design Archives - APC Associates

Built Environment · Design Process

Architects’ Tools: Physical Models

‘We shape our buildings and our buildings shape us, ’ said Winston Churchill. But with what tools and methods do we use to shape our buildings?

From the outside, the process of designing buildings may seem opaque. For some, it might seem easy – drawing a few lines or shapes that would resemble the rooms. But even when architects produce 2-dimensional drawings, their understanding of it is 3-dimensional.

More than just room sizes.

As architects, we do not just think of room sizes. We think about how people will live in the spaces we design. We plan the experience for clients, users, and everyone who interacts with the building. All of this happens before construction begins. So, how do we make this sort of 3-dimensional vision possible?

In our office, we use several methods and tools to visualise the built environment. These include drawings, renders, sketches, 3D views, models, and collages, among other things. Amongst these, physical models, made from cardboard, thermacol, paper, wood, and other materials, play a crucial role.

Why physical models?

In the age of digital technology, physical models might appear time-consuming or even redundant. But they possess a quality that no amount of software-generated 3D can give. They are physical, in real life, and they provide a sense of immediacy. They are handy objects to look at from different directions, they can be cut, altered, or reshaped quickly, and they can be tested in the real environment with the site’s conditions.

For us, the study models are primarily tools to make good buildings. They may not be beautiful objects to look at. They may give the impression of a work-in-progress and usually carry traces of ideas that were experimented with.

All the purposes we use study models for

Study models help us imagine and engage with what the building would be, even before they are built. Depending on the purpose and the stage of the project, and on what we want to explore, the nature, size of models, the materials that are used change. Here are a few examples of some of our live projects.

Conceptual space planning

Spatial relationships and form (massing) options for a micro residence *(click here for project info)*

Massing and form finding

Massing options for an apartment building

Massing options for a new academic block *(click here for project info)*

Massing and Roof options for a new canteen block in an educational institution

Spatial experience

Capturing the essence of the interior space, Brick House *(click here for project info)*

Models to understand light and *tectonics*

Eventually, study models are just one of the tools we use to help in our design. In our subsequent blogs, we will showcase the digital equivalents of study models that have become indispensable in our process of creating good buildings.

November 13, 2025

Built Environment · Design Process · Role of an architect · Sustainability

Adaptive Reuse – Transforming Old Structures with New Purpose

1. What is Adaptive Reuse of buildings?

Most times, a building outlives its intended purpose, sometimes by several decades. In most cases, we allow the buildings to decay, or simply demolish them a long time before their life cycle ends. Adaptive reuse refers to repurposing an existing building for a new use or function. This new use may or may not align with the original purpose for which the building was built. Think of a food hub in an old warehouse, or a bookshop in a former church.

Buildings with inherent quality and character are ideal candidates, but even simple structures such as private residences can be adapted, as long as they’re structurally sound and free from major defects and grant a certain flexibility of use.

2. What are some of the benefits of repurposing older buildings for new uses rather than completely demolishing them and building anew?

There are several benefits to adapting and reusing old buildings:

Cost-effective: Since we are working with an existing structure, it usually costs less than demolishing and rebuilding from scratch.
Time-saving: You avoid delays related to demolition permits, clearances, and the time-consuming process of tearing down and starting fresh.
Unique character: Older buildings often have distinctive materials or design elements that give them a sense of identity. This is especially valuable when a commercial component is involved — the uniqueness of the space becomes part of its selling point.

3. Are there more reasons to consider adaptive reuse?

Yes, especially from an environmental standpoint.

Reduces Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste: By retaining the existing building or much of it, we avoid a large portion of the waste that comes with demolition. India produces about 150 million tonnes of C&D waste which causes land, air, and water pollution along with the large embodied carbon footprint it comes with.
Preserves high-quality construction: Many old buildings were built with care, craftsmanship, and materials that are hard to match today, especially given rising material and labour costs.
More sustainable: Reusing existing structures aligns with sustainable building practices, especially in a time when faster construction schedules and lower-skilled labour often result in reduced long-term quality.

4. How is an architect’s process different from designing a new building?

Adaptive reuse typically begins in one of two ways:

We have a building and must identify an appropriate new use, or
We have a use or idea and scout for a suitable existing building to match.

The architect plays a key role in both cases by assessing the spatial potential of the existing building to identify and explore new uses. An architect would also take note of issues related to structural repairs, waterproofing, etc., required to increase the longevity of the building.

A significant portion of the effort goes into studying and documenting the existing structure, testing its limits, and uncovering opportunities, quite different from designing a new building on a blank site.

This process can be likened to a three-way dialogue among the client, the architect, and the building. Here, the existing building’s voice is just as important as the others — it guides us on what’s possible and meaningful.

5. Are there examples of your projects?

Yes! We have a few examples of projects of different sizes and final uses.

A. Transforming a factory building into a modern IT office:

One of the key reasons for reusing a factory building as the main office for VDart Technologies was time. The company was expanding quickly and couldn’t afford the delays involved in obtaining new building approvals and constructing a facility from scratch.

At about the same time, a factory manufacturing metal products was available for sale. Since the structure was already available, a separate building sanction was not required.

