"We believe architecture should be in dialogue with itself, this allows space for lateral thinking during conception, construction, and even after completion."
Born in 1979, Akshat Bhatt after graduating from the TVB School of Habitat Studies in 2002, studied at The University of East London under Peter Salter & Michelle Roelofsma. After completing his studies, he worked with Penoyre & Prasadand Jeff Kahane & associates in London. Later in 2007, he established his own firm Architecture Discipline, a multi-disciplinary design studio that explores architecture through the scales of Urban Design, Architecture, Public Art, Installations, Furniture and Product Design.
Ar. Akshat believes that true advances in regional expression can only be achieved through critical intimacy. His projects are integrated from conceptual framework to the tactile experience. As a result, the outcome of every commission is determined by a series of critical design processes that result in an architectural expression that is contextually charged & contemporary.
Architecture Discipline, under the leadership of Ar. Akshat, innovates formal arrangements, engineering, M.E.P. services and building physics parameters in order to advance the principles of sustainable design that are visible in the overall expression of the projects. As a result, all buildings are integrated from conceptual framework to the tactile experience.
On his work style and design pattern, Ar. Akshat says, "We design with the experimentation of an academic studio merging theory & technology with everyday issues of program to generate an uncompromising architecture that is exciting and timeless. We work with value system defined by simple principles: People, Context, Legibility, Flexibility, Cultural & Environmental responsibility. These are addressed as architectural issues. We believe architecture should be in dialogue with itself, this allows space for lateral thinking during conception, construction and even after completion. It should move, not in the same way as Calatrava's work, but in a way that indicates untiring transformation. A kind of Here-Then-Now & Beyond. Creating an intrinsic but coherent dialogue is our endeavour."
He adds, "Material culture is an essential part of design, every place, program & structure suggests an appropriate palette, that's what we explore though our investigations. Every material in turn suggests an expression, that has to do with construction technology & the designers technique. We're happy to use things that reduce environmental impact through the fundamentals of reduced consumption. But, we steer away from material fetish that's a trap & often an intellectual limitation."
Ar. Akshat who finds design inspiration from everything and from everywhere, have won many prestigious awards including the JK & A+D Young Architect of the Year. He has been cited amongst the 50 most influential names in Design by the Architectural Digest and was recently felicitated by the Minister of Trade & Commerce and the Department for Industrial Policy & Promotion for the design of India Pavilion 2015 at Hanover.
Ar. Akshat is an accomplished photographer and a gifted musician, interests that contribute to his architectural endeavors.
