TFOD Profile Of The Week: Prarthit Shah Architects, Rajkot

After graduating from Indubhai Parekh School of Architecture, Rajkot in 2010, Prarthit Shah did his research thesis on how space, structure and expression are integrated in public buildings of Frank Lloyd Wright. This has influenced and helped crystallize his personal philosophy of architectural design – with organic architecture as his guiding force. 

Prathit's ideology is that in every building, the use of spaces, design, material and budget should be in harmony. No two persons are same and no two buildings should be. Every building should be unique for its context. “Architecture is not only about making good looking buildings, but to design according to users’ need with the goal of improving the quality of life through spaces,” says Prarthit. “The aim of my practice is to make buildings and spaces that are beautiful today as well as that provides better living and working environment for lifetime. For me budget is never a limitation, but rather a challenge. Even in a modest budget, creative ideas can provide soothing spaces to live and work.”

For this he starts with analyzing the programmatic brief of the project, and uses the factors of site and climate to guide his design thinking. A firm believer in optimizing the natural climatic factors – such as sunlight and rainfall, thus creating more sustainable designs - Prarthit also believes in creating a microclimate for the building, by ensuring a green cover of up to 40%. Once the concept evolves, Prarthit works on the finer aspects of the building, thinking through each element in parts, and as a whole. Besides this, Prarthit also believes in the power of good teamwork. “Working closely with the team of agencies from contractor to carpenter, the smallest detail is then finalized.” 

It is here that Prarthit’s preference for the organic style and choice of natural materials becomes visible. “Each element of the project is custom-made by a team of craftsmen. I prefer natural or pure materials like wood, stone, marble, metal, and glass which has everlasting beauty unlike artificial materials which remain in fashion only for a short time,” he elucidates.

In every building, the use of spaces, design, material and budget should be in harmony - this is the basic concept that the practice of Prarthit Shah Architects rests on. No two persons are same and no two buildings should be. Every building should be unique for its context. For him architecture is not only about making good looking buildings, but to design according to users need with the goal of improving the quality of life through spaces.

On a deeper, more philosophical level, Prarthit compares the process of constructing a building to the ripening of a mango! “It is easy and quick to ripen mangoes with carbide but they don’t taste as good as those that ripen naturally, after they are given adequate time and care. Similarly, while making a house there are various readymade things available like plastic chairs, Corian table tops, storage cupboards and beds made from various kinds of laminates, cement sheets and ACP sheets to clad exterior walls, vitrified tiles mimicking the natural pattern of marble and much more. But we prefer to avoid such artificial and readymade options. Instead we prefer to hunt out and find a suitable wood, get the furniture made by explaining each little detail to the carpenter and polish it after an oil dip. Same way we use natural stones like marble, granite and slate, metals such as steel and brass, glass and other organic materials. The process of finding materials, working with craftsmen and applying right techniques - takes time and care. But the result of this prolonged process is a house which feels real and where one likes to live forever…”