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 urbanization.
Ar. Aparna Kaushik

A substantial portion of modern Indian architecture can be observed in the country’s rapid surge in corporate campuses, shopping centers, and skyscrapers. A lot of them exhibit the expanding trend of green and sustainable architecture. Modern architects have introduced a multi-disciplined approach to architecture that considers factors such as the environment, energy efficiency, engineering, programming, usage of 3D for improved visualization, alternative technologies, and low-cost architecture.

structural techniques and lightweight building materials
After the domination of Western influences, questions of cultural preservation are fundamental in post-Independence India; hence, the importance of context, sustainability, nature, and creating an architecture that is true to our culture and cultivates an Indian identity has gained a lot of credence in recent years.

Many structural techniques and lightweight building materials have emerged in recent years. Newer developments especially are taking into account sustainable structures and sustainable products. In addition to terracotta and some conventional stones, combinations of glass, aluminum, steel, copper, zinc, and composite materials are being explored, while traditional textiles are regaining popularity since they have the most negligible carbon impact and can better withstand air, light, rain, and humidity.

The increasing construction of skyscrapers in Indian cities is evidence of the upward trajectory of façade design and construction. All these factors are driving material suppliers continue to provide architectural solutions with ever-improving performance features. Going vertical with large buildings with glass walls, whether commercial or residential, is a new trend in India. Due to its industrial output, aluminum curtain walls are lightweight for the structure, simple to install, safe for workers inside the building, and more aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, we need to pinpoint important factors like glass with excellent performance, more light and lower heat emission as essential factors in this trend.

Energy conservation is an all-important topic throughout the world. It is possible to maximize performance benefits and prevent unplanned expenditures throughout the lifecycle of facades and windows by designing and integrating high-performance facades with reliable wind resistance and water-tightness certification. The use of thin aluminum windows and façade systems that are entirely incorporated into the building’s construction is another novel breakthrough, aesthetically speaking. This increases the field of vision while maintaining key performance metrics like wind resistance and sound insulation.

The concept of sustainability and ‘going green’ have become commonplace. As a result, some architects and developers are turning to recycled materials such as cardboard, plastic bottles and scrap metal to reduce their carbon footprint. The materials can be used on the exterior and interior of buildings for insulation and carpet. Not only does the material produce less carbon, but in many cases, it can also be melted down and reused when the need arises.

The successful integration of innovations in design elements demonstrates how well technology has been adapted. Technological integration in the design is being done to produce clutter-free alternatives. The importance of geometric and rectangular architectural designs is another outgrowth, based on the advice of ‘vaastu’ experts. Many emerging architects in India have demonstrated a lot of innovative work that may be categorized as “contemporary Indian sensibility”— a sensibility that incorporates the traditions and spirit of Indian architecture into modern terminology.

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 ...

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 ...

The Executive Centre - Manish Khedia, Regional MD, South India

While designing an office, designers always consider the functional needs in the setting of socio-economic influences running parallel with the changing times. This could be either due to the GenZ generation entering the workforce, increased Read More ...