ROOTED IN TRADITION, CRAFTED FOR TOMORROW

Himanshu Patel talks about his passion for contextual design and admiration for Indian Vernacular Architecture

Himanshu Patel's practice in Indian vernacular architecture draws deeply from his childhood spent in a village. At Studio D6thD, he actively promotes economic and ecological design solutions by utilizing locally available materials and traditional building techniques. His work across various regions of Gujarat showcases his commitment to Indian vernacular architecture. He has widely lectured and conducted workshops on this subject at numerous colleges and universities in India. His work and philosophy have garnered significant media attention across print, news, and digital platforms. Over the past decade, he has won various national awards.

Excerpts from the interview:

What was that point in your life when you decided that architecture was what you wanted to pursue as your career?

I initially never planned on becoming an architect. In fact, my passion for nature and animals once led me to consider a career in animal rescue, even dreaming of working with the Discovery Channel. However, as time passed, I eventually realized that this was more of a hobby than a true career path. After completing my 12th grade, I began exploring professional options and, somewhat unexpectedly, found my way into architecture.

Considering all the types of styles of architecture, how and why did you choose vernacular architecture to be your style of design?