A search for Wholeness An exhibition of some of the architectural works, paintings, sketches, photographs, thoughts and extracts from poetry of Shirish Beri.
The Journey
Introduction In these panels, I am sharing some of my life experiences in search for the Whole, which have found expression in my various activities like architecture, painting, poetry, traveling, & facilitating learning.
In this journey, I could perceive four major shifts, each with it’s own prolonged, contemplative pause, followed by a crucial decision which has shaped my life.
All these cannot be divorced from Life. They basically address my Life concerns.
Each shift is preceded by a pause and a decisional panel which have their own colour codes.
I invite you to my life’s journey to share, question, reflect, wonder, unlearn, examine or observe as a fellow traveler, a co-learner on this path of Life ! This journey is a ‘Process’ The projects & creations are the by-products.
Does life have a deeper meaning ?
The journey begins with the seed
Each of us has a seed or rather many seeds - potentials. Are we aware of our true potentials ?
Man has immense potential to meet life’s challenges and overcome difficult situations.
We can understand them, when we live an intense, full life with a lot of assimilation, contemplation & experimentation.
We need to allow Life to manifest itself fully through these various potentials in our day to day lives.
Can we nurture our various potentials to fruition ?
Growing up In the search for one’s identity, we all pass through this vulnerable, impressionable period, lured by many prevalent ‘isms’ and movements.
The Upbringing We are brought up in a society that teaches us to kill to compete, hate, posses to feel insecure, jealous, angry, excited, afraid …
the clans
… Right from our birth this incessant, conditioned brainwashing begins. Through toys and lessons through fellow beings and leaders through radios and newspapers through literature and legends through gods and devils, we cultivate in us that which leads to the atrophy, of our own precious energy. When shall we understand the fallacy of the lives we lead ? the hypocrisy of the society we live in ? - the inherent contradictions in the ideas we pursue ? the corruption in the institutions we cherish ? and the irrelevance (or relevance) of the gods we worship ?
Can we put aside all conditioning and be ourselves ?
The Study years
The academicians At an academic meet on a lovely hill station some intellectuals argue about what is right and what is wrong. Each is putting forth a system of philosophy framed by him and supporting it with missionary zeal Their learned minds probe all complicated thought structures, compartmentalizations, rationalizations logical deductions and abstractions..... .... They talk about chromatic balance and the light-colour relationship but are blind to the glorious chromatic extravaganza displayed by the setting sun. ....
.....If only they could learn to unlearn and see intuitively and unitively themselves in the universe and the universe in themselves, all arguments would melt in the real world of no thought.
Could our work relate to these contextual questions ?
Probing further An effort to find out why architecture has failed to respond directly to the fast changing scenario with Technology as the dominant force. Today my vision of Technology has changed. But this thinking was a good beginning.
A Paradox ? We are working in life we are eating in life we are running in life Why ? To avoid death Where ?
‘ When I switched off the light A light was put on. The moonlight.’
Extracts from ‘Architecture in a schizoid environment’ - the final year thesis.
Could architecture transcend it’s boundaries with multi-disciplinary approach ?
A context for living
A drop from the architectural education was envisaged after the 3rd year to question the relevance of architecture to our life. This resulted in solitary wanderings and ponderings for two months during every vacation.
Silence Only in silence one understands the futility of words the futility of symbols In silence one realizes that the map is not the territory In silence one does not justify, compare,
manipulate, does not assert, demand or instigate In total silence, there is no ‘becoming’ - no movement only ‘being’ when an expansive awareness spreading from the centre towards the circumferential infinity
Am I aware of the many contextual questions to my life ?
On choosing the road A time comes when every person is confronted with a crucial life decision. I had three options : 1. Go abroad for further studies and perhaps a secure future. 2. Do something other than architecture. 3. Live at Auroville and explore new approaches with the group. 4. Live and work at Gaganbavda, a village on the Western Ghats with professional support from my father and brother at their Kolhapur office.
Can the choice of living reflect one’s inner yearnings ?
