Ar. Sanjay Prakash Studio For Habitat Futures (SHiFt)

As an Architect, I try to create spaces that stand out or be identifiable for the user who is living in it and not to serve as just another photogenic space. My ‘area of interests’ ranges from Mathematics, Cybernetics to music and earth construction, so ‘style’ for me is an external ornament that doesn’t serve a purpose in a wholesome manner; for varied projects that we undertake. Instead, I base my designs on four fundamental questions: I name them as RISE – Resilience (can this withstand future shocks?), Identity (whom does this belong to?), Sufficiency (how much is enough?), Equity (does anyone get excluded?). These help us to arrive at a stage where we can answer whether the proposed structure is sustainable or not; this has been my ground of design for the past 35 years.


We always try to challenge ourselves and explore this particular type of architectural practice from various perspectives. For the Mati Ghar project built for IGNCA, we tried to show the timeless quality of earth, to represent the concept of the exhibit entitled ‘Kaal’ which means time. During its construction, we shattered the myths around mud being a weak material and established that it can be used successfully and practically. Whereas with our upcoming project the Bamboo Research and Training Centre in Maharashtra, we are trying to empower the tribal communities, by modifying their traditional skills set to a professional craft and its manufacture.

While we tested low embodied energy materials in the above large-scale projects, we have put our energy conscious sensibility, in use for Residential Architecture as well. HKS (Hari ki Sarai) is a contemporary house in Gurgaon, where we have modified vernacular techniques, which are considered slow and costly, with our engineering processes.


It is satisfying as designers; to observe how symbolism, harmony and expression can emerge from an Integrated Design Process. Thus, we believe in creating lifestyles rather than just styling buildings. So, we don’t categorize ourselves as ‘Green Architects’ or even ‘Architects’, but as sustainable community lifestyle visualizers!