With many acclaimed works in their portfolio, the New Delhi-based practice has led the narrative of a multi-disciplinary approach towards architecture and design in our context. This piece is an attempt to decipher the fundamental ideas that form the underlay for the endeavours of Studio Lotus and the purpose behind the width and depth of their practice.
Established as a multi-disciplinary design office by Ambrish Arora, Sidhartha Talwar and Ankur Choksi, Studio Lotus has often found themselves working in the interfaces between many demanding design questions. These questions are fundamental to design practice in India and its subcontinent. They relate to our landscape, the ethics of practice in the Third World and the themes that guide design engagement in our context.
Process
This single word encompasses the many complex layers of interaction that the studio engages with. From a detailed understanding of the program – much of what is re-written by the studio – to an intuitive grasp of the materials at hand, the architectural framework and the systems that need to be employed in each project. In this respect, each project is unique and an independent discussion for the studio. While a collective portfolio enables one to glimpse into the continuous threads of ideas that run through their work, each project is prompted into its own trajectory that continually references back to the framework laid out by the team at Studio Lotus.
Sustainability
‘Sustainability’ is a consistent theme. But a deeper understanding of sustainability and its interface with the process of design and production is where the interest of the practice is located. For Studio Lotus, the core aspects of sustainable design work in proximity to their concerns about the cultural, social and environmental impact of design.
Craft
The office works closely and in a collaboration with craftsmen, skilled labour and artisans on their project sites often co-creating experiments in material research and construction processes to innovate at the grassroots. The process of experiment and feedback includes prototyping, scale-modelling and creating mock-ups that enable the designers to grasp the impact of detail at the human scale. By contributing to the development of their skill, the practice attempts to refine and improve the process of building construction and execution.
A Collective Spirit
“People matter”, says Ambrish Arora – one of the Founders and CEO at Studio Lotus. Democracy and transparency are core values at the office. Everyone is encouraged to contribute their thoughts and their position in the project deliberations. All perspectives count. While framing a narrative of a mainstream commercial practice, their idea of commerce and the implications of the word ‘mainstream’ are not delinked from their ideas of social and cultural exchange. The critical interface that the designers have with the larger network includes clients, contractors, construction labourers, managers, consultants and so on, enables them to contribute to a conversation that is more holistic and that impacts the society.
Identity
As an outsider, one can understand the urge to establish a practice that concerns itself with issues that are larger than the practice. Yet, a certain commitment to excellence and to push one’s known boundaries is expected by the office. The context of their practice is very significant for them – India is a constant conversation at the office there is a genuine attempt to source and respond to critical regional parameters of their project sites. It is not just the physical context of their work that is important to Studio Lotus – also the intellectual context of their effort. An idea of India that originates from her potential and revolves around the material and intellectual wealth of her peoples is perhaps a question of seeking one’s identity for Studio Lotus. India, for them, is a philosophy. This dual nature of the practice – one that looks inward while looking outward – generates a positive feedback loop. A constant cycle of action and reflection which perhaps enables many individuals who engage with the work of Studio Lotus to seek their purpose in the practice.
Practice
The daily grind at the studio involves producing surplus ideas. Everyone working at Studio Lotus has nurtured a sense of ownership towards the practice and towards their work in the practice – a unique feat for a reasonably large office. The questions of design, entrepreneurship, ambition and quality of life must be referenced against this important primary layer of values that they have subscribed to in their leadership roles.
The concerns of Studio Lotus are quite distinct from the preoccupations of contemporary architecture and design disciplines. The collective spirit of practice overrides the individual genius with an emphasis on work as a learning process for all. When one attempts to analyse the foundational layers of the practice, one finds that it is built on human relationships and exchange. A line from the ‘guiding principles’ framed by Studio Lotus sums up their unique position in the landscape of professional design practice in India: “Our way of work is akin to that of a craftsperson. It needs to be constantly honed ⊗”
STUDIO LOTUS is a multi-disciplinary design practice whose work seamlessly weaves interior and exterior spaces, from large architectural ideas to the smallest of furniture details. The 60-member team at Studio Lotus is from diverse disciplines of Architecture, Interior Design, Exhibition Design, Furniture design, & Graphic Design.
Being a collective of individuals from diverse backgrounds, their practice is informed by many creative perspectives and domains of work. They work with people at the core of the making in building trade and improvise on their processes. Their work has a strong affinity towards the phenomenon: an experience of spaces. Led by making, their designs are driven by identifying and encouraging potential in existing building practices and techniques. For Lotus, technology is a medium to orchestrate experiences that are unique, specific and purposeful.
