Cultural architecture synthesis

The premise of a good architectural project goes beyond the idea of just creating “shelter”.   A lecture on the history of architecture, back in the days in architecture school, brought home the idea that architects had to behave like “god.”

Many architectural wonders like the Taj Mahal and various temples in India stand as testaments of unmatched symmetry, beauty and detail; the temples with the garbhagriha (inner sanctum) and its form derived from the sacred mandala are nothing short of divine interventions in design.

Delving deep into the diverse cultural and climatic influences that dictated the built form helps you understand the subtle variations and nuances as a reflection of how lives were lived. Thick walls and small windows helped naturally cool Rajasthani havelis; a courtyard found in most traditional houses, not only created a comfortable micro-climate but also enhanced family interactions. Multiple such adaptations reflect the wisdom of local communities in adapting to their surroundings over generations.

Hence, designing buildings that respond to the local climate, incorporating features such as shaded areas, courtyards or natural ventilation can be looked at. 

In today’s global world with a large population and elaborate needs; the pressure on land is fast increasing. The need to build efficiently; to maximise the built form; and to build fast, is taking precedence over the need to resonate with the local context.

Today, though it is easy to collect or seek information over the internet, somewhere the interpretation and assimilation of knowledge are very superficial. It is then imperative that local traditions, customs, materials, building techniques and regional influences are well researched; reflected upon and thought deeply about.

Interpreting a geographic context should be the first step of any exercise involving the built form. Analysing the site’s geographical features, climate and environmental conditions and orienting the built form to maximise natural light and ventilation, can help achieve a sustainable building with a lower carbon footprint. Asking if there is a necessity to build a new parcel of land is a prime question today to ensure that it has the right social impact. Preserving and incorporating existing historical structures into design could be an essential step in preserving history. Adapting and seeking influence from local architectural styles can also integrate the newly built form with the existing fabric of the city.

Perhaps a mandate around building façade control and defining an exterior material library at the municipal level could help achieve a more coherent urban landscape and help Indian cities retain a distinctive look rather than replicas of key cities in the West.

One of the safest ways to achieve a connection with the surroundings is to use indigenous materials that are readily available in the region. This not only connects the building to its surroundings but also helps support local economies and promote craftsmanship techniques in the region. Building with local slate and pine wood in the hilly regions can help keep the built form relevant to the context. Integrating cultural symbols and motifs like flowers, animal-inspired motifs or patterns into the design can help create a sense of identity and connection with the community. Furthermore, an engagement with the local community, to ensure that their needs and preferences are catered to, will help create a sense of ownership with future users.

Creating sustainable and energy-efficient built forms is an undeniable need, as we are all living on borrowed resources from the planet. As the pressure on building vertically in most cities is seen, integrating technologies like Photo Voltaic cells, solar shading devices, and newer structural materials like PEB structures are becoming the need of the hour. This then makes it even more difficult to integrate with the vernacular influences as the scale and monumentality of the built form today are not in proportion to historical scales. Hence aligning new age materials with indigenous materials is important and needs deep thought. Research on creating/reinterpreting materials that can mimic the past, using materials that will easily return to the earth and help reduce waste pile up, enhancing the long-term resilience of the built form, promoting water efficiency, integrating passive cooling techniques are some of the directions to be considered. 

The use of technology at the workplace can also allow us to build less, as the “work from anywhere” culture diffuses the boundaries of home, work and social needs. Hence, designing spaces that can adapt to different uses together and evolving needs over time must be carefully considered.

Thus a matching of minds between architects, developers, urban planners and policymakers is required to shoulder this responsibility of preserving the fabric of the past, while consciously looking ahead and planning.

Author Bio: Vandana Dhawan Saxena is Principal, Studio IV Designs