Gandharv Marwah

GCAD/14/112
5th August, 2019

CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE

According to my understanding Contemporary means anything that belongs or occurring in the

present times, for example the word Contemporary can be attached to any piece of art or product
or architecture that is designed on the basis or according to the current beliefs or construction
techniques. India being a developing country witnesses the emergence of Contemporary
architecture due to rapid development of material, techniques and mindset of people. People today
are willing to accept and adapt the conventional style like sustainability, DE constructivism, use
of bamboo and earthy materials, parametric designs etc.
I have a very different approach towards my own architectural practice. What I have in my mind
is more of a business plan or working scheme of an architectural studio. I am yet in the
development phase of development of my own architectural style. Although I have a certain kind
of way of approaching towards my work which includes parameters like use of local and
sustainable materials in a modern or conventional way, user sensitive approach, designing the
building from inwards to outwards, give back the society what it deserves keeping in mind the
sense of the natural surroundings.
Following are some of the Contemporary Architects or practices prevailing in modern India:-

MANASARAM ARCHITECTS

Fig. Bamboo Symphony, Bengaluru Fig. The Cocoon, Kerala

Manasara, the celebrated saint wrote the oldest treatise on Indian Architecture Vastushastra,
describing the science of design principles for buildings, from which the Studio Manasaram is
born. The firm is headed by the principal architect Neelam Manjunath. I like the way they are
dedicated towards the use of local material and construction technique of the vicinity, using
bamboo, mud bricks etc.
 STUDIO MUMBAI

Fig. M Pavilion, Melbourne Fig. Palmyra House, Maharashtra

Studio Mumbai is collaborative and multi-disciplinary architectural studio founded by Bijoy Jain.
I am very much fond of Bijoy Jain’s work because of his philosophy and approach towards the
design site and the user sensitivity. According to him architecture is not about the image it’s about
the sensibility.

BIOME SOLUTIONS

Fig. Personal Residence, Bengaluru Fig. Yellow train school, Tamil Nadu

Biome Solution is the well know architectural firm headed by AR. Chitra Vishwanath. As said by
our mentor the best thing about the firm is that even in the era of advancement of materials and
new innovations they is able to continue their style of vernacular architecture.
 ROHAN CHAVAN ARCHITECTS

Fig. Personal Residence, Bengaluru Fig. Yellow train school, Tamil Nadu

Rohan Chavan Architects is an architectural studio based in Mumbai and headed by Rohan
Chavan. He has previously worked under Christopher Beninger, Rahul Menrortra and Charles
Correa. His work engages with projects and issues related to public and community
sanitation, urban design, affordable and low-cost housing, single-family houses,
space design, and institutions. The unique approach towards living patterns and
bold style are the highlights of his design practice. He loves to fuse modern
materials in a vernacular pattern creating spaces that are rich in natural light and
landscape.

Sp+A

Fig. Khar Social Café, Mumbai Fig. Yellow train school, Tamil Nadu

Sp+A architectural firm is headed by the architect Sameep Padora. His architectural style is very
unique as it is very contrasting as compared to its surroundings.