Contents (1).pdf · Indo-Islamic Architecture The Indo-Islamic style, influenced by Islamic art, was an intersection of Islamic architecture and Indian architecture

Contents

01 Editor's Note

02 History of Indian Architecture

03 Introduction of Neo-classical Architecture

04 Luxurious Living and Architectural Education

05 Project Progress Pictures

2 July 2018 | Volume 33

Editor’s Note

Dear Readers,

The monsoons have arrived as a heavenly respite from the scorching summer heat, giving consent to the mischievous flurry of leaves, enthusiastically playing with the drops of overpowering rain, whilst welcoming through the various periods of our lives, an array of momentous changes—architectural influence being one of them. Many of the picturesque spaces have survived to the present day, manifesting a progression of unparalleled architectural phases. While adding a new dimension to the architects’ experience, architectural evolution, has had an enormous influence on the real estate industry.

As India set the wheels of development in motion, she was torn between the twin pressures of traditional belief systems and a simultaneous desire for modernisation. Following decent architectural practices to build a living abode in a surviving world is of utmost importance to build homes that do not just sell but speak. When you walk around in a Hiranandani development, you can feel the timeless architectural legacies of past generations unfolding before your eyes, reflecting the finesse and regality of vintage design harmonized with the comforts of modern technology. A socially responsible architect is aware of the fact that a positive interplay of architecture and society creates a healthy community. Since inception, House of Hiranandani has altered the way living spaces are designed, thereby, transforming the ethos and aesthetics of real estate in India while developing healthy communities.

This edition takes you through the transition of architectural styles over time to walk you through the current trends in Indian architecture, especially with respect to luxurious living, surfacing as an increasingly important part. Furthermore, it presents the impact of modernisation, highlighting the need for a shift in architectural style. It walks you through the introduction of neo-classical architectural style in India while underscoring its defining elements that reflect pure elegance.

The edition enlightens you on the various construction practices that help build sustainable buildings. Following good practices calls for a quality architectural education right from the start. Presently, India holds about 400 architectural education institutes, which sounds like a great figure apropos of the quantity. However, we cannot presume the same about the quality of education. This edition addresses the need for a pedagogical shift in architectural education.

On a farewell note, we hope delving into this edition helps you evaluate your architectural decisions as a new architect, novel initiatives as an established architect and carefully opted choices as a buyer. Here’s wishing you a munificent monsoon while you experience a worthwhile and a rewarding year in all aspects!

Regards,Surendra HiranandaniChairman and Managing Director,House of Hiranandani

July 2018 | Volume 33 3

INDIAN

ARCHITECTURE

The architecture of India is engrained in its history, culture, tradition and religion. Indian architecture has shaped up with time. Moreover, it has managed to fuse the many influences that stemmed from India's global discourse with other countries of the world throughout its millennia-old past.

India’s marvellous legacy is demonstrated through its sensational monuments and sites, the beauty of which makes one fully comprehend the fabulous past of the country.

Naturally, the rise and fall of great empires and dynasties, each in their way, influenced the growth and set the direction for the evolution of Indian architecture. External influences cannot be side-lined as they have played a significant role in moulding Indian architecture too. The rich variety of heritage can be owed to the cultural diversity in India.


HISTORY OF

INDIAN ARCHITECTURE

Indian architecture, belonging to different periods of history, is undoubtedly one of the most enduring achievements of Indian civilization. However, questions of cultural preservation have been pertinent in the post-independence India after the dominance of western influences.

The architecture of each period was marked by distinctive peculiarities developed due to the political, religious and material influences at the time. Each architectural style then became a representative of the culture's values. Let us delve into the evolution of Indian architecture across history.


Indian architecture is difficult to define because so many artistically diverse architects have enriched it. Indian architecture has been through many

overlays of periods and styles. Each foreign intervention in India gave birth to a new architectural practice and all styles co-existed peacefully in the country.

Harappan Civilization Architecture

More functional than decorative and cities were laid out along a grid with multileveled homes and

sophisticated plumbing.