Living amidst Nature
The Becoming I sit here in a timeless state extending myself into the fresh green offshoots of a withered plant, mingling with the raindrops and soaring into the clouds in the form of yonder hills then I cascade down as a stream solidifying into rocks on my way to later amorphise into soil and dust.
Nature has the magic. Could we be open to it ?
I grow dense and shady with the jungles. Soon I am rustling through its leaves in a constant murmur singing on its branches in a Koyal’s disguise.
I colour myself into a painting compose myself into a ‘raga’ and sculpt myself into a house. Mingling with various people sharing their joys and sorrows, I shed my limits to experience the limitless.
House on a mountain A life of solitude, simplicity & austerity Creation of a unified simple multiple use space that merges with the garden on the ground floor and with the beautiful view at the mezzanine level.
Shirish Beri’s cottage, Gaganbavda 1972. Steep roofs respond to heavy rainfall.
This house was built from the money kept aside by my father for my further education in USA.
The Mist From the hill top, I watch the distant hills, the deep valleys, the tiny villages, the dark jungles and cascading waters. I see the emerald green grass with its solitary white flower. Suddenly, a dense mist blows spreading its thick veil everywhere. Veiling my spatio-temporal bearings. But soon, the mist thins and disappears leaving more things ‘Unrevealed’ than before.
No Shirish left A wandering cloud wanders in the blue sky plays with the wind and sky becomes the wind and sky No cloud left. The water over the stove boils plays with the heat and air becomes heat and air No water left. Watching this I become the cloud I become the water No Shirish left.
A simple life can open us to the energies of life.
Experiments with other houses Empathy Why do ‘I’ feel satiated when the plants are watered after a dry spell ?.... … Why does a feeling of weightlessness engulf ‘me’ at the sight of that bird’s lovely flight ? … How is it that ‘I’ feel stable, strong & safe when certain structural members are strengthened & braced properly ?
Why is it that ‘I’ feel balanced and harmonious within in a well designed space ?.... .… Why do I have to ask these questions ? Why do I have to verbalize a living experience ? Let the feelings flow spontaneously to grace the actions allowing the actions to happen in tune with life’s richness & wholeness.
Dr. Vora - Re-interpreting the osri and the chowk, in the urban context. Built in south side solarium.
Dr. Sangle - A compact but open interactive house with space that will enable the Doctor to be in greater touch with his family.
Dr. Gosavi & Ugar Farm House - A retreat that relaxes the mind with a different & more natural environment, a form that grows from the soil.
Could we share them with others ?
Spaces for the community Staff housing for Post Graduate Centre, Sandur,1997.
Creating spaces to facilitate chance meetings and fostering a participatory feeling in the community, while retaining one’s sense of identity and privacy.
The interactive street
Kotiteerth Market, Kolhapur, 1976.
How unreal for me to expect the municipal corporation tocreatethisgarden!
Can architecture be sensitive to the community’s needs ?
The Metaphoric Form Love Sitting quietly, doing nothing, the ego melts Time ends Space ends Words recede - understanding their limitations .... A wonderful synchronized harmony sets in … The self becomes attuned to the ‘Self’ A fascinatingly peaceful silence emanates and seeps in. In this silence Love “is”
The church form as a journey towards self discovery - of the God-seed within us growing towards the symbolic God-hood.
The landmark in any human settlement was the place of worship. Today it is the bank or office building. - a shift in values.
St. Xavier’s Church, Kolhapur, 1975.
Mahadeo Temple, Rethare
Mt. St. Michael
Can we sense the inherent sacredness in space ?
Somethought of thisasa bishop’smitre. Whoknewofit? Ididn’t!
What is learning ?
A networked web of structures addressing the various issues of learning together in an integrated manner, instead of loose, spaced out, independent buildings.
Rajeshwari Vidyaniketan, Hulkoti
Green Fingers School, Akluj, 1978.
What happened ? Ebullient, bubbling joy spirited, spontaneous actions wonder-filled, beautiful, innocent faces graceful, lively movements and the boisterously cheerful sounds of these small, playful children here. And there .... Dull, inhibited, conditioned faces awkward, forced movements and the suppressed nervous sounds of those ‘grown up, educated’ adults. Why ? what happened ?
