Of aesthetics and conceptual designs

interview

What I love most about being an architect is that it allows me to channel my creativity and enables me to shape the lives of others through my work. I enjoy drawing and building things and all that is inspired by the things around me.

I have always liked variety and change which allows me to create new buildings,” says Umamah Khalid, who has done B. Arch (Bachelor of Architecture) from Beaconhouse National University, Lahore. “I have always been interested in the field of architecture.

My eye for aesthetics and conceptual design, organisational skills along with the way I imagine spaces while drawing have helped me in favour of becoming an architect,” she adds.

At a young age Umamah is the CEO of Architects Indesign, a Lahore-based company, founded in 2014. In a candid interview with You! Umamah talks about what it is like to be working as an architect, which is generally viewed as a male-dominated field...

You! What skills are important for this field?

Umamah Khalid: I would have to say being organised is extremely important in any field as it allows a person to track and assess many details of each project and complete it perfectly within the given time-frame. Whether you are a male or female, you need to be professional.

You! What misconception do people have about architects?

UK: One of the challenges in our society which we face is that most people, who are our potential clients, know you as an architect but don’t know what to do with you. There are still a percentage of people who don’t exactly know what the scope of work of an architect is and no, it is not repairing rainwater pipes and parapet walls. There’s much more.

You! What is your firm’s motto?

UK: We, at Architects Indesign, firmly believe in promoting productivity, enhancing users and visitors quality of life while contributing value to the environment. We believe good architecture is the physical expression of sound ideas and creativity generated from teamwork, integrity, and innovation. People have started to value design and as the land value has increased to such a level, we as architects are needed more to create more efficient designs.

You! What type of project you enjoy more?

UK: We enjoy doing residences more. The spaces become more personalised and the experience is more intimate. We focus on passive designs, which creates a different sort of experience altogether. This keeps us looking for more. Every project is challenging but with concentration and hard work you eventually end up finishing it and feeling good about the final output.

You! How would you describe your signature design style?

UK: Styles can at times be limited so I do not stick to a certain style while designing. My design comes from a process of function and need, styles are what a building wants to tell the world about itself and usually become the client’s decision or a response to context or trend.

You! What factors do you keep in mind while designing a home or an office?

UK: Residences are very personal spaces so we have to keep in mind the personalities and emotions of people inhabiting those places. Light is a central aspect for me while designing any space. So, I always keep that in mind. How bright and airy space is important to me. We also face similar problems while designing offices as well because all the people want their spaces to be personalised. Other than that the main aspects of light and privacy are practical aspects which we have to keep in mind while designing both offices and residences.

You! What skill has served you best in your architecture career?

UK: Time management and decision making are the most essential assets of an architect. My communication and organisational skills have always benefited me while dealing with clients and executing projects most efficiently.

You! How do you balance function with aesthetic appeal?

UK: My approach to design has always been functional that responds to the needs of the client. The client makes decisions about what he prefers aesthetically. The priority is always on its functionality over its aesthetic, my taste is quite minimal.

You! We often hear the phrase ‘form follows function’ but do you believe that design follows technology, or technology follows to design. Do you believe one overpowers the other?

UK: ‘Form follows function’ is a principle that proposes a building’s purpose should be the starting point for its design rather than its aesthetics. So, I am a bigger believer of the statement. With the advancements happening in the technology sector yes I thing technology might overpower the statement.

You! What is the biggest problem that you as an architect are facing in the profession today?

UK: Architects running their consulting firms are facing a lot of problems, for example our society has low recognition of Architecture as a prominent profession other than Engineering and there is a lot of competition with the profession of engineering when it comes to getting projects.

You! Which is your favourite piece of architecture?

UK: I like the bridges of Calatrava. They have a very dynamic sense of design and I love that.

You! Is there an architect who inspires you?

UK: Mies Van Der Rohe is the most influential foreign architect which I look up to and he is the guru of spaces according to me. He is known for his role in the development of the most enduring architectural style of the era: modernism. Mies minimalist style and his famous aphorism ‘less is more’ is what I admire the most about him. Neat, clean and crisp lines are what contemporary artists need to learn from him.

You! What are current trends in the design world?

UK: People are moving towards smaller and functional homes. The major shift is towards energy-efficient residences where the windows are larger with decorative false ceilings. I like how people are focusing more on outdoors now.

You! What do you feel is the greatest challenge when it comes to designing for environmental sustainability?

UK: The biggest challenge modern architecture faces is environmental sustainability.

Basically what it means is that the material used is not toxic and is easily bio degradable.

It’s important to keep the weather and the seasons in mind. If we are living in a hot region, high ceilings, proper ventilation, using material that keeps the walls cool are important.

While designing it is extremely important to keep in mind the weather of that particular area. Another challenge that we as architects face is the scarcity of eco-friendly materials in Pakistan. The world has progressed and we are still lagging. We are not using sustainable and eco- friendly materials at the moment.

You! Any interior tip you would like to share with our readers?

UK: It’s always good to keep the living room spacious and bright. The more sunlight that comes in, the less you need to use electricity.

You! How is your house decorated?

UK: The house was built 25 years ago keeping in mind the principles of sustainability. It has open terraces and lawns. We grew up in an environment where we were not much dependent on active means of cooling and heating so it was quite a pleasant experience.

You! Do you recommend young women to peruse architecture as a profession?

UK: Yes, for sure. Women have countered that professions have no inherent gender and that their skills and talents were the equal of men’s.

You! How do you see the future of architecture in Pakistan?

UK: I believe it’s bright because more and more people understand the importance of good architecture.

You! Do you have a dream project - something you haven’t done yet?

UK: The dream is to design sustainably by using less invasive strategies and of course to leave behind a legacy.

You! How do you describe your life, or your attitude to work, in your own words?

UK: When it comes to my work ethic I am ambitious, optimistic, resilient and ready to take on challenges.

You! Is there anything exciting, that you are working on at the moment?

UK: At the moment, we are working on both residential and commercial projects. We admire both the typologies as they provide us the opportunity to go into most intimate details. We are also working on some retail projects.

You! What are your plans?

UK: As our city has already achieved its saturation point, we plan to float along using different design strategies, which are new not only here but globally as well.

You! If you were completely free, what would you like to design?

UK: I would like to design an art gallery with the involvement of other architects which I believe will turn out to be a masterpiece!