VOL 28 (6) FEBRUARY 2015 www.iabforum.

com
INDIAN ARCHITECT & BUILDER
EXPLORE
 Terrace-Alive
Design Competition
Reclaim your share of the SKY!

DEADLINE : 15thth February 2015

Open to Professionals and Arch. Students (4th & 5th Year)
Terrace Alive by Dr. Fixit calls the architecture
fraternity to pick an urban roof and transform it
such that the spilling over of inmates to the streets
below is channelised in a vertical fashion, creating a
program induced community space on the terrace. This
competition aims at creating a second realm of public
spaces, where the sky is your roof. The terraces of such
residential buildings open a great spectrum of possibilities for
innovative and new ideas of a communal and public spaces. The
idea is to create a focal point of activity, which will foster the nature
of a communal lifestyle and also revive the otherwise dead terraces
of various residential buildings.

Eminent Architect Christopher Charles Beninger would be the juror of this year's competition.
With an established architectural practice in the urban Indian context, Ar. Beninger will judge
the entries based on their design innovations.

For more details log on to : www.iabforum.com Send in your entries to : iabedt@jasubhai.com

 VOL 28 (6) | FEBRUARY 2015 | www.iabforum.com
RNI Registration No. 46976/87, ISSN 0971-5509
INDIAN ARCHITECT AND BUILDER
Chairman: Jasu Shah
Printer, Publisher & Editor: Maulik Jasubhai Shah
Chief Executive Officer: Hemant Shetty
Editorial: Aastha Deshpande, Lavina Bulchandani
Email: iabedt@jasubhai.com
Design Team: Mansi Chikani, Prasenjit Bhowmick, Kenneth Menezes
Events: Abhijeet Mirashi
Subscription: Dilip Parab
Production Team: V Raj Misquitta (Head), Prakash Nerkar, Arun Madye
Head Office:
JMPL, Taj Building, 3rd Floor, 210, Dr D N Road, Fort, Mumbai - 400 001.
Tel: + 91-22-4037 3636, Fax: +91-22-4037 3635
SALES
Brand Manager: Sudhanshu Nagar
Email: sudhanshu_nagar@jasubhai.com
MARKETING TEAM & OFFICES
Mumbai
Parvez Memon
Taj Building, 3rd Floor, 210, Dr D N Road, Fort, Mumbai 400 001.
Tel: + 91-22-4037 3636, Fax: +91-22-4037 3635
Email: parvez_memon@jasubhai.com
Delhi: Preeti Singh / Suman Kumar
803, Chiranjeev Tower, No 43, Nehru Place, New Delhi 110 019
Tel: +91 11 2623 5332, Fax: 011 2642 7404,
Email: preeti_singh@jasubhai.com, suman_kumar@jasubhai.com
Bengaluru / Hyderabad / Gujarat: Sudhanshu Nagar
Mobile: +91 9833104834, Email: sudhanshu_nagar@jasubhai.com
Chennai / Coimbatore: Princebel M
Mobile: +91 9444728035, +91 9823410712,
Email: princebel_m@jasubhai.com
Kolkata: Sudhanshu Nagar
Mobile: +91 9833104834, Email: sudhanshu_nagar@jasubhai.com
Pune: Parvez Memon
Mobile: +91 9769758712, Email: parvez_memon@jasubhai.com
Printed & Published by Maulik Jasubhai Shah on behalf of Jasubhai Media Pvt Ltd
(JMPL), 26, Maker Chamber VI, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021.
Printed at M B Graphics, B-28, Shri Ram Industrial Estate, ZG D Ambekar Marg,
Wadala, Mumbai 400031and Published from Mumbai - 3rd Floor, Taj Building, 210,
Dr D N Road, Fort, Mumbai 400 001.
Editor: Maulik Jasubhai Shah, 26, Maker Chamber VI, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021.
Indian Architect & Builder: (ISSN 0971-5509), RNI No 46976/87, is a JMPL monthly
publication. Reproduction in any manner, in whole or part, in English or any other
language is strictly prohibited. We welcome articles, but do not accept responsibility
for contributions lost in the mail.
36 CURRENT
The latest news, events and competitions in architecture and design
from India and abroad.
46 If I were a Young Architect, Id first design a structure called ME.
An inspirational essay by Christopher Charles Benninger.
50 YOUNG DESIGNERS 15
Young Designers 15 showcase diverse scales of work that is
relevant and well-crafted, demonstrating a commendable ethos to
the design of space.
52 ARCHITECTURE
Big Brewsky, Bengaluru
Nilay Patalia Architects, Bengaluru design a brewery in nude
brick and concrete letting the design orate its intent in crisp
vocabulary with no aid of plastered metaphors that would
confound or obscure.
60 Small House
A small house, on a small site, with a small budget.
A brief realised by Group4 Architects in their minimalistic design of
the house at Khardi.
68 House at Cross Roads, Trivandrum
Ar Jayakrishnan succinctly weaves a house at the crossroads into
the urban, social, spatial and infrastructural fabric of the city of
Trivandrum.
76 Follow the Sun
A unique approach to a constrained site and providing a solution
to issues of light and ventilation, brings about the evolution a
concept that studies the sun path to create a spatial language.
84 INTERIORS
Atulyam: an unparalleled journey through the senses
Mumbai based firm DeFACTO has created an oasis of peace in the
city of Nasik that relaxes the mind, rejuvenates the senses and
brings the guests closer to nature.
90 Magic Threads
Designed by Studio Motley, this kids boutique and activity center,
breaks away from the conventional perception of a childrens store
and yet retains a playful quality of space.
96 ITF office interiors
With an ambition to create a unique and interactive work space,
the interiors of the ITF office is a young and inventive design.
102 Shaatika the Sari boutique.
A sari store that delights with its vivid hues in a compact space.
108 LANDSCAPE
Sannidhi Residence... Beyond the pluck and push
Anchored on a linear site, Sannidhi residence, is a complex
geometrical massing that plucks and pushes not only the cuboid
form but also plays a clever intervention with the landscape.

