Tabla de contenidos para January 2026 en Architecture + Design

Architecture + Design|January 2026

FOREWORD

January is a moment to pause and recalibrate. To consider not just where design is going, but what it is responsible for shaping. This Issue of Architecture+Design turns that leans toward spaces of learning, environments that quietly influence how we think, behave, and belong. Education is shaped as much by space as by curriculum. The cover feature on Meena Murthy Kakkar and Vishal Kakkar’s work at The Tagore School reflects this belief through architecture grounded in empathy and restraint. Across the Issue, institutional projects by BIG and WOHA reinforce the idea that buildings can foster curiosity, responsibility, and environmental awareness when design thinking is embedded, not imposed. Inclusion emerges as a recurring thread. Manish Gulati’s viewpoint reminds us that equality in experience begins with how people move, gather, and share…

1 min.

Architecture + Design|January 2026

MATgenie: INTELLIGENCE THAT BUILDS BETTER DECISIONS

Every structure is shaped by the choices made long before construction begins. Choices that go beyond form and aesthetics, into materials, systems, and methods that must endure time, climate, and use. Today’s projects operate within a web of regulations, sustainability targets, cost pressures, and execution timelines. Navigating this complexity calls for more than intuition. That’s where MATgenie steps in. MATgenie is an AI-powered guide for building materials, created to support architects, consultants, fabricators, and project teams as they evaluate options and make informed decisions. It transforms material selection from a fragmented process into a clear, structured conversation. Instead of searching across sources or relying solely on experience, professionals can ask MATgenie direct, practical questions and receive responses grounded in real-world construction logic. Whether the project is residential, commercial, or industrial,…

2 min.

Architecture + Design|January 2026

INCLUSIVE BY DESIGN: RETHINKING INSTITUTIONAL DESIGN IN INDIA

For a developing country like India, institutions have never been merely buildings: they have been instruments of nation-building. Whether educational campuses, government offices, healthcare facilities, sports infrastructure, or cultural centres, these spaces carry social intent. As the country invests heavily in expanding institutional infrastructure, the question is no longer just how many buildings we construct, but how they are imagined, designed, and inhabited. This question becomes urgent when you consider that these institutions fundamentally shape how people relate to authority, to one another, and to the communities they serve. In my view, institutions bear responsibility far beyond their stated programmes. They are the places where people form their identities. A student spends years navigating a campus. A citizen learns what good governance looks like through the government officials they approach…

5 min.

Architecture + Design|January 2026

BEYOND SCORES AND RANKS: MANORAMA ARORA’S VISION FOR EDUCATION

“I wasn’t born to ‘just teach’, I was born to inspire others, to change people, and to never give up; even when faced with challenges that seem impossible.”—Mrs. Manorma Arora, Academic Director The true potential of any student lies far beyond numbers; it lives in resilience, character, curiosity, and the quiet confidence to dream big. After all, a piece of paper cannot decide their destiny. While the Indian education system often stays fixated on board percentiles and entrance rankings, it is the voices like Mrs. Manorama Arora’s that remind us of what truly matters. As the Academic Director of The Tagore Group of Schools, Mrs. Arora has spent over five decades redefining what success looks like—shifting focus from ‘average’ to ‘achiever,’ and from achievement to character. Her philosophy speaks to…

4 min.

Architecture + Design|January 2026

DESIGNED TO PAUSE

“It was about peace, harmony, learning, and community. We wanted the planning to feel non-hierarchical. Every space connects softly to the next, echoing a sense of community without sharp divisions.”—POOJA BIHANI, Founder & Principal Architect, Spaces & Design Designed by Spaces and Design, the 18,000 sq ft Jain community centre does not rely on monumentality or visual dominance to establish presence. There is no grand gesture to decode at arrival, no hierarchy of spaces competing for attention. Instead, the building operates through calibration—of proportion, movement, light, and behaviour—allowing pause to emerge not as an idea, but as an experience. Walking into Sangha Bhawan, the noise of the city falls away sooner than expected. The transition is not abrupt, but measured. As someone who grew up within the rhythms and values of…

6 min.