Learning could be manifold doings
Expanding horizons No difference The sound of this moving train has all of a sudden become synonymous to the roaring of the Andaman seas The busy crowd on the platform starts resembling the trees in the dense tropical jungles The urban sounds have synchronized with the twittering of jungle birds The tribal Andhra lady and the fashionable city youth comfortably exchange roles The Telugu language that I hear now could have been English, Hindi or Marathi. The apparent differences melt. Everything appears complete in itself full, free and unqualified.........
International Design Competition Entry for design of Pahalavi National Library, Tehran, 1976.
The free flow of the Noosphere with views of the Alborz mountains. The repository of book stacks spread all over the topmost floor to facilitate book dropping at any place below. Creation of equipotential flexible spaces by careful, well appointed & designed service towers.
Sometimes going out can take us deeper within.
A yearning for change
Disillusioned with the present social structure, I took a long journey to explore the possibility of creating a utopian community on a remote island in the Andaman - Nicobar Archipealago. Nowhere As I tread this vague, unfamiliar path in the hesitant wilderness, A nagging doubt creeps in .... That it is taking me ‘somewhere’. To some village, town, city or country to some forest, desert, mountain or alley to some lake, stream, river or sea when I want to go ‘Nowhere’.
Time and again there’s a need to pause, and re-examine life’s direction.
At the crossroads again
After getting married, I re-questioned my vision in life. I was compelled to ask what am I going to do in the next ten years ? 1. Go to South East Asia on a large housing project. 2. Go to Princeton on a fellowship. 3. Start my own experiments in sustainable living in Konkan.
Do we have a dream ?
Working with Nature
Priorities It’s just a matter of priorities to own five square feet of commercial space at Nariman point or five acres of natural wilderness in the Konkan.
Isn’t it a matter of choice to join the money making rat race in your imported, air conditioned, air freshened BMW on the busy, noisy neon lit high street or withdraw onto the slow lane with shady trees and chirping birds working with love, joy and compassion. Both the possibilities are always open !
Towards materializing the dream
Always a matter of priorities in approaching life’s summation through the crowded world of information with numerous communication medias each with its own phobias or approaching life’s diversity with thoughtful value based priority and with an empty mind’s innocence that can transcend all turbulence
Yes, these are the very priorities that shape our societies and help us tackle daily realities.
Towards sustainability Today Today due due to to overuse, overuse, the the word word ‘sustainable’ ‘sustainable’ has has lost lost it’s it’s deeper deeper meaning. meaning.
With technology’s potential, do we want to drown the society in material overindulgence or use it’s good, benevolent qualities, as a means to an end ? Disturbing Nature in one place has adverse physical and psychological consequences on the whole human race. Could equity and the inner quality of life become the key measures of sustainability ?
In the city we pay for some peace and quiet, in the village we pay for some noise. Man always wants that which he does not have.
What is our responsibility towards Life as a whole ?
The blocks to sustainability Uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources
We run We run, We run through blaring horns that deafen us to other sounds through sinister fumes that pollute the tolerant air through glaring lights that blind us to other sights. Restless souls meet our restlessness Weary faces greet our weariness fresh advertisements kindle our craving to run, to push, pull, squeeze through to rush and overtake towards an illusive happiness fake, shallow satisfactions those continual ego gratifications.
Waste
Commercialization
But we still run run round and round this vicious circle in our accelerating centrifugal momentum away from our motionless centre. In this accelerating centrifugal movement we generate an endless momentum to arrive at one more enticing mirage after another In every arrival there is a departure ! We run with the wish to taste every dish - to drill so that we can kill
Facades
Schizoid Urbanscape
Consumerism
we run to compete without being a misfit
Uncontrolled growth
to teach that we must reach.
Pollution
Run, Run,
Clutter
Run,
How long the run ? till we realize
that we have always been there.
What can we do about these ? Alienation
Monotony
Experiments in alternative lifestyle
The basic premise of development needs to be questioned and re-examined.
