Matter is an architecture, design and curatorial practice based out of Goa. Established in 2014, Matter has conceived and executed design projects of multiple scales and typologies addressing the rich and diverse landscape of India and the challenges and opportunities it affords. As professional architects, Matter involves itself in understanding the parameters of each project and in searching for a unique response therein.
Their work resists image-making and templatising in the favour of what is ‘appropriate’ for the immediate and distant context of the project. They work with the clients and stakeholders to understand the economics, user groups, functional demands, landscape and site potentials, material possibilities, cultural preferences and emotional qualities in all their work in order to design in a way that the resultant built environment articulates and addresses the ambition of the project. The work is rooted in its specificity.
As a curatorial practice, Matter is deeply interested in the culture of contemporary architecture and design in India. Their interest extends to the history, practice and pedagogy of architecture. Through self-initiated and professional curatorial projects, they strive to create engaging platforms for a mature professional discourse on architecture in India and the subcontinent.
They publish books and journals, author exhibitions, curate conclaves and seminars, chronicle good contemporary work in India through our digital and rich-media channels and produce content initiatives (events, exhibitions, publications etc.) that address critical thought processes in contemporary Indian architecture. Matter has found and established important content projects that include the Frame Conclave, INSIDE Journal on Architecture, The Merit List and ThinkMatter; a digital content platform on architecture in India.
Founders:
Maanasi Hattangadi
Partner, Studio Matter
Maanasi Hattangadi is a partner at Matter. Maanasi pursued her undergraduate studies from The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in 2009 and graduated from the Master of Architecture programme at CEPT with a major in History, Theory, Criticism in 2019. Before embarking on her independent practice in 2014, she co-edited Indian Architect & Builder magazine for five years. She has also taught as a Visiting Faculty at NITTE School of Architecture. Over the years, her varied interests have engaged her in simple documentation projects and several cross-disciplinary publications & programmes as an independent writer and in other capacities.
Ruturaj Parikh,
Partner, Studio Matter
Ruturaj started his career with I.N.T.A.C.H [Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage] as a consultant on the Jaisalmer Heritage Project. Ruturaj was Editor at IA&B [Indian Architect & Builder Magazine] from 2010 till 2014. He is the curator of ‘Works & Continuities’: a monograph of Brinda Somaya’s practice. Ruturaj was director of the Charles Correa Foundation where he led architecture, urban design, planning and social projects. Since 2014, Ruturaj has been involved with numerous architecture, design and content projects as the partner and director at Matter including the Frame Conclave and The Merit List. He has taught as a visiting lecturer at KRVIA (Mumbai), CEPT (Ahmedabad) and GCA (Goa).
Both Ruturaj and Maanasi serve as curators of Arthshila Ahmedabad; a recently-established multi-arts space focussed on architecture, design and visual culture.
Key works by Studio Matter
