What attracts you to using steel as a primary building material in your architectural projects?
One defining aspect of our practice is that we have never confined ourselves to a single material or architectural style. Instead, we focus on creating an engaging design process and using materials appropriately for their intended purpose. When working with steel, we utilise it for spanning large distances and enabling rapid construction, which few other materials can achieve.
Steel also possesses a remarkable lightness. I believe it should be used in a way that feels almost like lace – fluid and lightweight. A skilled designer knows how to take thin steel members, connect them, and make them structurally strong. Steel’s innate qualities, particularly its lightness and ability to bear large tensile loads, make it ideal for crafting elegant, lightweight structures.
Can you share any specific examples of how you have used steel in your designs or projects?
Having designed several factories myself, steel has been an integral part of our practice. We have used steel in both its pre-engineered form and through conventional site execution with welded frames.
We have undertaken various projects, including large-scale factories like the Ajax Engineering Pvt Ltd Factory in Dodballapur, spanning nearly 200,000 sq ft. Early in my practice, we also completed a 300,000 sq ft coffee warehousing facility in Kushal Nagar for Louis Dreyfus Commodities Pvt Ltd. Beyond these large-scale projects, we have also worked on smaller projects, such as our own office, which is entirely constructed in steel.
One notable project was a pool deck built over a swimming pool at the RMV Club, which was completed in just four months. Such achievements would be difficult to realise with any material other than steel, showcasing its unique qualities and beauty.
Our office, the Funktion Design office building, is situated on a compact 40 x 40 ft site. It features two floors constructed in steel, suspended from a concrete portal. Even our staircase, which is suspended from an inverted beam with a 7 m cantilever, highlights steel’s potential. This staircase, entirely suspended from the top, would not have been possible with any other material. The structure appears incredibly light and delicate, with a transparent, see-through quality that only steel can offer.
By using slender materials and carefully weaving them together, we achieved a structure that looks lightweight yet remarkably strong. This balance of strength and delicacy is a testament to steel’s versatility and aesthetic appeal.
Are there any architects or architectural projects that have inspired your interest in steel design? Please share your thoughts.
I am an ‘Ekalavya’ of many ‘Dronacharyas;’ there are many architects who have influenced my work. Two of those are Glenn Murcutt from Australia and Richard Rogers. Murcutt’s buildings, though modest and small-scale, are masterfully crafted, and I aim to incorporate this level of detail into my projects.
Richard Rogers is known for his bold and expressive architecture; particularly the Pompidou Center in Paris has left a lasting impact on my design approach. Another architect who has shaped my thinking is Rem Koolhaas, whose design process continues to inspire me and influence how I approach architecture.
In what ways does designing with steel impact construction timelines and costs compared to other materials?
The choice of steel depends on its intended purpose. For fast-track projects, especially factories where production delays result in significant financial losses, steel is the ideal material. Almost all factory buildings I have designed have been steel structures, as it allows for spanning large distances effortlessly. Many commercial buildings are also being constructed in steel due to the high cost of real estate, as pre-engineered steel buildings are easy to assemble. However, one challenge for high-rise construction is the high cost of fire safety measures and compliance with fire regulations. If these costs decrease, high-rise steel structures may become more common in India, gradually replacing concrete in this segment.
In projects like the Ajax Engineering Factory at Dodballapur and other high-tech facilities, steel has been indispensable. These structures often require expansive spans and heights of 9 to 10 m, which are challenging to achieve with concrete, particularly with current labour shortages in the construction industry. Steel’s inherent advantages make such projects feasible and efficient. Our approach is always to select materials and technologies tailored to each project’s specific requirements.
How do you stay updated on the latest developments and trends in steel-based architecture and design?
I always emphasise the value of having a curious, research-driven mindset. Unless you are constantly researching and discovering new things, innovation will not happen. These days, with so much information available online, we tend to rely on it instead of truly retaining and understanding it. But to design effectively, we need to keep learning, stay updated, and apply what we know in thoughtful, meaningful ways. Research is not just about gathering knowledge—it is about making sure we understand and use it to create something impactful.
What challenges have you encountered when working with steel in your architectural projects, and how did you address them?
A major challenge in the industry is the limited understanding of steel among structural engineers, as it requires specialised knowledge that is hard to find. Additionally, contractors skilled in executing steelwork are scarce, with steel construction still largely limited to factories. In our practice, we push boundaries by using steel in both residential and commercial projects. Another issue is the lack of formal training in the industry, with many workers, including welders and site supervisors, lacking proper education, leading to inefficiencies. The industry’s reluctance to invest in training results in reliance on semi-skilled labour, impacting construction quality. Ultimately, successful projects depend on collaborating with skilled and committed individuals.
What is your opinion on the future of steel in architecture, considering emerging technologies and sustainability trends?
With the rising cost of real estate and space constraints in urban areas, steel is becoming a viable alternative for construction. There is also a growing labour crisis, particularly with skilled labour, which has been steadily declining over the past decade. To address this, we need rapid construction processes, as India is one of the fastest-urbanising countries in the world. Furthermore, real estate and rental values in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore are now approaching levels seen in developed cities like New York and London. Given these challenges, there is a need to build quickly, and pre-engineered steel structures offer an excellent solution to meet these demands.
Are there any specific projects or areas within the steel construction industry that you hope to explore in the future?
Designing a high-rise steel building is definitely on my wish list. I often look at skyscrapers around the world and think about how we could adapt similar structures in India, making them more sustainable and better suited to our climate. These are the kinds of ideas that inspire my work and drive my design vision.
