My Life in Design: Shefali Balwani & Robert Verrijt
With Architecture Brio you get a design firm with a point of view - rooted in context and with a focus on engagement
Aditi Sharma Maheshwari
24 July 2017
Blogger, dog mom
This series takes a look at the aesthetics, influences and practices of some of India’s biggest names in the field of architecture and design.
Designers at a Glance
Name: Shefali Balwani and Robert Verrijit
Firm name: Architecture Brio
Design style: Creating contextually appropriate designs that harmoniously blend with the local landscape
Education: Robert received his MSc in Architecture from TU Delft, Netherlands. Shefali is a graduate from CEPT, Ahmedabad
Photos courtesy Architecture Brio
Designers at a Glance
Name: Shefali Balwani and Robert Verrijit
Firm name: Architecture Brio
Design style: Creating contextually appropriate designs that harmoniously blend with the local landscape
Education: Robert received his MSc in Architecture from TU Delft, Netherlands. Shefali is a graduate from CEPT, Ahmedabad
Photos courtesy Architecture Brio
How did you two meet? How did you begin as designers?
Shefali: I did an exchange programme at TU Delft, Netherlands, after my third year at CEPT. That’s where Robert and I met.
After graduation I worked in the office of architect Rahul Mehrotra in Mumbai. Robert also worked in the Netherlands for a while and then moved to Colombo, Sri Lanka, to work on a travelling exhibition on the works of architect Geoffrey Bawa. After the exhibition was over, he continued to live there and joined the office of Channa Daswatte. I joined Robert in Sri Lanka a year later. In 2006 we moved to Mumbai to start our own practice, Architecture Brio.
How do your different backgrounds affect the architecture you do?
After practising in the Asian context and also with my background and studies at CEPT, I learnt that the site is the essential generator of the built form and that was my instinctive response to any project. In contrast to this, in the Netherlands, nature and context are often engineered and modified to enable the built form. This thought process and our technical education at TU Delft forms the basis of our architecture today.
Take a look at 8 vernacular design elements that have emerged as timeless favourites
Shefali: I did an exchange programme at TU Delft, Netherlands, after my third year at CEPT. That’s where Robert and I met.
After graduation I worked in the office of architect Rahul Mehrotra in Mumbai. Robert also worked in the Netherlands for a while and then moved to Colombo, Sri Lanka, to work on a travelling exhibition on the works of architect Geoffrey Bawa. After the exhibition was over, he continued to live there and joined the office of Channa Daswatte. I joined Robert in Sri Lanka a year later. In 2006 we moved to Mumbai to start our own practice, Architecture Brio.
How do your different backgrounds affect the architecture you do?
After practising in the Asian context and also with my background and studies at CEPT, I learnt that the site is the essential generator of the built form and that was my instinctive response to any project. In contrast to this, in the Netherlands, nature and context are often engineered and modified to enable the built form. This thought process and our technical education at TU Delft forms the basis of our architecture today.
Take a look at 8 vernacular design elements that have emerged as timeless favourites
What is a well-designed home?
Shefali: We love homes which have stood the test of time, and also those where you instantly get the feeling that everything’s just right. Those kind of homes require thought, conceptual strength and a deep engagement with its position in place and time.
One project you are most proud of?
Robert: The House on a Stream (seen in the image) was our first project and one where we possibly encountered all the challenges that you could face while constructing a building in India. The fact that it had to withstand a gushing force of water coming down the mountains in a stream, added an extra dimension of complexity.
Browse through more pictures of the House on a Stream
Shefali: We love homes which have stood the test of time, and also those where you instantly get the feeling that everything’s just right. Those kind of homes require thought, conceptual strength and a deep engagement with its position in place and time.
One project you are most proud of?
Robert: The House on a Stream (seen in the image) was our first project and one where we possibly encountered all the challenges that you could face while constructing a building in India. The fact that it had to withstand a gushing force of water coming down the mountains in a stream, added an extra dimension of complexity.
