Design Urban Office Architects, Mumbai

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Design Urban Office Architects, Mumbai

One of the biggest challenges in the creative field is the need to constantly evolve, believe Dipal Kothari and Atrey Chhaya. “Stagnation and complacency of thought is an alarming prospect that needs to be consciously checked. The hardest part would be to stay fresh, nimble and not lose one’s sense of wonder,” state the 38-year-old architects. Partners at the Design Urban Office, the duo finds inspiration by studying self-organised urban fabrics, and by experiencing the works of Corbusier, Louis Kahn, BV Doshi and Charles Correa. “A stair around a light well, interconnected verandah spaces (created) for people to perform and interact. We attempt to understand, extract and apply these spatial codes into our design experiences,” they add.

Understanding this meaningful narration in built forms began during their undergraduate studies at KRVIA, Mumbai, followed by post-graduate studies in the UK – Khotari studied at The Bartlett, University College, London and Chhaya at Architectural Association Design Research Lab. “Post studies…we worked at Zaha Hadid Architects. It felt like a school where there was always something to learn,” they maintain.
On their return, working with Chhaya and Chhaya Design Consultants on the exhibitions at Ajanta and Ellora Visitor Centre and Aurangabad International Airport proved to be crucial experiences as well.

Since 2006, they have been working exclusively through their Mumbai studio – where digital generative and fabrication technologies are employed to arrive at optimum output. “We thrive on a multi-scalar approach towards architecture and design,” explain the duo, who believe in creating a seamless experience – “spatial flow, massing, environmental inputs and details are aligned towards a common expression.”

This design approach is best captured at Honey Bees, a pre-school nestled in a multi-level industrial unit. “Our experiments with natural light were the generator for the project. Interactive spaces were designed to flow around these light apertures,” explain the architects. An oval skylight over the staircase lights up the inner section, whereas the double storeyed louvered windows towards the external façade are angled away from the harsh south-west sun and staggered for diffused light.

As young architects, they believe that design is for all to enjoy. “A desirable project would be one that can be experienced and enjoyed by the public at large, and can affect change in the way people live and interact,” declare the partners.