Ar. Sourabh Gupta




Archohm's design philosophy propagates a ‘mad and fun' out-of-the-box approach to spatiality, with play of light, volumes and materials.




"Architecture is a strong measure for development in any nation. Currently, the new order is the disorder. Architecture of today needs to be more generic – adoptive and adaptive," says Ar. Sourabh Gupta, Managing Director, Archohm design studio which is offering consultancy for architecture, urban design, interiors, landscape and product design, working across diverse scales, from products and furniture to residential, institutional and urban projects.

Following its inception in 1999 by virtue of a design competition, Archohm's design philosophy has been one that creates a dialogue of pure functional forms exaggerated by the use of individual materials. To Ar. Sourabh, architecture was always about the space and light, the volume and the play and this interesting co-existence and conversation of various materials is utilized in all his projects to create responsive and responsible architecture that is climatically and contextually relevant. He plays with mediums and their textures in coordination or in contradiction. This is where principles of the Indian context and its contemporary interpretations become clear to him. Sustainability issues are also addressed in his projects through materiality and technology. With no specific partiality to textures and techniques, the non-vocabulary is perhaps the evolving language. Unconventional materials with identifiable techniques, common substances with unexplored textures, all applied in surprising contexts bring a degree of fun into the functional spaces.

Ar. Sourabh says, "The aesthetic architecture in India today follows a typology that is either the modern indigenous or just contemporary irrespective of the Indian reference and its context. In such a scenario, our projects sit as an example of the forward-looking Indian contemporary; in materiality and functionality. Archohm therefore, stands for a young, mad and fun approach to spatiality, which enables a play of light, volumes and materials."

Archohm (derives its name from architecture and ohm-the electrical resistance) has a fairly 2D organization structure, which is democratic in many ways because of the 'design' nature of the practise. Ar. Sourabh personally leads all design discussions that evolve out of closely held brainstorming sessions. Thereafter, team leaders handle projects, a mix of architects, interior designers and technical people to facilitate an interesting interdisciplinary flavour that helps evolve innovative solutions. Project heads take the responsibility, from client interaction to communications and delivery.

Sharing his love for Architecture, he says, "I perceived from the beginning that life for me has been a process of continuous evolution and learning. The school of architecture, Ahmedabad gave me the necessary skill set to pursue a career in architecture and design. My passion towards this field and my understanding of design matured from my exposure at Bouwkunde, the highly acclaimed design school at the technical university of delft, the Netherlands. This acquaintance to another, international school of thought at an impressionable age was invaluable. This is where I was addicted to exploration, architecture, and architectural explorations."

While talking about his most special moments he shared that inauguration of the Dilli Haat at Janakpuri, was the most memorable experience as he got a chance to help the Social sector by researching and rebuilding farmer markets (mandis) in the state of UP. Moreover, the Awards like the IIA and IBC for infrastructure design have been special.

He says, "Dilli Haat project addresses a design challenge as well as a social one. It needs to spatially and programmatically attract the urban mindset towards lost cultural roots of craft. The nature of the project was a huge asset for Archohm, since it lends a dialogue of contemporary and traditional - materials and technologies–in line with urban haats that celebrate tradition and culture. The project attempts to empower artisans, bringing art and craft from the villages to the city with no middlemen, to ensure authenticity and profitability. The play of programs and spaces to make the project aspirational, bringing in interest for all age groups to making this a destination and then exposing various facets of our craft and culture to larger urban audience." The studio is currently working on a lot of cultural projects – haats, museums and landscaped parks, housings, hospitals etc.

For all his projects, Ar. Sourabh got inspiration from Design and travels - experiencing architecture. He avers that mantras of a successful life are 'Beg borrow steal, get the job done', the provocative cast in concrete gospel in my studio reinforces that one needs to beg for wisdom, borrow experience, steal time, and kill egos; to practice and perform.