Ar. Gauri Gandhi & Ar. Vikas Gandhi, plan loci

The modern era has flooded India with a sense of globalization and standardization. Concrete and brick have become the most used materials in our buildings today. Skill has followed suit and one can find teams for such type of construction readily in most of the places in India today. A recent import has been to imbue a sense of sustainability and therefore, a host of ratings have come up to measure this yardstick in the built forms. Developers have been quick to see the marketing potential of such ratings and use it for branding. This sense of green buildings is certainly a step to forward. However, importing the ideas of the West to handle this question might not be the best solution. One must not forget that Indian vernacular architecture has been synonymous with eco-friendly architecture. In essence, there is much learning in the principles of the traditional architecture as it would thoroughly respond to its sense of place.


To practice sustainability, one needs to connect with the elements of nature. The response in architecture could then flow with the climatic condition, geographical, geomorphological positioning and people(culture). The need of the hour is to revitalize our local craft and strengthen it with technology to take it beyond its limitations. Such a merger would bring in a true sense of collaborative innovation and usher India into a new age of architecture. Conscientious design is sustainable design. Research and innovation towards localized technology rather than generic solutions is critical to move forward. Solutions centered with local resources and craftsmanship are a key.

The need of the hour is to revitalize our local craft and strengthen it with technology to take it beyond its limitations

We admire...

The High Line in New York City tops our list of sustainable projects. Repurposing of the railway into an urban park has transformed an unused structure into an inclusive public open space. The project encourages revitalization, greenery and community feel. The project is admirable in the way that communities were involved and nurtured reuse of the rail line. The park was designed by the James Corner’s New York-based landscape architecture firm Field Operations and architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro.