Would the austere aesthetic that has in recent times been so widely popular in décor ever get edged out? It seemed unlikely that the mindset could change anytime soon. However, just when we thought the world had started to embrace minimalism and the ‘less is more’ ideology had started pervading, a new wave has been spotted!

Christopher Charles Benninger is an architect whose work embodies a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, deeply rooted in cultural and environmental contexts. With a career spanning over five decades, Benninger has left an incredible mark on the architectural landscape, particularly in India, where he has played a pivotal role in shaping the urban environment.

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!

Smritivan Earthquake Memorial and Museum is built in memory of the victims of the terrible earthquake in Kutch, Gujarat. Designed by Vastushilpa Sangath LLP, chief architect Rajeev Kathpalia envisioned it as a structure that would resonate the resilience of the residents of the disaster-struck area. A narrative intertwining memory, nature, the enduring human spirit and the traditions of Kutch, using vernacular materials and methods thus unfolds in a built form.