Ar Sangeet Sharma




"My architecture is called 'cubist modernism'. It reflects the honesty of structure, purity of form and a functional object of constant inspiration."



Architecture of Sangeet Sharma is routed in modernism, greatly influenced with the making of Chandigarh as a city. The nature of modernity changed as he watched his father work tirelessly making shelters in most sustainable way. Sangeet calls his philosophy as "humanistic modernity."

In the mist of architecture Sangeet evolved into multiplicity of things, events and exposures. The materials, articulations and the years of growing up in the new city formed his aesthetics. In the early years Ar Sangeet had his impressionable mind engrained with the ideologies of modern architecture; the passion of architecture watching his father, the famous Mr SD Sharma, who worked closely with Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret. Right from early years, he says "I and my father had intense discussions about the good and bad architecture and its impact on human existence. My father also inculcated the habit of constant sketching that enabled me to visualize and put it on paper. I also remember reading the same books that my father read- along with the files that were available in my father's Library."

"Senses and sensibilities are to be developed in the right direction to become an able architect" says Sangeet. He firmly believes that to be an architect one must have an overall development. While pursuing this conviction he began to write poetry at a very early age and published his first book of poems at the age of eighteen. The inspiration for poetry came from Shakespeare, from Sri Aurobindo and Tagore. The knowledge of Poetry reflects 'rhyme and time' in his architecture.

He took classes in painting and painted extensively. Through painting his architecture embraced color, spectrum and balanced compositions. Besides, Ar Sangeet also dabbled in Music and was taught the finer nuances of music. Music-swayed and regaled his architecture. He says "Like me, my architecture too is ambivert in nature."

SD Sharma Associates View of the Building

He elaborates "Geometrical forms fascinate me and I believe that every line built, represented or drawn pleases me, or at least should please me. I follow the tentacles of an organism that God created first and must have experienced ecstasy. I do not think he employed Autocad in his manifestations; his software must have been more emotionally drawn than mechanical."

The dichotomy of drawing comes full circle. Eliminations emerge at planning period; plans often solidify a suitable section; sections smoothen the geometry; the geometry gives rise to details; and details further beautify the plans.

He allows the user not only to interpret architecture that gets built but to participate in it. The outcome is usually the client's aspirations spontaneously interacting with his inspirations. "My architecture is called 'cubist modernism'. It reflects the honesty of structure, purity of form and a functional object of constant inspiration. The implementation of passive sustainability and the presence of nature both inside and outside is the holistic anthem of my architecture."

He sums up "My architecture is in constant dialogue with the metaphysics, if my buildings do not elevate the human being to the spiritual or mystical realm." As he aptly quote one of his short poems:

When the space is tangible
It breathes God;
Intangible—it craves for God.