Charita Kishore Rupa, founder of Studio Skapa Architects, shares the enduring legacy of Indian craftsmanship through her work experiences and projects. With a master’s degree in ‘Urbanism and Housing’ from the AA School of Architecture, London, she shares her journey behind the foundation of her multi-disciplinary firm. She reflects on her interests and inspiration drawn from Indian culture and the influence of her past in her design language of today.

1. What is the story behind you choosing architecture and design as your career?

A: I think it happened very organically. As a kid, from a very young age, I’ve always been more brain-focused. So I would automatically think of a future situation through intuition, creativity, or imagination. I think for me it’s always been visual versus verbal. My visual skills were always much stronger than reading or looking at something.

I remember as a kid when going to houses like friends or family friends with my parents, I would always notice more than the decor of it, the plan and flow of spaces that would stick with me and talk to me. If I saw some spaces flowing into each other, that would intrigue me. I would go back home and think if there was something that I could do differently as to what I saw. So I think very naturally, being in a creative field is what I wanted to be and I ended up in the field of architecture and design.

2. We as Indians, immensely draw inspiration from our families and cultures for the way we choose to work and live. So, how does your childhood and your family influence your style of work?

A: Especially in terms of my design, my heritage, and my past experiences have a huge impact on my design sensibilities today. I’m very South Indian at heart and I feel that shows a lot in my design. Whether it’s the typologies of a building or the material palette that I would go to, we use a lot of exposed bricks, oxide finishes, terrazzo, and terracotta. All these are material palettes that I’m automatically drawn towards. Because that is something that I grew up around. So we use the same material palette to create a nostalgic familiarity, that has a huge impact on my design sensibilities.

3. After graduation you have worked with firms in Sri Lanka and India and carried out various architectural collaborative works in London, Denmark, etc. How did these initial work experiences shape you as an architect?

A: These were impressionable years for me as a designer and an architect. When I just graduated, I was young, which was a very impressionable time for me to travel, understand, and learn. I think Sri Lanka was one of the best experiences in terms of design for me. My love for tropical modernism was born in Sri Lanka and it’s still my favorite style of architecture. I was blessed to work in a good firm and get a lot of experience in implementing the style of tropical modernism. Especially, in an island country we got to design various projects not only residential but also in the hospitality sector. So we got to design an array of projects which helped in the first few years of my profession.

Then, at the AA School of Architecture, we had a lot of experience through AA working internationally. We worked with the government of London and one of the Boroughs. I think what also helped was these were not just projects; they were real-life scenarios that we had to intervene in and come up with solutions and we had to get real. So that’s something that shaped my thought process at that point as well. We also worked with governments in Brazil and learned so much during this entire process. I learned about architecture on a larger scale, and got a very deep understanding of architecture in terms of Urban Design. And, how it relates to its Urban fabric around the space and not just within the building itself.

4. The process of starting your own architecture and design studio marks a significant milestone in any architect’s career. Could you take me through the process or the journey of Studio Skapa Architects?

A: I was interested in working on architecture on a larger scale, and how it relates to buildings around it. I got to work on large townships, and layouts, and experience how high-density buildings would work with low-density buildings and social buildings. So the impact that each space would create for the other space I got to learn a lot during those times. Since these are all very large-scale projects, the timelines were also really long so I didn’t feel the sense of satisfaction of project completion. Because it takes four to five years and I think I was getting quite impatient to see a project completed. That’s when I decided that it was time I started on my own and that’s how Studio Skapa Architects was found.

5. Every new project is like a fresh canvas for painting a narrative. How do you incorporate your design palette with the needs and desires of the end user which is the client?

A: It’s a different kind of excitement when you start a project. You have endless possibilities. But for us, it’s always been our client and their brief. It has always been a starting point of our inspiration. It matters so much where the client comes from, what’s their lifestyle, what’s their history, etc., Whether it’s a residential or no matter what the genre of the project that it is, it has to cater to what would make the client most comfortable. So I think the client’s brief and the client’s lifestyle and background have always been our force of inspiration throughout. We don’t believe in forcing a particular style or a sensibility of design on someone who is not comfortable with it. In case our client’s design sensibilities just don’t align with us, we don’t take up those projects as well.

