people’s needs and requirements. After all we build for other people. We get to make a space that will touch lives of other people. And hopefully in some ways improve it for the betterment.

If we can touch a single person’s life and still have the pleasure of watching our vision come to reality. Isn’t that a profession worth following?

The Golden Triangle

So #day7. The day went by traveling for me. And now I am not sure what to post. So here I am just filling space to keep a promise.

I understand this is ought to be an architectural blog. But to be honest. No matter how much one loves the field, I cant talk about it all the fregging time.

Afterall pyar ek dokha hai, but architecture bhi kam nahi.

So as you all know by now, I have been traveling since the past week. From Bengaluru to Jaipur, to Agra and now to Delhi, I am happy to tell you Shreya Singh has completed the golden triangle. It’s not the first time of-course but the second. Can’t wait to get the satisfying number three. The three visits to the golden triangle of the Indian tourism circuit.  

So lets talk about our infamous tourism circuit shall we.

On a map the three form a rough equilateral triangle, hence the stereotypical name.

New Delhi, despite the dirt, traffic, crowd and the pollution. The Indian National Capital is an exhilarating experience. It is the amalgamation of the whole country, the seat of power. For some it may look chaotic and unruly but I can assure you. It is more inspiring than maddening.

The real charm of Delhi lies on its street. From the “Old Delhi” home of the Mughals, established in the 17^th century. The great Jama Masjid dominated the quarter. Through the Chandni Chawk to the Red Fort with the pristine Mughal Gardens. To the south the wide green roads of Lutyens. Where the narrow streets are replaced with wide boulevards and surrounded with green patches. The cafes, shops and commercial joints of the Cannaught Place.

And then you go to Jaipur. I don’t think I need to belabor the point by preaching over the fact how much I love city. However the real charm of Jaipur is not its forts, or the walled city. It is the windows. Or more specifically, the Jarokhas.

Completing the triangle we come to Agra, the city of madness and love. Apart from the illusive Taj Mahal, the greatest symbol of love, which has managed to capture the eye and hearts of the whole world, it also houses India’ well known Mental Asylum. Which further proves my point, love and madness are often found in the same city. 

The Duality of Geometry

 In our physical world there is nothing that is perfect. I personally don’t believe in perfection. It means the end to me. Perfection means there is no room for creativity, there is no room for movement, and one remains in the absolute stillness of perfection.

However even I have to agree, if perfection does exists in our chaotic world, it exists in form of geometry.

It is pure, it is perfect.

And yet, same could not be said for geometry in architecture. Geometry in architecture is based and developed out of the idea of transformation. For example, transformation of symmetry in design is seen to evolve over a period of time throughout the history of architecture. It has grown from a simple circle of the Stonehenge to the complex parametricism of the 21^st century. And that may not even be the end of it. When it comes to architecture, we use the perfection of geometry, often to convey imperfect ideas and the dichotomy of it becomes responsible for the dual nature of geometry, the imperfection in perfection. 

You may be Dying!

STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING! You may be suffering from a deadly disease! It may be taking over your life and you may not even know it!

Are you suffering from acute sleep loss?

Is your head spinning with nothing but thoughts of curing, excavation or toilet details?

Do you feel an adrenaline rush when you see perfect symmetry?

Are you having hangovers after an extensive night-out pondering over the juxtaposition of two masses that would extrapolate the Genisus loci and add to the whole phenomenological aspect while keeping in mind the purity of vernacular regionalism which would serve the ergonomy of the space?

If all these symptoms are a yes, I am sad to say you may be suffering from Archititis.

It is a chronic occurring, mostly communicable but often genetic.

Its symptoms also include,

• ·        Usage of unidentifiable jargon, such as cantilever, paradigm, aesthetic, monolithic, duality or zeitgeist.
• ·        Reoccurring dreams of site workers who may be doing it wrong.
• ·        Fear that the contractor will actually build the correction bubble on site.
• ·        Caffeine dependent
• ·        Searching for north in public spaces.
• ·        Criticizing the general “feel” of most malls
• ·        Trying to CTRL+S in real life

And much more.

If you have five or more of such symptoms. No need to connect to your nearest doctors. There are millions more like you out there. Living with the architecture affliction under the impression that it is a distinctive way of life.

If you are already one of us. Congratulations! We know you need a drink.

If you are yet to be one. Don’t worry, you will eventually die with this affliction. But so will everyone else on the planet with something or another.

So relax, and bask in the mad glory that is Architecture!

(Disclaimer: Information provided in this blog is just for lulz and not designed to hurt or offend anyone’s feelings. This blog should not be used to diagnose or treat any medical condition except from Archititis, which is very real and affects most of the people I know. However, the publisher or author are not responsible for any specific health or allergy needs that may require medical supervision and are not liable for any damages or negative consequences from any treatment, action, application or preparation, to any person reading or following the information in this blog. Lastly, I swear I love architecture XD)

Monday Blues

If on Monday mornings you feel like jumping in a time machine and go back two days, you are not alone.