114 PRODUCT
Wooden Chair Design
EXPLORE
Integrating seating comfort and aesthetic appeal in this
minimalistic design of the Wooden Chair as part of a larger fine
dining experience for the restaurant Recipes.

118 SPACE FRAMES

Kushti- A forgotten craft
Experimenting with unusual angles of the akadas, Abhijit Joshi,
makes his work stand out from other documentaries on the
forgotten craft of Kushti.

es igns
Jag ya D

age:
r Im
Cove

Printed & Published by Maulik Jasubhai Shah on behalf of Jasubhai Media Pvt Ltd
(JMPL), 26, Maker Chamber VI, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021.
Printed at M B Graphics, B-28, Shri Ram Industrial Estate, ZG D Ambekar Marg,
Wadala, Mumbai 400031and Published from Mumbai - 3rd Floor, Taj Building, 210,
Dr D N Road, Fort, Mumbai 400 001.

Editor: Maulik Jasubhai Shah, 26, Maker Chamber VI, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021.

Indian Architect & Builder: (ISSN 0971-5509), RNI No 46976/87, is a JMPL monthly
publication. Reproduction in any manner, in whole or part, in English or any other
language is strictly prohibited. We welcome articles, but do not accept responsibility
for contributions lost in the mail.
40

New Delhi, 18 th December

Sustainability - A Way of Life

Design, Innovation, Sustenance
N erolac Earthmatters in Association with IA&B saw an
evening with over 110 architects in New Delhi on 18 th
December about Sustainabilitya way of life with a keen focus
on design, innovation and sustenance. The attempt was to speak
about sustainability not as a speciality but as a prerequisite of
all actions, specifically creation here. Architecture with a special
address to design, innovation & sustenance. The evening began with
presentation by Mr. Yatnesh Pandey, Head Marketing, Decorative
Paints, Kansai Nerolac , which highlighted about eco-friendly
products introduced by Nerolac and the steps taken by the brand
for a sustainable future.

