Shailaja Patel

As a Visiting lecturer of Building Science courses, I intend to bridge the gap between the philosophical and technical aspects of Architectural design. Early-on in my academic journey at CEPT University, I was inspired to look at Architecture from the lens of materiality. Having engaged with conventional as well as unconventional building materials through hands-on learning processes, it became a core focus in my academic as well as professional pursuits. One of the most enriching experiences borne out of my material curiosities was designing Bamboo villas while working at globally renowned firm -Ibuku Architects in Bali, Indonesia. Learning the tectonics of bamboo as a building material played a key role in my volunteering work with a non-profit organization - the Anganwadi Project (TAP). As a TAP member, I had the incredible opportunity of designing and building a lightweight bamboo structure pre-school for kids in a disadvantaged area of Gujarat, India.

My work in underserved neighborhoods in India shaped my passion for another facet of architecture - Public interest design. When I grappled with the existential question of what architecture truly means, I learnt that it is a ‘vocation’. In my pursuit to provide this service to the underserved sections of the society, I found a way to bridge my passions of material innovations and social design. Being a part of the Urban Design Build Studio at Carnegie Mellon University was a powerful introduction to the complexities of urban design, community engagement, and social justice in the U.S. It exposed me to persisting socio-economic issues such as gentrification, the challenges faced by underserved communities, and the role of architecture in addressing these issues. Collaboration with organizations like ELDI, built a deeper understanding of Pittsburgh's urban conditions and how architects can shape the future of a city by acknowledging its history and its people.

Over the past several years my work at TAI+LEE Architects on affordable housing projects has deepened my commitment to using architecture as a tool for social justice, while maintaining attention to detail. The key take away was- how to balance the creative aspects of design with the practical constraints of budget, policy, and community needs.