Instagrammable Architecture!

We are all smitten by new ways of socialising and one making the rounds around the block is Instagram. It is almost 8 years back that this new media platform was launched and before anyone got started with it they rather seemed bemused by the idea itself. With a great leap of faith most of them made a transition from Facebook and twitter to Instagram as it is more INSTant. Also, the glamour of sharing your pictures with a hashtag which can be seen by anyone who is not even your friend vouched more connection (doesn't matter if they are even surreal).

So where does it leave me and our architectural design firm SDM Architects.

With much coaxing from our current and ex-staff we were privileged to be enlightened with the idea of Instagram in March 2018 (after 8 years of hibernation). Following that we never stopped and started our race to get the best and the better pictures that we can broadcast of us, our work and our futuristic ideas. But within months of rigorous and painstaking planning and execution of the above said, I was knocked down by a call from my friend. This really made us question our socially active (inactive) drive for our architectural firm.

Surprise! Surprise!

We did question our practice for 10 years and wondered and pushed ourselves to share a long story in its shortest format to make it simpler and easier for all to read.

So in a recent visit to my good friend from advertising field, we learned more about their adventure with INSTA….me.

Our well read and well-travelled friends wanted a designer for their new pad and with all their information about tech and design and ideas and all and all they wanted was there own INSTA……mable moment. The couple were very glad with there new possession (a brand new residence) and wanted to decorate it in the best possible way. So the most obvious way forward looked like images, which can surely come to there rescue. So they did research / googled as much as possible, but at the end decided its much better to check INSTA......me as you can see work and also get to know the actual guy next to you who can be of help. Without wasting much time, they managed to rope in a designer for the work as his INSTa.......me page was immaculate. Then it was just a no brainier, but just to make that first call for help and get it all sorted out and roll the ball in the designer’s court to start the interior design work. 

NOW! NOW! 

Did it all go as planned and as even expected. 

Surely NOT. 

Also that is the reason why I felt the need to put some piece of information / advice here which most people can keep in mind before deciding to work with a designer.

I do agree that we live in a hyperactive and fast paced life with gadgets, but it will be catastrophic to even imagine that most often we will judge with what we see and not with what needs to be done. So here is my take on this whole INST....mable Architecture:

1. YES, Images are louder than words but if you just only belief in your eyes and not on your other instincts then there is going to be a drop down. Images only share part of the story but cannot imply the actual state of affairs.

2. A good photograph can be taken by a photographer or a designer or an enthusiasts but does it mange to explain the integrity of architecture and its practice which includes initial clients meetings, site investigations, discussion of initial ideas, costing for the work and the designers fee, man hours of work, commitment to get the work done, networks of right product vendor and workers to execute the work (as it is an orchestra of lot of hands and there dedicated work which makes the Christmas tree shine to its true glory at the end of the day). All of it is part of the larger game and not just an image.

3. CLIENTS  are demanding INTAGRAMABILITY of the design, so sure enough that has to be delivered (as client is supreme), but with the precipice of a beautiful image the actual work cannot be sabotaged.

4. It is essential to have a world view of things that are available and can be done, but while designing, it is essential to take calculated and carefully taken decisions to create a symphony in a space with use of different materials and finishes.

All is well at the end, if the work is planned well on paper before it starts.