Ar. Sanjay Kumar

Architecture is About Passion, Not Scale”

Sanjay Kumar reflected on his professional journey, recalling his graduation from JNAFAU Hyderabad before moving to Bengaluru, where he has spent the past 10 years with the same organization. Today, as a Senior Project Architect, he works across large-scale residential, mixed-use, commercial, hospitality, and institutional projects.

With experience spanning both large and small-scale projects, he believes that scale does not define the value of an architectural project.

“There is nothing that distinguishes between a large and a small scale. Everything is fun in architecture.”

Sanjay Kumar concluded that passion is what truly drives an architect forward, shaping the journey and taking one closer to where they aspire to be.

Beyond Form and Function: Rethinking the Building Envelope

Sanjay Kumar reflected on how his architectural philosophy has evolved beyond the familiar principle of “form follows function.” While this idea remains fundamental to architectural education, he believes continuous learning, mentorship, and research open doors to new ways of understanding design.

One such inspiration came from an architectural analogy of a “yellow jacket”, where a building’s façade is viewed much like the skin or clothing that protects the human body. This perspective helped him rethink the relationship between a building’s function, planning, and elevation.

“Planning and elevation have to be mutually planned together.”

For Sanjay Kumar, this approach moves beyond treating the façade as simply an outcome of the floor plan. It opens possibilities for creating a continuous architectural language across the building, where elements can transition and transform beyond conventional elevations.

He explained that this thinking is now leading him towards exploring parametric architecture, where a single design element can be transposed across different parts of a building to create greater continuity and cohesion.

How AI Is Reshaping Architectural Thinking from Vision to Visualization?

Sanjay Kumar reflected on how AI has become an integral part of the architectural thought process, helping teams understand planning, requirements, and design possibilities more efficiently.

According to him, since the programmed forms the foundation of architecture, AI can also help translate initial concepts into visual possibilities. From sketches and massing studies to elevations, the team uses AI to explore and fine-tune design directions quickly.

However, he emphasized that AI is a tool for visualizing and developing an envisioned idea, not a replacement for architectural detailing and expertise.

Where Architecture Meets the Landscape

Sanjay Kumar reflected on what clients truly look for when evaluating a designed space. He explained that expectations vary significantly depending on the nature and scale of the project.

For individual residential clients, the focus is often on detail, functionality, and how every element comes together to meet their specific needs. In contrast, large-scale developer projects demand a broader perspective, where individual units must work cohesively within a larger vision.

According to Ar. Sanjay, this makes the integration of architecture with landscape a critical consideration. Beyond how a building looks on its own, the relationship between the built environment, open spaces, and surrounding landscape increasingly shapes how a project is perceived and experienced.

Sanjay Kumar concluded that seamless integration between architecture and landscape is becoming one of the defining aspects of contemporary large-scale design.

Staying Ahead is about Learning from Every Design Source

Sanjay Kumar reflected on the importance of staying updated with evolving design trends and ideas. He explained that he draws inspiration from a wide range of sources, with Instagram emerging as a valuable platform for discovering relevant design content.

He also highlighted the role of industry publications, stating, “I keep referring to magazines and platforms like ArchDaily, Divisare, and Designboom”.

Sanjay Kumar concluded that consistent exposure to relevant content is essential for upgrading skills, staying informed, and keeping pace with the evolving design landscape.

Moment Design Comes Alive from Drawing Board to Reality

Reflecting on his most defining moment, Sanjay Kumar shared that designing a building is only one part of the journey. The true emotion comes when the vision is fully constructed and stands before him as a tangible reality.

“Once something you have designed is completely constructed, you can actually see what you have gone through, and the building is right in front of you.”

Sanjay Kumar explained that seeing a completed building brings a deeply emotional sense of fulfilment, as every project represents the journey, effort, and vision behind its creation.

Keep Designing for the Bigger Picture Beyond Numbers

Sanjay Kumar reflected on how the Indian real estate and design landscape is increasingly driven by numbers: FSI, TDR, and development potential. While these parameters are essential, he believes they should not come at the cost of the larger design vision.

“When you have a large FSI to deal with, a project can easily become a concrete jungle.”

He explained that the real opportunity lies in finding a balance between commercial objectives and the experience created for the end user. Instead of maximising every available development potential, there could be a threshold where developers consider giving up a little FSI to achieve a much bigger, more meaningful outcome.

Sanjay Kumar concluded that the most successful projects emerge when designers and developers share the same intention to create spaces that work not just on paper, but for the people who ultimately experience them.

The Architecture of Memory and Belonging

Sanjay Kumar reflected on the evolving role of architects in today’s rapidly changing world, emphasizing that architecture is about shaping experiences, emotions, and memories.

“Architecture has a very important role to play in the way our civilization is evolving.”

As communities grow and urban spaces become increasingly dominated by concrete, Sanjay Kumar explained that architects have a greater responsibility to create spaces that connect with people and their surroundings. He believes a successful building should leave behind more than a physical structure; it should create an emotional connection and a lasting memory for those who experience it.

He further stated that architects should strive for subtle, context-sensitive design rather than creating structures that exist in isolation.

For Sanjay Kumar, the true measure of architecture lies not only in how a building looks, but in how it feels, how it belongs, and what it makes people remember.

Wrap UP

Ultimately, Ar. Sanjay Kumar’s journey reflects a belief that architecture is not defined by scale, trends, or numbers, but by the passion, purpose, and experiences embedded within every space. From embracing AI and parametric thinking to integrating architecture with landscape and context, his approach continues to evolve through curiosity and learning. For him, the true success of a design lies in its ability to connect with people, create a sense of belonging, and leave behind a lasting memory… a reminder that great architecture is experienced long after it is built.