Be it the magnificent wooden Padmanabha-puram Palace [erstwhile Travancore]that is an excellent example of the indigenous architectural style or the Napier Museum that was built in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture or the South Indian – styled Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram and its outskirts is dotted with architectural wonders that have long been a source of inspiration for artists, photographers and students of architecture.
Curious to learn which buildings tickle the students of College of Architecture Trivandrum’s artistic buds and why those inspire them so, I decide to pay the students of the college a visit. It’s drizzling when I reach the campus. While some students are out relishing the rain, others stick to their classes to keep dry. As it is lunch break, many are at the college canteen.
A small group of third year Bachelor of Architecture students are lounging in front of one of the college studio’s. The group comprising Abrar Ali, Vivek George Simon, Sreekanth Hariharan, Tania Grace Joshua and Vishnupriya R. list the Kanakakunnu Palace, the Padmanabhapuram Palace and the Padmanabhaswamy Temple as their favourite buildings.
They are soon joined by a bunch of first- year students – Aivine Biji Sam, Malavika A.K. Prasanth, Ann Mary John, Indulekha Paul, Kevin Roby, Prayag Ramakrishnan, Rahul S. Nair, Arun Boban and Ashok H. Ram. For the first years, the Napier Museum, Kutharamalika Palace, VJT Hall and the traditional agraharams in the city awaken their artistic mojo.
These buildings, say the students, are a part of the city’s past and history. “We are a city that still tries to preserve our culture and our tradition unlike Kochi which is more urban and is fast changing its landscape with mostly skyscrapers. That is why our city has still retained its charm,” says Vishnupriya, who feels old buildings should be preserved as reference books for future architects. Vivek expands saying: “Take the skilfully built pyramids of Egypt or how the sun passes exactly through the middle of the Gopuram on Equinox at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple; no matter how much we have advanced in technology, we still fail to recreate such architectural marvels. We have a lot to learn from the architects of yore.”
The first years are upset by how an agraharam in Karamana is being demolished in the name of development. They say: “Such styles, cultures, communities… are a rarity now. When such structures are being brought down, how will the future generation know and learn of the architectural wonders of our forefathers? The city developers should learn to preserve and build around such heritage buildings.”
Prayag finds it a shame that the architectural wonders of most of the buildings in the city are not highlighted for all to know. “For instance, people know the Padmanabhaswamy Temple for its riches, not for its intricate architectural detailing,” says Kevin.
Fuelled by rising levels of investment by developers, the need to house a growing population and the necessity to improve infrastructure, the city is rapidly evolving. Malavika, however, wonders why people look to the West when it comes to designing buildings. “It is strange how we look to the West for inspiration and they look to ours for theirs,” she says as Arun points out how glass buildings do not blend with our environment.
Using simple local materials, Baker was inspired to blend the best elements of Indian vernacular architecture with Western technology to create buildings that live lightly on the land while respecting and reflecting their immediate environment. For Abrar, Baker’s Indian Coffee House at Thampanoor is a piece of architectural genius. “Baker has demonstrated the perfect way to build a creative space within a limited area using cost effective materials,” he says.
Buildings are an architect’s signature and architects should try and ensure that there is a sense of aesthetics to their work, feel the students. “Some of the buildings in the city have only concentrated on the front façade and ignored how the side of the building looks. That should not be the case, a building should look good as a whole,” says Sreekanth.
Malavika points out at how traditional designs are gradually being incorporated into new architectural designs. “For instance, the nalukettu and the nadumuttom are coming back into style, albeit with a touch of modernity,” says Indulekha.
Most of the students in the group hope to fuse nature into their works. While Aivine says one should not needlessly cut down trees for buildings, Tania says although skyscrapers are a need for the hour, there are ways to make the designs eco-friendly.
Quips Ann: “At the end of the day, it’s all about selling your design, convincing the clients that your design will work the best and hopefully build buildings that will inspire the next generation.” (A monthly column on views from campus)
