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Buildings of earth

Aerial view of one of Namita’s buildings

Constructing a building or a township in an eco-friendly way is not easy. “The biggest challenge is to keep the natural environment intact,” says architect Namita Singh. Chandigarh-based Namita has made a name in the field of eco-friendly architecture with her design and construction. She entered the field in the ’70s, when it was a male dominated one. She says, “I was fascinated by the creative opportunity that architecture gave me. It always gives me a joyful feeling.” Constructing a building is not important, she says, adding, “the important thing is to create beauty along with the construction.”

Namita says she believes in natural beauty and goes through a lot of research on climate, geography, material etc., for her projects.

Some of her projects include the Naval Academy Cadets Mess and Accommodation, Ezhimala, Kerala, revitalisation of the Tagore Theatre, and Congress Bhawan, Chandigarh, Kasauli Club in Kasauli, the Centre for Development of Telematics, New Delhi and Mussoorie Apartments in Mussoorie. In such projects, she uses integrated landscapes, which provide an eco-friendly atmosphere. She tries to use locally available materials. For example, she used granite and laterite for the naval project in Kerala.

Her work has brought her many awards, notably, The Gem of India Award for exceptional contribution to architecture (1995) and the Mahila Rattna Award for being an outstanding female architect.

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