Code: WH_OH_011_AUD_S4(C3)
Impressions of early-generation and contemporary woman architects
Summary:Gita Balakrishnan goes into her understanding of the work of early generation women architects and talks about how she was able to observe Ar. Brinda Somaya’s early practice taking shape. She highlights the practice of Ar. Rosemary Sachdev with her partner and how she was also significantly involved in the education sector as well. About Ar. Revathi Kamath’s work, Gita shares her impressions of her design approach and certain aspects of her work appearing cosmetic. She notes how these practices have all gone through evolution while finding their paths, and then goes on to mention other women architects from later generations such as Ar. Shaon Sengupta, who runs Edifice in Delhi. She elaborates on practices in the corporate structure, representation in the sector, and her involvement with it, and presents many examples of women architects in the corporate structure, where she recognizes that they usually don’t occupy top-level positions. Talking about Sheila Sri Prakash, she mentions her impressions of her work which she says is trailblazing, and shares the story behind their interactions. She further observes their limited involvement in forums and conferences outside of their practices.
Furthermore, on contemporary architects that are usually studied in college or are known outside the architecture fraternity, she notes how Indian women architects are usually missing. On bridging this gap, she talks about the initiatives she engages in and the conscious conversations she and her team undertakes toward highlighting unknown practices, regardless of gender. She closes by speaking more about the excitement that comes with the learning process of documenting and researching.
Gita Balakrishnan
Gita Balakrishnan
Ishita Shah
00.33.41
Online
17/03/2021
English
(00:10:45:30) "Men allowing women to be visible…", (00:15:01:10) Sheila Sri Prakash - the only Indian woman architect to have a Wikipedia page, (00:31:30:10) Survey to understanding salaries set by architecture firms