I had recently attended my friend’s wedding in Agra. Apart from being a perfect destination wedding it was also a few minutes in paradise. In the ambiance of the Jaypee Palace hotel, and the setting of Agra, house to the greatest monument of love; drums of heaven only stopped with the rising sun of the Monday morning.

Imagine my disappointment when I had to catch a 5:00 am train.

Of-course my Monday blues are not justified, given I am still on a leave. In my defense, luxury is addictive, and coming back to reality sucks.

But we all must. And so here I am talking about Monday blues, telling you all. Its Tuesday tomorrow, which is another step closer to the weekend.

Ideally Ideal

 Recently in the office we have been discussing about the idea of an ideal office space.

Being architects, obsessed with space planning naturally the discussion was a little over the top and frankly insane. Some want to paint the walls full of murals. Some even suggested to put up a workshop and have an art cafe. For some it is conditional, having the fridge stacked with beer, for others it was locational, with a corner office in a New York skyscraper overlooking the central park.

The bug really got into our ear when Meghna and Drashti sat on the tree house and overcame their creative block, coming up with an efficient strategy.

Anyone in a creative field understands the importance of an absorbing working space. The condition of your work space has a huge impact on the quality and productivity of your work.

But what is productivity? Is it sitting in a corner and completing your work for the day? It’s certainly no longer sitting on the desk and work with your head down all day long.

It might be about creating ideas, solving problems, and help team—mates get their next big idea.

In the past people used to have to sit on their desks and answer to calls and mails, but today one can do that— and any other work— from anywhere.

So does that mean, from a creative and logical point of view, having a desk is not important anymore?

Isn’t it more crucial to make sure people are connecting and brainstorming, like Meghna and Drashti on the tree house?

Aren't the walls with incomplete stories waiting to be filled more exciting than a coffee machine?

Isn’t a design for human potential, or for the intellectual and emotional intelligence more important than any corner office?

So let me ask again, what is this ideal office anyway?

Jaipur, A city of color

Amber Fort Jaipur. Photo by: Kiri

Jaipur has a charm of its own. The moment I stepped into this city some odd 9 years ago I knew I would love it.

And I was not disappointed.

A gateway to the flamboyant state of Rajasthan, Jaipur is one of the leading tourist destination of India. And it is not so by any luck, chance or proximity to the national capital, (thought that helps).

It is a symbiotic mix of the old and the new. Even though it has stepped into the 21^st century and is now a part of the Prime Minister’s “Smart City” initiative, Jaipur doesn’t forget its roots. Through the new there is always something old peeking like a reminder of its colorful past. An epitome to the Indian heritage it is the pink jewel of Rajasthan.

Wide roads cluttered with autos, rikshaws, motorbikes and Jaguars it is the city of indulgence. And by god do the people know how to indulge. One loses the sense of time while walking in the walled city, you wouldn’t want to leave unless you have seen every jharokha on its façade. At the heart of the old is the City Palace. Still a house to the Royal family of Jaipur. A little further is the formidable Amber fort. And if you go a little higher you come across Nahargarh fort. If you have an option, end your day there. With a magnificent view of the city and the sunset with a cold one in your hand.

It is hard not to get overwhelmed by its grandeur and heritage.

There is something for everyone in this city. Be it architecture, culture, color or even coffee.

Jaipur has a charm of its own…

Flexible Office Space

My office for this day has turned out to be the airport. Being in a fortunate position as I am, I got the fabulous option of working from different spaces. Probably even write about these spaces. 

So Airports

It is really fun to sit in a corner in an airport and observe people running around. It is like an elaborate railway station with extra security. Except for the good-looking pilots (admit it, every single one of us peasants turn around when one of those show up, and they do so very often) and overpriced beverages there isn’t much difference. 

There is a general belief amongst architects that airports need to be a space showing the fellow travelers the collective beauty of the city they have landed upon. But instead, it just ends up being a cheap copy of the same, with big franchises gulping commercial spaces and little nooks left for maybe a plastic flex of a regional dance form.

Ah! But alas! Who cares about context? In the 21st century everything is about the international style, or rather the lack of style internationally. 

Don’t all airports look like the same Charlie Foxtrot? 

I’ll tell you what I do like about the airport, (apart from the pilots I mentioned earlier).

Flying.

I love flying. Or instead, I love the phase before the flying, the silence before the storm when the plane is positioning itself on the runway standing still in anticipation of taking off. 
Then it starts. Slowly at first. Like dipping its feet nimbly before diving. And suddenly the propellers propel, the thrusters thrust and you are pushed back on your seat as the steel seal gains speed, faster… faster… FASTER! Until finally it leaves the Earth aiming for the zenith. 
Once it is above the clouds, everything is silent… there is nothing to do but sit and stare at the no smoking light above you. And at that moment, mid-air becomes a perfect space for work. 

Speaking of office space. Not being tied to a simple desk to work on, maybe a boon as well as a bane at the same time. So maybe I will leave you guys with a question this time as I go.

If I take work back home with myself. Work that I don’t entirely hate but actually enjoy. Is it still considered a holiday? Am I still working?

Can I do this more often? XD

This was your friendly blogger Shreya, 

Reporting 32000 ft from the earth.

Signing out!

