As a master builder — someone who conceives, designs, engineers, and constructs — what draws you to using steel in your projects? Could you share an example of how you’ve incorporated steel into your designs?
I’m not biased toward steel, but it often is the better choice due to its immediate transformation from ore to its final shape and its versatility. Steel offers unparalleled strength, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to occupy maximal volume in cubic meters while achieving spans of thousands of feet or hundreds of meters.
In many of my projects, steel has been the material of choice. One recent example is the Port Blair Airport and Bhopal International Airport. Steel played a pivotal role in its execution.
Who has been a source of inspiration for you and your work?
My inspiration isn’t limited to just the field of architecture. For instance, Santiago Calatrava stands out for his work blending art, architecture, and engineering into harmonious designs. His creations are a testament to the interplay of aesthetics and functionality.
Another influence is Schlaich Bergermann Partner, renowned for their engineering feats. They have worked on several large cable-stayed bridges in India. Their work represents a pure form of engineering, showcasing the raw and elegant expression of extreme forces. It’s truly an art of engineering.
What differences do you see in project timelines when using steel?
As steel has become a widely accepted material, the entire industry has elevated its use in terms of extraction, forming, processing, machining, and erecting. The ecosystem for steel is quite mature now, making it a strong contender to surpass concrete in popularity. Its recyclability, strength, flexibility, and the variety of forms and shapes it can produce are driving steel’s increasing adoption in construction. Steel is finding its way further into the industry, becoming increasingly intensive in its application.
What are some challenges you’ve come across when working with steel?
Challenges with steel vary at every stage of its use. When I started my career 30 years ago, I began as a Consultant. I created beautiful drawings that impressed clients, but when the designs moved to execution, we failed miserably. The designs turned out to be unconstructible, and the failure made us reflect and analyse what went wrong.
We realised that there was no ecosystem in place to support the construction of those designs. Any good idea requires a comprehensive ecosystem to turn it into a reality on the ground. That was a critical lesson for us. We took on the challenge of bridging the gap between concept and reality, understanding that after a concept is approved, it requires proper detailing, engineering, and construction to bring it to life.
This realisation led us to take on the responsibility of ensuring that concepts could be executed effectively. As a result, we transitioned into an EPC company 25 years ago.
Any trends in the industry that you find particularly exciting?
There are so many exciting trends! One that really stands out to me is the integration of various software platforms. For instance, during a lecture, I saw how tools like AutoCAD are evolving into Revit, then integrating with BIM, FEA, parametric rendering, VR, and more. This kind of synergy is taking us to incredible levels of simulation — almost like running a parallel life in cyberspace. The concept of a digital twin has now become an established norm in sophisticated engineering, and it’s truly transformative.
Another sector that’s rapidly evolving is logistics and manufacturing. The advancements here are significantly impacting the speed, scale, and volume of what we can create, which in turn affects the economy.
However, amidst all this progress, I have noticed a concerning trend: people seem to be getting lost in the sheer scale and complexity of it all. We are creating technological giants, and in doing so, there’s a risk of losing the human warmth, the personal touch, and the craft behind creation. If we can sensibly retain these elements — space, warmth, a sense of belonging, and the artistry of creating — we will not only achieve sustainability but also reduce the psychological stress that can come with such rapid advancements.
It has to become more of a conscious choice for designers as they integrate technology to a greater extent. On that line, how do you see parametric architecture?
They need to be careful not to go overboard with their designs. For example, in a lecture I attended recently about AI, someone spoke about using metrics to analyse high-rise construction on a plot with different densities of concrete and steel, factoring in choices like parking layouts. It reminded me of going to a store for a single shirt, only to find 500 shades of red, 16 million other colors, and leaving feeling overwhelmed and unhappy. I believe we need to limit choices thoughtfully — let AI present a curated set of options, but use it sensibly, with human judgment guiding the final decision rather than blindly relying on deep data or jargon.
Now, on parametric architecture in India — how do I see it picking up here? Well, I like to think of it as a sort of digital plasma suit. It allows you, with just a press of a button, to create an array of options, progress them with certain parameters, and generate countless variations in digital space. The technology is amazing, no doubt, but when it comes to making those ideas real, you need wisdom and sound judgment. It’s about who uses the tool and how they apply it to shortlist and implement the best choices.
To date, parametrics hasn’t fully penetrated daily life — not in India, and honestly, not even internationally. There are only a few examples where it has been applied effectively. One standout is the British Museum’s atrium by Norman Foster. It’s an excellent example of parametric design done right.
That said, parametric design is inherently good — like any technology, including AI. The key is training ourselves to use it wisely and purposefully. It’s not the technology that’s the issue; it’s how we apply it that makes all the difference.
What is your opinion on the future of steel construction, especially with regards to sustainability?
Sustainability has to come from the heart, not just as a buzzword. While there’s talk about using hydrogen and reducing CO2 emissions in steel production, we must first acknowledge that steel is an energy-intensive material — from ore to its finished form.
Currently, steel usage is often measured in tonnes or even millions of tonnes. But I believe we need to start thinking in terms of grams — using steel efficiently and valuably to create meaningful, sensible structures. Optimising its use should be the first step toward true sustainability.
Next comes producing steel responsibly. There are various emerging technologies to support this. Then there’s recyclability, which is an essential aspect. But between responsible production and recyclability lies another crucial factor: flexibility in design. If we can make our designs adaptable to changing needs, we can prevent materials from being discarded prematurely.
If we strike this balance — optimise, produce responsibly, design flexibly, and recycle efficiently — steel will not only achieve its full potential in terms of sustainability but also become a truly responsible material for the future.
Are there any specific projects or areas within steel construction that you’re excited to explore in the future?
I believe there’s already a lot of exploration happening, but there’s always more to uncover. One area I’m particularly interested in is nomadic portability — intelligent use of steel in portable manufacturing, where the product is essentially built at the site using mobile factories.
To give you an idea, think about how ships or airplanes are built. These are massive products, yet they are constructed in factories, often with the factory essentially built around the product. Now imagine applying this concept to buildings, which are usually stationary, heavy, and enormous in volume.
Currently, the process involves fabricating components in factories, transporting them to the site, and assembling them with cranes. But what if we could form buildings directly at the site using raw materials, similar to how a termite mound is built?
3D printing is taking steps in this direction, but its outcomes still have limitations. It’s an exciting area that needs further evolution, and I think steel could play a significant role in advancing this approach.
What are your thoughts on prefabrication and modular construction?
Prefabrication and modular construction are fascinating approaches, but they often come with the drawback of monotony. The challenge lies in introducing intelligent standardisations — a way to balance the efficiency of these methods while still allowing for flexibility and creativity in design. If we can achieve that balance, the outcomes will be far more engaging and versatile than what we see today.
Right now, modular construction has limited popularity due to its repetitive nature and constrained applications. To expand its appeal, we need to rethink how we approach it—making it adaptable without losing the inherent efficiency.
