In this segment we pick up three different typologies – Residential, Corporate, and Hospitality – and showcase some brilliant work being done by Gujarati architects based out of Mumbai! The ravishing villas in Surat, the stunning corporate office interior in Bhuj, and the luxury hotel in Junagadh, are representative of the growth that India, and particularly Gujarat is witnessing.

This project celebrates the unintended outcomes that arise when a building lives beyond its program. Arthshila, the brainchild of architects Sachin Bandukwala and Melissa Smith of BandukSmith Studio, integrates versatility through time. A multigenerational family home turned into a single-family residence, then an open-plan office has further transitioned into a library and design centre!

Designed by Ar. Rajeev Kathpalia of Vastu Sangath LLP, Smritivan Memorial & Museum takes cognizance of the larger role of public buildings and thus contributes actively to the city and its people. The parallel design intent was to create a civic space where the locals could gather and celebrate festivals, hold handicraft bazaars, and more.This building has also addressed the need for a green lung and park for the city.

Showcasing a restaurant in London done by a Mumbai-based firm Utkarsh Vastukaran, helmed by designer Tushar Joshi. In the UK, given the immense popularity of Indian restaurants, it seems like not just the Indian diaspora, but even the locals have a penchant for experimenting with our spicy culinary delights!

Growing up in Gujarat, and particularly in Baroda, has contributed greatly to my personal creative journey. Elders with connections in the fields of literature and arts of course helped trigger my creative quest; but I would still give more credit to the city we were in – the cultural epicenter of the state of Gujarat. My first visit to the Fine Arts faculty of M. S. University was a life-changer. I remember being enamored by the students painting in the studios. I loved the space and light in the art gallery and the artists’ work on display. The wall art and massive wooden sculptures strewn around the campus fascinated my young mind. I met many stalwart artists (Pingale, Dhumal, Khakhar) through my father and grandfather; but back then I was too young to grasp their stature in the world of art.