A Contemporary Twist To Tradition

Parul Zaveri is an architect, interior designer, and organic farmer who has spent four decades actually practicing the concept of sustainability she so vociferously espouses

- Parul Zaveri

What is the story behind Abhikram?

PZ: My husband Nimish Patel and I set up Abhikram, an architecture, interiors, heritage conservation, and planning consultancy, in Ahmedabad in 1979. Abhikram (meaning ‘initiation’ in Sanskrit) was established to explore all avenues to pursue design directions and processes that make the built environment functionally, psychologically, environmentally and spiritually more contextual and more comfortable for end-users. It was intended to evolve Indian solutions, from its own resources, for all typologies at all scales. This required our designs to conserve all resources, to innovate continuously for simpler solutions and to make responsible buildings, which in their spaces, forms, and technologies, retain a desirable continuity with Indian traditions.

We focused initially on responsible, climate responsive and contextual designs. As the practice evolved, exposure to traditional knowledge and wisdom of India’s traditional built environment opened us up to a completely different perspective on architecture. Since 1985, we have been incorporating this knowledge in our designs. We added three more streams in our practice - passive cooling, conserving the cultural heritage of our regions, and making new buildings using traditional materials, technologies, processes, crafts, and craftspersons. Our earlier directions of pursuing sustainable and energy efficient buildings also continued.

Which are some of your most impactful projects?

PZ: We have worked on several interesting projects, including memorable restorations, over the years. Some of these are: