Ar. Ponni M Concessao Oscar & Ponni Architects

Architecture is a synergy of various disciplines such as art, engineering and philosophy. The creative process of lasting building edifices is a joy like none other. An architect is literally a nation builder and game changer. My firm specializes in Urban design, Architecture and Interior Design stressing on Green Building norms and sustainable architectural design. I draw inspiration from Nature, site conditions as well as contextual factors. In fact, I strongly believe in contextual architecture. I also believe in technologically allied design and combine it with elements of our Indian heritage, sustainability and contextual factors while designing.

The style of the buildings and townships that we design vary from new-age contemporary to traditional classical style of architecture. The variance in style is because of the adherence to the client’s brief and context of the site which is unique from one project to another, especially when it comes to typologies. We do not have a cookie cutter design and prefer experimenting in different styles and we constantly switch gears in designing buildings, which makes them unique.

Our IT parks which vary from 4 to 40 lakh sqft have a similar design vocabulary as the project typology dictates contemporary style, elevation design, selection of glass which is often times blue or aqua and horizontal or vertical movement, depending on site dynamics. The same goes with our academic buildings, for instance, the Jeeva Velu International School has pyramids in the sky, echoing the holy Arunachala hills which form a dramatic backdrop to the building, and which clearly reflect the site context.

The leaning towards monumentality and architectural magnificence is attained by imbibing classical architecture as in the case of GRT Institute of Technology, Tiruttani, which blossomed into a neo-classical set of buildings. The necklace design in PGP Institute in Namakkal also evokes a classical style. A more contemporary style is evident in the Lawrence School in Ooty but with traditional materials. Another award-winning design is the Jiva Chaitanya Life Sciences building which emulates the DNA as concept. Our hotel projects lean more towards contextual architecture be it the neo-classical French style in the Accord Puducherry, contemporary design in the Le Meridien Coimbatore, and the completely ethnic style in Sandy Waves Resort in Havelock Island, Andamans.


A truly contemporary style is echoed in the Raghavan Building in Chennai using the typical Indian courtyard concept at the third floor surrounded by living areas with the inner envelope being sheer glass. Stone was the dominating material. A stark contrast is felt in the large palatial home of Dato Dr Ameen in Kaula Lampaur, Malaysia, where the style was Indian Chettinad with an Islamic flavor.

The Strip Mall in Chengelpet is a courtyard design with water bodies and traditional highlights such as gazebos. We have also been involved in the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana project and have built noon-meal centers, toilets for underprivileged girl students, and schools for leprosy-afflicted patients’ children.