On Vernacular
Looking to the Future, Learning From the Past
Vernacular architecture is usually defined as a type of regional construction that uses traditional materials, resources and techniques that are local to the region where the building is located. It is hugely influenced by its context and its specific geographic and cultural features and this is one of the main wells we draw our inspiration from, especially concerning the question of sustainability. The fact that it is so influenced and specifically influenced by the environment and local ecology makes it a great source of knowledge and we see our role as interpreters of this knowledge, crafting and adapting these ideas to the modern era. For example in a region with heavy rainfall, it is never the sustainable solution to use concrete flat roofs even with extensive waterproofing as many have done in recent years for aesthetic reasons. On the other hand, this might be an excellent solution in an arid climate where local resources only allow for flat roofs.
Seema - A Look Back into Exposed Brickwork Designs
This fusion of modern techniques with traditional ideas is what we have been trying to perfect over the years. The wide regional variations within a state in India is something we must learn to appreciate and learn from and adapt to a modern context and our contemporary ways of life. We recognize that varied materials, climate, and culture in India are sufficient to provide us without varied ways of designing and constructing unique sustainable buildings and we wish to challenge the way the modern construction industry operates.
