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Buildings getting more elegant
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A good building is not only an asset for its owner but also to the city. Attractive buildings enhance the beauty of the city skyline and invite investors.
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Elegant elevation enhances the building value. - Photos: K.R. Deepak
Great civilizations had flourished and were consigned to the dustbin of history. What remain today are only their architectural remnants reminding us of their greatness, lifestyle, character and vision.
Happily, the Pyramids of Giza or the Hanging Garden of Babylon or the Taj Mahal - history's architectural wonders have survived to speak about the people and the intellect behind such monuments.
If buyer,builder and architect work as a team a dream house like the one in the picture can be built within one's budget.
Such is the importance of architecture, be it ancient, medieval, colonial or modern.
It is one discipline that keeps changing from time to time and from region to region, always keeping abreast of the tastes and trends of time, place and circumstance.
"The change in architectural pattern is also need-based, like in America with a history of only a few centuries. There is no relative presence in that country of any ancient or medieval architectural splendour like the mansions and palaces of Europe and Asia. The need was to have planned cities within the set boundaries. That gave birth to high-rise buildings. Another important factor that influences architectural change is the technological progress. The main ingredients like stone, wood and lime, used earlier, had their own limitations. It was not possible to construct big buildings with huge halls without the aid of supporting pillars. But today with the use of steel and concrete anything is possible.
"The same is the case with this city. Visakhapatnam is limited with natural geographical boundaries on all sides. The industrial development of the 1980s became a magnet attracting a huge influx of migrant population and this resulted in the need for large-scale housing arrangement. That is how the apartment culture has picked up. Though the culture was imbibed by Vizagites a decade and a half ago, one can see a drastic change in the designs and the materials being used of late.
Vipin Gupta
"Elevations have become more elegant and interiors more plush and cosy. The use of granites, marbles, floor tiles and other variety of stones and emulsion paints has become a necessity for the sake of easy maintenance and looks, which was a luxury some time ago. Customised laminated furniture has replaced the costly teak and even the grills have undergone a drastic change. Ornamental grills have replaced flat and square ones," says Vipin Gupta, a leading architect of the city.
Change is one thing that mankind has been ever evolving, be it fashion or architecture. The medieval and colonial buildings had their own character and charm. The ornamental pillars and gothic elevations gave them a classic look and they are still being envied and replicated. Then came the modern buildings with tons of steel and concrete. Their towering presence with complete glass and granite exteriors became the trend. The significant development of modern architecture was simultaneously and ably supported by the rapid technological advancement. Building materials change every alternate day. First it was the glass then came the days of granite and stones and now it is turn for stainless steel, aluminum and other synthetic products. The choice is multiple: right from grills to paints and from flooring to wood-work. Buyers can make their choice of design and material to suit their purse. Materials are also coming customised, and one can have a tailor-made fume-proof kitchen cabinet or have a termite-proof laminated wardrobe. From ornamental grills to specially designed floor tiles, all one has got to do is to talk to an architect or the builder concerned. The scope of choice has changed the mindset of the buyers especially the people who are investing on apartments.
"Buyers are now more keen about their frontal elevation. Gone are the days of matchbox structures. The current trend is a blend of both modern and gothic architecture, and that is one of the reasons why new apartments no longer look like the long and bland structures of yesteryears. Another reason for this change is the resale value consideration. If a building looks attractive from outside the chance of getting a better price for both sale and resale is higher. Moreover, a good building is an asset not only for the individuals but also to the city. Attractive buildings enhance the beauty of the city skyline and invite investors," says J. Mallikarjunudu of Balaji Construction Company.
Architecture is a creative field, It is amply displayed here.
But is frontal elevation the essence of architecture? `No," says Vipin. "Every building has its own theme and scheme, depending on its location, climate and occupants. It is the architect's job to visualise it and make a thematic presentation. A commercial complex may have a different theme when compared to a hotel, clubhouse, educational institution or an individual house. Frontal elevation is only a part of the total job layout. An architect's job is wholesome, it starts with the selection of the location, facing of the building so that it is blessed with maximum natural light and breeze, plumbing designs, electrical designs and an array of other jobs. Even interior designs and landscaping form part of an architect's job. What good a building can be with excellent exterior but with a poor interior and vice versa? After all, one has to live in that for the rest of the life. Investing in a flat or a house is a lifetime proposition, and one has to take care of every aspect."
An architect's job is to give the best product within the assigned space and the budget. People generally carry a wrong impression that hiring an architect could be costly and they are meant only for bigger projects. With the help of an architect's expertise one can get a dream house within the allotted space and budget. It is the architect who can design a bathroom tastefully that could cost Rs.5,000 or even Rs.5 lakhs. He can give the rich marble look to one's flooring by using the white mosaic or some other product and it can be had at half the price of an average marble flooring. There are numerous such clichés that are known only to an architect.
The modern architect is not only keen on the technical details and designs, but has also become a `vaastu' expert. And to comply with `vaastu' rules keeping all the other aspects in mind is certainly a major challenge for any architect.
SUMIT BHATTACHARJEE
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