6. With people constantly shifting to modern trends, how do you stay relevant to your design language and philosophy?

A: We are a firm that has almost never ever been the first to jump on a trend bandwagon. We don’t really stick with new trends. We believe in what the project requires. Whether it’s a new trend or it’s been there forever, if its what the project requires, then it is what we do. We don’t really try to get on board with new trend. I think the trends follow something that’s always timeless and classic and I think that’s the trend that is here to stay. Anything you design now should be relatable even years later.

7. Having strong cultural and traditional identities in India, how do you create a cultural impact in interior design to create a connection with Indianness?

A: This question is so valid because India is in its design boom and we are so lucky to be right in the middle of it. As a country, we have so much to offer. Whichever state you’re in whether it’s in terms of building typologies, materials and finishes, and craftsmanship. There is so much from small-time local craftsmen to these amazing bespoke design firms that are coming up now. In terms of crafting furniture and different kinds of flooring, there’s so much. It’s like a whole explosion and a whole playground of things to explore.

So I think the Indianness automatically comes into any of our projects. What’s better than to use products and finishes that are made here and supported in India? Especially, in India you don’t need to look elsewhere because the quality of the work here and the enduring legacy is so great. I am very happy to be in the middle of the whole design boom that India is going through.

8. The finesse in your designs today is achieved by going through various ups and downs throughout the years of your experience. What were those projects or incidents that molded you into the architect and designer that you are today?

A: It’s been a journey, it’s been a long journey. It started in 2019 but that’s when COVID hit. I think actually during COVID, we got a lot of projects as opposed to not having work during COVID. Every experience and every project has been such a learning. Every project had something new to learn from. I think there are two stages, out of which one is learning as a designer—which is okay because design is something that almost comes naturally.

So it is these little things that we keep learning with each project. What works, what doesn’t work, what’s the process, what materials work—all of that. But I think my learning has been as an entrepreneur. How as a founder I am managing the entire circumstance. So it’s been a long journey. And like I said, every experience has been hard learning, good learning, and continuing to learn further.

9. Inspiration is quite a dominant factor that drives the design towards the goal and inspiration can be drawn from anything around us. Would you tell me about some of your hobbies or interests that help you draw inspiration for the unique style of designs?

A: It’s interesting that every culture and the history of every place, from the cuisine to their lifestyle has such a deep impact on design. It’s so amazing to see and know-how design goes back all these years. Through any place that is slightly similar but so different. So, travel is something that expands your knowledge and you see things out there, what’s new, what’s old, etc., If you see my phone it’s filled with images of little details of a small grill detail or a color scheme that works amazingly that I had never thought of. So it’s these little things that you pick up as you see more. I can see it relates to the design, month and back, and maybe an image from a couple of years ago just pops up. It works so well within that design so it has a large impact on our design.

10. A sense of satisfaction is required when we put our heart and mind into any work that we do. This sense of satisfaction is subjective and depends on every person and the situation around the person. So how do you find a sense of fulfillment and purpose in your work as an architect, beyond just the completion of projects?

A: I think that’s the favorite stage or phase of design for any designer or architect. When you’ve taken up a project it has a timeline. So, say for a couple of months or maybe a few years, you develop a relationship with your clients or vendors. It feels like a team effort like you’ve achieved something together. Just seeing that expression, for example, if it’s a residential project, it’s not just a project that you’re completing. But it’s a home that you’re giving to your clients. Just to see them feel that sense of belonging in a space made for them, by them, is amazing.

So the look on the client’s face, and the sense of belonging in what is created gives us our biggest satisfaction. Even two or three years later, the clients still get back to us. They send us photos of their family, hanging out in their favorite corner of the house, and things like that. My heart smiles when I see those things. that’s what drives us by the end of the day.

11. Would you like to give a message or a piece of advice to our listeners?

A: Just be yourself, believe in yourself, do your best, and just be kind. That’s it, enjoy life!

Conclusion

In this interview with Charita Kishore Rupa of Studio Skapa Architects, her design philosophy of catering to the client’s expectations and the project’s needs is evident. Charita believes that design should build trust between clients and collaborators, for the outcome to be fruitful. She also has shared her invaluable experiences of practicing in Sri Lanka as a young architect. And her experiences, while collaborating on large-scale architectural projects abroad. While focusing on innovation and technology in her design, Charita’s love for the enduring legacy of heritage and tradition has always remained high.