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We give importance to the transition from outdoors to indoors, blurring the boun
daries. We try and create spaces which are unique in their feel providing the user
with a series of experiences experiencing elements of nature within a space, ex
periencing light, breeze, sound, unfolding of layers and volumes. quote_end
SANJAY MOHE
- See more at: SANJAY MOHE
About Company
Mindspace was formed in 2004 by Vauki Prakash, Suryanarayanan and Sanjay Mohe. O
ur firm is currently lead by Suryanarayanan, Medappa and myself. Of a total staf
f strength of 35, 20 are architects. We have consciously restricted the size of
our firm, to create a family-like bonding. It is important for us to be connecte
d to each other. Transparency is another important factor in our office. There a
re no closed cabins. The underlying idea is to create quality architecture and e
njoy the process.
We looked at climate as the main influencing factor on life style - our culture,
behavior, eating habits, fashion and most importantly architecture. Hence the c
entral idea of our architecture lies in its response to climate and context. Bei
ng sensitive to the elements of nature - Our design process involves understandi
ng the forces of nature, trying to use their energy to create a healthy and ener
gy efficient environment where the five elements (light, earth, air, water and s
ky) become an integral part of the built, breathing life into them. Using LIGHT
to modulate spaces - Light has been the most dynamic element we have used and we
are constantly trying to refine the quality it can add to spaces. Even a dark r
oom needs a crack of light to know how dark it is. This not only minimises the n
eed for any artificial sources of lighting but also creates animated spaces with
interplay of light and shadow. Blurring Boundaries - We give importance to the
transition from outdoors to indoors, blurring the boundaries. To sum up, our bui
ldings are not consciously designed to capture attention from the exterior. We t
ry and create spaces which are unique in their feel providing the user with a ser
ies of experiences experiencing elements of nature within a space, experiencing
light, breeze, sound, unfolding of layers and volumes. The external form of the
building is derived to complement the functions within. We try to create an equ
ilibrium between man, his needs, emotions, culture, his aspirations, elements of
nature and technological advancement. - See more at: http://www.insideoutside.i
n/SanjayMohe#sthash.lvKn08Ti.dpuf
PEOPLE Sanjay Mohe s guiding principle is that buildings can be modern with a defi
nite dash of common sense. He talks about his way of using spaces
Building blocksSanjay MohePhoto: Thulasi Kakkat
Building blocksSanjay MohePhoto: Thulasi Kakkat
It is illuminating talking to architect Sanjay Mohe about architecture. The sage
-like architect, with his beard and big hair, gives architecture a spiritual spi
n. A house or a building is not just an engineering feat; it is a space that evo
kes an emotional response from those inhabiting the space. And that a building h
as to be placed within the context of a location and culture. The living space b
ecomes a living entity with a soul and it is not about external appearances as wi
th a sculpture. The space within is important. You have to start from inside and
move to the exterior.
Sanjay Mohe was in Kochi for the Inside Outside show. This alumnus of Sir JJ Col
lege of Architecture (Mumbai) has worked with renowned architect Charles Correa.
During the chat he delves into the wisdom of the past where constructions revolv
ed around nature and climate.
In Kerala there are single houses in the midst of huge plots as opposed to in Raj
asthan where houses are built in clusters. These styles keep in mind the climati
c requirements of these areas. In humid Kerala you need more air circulation and
in extreme climates such as in Rajasthan, houses need to insulate each other. B
uilding was common sense-driven and we need to stick to common sense while const
ructing spaces, he says.
And the common sense involves keeping nature a part of the plan as architectural
forms resultant to climate, says Mohe, who runs the architecture firm, Mindspace
with colleagues Vasuki Prakash and Suryanarayana in Bangalore.
The five elements
And aping the west in the name of modernity is not common sense, he says. You can
not have a glass box in tropical climates such as ours. What we in India need is
porosity in form, for more air circulation, he adds. This stand, he clarifies, i
s not a critique of modern technology.
Whether it is a research facility or an educational institution or a home, a bui
lding has to be constructed keeping the panchabhutas (five elements) in mind. It
translates into letting the five elements circulate within the space.
As part of letting the elements in, his buildings have plenty of space for air t
o circulate and he makes good use of natural light. As far as sustainability goe
s, it cannot be over-emphasised, Mohe goes on. A building in its lifetime is, pro
bably, the largest pollutant. The process starts with piling right up to the con
struction and the subsequent requirements of the building. It is the largest con
sumer of natural resources, he says. He adds, We have been talking green and about
e
nergy conservation for a long time, much before it became fashionable. Energy con
servation and sustainability are two aspects of common sense when it comes to co
nstruction.
Some of this common sense guides the architect in the construction of laboratori
es and educational spaces.
While building a lab, for instance, the process is regimentality-driven, in part
s. Laboratories have to meet strict international standards, cleanliness, comple
te with effluent treatment plants.Along with that there is provision for interac
tive spaces.
G.V. Prasad of Dr. Reddy s Laboratories gave us the brief that both sides of the br
ain (the artistic right and the analytical left) need to be stimulated equally.
And therefore we had the brief that along with the
ision for interactive spaces and art.
lab