Architecture + Design|January 2026

BETWEEN THE LEAVES AND LIGHT

“Villa Shai is more than a luxurious retreat. It celebrates conscious living, sustainability, and craftsmanship blended with beauty and comfort.”—DEVIKA& RAJ KHOSLA, Co-Founders, The Works Interiors “An understated sense of comfort and ease brims through this space, where every element serves as a gentle reminder of Goa’s rich cultural elegance and carefree allure.”—DEVIKA & RAJ KHOSLA, Co-Founders, The Works Interiors What’s in a name? Juliet laments atop her famous balcony in Shakespeare’s eponymous play. Fast forward to 600 years, how about the idea of a 6,000 sq ft hidden gem in Goa! The inception of Villa Shai began the way all living things do—with a seed. A small, deeply personal idea that stems from the name Shai. Named after Shaista, the daughter of homeowners Sunhaila and Sumeer Duggal, the villa…

5 min.

Architecture + Design|January 2026

about the issue

ON THE COVER: Meena Murthy Kakkar & Vishal Kakkar PHOTO CREDIT: NIVEDITAA GUPTA All drawings and visuals for the projects and articles, unless mentioned otherwise, are courtesy the architects/authors. As we strolled through the revered corridors of an esteemed design institute, my young colleague’s wistful remark, “I would have studied better, if I were in a college like this,” struck a chord. This offhand comment sparked a conversation about the subtle yet potent influence of architecture on our psyche and behaviour. It got me thinking – how does the design of a space shape our learning experiences, productivity, and overall well-being? The institute’s modern aesthetic, abundant natural light, and carefully crafted spaces seemed to whisper inspiration, making it clear that design is more than just aesthetics; it’s a silent partner…

2 min.

Architecture + Design|January 2026

DESIGN MILESTONE 2025: BUILDING CONVERSATIONS, NOT JUST SHOWCASES

Design Milestone returned to Kolkata for its second edition from December 11–14, 2025 over four days, it felt less like a showcase and more like a shared experience. The event brought together architects, designers, artists and design enthusiasts in a space that encouraged curiosity, conversation and pause. This year’s edition offered a deeper exploration into the craft of design through curated experiences, insightful dialogues and transformative showcases that extended beyond aesthetics. It became a space where meaningful conversations unfolded, collaborations took shape and creativity was celebrated in its most thoughtful and authentic form. The exhibition unfolded through the Outdoor Arena, Milestone Marketplace, Brand Showcase and thoughtfully designed reflective spaces such as The Porch, The Circle and Points of Pause. Together, these spaces created a natural rhythm balancing discovery with moments…

1 min.

Architecture + Design|January 2026

ARCHITECTURE THAT PROTECTS, INSPIRES, AND BEFRIENDS

If you want a deep dive into any architectural and design practice, their portfolio is enough to reflect what they stand for, their ethos and expertise. For most of them, the built environment they create is a direct expression of who they are. With Meena Murthy Kakkar and Vishal Kakkar, founders of Envisage, this process is a little diverse. There is a belief that charity begins at home, and rightly so, once you enter inside their Gurugram home ‘Advaita’, its architecture becomes Envisage’s living autobiography. I have had the pleasure of visiting their home twice, and each time, I have been reminded why their work enchants and acts like food for the soul. It’s because they practice what they preach, quite literally within their own walls! Spread across 2385 sq…

32 min.

Architecture + Design|January 2026

A REVOLUTIONARY VISION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

“This gorgeous architecture amplifies and elevates a revolutionary vision for higher learning at a critical moment in the well-being of our species, our brains, our planets.”—HIRAM E.CHODOSH President, Claremont McKenna College “We imagined the Sciences Center as a series of parallel building volumes side by side - with a public space in between - that are rotated in all the same directions as the mall.”—BJARKE INGELS, Founder & Creative Director, BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group The Robert Day Sciences Center is a quintessential Bjarke Ingels creation, blurring the lines between sculpture and architecture. His signature “pragmatic utopianism” is on full display here – a playful fusion of practicality and innovation. In a rather audacious move, the four-storey building is made up of four pairs of stacked rectangular volumes, each pair is…

6 min.

Architecture + Design|January 2026

PATTERNS MEET PURPOSE

“Modern Mosaic is about order without rigidity—where patterns feel intentional, not imposed.”—NATASHA SHAH Principal Designer, Between Walls “Between Walls thoroughly believes in reflecting the clients’ personality in a space and we try and stick to this as much as we can.”—NATASHA SHAH, Principal Designer, Between Walls “The Modern Mosaic talks about grid, pattern, repetition and symmetry,” remarks Natasha Shah, founder of Between Walls. In the beginning, this may sound like a simple statement but as you traverse through the journey of this Pune home, you will realise there is an order to this assembled chaos. Designed for a family of four, this 1,800 sq ft, 3.5 BHK residence in one of Pune’s most sought-after neighborhoods demonstrates how geometry, when cocooned by craft and emotion, can shape spaces that feel both elegant…

5 min.

