Our Legacy and Design Philosophy
For over 65 years, our architecture has been a continuous dialogue between the land, the people, and the future. Explore our history of creating spaces where communities thrive.
A before-and-after of Shivsagar Estate in Mumbai, from 1967 to today. This comparison shows the evolution of the city's architectural timeline and raises questions about how we balance preservation with renovation in a constantly changing urban landscape.
The original "symphony" of Shivsagar Estate in 1967. This image captures a moment in Mumbai's modernist architectural history, a legacy that continues to influence the city's urban fabric.
Shivsagar Estate as it stands now, a "remix with cladding." The image shows how architectural landmarks adapt over time, sometimes finding themselves dressed for a different era, reflecting the city's evolving tastes and needs.
A timeless, black-and-white photograph of the Otters Club, designed by us in 1973. The building's bold, brutalist form and textured facade have made it an enduring architectural landmark in Bandra.
A curated architectural walk through the Nehru Centre & Auditorium with our team. Revisiting our past projects, like this one from 1985, allows us to study the evolution of institutional design and how architecture shapes public experience.
Our team celebrating the completion of the Malabar Hill Forest Walkway. We believe in fostering a studio culture of collaboration, friendly competition, and shared success, which is the best way to wrap up an amazing project.
On World Architecture Day, we reflect on our responsibility to design for a shared future. Projects like the Malabar Hill walkway are our way of championing a collaborative approach to create more inclusive and sustainable urban models.
A glimpse into what we're up to at the studio. This video shows our team at work, from creating digital models to reviewing construction progress on site, highlighting the day-to-day activities that bring our designs to life.
Another peek into the IMK studio, showing our architects working on detailed 3D models. This is where the meticulous planning and design work happens before a project ever breaks ground.
Our team engaged in a material sampling session. This collaborative process of reviewing physical samples is a critical step to ensure the quality, texture, and finish of every material aligns with our design intent.
About Our Legacy & Philosophy
We believe architecture is more than just concrete and glass. It is about how a space feels when you step into it, whether it is the quiet calm of a library or the social energy of a public walkway. Our work is rooted in a rigorous process: we listen to the site, debate the function, and design for the people who will actually live, learn, or work there. This is why we do not just draft plans. We conduct collaborative workshops, analyze the sun, and test materials until the design truly fits the local context.
Architecture as a Dialogue
Our journey began in 1967, and our approach has evolved alongside the cities we build in. We do not believe in a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, every project starts with a conversation. By treating design as a collaboration between us, our clients, and the site itself, we ensure that our buildings remain relevant and functional for decades, just like our work on the Shivsagar Estate or the Otters Club.
Our Methodology: Process over Product
We approach every assignment with a structured, technical rigour. Whether we are planning a large-scale campus or a sensitive urban walkway like the Malabar Hill Forest Walkway, we focus on several key pillars:
- Climate-Responsive Design: We analyze wind directions and sun paths to optimize buildings for natural cooling and light, reducing reliance on mechanical systems.
- Social Energy Mapping: We design corridors, courtyards, and common areas specifically to foster interaction and community well-being.
- Collaborative Workshops: We engage stakeholders through iterative sessions, ensuring the final vision is built on shared goals rather than assumptions.
Designing for the Long Term
We are committed to architecture that is sustainable and respectful of its surroundings. This means we prefer retrofitting and breathing new life into existing structures over demolition. It also means incorporating local materials and green spaces into the building fabric, not as cosmetic add-ons, but as essential functional components that improve the air quality and the mental well-being of the inhabitants. Our studio culture of constant learning and debate ensures that we are always pushing the boundaries of what institutional and public spaces can achieve in Indian cities.
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