Complexities of practicing architectural regionalism in India: An interview study

Abstract

This paper presents the results and analysis from an interview study conducted with practitioners of architectural regionalism in India. The interviews sought to gain indepth understanding of the strategies, mechanisms, and tools they employ to realize contextualized architecture that responds to local needs and potential. A sample composed of nine eminent Indian architects who regularly integrate the ideas of critical regionalism in their designs is selected and subsequently interviewed with regard to the varied aspects of their architectural practice. Findings are useful for practitioners and scholars of contemporary architecture in India for understanding the means employed by leading regionalist architects, while placing their work in the context of local building traditions, urban landscape, sociocultural conditions, technology, and climate.

Key words： Architectural regionalism; Critical regionalism; Indian architecture; Architects’ interviews; Semi-structured interviews; Architecture practice