Design is Changing the World

Book Review: THE POWER OF PROBONO 40 stories about Design for the Public Good by Architects and Their Clients

Edited by John Cary and Public Architecture

Book Design by Pentagram

Published by Metropolis Books

 I received a courtesy copy of this book and yes it was a beautiful feeling to see my name in the ‘acknowledgments’ for the book.  What’s more beautiful is to contribute a 1% of your workday to help someone so that you feel good for the other 99% of the time.

Based on this simple concept of contributing just 1% of your service for a good cause, Public Architecture started ‘the1%’ program in 2005. Today it’s even shaped itself into a book.  This book goes a long way with its inspiring and successful stories of people that believe in doing public good. 

 In this world of architecture, we hunt hungry to spot those ‘Oh-so-cool’ moments. And, we sit silent often; ignoring that architecture can also be about bringing change for a good cause.  Design is changing the world.

Here is a book that will inspire you. Read it, read these 40 stories. And then, become a part of one such story.

Make a change, make a difference.

branding THAILAND

It was a vacation in a vacation over my last visit to India, almost unplanned we went to Thailand.

Thaliand is a beautiful, scenic country drenched in culture of immense hospitality and has a hard to miss upon omnipresent gold glow radiating its grandeur and royalty.

Sea shore, Phuket, Thailand. Photo by Vaish Jais

Royal Palace, Bangkok, Thailand. Photo by Vaish Jais

I flew Thai Air. 

Thai. Photo source Interbrand

A perfect example of how to inculcate an essence of a culture and its architecture through brand, Thai Air delivers a customer experience that, further up-plays this thai-ness in a very contemporary way. Interbrand has designed Thai Air into a brand that becomes an ambassador for Thailand.


Excerpts from Interbrand website: 'Design ethic is inspired by "jumpee" symbol, the traditional "wai" greeting of bringing the two palms together and the pitched roof of Thai architecture.' Read more

A Day As A Docent- THE FARNSWORTH HOUSE

People, today I trod from taking my baby steps co-docenting at The Farnsworth House onto becoming an actual Docent. And, I even got my very own Tee in grey with the Farnsworth House sketch on it.

PHOTOGRAPHY: JON MILLER, HEDRICH BLESSING

Over this spring, a good four tours of co-docenting later, I was all by myself; walking the visitors to the house, touring and answering the curious minds.

This beautiful minimalist Miesian wonder attracts visitors from all over the world.

Personally, I find peace here. I feel connected to this place; which is one of the reason I decided to become a docent at The Farnsworth House. And, the other reason, has to be the fact that I am an Architect myself.

Shoe Fetish: melissa + ZAHA HADID

What more could I ask for when it comes to all thing architecture & gratifying my shoe fetish- perhaps a shoe that fits, and is designed by an architect.

And viola... there it was like a wish come true: Limited edition shoes designed by Zaha Hadid for Melissa Shoes on sale at Gilt Groupe, Woah, I had to grab them before somebody else did.

Well designed, ergonomic, smartly asymetrical; they come with pleasantly infused aroma; first of its kind in my collection. I am impressed.

Concept as expressed on Zaha's website:
The design engages with the fluid organic contours of the body. The shoes asymmetric quality conveys an inherent sense of movement to the design, evoking continuous transformation. ... read more

Now I own my very own piece of Zaha

Independence Square, Charlotte, NC.

In Charlotte NC, a while back I happened to wander around the downtown and arrived at this very interesting crossroad - The Independence Square. I must admit I had to look it up to learn its significance.

What fascinated me were these two sculptures, surprisingly abstract & modern, as they remain juxtaposed along sides of four very historic pillared statues with personified tittles as "Transportation", "Future", "Commerce" and "Industry". This contrast is an art delight and architecturally playful.

If I (an architect) turned into chef...this would be my food.

The first thing I had to do was to sketch out my concept. It didn't had much to do with my culinary skill as much as it had to do with plating, colors, proportions, geometry and such. Haha...I mean it.

I am not a chef, so I leave that part for the experts. If you are a chef and reading this, you are most welcome to help me improvise the dish. On other hand, this was an experiment to express some of my architectural ingenuity towards cooking.

And may be this makes it apt to put it up here where I talk about - all thing architecture. So far, I have been mostly documenting my travel.

Enjoy, square-cut grilled scallops with bell pepper & papaya puree garnished with spring onion & sage

Sketching the idea

Square cut grilled scallops in bell pepper- papaya puree garnished with onion & sage.

On Plate

SPICE IT UP A LITTLE. Penzeys Spice Store, Naperville

The other day, I took a friend to Naperville downtown. I love the character of this downtown, a riverside seating, local shops, umbrellas up, beautiful boulevards, paved pathways and more. One of the shops I love to take my foody friends to is Penzeys Spice.

A welcome chime on the door greets you to a very aromatic interiors. This shop houses over 250 spices, herbs & seasoning.

Penzeys Spice Store, Naperville Downtown

George Town, Washington D.C.

I couldn't quite tag this place into a specific category. It will not do justice if I tag it as: this, this, this and oh...also that.

I enjoyed its riverfront setting, colorful and very sketch-able streetscapes. And I liked the diverse range of shopping experience it offers. You can find your branded cup of Starbucks coffee next to a local eatery. With chic boutique apparel stores, modern furniture showrooms and then some antique collectors paradise. Also, If you are visiting don't miss to take a look at the oldest house not just on the block but of the town.

sweet green

Sculpture Garden, Washington D.C

If you are looking to spend time amidst Miró Joan & Calder Alexander and push the time back in evidently historic town of D.C. then, you shouldn't miss upon the Sculpture Garden.

With 17 sculptures on display,a cafe and even a skate ring; the garden attracts the arty locals and curious visitors alike.

Brownies at the cafe are delicious,I chose to sit by the lounge seating and absorb the white-noise with an order of Cheese pizza. Took some pictures on my walk in the park. And then relished the tasty brownie with minutes of introspective solitude.

Cheval Rouge (Red Horse) by Alexander Calder

A Joan Miro sculpture (Gothic Personage, Bird Flash)

Key West Visit

Sea breeze is refreshing and so are the coastal house forms of Florida. During my stay in Key West, a key that Hemingway onces called home, my wandering lens captured some bright perky colors and then some pattern languages.

I especially loved the vertical shutter window elements in the local house forms. Easy and breezy!