The architecture profession in India has evolved even within the span of my career over the last two decades. Since the Industrial Revolution, new technologies have made production – of just about everything – faster and cheaper. AI and related data-rich tech advances continue this trend and are finding their applications in the real estate and construction world as well.
The global trend of sustainability is one that we have been completely integrated with as architects. Technological advancements using AI for design processes are becoming a part of our everyday practice. The Indian society has urbanised and shifted towards a modern India which embraces new world homes and workspaces which need to be designed and deployed at a scale unlike before.
Trends, technologies, and lifestyles require adaptation and agility in the way architecture is practised and viewed; enabling architects to stay relevant and effective in today’s context.
The biggest opportunities in design lie in the usage of AI. Data is power and the ability to harness it seamlessly to make informed design decisions is very powerful. AI analytics is all about data. For example, we get data from HVAC chillers, lighting systems, solar panels, and even all the electrical sockets that we have. We also have data on occupancy. This now gives the ability to optimize energy usage.
Another very powerful design tool is simulation, which again requires a lot of data as its input to project accurate results. The move towards this digital realm for design requires architects to possibly re-invent their practice to make the most of what technology has to offer. It is not intuition that drives a design anymore, it is, in fact, data.
In an age of rapid urbanization, it is imperative to be able to build faster and taller to meet the needs of a growing country like India. Modular and formwork-based construction technologies have rapidly replaced conventional brick and mortar frame structures. The repeated sections help bring down pour cycles to an average of 5-10 days and buildings are topping out much faster than we were used to before. The additional advantages of having cost and resource efficient architecture all add up to the sustainability quotient of the end-product.
I envisage the future of architecture to be driven even more by technology and sustainability. I think the intersection of these two fields has immense potential and the capability of crafting a very sensible and responsive type of architecture. The shrinking blue-green infrastructure of all our cities is a testament to the fact that we need to pay more attention to how we build. It is impossible to ignore the environmental impact of our buildings on city infrastructure in the future. With the increasing availability of data, architects around the world are prioritizing analytics to drive better urban infrastructure and better urban experiences in a more sustainable and balanced fashion.
Architect Mr. Reza Kabul: ARK Reza Kabul Architects
Architecture, as a subject, is always in an ever-evolving cusp of transformation. All factors affecting the built form, such as climate, global trends and technology are in a constant push to adaptation and change, thus influencing the
Ar. Himanshu Patel: 6thdesign studio
As an architect deeply rooted in the ethos of sustainable architecture, I believe that Indian architecture is indeed in a transformative phase, and this transformation is deeply intertwined with our commitment to environmental
Ar. Shruti Dimri, Ar. Madhav Raman, Ar. Vaibhav Dimri: Anagram Architects
In today’s context, the idea of modernity in architecture has shifted towards addressing the pressing needs of society. This includes a strong focus on technology, artificial intelligence (AI), energy efficiency, and the well-being of
Ar. Akshara Verma & Ar. Dinesh Verma: Ace Group Architects
India’s unique advantage lies in its ability to blend modern methodologies with traditional craftsmanship, thus fostering a distinct architectural identity. The convergence of these elements serves as a catalyst for innovation within
Ar. Akshay Selukar: Akshay Selukar
The future of architecture will be driven by innovation and a commitment to creating built environments that are environmentally sustainable, technologically advanced, and responsive to the needs of society
Architect Lalichan Zacharias: Lalichan Zacharias atelier
Yes, Indian architecture is in a transformation phase. Modernisation, Globalization and exposure to International Designs have influenced the Indian architecture to a great extent. Architecture is becoming more and more technology
Ar. (Dr). Harish Tripathi & Jyoti Tripathi: ARHATA
The architecture of any country is deeply rooted in the culture, psyche, economy, and politics, and India’s situation is no different. In addition to this, the advent of new technologies has a profound effect on the thought
Ar. Amey Dahanukar: ARA Designs
In modern India, architects have extensive travel experience, while earlier, travel exposure to different parts of the world used to be somewhat difficult. However, everything is now accessible due to many travel options, and each
Ar. Archana Van Gils: AVG Architects
Being a part of this endlessly mutable field for almost more than a decade, I can attest to the remarkable evolution of the profession in response to global trends and technological advancements, while also adapting to the needs of
Architect Mr. Arpan Johari: AW Design
India has a rich history of building design trends that have cross influenced across borders and have slowly transformed over the centuries. In fact, the transformative phase in Indian Architecture has always been ongoing. Sometimes it