Rock-Cut ArchitectureStructures, building and sculptures were created by

carving out of a solid natural rock where it naturally occurs.

Temple ArchitectureThe ancient Indian temples were more focussed on

embellishments which was reflected in the intricate details of figured sculptures and architectural elements.

Indo-Islamic ArchitectureThe Indo-Islamic style, influenced by Islamic art, was an

intersection of Islamic architecture and Indian architecture.

British Indo-Saracenic ArchitectureStructures were a majestic blend of pinnacles, minarets, spires, cusped

arches, onion domes, vaulted roofs, dome-shaped pavilions, intricate tracery and pillars.


The Flight from Ancient Architecture to Modern Architecture

Materials and ToolsOne of the most evident differences between the ancient buildings and the modern ones is the use of materials. Each material has shaped a new era of architectural history. The initial construction materials were bricks, which till date are still one of the world’s most common construction materials. The ancient Egyptians were among the first civilizations to build their structures using limestone, as it was readily available and relatively easy to carve intricately while being long lasting. However, it is very heavy, proving quixotic for tall buildings, and relatively expensive as a building material. Around 650 BCE, the ancient Greeks began to build their temples in marble, which was simply the locally available choice. Later, Renaissance builders took a major effort to acquire marble to emulate the beauty of Greek temples. The building materials later developed included concrete, iron, engineered timber and reinforced concrete, which was an amalgamation of concrete,

iron and steel. Reinforced concrete has contributed significantly to modern architecture. With the Industrial Revolution, the production of stronger types of glass, as well as the development of new construction methods, allowed for the use of glass for not just the windows, but also the walls themselves.

Glass skyscrapers are mushrooming as the typical modern buildings of this era besides the use of steel and treated wood as construction materials. Plastic, initially considered an unsustainable material, is an emerging potential construction material. Carbon fibre can take shapes from plain surface to pole, making it a flexible material due to its composition. Just as chisel and electric saw tools were dominant then, so are cranes and pulleys now.

Technology, albeit, has made it possible today to choose from a plethora of building material options.

Architecture evolves while melding the comfort of old traditions with the excitement of the new. Any architecture speaks of its times, the culture and the values, representing an identity of the era. With the passage of time, architecture has been devised by necessity, shaped by vision and celebrated by heritage with time being the only connecting adhesive between two architectural segments—the ancient and the modern. We cannot fairly differentiate between the two because the latter is a derivation of the former influenced by progress, demand and the architects themselves. Therefore, here are a few contrasts that will point out the differences, apparent to the eye, between the ancient and the modern architecture.


Comparisons between visuals of the plans highlight the contrast in the horizontally and vertically drawn-out structures of the ancient and modern architectures respectively. Ancient structures were spread out horizontally to extensive distances. The reason could be the colossal space back then. Multi-storey towering spaces, thus, were not a part of the ancient design plans. Unfortunately, the architects today do not have the same privilege, underscoring the dearth of space. They overcame the challenge neatly with a more compact plan, working out the space vertically. This scaled up the trend of high-rise buildings, to the point of vertiginiousness.

The architectural evolution coupled with an iconoclastic approach has propelled the buildings today to break away from the rigidity of traditions to become more experimental in nature. The designs have become universal. No wonder, an architect from Spain can actually design a building in India despite the cultural differences between the two regions because the difference is hardly reflected in the architecture today.

If we dive deeper into the analysis of this change in architectural phenomenon from ancient to modern, we realize it is a shift in the perspective of human needs that has caused the transformation directly or indirectly.

The construction of forts and palaces stopped with the world abolishing the ancient system of monarchy and adopting other forms of governments. The advancement of engineering and technology and the invention of concrete catalysed the changes to a large extent.

The expanding population coupled with a developing economy has led to an increase in housing demands, driving the extent of architectural work and fuelling massive opportunities in the country. This, in turn, has increased the number of foreign architectural firms making an entry in India. The opportunity to design and make a difference in India has become immense.

