Interview with architect Samir Sengupta on Architecture

Architect Samir Sengupta is the Director of Ahmedabad based architectural firm Samir Sengupta & Associates. Over a carry spanning over four decades, his work experience also includes an interesting association with Ford Foundation, Nepal and with architect Louis Kahn. Having worked on a range of projects including institutional, residential, recreational, industrial and commercial projects, of special note are the many number of water parks and amusement parks that he has worked on, in India.

Inspiration to take up Architecture.....

"During my schooling in Bihar in the late 50's-60's, there were no architectural colleges and hence people were not aware of the subject. I however had an interest in Architecture because of two cousins of mine who were civil engineers; and I derived a subtle inspiration from them to go into the field. My study at CEPT strengthened my passion to continue in the field".

On his mentors in college life and the profession and their influences in his work...

"College days were fantastic. I used to stay in the hostel. By 1.30 pm classes would be over after which there would be no work till night. Since the college studio used to remain open throughout night I used to go to the studio around 9.30pm where I used to work till 4am, sleep for few hours before returning for the morning classes. Our teachers were very devoted who would sometimes stay with us till 9.00-9.30 pm in the studios.

I have had a number of mentors in this field- the very famous French Architect Bernard Kohn who was conducting our first year classes, Architect Hasmukh Patel and Architect Anand Raje who were teaching us. Architect B V Doshi,who was teaching the other batches has been a mentor too. They taught us about sincerity and hard work without which nothing is achievable. Working and learning under such stalwarts gave me a sense of architecture which I gradually picked up later. I also like to count Architect Louis I Kahn as one of my mentors with whom I had the privilege to work for a short time. The purity of forms that he developed gradually in his architecture is something that I like to incorporate in my works".

Counting the positives of Indian Architecture...

"Our old buildings incorporated simple solutions for day-to-day activities and took into consideration the climate, materials and the existent social style of living. You see living examples of the same today in the form of a few existing monumental buildings in the form of palaces, castles etc.

I am a little confused about the Architecture of the new era. There have been certain periods in history when an experimental stage has come up and we have fared pretty well like the era prior to renaissance and succeeding the industrial revolution. These certain stages have been commendable- but not enough to tell you if something has really got crystallised".

On his biggest green project...

"Shapath Hexa” in Ahmedabad which will be officially the first green building in Ahmedabad is our biggest green project. It is a commercial complex on S.G. Highway with a built up area of 16,000sqm. Ahmedabad as compared to the other cities of the country has seen late development. The land cost is very low and the trend of green buildings has started picking up in the past 2-3 years here. I am sure in future there will be many more.

Due to the absence of a very good climatic condition here we have used energy saving devices for the building. The motivation to do such a building has been the need of the future which is witnessing us losing energy and natural resources like water. The building is nearing completion.

Regarding the green aspects we have followed the criteria needed for LEED 2011 in India for a Gold rating. We have used 75% of reused materials, 95% of recyclable material, energy saving glass (SGG Sterling Silver ,ST 120), Double Glaze Unit with Inner Planitherm Clear (PLTT), and materials like fly ash brick, low VOC paints and adhesives in indoors for air quality. The materials have been sourced locally from 400km around. We have achieved water saving up to 45% and energy saving up to 21%. There are facilities of a STP, a double basement with 50% parking in basement, electric charging points in basement, thermal roof insulation and easy circulation and access for local transportation leading to fuel efficiency.

Glass has been used to give it a very aesthetic, clean and a new appearance, cutting down the need to repaint it to make it always look new. We have used a combination of a clear glass and a grey glass so that the overall sun factor becomes less and energy is conserved. Acoustically the glass hasn’t helped much, but it does cut the noise of the highway traffic. The challenges that we faced were that despite our dislike, we had to use grey glass (which does not have satisfactory specification), as we wanted a glass which should not be very flashy. Thus we had to use the inner glass too to cut down the solar component".

On the amalgamation of the traditional architecture and contemporary vocabulary...

"I won't say that my design style represents an amalgamation of the traditional and contemporary genres totally. Rather, if I am doing a building with contemporary architecture there will be no traditional elements in it - at the most some traditional concepts like a courtyard will be incorporated. I believe in doing different kinds of Architecture - In the Emerald High School in Indore, you can see arches. I have done a castle on a fairy tale concept. I have been inspired by Ar. Louis Kahn and hence I would like to use the elements that he used to, but is difficult to use them everywhere".

Indian architects who have changed the face of Indian Architecture...

"Charles Correa has very beautifully amalgamated the Indian essence of design in a modern vocabulary in his designs. Also I greatly revere Ar. B V Doshi's designs - CEPT and his office “Sangath” are exemplary of his work. I am not very much connected with the works of the younger architects".

On working with renowned International Architects like Ar. Louis Kahn and Ar. Kenzo Tange...

"I worked with Ar. Louis Kahn in Nepal where I did the Mother care complex with him in Kathmandu. He imbibed the local architecture and used the traditional material, brick in this project. He has beautifully taken care of the existing cold climate. These senior and legendary architects cultivate a real good essence of the culture of the place they are building in. I experienced the same while working with Ar. Kenzo Tange. He kept his design contextual and didn't go for high rise buildings according to the site. He used minimal concrete. These architects have made me learn the value of tradition.

I have not travelled much but my reading tells me that the architecture of Scandinavian countries is very inspiring. Their reuse of old materials and detailing is very stimulating".

On his favourite glass project...

"I would count Ganesh Meridian in Ahmedabad, a commercial complex with offices, banquet halls and hotels as my favourite glass project.

I used a double glazed Saint Gobain glass (SGG Cool-lite Turquoise (ST 436)) for the same and it has aesthetics as well as functional uses. Since it was the first development for the builder, aesthetically, glass has helped in making the complex a landmark area in that region. Also, the complex was facing west and south where the heat needed to be cut down, thus a double glazed glass was used as an energy cutting device too".

Project Portfolio

Projects to look forward to...

"I have done a number of amusement water parks which are very enjoyable to do since one always needs to play with nature and water in such projects with landscaping playing a major role. My major projects include the Aquatica Water Park in Kolkata which was competed 5-6 years back and the Goyal's water park and resort in Gujarat (which has now been taken over by Country Club) which was built 10-12 years back. It was my first water park - it is small but very cosy and establishes a very good rapport with participants with its relatable scale.

Amongst my upcoming projects, there is a township in Bhopal that I am doing by the name Aqua city. It is surrounded by a small canal - a seasonal natural water body which we would like to preserve and retain for the whole year. It has 1000 dwellings and is spread over 70 acres of land. Almost half of its construction is over. The Emerald Heights High School in Indore on 15 acres of land is in the designing stage. Besides this I have done a few residences with double wall insulations".

Interview taken by Ar. Apurva Bose Dutta. She is an architectural journalist and Content Partner for Glazette and can be contacted on www.apurvabose.com.

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