The three distinguished panellists were Ar. Ashish Ganju from New
Delhi, Ar. Prem Chandavarkar from Bangalore and Ar. Savita Punde
from New Delhi. Sustainability being their forte, the speakers
presented and discussed various facets of the issue, each with their
own ideologies and concepts about how to translate it to architecture.

Mr. Ganju with a couple of illustrative examples elaborated his view

of sustainability and pointed certain loopholes that come with all
terminologies attached to it. In addition, he cited certain examples
from his own book and ventured into a rather controversial, albeit
interesting, critical analysis of some popular buildings of the world.

Mr. Prem in his talk quoted various scholars of different fields and
cited examples from biology, economic theory and human behaviour,
drawing analogies with the field of architecture and elucidating on

Indian Architect & Builder - February 2015

46

If I were a Young Architect

Id First Design a Structure
Called Me!
Christopher Charles Benninger

Y oung architects desire to wander, think and ponder, thereby

creating themselves almost unknowingly through steps in
darkness. They kind of drift along without any plan of where theyre
The teacher of Frank Lloyd Wright, a great architect himself, Louis
Sullivan, wrote his own story, calling it the Autobiography of an
Idea. I think hed written that autobiography when he was young,
going, thinking that their school curriculum, lifes cycles and their and he was just editing the story as he went along in life. If I were
parents will decide what they should do, where theyre going, and a young architect Id also ask myself: Who am I? Who do I want
what they will become. One rarely understands that they are being to be? What will make me happy? How will my happiness create
formed, shaped and created into a fixed structure, in a manner that the energy to make an everlasting contribution to humanity?
is out of our control. Day by day we are getting shaped chaotically,
without any direction, or plan, into an unknown design. Making beautiful things does not make you happy; being happy leads
you to make beautiful things! Be happy and you, yourself will be
Young architects are also anxious to earn, gain fame and compete, beautiful too!
possibly eroding the very process of their own constructive evolution.
Youngsters are thus trapped between conflicting desires and felt I would design myself the same way Id design a building: to be
needs. They have to study this paradigm of conflicting choices, strong. Id think of the values Id like to be remembered for. Maybe
understand the consequences of their decisions, and deal with these
consequences in an objective manner. They have to start looking at
themselves in a mirror and asking themselves: Who is this person
I am looking at? Maybe they need to sit down and paint a self-
portrait before this question arises again?

If I were a young architect Id think of designing myself before Id

worry about designing any building, or earning a living. Id think
about the structure of myself, and how Id like to design it. Id
ponder over the major equipment, like my brain, and think of how
it would be. Would it be full of values, knowledge and wisdom? Id
develop a concept of my body and think of it as well maintained,
durable and safe. Id not worry about being tall and thin; or short and
heavy; dark or light. Id worry whether I am thinking, conceptualizing
and designing ME in my future.

I would not model myself from a magazine!

Young architects must design themselves, and then see themselves

in that image. Like a construction site, that period of making
will be messy, a bit chaotic and even confusing. But sketch out the
concept of yourself; write down the specifications; and have an idea
what your creation will be like before it gets built! Then understand
that this designing and building me project is a life-long one. You
will always be playing about with the design, as if it were a clay
model that can be tweaked and tinkered with here and there, and

changing a little bit almost every day. Make yourself.