The original building guided our choice of design and aesthetics. We retained the factory’s core structure and the building’s industrial character.

B. Giving renewed life to a 120-year-old ancestral house as a heritage homestay:

When the clients, based in Pune, reached us to make repairs and add a small bedroom with a toilet to their ancestral house in a scenic Agraharam, they had a clear mandate. They wanted to preserve the original character of the house, reduce waste, and use local or reclaimed materials wherever possible.

This was a challenge to us, given the extent of repairs required. We approached it by thoroughly understanding the house, by measuring and digitally modelling the existing house. Our design solutions were minimal so that the original quality of the house can be preserved and enhanced.

The retrofit demanded a significant commitment of time and money. To ensure long-term use and financial self-sustainability of the house, we helped the clients identify a new use for it. We introduced a company curates stay experiences in heritage villas. What began as a private restoration project became a commercial venture that aligned with the clients’ original intent: to showcase the architectural and cultural value of the house.

C. Reimagining a large, abandoned factory complex as a vibrant place in the city.

Our proposal, Urban Bricolage, was the winning entry for the national-level urban design competition to reimagine the 150-year-old Comtrust factory and its surroundings in Kozhikode. Our approach was broad and pragmatic – to integrate the open spaces as a single unified block with pedestrian routes through them, and use the old factory for a mix of different activities.

Do you have any such building that you wish to breathe a new life into, or want to embark on a similar project? Give us a call or fill the form!

July 12, 2025

Built Environment · Elements of Design · Journal · Sustainability

Building for Tomorrow: Design Resolutions for Sustainable House Design

A building stands for decades, spanning generations. Consider a house, for example. The initial construction may appear as a significant upfront investment in both cost, material, and effort. However, the journey of maintaining a house over its lifetime—managing electricity, water, repairs, periodic maintenance, and adapting to changing needs—demands ongoing resources, energy, time, and financial costs.

By setting clear goals and implementing simple design resolutions from the project’s inception, we can create a sustainable home that offers long-term benefits, in terms of good living, sustainability, and financial savings. Let’s explore some straightforward goal-setting and design strategies:

1. Evaluate and Build for Evolving Needs:

Our homes evolve with us. They change with us as we grow and our personal needs change. A house we build when we are young and have younger children has different needs than when we grow old and when our children have moved elsewhere. Start by assessing current needs and design with flexibility in mind.

A smaller initial footprint with room for expansion ensures space adapts as requirements change. A smaller, more efficient footprint will give us the possibility of a garden with space for at least 2 large trees.

2. Embrace Passive Climate-Friendly Design:

With rising temperatures, our reliance on energy-intensive air-conditioning grows. Passive design solutions, like careful material choices and natural ventilation, reduce cooling needs and create healthier indoor environments. Simple steps like planting native trees provide natural shading and cooling benefits.

3. Nurture Local and Closed-Loop Energy & Waste Cycles:

We can imagine our houses as small machines. They take in electricity to run most of our equipment. A household consumes raw materials from outside, be it water, food, and other products and generates waste that has to be disposed of, outside. These are linear systems wherein raw materials, resources, and products are consumed and waste generated which needs to be removed by some external agency.

Instead, these can be made into circular loops. The electricity required can be generated locally through solar panels. The wastewater can be recycled and reused for gardening and non-potable uses such as cleaning and flushing. The kitchen waste can be composted and used in the roof terrace vegetable garden.

This closed-loop approach minimizes external resource dependency and waste generation.

Architect Le Corbusier famously said, “A house is a machine for living in.” But making it into an environmentally friendly, sustainable machine for living starts with these foundational principles.

In later posts, we would explore methods, products, and design strategies that would align with the above resolutions.

Let’s create spaces that promote sustainable, healthy living!

May 11, 2024

Elements of Design · Sustainability

Elements of good climatic design: Tripartite Windows

Windows are a building’s eyes to the world! The origin of the name ‘window’ in several languages can be traced to identify with the meaning ‘to let in wind and light’. Windows serve a fundamental role in architecture by connecting interior and exterior spaces. They allow natural light to enter, enable ventilation, offer views, and ensure privacy. In a building, while rooms are enclosures sheltered from the outside, windows make them habitable.

The design of windows is closely intertwined with the local climate, and various architectural solutions have emerged to address these functional needs.

If we examine vernacular architecture, we find a multitude of window and fenestration solutions, each unique to the microclimate it is located in. Be it the jaalis of northern India, the various types of wooden louvres in Kerala or Bengal, or the tiny and deep windows of the Himalayan settlements, the types of windows and fenestration solutions are as varied and diverse as the climatic conditions in which they are located. Therefore, the design of windows is closely related to the climate of the place. Let’s delve deeper into successful window designs that function best in our climate.

The Tripartite Window System

One of the most effective window solutions in hot and humid/dry climates is the ‘Tripartite Window System’ found in traditional pol houses of Ahmedabad. This type of window integrates all three functions of providing light, ventilation, and privacy. It is also adjustable so that the openings, light, and view can be changed based on different requirements.

