When you imagine an architect on the go, the first thing that probably comes to mind is the classic scene—an aesthetic sketchbook filled with intricate drawings, a bundle of bookmarks, and a collection of liners with varying stroke weights. And yeah, I can’t lie—that’s sometimes true. But for me, traveling as an architect isn’t quite that picturesque.
Living in the Moment: No Sketchbook Required
I’m not the kind of architect who always carries a sketchbook around, ready to sketch every marvel I come across. Don’t get me wrong—I appreciate the beauty of a well-executed sketch as much as the next architect, but when I travel, I prefer to experience things a little differently. I like to take my time, soak in the atmosphere, and let the surroundings speak to me. I don’t need a sketch to remember it—I create mental images that are just as vivid and lasting.
From Free-Spirited to Structured: The Two Sides of My Travels
I’ve traveled a fair bit across India, mostly from the south up towards the north and east, with a little detour to the west. And over time, I’ve developed two distinct travel personas. Sometimes I’m as light and spontaneous as a breeze, hopping on the first bus that comes along and seeing where it takes me. Other times, I’m the epitome of structure and organization, planning every detail of my itinerary down to the last minute. But no matter what kind of trip I’m on, one thing is always the same—I’m constantly creating mental snapshots, storing away moments and details that will inform my work long after the trip is over.
Decoding Architecture: The Real Thrill of Travel
For me, the real joy of traveling isn’t just in marveling at grand buildings or drooling over intricate details—though trust me, I do plenty of that. The thrill lies in trying to decode the thought process behind each design, piecing together the story the architect was trying to tell. It’s like trying to unravel the plot of a Christopher Nolan film or reverse-engineering an alien spaceship—there’s always something more to discover, another layer to peel back.
The Sketcher vs. The Cameraman: A Tale of Two Stereotypes
Now, let’s talk about those two classic travel personas—the sketcher and the cameraman. We’ve all seen them, maybe even been one of them at some point. There’s the sketcher, furiously scribbling away, capturing the essence of a building with a few well-placed lines. And then there’s the cameraman, carefully framing each shot, clicking away to capture the perfect angle.
I remember a trip to a mosque in Dubai during my college days. Everyone was busy sketching the place, trying to capture its beauty on paper. But me? I was more interested in analyzing its proportions from every possible angle, storing away those observations in my mind. Given the choice, I’d pick the cameraman’s approach over the sketcher’s any day. If I had a camera in hand, I’d be geeking out over its technicalities, figuring out how to capture not just the image, but the feeling of the place.
Observation: The Architect’s Superpower
But whether you’re a sketcher or a cameraman, the real secret to traveling like an architect lies in observation. It’s about noticing the little things—the way demographics shape a neighborhood, the materials used in a building, the way people interact with their environment. It’s about connecting the dots, seeing how everything—from the smallest detail to the grandest structure—ties back to architecture.
Case Study Everything: Learning from the World Around You
When you travel as an architect, everything becomes a potential case study. Every building, every unbuilt space, every patch of greenery is up for analysis. Whether it’s a masterpiece by B.V. Doshi or a forest designed by nature, there’s always something to learn. You might even find yourself mentally rearranging trees in a forest, thinking about how they could be better organized—because, let’s be honest, that’s just how an architect’s mind works.
Traveling isn’t just about seeing new places—it’s about learning from them, understanding the hows and whys of design, and letting those experiences shape your own work. So, the next time you travel, leave the sketchbook behind if you want—just don’t forget to bring your sense of curiosity and your architect’s eye for detail.
Comments