JOIN USTraditionally, buildings were made with local resources and were always sustainable. Architect Shimul Javeri Kadri believes that it is important to use climatic conditions to our advantage, learns Bindu Gopal Rao
Shimul Javeri Kadri is the principal architect of SJK Architects, a firm that has spent the last 24 years designing environments rooted in nature and responsive to climate and culture. Shimul has studied architecture in Mumbai at the Academy of Architecture and urban planning at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and her design practice draws from historical wisdom that is relevant for today’s time. Apart from speaking at various architectural institutions, she also serves as a trustee for the NGO Save the Children India, where she has been actively steering education and women’s projects. She throws light on her design philosophies in a chat with Deccan Herald. Excerpts:
Tell us about your architectural journey so far...
The initial phase of my practice focussed on small projects and the same people kept coming back to us with larger and larger projects. This helped us develop our repertoire to include offices, hospitality, retail, factories and workshops, education, hospitals and cultural spaces. Ours is a strongly design-based practice and we did not want to restrict ourselves to specific categories. Having worked with highly design-oriented individuals who approached us with these requirements has helped the practice grow to greater heights.
You recently won an award at the IIA Awards in the Infrastructure and
Industrial projects category...
In the Automobile Design Studio, 80% of the space is a workshop and 20% is the studio space, which is why we choose to enter this in the Industrial projects
category. The Automobile Design Studio is architecture and interior design for an automobile studio in Mumbai spread over 25,000 sq ft. In this project, a series of industrial sheds had to be converted to design the most glamorous and trendy role in the automobile industry — the styling workshop. The play of light and shadow and minute steel details, along with the challenge of working with an undocumented existing structure that refused to take any load, has lead to a deceptively light and nuanced design.
As far as awards are concerned, it matters more to the younger people in the office. They are always quite keen to see where we stand and what feedback we get from our peers. And when we win an award, it simply means that our peers are accepting of what we do. So, that is a good thing.
What’s the greatest challenge in designing for environmental sustainability?
Sustainability has become a buzzword now, but ‘building with nature’ as I call it has been a guiding philosophy of the practice from inception. Traditionally, buildings were made with local resources and were always sustainable. It is extremely important for me to be able to use climatic conditions to our advantage and use materials available locally. This matters most as this is where the intelligence of a building really lies. Then the architecture of the building becomes meaningful and spiritual rather than being stylish without content.
Which project has given you the most satisfaction?
It’s hard to answer that, but I think more than the end product, it’s about where there is synergy with the client as well as the craftsmen on site and everyone comes together and works as a team. Then, it becomes a beautiful project.
Who inspires you?
I am inspired by a little bit of every human being that I come in touch with. Different people have varied traits, say people with grit, people with love and people with talent...and they inspire me in different ways. There is no one person who is like the epitome for me but rather different people with traits that are worth emulating. They become some kind of an inspiration.
What is your ultimate work goal?
I love to work in a way that our architecture sits beautifully in its natural
surroundings, connects and humanises people rather than alienating them.
On not designing homes...
The journey has been very meaningful and in every step of the way there were learnings that I did not know were actually in store. Every problem and challenge I faced was a huge opportunity for growth. Actually looking back, I feel one never knows where one is headed but eventually I stuck to doing what I believed in and I am glad I stayed with those choices. For instance, I was clear I did not want to do residential interiors, which were easier to get as I felt it was not the most professional area to be in. My aim was to do much more interesting and institutional architectural work and through that I was able to mould my practice to where it is now.
Women in architecture...
This is a hotly debated subject and more so when the profession is highly demanding, especially for women who are expected to play many roles. With architecture, it goes a little beyond that. There is no specific perception that women find it harder in architecture, except maybe in the initial days when they are newly married and need to juggle family and work.
What advice would you give to young architects?
Look for simplicity and purity of designs rather than gimmicky and iconic designs. Keep the focus on creating something beautiful that fulfills what the client needs rather than sculptural architecture in the garb of doing something different.