Ar. Akshay Selukar On Balancing Sustainability And Modern Design

Bhopal-based architect Ar. Akshay Selukar approaches architecture as more than just designing buildings, it’s about creating spaces that feel alive, functional, and meaningful. Guided by a respect for tradition while responding to contemporary needs, he prioritises sustainability, context, and human experience.

From harnessing natural light and airflow to using locally sourced, durable materials, his designs are both practical and timeless. Every project, he explains, is an opportunity to merge culture, community, and innovation, resulting in spaces that uplift people while remaining sensitive to their environment. In this interview with Senior Correspondent Asma Rafat, he shares his insights and philosophy.

How would you describe your core design philosophy, and what principles guide your approach to creating spaces?

Akshay Selukar: My design philosophy is rooted in balance. Balance between tradition and modernity, and between functionality and emotion. Being in Bhopal, a city of lakes and heritage, I believe spaces should connect deeply with their context and surroundings. I strive to design responsibly with nature and local resources while ensuring every project has a sense of timelessness rather than following fleeting trends. Ultimately, I want every space to feel like it belongs, breathes, and uplifts the people who use it.

What inspires your architectural style, and how do you balance aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability in your projects?

Akshay Selukar: My architectural style is largely contemporary, but it’s shaped by observing how people live and interact with spaces, as well as by the natural environment. For me, aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability go hand in hand. A building can only be beautiful if it works well and is responsible to its surroundings. I lean towards clean contemporary lines, thoughtful use of natural light, and climate-responsive strategies, ensuring the design feels modern yet comfortable, visually appealing yet practical, and always mindful of its impact.?

How do you strike a balance between your creative vision and the very real limits of budget, climate, or regulations?

Akshay Selukar: Every project comes with its own set of boundaries, whether it’s budget, climate, or local regulations. But these are not limitations but opportunities to innovate. Budgetary limits push me to explore smarter material choices, climatic conditions inspire passive design strategies, and regulations ensure the project is safe and sustainable. Balancing these with creativity results in spaces that are not only visually appealing but also efficient, responsible, and well-adapted to their context.??

Sustainability has become a big conversation in design today. How does it shape your own philosophy, and how do you bring it into your projects on the ground?

Akshay Selukar: I see sustainability as the future of architecture. It’s not optional anymore, it’s essential. In practice, I focus on passive design methods like maximizing natural light and airflow, reducing energy loads, and incorporating green elements wherever possible. I also work with materials that are locally available and durable, ensuring the design is both eco-friendly and cost- effective. It’s about finding harmony between people, place, and resources. On site, this means designing layouts that minimize wastage, integrating energy-efficient systems, and encouraging clients to adopt eco-friendly solutions. When sustainability is woven into the process from the start, it naturally shapes better, more responsible buildings.

As our cities expand at a rapid pace, what do you think architects should be prioritising to make them livable and future-ready?

Akshay Selukar: Urban expansion is inevitable, but the way we design can decide whether it enhances or burdens our lives. Architects should focus on integrating green spaces, promoting mixed-use developments, and ensuring mobility and infrastructure keep pace with growth. Future-ready cities will be the ones that combine technology with sustainability and human comfort. The city that integrates smart traffic systems, energy-efficient buildings, and extensive green spaces while keeping public life accessible and vibrant. The goal should be to balance density with quality of life, so that cities remain both efficient and humane.