What is architecture? Is it simply designing a building, or is it something more? It’s undoubtedly the latter. Good architecture doesn’t necessarily abide by the rules. It’s groundbreaking and subtle. It takes into account the cultural context and respects the local traditions. It serves a utilitarian purpose and takes care of its occupant’s well-being and convenience. Perhaps this thin line is the path to greatness. India has seen its fair share of architects. However, only some have made a profound impact on the discipline at large. Let’s talk about some of the top architects in Bangalore.
Best Architects in Bangalore
The city of Bangalore; the state capital of Karnataka; the Silicon Valley of India, needs no introduction. It is known for its rising GSDP and for being an IT hub. It is one of the popular metropolitan cities in India, where every year a humungous population peruse through, trying to build a career and a life. But how would their dreams be possible had it not been for some of the top architects in Bangalore? Without further adieu, let’s take a look at them and discover what makes them a part of contemporary (and old) history.
1. Cadence Architects
Cadence Architects was founded in 2005 as a joint venture between Smaran Mallesh, Vikram Rajshekar, and Narendra Pirgal. They are known to conceptualize esoteric settings and design emotive spaces. To address how individual’s emotional response to architecture, Cadence Architects sensitively explores issues of regional culture, lifestyle, and sentiments. The team has handled projects of various sizes, complexities, and typologies, including homes, multi-family residential communities, institutes, hospitality, and healthcare spaces, thanks to their design philosophy, an effective management system, and a pragmatic approach. Their magnum opus includes the Pattern Land (residential), Navyas (healthcare), and the interiors for Stencil Consulting.
2. Mindspace Architects
Founded in October 2004, Mindspace Architects is a well-versed architectural firm that has worked on residential spaces, schools, research facilities, public spaces, and corporate headquarters. It was founded by Sanjay Mohe, Vasuki Prakash, and Suryanarayanan. Mindspace Architects continuously raises the bar for sustainable architecture by incorporating climate-sensitive techniques and cultural context into their modern designs. Their pièce de résistance includes the Parkside Retirement Homes, Ekya Byrathi (school), and the Titan Integrity Campus (corporate).
3. Collage Architecture Studio
The year 2009 saw the founding of the Collage Architecture Studio by Arunkumar Deivanayagam, Adwitha Suvarna, and Swapnil Valvatkar. Their projects’ fields include multi-level housing ventures, interior design, and commercial buildings. To them, every project has its own set of peculiarities and cultural interpretations, hence must be approached with a distinct perspective. Collage Architecture Studio has designed the Raaya Experience Centre (housing), Toy Story (playschool), and the Akriti Experience Centre (hospitality).
4. Earthitects
Earthitects was established in 2021; a legacy venture of the Ramapuram family. According to them, every dwelling should be built ‘around’ nature rather than ‘on’ it, blending in perfectly with its natural surroundings. They are renowned for their environmentally friendly designs and thoughtful selection of sustainable natural building materials. Some of the iconic architectural designs of Earthitects include the Stone Lodges Private Residencies, Wayanad; the Evolve Back resorts; and their office workplace.
5. TechnoArchitecture
TechnoArchitecture was founded in 2003 by Rajesh Shivaram. The firm draws on the rich history, to create quality design excellence. Their experimental architecture modulates space, creating settings that are stunning, serene, and dramatic. The synthesis of ideas and vision results in structures that are unique yet practical, conforming to the client’s needs. TechnoArchitecture has shaped the city’s skyline through Nested Box House (residential), Salut Gastropub, and JP Balimo’s rooftop restaurant.
6. BetweenSpaces
Pramod Jaiswal and Divya Ethirajan founded BetweenSpaces, an architecture and interior design firm in 2010. They create distinctive spaces by utilizing basic techniques such as orientation, scale, volume, proportion, manipulation of materials and space, and light control. BetweenSpaces celebrates the traditional spirit of the location while maintaining a contemporary undertone. It also understands the local conditions and traditional construction methods. The physical, economic, social, and cultural contexts determine the generative design tools that turn a mundane space into a unique experience. BetweenSpaces is known for its residential masterpieces such as the Cuckoo’s Nest and the House of Voids.
7. Kamat & Rozario Architecture
Kamat & Rozario Architecture was founded by Smruti Kamat and Lester Rozario in 2007. They integrate the needs of the client with their process-oriented, sustainable designs, whether they are homes, offices, institutions, recreational areas, or retail stores. They also segue into urban ecology, planning, and design. Kamat & Rozario Architecture’s process aims to find solutions to historical and modern problems in a culture that is continuously changing. Some of their architectural design include the Big Little House (residential), the Dental Clinic’s interior design, and the Upsouth KRG restaurant.
8. 4site Architects
Chandrakant S. Kanthigavi founded 4site Architects in 2012. Their reach extends to India, Australia, and Dubai, where they take on projects of various sizes in the retail, commercial, residential, hotel, urban, and public domains. Their goal is to create innovative, one-of-a-kind, and trendsetting designs while building their clientele’s brand. 4site Architects believe in designing utilitarian spaces that improve the quality of life. Instead of following a set aesthetic or signature style, their design process goes through a rigorous investigation. Their body of work includes the Shri Shiva Temple Complex, Hubli; the upcoming Bollywood Twister, Mumbai; and the Jain School.
9. Crest Architects
In 2014, Vishwas Venkat and Vikas M V founded Crest Architects. Along with creating custom interior spaces and landscape designs, the company has ventured into residential design, institutional design, commercial design, and hospitality projects. Their design philosophy blends form and function; pursuing architectural design to produce solutions that are both site-responsive and contextually relevant. Their oeuvre experiment with space, and volume and reimagine building typologies. Among the most notable aspects of the design process are the natural elements’ smooth integration into the spatial planning. Crest Architects is most known for engendering the SBR office, the International School, and the Hovering Abode, Kolar.
10. Greyscale Design Studio
In 2011, the Greyscale Design Studio was established by Girish Mysore Parthasarathy, Sanjay Kumar, Ninu Ahluwalia and Magesh Manohar. They create spaces that are optimal, practical, and in harmony with their surroundings through holistic approaches. They design spaces that are sustainable in terms of society, economy, and environment. Greyscale Design Studio is best known for Brickly Affair (residential), the Lamprid (Hospitality), and the Kingdom College (educational).
11. Studio WhiteScape
2012 saw the formation of Studio WhiteScape by Manjunath C.N. They aim to produce aesthetically pleasing spatial forms that strike a balance between art, comfort, and security. A thorough grasp of modern techniques, materials, and technologies enables an unmatched degree of sustainability, affordability, and creativity in their work. Studio WhiteScape’s magnum opus remains Le Tranquil House, Pondicherry and the Casa Lux.
12. Design Boulevard
In 2012, Muzamil Hasham and Komal Menda founded Design Boulevard. Their design methodology uses current technology to create contemporary forms with distinctive material palettes. They are known for contemporary materials, scale and light relationships, and spatial manipulations. They have explored a variety of design theories influenced by modernism, morphology, abstraction, parametric design, and abstraction as they have developed rapidly in this field. Design Boulevard’s portfolio includes interior and landscape design, restaurant and educational facility architecture, luxury home and apartment designs, and commercial architecture. They have designed the Hues of Copper, the Tesseract, and the Sannidhi – the Mysore Residence.
Image Courtesy – Nafeea Afshin via Medium
