The Art Of Continuity

Brinda Somaya heads a multi-award winning, multi-disciplinary architecture and design practice in Mumbai. In the four decades since Somaya & Kalappa Consultants (SNK) was first set up in a garden shed, it has built up a hugely diverse portfolio and a formidable client list. As an Architect and Urban Conservationist of much experience, she has very definite views on the role of architecture in India, some of which she shares with POOL.

How can an architect achieve balance between the built and unbuilt environments?

BS: For me, an architect’s responsibility and an architect’s role goes much beyond buildings. We have to think about many things when we design and build. We have to protect the built environment as well as the unbuilt environment whether it is open spaces or the natural landscape.

We cannot always build everything anew. It is important to use embodied energy in existing buildings. And while we naturally also want to build greenfield projects and design anew, we have to look at each project carefully and understand what is best for all concerned – it is not just about saying that we have done something very creative or that we have designed something which is different. It is much more complex than that. It has got to be appropriate for the site, climate and the people one is building for. And, of course, it must give the architect a sense of satisfaction at doing something creative as well.

How are traditional, vernacular materials used in contemporary construction?

BS: In India, art, craft and design are evident in every part of our lives and culture. But we are still struggling to find effective ways of coming together as a design community and creating a platform to enable the world to view and appreciate the wealth of knowledge and skill of centuries of design. Instead of just concentrating on ‘iconic’ architecture, countries like India should be building ‘relevant and appropriate’ architecture. We need to always move forward with new technology and other good changes that we are seeing in our country, but we do not have to forget the past for this to happen. The past is our link with everything that has gone before and thus helps us to understand who we are.