Architecture + Design|January 2026

WHERE ROME, BARCELONA, AND AI CONVERGE

“This way of working, which treats AI as a creative collaborator rather than a production tool and craft as intelligence rather than labour, allowed us to close the gap between concept and buildable reality much faster.”—MANISH GULATI, Founder and Principal Architect, MOFA Studio You may or may never have been to Rome’s Trevi Fountain, but that hardly matters. Unless you live under a rock, chances are you’ve still seen it. Instagram and the cinema have made it universal—that moment when you toss a coin and wish for a pipe dream. My own last recollection of the Trevi Fountain was the visual of Emily Cooper, Netflix’s American in Paris (and now, Rome), moving through the Eternal City with the devastatingly handsome, Roman heir to his family’s cashmere company Marcello Muratori. The…

6 min.

Architecture + Design|January 2026

DESIGN INTEL

A+D LOVES • Baskt for its Zero Gravity wellness-led design • Boomerang as a sculptural statement piece German brand Domicil unveils a curated 2026 seating collection for modern Indian homes India – German home furnishings brand Domicil, from the House of HTL International, has unveiled its Curated Design Edit for 2026—a refined selection of 10 seating designs that respond to the evolving rhythms of modern living. Rooted in German engineering and elevated by thoughtful craftsmanship, the collection balances sculptural aesthetics with intelligent modularity and personalised comfort. Designed for global sensibilities yet adapted to Indian homes, the edit spans everything from compact urban configurations to expansive lounge compositions. With precision-engineered mechanisms, modular formats, and an expansive palette of premium fabrics and leathers, the collection underscores Domicil’s belief that luxury lies in adaptability,…

8 min.

Architecture + Design|January 2026

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1 min.

Architecture + Design|January 2026

BUILT TO LAST

Founded in 1995, Trident Construction has steadily built its reputation as one of India’s leading civil and building contractors, delivering robust construction solutions across industrial, commercial, institutional and residential sectors. With decades of hands-on experience, the company has become synonymous with reliability, structural integrity and quality-driven execution. As a comprehensive construction service provider, it undertakes the development of industrial buildings, factories, warehouses, roads and land parcels, along with projects for educational institutes, commercial establishments, showrooms and residential developments. Every assignment is approached with a focus on durability, precision and finish, ensuring structures that perform efficiently over time and withstand demanding operational conditions. Driven by technical expertise and an in-depth understanding of on-ground realities, Trident Construction has successfully established a strong and diverse clientele in a relatively short span. The firm…

2 min.

Architecture + Design|January 2026

CATALYST FOR CHANGE: WOHA’S GREEN REVOLUTION

“The vision was to present an innovative and sustainable inner-city campus that exemplifies tropical design strategies in response to the hot, humid, monsoon climate of the Bangladesh region while demonstrating the sensitive integration of nature and architecture.”—WONG MUN SUMM, Co-Founder, WOHA Architecture is never about a single project, it extends beyond the physical boundaries of the project, creating a dynamic relationship with its environment. One can’t negate the impact it has on not just its intended users, but also the larger community it inhabits. The built environment is a defining characteristic of a city’s identity, transcending mere aesthetics to cultivate a sense of place. It endeavours to facilitate communal engagement and respond sensitively to the multifaceted needs – cultural, social, and environmental – of its inhabitants, thereby crafting spaces that narrate…

5 min.

Architecture + Design|January 2026

FLUIDITY IN MOTION

Designed to embrace openness, movement, and an effortless flow, every element in this space has been curated to break away from convention, creating an environment where design and daily life exist in harmonious synergy. The play of textures adds depth, while custom wall lighting near the entrance sets a quiet, elegant tone. Le Petit Nuage, meaning The Little Cloud, is a poetic interpretation of spatial fluidity—an ethereal dance of curves, textures, and hues that seamlessly weave through this 2BHK home for a family of three. Designed to embrace openness, movement, and an effortless flow, every element in this space has been curated to break away from convention, creating an environment where design and daily life exist in harmonious synergy. From the moment one steps inside, a sense of airiness prevails.…

3 min.