Architects Behind the Big Projects Architects Behind the Big Projects heila Sri Prakash is a pioneering practitioner-researcher who identified and first woman Architect and Designer defined the field of Spaciology– the impact Sin India, who, in 1979, founded her of space design and planning on society. own Architectural Design firm ‘Shilpa Her work probes the powerful reciprocal Architect Sheila Sri Prakash, Architects,’ in Chennai which has now impact linking the built environment to emerged as a forerunner in environmental- human behavior, through urban design, friendly design and sociologically sensitive architecture, and sociology. Shilpa Architects Planners planning. In a career spanning more than three Graduated from School of Architecture decades, Sheila has designed over 1,000 & Planning, Anna University, in 1977, completed architectural projects. She is Designers and also having attended the 12 weeks one of a 16-member team of international executive education program at Harvard experts on the World Economic Forum’s University’s Graduate School of Design, Global Agenda Council on Design and Ar. Sheila had faced several obstacles to Innovation and serves on the Role of establish herself in a male-dominated Arts in Society, in recognition of her profession. Her hard work and dedication signature works of Visionary architecture towards architecture and design have paid that features art, culture and heritage. her back and today she is internationally Besides, she was named among the Top acclaimed for her trendsetting indo-centric 100 most influential architects in the designs, thought-leading contributions to world by Il Giornale dell’ Architectura, environment-friendly design and is also an Italian Journal of Architecture. Her renowned for developing world through recommendations to the United Nations socio-economically sensitive planning. 2012 Rio+20 Summit in Brazil, have been As a global leader in sustainable design adopted in the mandate for Sustainability that blends sensitivity for the environment presented to heads of nations. The with socio-economic progress for the sustainability matrix titled “Reciprocal underprivileged, she is also known for Design Index” prescribes parameters and introducing vernacular and culturally metrics surrounding sustainable design relevant techniques into contemporary to factor the environment, sociology and designs. She is regarded as the founding economics. Based on her research, she “I take my role as an architect seriously because my thoughts and actions are bound to have a lasting impact on people, society and the planet. What I’m striving to achieve is holistic sustainabil- ity through design. Space can make or mar the quality of life. My sensitivity to space comes from dance. In dance, a notional space and characters are created. In architecture, one creates the ambi- ence and elements that give expression to the residents’ dreams. Dance has influenced my thinking as an architect.” Ar. Sheila Sri Prakash MGS - Modern Green Structure & Architecture 2 MGS - Modern Green Structures & Architecture 3 April 2014 April 2014 Architects Behind the Big Projects Architects Behind the Big Projects Architect Pavitra Sriprakash, Shilpa Architects Planners Designers has spearheaded the “Reciprocity Wave” Stone Lotus. Being focused on green and movement, which uses art to create sustainable architecture, the firm has been awareness about social and ecological a steering member of the Indian Green issues that need immediate attention. Building Council (IGBC). With its own LEED Sheila’s award-winning international Certified professional in house, Shilpa is in Architectural Design firm, Shilpa Architects the advantageous position of designing and Planners is acclaimed for pioneering work simultaneously facilitating the process for in environmentally and socioeconomically LEED Certification. sustainable design. The firm’s portfolio Truly a multifaceted personality, spans the entire range of the real estate Ar. Sheila has not only received several industry which includes residential accolades in the world of architecture but buildings, custom designed villas, mixed also has proficiency in Indian classical use townships; infrastructure facilities; dance and music with training to the highest leisure, health and hospitality projects; performance levels. She was fortunate to industrial assignments; retail, commercial have been trained by masters like Guru and IT related buildings; educational Dhandayuthapani Pillai who taught her campuses, stadiums and sports facilities Bharathanatyam, a classical Indian dance amongst others. The firm worked form; and Kuchipudi, another classical with—and is working for—Developers, dance form, from Guru Vempatti Chinna Foreign Direct Investment