Spaces Inspired by Nature

Author: Shirish Beri, Architect

"Spaces Inspired by Nature" is a book that evocatively affirms how important it is to connect with the natural environment in our habitation. The author, Architect Shirish Beri with his distinct philosophy "The space as me" presents within these pages a number of his projects varying in size and complexity. Through it all, one undeniable fact is evident  he has an all pervading understanding of the sustainable nature of things. Besides his projects, the book also contains brilliant photographs, sketches, essays and poems that give added joy to the reader. The verses of 'Detached Attachment' beautifully and succinctly capture the relationship between the elements of nature and built structures.

The book aptly begins with an essay that questions our attitude towards and our knowledge about sustainability. The last few lines of his poem encapsulate his pause-reflect-introspect mien as a self-professed custodian of the Earth:

"Are my attitudes and actions truly responsible?

Are my attitudes and actions truly accountable?

Are my attitudes and actions truly sustainable?

Can we all introspect?"

Some other essays are just as thought provoking. Spirit and Space explores spirituality, flexibility of spaces and the need to create value based design; Learning and Teaching Architecture stresses on the importance of being a facilitator to aid students' potential to fructify and how the Guru-Shishya tradition is relevant even today; Connecting to Nature underlines the importance of respecting natural terrain and features while Architecture without Architects details the 'totality of conception from the site orientation to the smallest details' of vernacular or timeless design of the people by the people and for the people.

Beri's design philosophy and staunch beliefs are clearly defined within the physical limitations of the built form. Yet his imagination is limitless. In the Hirwai farmhouse where he resided for more than 25 years the plan is simple with multifunctional spaces woven around 5 mango trees that were the original part of the organic form of the 5 acre site. The home is filled with greenery while spaces and landscaping coalesce in a seamless manner. These tenets also define his design of the Directors Residence at Valley School and his Neelai Lakehouse.

His strong sense of ethics in architecture runs through even large works. One has to just glance at the photograph of the lower level west entry of the SDM College of Engineering and Technology to see his concept emerge in a collage created by the rusticity of stone, linearity of concrete and exuberance of flowers against a backdrop of blue sky tempered with white clouds. Landscaped courts, dramatic shadow play and optimum use of the existing site contours give a unique result. Equally arresting is the SDM Institute of Management Development with spaces having a kinaesthetic quality that all come together in one picture of an interactive bridge and conversation pit where a circular space rises up in tiers of alternating plants and steps, the muted grey of concrete supplemented by the varying vibrancy of green hues, to meet the straight lines of the rising form of the built space.

Similar in philosophy to the colleges, the Sanjeevan Primary School is a learning living cluster that has evolved around trees and is wonderfully captured in the architect's sketch while the photographs show the students truly enjoying the 'playful, spontaneous spaces'. Muktangan strikes a balance between a sense of freedom in a controlled environment as it is a drug-DE addiction centre. The design abets in curing the patients as the sky framed in the open courtyard symbolises the normal world outside and provides inspiration to residents. The Aster Aadhar Hospital was designed to act as a catalyst for the healing process without compromising on functionality and economy. A unique 'non building' resulted from working with a site with huge rocks. The latter dictated the look of the dematerialised elevation for the Laboratory for Conservation of Endangered Species.

To sum it up, in the author's own words, once read, 'Spaces Inspired by Nature' helps us see these works for what they are  "to create more humane, socially relevant, more natural and sustainable spaces that nurture the human spirit."

The book is accompanied by the DVD of his award-winning film "The Unfolding White", which investigates the theme of the uniqueness of life, with reflections on the links between exterior and interior space.

This book is published by Super Book House (2013), edited by Yashwant Pitkar with a letter from Prof. B V Doshi and a foreword by Christopher Benningner.

It is a must have for anyone loving an inspirational and well-crafted tome.

QUOTES

'Spaces Inspired by Nature' helps us see these works for what they are  "to create more humane, socially relevant, more natural and sustainable spaces that nurture the human spirit."

Beri's design philosophy and staunch beliefs are clearly defined within the physical limitations of the built form. Yet his imagination is limitless.

'SDM Institute of Management Development with spaces having a kinaesthetic quality that all come together in one picture of an interactive bridge and conversation pit where a circular space rises up in tiers of alternating plants and steps, the muted grey of concrete supplemented by the varying vibrancy of green hues, to meet the straight lines of the rising form of the built space. '