Just Give Me Some Space: Discussions And Beyond

Just Give Me Some Space (JGMSS) is Suha Riyaz Khopatkar’s debut book that paints a portrait of the dynamic life of an architecture student.

- Suha Riyaz Khopatkar

It shares light-hearted anecdotes and playful illustrations from the five years of architectural college education; while navigating through life and growing emotionally and professionally as a young adult; from entering wide-eyed into a design studio to working through the highs and lows of the degree to finally surmounting the final thesis year and coming out as an architect. Building new relationships with friends, family, the society, self and most-importantly with architecture is a key theme within the book. A relationship that is brimming with passion, angst and awe. In the creative community of architecture and design, this book is the first of its kind that addresses mental wellness and self-care.

While a detailed account of life in architecture college, it stays relevant to professionals too as it appeals to the adolescent search for self. It urges students to soul-search, discover their purpose in life and ultimately find their space in the sea of opportunities that lie ahead.

The book released on 28th August 2019 at Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture, Mumbai followed by a discussion around multi-dimensional facets of teaching and learning. Following is an excerpt from the panel discussion at the launch, with Vandana Ranjitsinh, Rohan Shivkumar, Nisha Nair-Gupta and Suha Riyaz Khopatkar; moderated by Anuj Daga.