Designing with Purpose: Reflections from Bengaluru at the 48th iDAC Intelligence Series
A City of Questions, Curiosity, and Continuity
On April 25th, 2025, Bengaluru – India’s ever-evolving city of ideas – hosted the 48th edition of the iDAC Intelligence Series. Known for its progressive spirit and design-forward approach, the city welcomed the architectural community with open arms, open minds and an appetite for conversation. Here, the past and the future often shake hands – a place where heritage homes sit beside glass-clad towers. This edition echoed that very spirit. Conversations weren’t just about what we’ve built or are building, but about what we’re becoming as architects, designers and a collective culture. Talks That Left a Mark The day began with an evocative session by Ar. Hiren Patel, Principal Architect at HPA, Ahmedabad. Known for creating poetic yet grounded architecture, his keynote was a masterclass in simplicity and soul. He shared deep insights into the craft of architecture – its rhythms, silences, and the timeless dance between form and feeling. Following this, Ar. Shilpa Jain Balvally of Studio Osmosis, Mumbai, took the stage for a powerful reflection titled “Tracing the Lines: 15 Years, 15 Reflections.” Her session was a gentle unraveling of experience – filled with moments of honesty, humour, and hard-earned lessons. It struck a chord with every architect in the room trying to make sense of their own evolving design identity.
A Panel That Bridged Time A panel discussion moderated by Ar. Indrajit Kembhavi of Kembhavi Architecture Foundation, Bengaluru, brought fresh energy to the day’s agenda. Under the theme “From Preservation to Innovation: Architectural Narratives Across Time,” the conversation delved into how architecture can respect its roots while boldly envisioning the future. Panelists included: Ajay Patil – PJMe FACIE, Mumbai, Smaran Mallesh – Cadence, Bengaluru, Sunitha Kondur – Hundredhands, Bengaluru and Swapnil Valvatkar – Collage Architecture Studio, Bengaluru. Together, they explored how local contexts, user needs, and evolving technologies are reshaping our design language. The dialogue raised essential questions around authenticity, sustainability, and architectural legacy, sparking reflections that extended far beyond the session itself. Infinity Awards: Recognising Tomorrow’s Thinkers Today A major highlight of the Intelligence Series is the Infinity Awards – Qualification Round, which recognises breakthrough projects from emerging design studios across India. From the Bengaluru edition, two standout entries made it to the Elite Finalists list: The Auro School by R. Ramalakshmi & Surabhi Shingarey of Samvad Design Studio – A project that beautifully integrates learning spaces with nature and silence, designed with clarity and a sense of rootedness. GRID by Sabyasachi Routray of MA+RS – A bold and structured spatial intervention that explores form, function, and expression with architectural precision. These projects were recognised not just for their visual or technical strength, but for their deeper alignment with human experience and contextual understanding.
Partners Who Power the Platform Events like these are made possible by the incredible support of our partners: Powered by: Hindware Italian Collection Associate Partners: OSUM, Knest Aluminium Formwork, AGL (Tiles, Marble, Quartz, Bathware), TOSTEM , Sirca (Wood Coatings, Italy) and Fluidra AstralPool Their unwavering commitment to design, innovation, and collaboration keeps the Intelligence Series moving forward with purpose. Bengaluru Wasn’t Just an Event. It Was a Reminder. A reminder that good architecture isn’t just about stunning forms or fancy facades – it’s about meaning, memory, and mindful making. At every corner of the Bengaluru edition, from panel to podium, that message rang loud and clear. As the conversations continue through the Intelligence Series 2025, Bengaluru will be remembered as the city where narratives weren’t just told – they were questioned, challenged and beautifully reframed. As the 2025 calendar moves forward – with stops in Chandigarh (June), Guwahati (June), Nagpur (July), Lucknow (July), Pune (August), Rajkot (August), Dubai (September), and Calicut (November) – each city will add its own layer to the evolving story of architecture in India. With over 45 cities, 145+ project showcases, 420+ speakers, and 9400+ participants to date, the journey continues.
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