We had a great conversation with Sameep Padora during NATCon, about how he uses innovative tools in his architectural practice, his (de)Coding Mumbai project that analyzes the dynamics of Mumbai, and his advice to young architects.
Interview
Sameep Padora, the founder of Mumbai-based architecture firm sP+a (Sameep Padora and Associates) and Dean of the Faculty of Architecture at CEPT University, is known for his work at the intersection of vernacular architecture and computational design. We had a short interview with him about how he uses innovative tools in his architectural practice, his (de)Coding Mumbai project that analyzes the dynamics of Mumbai, and his advice to young architects.
About Sameep Padora:
Padora completed his undergraduate studies at the Academy of Architecture in Mumbai. He briefly attended SCI-Arc in Los Angeles in 1999 but soon returned to India, finding that the curriculum didn’t align with the realities of Indian architecture. In 2005, he pursued a master’s degree at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, focusing on the financial aspects of low-income housing in developing countries. This experience broadened his understanding, which he later applied in his research-based practice in Mumbai, notably through projects that address affordable housing and urban development.
Notable Projects:
Since opening his research-based practice in 2006, he designed notable projects that address social, cultural, and ecological issues, such as the Jetavan Spiritual Center for the Dalit Buddhist community in Maharashtra, which utilizes waste basalt dust for its rammed stone walls, and the Temple of Steps in Andhra Pradesh, where water management features were incorporated into the design to support local agriculture. His work on the (de)Coding Mumbai project is another significant example, as it analyzes housing solutions and urban density in Mumbai, seeking sustainable approaches to the city’s housing crisis.
About PA Talks:
Hosted by Hamid Hassanzadeh, founder and creative director of PA, the PA Talks interview series brings together the brightest minds in architecture and design. These captivating conversations explore these individuals’ lives, careers, and visions for the future.
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