JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #120 - April 2018 - 46

BUlLDlNG & CONSTRUCTlON testimony

hirAl GAndhi,
Director
Inklets Studio

JEC Composites Magazine: You started Inklets
Studio recently. Can you tell us about your
career and responsibilities at Inklets?

Hiral Gandhi : Inklets Studio is a
start-up focused on architecture and interior
design. I owe my skills and passion in architecture to CEPT (Centre for Environmental
Planning and Technology) University, where
I graduated from. CEPT definitely is a leading institute for architectural studies in India.
It allowed me to benefit from an exchange
semester at the ETH University in Zurich. I
mastered my skills in architecture by assisting
established architects in India for 6 years.
I commenced Inklets Studios around two
years ago. At Inklets, we develop a new breed
of architectural thoughts combined with
Maslow's need-hierarchy theory. We strongly believe that we do not want to just design houses, but we would love to blueprint
dreams.
Having seen Western design, do you feel
Indian architects need to gear up for composites?

H. G.: Designs in the West and in India

cannot really be compared. In India, we are
still approached by clients who want some
ancient cultural shades in their designs. Architecture is also closely related to people's
lifestyle. This also becomes an important
aspect that draws huge differences in designs
compared to the West.
However, as regards the use of composites
per se in Indian architecture, India has a

long way to go. Currently, Indian architecture makes no significant use of composites.
However, there is a huge potential in both
current-generation designs and the restoration of heritage and historic architectural
assets.
On the other hand, the West has quite honed
the applications of composites in architecture. Architectural projects in the Middle
East use an appreciable share of composites
too. Some projects like the Dokaee Tower in
Mecca, the Concourse roof of the Madinah
station, the San Francisco museum of Modern Art and others are marvels of composites
use in architecture. Indian structures are still
at a nascent stage.
How promising do you find composites for
architecture? How fast will the consumption
rise?

H. G.: Due to their high strength, design

flexibility and light weight, composite materials will improve site performance. They
break the barriers for conventional metals
too. They can be erected rather quickly due
to their light weight and hence, this can be
easily performed by contractors on site. This
makes composite structures far more flexible
than traditional methods. The opportunity
for rapid fabrication and customization is just
a cherry on top.

Could you tell us more about some of your
projects using composites?

H. G.: Due to the harsh Indian weather, I

love how composites are able to resist heat
and corrosion. My designs take the most advantage of these properties. Pergolas, grills,
duct work and ventilation and exterior applications favour the use of composites as they
last a long time.
For example, in one of my associate's pro-

Fig. 6: Exposed concrete cast
using composites shutters

jec composites magazine / N°120 April 2018

jects, we planned for a complete elevation
from exposed concrete. Generally, exposed
concrete walls are cast using shutters. These
shutters are re-located after every successive
pouring. However, wooden shutters are generally hygroscopic and become useless after
3-4 uses, while metal shutters do not have a
satisfactory finish, without high thickness
plating. We used composite shutters for casting the wall. The results were amazing, as can
be seen in the picture below.
We also designed and built many pergolas
using composite materials.
Take us on a journey into your imagination for
composites and architecture...

H. G.: By investigating fabrication methods
that are cost effective and more accessible,
I hope that we can make on-site composite
construction mainstream and eliminate the
gap of manufacturing workshops and site
work. In developing innovative composite
applications, meeting international quality levels and wider acceptance by the users
should be a key agenda for composites manufacturers.
What challenges do you foresee with composites?

H. G.: The biggest obstacle facing the use

of composites in architectural applications
has been a lack of familiarity with the products. In highly price-sensitive markets, cost
is a problem but is often outweighed by the
longer-term benefits of these materials.

What changes do you think architectural
universities and institutes in India should
make to integrate composites in upcoming
architectural works?

H. G.: Students should be introduced to

composites in the course of their studies
through workshops or studios in order to
develop awareness of these materials. Rather, the courses in building materials should
discuss analysis, design and teach about the
applications of different types of composites. These materials offer great advantages
at the structural level too, which needs to be
understood. Such an objective-oriented, demand-driven and time-bound programme
on composites technology with the involvement of students would go a long way for
building future architects.

interview

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #120 - April 2018