The Purple Ink Studio Bengaluru

exploring the parameters of design, the architects bring their ideology and values to their practice and soften the line between contemporary architecture and sustainability

- Vaishnavi Uchil

Their differing approaches to architecture did not prove a handicap to Ar. Aditi Heranjal and Ar. Akshay Heranjal when they decided to set up their own firm in 2011. “We both strongly believe in our respective design concepts,” explains Ar. Akshay Heranjal, “One of us is extremely rational, aesthetic yet responsive, while the other is strongly influenced by their responses towards nature and the inclusion of natural elements in the design.” It is this contrast that adds a unique dimension to each of their projects, he explains. “Each of our projects goes through this rigorous process of design development and evolution, with very careful consideration of the context and limitations, making each one very special in its own way.”

While Akshay Heranjal says architecture “happened to him by accident”, his years spent working alongside three influential Indian architects (all with very different design philosophies) powerfully influenced him. He explains, “I had the privilege to work under Ar. Karan Grover, Ar. Sameep Padora and Ar. Sanjay Puri, and all of them helped me mould myself into what I am today, as a person and as an architect.” That shaped the firm’s approach, says Ar. Akshay, adding, “The work we do stems from diverse contexts that we connect with, which respond to the regional framework and setting. That is just the beginning of the process. There are so many layers that actually define the ‘essence’ of every project or any typologies that we work with, that the vision cannot be defined by a particular design vocabulary.”