THE SWAP ANALYSIS

We’ve always captured what the writer has to say about a certain project, or what an architect or designer has to express about his/her own project. For this cover feature, however, we took a backseat, we refrained from asking questions, we let the creators engage in a dialogue with each other and their creations. We became mere spectators to their conversations, understanding the nuances, the observations which otherwise would have never been made. For the first in this series, we approached architects Puran Kumar of Studio PKA and Rajiv Parekh of reD Architects in Mumbai. The projects featured are telling of their creators – the much written about ‘The Mango House’ by Puran Kumar of Studio PKA, and an exclusive sneak preview of ‘The Library House’ by Rajiv Parekh of reD Architects. We bring you the unedited version of their engaging discourse…

Woven Around a Courtyard

Project: House in the Farm, Arur, Zaheerabad Architects: Studio Inscape, Hyderabad

Natural Connection

Casa Agua begins with the intention of remodelling and expanding a house from the 70s to adapt it to its new users.

Modern, Chic Abode

Project: The Fluid Home, Mumbai; Architects: Quirk Studio, Mumbai

Building a Green Future

The built environment is responsible for a considerable portion of the causes of climate change and biodiversity loss– contributing almost as much as 39% of the carbon emissions produced globally.

A Contemporary Rendition of Traditional Architecture

Project: Chirath Residence, Palax, Kerala; Architects: Wallmakers, Kerala

Student Housing Reimagined for Sustainable Living

Project: St. Andrews Institute of Technology and Management – Girls’ Hostel Block, Gurugram Architects: Zero Energy Design Lab, New Delhi

An Amalgamation of Sustainability and Digital Craftsmanship

As a community we are constantly striving for a more sustainable future. Designers and architects are constantly on a quest to find techniques, materials and solutions that leave less carbon footprint, reduce waste and energy consumption. While there have been many experiments and breakthroughs in this direction, Rotterdam-based studio The New Raw have developed circular design concepts that not only close material cycles but also raise public awareness.

A Biophilic, Flexible Workspace

Project: Corporate Headquarters for Doctors Without Borders, Barcelona

A Sustainable Future For Healthcare Design

The COVID-19 crisis has brought to the forefront the shortcomings of India’s current healthcare system.

Sustainable energy through Art

Project: Power Wing, Thailand.Architects: Openbox Architects and Openbox Group, Thailand

Rethinking Conservation of India's Unprotected Urban Heritage—Learnings from Practice

The diverse unprotected urban heritage in the historic cities and towns of India are decaying fast. Heritage buildings now stand abandoned, neglected and abused.

An Organic Structure

Project: Waldorf School Casa de las Estrellas, Playa Garza, Nosara, Costa Rica.Architects: Salagnac Arquitectos, Costa Rica

Retaining Industrial Aesthetics

Project: Corporate Office of Motherland Joint Ventures, Gurgaon.Architects: Architecture Discipline, New Delhi

The Outside-Inside Link

Project: Enrich Salon, Bengaluru.Architects: Group DCA, New Delhi

Re-imagining the relationship between the State and its People

Project: Krushi Bhawan, Bhubaneshwar.Architects: Studio Lotus, New Delhi

Play of Sciography

Project: Design Studio, Nashik, Maharashtra.Architects: Synectics Architects, Nashik, Maharashtra

A True Reflection of the Landscape

Project: ‘MAUSAM’- The House of Seasons, KeralaArchitects: Zero Studio, Kerala

A Demonstration of Circular Sustainability

Project: Green Solution House, DenmarkArchitects: 3XN Team, Denmark

Curating Heritage Of Rajasthan

Project: Hotel Devi Ratn, Jaipur Architects: Designers Group, Mumbai

Model For Cultural Sustainability

Project: Kondan-The Retreat Resort, Maval, Pune Architects: PMA Madhushala, Pune

Personalisation In Rental Spaces Is The Future

In India, home ownership among the urban middle class appears to be low at present. The reason is multi-fold, with high interest rates and property prices among others acting as major disincentives for people looking to buy homes. Today, about 30% of urban Indians live in rental housing, as per a 2019 Knight Frank report.

Evoking Traditional Spatial Gestures

Project: Taj Theog Resort & Spa, Himachal Pradesh Architects: Studio Lotus, Delhi

Off-the-ground Structures with Light Materials and Minimum Footprint

Project: Lift Treetop Boutique Hotel, Ubud, Bali Architects: Alexis Dornier, Indonesia

Documenting the Passage of Time

Project: Atali Ganga, Rishikesh Architects: RLDA Design Studio, New Delhi

The design of the hotel conformed to the context and characteristic of the beach city...

Project: Arize Hotel, Thailand Architects: IDIN Architects, Thailand

A Timber Chamber

Project: Woodwalk Showroom, New Delhi Architects: Vir.Mueller Architects, New Delhi

A Luxe Getaway

Project: Sayaji Hotel, Rajkot Architects: Ar. Ishwar Gehi, Rajkot and Surat

A continuous dialogue with exterior is the driving force of the design...

Project: Myrah Boutique, Indiranagar, Bengaluru Architects: Mistry Architects, Bengaluru

Towering Township

Project: Lodha Belmondo, Pune