Apparel brand Perona has grown its retail footprint with a new location in Saket, New Delhi. Locally based studio Architecture Discipline spearheaded the design of the immersive retail space, which is characterized by the concept of flexibility with modular and reusable elements.
Spread across 1,175 square feet, the store is heralded to passersby via a large LED screen that animates the zone between the interior and the walkway. A muted neutral palette accents the sharp and strong industrial details of the interior. Reusable polycarbonate and curved stainless steel panels adorn the walls to create a foreground of dense black and gray material counterpoints in glass.
Drawing inspiration from the Shakespeare quote: “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players,” changing rooms are housed beyond suede curtains, conceived as a theater’s green room.
“As a studio, we are interested in finding areas of work that slip between conventional territories and this project offered us certain freedom to explore that,” says Architecture Discipline principal architect Akshat Bhatt. “We wanted to create a shop display system that was ephemeral. The modular elements that populate the center of the space are meant to be reconfigured periodically, thereby allowing the viewer a fresh experience each time they visit.”
Architect Akshat Bhatt
In his quest to create and nurture the architect founded Architecture Discipline in the early days of 2007. We verbatim quote Akshat on starting his firm. “I had too much to say about architecture in general, so I figured the best way to do things, was to do them alone.” It’s inspiring to note that the confidence he had in his vision at such a young age, has translated into award-winning structures, critically lauded forms and contextual work that inspires all of us, every single day! The first project taken up by Akshat’s Architecture Discipline was a two hundred square meter sound studio that belonged to a friend. It wouldn’t be far fetched claim to state that the architect’s affiliation with music must have certainly come to major advantage in the execution of this studio space.
By 2008, Architecture Discipline came into its own. The firm started picking speed as a solo design studio with a fierce design voice. And that can be attributed to Akshat’s child-like enthusiasm for architecture. “The scale is very exciting for us, we’re able to do every scale. Different projects I’m proud of in different ways. Some of them because of the charity, some of them because of the programme, some for the way we use them.” But he does have a critical outlook to architecture and design as well…it’s not as hunky-dory, and Akshat is not afraid to get candid. “Architecture is not a competition, but the business of architecture certainly is. Being a successful architect takes many years of hard work, skill and all-round effort. It’s not just about being a sort of abstract design genius and passing an exam with flying colours.” In Akshat’s words, we find a mentor.
He is a rebel, but with a cause. Äkshat’s take on the state of affairs in India needs to be heard. “The industry in India has to improve. I feel there is a lack of vision. We must move beyond architecture the trade. It must become a sort of ecosystem that is more supportive and cohesive than what it is currently. This may also help us overcome the two other issues we have; one is of overall quality of build and longevity and the second of designing and maintaining the residual space around the building. If you want to be relevant, you need to be open to an enormous multiplicity of values, interpretations, and readings. The old-fashioned Western ‘this is’ ‘that is’ is no longer tenable. We need to be intellectual and rigorous but at the same time relativist.” Things are getting serious now…but we quickly shift the focus back to Akshat and his amazing body of work.
In this exciting exclusive, we chronologically revisit four of the best projects from Architecture Discipline’s boutique of works. Now, normally, we would introduce each project, but Akshat is an orator and a brilliant one at that. We present his projects, to you, in his voice. Let’s get started, shall we!
The first project we begin the journey with is the B23 home, based in New Delhi. Akshat completed this home in 2016. We start things off with a quote by the architect, “Meaningful design is about the essence of things and eventually about reduction.” The impressive structure of this house and the interiors as well, typically stands as a tribute to the 70s Indian modernism. With this project, Akshat proves that he is a master of functional style. About the design, Akshat designed it to be an extremely interactive home for a close-knit joint family, you know, the hybrid kind that still cooks and dines together. Coming back to the project, the architecture of this house is such that the structure embraces the roots of its owners while being progressive at the same time. The open plan nature of this home contributes to the experience of being an interactive space yet while offering privacy. From outside it looks modern and contemporary and from the inside, it’s as comfortable and cosy.