Project 356

As I got pretty good reviews on the last blog I wrote (for those of you living under a rock, Introducing the interns) luckily I got to kick working drawings out of my life and drag the blog in.

Sai is a great believer that if you love something, do it obsessively. And though my obsession never gets to see the light of the other day it has become my goal to take up a Project 356 (or at least a project 90?). The point being I will be updating every day, at least one post talking about (if not architecture) the life of an intern.

It could be about anything, from design to basic Sandarbh gossip. It would be a picture from the eyes of Shreya “The intern”.

Starting off I believe my first project 365 should be about my one true love. This being Valentine's day it would be almost poetic.

Architecture.

The mother of all arts, architecture has been the most talked about field than its other sisters, sculpting and art. One may not understand art but one definitely understands architecture. It is a language of the senses. And in today’s world people are realizing the real importance of it.

And one might pontificate there are several things great about architecture. It is beauty (but what is beauty?). It is luxury (but what is luxury?) and it is necessity. But nothing listed above tells us what lies within. The true soul. The real question. What makes it so darn relevant?

If words are used for documenting the past events. Architecture would be used for documenting the past experiences. And so in that experience we find the connection to the people who were.

And that makes it relevant.

That makes it beautiful, luxurious and a necessity.

Introducing the Interns

We have been busy busy busy here at Sandarbh this season with the Banarhalli, KnK, Linu’s and so many more. Six new interns including me joined this year. And counting the old four, the total makes it ten! And so on behalf of the interns I would like to introduce all of us new to the Sandarbh family, and congratulate those who opted to continue for another semester.

Starting with the old interns, and by old I don’t mean grey hair I mean the ones continuing working with us for another semester.

The first and foremost our guardian angel Kavi. She is the oldest and the youngest intern of Sandarbh. The sweet, helpful Kavi. Be it sketchup or hunting for flats, Kavi is you gal. Apart from being the go to savior Kavi has a dark streak and Jamsheed knows it pretty well. With her regular teasing and mean comments that we all love, Kavi Bharathi is the one to hang out and know will be taken care of.

Then comes Kiri, he likes to call himself the “visionare” of the firm, though I keep on telling him the word he is trying to find is “visionary”. Of course he disagrees… every time. One could describe him to be a sweet thing but in reality he is a slippery thing who is best in getting away with his escapades by his sweet smile and cheeky words. (Of course Sai is immune to all that and sees right through his beguile).

Next would be the fearless Aafreen. She may look like your regular competitive, plucky, energetic, tenacious, who does most of her work on the phone, but she is just so much more. She is also a caring individual with a soft heart, but she makes sure it doesn’t affect her work. (You wouldn’t want to see her when she is angry).

And then the brooding Shaz. The tough guy who is so sure he has all the answers. However realized he was Jon Snow the moment he met Sai, as did we all. It is not often we get to see Shaz in the office. He works off the site mostly. However when we do he is mostly sitting with people having a heart to heart. (We see through you Shaz! You marshmallow!).

And with that we are done with the old interns and will be moving on to the new ones.

It has been almost a month all of us have been together but believe me when I say it seems longer. So let’s go alphabetically shall we?

Drashti Meena is the working drawing expert of the office who makes mean autocad drawings. Apart from being scary efficient in her work she is a funny but blunt individual who goes after a problem with a club. There is only one problem she has yet to solve and that is her overbearing roommate who may remain anonymous.

Jamsheed or as he liked to be called Jamshy is like a teddy bear of the studio. He has a heart of gold who wants to start being capable enough to start taking care of his parents as soon as possible. But that is not enough. As it may turn out he has dreams of going for a long bike ride across the Himalayas and live in tents. Always be your forgiving self Jamshy.

Meghna is a workaholic. Period. If she gets work and she is unable to do it during work hours, she will make sure to take it home and do it all night until it is finished. But work aside. She is an observant person who knows very well what’s going around in the office. That’s why her hair is so thick… they are full of secrets. Jokes apart she is highly sensitive and is able to find the best in people and help them in adversities.

And then there is Ritika, the smartest of the all. She is always on time, be it for a deadline or be it leaving office. According to her it is mostly because she is dead scared of Bengaluru traffic. But we all know it’s because she has a life… the girl with the strangest talents also tells us she can form the Olympics logo with my bendy fingers. Truly strange.

Siddharth a.k.a Sid is barely seen in the office. He is out running around from site to site. Or off works “hangs with his friends” that we all know don’t exist. There was a time when he was in office but now his Sheldon spot has been taken by Drashti… and he does not like it. He has a strange ability to say all the wrong things and then get blasted for it. But it is also his best quality so I guess we will let it pass.

And last but definitely not the least, it is yours truly Shreya Singh. I like to think I am a multitasking superstar who would be great with everything thrown towards me. Of course my Jon Snow moment came a little late, becoming a humbling instant to know that’s not true. The rest of the interns like to call me the critic of Sandarbh, I like to call myself insightful. (And with that my self-praise should end or else I would be on top of the Empire state once again.)

And so in the end, I, on behalf of the interns, would like to thank the incredible team for making us feel welcomed to the firm.