1. What inspired the name "Habit Art," and how does it reflect your design philosophy?

 

The name "Habit-Art" reflects our belief that design shapes daily life. "Habit" symbolizes the routines and interactions our spaces support, while "Art" represents the creativity and aesthetic quality we bring to each project. Together, they embody our mission to create
environments that are both functional and inspiring, fostering a meaningful connection between people and their surroundings .This further strengthens our belief in crafting spaces which are very context and user driven.

2. Your designs seem to have a conversation with the land they stand on, as seen in the Boulder Farmhouse. How do you let the          landscape ‘speak’ to you when starting a project?

We are a very context-driven Architectural Practice. Context can be a major variable ranging from climate, topography, vegetation, and natural drainage. These variables are meticulously penned down in the form of thoughts and sketches by placing ourselves as end users of the architecture. This enables us to collaborate with the clients on the process allowing each other to put ourselves in the shoes of the other. Through collective dialogue, debates and productive arguments, the journey is extremely process driven.

3. Boulder Farmhouse project is indeed a beautiful example of integrating traditional building techniques with modern design. Can    you elaborate on the challenges and rewards of such an approach?

​​

Traditional techniques are birthed out of natural context. The Boulder Farmhouse is located in the hinterlands of Shoolagiri, a village in the hillocks of Tamil Nadu. Traditionally, most houses in this locality are built out of mud and lime to stay cool in the hot and dry context.

In an ode to craftsmanship, we had to keep the process collaborative. A like-minded contractor and karighars/maistries from nearby villages and precincts pooled their resources together with us to create this beautiful piece of architecture out of mud.

 

The greatest challenge is assembling a community with our own set of frustrations with people leaving through the journey, abandoning the site, and not answering calls, throwing aside their creations. The process is exhausting as you need to constantly build new teams of workmen, train, and work with equal expectations on both sides.

 

To outcome, however, is extremely rewarding as it showcases the process explicitly, expressing materiality in its rawest form, yet with grace and finesse. As an architect, one begins to understand the power of community and collaboration. Without these, our architectural vision remains on paper and yet another dream.

4. If you could choose one material from the past that embodies the future of sustainable design, what would it be, and why does it  hold such timeless potential?

Any form of Earth I guess, as it holds the potential to create a lot more climate-responsive architecture, along with updated technology in the industry. We are in need of the hour to reduce our carbon footprint and build only what is necessary. The beauty of earth is that it creates a natural palette, a backdrop that can subtly blend in or stand out amongst a crowd. It is a lot more functional in terms of contextual climatology and can be designed across forms to create that balance between function and aesthetics.

5. Collaboration is a key aspect of your work. How do you involve local communities and craftsmen in your projects?

 

We keep spreading the word about potential design and build spots and work to employ the youth in the localities. The process involves scouting around the region to visit quarries for stones, materials, and workmen required for masonry, fabrication, flooring, electrical, and all other jobs. This exercise can be exhausting, but the results can make one reach for the stars.

6. Architecture, like nature, evolves with time. In a fast-paced world of fleeting trends, how does Habit-Art ensure its designs stay rooted in values that transcend time?

Simple, by ensuring that we adapt to the world around us but staying rooted to our principles of design values. Trends are inevitable and are needed to keep ideas afresh and relevant, and we see them as a positive to influence our practice.

7.Imagine you could build a space for the future generations. What traditions would you preserve,and how would you reimagine them for a world that is constantly changing?

 

Architecture is an evolving process and changes over time. I’m not exactly sure of what can be preserved and what cannot, but at the same time, it is important to carry forward generations of workmanship in the future to come. Allow the architecture to evolve, but do not
forget the essence and relevance of craftsmanship.