Design Beyond Decoration

DCA was set up in 1995, in Mumbai. We moved to Goa in 2002.
Architecture is a living montage, a building is a piece of living art that influences people in their every day lives, and so one should not just design a structure, without considering the surrounding environment, the essential function of the edifice, and the people who will utilize it. To this effect I endeavor to generate building designs, both large and small, that mesh into their surroundings with minimum impact on them.

Our style is adaptive and constantly evolving to absorb elements from the various styles of architecture, to best suit the project. I think it is very important for the client to be aware of the constant change going on in the world of the arts and architecture. It is not unlike garment fashion, where a trend that lasts a short life is blindly followed by one and all. Unlike a piece of clothing, a building is expected to last at least 70 years and you can't just discard it. So it is very important for me to create a building that is not dated yet, remains fresh on every encounter with it. I also believe that a building should reflect the personality of the owner / inhabitant, and to this cause client input makes a big difference.

In my opinion design is all about problem solving, where each site and client require a unique approach. The process of Design, from preparing a program, doodling concepts, translating the doodle to tangible line drawings and finally executing the project requires critical imagination and visualization. I keep the spatial quality of my structures free flowing and simple to follow. I introduce a sense of direction and movement in them and attempt to reflect these elements in the vertical plane of the configuration, with well-balanced fenestrations, to produce a composition harmonious with the setting, be it urban or rural.

Besides being an Architect, I am also a musician. I play drums for the jazz band Azure Hades, that represented India at the 1992 Jazz Yatra. I have discovered many parallels between music and architecture. They are both art forms that require training and discipline. They require a fine sense of aesthetic and creativity. There is much thought involved in creating good compositions. The use of melody and rhythm in music and the structuring of the tune invite skilful orchestration of these elements, which is not too far removed from designing a building. I think the concept of dealing with these perceptions has helped me to generate better design.