Creativity, adaptability as well as technical and physical prowess combine to create a great piece of architectural work, says Khozema Chitalwala
Creativity is a talent that many possess, but it needs a certain amount of control and experience to harness it correctly. In architecture, creativity plays an essential role, ensuring that all the projects undertaken are ubiquitous, unique and utilitarian. As we move further along the 21st century, it makes us realise that an architectural utopia is composed of incomparable structures the result of a creative mind. There are numerous tried and tested methods when it comes to commercial architecture. Relating two alien concepts to each other is an important idea to master in the dynamic field of architecture. However, it is equally essential to outline a perceptive connection between a building and its environment to arrive at an authentic aesthetic for any structure.
When it comes to architecture, different design philosophies must be amalgamated and integrated. While it is immaterial to merge contemporary and modern facades, mixing and matching minimalism with brutalist architecture can be a smart move. The essence of design falls on a spectrum where architects have to gauge the aesthetic, mood, feel and overall structural soundness before deciding on any specific style. While young professionals can play around with different styles to arrive at their signature, a seasoned professional has to make bold moves to root himself/herself firmly into this competitive albeit dynamic field.
Creativity takes different forms, and each of these forms needs to be highly tailored to its circumstances, location and client’s requirements. Each project has distinct requirements that can only be met via upholding dialogues between different modes of technology, hand drawings, physical modellings and more. Like all things in life, there needs to be a succinct balance between different modes of the creative process. It will be a metaphorical death of an architect if he is unable to switch between various forms of composition. While sketching is crucial for having a rough picture of the project, technology may be leveraged to meet the visual goals for a structure. Besides the technological and physical process, an architect must think on his/her feet and make quick changes wherever required.
As a rule of thumb, while practicing in any creative area, it is crucial to have an ability to ‘code shift’ between different concepts. So, an architect needs to hop and play between various elements like the facade, the insulation, the lighting, the aesthetics, and a handful of other aspects. But the bottom line in any project is to maintain a level of constant conversation with the client. Irrespective of the incredulity of the client’s demands, the plans have to be changed to accommodate their big picture.
At the same time, before venturing out into any project, the key is to do your research. This extensive research about the client will form the groundwork for any architect and it should be treated as the starting point for the creative process. To maintain professionalism, it is a good idea to understand the client’s expectations, thereby treating his/her project as your own. Being inquisitive fuels creativity and helps one achieve their ultimate goal of delivering consistent yet excellent results. When starting the design process, an architect must experiment with elements and visual clues to arrive at a comprehensive and foolproof design. The ultimate objective is to satisfy the client's needs while giving internal satisfaction of a job well done.
On a parting note, it is essential to know that creativity manifests in different ways. Thinking of the pursuit of originality and creativity in a replicable world is an arduous journey to undertake. But the creative design process is indeed similar to a scientific method, with clearly definable stages. Just like hypothesis testing, the creative design process entails a combination of steps meant to make things easier for everyone involved. The ability to learn from mistakes and still have the courage to keep on experimenting while not admitting to defeat is a hallmark of a successful individual, no matter what field they are in.
(The author is an architect who founded the Designers Group which is associated with several niche brands.)