A micro-level experiment that attempts to maximize the integration & interaction of various elements to create self-sufficiency. Efforts to ensure the efficient recycling of the various bio-chemical energies for the creation of a sustainable eco-system. In this experiment, development & conservation are interdependent and synonymous.
The healing of the land and purification of the human spirit are the same.
How Miraculous How miraculous that life unfolds itself beautifully, mysteriously, rhythmically and spontaneously amidst violence, corruption, greed, egotism, hatred, coercion, pain and disorder. How fantastic is this experience of being connected to that underlying, unifying thread of Love, harmony, happiness & peace while living in this endless turmoil.
I thought working with Nature was all ladders till the snake bite happened !
Everyone can do something in their own way.
Living in & not living in To be and not to be at the same time.
My house at Nadhavade Exploring nature within the context of the house.
The house as me The house is an extension of one’s vocabulary, one’ values, and one’s aspirations.
Can sustainable architecture bring us closer to nature ?
The house is a second skin
Diffusing the boundaries between the realms of architecture, interior design and landscape to create a harmonious, integrated holistic environment - a transparent, simple life style.
The river laughs Poorna laughs We laugh Our laughters mingle and flow on.
Offering Life is one full, wonderful, continuous offering, always offering us something through everything even through pain and conflict. Drowning in this fullness and wholeness of Life, I joyfully become the offered and offering.
Outer space is an expression of inner psychological space.
Nature in urban context Intermingling of the natural and the man made. Creating a larger visual space.
Mellowreflectionsfromaglass bottom water tank - a dream Thereality-amossfilled watertank.
Mrs. Gopi’s residence, Pune, 1991.
The suchness When can we learn to really sit when we sit. Really walk when we walk actually see when we look truly listen when we hear really taste when we eat ?
The garden becoming an extension of the house itself.
If only we could realize the joy of ‘Being’ in the ‘suchness’ of the moment !! What else would meditation be … other than the conscious choiceless awareness of the present moment ?
Chowrangi Apartments, Kolhapur 1994. Mr. Ghatge’s residence, Kolhapur, 1994.
Blurring the boundaries of built form.
Challenge of Urban Space
Continuation of the city movement network through the building. Recognition of the city circle and the site configuration. Maximizing space utilization. Eureka Towers Commercial Complex, Hubli, 1991
Regional Office for Bharati Vidyapeeth, Sangli, 1993.
Tentacles So many outstretched tentacled arms in a faceless spiky crowd that crowns the urban landscape. Caricatures of their owners transmitters of conditioning shapers of upbringing creators of longing makers of images and breakers of images. Long, light, shining outstretched, straightfaced, rigid tentacles These T.V. antennas.
Creating space between the building & the road in plan and in section. Becoming a landmark vista.
Integrating with the urban fabric without loosing the identity
Different character for different contexts Birth and death This one had a clean shaven head exposing his rotunda with the fresh razor wounds - A hurried shave - a blunt razor. … I asked ‘What made you shave your head ?’ “The death of my father!”
That one had very long hair tied up in a knot over his head He was in his late teens His dark, muscular virile body shone with sweat as he carried the stones. I encroached
‘When will you get your hair cut ?’ His look was vacant ‘I’ll keep growing them till my birth !’ He was serious. I pondered. Others laughed ‘He means “till his death”. He appeared confused. ‘What’s the difference ?’ He asked.
Creche & Creche Nurses Training school for COEMMAR, Sangli, 1983.
Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia, Barcelona.
Smriti Mandir - Auditorium Memorial for Shri Shankararo Mohite Patil, at Akluj, 1992.
- Non conspicuous, amorphous, informal architectural form to softly welcome the slum children. - Use of existing trees to soften and enliven the ambience.
An ascending, monumental, conspicuous and formal centrality signifying the importance and power of the person for whom this memorial is constructed.
Can variations in form reflect different moods and ambience ?
Working with our legacy Everything I want to say something but everything is already being said I like to see things Everything is always being seen
I wish to hear something Everything is in the process of being heard I want to do this Everything is happening and becoming Then “What” am “I” to do Loose this “I” and become everything then everything says, sees, hears and does everything.
