Architecture As A Catalyst

Matharoo Associates is a 25 year old practice that began operations in Ahmedabad, India. In 2013, Gurjit Singh Matharoo was conferred an International Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects, only the third Indian after Dr B.V. Doshi and Charles Correa to be honoured. The diverse range of projects have brought the firm International and Domestic recognition, including the 2011 International Architecture Award by the Chicago Athenaeum, the 2010 Architectural Review House Award and the 2009 AR Emerging Architecture Award, to name a few.

- Sharmila Chakravorty & Matharoo Associates

Speaking at the 361 degrees conference, Gurjit Singh Matharoo of Matharoo Associates started off by mentioning how presenting projects at events is a wonderful opportunity for architects to introspect their work, and re-evaluate the concepts and ideas that shape their projects. His works presented dealt with how the practice envisions architecture to be a catalyst – without itself being consumed, enhancing the relationship between man and nature - both, nature within us and the nature outside of us.

The first project was for a client that had approached the studio for a weekend house in Ahmedabad that would be completely open to nature yet provide all creature comforts including protection from 45-degree heat, the monsoon rain, and insects. Matharoo Associates toyed with the idea of openness to evolve a concept that would eventually become the house, as they drew inspiration from the nostalgic imagery of a mosquito net on a bed they used as children – a safe haven that offered shelter for those inside while delicate enough to not make them feel constricted.