Architect keen to push the boundaries

Architect Agneesh Brahmbhatt is not scared of loud and brash when it comes to design, in fact he prefers his work to stand out and create a response because, he explains, the unique will always cause reaction, and that is precisely what he likes. with hi

IT MAY well be that Agneesh Brahmbhatt’s childhood experiences growing up in the sprawling Indian city of Mumbai, a city packed with colour and vibrancy, left an indelible mark on him. Was it that city, which even in his childhood had a population of millions, that caused him to strive to be different?

He isn’t sure and hasn’t the time to ponder how or why he loves unique, instead focusing on progress through technology and knowledge, to offer the best design solutions to clients.

It is his innovative approach, harnessing technology in architectural design that is the hallmark of Architype - Team Architects, the Palmerston North branch of a national company that he shares with his regional business partner Darren Shadbolt.

‘‘As a company we dedicate time to research and development in design technology, especially Algorithmic Aided Design (AAD) also known as Generative Design. This is about using correct technology and then adopting a scientific approach that is inspired by nature’s design process to come up with number of solutions to any project.

‘‘The technology has been around for a while, but more recently applied to architecture. We are one of the very few practices in New Zealand using it.’’

It’s not surprising he knows what many don’t, Brahmbhatt has a history of operating at the cutting edge, keen to exploit the latest technology to offer clients the best design solutions.

‘‘A person’s mind has relatively limited capacity to calculate and then optimise, so when a solution is needed an architect may come up with just a few solutions to a design problem over a period of days maybe even weeks. With the correct parameters and sourcecode a computer can help to come up with a number of solutions in a fraction of the time. Parameters could be constants such as site boundaries, orientation to views, sun angles and recession planes. Or parameters could be variables that can change, like building form, area, number of floors, building footprint. Parameters can also include design style and vocabulary. Basically AAD is an alternative approach to design which is here to stay.’’

It is that search for refinement that is his trademark, ever eager to enhance his knowledge base in everything architectural.

‘‘I like my architecture to be an expression of my client, surrounding socio-cultural environment and urban fabric. For example in a house I designed in Palmerston North one of the clients was from Belgium. I used bricks with a Flemish bond [pictured on opposite page] where header faces were laid proud to create a 3D artwork.

‘‘In another project the pin oak on the section meant a huge lot to the clients, it had real significance. I noticed the changing colours of the tree’s foliage, from green to yellow then red. So, we used those bright colours in the home around a lot of steel. One neighbour told me that particular design was hideous only because he could not see any gable or beige coloured walls; I explained the architecture was an expression of art. That neighbour felt all houses should have a gable end and be similar. I disagree, I like each project to be an artwork that causes an emotional response, even if it is shock.’’

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Architect Agneesh Brahmbhatt. Bathrooms are light and airy, a hallmark of Brahmbhatt’s work.