Horizontal vs Vertical

Local to Global


It is an undeniable fact that architectural evolution has left traces in architectural transformations through various empires, regions and tradition. However, many changes occurred along the way, one of them being the rise in population and the corresponding demand. To meet the rising urban housing demands, the cities are fast filling with buildings that are mere replicas of each other. The room to manoeuvre for architectural distinctiveness may still exist, but the shift in architecture—from traditional, novel and unique to modern, monotonous and mainstream—has become more rapid than ever. The focus on the aesthetic sense of the architecture would keep dwindling until the architects pause to notice the need for a shift in the paradigm.

In our quest for globalisation, by transforming cities, Indian architecture is seeing many explorations. Under the influence of the West, glass and designer-shaped buildings began as style statements some years back. Unfortunately, these buildings appear nothing less than imitation models with no individuality of their own. Globalization is, thus, widely influencing the architecture being built in India today. Albeit globalization is still persistent, the need and anxiety to localize and stand out is becoming fierce.

Indian architecture is in a state of flux where we have everything—opportunities, resources, experiments and matured sensibilities—and a refreshing step in the right track could help in rediscovering the sui generis image it is gradually losing.

The need of the hour is not to be affected by external influences but to understand our needs, expectations and roots. We have to build an architecture that not only adapts to changing lifestyles but also that stays true to its principles and identity, that shapes the society and that gives us buildings and spaces which can sustain till posterity. An architecture that stirs up real estate development in a society should not just spur and

Need for a shift in architecture style

Arrival of Neo-classical architecture in India

Neo-classical architecture arrived in India with the introduction of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Pediment centrepieces and curved bays to the garden frontage were common themes, imparting a sense of grandeur as well as providing a welcome respite from the severe rays of sun. It is characterised by the simplicity of geometric forms, symmetrical and dramatic use of columns and doomed roofs. To create an impression of height, columns are multiplied and stacked, while the frontage is a marriage of porticoes and colonnades.

refine the infrastructure but also the culture and living. A prime example would be the reshaping of—once barren and neglected—Powai. With the advent of Hiranandani Gardens, Powai rose with a buzzing nightlife and a strong culture, spurred on by real-estate development and a demand from the young population that began moving in.

This brings us to HOH, which at present, is the only real estate developer with distinguished neo-classical structures under its umbrella; thus, revealing an ability to shape its own identity in a globalized world.

INTRODUCTION OF

NEO-CLASSICAL ARCHITECTURE


The windows, often divided into six panes, are always evenly spaced across the frontage and bounded by shutters. Form and balance overshadow the simple and massive structures generally surrounded by gardens. Neo-classical architecture usually does not appear as heavily built as the ancient classic architecture and is comparatively more functional with heterogeneous spaces.

Neo-classical characteristicsThe neo-classical architectural style has a few defining characteristics which bring about its grandeur.

A pediment is an architectural element consisting of a gable, usually of a triangular shape, placed above the horizontal structure of the entablature, typically supported by columns. The tympanum, the triangular area within the pediment, is decorated with relief sculpture. Originally developed in ancient Greece, it is found particularly in classical, neoclassical and its derivative architectural styles.

PedimentGrillwork, derived from the Old French greille, is a decorative grating of metal, wood, stone, or other material used as a screen, divider, barrier, or as a purely decorative element. It may function as a window, either with or without glazing.

Grillwork

A cornice derived from the Italian cornice meaning "ledge" is a horizontal decorative moulding that crowns a building – the cornice over a door or window, for instance, the cornice around the top edge of a pedestal or along the top of an interior wall. A simple cornice may be formed just with a crown. The function of the projecting cornice of a building is to throw rainwater free of the building’s walls.

Cornice

Columns are vertical architectural supports which include a round or square shaft, the top (capital) and the bottom (base). The base is the lowest element of a column structure on which the column shaft rests. The plinth is the square or round slab that the column base rests upon. In architecture, columns are utilized as loadbearing elements supporting porches, arches or a cornice.

