Globalization drives in noticeable variations in Indian Architecture

May 3, 2013

As technology progresses and India sees considerable advancements in every industry, it is becoming more and more difficult to disprove the famous saying 'Globalization is inevitable'. Today, we can easily identify the impact of globalization on each and every industry, and architecture segment isn't an exception in this regard.

Globalization is bringing in many noticeable variations in the field of Indian architecture in recent times, and we would like to illustrate this particular trend in detail in the following sections.

A steep rise in land values, setting up of new buildings, infrastructure and increasing demand for replication of global building design standards elsewhere in the world is undeniably one of the major reasons for stimulating Indian architecture to embrace many new changes. There's also a shift in the general perception of style accompanied by a raise in the bar for comfort levels by the users, contributing to this change.

Another strong driver in contemporary building design today globally is the corporate branding strategy behind the design of buildings for any large company today, national or MNC. There is strong need for the buildings to have a clear 'identity' with adherence to certain laid down parameters in order to make the buildings and the brand they represent, instantly recognisable.

So, has architecture given in to the age of globalization, has it lost its reference or response to context, its purpose of inspiring society and people?

The ultimate aim of an architect would be to build a beautiful structure by making optimum use of materials which can live through ages, but unfortunately it is not the trend now. At present, architecture is all about assembling latest products in multiple ways which will in due course lose its value, but that isn't Indian architecture that we have heard about before.

Our father of nation, Mahatma Gandhi once said that an ideal living space should be constructed by using products and skills assembled within 5-mile radius of the plot.

Today is the age of multiplexes, malls and cinemas, so there is a great need to delight and create continuous novelty, in a sense. Buildings are increasingly being viewed as commercial commodities.

This could potentially lead to disappearance of quality architecture work, which was once the essence of Indian architecture. In other words, there's a danger that architecture has now turned into a materialist buffet that completely depends on technology to showcase different styles of abundance, and render the same to the consumers.

The challenge facing contemporary architecture today is that should mass production be the order of the day? Or should there be an attempt to blend 'Think Global and use local' while aspiring and rightly so for the best that innovation and technology has to offer globally. To strive to consciously ensure that we exploit the wisdom and beauty of our traditional built forms and re-interpret these to create benchmarks of innovation and sustainability within the present context of high demand function and the looming energy crisis. Instead of creating public buildings like elsewhere in the world, it is important to encourage creation of architecture that is derived from fine understanding of the present with all its complexity and a fresh response to its context which also rejuvenates the society around.

We, at Coordinates, a team of highly experienced architects and interior designers, strive to respond creatively to the clients' needs and the context in all our projects, and use our expertise to offer sensitive and timeless contemporary architecture and interior design services.

Team Coordinates


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