Architect, Planner, Architectural Writer

Architecture is not only about Space…
It’s about Vision too.

Visions are about imagination. Imagination that belongs to the future..
I realized the importance and joy of having a vision as I entered the hallowed halls of Chandigarh College of
Architecture in the year 1987. My vision kept me energized as I pursued a Masters program (Planning) from the School of Planning & Architecture, New Delhi.

For twenty-five years now, I have woven my way through a wide gamut of projects ranging from educational to healthcare to residential and am arriving at a belief that irrespective of the nature of a project —

• An Architect’s creation becomes worthwhile only if it is ‘Responsive’ to its inhabitants, environment and context.
• An Architect has the power and the gift of God to ‘Create’ experiences for people.

Essence of a project

• How often do Architects get to share their vision with the users, beyond hoping that their creation will speak for itself?
• How often do Users get an insight into the mind of an Architect and appreciate the thought behind?
• Is there a rising need for an Interface – a language or an interpreter, to bridge that gap

Buildings and spaces can be read, interpreted and evaluated along the below mentioned parameters:
1. Reflection of the ‘client- architect vision’ in the creation.
2. Adherence to various checks and balances – budget, planning
parameters, aesthetics, technical soundness, and future
considerations.
3. Quality of user experience.
To me, most important of all is going beyond the visible & available facts and getting to the truth of the story that captures the ‘Essence of a project.

Need for communication

I believe, architectural writings are an appropriate medium to bring about an ‘enhanced user appreciation’. However, to stand outside of one’s own creation and ‘Re-read it’, to convey it to the society in another language, often becomes quite challenging for the creator himself. It requires a profile- a mind trained to ‘think’ like an Architect and’ feel’ like a User, to fit this role. My foray into architectural writing, as I embark upon the journey of ‘Interpretation of Space’ around us, lends a flight to my imagination and yet another vision to dream.. As Paulo Coelho says –