He believes in being innovative, likes to be involved in the research process and searches for the intangible amongst the tangible while his thought process and ingenuity in design can leave you speechless. A non-conformist by nature as well as design inclination, where he insists on drawing his own lines that can be as complicated as himself. That is Architect Ravindra Kumar of Pragrup, a man who insists on courting the unconventional while keeping the aesthetics firmly in place.
His designs show a strong inclination of bringing in a seamless transition between indoors and outdoors, the transition being so fine that it almost seems non-existent. Equally strong is his passion for green spaces and use of sustainable elements and methodologies. Not surprisingly he has to his credit a row of timber residences and resorts including one that is perched on top of a tree.
As strong as his inclination to incorporating the green philosophy is his affinity to asymmetry, with this trait seen aplenty in his designs. “Everything rooted to earth, be it a tree, the leaves or hills display asymmetry. It is only natural for structures to reflect this”, says Ravindra on his inclination.
He thus designed an office space that was labyrinthine where the asymmetry of the lines used gave the visual feel of appearing and disappearing spaces. According to him, “A workspace needs to be comfortable yet have a peaceful leisurely ambience while catering to the exacting needs of work.”
His residential projects lean more towards using plantation and engineered timber. According to Ravindra, the materials used in the structure, if the building is pulled down, should be able to effortlessly dissolve into the earth. “The objective is to leave the least footprint on the planet”, he says. The timber houses that he built using plantation timber reflect this philosophy in abundance.
The structure made totally of wood, be it walls, roof or floors, is strong, warm and comfortable, espousing the concept of ‘growing your own house’. “When this structure is pulled down, the wood will blend into the earth leaving no footprint.”
He likewise built a residence using recycled steel that was salvaged from railway tracks and arecanut barks. He displays an equal penchant for coming up with structures that effuse a raw beauty, the concrete and bricks left totally exposed to complement natural stone floors.
Says Ravindra, “Inspiration for design can emerge from any factor, be it something that is seen or experienced and found relevant to the structure under consideration.” His design of a corporate office with giant umbrellas acting as a shield for the building as well as a unique design feature is a case in point.
“The inspection of the site was done during the hot summer months in sweltering heat and when an umbrella was placed over the head, the experience was a sudden drop in heat. This translated into the giant umbrellas to shade the south and west regions of the building while the north and east were left open to bring in natural light”, says Ravindra.
His designs also incorporate the vernacular quotient. The Dome House, one of his early projects, while displaying a complex grid shaped like a cave, has the inner spaces exuding a vernacular environment with copious natural light and ventilation. Ravindra has also brought in a few spots of dark spaces that accentuate the natural light filtering in, akin to temple architecture which alternates with light and darkness in the interiors.
