Founder and principal architect of Malik Architecture, Kamal Malik was born and raised in Shimla in the pristine environs of the Himalayas; and nature remains his constant source of his inspiration. In the five decades of his career, the prolific architect, a graduate of SPA, Delhi - has attempted to develop a contemporary design syntax for the Indian subcontinent, by approaching architecture as a synthesis of ‘ecology’ and ‘spirit’. While ecology speaks of a seamless, cohesive and integrated approach to design, spirit implies balance, understanding and tranquillity. Malik Architecture has designed some very prominent buildings in India; however it is Kamal Malik’s ongoing discourse with life that is a privilege to know and understand.

ON ARCHITECTURE
Architecture is not about structures: it is about ‘LIFE’. And to understand LIFE you have to develop a deep relationship with ‘NATURE’ (which we are an intrinsic part of). Only then does Nature open its doors to you: to the awareness and understanding of ‘consciousness’ that pervades all existence.

Having grown up in the hills of Shimla, nature is my greatest inspiration. I believe that the design process is a complex matrix with sustainability being the ultimate objective, and the endeavour to maintain sanyam or balance is the path towards meaningful design.

As a follower of the Patanjali School of Yoga, the concept of time, continuity, reflection and silence provides me with a theoretical underpinning, through which a syntax of metaphors is developed, allowing me, through my work, to comment on subjects ranging from urban decay and regeneration to the more abstract notions of homogeneity, purity, contradiction and chaos.

Being outdoors and spending a lot of time with nature has certainly influenced my thinking. By drawing inspiration from the natural world, architects can create environments that nurture both people and the planet, fostering a deeper connection to our surroundings. That is the way I design.

Malik Architecture was founded along the same principles that I believed in, and the ideology kept evolving as I worked on a variety of projects across the country.

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