Indian Architect & Builder - February 2015

48

1955 Sketches of Don Quixote by Picasso.

Indian Architect & Builder - February 2015


the value of that difference. Id want to be Holistic in my ability to
see the same single thing as many different things, from different
perspectives, different angles, and to understand the value of
multiple manifestations. To do this Id yearn to be of an inclusive
and exploring nature, looking at philosophy, the arts, and scientific
thinking simultaneously, seeking their connections and their
interrelationships. Yes, Id like to design myself wise, instead
of stupid!
When I am finished building my design of me, Id want myself as
a Trustee of natural and human wealth. Id see Trusteeship in my
understanding that we are all here on this earth only for a short
period, and it is our honor to create and hold wealth as a common
resource for future generations. I dont want to design myself
greedy like the tallest building in the world, or to amass wealth
and property like the most ugly, oversized mansion. I want to be
driven by compassionate wisdom to hold the wealth of nature and
of humanity, utilising it in a just and sustainable manner, for the
whole of humanity, now and forever. Thus, I will never actually own
anything; Ill just be a trustee of my wealth and employ it for the
common good!
So in designing myself, Id think of these things and how I can make
them an integral part of my thinking, my very soul, and my true
being. Id be concerned that I become a thinker-doer, and not just a
thinker-talker!
James Joyce, the famous Irish writer, began his autobiographical
novel at age 21, called Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man,
publishing parts of it over the years, but only the entire book at the
age of 34. He was clearly designing himself through his craft when
he first obtained a vision of his future self.
I would want to work on this design of me, and then to see that it is
a functional design that can be done; can be made, and can change
the world! Id design myself to become an actor who does things,
and not an observer who sits on the side observing and criticising
the doers! I would not worry about my career path too much, but
Id worry about my personal path of self-discovery. Id try to increase
my skills, deepen my knowledge, and most of all sharpen my
sensitivities. Maybe Id list down the skills, the areas of knowledge,
and the sensitivities Id like to acquire in my Sketchbook of Myself.
Then Id plan out how, and through what means, I can acquire these
elements, integrating them into my personae.
49
In The Natural House, Frank Lloyd Wright wrote down a Credo,
coming from the Latin word, I believe, and he listed down all of
the beliefs that he deemed to be self-evident truths guiding his
actions throughout his lifetime. Each one of us should write in our
Sketchbook our own Credo and we should work on it, and revise it
now and then.
This list becomes the performance standards for the design called ME.
The items on this Credo would be the basis of my serious discussions,
the essence of my debates, and even the guts of my arguments with
my friends and my mentors. These questions would be the facts, the
ideas and the concepts Id explore with my colleagues, classmates
and my teachers. Wed each have our own Sketchbook of Myself,
and wed compare notes and sketches. We should look at our basic
design concept and how we are detailing it out. Just like the idea of
a building, wed be arguing over the idea of a person; a person called
me! Each young architect should write down, in their Sketchbook, a
personal Credo of their guiding beliefs that will in fact create them
into the future person they cherish to be!
Each young architect should always be asking: How can I define
myself? How can my design of myself be better, more efficient, truer
and more beautiful than what it is? Id be thinking, discussing and
sketching down, How can one be truly beautiful, not from the outside,
but on the inside! Id yearn to be a great architect, but Id prefer to be
a good person, should I have to make a choice between the two! Id
rather be admired by the people close by to me than by the unknown
masses of admirers off in distant places that I do not know.
Yes, if I were a young architect Id first design a structure
called ME!
*Christopher Charles Benninger began his teaching career at The School
of Architecture at Ahmedabad (1968), Harvards Graduate School of Design
(1969-71), The School of Planning at Ahmedabad (which he founded with
Balkrishna Doshi in late 1971), and at the Centre for Development Studies
and Activities (which he founded in 1976, continuing through 1996). His
book, Letters To A Young Architect, won the Best Architecture Book of the
Year Award and was on the Top Ten Best Selling Non-fiction Books List for
many months. It was later translated into Chinese, Gujarati and now into
Marathi and Bengali. His page (A Network of Ideas; Not a Social Network)
www.facebook.com/christopher.benninger.3 is the most popular architectural
site between Zurich and Tokyo, with more than 30,000 members.
Indian Architect & Builder - February 2015
 51

A rchitecture is a diverse school of practice. There are scales to

be negotiated, materials to be explored and places to be true
to. And in the context of our sub-continent, this also means there
are informal sectors, a completely diverse constructional dialect
and red tape to manoeuvre around. Through all of this, there are
firms both young and old, yet not so well-known that diligently
persevere against these odds to build relevant spaces, in a dialogue
that resonates beyond the constraints of the brief. These are the
practices that need to be given their due, ones that tread the fine
line between the contemporary and the meaningful every day and do
it earnestly, ones that eventually become practices of consequence.