City Palace, Udaipur
Hotel Shalini Palace Ashoka, Kolhapur,1987.
To add 40% new built up area in a seamless manner to blend the new with the old. Palace at Orcha Alcazar, Seville
Can we create a continuum with our heritage ?
Transitional spaces Spaces that prepare us to a new experience Spaces that act as a linkage between two activities Spaces that remove the abruptness and allow a smooth transition Stillness In our civilization’s labyrinth motion, I search for the motionless still centre Every movement done to reach the stillness breeds more momentum... Mind is movement with thoughts always restless only the “Centre” is motionless. Desire is movement with the urge for ‘having’ only “Love” is unmoving Time is movement the past-present-future tussle only “Now” is eternal All is always ‘now’ Love is ‘here & now’ Stillness is ‘here & now’ !
Creche & Training School, Sangli, 1983.
Leprosy Hospital, Miraj, 1986
SDM Dental College & Hospital, Dharwad,1993.
Nadhavade Farm House, 1982. Kolhapur Institute of Technology, Kolhapur, 1991.
Could we give due recognition to this twilight zone ?
SDM College of Engineering Campus, Dharwad, 1991.
Interactive spaces
Spaces that are eloquent and communicate Spaces that invite activity Spaces that bring about spontaneity
S. D. M. Engg. Coll. entrance foyer
A Paradox Loving everybody I miss nobody The joy within feels the joy without ! A full life has nothing to fulfill Being nowhere one belongs everywhere.
Chowrangi Apts. Informal interaction spaces, 1993
S. D. M. Dental college courtyard 1993
K. I. T. Amphi theatre, Kolhapur, 1991
Sanjeevan Vidyalaya, Panchgani, 1995.
Multiple use of space.
S. D. M. Engg. Coll. Canteen pergola before and after creeper growth
Can architecture help in bringing people closer ?
Exploring space defining elements Detached attachment The opening in the wall has no intention to trap the changing sky nor does the sky decide to be seen in that framed way. The void has no intentions of owning that hill nor does the hill force itself to define the space around the void. But amazingly, the sky seems to belong so much to the building and the hill becomes an integral part of the spatial ambience How beautiful is this detached attachment Being separate and belonging to at the same time.
West entrance, SDM College of Engineering, Dharwad. Bharati Vidyapeeth, Sangli
Kolhapur Institute of Technology My designs pale before Nature s magnificience
Sanjeevan Swimming Pool, Panchgani
Petra, Jordan.
The architectural space need not be defined by walls, roofs, floors, doors and windows alone. Could it not include the sky, the trees and the hills beyond in it’s space defining vocabulary?
Samsara Yesterday, I sat here and saw the splendid panorama of Nature and of Life unfolding itself - through the open railing of this verandah. Today I see only fragments through petticoats, sleeves and laces through the gaps between towels and underwears through the trappings of ‘Samsara’ hanging and drying on the railing.
Rediscovering the ground relationship Rediscovering thefigure figure ground relationship
Relating to the site
DSI Hostel, Pune. Learning & living cluster, Sanjeevan Vidyalaya, Panchgani, 1992.
A converging site with a focal tree forms the inviting entrance to this complex
SDM College of Engineering, Dharwad, 1989. A building that hugs the bowl shaped site and grows along the contours.
Alhambra, Granada.
Before putting anything on site, should we not ask the site, what it would like to take ? Our buildings have ultimately to belong to the site - more than they belong to the owner.
Maximizing the givenness of the situation
Kolhapur Institute of Technology, Kolhapur, 1991.
Organization of two different functions : the classrooms at one level along the contours and the stepped labs perpendicular to them.
Boy!Iwouldn’tliketo hear from an old lady halfwayupthesesteps!
Re-reflecting
From the increasingly hectic professional activity, that sometimes falls into a rut, I took a month long meditative introspective retreat.
The two happenings .... There comes this time when one feels no desire to reach anywhere or return anywhere no compulsion to work or not to work no longing ‘to become’ with no images of the ideal neither the ideal professional set up nor the ideal family life when relationships develop but are neither created, moulded nor anticipated. ....
