THE FEELING of Design

BRINDA SOMAYA

Architect

One of India’s most prolific architects and urban conservationists, Brinda Somaya has merged architecture, conservation and social equity in a protfolio of projects in diverse typologies. In a career spanning fourdecades, she has ammased numerous awards and recognitions for her work and initiatives in spearheading movements for a better planned Mumbai, thus putting her firm, S&K Consultants on the global architectural map.

With decentralisation now coming under the radar, how do you think the design and layout of neighbourhoods is destined to change? How will this affect large cities and their infrastructure?

These are enormous questions, and very relevant during this time. Every country will have to create its own questions and naturally, its own answers. In India, our lives are intertwined with our history, geography, culture, and architecture. We have a multiplicity of civilizations, so the solutions and answers will be complex. We need new and relevant long-term strategies to learn from the situation today and plan the way forward. Urban planning is very important today and the power of good design is even more crucial. Simple design changes will have to encourage and emphasize social distancing

Real estate needs and hence construction activity will be impacted in the short term, and this will mean an escalation in infrastructure activities, roads, metros and bridges. This will also