Dwelling places, LIVING SPACES

interior

They say, “Men make houses, women make homes”… but the ideal situation would be if men did make homes, too. Classic contribution to the world of living! Certainly, indeed.

Come to think of such notion would only pre-date time. Times that we are residing in. A twosome, a father-son duo, is in such a business where they make sure your living standards are raised, that your class certainly remains apart from the rest, that you certainly consider your dwelling place – the most cherished spot on Earth.

The company called Suhail and Fawad Architects is run by Suhail A. Abbasi and Fawad S. Abbasi. The father and son primarily run the show behind intricate houses they plan, glorify the space, give it in to opulence by drawing sheer arches in the structures, in-build swimming pools, having open-sky courtyards to tainted coloured window sills. This all comes from blatant practice. From designing to building, to making people accommodate in their spaces and live in them according to their taste and their likes.

With five decades down the road, Senior-Architect, Suhail A. Abbasi, who belongs to the first batch of the class of Architecture from University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, (1963 – 1968), sees Architecture as an art form. “I generally think structures resemble machines to be lived in, seen and explored. They begin shaping an indistinguishable web around us that is brimming with encounters from the day we are conceived till the day we pass on. For me the prime focal point of Architecture must be to give comfort and the feeling of having a place for human life to live and enjoy it,” elucidates Abbasi.

One wonders what really is it that allows people to have a place of their own, from designing houses to turning them into sweet homes, what is the client of today, looking out for from the architect of today? To this end Fawad, who has a degree in Architecture from Indus Valley School of Arts and Architecture, says, “Clients of today are looking at practical houses that are easy to maintain, well-lit, with open to sky courtyards, water features and primarily contain green landscape areas wherever possible. They are willing to listen to technical advice and spend money on insulations, solar energy, and open-spaces with hard and soft landscape that add to the quality of the building.”

While describing his early days of architecture, Abbasi recalls, “My early days gave me the opportunity to define a language of architecture which became my style. I designed buildings that were contextual and worked within set parameters and projects that were primarily for the government, semi-government organisations or the armed forces. It was an important period for Pakistan where the architectural language was being explored by architects who graduated either locally or the others who had been trained abroad.”

“The earlier years of my practice were more brutal, heavy concrete structures but then I started studying the local materials of construction which is when I understood brick was what I wanted to work with and started to use it in most of the projects. It then became my signature style and I feel the generations after me have studied and learnt from our experiences and many have improved their skills,” he adds.

According to Abbasi one must understand the art of ‘Buildability’, which sadly isn’t taught in schools. “It can only be learnt when young architects work with professionals for a few years after they graduate. Aesthetics are very important but these days many are only treating their architecture cosmetically without understanding the context where we are. We therefore have started producing alien structures. Unless an architect learns the art of converting their design skills from paper into a real project they will never be successful. There are simply no shortcuts to success and experience,” emphasises Abbasi.

So, do interiors play a significant aspect in our homes? “Interiors assume an exceptionally significant function in choosing the real space of the house. Interior design is something that isn't just restricted to home interiors only and assumes a crucial part in the usefulness of every interior space. The interior of a home should be stylishly satisfying and complement the architecture.

A truthful methodology followed by us as architects, is to open each room into a green space keeping the structure humble, making transition spaces, corridors, natural light and cross ventilation. Our fundamental goal is to streamline spaces and bring regular light and ventilation through patios and water bodies that make it aesthetically pleasing with an assortment of cordial materials,” elaborates Fawad.

As we are presently living in the Covid-19 era, what changes have one seen in clients’ approach towards residential structures? “This lockdown nonetheless has negatively affected economic activities of all spectrums, and the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) sector is no exception. What we see is that, through time as we are pushing ahead in various periods of this pandemic, individuals have begun zeroing in again on close to home spaces. Truth be told, the pattern of open house plans is beginning to blur and quality and solace has become a first concern for the end user.

Essentially, the idea driving this difference at the top of the priority list is because of the lockdown that we have looked in the previous months. While individuals were confined in their homes, their necessities and prerequisites have changed close by the ‘new normal’. For certain individuals, the lack of privacy is introducing difficulties. Especially, when for instance, an individual telecommuting may need a corner wherein he/she needs to hold an online call. These individuals began having more energy utilisation. Presently the public requests energy productive or smart energy homes. As some couldn’t purchase from the market during lockdown, they’ve gotten keen on developing products of the soil in backyards or gardens,” explains Fawad.

“Therefore a change in the desires of individuals has occurred, which may lead to hopefully better buildings that focus on energy efficiency, more outdoor than indoor, simple and maintenance-friendly. This is surely going to change architectural design into a better and workable model for all end users and reduce carbon emission,” utters Fawad.

So to say, five years down the road, in 2025 what would be those five primary things to watch out for in a Pakistani residence? “Pakistani houses will take a more pragmatic meaning when you talk about planning, they might even be smaller, greener with more emphasis on outdoor spaces, hard and soft landscape areas on all levels, roof gardens, natural light and ventilation,” expresses Abbasi.

Finally, what would be those three tips to make your dwelling place, a heaven on Earth? Fawad chips in and asserts, “Firstly, it should have User Comfort Ability, secondly it must focus on Aesthetically Pleasing and finally it should have the aspect of Proper Functionality. These parts assume a significant function in the design of any building type. This is on the grounds that individuals living ought to be at comfort, if this prerequisite isn’t appropriately satisfied; one would not be at ease and get worn out. In the event that these things are available in a house, it would truly be heaven.”

Photography by: Ahmed Shajee Aijazi & Salman J. Malik