.... There comes this another time when one puts oneself to test to reach a desired destination when one works with tremendous zeal and devotion towards the realization of an idea a creative professional idea or an idea of meaningful relationships. ‌ How does one reconcile these two times ? Are they complimentary or contradictory ? Do they tear one in opposite direction ? or Are they the two sides of the same coin of life ? ...
Where am I today ?
Choices along the way
1. Should I continue architecture despite deteriorating values in the profession ? 2. Could I involve myself in architectural education ? 3. Could I make myself available to various sharing, here and abroad ? 4. Should I retire and devote more time towards self discovery through meditation, poetry, painting, & more intense family life ?
Can I affirm life inspite of it’s negative challenges ?
Living by the sea
The storm and the silence The roaring, rising, restless sea the turbulent, howling, jostling wind and the whipping lashing rain ruthlessly shake and beat the plants to pain beyond their tolerant state. The entire house too seems to tremble and sweat.
With the thunder and flashes by their side the sound and fury is violently unleashed outside when I slowly cautiously peep inside, inside of myself Can it remain calm and serene inspite of the restless agitated scene ! Can it be securely at ease inspite of the insecurity created by the winds and seas ?
Isn’t the sea a great synthesizer ?
Can it be a conscious witness of the moment without any anxious anticipatory torment ? Can it choicelessly accept the present or will it cultivate aversion and resent ? Watching thus the choices melt - the option disappears and an enduring, all encompassing silence appears
A silence that deeply & penetratingly shovels its way into this sound & fury’s bowels only to find itself there Then the silence inside merges with that silence outside.
The synthesis
Kolhapur Ahmedabad Gaganbavada - Logical inter-relationships & intra-relationships - behavioural base - beginnings of a multi-disciplinary approach
- Understanding of materials - Integrating the built form with nature - PPrrac tic al actic tical Construction TTechnolo echnolo gies echnologies - Evolving relevant architectural concepts - Re-interpreting the vernacular - Understanding of spatial heirarchies - Experimenting with the symbolic metaphor
Nadhavade - Redefining the client’s brief in a larger context - Understanding environmental relationships, relevance and constraints - Understanding the site better - Incorporating surroundings as part of the architectural vocabulary - Exploring the nature of urban spaces
The life’s journey from Kolhapur-AhmedabadGaganbavda - Nadhavade to Devgad over the past three decades has been evolving a unified approach through various experiments and understandings.
- Designing for various institutional needs
Could we synthesize our many understandings in life ?
Devgad - Evolving a value based architecture - Developing an empathy with spaces and their contents - Working towards local relevance and global applications - Understanding the deeper dimensions and the relevance of space - Articulation of transitional spaces
The house at Devgad Food & shelter
The Oneness
Shirish Beri’s House, Devgad, 1994.
Eyes closed floating on the placid sea being carried around in its soft mellifluous arms Caressed by the warm sun and the cool breeze an all pervading goodness of being descends on me. Who caresses whom ? What floats on what ? Does it matter in this oneness of life ?
Could our designs be pro-active?
It starts cleaning up in a frenzy The light the mass created by my foot transparent body throwing the sand out with those stand up eyes really far out, of the beach crab emerges till a massive wave from the depressed impression sweeps it away to of my sole in the wet, cohesive sand. another portion of the beach where the whole hole making process is resumed. No crying, depression, disappointment No crutches of drugs, drinks or god over a lost shelter. So simple, flexible and spontaneous.. ..This process of acquiring food and shelter.
An Eco-friendly response
Joy
- a dynamically balanced harmonious, adaptive relationship with Nature. - non exploitative, less energy intensive, multi-level relationship with local resources and people.
Walking to the seashore on the soft ‘joy’ of the sand feeling on the bare body the ‘joyous’ caress of the breeze and then sliding into the cool ‘joy’ of the sea waters and experiencing the weightless ‘joy’ while floating on the waters with the bright ‘joyous’ light dancing on the wave crests. Returning to the warm, fragrant ‘joy’ of a bath the ‘joy’ of a clean & refreshed feeling Stepping out of the bathroom to the glorious, vermillion outburst of ‘joy’... The sunset at sea.
