Design is an individual inclination, the distinctive strokes emerging based on inspiration, requirements, personality and characteristics along with local influences and conditions. The originality and creative streak that emerges sets apart each set of design in a separate class that can be revered as well as reviled if not meeting expected standards or lines envisaged.
Master architects as well as young emerging architects over the years have displayed such captivating talent, the design strokes stunning to take the breath away. Architecture Paradigm, started by three young college mates — Sandeep J., late Vimal Jain and Manoj Ladhad — over two decades ago bears ample testimony to the strokes that have emerged to leave the viewer spellbound.
Says Architect Sandeep, “A fundamental factor that needs to be in perspective while designing is the environment where the space features as this forms the central element.” He further adds, “While key elements such as climate, location, and programme of the client influence design, it is important to note how these elements are fused to offer an expression that leaves a lasting impression on the memory of the user.” According to him, buildings are structured to last and effectiveness of design is dependent on the final feel of the space.
With multiple residential and non-residential projects to their credit, each astounding in their design features, Architecture Paradigm has displayed a design sense that is not only ingenious in the thought process but also one that effortlessly fuses in the exteriors with the interiors in a manner that is totally natural yet intense in its feature, without hindering functionality.
A tree inside For instance, their project Bysaani House, set on a site that overlooks an acre of thick set of trees in the heart of the city, displays a design where the greenery infuses the interiors in the most natural yet intense form. While a tree is accommodated to pass through one of the bathrooms, the visual treat of the copious greenery is amply captured in the interiors through deft placement of louvers as well as strategic openings that blend in the interiors seamlessly with the exteriors.
A similar sentiment of fusing in the outdoors is seen in another project - Pavilion House - where the individual interior spaces are deftly connected through a corridor that runs through a picturesque landscape and water bodies. Given its ingenious amalgamation of the individual pavilions through a corridor opening on to the landscape, this project not surprisingly won the JK Architect of the year Residential Award.
Says Sandeep, “Distancing interiors from outdoors in a design is unnatural as they are an integral part. But this relationship need not be only in green terms, but can also be in terms of light and ventilation. The presence of outdoors can be effectively brought in without sacrificing privacy or functionality by introducing layers, buffers, through play of walls, landscape, through play of light.”
Not only do their designs blend in the green ingeniously, the ensuing spaces also serve to be flexible and comfortable as borne out in the structure of MLR Convention Centre that won the prestigious A+D Award for the design. Here, the column-free interiors opening on to the greenery in multiple ways pack in flexible spaces that can be used either collectively or distinctively.
The Indian Music Experience project is equally stunning, the curved flowing design emerging in tune with the existing trees that were retained while also being representative of the fluid notes of music that the building proposed to house.
The innovative streak being pronounced and predominant in all the three partners, not surprisingly a structure made purely of bamboo, plywood and corrugated sheets, emerged from their design desk.
Bamboo House The Bamboo House, a weekend getaway, has the whole residence erected by using bamboo and wood-based composite construction technique, incorporating an elevated cantilevered upper level box while free flowing flexible spaces bring in the outdoors effortlessly.
The use of steel is confined to the foundation while the bamboo and plywood composite boxes along with plantation timber framework serve as support structures to the upper elevated pavilion. óThe walls are erected with bamboo verticals plastered with mesh on their side. Corrugated sheets serve as roof on the upper and lower level with wooden flooring featuring on the upper level.
