Page 42 - MONSOON EDITION

EXPERT’S TALK

Sachin Vyas is an architect (b.1976) and the founder of Sahaj Creations,
based in Jamnagar. He has designed projects ranging from residences,
restaurants, institutional buildings and multiple consultancies varying
from Interior design, Architecture, Landscape, Project Management,
Urban design and Conservation.

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
Ar. Sachin believes that “Nature is the best architect” His
sensitivity towards natural and unconventional resources is reflected in
his work. He happily describes his professional practice as “Journey
in space in search of space.”

Mr Sachin Vyas His designs have won awards like the HUDCO Design Award 2015 and
NDTV commendation award 2016.

Insights from Mr Sachin Vyas on the theme of Festivals – Culture & Heritage.

1. You have been very successful and have also bagged international awards in the field of
restoration of heritage sites – Can you elaborate on your achievements.
Rather than the awards, the chance to represent Jamnagar was more satisfying. Talking about awards,
our heritage site “Khambhaliya Gate” has won four National awards. Jamnagar Municipal Corporation
has also bagged the “HUDCO Award” through our restoration work. We also won the NDTV award and the
My FM Award wherein Khambhaliya Gate was listed in the category. We added another feather to our cap,
wherein we won the IIID (Institute of Indian Interior Designers) for design. Architects from across the globe
act as juries in selection of these projects. It is not me who represented my work but it was Jamnagar's
heritage that got us these awards.
One more thing I realised when I went to these national and international award functions, they used to
ask me where I was from. When I tell them that about our roots they have a strange look on their face as to
where this place is? I have to literally tell them about Jamnagar which is very saddening to know. One
should know the importance of the heritage of our city – Jamnagar, what are our roots. What is the use of
knowing the world if we do not know our own city. My message to all is wherever we go we should
represent our city with lots of pride.

2. Creating new spaces is surely much easier and feasible than restoring heritage sites. What
attracts you to this kind of work and how do you plan for the restoration of a particular site?

In our architecture degree, we are only taught how to create a new design and how to be creative.
Students too want to be creative and for that they follow and learn global languages like contemporary
architecture, modernist, post modernism and many others. So students prefer to go after this kind of work
because they feel that they have done something. When it comes to restoration and conservation of a
heritage monument, we cannot do anything new. Firstly, you have to establish a relationship with it,
understand it, you have to imbibe in it only then we can understand what this structure is, what are the
problems, what are the challenges and damages we need to address and how can we bring it to life
further. These types of structures over a period of time become old and start deteriorating and even lose
its purpose and function which has gone because of time. Both Lakhota Lake and Bhujiyo Kotho were
originally created for defence purpose. These monuments are at a point of negation so we need to bring
life to such structures. When I first visited the site, it was completely in shambles.

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