funds, Multi- Sathyam. She has performed in over 700 Nationational Corporations, leading Indian Bharathanatyam and Kuchipudi recitals Business Houses, Government, Private all over India at both solo performances and Public sector companies, Co-operative as well as in dance dramas with school societies and NGOs and has received troupes. Besides this, she has danced with several recognition for its design. professional and renowned personalities A big advocate of sustainability and urban In 2009, Shilpa acquired SGBL Studio like Ms. Kamala Laxman, Ms. Padma (Sri Prakash, Gullo, Brossa & Leenknegt), Subramaniam, Ms. Hema Malini & Ms. design, Ar. Pavitra Sriprakash believes that which is an Architecture and Urban Design Lakshmi Viswanathan etc. sensitivity to local ethos is crucial in designing firm. With offices in Chicago, New York and Moreover, also being a Veenai artist, she space that people respond to. Her design Seoul, this company has executed projects has the distinction of playing, composing philosophy focuses on innovative solutions globally including the US, Belgium, and recording Radha Madhavam and for environmental and socioeconomic Norway, China, Japan, Kuwait etc. Shilpa Sivaleela Vilasam with the world-renowned also executes high-end turnkey design- Veenai musician – Chitti Babu. sustainability. build solutions through a division called MGS - Modern Green Structure & Architecture 4 MGS - Modern Green Structures & Architecture 5 April 2014 April 2014 Architects Behind the Big Projects Architects Behind the Big Projects and a Bachelor Degree in Architecture Ar. Pavitra is of the opinion that for a in association with Indian Green Building from School of Architecture and Planning, holistic approach, a combination of social, Council (IGBC), to address the first technical Anna University. Besides, she has done economical and ecological factors is vital. session titled “Architects Perspective on research on “Sustainable Programmatic Moreover, vernacular building techniques, Green Buildings & Environment”. She Landscapes” and the interface between local materials and the work of traditional was also invited by IGBC to present on architecture and landscape design in skilled artisans need to be inventively “Architectural Perspectives in Hospital planning robust urban spaces from integrated with modern design and Buildings” at the Technical Session for Columbia University. construction technology. Sustainability Leadership in Health Care Having practiced urban design and The works of a Dutch architect Rem at the IGBC Green Building Congress 2013, planning in New York and Chicago, Ar. Koolhaas who is a founding partner Chennai Trade Centre. Moreover, as one Pavitra has designed projects across India, of international firm’OMA’, practising of the first LEED AP professionals in the and also worked on the projects in the architecture, urbanism, and cultural country, she was invited as a panelist at ollowing the same career path and United States of America, Norway, Japan, analysis, inspired her more and following The Economic Times ACE (Architecture | philosophy as of her mother, Ar. China and Kuwait as part of SGBL Studio, the same footsteps, she is the big advocator Construction | Engineering) tech - Global FPavitra Sriprakash, daughter of Ar. Shilpa’s International Urban Design of sustainability and urban design. OMA’s Green Summit in Mumbai, to share her Sheila Sri Prakash stepped into the world Studio. She believes that no matter what buildings and masterplans around the insight on “Sustainability, Society & of architecture & design and in a very short the style of architecture, the building needs world insist on intelligent forms while Environment: Searching for Synergies”. period of time has earned lot of recognition. to respond to its geographical location and inventing new possibilities for content and Ar. Pavitra, the true lover of humanity, She spent most of her childhood climatic conditions in which it exists. This everyday use. art, music and an accomplished playing with drawing board and watching can be successfully done with thoughtful Considering her knowledge pool Bharathyanatyam Dancer is looking to her mom sketching and designing detailing and connecting the building to its and expertise in sustainability, she was work on a dream project where effect of outstanding projects. This fascinated her site with a strong connection between the invited as a speaker at the conference on music, dance, culture, tradition and art can to enter into architecture field and show architecture and landscape design. “Go Green Puducherry”, organized by CII all be intervened together. her in-built talent and creativity. Currently, She strives to achieve holistic jointly with the Government of Puducherry, the Chief Designer