Ar. Nilanjan Bhowal - Design Consortium India

Ar. Nilanjan Bhowal - Design Consortium India
The pandemic changed people’s perception of space and the direct impact of our built environment on our mental and physical health became more apparent.
For one, the need to connect with the natural environment grew stronger as our homes started to feel more like isolation pods. Secondly, we realised that our work did not have to be restricted to a cubicle and the benefits that remote working presents. Also, during the pandemic, four walls had to contain all diverse human activities. A bedroom went from a resting place to a work cubicle, a classroom, or even a gym. Thus, the diversification of a single space helped us understand the transformative ability every zone has.

Moving forward, the design process becomes more ecologically integrated, while maintaining flexibility in its utility, and prioritising comfort. A new spotlight has also been cast on co-working spaces and the significance of public places in general.

For the longest time, a building defined a clear inside and outside, but the boundary now needs to become more flexible in its definition.
To improve the quality of one’s built environment, we need to focus on the latter half of the term. For the longest time, a building defined a clear inside and outside. It was a fortress of brick and concrete through which nature wasn’t allowed in. However, the boundary now needs to become more flexible. Open spaces that welcome fresh air, water features that cast playful lights against earthy textures, a wall of green blooming with life, are ways that not only enhance a space aesthetically but also emphasize the importance of pause and reflection.

Indian architecture has mostly manifested as eco-conscious and low-rise while making use of local materials.
Trends like minimalism, sustainability, micro-living, low-rise constructions have always been a part of the Indian built ethos. However, presently, most of these trends remain a luxury reserved for the upper strata. It will be a challenge to adapt and assimilate these methodologies in the overlapping discourse of the urban union.

Design Consortium has been a part of this conversation for the past 30 years, with our primary focus being sustainability and eco-consciousness. One of the key approaches that need more traction is sustainability and it cannot be treated as a ‘trend’ with the climate crisis being experienced across the globe. The AEC industry as a whole must realise the immense contribution that we make to the global carbon footprint and work our way towards a more ecologically conscious future.

Design Consortium India

Architecture will adapt itself to expand more to climate, context, tradition, local technology, and nature.
With the fast-paced world that we live in, sometimes, the architecture industry takes a long time to imbibe a growing trend. But it evolves, regardless, as it always has, and always reflects the community it shelters. With the alarming rate at which the global climate is changing, sustainability is the focus along with the intersectionality of heritage within it. Hence, we are seeing projects that move away from displays of vanity and capitalism and adapt to uplift marginalised communities and the natural environment.

Future trends are highly dependent on the need of the hour and the level of awareness that the collective community shares. Hence, as architects, we need to bring these options to our clients to help them make informed choices. As I have always said, architecture is nothing but placing a habitat in nature.

Women in Architecture & Design - Equal Opportunities, Equal Representation

Achieving gender equality in the field of architecture and design in India remains a challenge: the industry is dominated by men, with only 30% women representation. This under-representation of women in both the workforce and leadership roles limits diversity Read More ...

Ar. Aparna Kaushik - Aparna Kaushik Design Group

The emergence of women in the profession is a positive development; they can shape cities and urban landscapes the same way as men. Architecture is a crucial aspect of our lives as it helps people connect with their surroundings and provides them with Read More ...

Rashi Bothra & Ruchi Gehani - Azure Interiors

Women pursuing a career in architecture and design should develop a diverse range of skills, including communication and networking, actively seek opportunities, keep abreast of market trends, designs, and technologies, and be competitive. Read More ...

Monica Chadha - Design Deconstruct

Women can break one glass ceiling after another, even if the glass is as hard and unrelenting like concrete. The field of architecture and design has seen a significant increase in the number of women enrolling in architecture programs in Indian Read More ...

Anushka Ahuja - GharGhar

Women in architecture and design still face pervasive sexism, including limited access to career-advancing opportunities and inadequate mentorship. While there has been progress in recent years, much work remains to create a more equitable and accessible Read More ...

Meenu Agarwal - MADS Creations

While architecture and interior design were traditionally considered more suitable for men due to the physical nature of the work, women have shown that they are just as capable of excelling in these fields. Over the past few decades, the ratio of women in the Read More ...

Saba Kapoor - Nivasa

Both the government and private companies have a significant role to play in ensuring the inclusion of women in the workforce, which is crucial for developing a more diverse and inclusive society. The architecture and design industry in India has seen an Read More ...

Sweta Arya - Ochre at Home

Although there may be fewer women in architecture and design, their impact and influence cannot be overlooked; companies should therefore adopt women-friendly policies that promote inclusivity and provide equal opportunities for growth. Read More ...

Ritu Gupta - Pramod Group

The challenge is not about being a woman in the architecture and design industry; it is about continuous self-development and upskilling to be competitive and successful. Over the past several years, there has been a significant surge in the number Read More ...

Meera Pyarelal - Temple Town

For a woman to make a mark in a male-dominated field like architecture, she must have genuine passion for the profession, persistence, and resilience to take on challenges. Architecture is a field that has traditionally been dominated by men, but there Read More ...

Dhara Shroff - Tessera India

Despite their capabilities, women are often pigeonholed into the design industry or pushed toward smaller architectural firms. A survey conducted by Dezeen revealed that only three out of the world’s top 100 architecture firms are led by women, and a Read More ...

Changing Face of Indian Architecture

Indian architecture, predominantly shaped by historical and cultural factors, has recently been the focus of discussions on how to modernize it. India’s architecture must preserve its climate, culture, and traditions and balance them with the growing Read More ...

Promoting Collaborative Work, Productivity, & Well-Being

As businesses adapt to a new work culture that demands more inclusivity, workspace designers are designing and organizing office layouts to foster employee connectivity, well-being, and safety, and are creating an environment that is conducive Read More ...

42MM Architecture - Ar. Rudraksh Charan & Ar. Priyanka Khanna

Basically, every office space has 3 main components: the first is congregational space where people gather, meet, and hang out. This space defines the ethos of a workspace. The second one is the workstation where people work and spend most of their time. Read More ...

Envisage - Ar. Meena Murthy Kakkar & Ar. Vishal Kakkar

The three factors that extensively determine the overall design of office spaces are brand identity, office culture, and typology. The room’s colour scheme can be based on the firm’s brand identity, whereas the planning depends on how a company Read More ...

Studio Lotus - Subrata Ray, Senior Team Lead

Office buildings are being designed to incorporate sustainable features to reduce their environmental footprint. From the method of construction and materials used to the design of the building envelope, there is an increased focus on designing Read More ...