SHARIGA R

PARTNER

STUDIO VISTA ARCHITECTS, KOCHI

Similar to the retro ‘Rafi-Shammi’ song, where the lyrics and music entwine with the visuals and it never leaves your memory, a well-designed project has to produce the same effect in a user’s mind.”

It was at SIT, Tumkur, that Shariga R delved deeper into the world of architecture and design, learning from Dr KS Ananthakrishna, Prof. SV Ravindra, and Navanath Kanade, whom she remembers as excellent professors and guides. Her admiration towards Frank Lloyd Wright’s horizontality, Charles Correa’s open-to-sky planning and Geoffrey Bawa’s tropical modernism were also instrumental in shaping the 32-year-old’s professional outlook.
All her learnings and passion for the field find their fruition at Studio Vista Architects, the practice she formed in 2018 with Varsha MB and Anupama Nandakumar. Together, they believe that building or space should be evolved as a combined product of a client’s desire and an architect’s thoughtful design approach. Their shared ideology boils down to the negation of a one-design-fits-all approach. Instead, each project is unique, customised to suit the client’s need and budget, while taking diligent care not to compromise on innovation and quality.
At The Macaw Nest, a 2,077 sq-ft duplex apartment, the collaborative spirit of her team led to a distinct colour theory approach. To bring excitement as one walked into the apartment, the rather narrow L-shaped living-plus-dining space was treated with bouts of ochre. The wall texture behind the TV, leather sofas, curtains, cushions, planters, paintings and wall pictures highlight the colour. White walls along with mirrors reflect maximum light and make the space feel larger. The colour blue is brought about consciously through wall texture, cushions, upholstery, curtains, paintings and other décor.
“Wherever possible, we try to employ vernacular materials -– testing their strength and aesthetics in ways not explored before. We make sure our attention goes into every small detail. If we cannot find things that satisfy our design aesthetics, we customise them just so that it becomes both functional and personalises the space,” elaborates Shariga, adding that both in architecture and interiors, she strongly believes that God is in the details.

ONGOING PROJECTS

1) Residence with exposed laterite, Mannarkkad, Kerala
2) Classic modern villa interiors, Arabian Ranches, Dubai
3) Upscale retirement home interiors, Kolencherry, Kerala

MOST SIGNIFICANT PROJECT TO DATE: The Macaw Nest, Palarivattom, Kochi