Browse through more pictures of the House on a Stream
Your work uses environment-friendly practices with a sensitivity towards the local landscape. What is the scope of sustainable architecture in India?
Robert: Climate change is becoming more and more real every day. As we speak, news has come out that the last piece of summer sea ice in the Arctic is likely to completely melt away in only 23 years! At the same time efforts and enthusiasm for sustainable architecture are declining. In India, most clients regard it as something nice to have once there’s budget left after having spent it on expensive sofas and kitchens. Except for a few boutique architectural practices, mainstream architects in India do not seriously deal with the challenges. This has to change. We aim to introduce the ambition to design and build sustainably at the beginning of a project and keep emphasising on its importance throughout the project.
Learn how to make your home energy-efficient with LED lights
Robert: Climate change is becoming more and more real every day. As we speak, news has come out that the last piece of summer sea ice in the Arctic is likely to completely melt away in only 23 years! At the same time efforts and enthusiasm for sustainable architecture are declining. In India, most clients regard it as something nice to have once there’s budget left after having spent it on expensive sofas and kitchens. Except for a few boutique architectural practices, mainstream architects in India do not seriously deal with the challenges. This has to change. We aim to introduce the ambition to design and build sustainably at the beginning of a project and keep emphasising on its importance throughout the project.
Learn how to make your home energy-efficient with LED lights
What residential design practices do you foresee in the near future?
Shefali: With a wider exposure to design in India with websites such as yours, the aspirations of homeowners are no more limited to what’s featured in local magazines or seen in neighbours’ houses. With more affordable furniture becoming available with the opening of Ikea in India, and other similar retailers, it will no longer be necessary to hire interior designers for every interior renovation.
Could you share a trade secret that homeowners should know?
Robert: The most beautiful homes arise out of a synergetic relationship between the designers and the client, and both have to work really hard on that relationship.
Shefali: With a wider exposure to design in India with websites such as yours, the aspirations of homeowners are no more limited to what’s featured in local magazines or seen in neighbours’ houses. With more affordable furniture becoming available with the opening of Ikea in India, and other similar retailers, it will no longer be necessary to hire interior designers for every interior renovation.
Could you share a trade secret that homeowners should know?
Robert: The most beautiful homes arise out of a synergetic relationship between the designers and the client, and both have to work really hard on that relationship.
What kind of homes are people building these days?
Robert: Everyone wants a home that exactly suits their lifestyle. That being said, what that design exactly is, is often unclear. Media, design-sharing sites, peer pressure and past baggage often overshadows what truly is important for homeowners. That’s the flip side of an increase in design exposure.
Robert: Everyone wants a home that exactly suits their lifestyle. That being said, what that design exactly is, is often unclear. Media, design-sharing sites, peer pressure and past baggage often overshadows what truly is important for homeowners. That’s the flip side of an increase in design exposure.
What are the current challenges for the Indian architecture industry?
Shefali: Sustainability. Practices need to be made more sustainable. In the west “going off the grid” is cool and new age. Here, still no one thinks about their home from that angle. Designing your home to be energy-efficient is extremely important in times where we can’t take availability of resources for granted and should think of contributing to our limited resources instead.
Read more:
My Life in Design: Raseel Gujral Ansal
My Life in Design: Ashiesh Shah
Tell us:
Do you practice sustainable living? Tell us how in Comments below.
Shefali: Sustainability. Practices need to be made more sustainable. In the west “going off the grid” is cool and new age. Here, still no one thinks about their home from that angle. Designing your home to be energy-efficient is extremely important in times where we can’t take availability of resources for granted and should think of contributing to our limited resources instead.
Read more:
My Life in Design: Raseel Gujral Ansal
My Life in Design: Ashiesh Shah
Tell us:
Do you practice sustainable living? Tell us how in Comments below.
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They are an inspiration.
Loved AB's Design thinking process!!