A conversation between Aradhana Seth and veteran Architect Shashi Prabhu, discussing his early life as a cricketer, and how it transitioned to designing various high-profile stadiums and hospitals. With over 50 years of experience in the industry, Ar. Shashi Prabhu has constructed some of the most important public projects in India.
[10:15]
After designing the Wankhede Stadium, we moved onto building and designing numerous sports complexes, since Madam Indira Gandhi gave us the opportunity to do so, in the upcoming Asian Games in 1982. This was one of my biggest challenges. We worked day and night, with m contactors and team of architects, and completed the Indira Gandhi Stadium, Delhi, with a capacity of twenty-five thousand people.
This is how I came to be known as the “Stadium Architect”, working on big projects, almost 18 hours a day.
[15:15]
Durability is an important factor in choosing the right material. Buildings need to last, while enduring a lot of hardship. Life of buildings today are – at minimum – around 60 years. Even developers and contractors have understood this now, and are aware that they will not be able to do any cost-cutting at any part of the process.
[19:25]
Technology is always going to change. Architects need to constantly keep up to date with the market research, and position themselves to consider materials which sustainable, long lasting and aesthetically pleasing.
[31:31]
My advice to students in architecture would be, that whenever you graduate, make sure you never stop learning. Being a draftsman has its perks. It is good to understand how to draw, and learn how to design at that fundamental level.
Once you have reached a greater level of understanding, you will be able to title yourself as an “Architect”.
[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.