ColumnsBalcony is the external extension of an upper floor of a building, enclosed up to a certain height by a solid or pierced screen by balusters or by railing. The balcony serves to enlarge the living space allowing sunshine and greater movement of air inside the room

Balcony


A canopy is an overhead roof or a structure over which a fabric or metal covering is attached to, providing shade or shelter from weather conditions, such as sun, hail, snow and rain. Most architectural canopies are used for giving protection from the weather.

CanopyA balustrade is a railing supported by balusters, especially one forming an ornamental parapet to a balcony, bridge, or terrace.

Balustrade

The pilaster is an architectural element used to give the appearance of a supporting column and to articulate an extent of wall, with only an ornamental function. It consists of a flat surface raised from the main wall surface, usually treated as though it were a column. As with a column, a pilaster can have a plain or fluted surface to its profile and can be represented in the mode of any architectural style.

Pilasters

A baluster—also called spindle or stair stick—is a moulded shaft, square or of lathe-turned form, made of stone or wood and sometimes of metal, standing on a unifying footing, and supporting the coping of a parapet or the handrail of a staircase. Multiplied in this way, they form a balustrade.

Balusters

HOH has meticulously planned neo-classical architectural marvels, nestled amidst the cities. Like artwork, HOH’s creations stand out as a masterpiece. The architecture reflects elegance and heritage with a subtle dash of modernity in the neo-classical style that comprises arched windows, elaborate pillars adorned with ornamental motif and lofted arches. Moreover, the imposing majestic domes and dentil architecture silhouette against the skyline brings to life the magnificence of the buildings and makes the brand HOH stand out against the regular square blocks of residential towers built by other developers. Developing a neo-classical building is an expensive affair, making it a home to the privileged few.

A good architecture stands apart from the innumerable structures that are rampantly built just to sell. It influences and interacts positively with the society. Designing architecture on this concept translates to constructing space from within, rather than the outside.

A pier, in architecture, is an upright support for a structure or superstructure such as an arch or bridge. Sections of structural walls between openings (bays) can function as piers. The simplest cross section of the pier is square, or rectangular in shape.

Piers


Pediment

Balcony

Pilasters

Piers

Balusters

Columns

Cornice

Grillwork

Oceanic Tower @House of Hiranandani Integrated Township, Egattur, OMR, Chennai

12 July 2018 | Volume 33 July 2018 | Volume 33 13

CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES IN HOHAn architect or a developer should be socially responsible while constructing structures because one cannot deny the fact that architecture and society are continuously involved through a mutual interaction. A ripple effect—a progressive or a regressive approach in one—affects the other. A positive development scale consequently leads to healthy functional communities. Apart from building a distinguished architecture, maintaining good architectural and constructional practices is of paramount importance.

Let us have a look at few of the best architectural practices that should be followed on a larger scale in India.

INDUSTRY LEADING CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES FOLLOWED BY HOH

ReinforcementReinforcement is an effective method of

strengthening plaster or concrete by embedding steel rods or other such resisting materials in it. To

make up for the lack of tension in concrete, reinforcement in the form of steel bars is used in

slabs, columns and beams. Factory-produced reinforcement ensures bars are cut and bent in the

factory and assembled outside before bringing it to the construction site, where they are lifted by cranes and

directly placed.

At HOH, strict checks for Rebar (a short form for reinforcing bar or steel) had been put in place much before

the Indian Standards (IS 456) incorporated it. Concrete cover to rebar is a crucial parameter that determines the life

of a structure. We do rebar detailing in such a way that proper compaction of concrete is ensured in each part of the

structure.

Mineral AdmixturesMineral admixtures and chemical admixtures are the extra ingredients other than water, cement, aggregates and fibres that are added to the concrete batch plant in some construction methods. Admixtures offer very favourable effects to the properties of fresh or hardened concrete only if proper use of admixtures is made possible.