A typical window is divided into three vertical zones. The upper zone incorporates a ventilator with glass to allow light and release accumulated hot air. The middle and lower zones are divided into 2 sets of openable shutters. The lower shutters can be kept open to allow cool air to enter. Furthermore, it brings in the breeze when one is seated close to the ground or lying on the floor. The upper zone provides light and views of the outside. These shutters can be operated independently, offering control over privacy, wind movement, and light, thus enhancing interior thermal comfort and atmosphere.

Similar concepts can be found in vernacular architecture in other regions. For instance, Chettinad houses in Tamil Nadu also employ a two-shutter division for windows. In some cases, adjustable louvres replace solid wooden panels, balancing sunlight and air circulation.

Benefits of tripartite windows:

The benefits of such window designs are notable where the adjustability of the components allows for a comfortable indoor environment, which in turn contributes to the energy efficiency of the building. In today’s context, where air conditioning often dominates interior comfort strategies, the significance of windows as climate control elements is often overlooked. Furthermore, in hot climates, the size, position, and number of windows also determine the amount of heat that enters the building.

Our approach

In the context of modern challenges like climate change¹, thoughtful approaches to design, from the overall concept to the materials used, as well as individual elements such as windows are becoming increasingly important. For our design of the Brick House², located in the southern region of Tamil Nadu we implemented several strategies regarding window openings to tackle the hot and humid climate of that place.

Brick House – Design of windows and openings to block heat and allow cool breeze inside

By incorporating a brick jaali in front of windows, the harsh sunlight is diffused, and incoming air is cooled. The window openings are divided into two zones – the top zones are made of glass which allows light to enter even when closed, while the lower zones are made of solid shutters which enable a cool breeze to flow naturally when open. The shutters are placed at a level such that the cool breeze is directed towards the seated person. The entire house is designed to function as a chimney, improving ventilation through the stack effect.

Finally…

We must relook at several elements of design whether it is the windows, the type of wall construction, materials, etc. to align our buildings with the local climate and needs. There is a wealth of inspiration available from vernacular architecture³ that can be re-adapted to our modern needs.

September 1, 2023

Design Process · Residential

Stages of an architectural project

Embarking on a building project is an exhilarating journey filled with endless possibilities. From the initial spark of an idea to witnessing a magnificent structure rise from the ground, it’s an experience that leaves an indelible mark. But how does one navigate this complex process seamlessly?

This entire process of designing and constructing a building is broken down into a series of stages to make it manageable. Furthermore, a stage-wise approach also ensures that necessary feedback and modifications are accommodated at each appropriate stage of the project.

Quite broadly, the entire building process for small to medium-sized projects can be divided into 5 stages: Pre-Design (PD), Schematic Design (SD), Design Development (DD), Building Permit (BP), Construction Documents (CD), and Construction Management (CM). These steps are aligned with the project stages recommended by the Council of Architecture (CoA).

Pre Design (PD)

In our experience, a good design begins even before any scheme is drawn. At the beginning of any project, we take the time to listen, understand your unique requirements, and gather information on your space requirements, lifestyle, aspirations, budget and future needs. Simultaneously, we meticulously investigate the site, its surroundings, climate, and building regulations. This ensures that the approach, vision, and goals of us architects and you, the client, are aligned. All of this gets done in the Pre-Design (PD) stage.

Schematic Development (SD)

The Schematic Design e (SD) stage is one of the most exciting stages of a project where we give physical form to your project through drawings, virtual, and physical models. Oftentimes, you develop both doubts and inspiration during this stage. All of these are explored at this stage of the project.

Design Development (DD)

The approved Schematic Design is elaborated in the Design Development (DD) stage where the project is given content. A well-functioning building requires the input of various consultants, chief among them, the structural consultant, and depending on the size of the project, MEP, HVAC, Sustainability consultants etc. depending on the complexity of the project. As architects, we incorporate and combine these inputs while staying true to the overall vision of the project.

Any major changes that you may have are efficiently solved at this stage rather than later in the project.

Building Permit (BP) & Construction Documents (CD)

As your dream takes shape, we understand the urgency to break ground and bring it to life. That’s why we recommend engaging a liaisoning firm for acquiring the Building Permit (BP) documentation.

While they navigate the intricate permit approval process, we dive headfirst into the Construction Documents (CD) stage. Our team works diligently, refining every detail and preparing comprehensive plans that align with your vision. By running these stages simultaneously, we minimize delays and ensure a prompt start to construction once the permit is in hand.

Construction Management (CM)

The success of any design hinges on its execution at the construction site. From ensuring that the right contractors are engaged to strict adherence to design specifications, efficient utilization of labour, materials, and resources, and maintaining project financials, these factors greatly impact the outcome.

At our office, we have a dedicated Project Management Consultancy (PMC) team that works alongside our architectural team to oversee these crucial aspects. Through periodic supervision, we ensure that the desired outcome, aligned with both your expectations and ours, is achieved.

We have compiled the stages, our scope of work and deliverables for each of the project stages in this concise flowchart. The timelines mentioned in the flowchart are typically for new residential projects which for larger or more complex projects change depending on the project

Download our project stages, scope of work, and deliverables guide!

July 21, 2023