CRAFTING TIMELESS CITIES WITH NEW DESIGN APPROACH

As rapid urbanization transforms the country’s cities into engines of economic growth, the question remains: how can architecture remain timeless, humane, and sustainable while responding to the urgency of development? Cities are more than skylines of concrete and steel; they are living canvases of culture, community, and interplay of art, space, and design. As per Nitin Killawala, Director, Group Seven Architects + Planners, art should not be the conscious pursuit of a designer. “When we design, it’s not that we are creating a piece of art, but subconsciously, you think that way.

A building becomes art not because the architect decides it should, but when it resonates with people and stands the test of time. Functionality and sustainability must remain the foundation. What we design need not be just a piece of art. It should be more functional,” he cautioned, underscoring that a building’s success lies in its ability to serve communities, not merely to impress.

"True test of a city lies not in beautiful design, but if it remains remain liveable as it grows. Nitin Killawala "

Suresh Babu, Principal and Founder of Suresh Babu and Partners, explained the process as layered. “We start from arithmetic—length and width of the site—then geography, whether the site is sloped or flat, in a cold or hot climate, and then function,” he said. Art, for him, emerges when the building transcends these technical layers to create joy. “Art is when the building is enjoyed by people, when it creates an experience.”

Legacy of cities will not be measured solely by iconic skylines, but by its quality of life. Suresh Babu

Jamshed Banaji, Principal Architect at Banaji & Associates, described this transformation as incidental. “Sometimes, a building becomes a piece of art in the city, incidentally,” he noted. The impact arises organically when structures blend into the life of the city, becoming iconic not because they were meant to, but because they resonate deeply with their surroundings.” Architecture is art plus science and form plus function. Jamshed Banaji

For Vivek Kishore, Principal Architect, Finer Edge, the essence of architecture lies in emotional connection. “It’s about creating spaces that people feel connected to, spaces that inspire,” he said. In his view, design is elevated to art when it stirs a response—when the built environment moves beyond shelter to spark belonging, pride, or even wonder. Cultural context is non-negotiable. We need to think about what we’re leaving behind. Vivek Kishore

Public Art: The Soul of the City

Killawala agrees public art is one of India’s pressing gaps. He pointed to European examples where civic projects routinely allocate space and funds for art, from plazas filled with sculptures to murals that celebrate local culture. “In our cities, we are missing that consciousness,” he lamented. In Mumbai, he noted, public engagement with art is largely confined to utilitarian spaces like railway stations or limited areas such as Horniman Circle. Banaji echoed this need to reimagine shared urban spaces. “We need to create public places where art and design converge to enhance the quality of life,” he argued.
His vision was of plazas, streetscapes, and waterfronts that invite people to linger, much like Barcelona’s La Rambla. Babu took this further, calling it a collective responsibility. “All of us have to come forward and push for public spaces with artwork,” he said, urging greater collaboration between architects and government. Kishore agreed but added that context is crucial: “A building or space becomes art when it responds to its cultural and social environment.” He emphasized using local traditions and materials in public art projects to create spaces that feel authentic, rooted, and inclusive.

The Urban Challenge

Despite India’s economic rise, the architects voiced deep concern about declining quality of urban life. Killawala did not mince words: “We’ve become the fourth largest economy, but 70% of our GDP comes from cities where life is getting worse every day.” Banaji called for architects to engage governments more actively. “We need to work with the government to create public spaces that inspire.” Babu underscored the role of policy. “Architects must take the lead in advocating for better cities,” he urged. Kishore drew from Charles Correa’s famous words: “Bombay is a great city but a terrible place to live.”. “We need to focus on quality of life not just GDP,” he said, advocating for more green spaces, cultural hubs, and human-scale design interventions.

New Approach To Business Of Design

Indian architecture is standing at a decisive crossroads. Younger buyers and investors are asking for smarter, greener, and more human-centric spaces, redefining the profession design and architecture. Sheetal Sarvaiya, Vice President of Business Development & Client Solutions at Eleganz Interiors concurred, ““There’s been a shift due to technology innovation, the changing generation, and a lot of creativity. Millennials and Gen Z expect designs that align with their values. They demand eco-friendly designs with low-carbon or even zero-footprint goals. That awareness is a major driver.”

Today’s designs must balance past wisdom with future needs. Sheetal Sarvaiya For Sachin Zanwar, Founder-Director at Urbanscape Studio, the greatest change is the sheer scale of today’s projects. “Today, massive footprints are hitting the Indian market. With multinational corporations setting benchmarks, speed and quality are no longer negotiable. We need to build fast, build green, and quality is equally important.”

I like to design contextual buildings that represent the socioeconomic fabric of the place. Sachin Zanwar Karan Daisaria, Principal Architect at Daisaria Associate contended that the real shift has been in mindset. “Slow and steady only sounds good in riddles and fables. It’s about giving the right quality at the right time. Clients and developers now value timely delivery and premium quality, even at a higher cost.”

I aim is to design structures that endure, avoiding obsolescence or demolition. Karan Daisaria Durvesh Mhatre, Senior Associate at RMA Architects, pointed to rising expectations: “The quality expected from the client as well as the end users has just grown up tremendously.” He highlighted innovations like non structural RCC walls, which not only enhance the finish but also reduce long term maintenance, as examples of how technology is quietly driving higher standards.