B23 project by Architect Akshat Bhatt
B23 project by Architect Akshat Bhatt
B23 project by Architect Akshat Bhatt
B23 project by Architect Akshat Bhatt
The year after that, in 2017, Akshat completes A39, again in New Delhi. This project is planned as a contemporary dwelling while reflecting on the family’s legacy. The third-floor apartment is renovated, extended and punctured to connect with a timber cabin on the rooftop. This is flanked by the formal garden on one side and a water body with a fountain on the other. It has been deconstructed to form an open-plan space, where the living area, the dining area and the formal living space merge into one entity, but with enough separation to have a distinct identity. The idea of timber, the garden, the water bodies, various spaces, the art and artefacts weaves and narrates a story. A material palette of wood and warm tones accentuates this home to be one of the best that’s come out of Architecture Discipline. Another thing to note, Akshat is not afraid to layer. We love how he creates depth and drama with shelves and luxe pieces of furniture.
A39 project by Architect Akshat Bhatt
A39 project by Architect Akshat Bhatt
A39 project by Architect Akshat Bhatt
A39 project by Architect Akshat Bhatt
A39 project by Architect Akshat Bhatt
2018 saw the completion of The IVY in Gurugram. Akshat starts the tour of this project by asking us, “What’s a house without memories and some good energy?” We know we are in for some restful the moment he asks us that. Approximately 8000sqft, this penthouse located in The IVY, (adjacent to the eminent “The Laburnum”, Gurugram), exudes sophistication and panache. Wrapped up with frosted film, the glass entrance door provides some privacy to the family whilst giving a hint of the house to the visitors even before they enter. The glow of natural light on the door keeps varying throughout the day which gives it a transposable character. The house features a stunning neo-baroque interior with a decor that can be best described as festive, majestic and flamboyant. Considering the minimal design we saw up front, followed by the dramatic layering in the second project, it is becoming quite clear that the architect can masterfully bring to life exciting and unique living narratives.
The IVY project by Architect Akshat Bhatt
The IVY project by Architect Akshat Bhatt
The IVY project by Architect Akshat Bhatt
The IVY project by Architect Akshat Bhatt
We finally come to Palm Avenue in New Delhi. Completed last year, this expansive residence is the stuff that dreams are made of. Akshat says of the outcome, “Normally architects render a service, they implement what other people want. This is not what I do. I like to develop the use of the building together with the client, in a process, so that as we go along, we become more intelligent.” Within the residential realm of Palm Avenue, Vasant Kunj, the project reflects an unconventional feel of other-worldliness. Standing disparate with its clean lines and minimalistic exteriors, the property is symbolic of the evolution that its owners and creators underwent during its three-year completion/ construction period. Wrapped in meticulous timber grids, the exteriors are carefully planned to reflect the gradual ageing process one sees in nature. While most people think of houses as hotels, the studio has a different outlook. The house is programmed in a way to allow for flexible partitions and systems, which can be moulded to increase or decrease space as needed in the future. The bare walls serve as an opportunity for the family members to start afresh and etch their experiences as they move along. This project has been extensively feature, here, on the GoodHomes website, by our Editor, Seema Sreedharan. To read up on it, please type Akshat Bhatt in the search engine. You should be directed to it.
Palm Avenue project by Architect Akshat Bhatt
Palm Avenue project by Architect Akshat Bhatt
Palm Avenue project by Architect Akshat Bhatt
Palm Avenue project by Architect Akshat Bhatt
Palm Avenue project by Architect Akshat Bhatt
Soon, Akshat and his brilliant team of architects will complete the restaurant interiors at The Oberoi, Amarvilas, spread over 3,500sqft. Another notable project on the ante is the Conservation and Adaptive Reuse of The Oberoi Grand, Kolkata, for East India Hotels. This restoration project focuses on revitalising one of the oldest buildings in the country and it’s a grade one restricted building in Calcutta. And in the realm of interiors, Akshat will complete the building of a multi-dwelling, residential project in the heart of New Delhi in the next 1 and a half years.
We ask Akshat one last thing, what does the future hold in store for him. He replies, “We are busy working on a community aimed to assist young designers. Along with that, we are also working on a few large social housing projects, which are truly exciting. While we continue to do what we are doing at the upper end of the spectrum of architecture, we believe we have come to the point where we can take the learnings from that spectrum and put it down to the people in mass, which I do believe will add tremendous value and contribute to the built environment of Indian cities per se.” We can’t wait to see how things pan out. If you wish to direct any questions to the architect, please feel free to leave them in the comment boxes, below. We will share them with Akshat and shortly revert.
