Aradhana Seth in conversation with Mumbai-based architect Salil Ranadive, who began SR+A (Salil Ranadive and Associates) as a fresh college graduate. His very first professional commission, The Arressa Art Gallery designed in collaboration with Anish Shah, received the Public Space Award from the Institute of interior Designer (IID) Awards. He discusses the span of project typologies he is now engaged with, from his Marine Drive Initiative in Mumbai, Songbirds Development in Pune and Jamnagar Vision Plan in Gujarat.
[02:40]
I was inspired by my father, Architect Sharad Ranadive, who was a partner at Greyson, Batley and King, and had a hand to play in the in some of the largest and most crucial developments across Mumbai.
[05:09]
Arressa Art Gallery was my first architectural commission. On a whim, we applied for the Public Space award from IIA, in their inaugural edition of Architectural Awards. Since we won it as students, I have never since applied for the awards.
[07:13]
One of my largest projects was the design of the 400-acre Reliance Township in Jamnagar. It was almost an Urban Design project, since we made about 100 different houses with a few varied typologies. It was a fair distance away from any town, so it needed to be completely self-sufficient, with schools, markets, shopping and medical centers and other sports and recreational amenities.
[10:46]
Architecture is more than just a visual image.
[16:37]
We created contemporary office spaces in old buildings using repurposed materials in Bombay. The arts are about patronage. Art and artists require it, and so do architects. I think the people who empower architects and are able to fund state-of-the-art architecture should be celebrated as much as the architects who design.
[21:52]
Environmental-friendly tactile spaces need to be integrated with the functional and usable aspects of any building.
[24:35]
Technology is helping build structures. As technology advances, so does building construction systems.
[25:00]
My biggest piece of advice to young architects would be – learn to draw. Although the world is constantly evolving, I still think that this is the first step to designing spaces. We should never lose that contact between our hands and the material.
[28:18]
I use music as a huge inspiration to my architectural design.
[28:51]
Vernacular Indian buildings were inherently examples of green architecture. A lot of ideas were just contextual and sensible ideas.
[IN]SIDE Talks are a series of conversations between Filmmaker Aradhana Seth with various reputed architects and designers around the country, support by Outlook, in association with H & R Johnson (India). Each conversation does aims to investigate the deep connections architects have with their crafts, and give an insight into their lives as people, creators, learners and masters.