In its 16 th edition this year, IA&Bs Young Designers competition has

constantly striven to showcase the importance of conscious design,
in a time where the smallest act of building has global implications.
The practices this year demonstrate a purposeful drive to propel
architecture beyond the dark corner of unresponsive necessity
that it has been relegated to. Moved by a creative resilience that
accommodates and includes, buoyed on by a spirit to improve and
express, in an attempt to reconnect with a seemingly indifferent
society, they put architecture back on the map in a meaningful way
that deserves to be celebrated.

The initiative has once again witnessed a barrage of exceptional

design entries, to which a single issue would scarcely do justice.
Owing to this overwhelming response from young and inspired
designers, the CITATIONS featured this month will be followed by
the SPECIAL MENTIONS in subsequent issues as an extension of
Young Designers 2015.

Indian Architect & Builder - February 2015

68

HOUSE AT
CROSSROADS
Ar Jayakrishnan K B,Trivandrum
Ar Jayakrishnan succinctly weaves a house at the
crossroads into the urban, social, spatial and infrastructural
fabric of the city of Trivandrum.
Text and Images: courtesy Ar Jayakrishnan K B

The city does not tell its past, but contains it like the lines of a hand, written in the
corners of streets, the gratings of the windows, the banisters of the steps, the antennae
of the lightning rods, the poles of the bags, very segment marked in turn with scratches,
indentations, scrolls.

Ar Jayakrishnan K B graduated in Architecture from College of Engineering,

Trivandrum in the year 1993. In 2008, he and his wife Ar Chitra Nair, established
the firm JCJR Homes in Trivandrum Kerala. Since then he has been working as
a partner in this firm. He is also keen on Architectural education and involves in
many academic activities in Trivandrum.

Indian Architect & Builder - February 2015

 architecture 69

The Front Court and the Entry Foyer.

Indian Architect & Builder - February 2015

90

MAGIC THREADS
Studio Motley, Bengaluru
Designed by Studio Motley, this kids boutique and activity
center, breaks away from the conventional perception of a
childrens store and yet retains a playful quality of space.
Text: Lavina Bulchandani | Drawings: courtesy Studio Motley
Images: courtesy Siddhi Madgaonkar & Anand Kurudi

The brief called for a boutique for childrens clothes along with spaces demarcated for a
jungle gym and a multipurpose activity room which could house parties, events, etc.

A decision was made early on to eschew the use of bright colours one would normally
associate with a childrens store and instead create the desired liveliness with light and
shade patterns and natural textures playing off each other. The intent was also to create
a subtle backdrop for the childrens clothes and accessories, one which doesnt compete
with the bright objects but in its own way contributes to the ambience

Studio Motley is a multi-disciplinary design studio with project experience

ranging from large scale master plans to architecture and interior design. The
two partners, Kajal Gupta and Anand R Kurudi have bachelors degrees from
Bengaluru University and a masters degree from the University of Cincinnati and
Savannah College of Art and Design, USA respectively. Together the team brings
in the right blend of international experience and local expertise in design.

Studio Motley is an architectural and planning practice dedicated to pursuing

excellence and integrity in design and service. Bringing a high level of
commitment and ambition to all, the architects, work closely with stakeholders,
to create environments that are valued by and are meaningful to the users.

Indian Architect & Builder - February 2015

 interiors 91

Subdued interiors of Magic Threads, kids boutique and activity center.

Indian Architect & Builder - February 2015

118

Kushti- A forgotten craft

Curator: Dr Deepak John Mathew
Photographs: Abhijit Joshi

K ushti is a form of traditional mud wrestling from India. It is centuries old, but in the last few
decades the number of people taking up Kushti has been diminishing, with wrestlers taking
up mat wrestling instead. Currently played only in few cities in India, Kolhapur being one of
them, where only 6-7 traditional Talims (The Wresting Training Place called Talim) still thrive
while the rest converted to modern technique (very often persuaded by the Indian Government
to adapt to the Olympics eligibility). In Talim, the Pehalvan (wrestler) trained to enhance his
wrestling skills in a definite patch of Red mud called Aakhada for 7-8 years under guidance of a
Vastad (Trainer/mentor/teacher) to win medals in locally organised competitions.

