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Houzz Forum: What Needs to Change in India's Architectural Practices?
Architects Abha Narain Lambah, Rahul Kadri, Prof. Vijay Garg and Dominic Dube discuss new practices & changes that should be introduced
Aditi Sharma Maheshwari
15 January 2019
Blogger, dog mom
Architecture is one of the most visible and enduring emblems of the ideas of an age. A concretisation of thought, if you will. The current state of Indian architecture, its future and the role of architects in the present scenario is a concern for many. With the rapidly changing skylines of cities, rampant construction, and the ongoing debate on ethical and green ways of designing, to architects themselves feeling the need to strengthen their role in society, there are a multitude of conversations that emerge from this question: what does need to change? Also, are government policies and regulations favourable to architects? Are there certain practices that should be deemed redundant and some that should be embraced?
To address these varied concerns, we invited some of the most acclaimed experts from the industry – Abha Narain Lambah of Abha Narain Lambah Associates, Rahul Kadri of IMK Architects, Prof. Vijay Garg of Council Of Architecture and Dominic Dube of DDIR ARCHITECTURE STUDIO – to throw light on these burning questions.
To address these varied concerns, we invited some of the most acclaimed experts from the industry – Abha Narain Lambah of Abha Narain Lambah Associates, Rahul Kadri of IMK Architects, Prof. Vijay Garg of Council Of Architecture and Dominic Dube of DDIR ARCHITECTURE STUDIO – to throw light on these burning questions.
Abha Narain Lambah
Abha Narain Lambah Associates (ANLA), Mumbai
I would like Indian architects to stand up to clients as a joint forum and insist on being treated like professionals and architects, not contractors. That is, they should be paid as per minimum fees stipulated by the Council of Architecture. I would also like to see Indian architects reversing the trend and designing more projects internationally, outside of India.
Abha Narain Lambah Associates (ANLA), Mumbai
I would like Indian architects to stand up to clients as a joint forum and insist on being treated like professionals and architects, not contractors. That is, they should be paid as per minimum fees stipulated by the Council of Architecture. I would also like to see Indian architects reversing the trend and designing more projects internationally, outside of India.
Rahul Kadri
IMK Architects, Mumbai
I’d like to see Council of Architecture and the Indian Institute of Architects coming together so that they can influence the narrative of the government much more in terms of policies that relate to urban form and development control rules. This way our community can have a much stronger voice in affecting policy. The second thing I’d like to see is the way licenses are granted to architects. There needs to be a change, where architects need to work for two years minimum and then give a holistic professional exam (the way it is with the Royal Institute of British Architects or American Institute of Architects), so that clients know that these architects are indeed fully trained to practice.
IMK Architects, Mumbai
I’d like to see Council of Architecture and the Indian Institute of Architects coming together so that they can influence the narrative of the government much more in terms of policies that relate to urban form and development control rules. This way our community can have a much stronger voice in affecting policy. The second thing I’d like to see is the way licenses are granted to architects. There needs to be a change, where architects need to work for two years minimum and then give a holistic professional exam (the way it is with the Royal Institute of British Architects or American Institute of Architects), so that clients know that these architects are indeed fully trained to practice.
Prof. Vijay Garg
President, Council Of Architecture, New Delhi
The era of international Indian practices with a global footprint, not only in reach and geography of practice, but also in thinking and philosophical anchorage, has already started. I sincerely hope that this trend continues, and Indian architects and practices are able to bring the benefits of our unique identity, cultural heritage, and centuries of traditions that are intertwined with our modern design sensibilities, to the entire world.
President, Council Of Architecture, New Delhi
The era of international Indian practices with a global footprint, not only in reach and geography of practice, but also in thinking and philosophical anchorage, has already started. I sincerely hope that this trend continues, and Indian architects and practices are able to bring the benefits of our unique identity, cultural heritage, and centuries of traditions that are intertwined with our modern design sensibilities, to the entire world.
Dominic Dube
DDIR ARCHITECTURE STUDIO, Bangalore
India is a rich and complex country with a strong history. It seems a bit chaotic sometimes, but nothing stops here and change is always a work in progress. As architects, we should have a better sense of the world around and understand its beauty and chaos – how things on the edge of falling yet stand. We need to develop the ability to understand and share the feelings, nuances of people, clients and the environment around.
Read more:
Houzz Forum: State of Indian Design
Tell us:
What changes would you like to see in Indian architectural practices? Tell us in Comments below.
DDIR ARCHITECTURE STUDIO, Bangalore
India is a rich and complex country with a strong history. It seems a bit chaotic sometimes, but nothing stops here and change is always a work in progress. As architects, we should have a better sense of the world around and understand its beauty and chaos – how things on the edge of falling yet stand. We need to develop the ability to understand and share the feelings, nuances of people, clients and the environment around.
Read more:
Houzz Forum: State of Indian Design
Tell us:
What changes would you like to see in Indian architectural practices? Tell us in Comments below.
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