(“Text as submitted by architect”)
Vakul Sharma
Vakul Sharma, the brains behind 7ARC Design Office, is a young and visionary architect reshaping the architectural landscape of Himachal Pradesh with a dynamic approach. With experience in large-scale hospitality and residential projects in an urban context, he has honed the skills needed to execute projects seamlessly with modern innovation. Vakul emphasizes the use of handmade sketches and models, believing that good architecture depends on the architect’s ability to reimagine their craft across various scales.
A graduate from Sushant School of Art and Architecture, Vakul, over the years, has developed a deep understanding of both contemporary and speculative architecture. Growing up in the hills and being steeped in culture and tradition, he also has a unique insight into the rich cultural fabric of Himachal Pradesh. Establishing 7ARC Design Office, he looks forward to weaving this tapestry of modern innovation while reflecting back on what the past has taught him.
Vakul’s approach to life and architecture, shaped by his upbringing and education, emphasizes the importance of both the past and the future in society. He translates this philosophy into the built environment, drawing on cultural heritage, materials, practices, methods, and aesthetics and reinterpreting them in forms that resonate with contemporary design language.
His ethos revolves around striking a balance between timeless techniques and modern innovation. Vakul believes that by blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary technology, he can create architecture that makes a lasting impact. His design ethos goes beyond just creating buildings; it’s about crafting experiences that resonate with people on a deeper level. His projects often reflect his belief that architecture should not only serve its practical purpose but also evoke emotions and memories, creating a sense of place and identity.
Practice Ideology
7ARC Design Office, a small, swift, and agile design firm, takes pride in their youthful spirit and innovative approach to design. The uniqueness of their design firm is fueled by the circumstances and the location that they are based in. This gives them a chance to intricately explore, study, observe, and reiterate the traditional Himachali architecture.
Their beliefs lie in learning the methods, techniques, and processes that have stood in the region for centuries and contemporarizing them, along with their aesthetic, to create spaces that find meaning with the user.
The architectural landscape of Himachal Pradesh has untapped potential waiting to be taken up by skilled craftsmen and passionate thinkers. They aspire to create a niche in this domain, not just like any other design firm, but by carefully and respectfully understanding how the built environment can be contemporarized into the design language of today without losing the essence of the olden times. The ethos of their design language is a seamless blend of the old and the new.