Integration of furniture elements in the built form.
Entrance portal of friendly existing casurinas
House as an adaptive , living organism
Gradually, the forming of the twinkling ‘joy’ of the stars in the sky and in this way ‘joy’ ad infinitum a ‘joyous’ continuum of happenings an ‘inner’ ‘joy’ feeling the ‘outer’ ‘joy’ !
A painting or a window ?
Multiple uses of same space for living, dining, sleeping.
Teaching is learning
Madness “ You got everything - except one thing Madness ! Man needs some madness - or else … Or else he never dares cut the rope and be free. ”
Let us not be afraid of trying out a new idea, a new design - just because you haven’t seen anything similar before or just because the teacher or client may not like it. Ask ourselves - why not ? Can a spatial design express the same content that a poem, music, painting, sculpture, dance or a drama can express ?
Architecture as an expressive medium
Pro-activeness
Isn’t the basic design concept the most important & essential starting point in the design process ?
Can we explore the innumerable 3D possibilities that lie hidden in a 2D plan ?
Shouldn’t our designs be value based to play their role as an agent of social change?
Basic Concept
3D Understanding
Agent of Social Change
Yes Zorba ! Madness is the spark of life ! The spirit of freedom the breath of fresh air in this routine, conditioned, claustrophobically stagnant atmosphere. Madness that always creates, innovates, improvises for others to scorn, mock, ridicule and then belatedly follow … By then a new madness starts … Bubbling with life energy with the intense desire to express, to manifest … ‘To be’ ! Madness is the end of hypocrisy ! Madness is the courageous beginning of spontaneity Madness is to be free .. Free to love, to shout, to sing, to dance, to cry … To abandon one’s self
Openness to Life
Can we be attentive, aware, observant of all that happens around us - learn from these live experiences and translate this learning into an architectural expression ?
Individual Uniqueness
De-conditioning
Aren’t we all unique in some way or the other ? Do not compare yourself with each other - but compare yourself with what you are today to what you were yesterday.
Can teachers be co-learners ?
Subjectivity in Design
Beyond ‘sms’
Could we allow our sub-conscious to surface and work for us to create a design that is so much subjective rather than objective ?
Shall we allow our designs to transcend the various ‘isms’ to relate & respond to our daily lives ?
to let go is to have.
Look Let’s look and we will find that every person has something to offer
Can we ‘let go’ ? let go of conditioned responses and look at everything afresh with a child like curiosity, abandon and joy ?
Let’s look deep and we will see that every living being has something to offer Let’s look deeper and we will realize that everything has something to offer Let’s look beyond the depth and we will realize that Nothing has everything to offer.
Designing for learning Interpretation of child’s psychology in the architectural language. Design as a catalyst in the learning process. Evolving an organic plan with the existing trees as the formative force.
‘The lotus when it bloomed made no noise.’
Primary learning-living cluster, Sanjeevan Vidyalaya, Panchgani, 1995.
Can architecture enhance the opportunities for learning anywhere, anytime ?
Could ‘living’ spaces that include the trees, the soil, the sky, the clouds and the birds be made a part of our daily lives question Could we rediscover the multi-dimensional potentials of everything around us question An ordinary tree could become an aesthetic focus, a friend, play, sacred symbol, food, shade, an invitation o other life forms and JOY. “
Spaces for research Architectural design responsive to the site to the functional needs to the service infrastructure to the user’s interaction to the need for a pleasant work environment
Phase One entrance dramatized by a mural with lively cellular form.
Words I am somebody A somebody made by words By a name-word, a money word, a fame word, by ten thousand words which make the ‘I’ word Words explaining words.
National Centre for Cell Sciences, Pune, 1996.
Once, I missed the word and stumbled upon Reality. Stumbled upon Myself; the Somebody dropped off.
The hill entering the building in the form of a landscaped amphitheatre.
