50 Years of Sustainable Architectural Design

When I look back at my convocation photo compared to the work I do today, I see a continuous thread. My practice has always been about more than just construction. It is about understanding the climate, the site, and the people who will call these spaces home. Over the last fifty years, my focus has shifted towards the urgent reality of climate change and the need for energy independence.

I have moved away from conventional, energy-intensive building methods toward passive design. This means using the earth from the site for walls, designing courtyards for natural ventilation, and repurposing heritage elements like old haveli doors to reduce our carbon footprint. My work is not about following a style. It is about using traditional Indian wisdom, like the use of jaalis and overhangs, to keep a house cool without relying on constant air conditioning.

Every project is an opportunity to teach and learn. I engage in research, publishing, and open discussions because I believe that comfortable, sustainable living should be accessible to everyone, not just a luxury. Whether I am designing a home for a family or a larger institutional space, the goal remains the same: to create a place that feels alive, provides deep comfort, and ensures a high quality of life for years to come. By prioritizing long-term energy savings and bio-climatic engineering, we can build structures that contribute positively to their surroundings and to the future.