Put the end user at the heart of architecture for a long-term impact. Durvesh Mhatre


Technology as a Creative Enabler

Far from being seen as a threat, technology is now embraced as an enabler of creativity. Babu said, “Digital tools have revolutionized the design process. We used to rely on hand-drawn sketches, but now AI and 3D modeling let us explore multiple iterations quickly. This ability to test, tweak, and refine accelerates creativity, ensuring clients and communities are more engaged in the design journey. Sarvaiya sees additive manufacturing as a game changer. “It’s low labour-intensive, standardized, and faster. Already being tested in countries like Australia, it will soon gain momentum in India, particularly with government support.
The turnaround time will be very fast, though it will come with challenges.” Killawala highlighted the power of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in marrying function with form. “Tools like BIM help us integrate sustainability into designs from the start,” he said, pointing out how energy simulations and material analyses can guide environmentally responsible decisions without sacrificing aesthetics. For Zanwar generative AI is the most promising tool. “It could help us create faster packages within our offices and add that time toward research.

Prefabrication methods, though not new, are also gaining renewed traction as deadlines tighten and quality demands rise.” Banaji emphasized visualization. “You can walk a client through a space before it’s built, making the art tangible,” he said, describing how virtual reality brings designs alive for both clients and stakeholders. Daisaria cautioned that technology is only as powerful as the people who wield it. “You can have all the tech in the world, but what is changing is human efficiency. Selecting the right team to pair with technology is what ensures projects meet both deadlines and expectations.” Kishore added that the true revolution lies in accessibility. “Affordable software and open-source platforms are empowering younger architects to experiment. With these tools, innovation is no longer confined to elite firms; it is democratized, allowing a new generation of architects to redefine the language of Indian design.

Balancing Creativity and Profitability

Architecture has always been a tug-of-war between artistry and economics, but today, profitability and sustainability are increasingly seen as complementary rather than conflicting. Killawala emphasized “A building should be functional and sustainable; it cannot be an afterthought. “When we talk about sustainability, we often treat it as an activist job rather than a design-centric one,” said Sharmin Wade, Co-founder & Principal Designer at StudioSB. In her view, conscious choices at the design stage— like building orientation or material selection—can achieve environmental goals without bloating costs. “If you become a little more conscious of how you design, you’re automatically making the building less liable to the environment.” Babu advocated for simplicity. “A neat, clean, minimalist state is my way of making a space timeless, efficient and sustainable.” Banaji tied sustainability to adaptability. “Buildings must be able to be repurposed for future uses. Flexibility ensures longevity and reduces waste, allowing architecture to evolve alongside society. Kishore prefers use of local materials. “Using what’s available in the region not only cuts costs but also makes the building feel like it belongs.”

AI cannot replicate the sensory knowledge architects bring. Sharmin Wade

AI: Threat or Tool?

Few technologies spark as much debate as artificial intelligence, and architecture is no exception. Could AI ever replace the designer? “AI is never going to replace designers. AI will replace the backend of designers,” Sarvaiya insisted. She believes AI will handle repetitive, technical tasks like good-for construction drawings, freeing architects to focus on creativity. “AI is here only to assist, not to replace.” Mhatre agreed, underscoring AI’s lack of emotional intelligence. “What separates AI from us is the emotion, the connection to a project, client, or end user,” he said. Zanwar contextualized it within the profession’s history. “Earlier, we used to give two options to our clients. Now, with AutoCAD, we could give four options. Now we can give 10 options with SketchUp. AI is just the next step.” For Wade, AI cannot replicate the sensory knowledge architects bring. “AI will not know when you’re standing on a terrace to understand which side the wind is blowing,” she noted. Machines may quicken workflows, but intuition and context remain firmly human.

Designing for Legacy

If the present is about speed and sustainability, the future is about legacy—what buildings will mean decades from now. “I would like to have very contextual buildings that represent the socioeconomic fabric of the place,” said Zanwar, envisioning adaptable spaces that evolve over time. Offices, he suggested, could one day be converted into hotels or co-living spaces, ensuring relevance long after their initial purpose. Daisaria’s aspiration was more philosophical: “Any legacy that cannot be erased is a legacy to have.” His aim is to design structures that endure, avoiding obsolescence or demolition. For Sarvaiya, timelessness is something which is sustainable, cleaner, calmer, and can be used by future generations,” she said, emphasizing that tomorrow’s designs must balance past wisdom with future needs. Mhatre invoked architect Aldo Rossi, contrasting “pathological” buildings that fade with “propelling” ones that adapt. “Our legacy, I hope, is defined by the users,” he reflected, putting the end user at the heart of architecture’s long-term impact.

No Formula for Timelessness

As per the design veterans there is no universal blueprint for timelessness. Babu believes a building’s legacy depends less on design intent and more on how it is embraced by future generations. As per Banaji a timeless building is one that can adapt to new purposes. For Killawala timelessness is defined not by architects but by users and cities while, Kishore stated that timelessness lies not in grandeur but in resonance — the way a space makes people feel.

A Future Both Bold and Human

The evolution of Indian architecture is not just about faster buildings or smarter software—it is about reshaping the very business of design. Efficiency matters, but so does empathy. Technology accelerates, but humans give meaning. Sustainability is no longer optional; it is the foundation of trust. As one architect memorably put it: “Doctors give you life, architects give you lifestyle.” That line captures the spirit of the profession today. The business of design, in short, is becoming the business of shaping how India lives, works, and dreams.