Ep. 315 – What young Architects must unlearn with Rajeev Kathpalia

The Gyaan Project

Summary

In this episode, architect Rajeev Kathpalia of Vastu Shilpa Sangath shares timeless wisdom on designing with empathy, slowness, and stewardship. From public space to net-zero campuses, we explore what young architects must unlearn to create meaningful, inclusive, and sustainable environments. A must-listen for architecture students and urban thinkers. Presented in partnership with The Drawing Board 2025 and Rohan Builders. Submission deadline: 6th Sept. More at thedrawingboard.in.

Topics discussed in this episode

* What does stewardship mean to you, and how can public spaces be designed for shared benefit in a country like India?

* How can sites like Sadahalli Quarry be opened to the public while still attracting private investment?

* What does “net zero” mean beyond metrics, and how can young architects start thinking in that direction?

* What’s the least that needs to be built in a public space to make it meaningful and adaptable over time?

* How do you observe how people use space, and how does that influence your design process?

* What does building “slow” mean to you, and how can young architects balance slowness with the urgency of development?

Reference links

* Rajeev Kathpalia – LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajeev-kathpalia-35418099

* Vastu Shilpa Sangath – Rajeev Kathpalia bio: https://www.sangath.org/rajeev-kathpalia/

* Beyond Smritivan – Architectural Legacy (Elev8 2025): https://thearchitectsdiary.com/beyond-smritivan-rajeev-kathpalia-on-architectural-legacy-elev8-2025/

* Community-Centric Architecture | Rajeev Kathpalia | TADPod: https://thearchitectsdiary.com/community-centric-architecture-ar-rajeev-kathpalia-vastushilpa-sangath-tadpod/

* Designing Humane Cities – Sangath Interview: https://www.sangath.org/news/architect-rajeev-kathpalia-talks-about-the-need-to-create-humane-cities/

* The Drawing Board – Official Website: https://thedrawingboard.in/

* The Drawing Board 2025 Announcement (World Architecture): https://worldarchitecture.org/architecture-news/fpzhe/the-drawing-board-2025-–-10th-edition.html

* Instagram – The Drawing Board: https://www.instagram.com/thedrawingboard.in/

* Instagram – Rajeev Kathpalia: https://www.instagram.com/kathpalia_r/

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