Abijit has documented the agony and ecstasy of the traditional sport kushti. His attempt is
not to merely document the craft but to bring the spirit of the fighter and various forms of
tensions he undergoes. The training is tough and tedious. Through light and shade he has
brought forward the pains of the person who is undergoing kushti Training.

He has chosen and experimented with unusual angles of the akadas and that makes his work
stand out from other documentaries.

Many people including Raghu Rai have photographed this subject in black and white; the light
and shade and play of human forms makes it an ideal subject for black and white Photography.
Abijit has dared to use colour and he has become quite successful in that too.

The warm tones created by the reflection of light on red mud builds the atmosphere of fighting
and the spirit of this sport.

His compositions narrate the untold stories of these forgotten artists.

Indian Architect & Builder - February 2015

 space frames 119

Indian Architect & Builder - February 2015

122
Abhijit Joshi
Abhijit Joshi is an avid photographer, travel enthusiast and Brand Consultant.
Born and brought up in Dhule, on quitting his advertising job, Abhijit set off
on his own offering multitude services such as product shoots, designing,
video production etc. While he thoroughly enjoys all these creative mediums,
his heart lies in documentary and street photography. Currently he lives in
Pune, India.
Indian Architect & Builder - February 2015
Dr Deepak John Mathew
Dr Mathew was Head of Photography Department till 2013 and Founder of the
Photography Design Department at NID (National Institute of Design). Currently
he is working as an associate professor in the Design Department at IIT (Indian
Institute of Technology). Dr Mathew has developed the curriculum and designed
the first post graduate Dual Master level programme in Photography Design
in India. With an experience spanning over eighteen years in photography,
painting and graphics, he has published several papers and conducted
workshops on photography worldwide. Dr Mathew has taught as visiting
professor at many institutes in India, New Zealand and UK.
Deepak John Mathews Website: http://djmphotography.in/
Space Frames investigates issues of architecture and environment through the
medium of photography. To contribute, write to us at iabedt@jasubhai.com
or to the curator Dr Mathew at dr.djmathew@gmail.com.
 123

Indian Architect & Builder - February 2015

124

Indian Architect & Builder - February 2015

 INDIAN ARCHITECT & BUILDER EXPLORE

MUMBAI
` 200
INDIAN ARCHITECT & BUILDER EXPLORE
WWW.IABFORUM.COM

JULY 2014
VOL 27 (11)
` 150

JAN 2014
VOL 27 (5)
MAR 2011
VOL 24 (7)

IN CONVERSATION
Mario Botta, Mario Botta Architetto

ARCHITECTURE
Delhi Public School, Bengaluru: Khosla Associates
Lateral House, Bengaluru: Gaurav Roy Choudhury Architects

HERITAGE
Adaptive Reuse of Jal Mahal Bijolai, Jodhpur: Grup.ISM Pvt Ltd

CAMPAIGN: Architectural Education

Women Students, Culture and Pedagogy: Madhavi Desai In Conversation
DELHI DIALOGUES Kashef Mahboob Chowdhury, URBANA
Dwarka is the Chosen One
Competition: TATA TISCON RAISE
Street House: Sensen Designs, New Delhi

Architecture
KPIT Cummins Campus, Pune: Venkatraman Associates

Academia
Knowledgescapes : Neha Koul and Dr Gaurav Raheja

Young Designers 14
Architecture: Of Mud And A Moat
Product: 3Rs Chair
Free supplements: Asian Paints ColourNext 2011 Birla Yuvaratna 2010

Cool Crossovers Innovations in Sustainability

Presented by:

IA&B
IA&BON
ONTHE
THEGO!
GO!
IA&B
IA&Bisisnow
nowavailable
availableon
onyour
yourPCs,
PCs,Tabs
Tabsand
andMobile
MobilePhones.
Phones.
Click
Clickhere
herefor
forour
ourdigital
digitalversion.
version.