Thoughts, views and Ideas on architecture

Thoughts and views on architecture education and profession, contributed by the community of architects, students, educators and more.

All views expressed in this section are of the respective authors, and does not reflect the position of ArchitectureLive!

Architecture Ouroboros © Kavas Kapadia1

Indian Architecture: Taming the Ouroboros for a Brighter Future

In his article, Kavas Kapadia paints a hopeful picture of the future of Indian architecture, showcasing how despite challenges like identity struggles and limited support, dedicated Indian architects are beginning to thrive, innovate, and establish their presence, hinting at a promising future for the profession.

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Herati village, post-2023 earthquake. © UNDP/ People in centre

Domes of Identity: When Earthquake Challenges Herat’s Earthen Traditions

While the devastating 2023 earthquakes in Herat, Afghanistan, destroyed countless traditional earthen homes, exacerbating vulnerabilities, Juhi Desai and Vivek Rawal, People in Centre (PiC), elaborate on PiC’s reconstruction efforts with UNDP. The focus was on empowering local communities by incorporating hazard-resistant features into familiar building techniques like adobe and domical vaults, bridging tradition and safety.

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The Blind Chase for Master’s in Architecture

As quite a few architects pursue post-graduation studies in architecture for job market opportunities, firm dreams, or specialization, despite unclear benefits and high costs, Saumya Bansal talks about alternatives that offer practical skills and less financial risk.

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Highrise in Mumbai. Image Courtesy - Reuters.

The Silo of the Ultra High-Rise

Ameet Singh writes about how even though the Indus Valley Civilization was an early urban centre, the megacities of India face quite a few challenges, despite modern India’s governance. He further talks about a few solutions that could help enhance the quality of life in Indian cities.

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“As much as this book may help young students to become good architects… it seeks to restore the idealism that was once the hallmark of the profession.”—Praveen Bavadekar reviews Five Architectural Fables

Praveen Bavadekar, in his review for Five Architectural Fables by Edgar Demello, opines how the architectural fables ingeniously critique urban design through non-human perspectives, transforming complex environmental and design challenges into provocative, imaginative storytelling.

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Vernacular template of the three-layered threshold. © Emmanuel Guddu

“Space reflects people’s deep-rooted attitude to placemaking and is part of a civilisation’s core values.”—Jaimini Mehta

The essay is the third and last article of a three-part series of preview essays for Jaimini Mehta’s forthcoming book, Sense of Itihasa; Architecture and History in Modern India. He explores how Indian architecture embodies memory through two knowledge streams: classical Sanskrit traditions and vernacular oral traditions, each influencing architectural design and cultural preservation differently.

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