Overused Elements in Indian Architecture - Part 1

Darsan Babu
Jun 25, 2024
3 min read

There’s a fine line between timeless design and a trend that’s been beaten to death. In the world of architecture, what was once innovative and refreshing can quickly become an overused trope that leaves us yearning for change.

Every now and then, a trend emerges that overstays its welcome, leaving us all rolling our eyes in exasperation. As the wise Joker once said in The Dark Knight, "You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain." This sentiment rings true not only for Gotham City but for architectural trends around the world. The modernism movement, with its clean rectangular boxes, eventually gave way to other interventions like postmodernism to break the monotony. But this article isn't about Batman or modernism. It's about those once groundbreaking design elements that have now become eyesores.

1. Chandigarh Chairs by Pierre Jeanneret

In 1947, as India celebrated its independence, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru sought to create a new capital city for Punjab—Chandigarh. Nehru enlisted Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier to design Chandigarh, with his cousin Pierre Jeanneret focusing on mass housing and civic projects. Jeanneret's significant contributions included the design of iconic furniture, notably the 'Chandigarh Chair,' cementing the city's reputation in furniture design.

While these chairs were mostly scrapped a few decades after their inception, they've seen a revival in the 21st century. However, the revival may be overhyped and overused in architectural trends in India and around the world.

The Chandigarh Chair has become the avocado toast of the design world—once innovative, now an overplayed cliché.

Chandigarh Chairs by Pierre Jeanneret @ bukowskis — Chandigarh Chairs by Pierre Jeanneret

2. The Spotlight

Track lighting, invented by Anthony Donato of Lightolier in 1961, entered the Indian market with great fanfare. Used anywhere from museums to home kitchens, track lighting quickly became the go-to for anyone wanting a bit of aesthetic flair. But let's face it, track lighting has become the bedazzled jean jacket of interior design. It’s been done to death and is now more mundane than an accent.

Spotlights withering away faster than the flowers below @paramountelectric — Spotlights withering away faster than the flowers below

3. ACP (Aluminum Composite Panels)

Even if you didn't agree with the previous points, surely you’ve noticed the overwhelming presence of ACP on Indian streets. From bright reds to shimmering blacks, ACP has been marketed as the magic solution to cover any ugly building and make it look brand new. What they don’t tell you is that it often makes buildings look even uglier. As a practitioner, I've used ACP for its weather resistance and longevity, but never to slap makeup on an old building and call it brand new.

Bedazzling colours of ACP panels @ indiaMART — Bedazzling colours of ACP panels

4. Cladding Stone

This might be controversial for those who use cladding stone and claim it as masonry. Yes, I’m talking about designs that trick you into thinking a building is made of brick or sandstone but is actually clad in thin layers. It’s like putting a wig on a bald head—it might fool some, but the rest of us see right through it.

5. Vertical Garden Pots

Lush greenery climbing walls and fences can be refreshing, evoking a tropical paradise. Little pots hung on fences with small plants spread across a vertical façade were once the epitome of biophilic design. It was even used to greenwash metro pillars in Kochi. But guess what I saw last week? Pots on a wall filled with patches of plastic turf grass. What’s the point? There are plenty of ways to incorporate biophilic design—plant a tree, for heaven’s sake, or at least use real plants.