Cultural Continuum of Indigenous Architectural Expressions: Informing Spatial Intelligence Through Practice
Jaffer Adam Ayub Khan1, Deepika Varadarajan2
- Ara Institute of Canterbury
- RV College of Architecture
Published in Proceedings of the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment (SASBE 2024), edited by Ali GhaffarianHoseini, Amirhosein GhaffarianHoseini, Farzad Rahimian and Mahesh Babu Purushothaman. Springer Nature, Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, volume 591, 2025, pages 565 to 572. DOI 10.1007/978-981-96-4051-5_55.
Abstract
This paper examines the philosophy of an architectural practice which has consistently prioritised the preservation of cultural identity and the adherence to unifying principles within the ever-evolving landscape of modern architecture. For over three decades, the practice has maintained a delicate balance between honouring cultural heritage and embracing innovative design approaches, enriching the built environment with meaningful architectural expressions.This research delves into the spatial intelligence embedded within the body of work of the practice. At its core, the study explores the symbiotic relationship between humanity and the timeless cultural concepts of bindu and mandala, which have served as a cultural continuum in South Asia and beyond for thousands of years with the underlying idea of cosmic order. It is believed that by understanding and embracing these cultural foundations, architectural practices can infuse their designs with an existential depth and experiential richness, transcending mere functionality to evoke profound emotional responses.The present research aims to illuminate how these cultural principles manifest in architectural expressions in Aotearoa (New Zealand) context. From the fluid integration of sacred geometries to the harmonious blending of tradition and modernity, each project serves as a testament to the enduring influence of cultural heritage on spatial design leading to sustainability and fostering a deeper understanding of the intrinsic connection between cultural intelligence, and human experience.The methodology adopted is qualitative case study research, including field visits and literature available on the projects. The study aims to utilize a cross-cultural comparative method to explore the South Asian Pacific regions to identify patterns, differences and shared traits in understanding spatial intelligence in a contemporary scenario to create sustainable and meaningful built environments. The scope of this paper is limited to exploring two award-winning projects in the context of India (South Asia) and Aotearoa (Pacific).
Keywords
Session
Presented in Track K, Saturday 9 November 2024, 11:00 to 13:00, room WG 1001, Auckland University of Technology. Session chair Dr Zahra Jalali.
How to Cite
Khan, J. A. A., & Varadarajan, D. (2025). Cultural Continuum of Indigenous Architectural Expressions: Informing Spatial Intelligence Through Practice. In A. GhaffarianHoseini, A. GhaffarianHoseini, F. Rahimian, & M. B. Purushothaman (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment (SASBE 2024) (Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, Vol. 591, pp. 565–572). Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-4051-5_55
About the Conference
Presented at SASBE 2024, the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, held in Auckland from 7 to 9 November 2024 and chaired by Professors Ali and Amirhosein GhaffarianHoseini, founders of GDI Academy. The version of record is published by Springer Nature; this page is the conference archive record kept by GDI Academy.