Fly Ash in ConcreteFly ash is the residue left from burning coal, which is collected on an electrostatic precipitator or in a baghouse. This makes it environmentally friendly, as it is generated from the industrial waste. Fly ash improves concrete’s workability, permeability, cohesiveness, finish, ultimate strength and durability. Structures thus built with fly ash have more strength.


Sewage Recycling SystemIn India there is a massive gap between the volume of generated and treated sewage. Thus, the magnitude of the sewage treatment capacity in India is hardly adequate.

At Hiranandani Estate, Thane, where more than 4,500 families reside in the complex, daily, about 30 lakh litres of sewage water is treated. Eighty per cent of the treated water is used for domestic purposes and the rest is used to meet day-to-day work like gardening, irrigation, flushing and curing of buildings. Apart from water, Hiranandani Estate Thane also follows the practice of garden waste management and kitchen waste management, but water remains the prime focus.

“When we plan an integrated township – or, mix-use township, as we refer to the same in present day – it has always been about making sustainable buildings, with a holistic approach to the township as well,” says Surendra Hiranandani. At HOH, we care to strike a balance between greenery and construction while not compromising on our principles.

Green BuildingGreen building (also known as green construction or sustainable building) is the practice of increasing the efficiency with which buildings and their sites use energy, water and materials of reducing impacts on human health and the environment for the entire lifecycle of a building. Superior insulation makes indoor air-conditioning more effective, ensuring lower energy bills. Other innovations include automated batching plants, cellular blocks/fly-ash bricks, rainwater harvesting, solar panels for water heating, PPR pipes, etc.

Distinguished architectural practices and trends are usually a part of luxurious projects. Innovative architectural ideas and architectural designs, that stand class apart, are just a slice of luxurious living privileges.


India is evolving as a luxury home market owing to the emerging trend of high-end investments in the sector. This could be accredited to the fact that the number of High-net-worth individuals (HNWI) has jumped by 9.5% between 2015-2016—against the annual average growth rate of 8.2% as stated in an article in the TOI. Luxurious living is not about the size or material—it is about quality of design and space. Luxury is relative. Tree houses and beach cottages are a luxury as much as huge bare spaces are a luxury. Materials help to create environments but it is not an end in itself. They provide a distinctive character to each space marking a unique identity for each of the spaces. A luxury home in India can be defined by the quality of build, magnitude of property, technological competence and automation in security systems, smart living feasibility, and coveted locations overlooking the sparkling lights of the city.

Attention to detail

The intricate designs and embellishments in the form of archways, columns, domes, rounded corners splashed with subtle earthly colours sets a luxury home apart from others. It is these detailings that eventually give the final product the exclusive touch which customers expect from this segment.

Space

The stress on privacy and space gives a property very exclusive feel. For a property to be termed as a luxury home, it essentially needs to be at least a 3BHK with a servant’s room. It is essentially char-acterised by grand living and dining spaces with ample cross ventilation.

Some common features that a potential buyer looks for in a luxury property include

LUXURIOUS LIVING

We equate luxury in our architecture to the quality of

space and light, the tactile nature of materials and the attention to detail or

the craftsmanship afforded to both the design process and the build process.


ARCHITECTURE IN LUXURY HOUSING

The differentiating factor for luxurious homes is the impressive, affluent architecture. Functionality and design must blend seamlessly. It is possible to reproduce the grand Roman style or add a touch of Greece to the interiors and exteriors of modern luxury homes. A beautiful architecture provokes an initial inclination with a sense of amazement attracting potential buyers. HOH is a pioneer in developing world-class, mixed-use integrated townships—blending residential, commercial, cultural, institutional and entertainment uses, redefining luxury living. When you walk around in a Hiranandani development, you walk through pages in the history of architecture, encountering the timeless city-building legacies of past generations. The current trends reflect the elegance and regality of vintage design with the comforts of contemporary technology and construction. Modern real estate buyers are very well in tune with the architectural specimens of the developed world.

Building and designing such world-class luxury homes, with a strong sense of architectural heritage and a subtle dash of modernity, calls for well-imparted architectural education in aspiring architects.

