‘My architectural journey has been extremely exciting and ever-evolving’

In this interview, Meghna Chatterji, an accomplished architect and an alumna of Apeejay Institute of Technology – School of Architecture and Planning (AIT-SAP),  shares her dynamic journey in the field, beginning with a love for heritage sparked by childhood travels to historical sites. She describes how her career has evolved, from her first project on post-disaster cultural assessment in Uttarakhand to notable projects in architectural conservation. 

The architect further emphasises her commitment to non-mainstream, impactful work, including her academic achievements and the founding of her multidisciplinary firm, Kaarkhana. She also discusses Zindagi Mubarak, a zero-waste festival in Uttarakhand, highlighting its role in raising awareness about vernacular architecture and environmental conservation. Read edited excerpts 

Tell us briefly about your journey as an architect?

It takes me back to the message written on our first year architectural studio’s doorway – “Expect the Unexpected” 🙂

Ever since then, my architectural journey has been extremely exciting and ever-evolving. As a child, my parents took me to heritage sites and cities every summer, sparking my love for architecture and heritage. By the end of my B.Arch in 2013, it was quite evident to me that I wanted to pursue a career which is not very mainstream or commercial.  My first project was the post-disaster cultural assessment of Uttarakhand 2013, funded by UNESCO, where we explored the river course, stopping at every settlement until Mana, India’s last village. I then worked on notable projects like ‘Dutch in Chinsurah’ (funded by the Netherlands embassy) and ‘Restoration of Chamunda Mata Temple’ (funded by WMF). As an INTACH consultant, I documented the built and natural heritage of over 2000 villages in Rajasthan. After completing my master’s in Architectural Conservation from SPA Delhi in 2019, my thesis on Devaprayag took me back to Uttarakhand. I was the sole placement from my batch at SPA Delhi, starting my academic career at DIT University, Dehradun. In a short span of three years, I received the ‘Teacher of the Year Uttarakhand 2021’ award from the Honourable Chief Minister of Uttarakhand. In 2022, I left my stable job to explore grassroots initiatives, discovering my purpose in ‘Kaarkhana’ and ‘Zindagi Mubarak’ where I can make a more tangible impact.

What inspired you to take up this new journey?

To me it felt like nothing new but the most natural progression of things. I wanted to have my own firm and do things that I love to do without any limitations.

Kaarkhana is a multidisciplinary firm, rooted in sustainability, having a vision to bring a positive change in the society using art, architecture, design, technology and planning as a tool. It’s a collaborative space, a workshop to bring diverse people together to innovate, conserve and find creative solutions to complex problems. Currently we have three verticals –The tangible (architectural and heritage conservation projects), art expression (graphics) and community building (workshops and events).  Also, probably I wanted to do something more tangible, which has a direct impact on the community and something for the larger good.

Zindagi Mubarak is a notable part of our community building vertical.

Please tell us about Zindagi Mubarak? How is it creating the impact? What is the vision?

Zindagi Mubarak is a three day zero waste festival held in the picturesque mountains of Uttarakhand, curated with love by Ishqestan and Kaarkhana. It has been started with a noble intent to create a platform for the local artists and the artisans; employment opportunities for the villagers and to celebrate this very gift – “life”. 

Through my work with the communities, I realized that addressing issues like vernacular architecture and environmental degradation requires significant funding. While documentation and research are valuable, they often feel futile when confined to reports with no tangible impact.

Conversations about vernacular architecture and its significance often stay within the architectural community, failing to reach a broader audience. To create change, we need:firstly funds and secondly, required to create awareness about vernacular architecture and the environment amongst a diverse community.

Zindagi Mubarak was born from the realisation that festivals can bring people together. Our merchandise is made by the women of Uttarakhand , Project Purukul, with profits going directly to them. We’re creating a platform for the local artists and artisans, raising awareness about waste, vernacular architecture, and the environment through workshops, art, pottery, and music.

Our vision is to build a Pan-India community, hosting multiple workshops and festivals throughout the year so that slowly but gradually this drop in the ocean can become a river which flows and heals a lot of people and solves some grassroot issues at least at some level.

How does architecture, art and music connect?

Just like the leaves of a tree are connected with its branches and the branches are connected with its trunk and how it grows from the roots, at the end of the day it’s the same tree.
And not just art, architecture and music but geography, history, communities, economy, people and their occupations, their needs, environment everything is interconnected.  It’s unfortunate how we have started seeing them in isolation. While it’s important to break them down in different parts for a deeper understanding of each subject it’s also extremely important to remember the oneness of it all and see things holistically.

 What does the field of architecture mean to you?

It’s a very responsible domain and it’s a great opportunity to explore different cultures, meet people from diverse backgrounds, the ability to find creative solutions to complex problems around us and most importantly to contribute in a meaningful way towards our society.

 What keeps you motivated?

When I feel my work is making someone’s life better, in whatever capacity, it feels I am doing something right and that pushes me and keeps me going, wanting to do better every day.

Also, it’s a very creative field, there’s not one single day which is dull and mundane. Every project brings along with it new challenges and gifts and just being in this space itself is so exciting.

Your words of advice to budding architects

I generally refrain from giving advices, I feel people learn from their own experiences and everyone has a different path that is meant for them.  It’s important though to find and create your own path and not be dictated by conventional ways. However, for that one needs to connect with their inner self and this journey can become something very spiritual, magical and meaningful for you.  And yes, climate change is real and we have a very important part to play, try to play it well.