A powerful partnership

SACHIN BANDUKWALA AND MELISSA SMITH FROM THE MECCA OF ARCHITECTURE- AHMEDABAD, HAVE BEEN WORKING IN TANDEM AND MAKING A MARK WITH THEIR DIVERSE PERSPECTIVE TO DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE.

From being a local friend for advice to now partner in work and life, Sachin Bandukwala didn’t necessarily plan to set up practice with wife Melissa Smith. Today, the American-Gujarati duo manage a family of 4 at home, including their 2 toddlers who are 4 years apart, and a family of 18 in the office in Ahmedabad, handling projects ranging from weekend homes to factories to urban plans.

He’s the people’s person and she is the design police. While they would love to live a nomad’s life, currently they fulfill their travel whims by going on impromptu road trips with friends (how lucky are they!) who are just as crazy as they are! Together, they are building a practice that is changing the face of architecture in the country. Their differences become their strength and their exposure to different environments over years of learning, experiencing and imagining architecture helps them bring to the table the most versatile architecture ideas, manifesting as something beyond the clients’ expectations.

Their work involves research on unique construction methods, both institutionalised and inventive, and built projects that explore the boundaries of material and craft in the context of contemporary Indian construction.

The duo talks about all this and more to the Editor of Architect & Interiors India, SUMISHA GILOTRA

BandukSmith Studio, I believe, is 11 years old. And it’s been quite a journey for you before and after setting up this studio. After studying abroad and lived all over the world, why did you decide to set up your practice in Gujarat?