Architectural education in India is roughly two hundred years old. With an increase in the number of colleges across the country, a lot of students in various colleges today are being taught by recent graduates of architecture, who haven't been exposed to the practical world, thereby not only making them incompetent but also unqualified.

To enable our budding emerging architects to be adept at building meaningful structures, our pedagogy needs an adjustment.

Teaching India’s Young Architects

Floor-to-Ceiling-Height

For a ‘luxury’ residence, the floor-to-ceiling height should be above 12 feet. Irrespective of the other facilities offered, this specification is mandatory for the ‘luxury’ tag.

Experience

This shift toward experiential luxury is reflected in the amenity and lifestyle preferences of the rising high-net-worth (HNW) home buyers. People living in cities now prefer to invest their hard-earned money into building a comfortable life for themselves and their families. What can even be better than spending on your lifestyle starting at home? HOH has always believed in offering its home buyers a complete living experience where architectural landscapes play a crucial role along with other amenities.

Imaginative and beautifully executed architecture is and will remain a major selling point when it comes to super-luxury and even affordable luxury housing.

Luxe Amenities

Uber-cool amenities of lawns, terrace gardens, clubhouses, multiple car-parking options, spacious elevators, playgrounds and courts, large gymnasium, pools, home theatres are just a part of the package of amenities in a luxury property.


Rediscovering our History

There currently exists a disconcerting gap in the budding architects’ interest, knowledge and understanding of history. Architectural history must be embedded in the study of technology, its advancement and the major innovations that altered the previously used techniques. They should know why there is nothing skilful about simply creating a replica of the western structures. Students should have a broad-ranging historical framework of the political and financial systems that triggered building typologies, historical periods and related architectural and urban planning responses in India’s geo-climatic regions over time.

It needs to be integrated into our teaching of building techniques, the way we select materials to erect not just a still,

static iconic sculptural object but a healthy one. Healthy buildings have good exposure to sunlight, recycled water systems, energy saving

mechanism, low carbon consumption, maximum natural lighting and ventilation, minimal solid waste outlets and green spaces.

Architectural education in India is critical because an incompetent system of teaching is exploding into a dauntingly colossal commercial production system that will produce a unit of run-of-the-mill misfits. Today is critical because the challenge of urbanization is the duty of our profession to iron out; yet beyond the reach of the skills, knowledge and sensitivities we teach!

Today, we stand at a climacteric point in the evolution of architecture in India. We are collectively responsible in a way for the development or impediment to the nation’s progress. We believe insights from this edition will help foster better decision making in budding architects, professional architects and intended homebuyers.

Redirecting the Focus of Education to Practice

We seem to have consigned to oblivion that ‘Architecture is a practice’. It does not just revolve around meetings and assignments. The principles of architecture cannot be grasped with theory and drawings. The students need to be taught to use materials, to understand technologies and to perform construction techniques; not just how to do sketch up renderings of buildings. All architects must work in the studio of an established architect for at least two years prior to participating in professional examinations.

Shifting from Mere Buildings to Healthy Buildings and Sustainable Cities


PROJECT PROGRESS PICTURES

Bengaluru

BANNERGHATTA

Lake Verandahs

Queensgate

Hill Crest

Salon at Blue Turtle


Bengaluru DEVANAHALLIRESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT

Chancery Calgary

Bengaluru HEBBAL

Glen Classic Glen Gate


Villas Phase IICottages Phase IV

Cypress

Crossgate

Bengaluru DEVANAHALLIRESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT


Bengaluru DEVANAHALLIINTERNAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Villas Phase I & II roads Swimming Pool

Children's Play Area at Clubhouse Skating Rink base preparation

Recharge Pit Work (South of Rotunda) Earth filling in plotted developments


Chennai EGATTUR

Anchorage

AmalfiBayview

Tiana


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Contents (1).pdf · Indo-Islamic Architecture The Indo-Islamic style, influenced by Islamic art, was an intersection of Islamic architecture and Indian architecture