Bringing together a wide-ranging body of work developed since the studio’s founding in 2007, NUDES presents a rigorous and visionary exploration of architecture as a living, adaptive system, one that bridges technology, ecology, and culture.
A New Architectural Paradigm
Positioned within the global discourse on Parametricism, the book foregrounds Karim’s commitment to architecture that is not only formally innovative but also environmentally responsive and socially engaged. As noted in the foreword by Patrik Schumacher, the work demonstrates how computational design can be meaningfully grounded in the cultural and climatic realities of the Global South.
Through projects that range from public installations and educational spaces to large-scale infrastructure, NUDES articulates an architecture that “breathes”, harvesting light, water, and air while fostering human connection and ecological balance.
Projects Across Scales and Contexts
The monograph features key works that illustrate the studio’s diverse approach:
- BookWorm Pavilion (Mumbai) – A deployable, modular installation designed to foster literacy and public engagement through architecture, housing up to 15,000 books and travelling across communities.
- Ismaili Jamatkhana and Community Centre (Mumbai) – A spiritually resonant space integrating Islamic geometric principles, light, and environmental performance.
- Satguru’s Rendezvous (Bandra, Mumbai) – A contemporary residential project balancing density, sustainability, and cultural symbolism.
- Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (Guwahati) – A large-scale infrastructural project inspired by bamboo and orchids, redefining airport architecture through biophilic and sustainable design strategies.
Together, these works reveal a practice that operates fluidly across typologies—from pavilions and schools to housing and transport hubs—while maintaining a consistent ethos of ecological intelligence and civic responsibility.
Architecture as a Living System
At its core, NUDES proposes a shift in architectural thinking: from static objects to dynamic systems. Drawing inspiration from natural ecosystems, Karim advocates for design approaches that are regenerative rather than merely sustainable, spaces that evolve, interact, and contribute positively to their environments.
The publication positions architecture as a cultural catalyst capable of addressing urgent global challenges, including climate change, urban density, and social equity.
About the Author
Nuru Karim is an architect, academic, and founder of Nudes, an interdisciplinary design
studio based in Mumbai. His work spans architecture, urbanism, research, and public art, with
a strong emphasis on computational design and environmental performance.
Pages from the book:
Publication Details
Book Title: NUDES
Author: Nuru Karim
Publisher: Altrim Publishers
Year: 2025
ISBN: 9788412878042
Press & Contact
For review copies, interviews, or further information, please contact:
Altrim Publishers (communications@altrim.net)
www.altrim.net
