Architectural Design Process: Sketches to Built Form
I believe every project begins with silence. Before a single brick is laid, we map the wind, the sun, and the land’s history through hand-drawn sketches and physical models, ensuring the final structure belongs exactly where it stands.
A physical model of a roof truss sits atop its corresponding architectural drawings. This juxtaposition of the tangible and the conceptual is at the heart of my design process, where ideas are constantly tested between different modes of representation.
This process model for an upcoming residence allows us to explore the spatial relationships and volumes in three dimensions. The model can be opened up, revealing the intricate connections between different levels and spaces within the home.
Architectural models on display at an exhibition. These models are not just representations; they are tools for thinking, allowing us to test ideas about form, material, and light in a tangible way before they are built.
These process models for the House of Solid Stone were part of the 'Out of the Shadows' exhibition. They explore how traditional stone construction techniques could be evolved to create a contemporary architectural language.
These are the initial concept sketches for the J-House. The drawings explore how to create a buffer against the sun and rain on the western facade, leading to the design of deep, shaded verandahs with adaptable screens.
A preliminary sketch of the J-House, capturing its essence as a vertical structure that is porous and light. The drawing explores the building's relationship to the ground and its unique silhouette against the urban skyline.
Early plan and perspective sketches for the J-House. These drawings investigate the use of courtyards and verandahs to create natural ventilation and light, adapting indigenous design elements to a high-rise context.
The first sketch for the House of Solid Stone, born from a simple brief: to build only with stone. This drawing marks the beginning of a deep dive into the art of making with stone, blending traditional knowledge with contemporary structural design.
A concept sketch for the House of Solid Stone, exploring the arrangement of rooms around gardens and the use of stone jaalis. The drawing includes notes on cavity walls and sections, showing the integration of technical and conceptual thinking.
A concept sketch for the House of Axes, illustrating how the plan is generated through powerful visual axes. The drawing includes notes on a "time wrap," where past and present fuse to create a home with a strong sense of continuity.
About The Architect's Hand: From Sketch to Structure
My design process prioritizes tangible exploration over purely digital software. Before finalizing any plans, we build physical scale models to test how light hits the volumes and how air moves through the space. This allows you to understand the scale and spatial relationship of your home long before construction begins.
Sketching as Thinking
Unlike firms that move immediately to digital renderings, my first step is always pen on paper. This is an intellectual exercise, not just a draft. Sketches allow for rapid, fluid iterations of vernacular elements like courtyards and jaalis. We test how these elements respond to climate and local wind patterns, keeping the design process open-ended.
The Role of the Model
I use scale models—cardboard, wood, and clay—to interrogate the space. These are not just presentation pieces; they are tools for us to 'see' the building. We analyze how shadows fall across your living room or how the wind funnels through a verandah. By physically manipulating these volumes, we ensure that the massing is correct and the connection to the site is intuitive.
From Site to Structure
Everything is grounded in the site's unique topography. Whether it is a private residence or a restoration project, we perform a forensic study of the land. We do not impose a style; we uncover the building that the land itself is asking for. This approach allows us to integrate traditional materials like brick and stone into a contemporary structural language.
Transparency in Documentation
By the time we reach the technical documentation phase, the 'what' and 'why' of the design are already solidified. This methodology significantly reduces structural surprises during execution. We coordinate complex elements like exposed shells, custom operable screens, and hidden MEP services early on, ensuring that the final build is as honest and coherent as the first sketch.
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