The Architect's Hand: Our Design Process
We begin every project with physical models and sketches, long before a wall is built. This is a look at the journey from initial conceptual ideas to the reality of construction.
A glimpse into our model making space, where ideas take physical form. We use models extensively to study scale, proportion, and the relationship between spaces, working through design challenges with our hands.
Our process involves a constant dialogue between drawing and making. This collage shows sketches, detailed construction drawings, and the hands-on work of building physical models, all of which are essential to our design development.
From rough study models to more detailed presentation models, our workshop is a place of exploration. These physical objects are crucial tools for us and our clients to understand the spatial qualities of a project.
This video shows a 1:100 scale balsa wood model of the Lurra House. The model is intricately crafted to reveal all floors, helping us understand the dynamics between closed and open spaces before construction begins.
The organized chaos of the design process. Our model making tables are spaces of creativity and problem-solving, where we test ideas and refine details through physical exploration.
This animated axonometric drawing shows the transformation of our own office space. It illustrates the core design concept of inserting a new mezzanine level and a feature staircase within the existing industrial shell.
From a simple red line on a wall to the finished marble-clad library shelves. This time-lapse shows the construction of a key feature in our studio, a testament to the process of turning a design drawing into a built reality.
The journey of our new Worli office, from an empty industrial shell to a finished, two-story workspace. This video documents the entire construction process, culminating in our team photo on the newly built staircase.
A mockup of a crucial timber joinery for the House of Galleries in Kutch. We build these full-scale tests on site to ensure the design is structurally sound and the craftsmanship meets our standards.
A detail of the timber joinery mockup, showing the precise connection of beams and the robust hardware. This hands-on approach allows us to resolve complex details before they are implemented in the final structure.
About The Architect's Hand: Our Process
Many firms rely solely on digital renders, but we believe in the necessity of balsa wood models and full-scale material mockups. When we build a 1:1 test joint for a timber column on-site, it is not just an aesthetic exercise. This process allows us to verify structural integrity and material performance, ensuring that what we conceptualize in the studio functions under the demands of the real world.
The Laboratory of Ideas
Our design process functions as an open laboratory. We view physical models as essential tools for understanding spatial dynamics, rather than final presentation pieces. By working at 1:100 scale, we test the interplay of closed and open spaces, lighting conditions, and the relationship between the structure and the landscape. This hands-on method allows us to resolve complex geometric challenges before they reach the construction phase, saving time and ensuring the integrity of the original concept.
Material Exploration and Mockups
Architecture is defined by the points where the hand meets the material. For projects like the House of Galleries, we do not rely on specifications alone. We construct full-scale mockups of structural timber columns and joinery to study how wood ages, how light interacts with the surface, and how raw connections can be refined. This commitment extends to our use of traditional techniques, such as sand-faced plaster, where we collaborate directly with master artisans to achieve the desired texture and finish.
From Studio to Site
Our presence on-site is a constant during construction. Whether we are marking cutouts for a boulder to integrate it into the architecture of the Lurra House, or overseeing the installation of a new mezzanine in our Worli studio, we treat the building site as a continuation of our drawing office. This collaboration with builders, contractors, and specialized craftsmen ensures that our commitment to slow living and material honesty is carried through every detail of the built form.
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