Can a sense of order be brought to the organization of complex services ?
Ancillary spaces
Service structures becoming a part and parcel of the overall built form.
NCCS, Pune, 1997.
Hostel Special carved out spaces for study, bed & balcony in each room Central interactive landscaped court and terraces.
Housing - A gradual flow of spatial hierarchy from the public to private, encouraging interaction.
Cotton & Lead Here I sit amidst the so called dead who have nothing better to tell than that Cotton is lighter than lead. The living stress on the same thing, thinking now that they know everything. But through the trees and the still air Silence speaks from beyond the living and the dead that Cotton is neither lighter nor heavier than lead.
Imparting a sense of belonging to the campus
Spaces for healing Drug De-addiction Centre, Pune, 1998.
The specialist As a child, when you were hurt I took you to a plant or a tree. You said “Sister, please heal me!” The plant would caress your wound within seconds the pain would disappear a smile would appear upon your face.
SDM Hospital & College of Ayurveda, Hassan, 1998.
- Architecture as therapy - Integral nature, openness, transparency, therefore less isolation & alienation.
Now as a little grown up you need a doctor, the hospital ‘sister’, medicines. .... People around you have taught you
that plants, sun, rain, wind & mud do not heal you. You need a doctor, a person branded and licenced by the society to heal you, to kill you.
- Reinterpretation of the Ayurvedic philosophy in built form. - Equal importance to healthy mind and a healthy body.
A departure from the typical hospital image. Lively, airy, well lit, healthy ambience. Form not overbearing because of terracing. Easy maintenance & clean circulation.
Community Cancer Care Hospital Complex, Miraj, 1997.
How could architecture contribute to healthiness ?
The spiritual happening The spatial experience created in this design, located in any community open space in any town-city helps to serve as an antidote to the surrounding tense, restless competitive lifestyle. Simple but effective changes in the quality of space, experienced during a persons slow walk, act as catalysts in relaxing and opening up one’s mind. The design geometry uses the universal inward centripetal & outward centrifugal movements of a spiral, in a dynamic balance.
“In quest for Spiritual Comfort - mental relaxation”- an award winning entry for the Japan Design Foundation’s 8th International Design Competition, 1997.
Japan Design Foundation’s 8th International Design Competition, Osaka, 1997.
Life is a continuous process of self discovery - inward & outward
Major ongoing projects Centre for DNA Fingerprinting & Diagnostics, Hyderabad.
SDM Institute of Management Development, Mysore Interaction and communication as the key parameters in deciding the architectural form.
The metaphorical DNA double helix. Relieving the lab work environment of the usual feeling of congestion by integrating the gardens & views. The building grows out of the large Hyderabad boulders.
Making the most of the contours and the storm water ravines.
Sanjeevan Vocational Training Centre, Panchgani.
Creating a sense of belonging through cohesiveness of form.
Bharati Vidyapeeth, Kolhapur.
Non formal geometry with the play of voids and solids - man made & natural.
Could we impart a humane quality to large scale projects ?
Stepped interspersed gardens, a lake and multi level activity bring about an element of playfulness to the learning environment.
New horizons A time for reconsideration of options again ! I have been thinking of limiting my professional commitments to devote full energies to :
- create a centre for creative flowering of individual potentials through process oriented networks. - further explore and understand the spirit dimension in architecture - the immeasurable in the measurable. - explore the form of holistic and value based architecture.
Integrations and affirmations
The Call I continue walking, walking along parallel rails, still believing that they would meet somewhere they seem to meet at the horizon; But the further I walk, further moves the horizon. I go on .... With the firm conviction that the irreducible distance between me & the horizon would shrink sometime - some where. ‌ I thought I heard my voice two nights ago I woke up with an ecstatic thrill running through my body. I waited for it to call me again so that I could find my bearings and start walking again. But it never called. ...
The search continues... ‌ My voice called me two nights ago to reveal itself in me,
To manifest itself in me, to show me where those parallel rails met. It may call again when I am in deep slumber to wake me and set me on the move again; that I would continue moving again. That it would call me again when I am moving when I am awake....