Season 2: Architecture X Media Studies
Ep. 28: Beyond Laudatory Texts, Soumya Dasgupta
This episode features a candid, critical conversation with Soumya Dasgupta on the intersection of architecture, media, and political economy in India and the West. The episode exposes the dominance of architects’ narratives, the absence of criticality, and the systemic inequalities within the profession. Soumya challenges the status quo, urging for uncomfortable but necessary dialogues about power, capital, and the future of architectural practice.
Guest: Soumya Dasgupta
Designation: Architectural Scholar
Bio: Soumya is a Ph.D. Candidate in Architecture (History and Theory) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, USA. His scholarly interests include neoliberal developmentalism, digital technocracy, the Global South, and South Asia, and his Ph.D. dissertation broadly explores the contested systems of architectural production in the rapidly transforming context of 21st-century urban India. He has presented his research at academic conferences, including the SAH, ACSA, and IASTE, as well as Ph.D. symposiums at Georgia Tech, AA London, and UCLA.
He has been awarded the Humanities Research Institute Graduate Fellowship for 2023-24 and is a former recipient of the Illinois Distinguished Fellowship. He has received the Nicholson Fellowship to attend and earn a certificate from the School of Criticism and Theory, Cornell University, for which reflections are noted here.
Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook
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Website: www.betterarch.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterarch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterarch_org/
Twitter: https://www.x.com/betterarch_org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betterarch.org/
Copyright 2025 @ The Better Architecture Project.
Season 2: Architecture X Media Studies
Ep. 27: Politics of Representation, Fahad Zuberi
Fahad Zuberi delivers a sharp, historically grounded critique of how architecture is represented in India, tracing its journey from the ancient glorification of rulers to the colonial manipulation of meaning and the current dominance of PR-driven narratives. He argues that all representation is inherently political, shaped by the values and goals of those in power, and warns against the dilution of meaning when criticality is replaced by commercialism. Fahad distinguishes genuine critique—rooted in hope, ethical responsibility, and the aspiration for a better future—from cynicism and empty praise, emphasizing the need for rigorous theory, public engagement, and investment in the humanities. He calls for a clear separation between PR and criticism, urges architectural media to reclaim meaning and judgment, and insists that building a thoughtful, critical discourse is essential for shaping the worlds we want to inhabit.
Guest: Fahad Zuberi
Designation: Academic & Columnist, Doctoral Scholar (Architectural History, Theory & Criticism)—Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
Bio: Fahad is an academic and columnist, currently pursuing a PhD at MIT's Department of Architecture HTC. His work focuses on the intersection of architecture and violence, particularly in South Asian contexts. Fahad studied B. Arch at Aligarh Muslim University, an M. Arch HTC at CEPT University, Ahmedabad, and then pursued an MSc in Modern South Asian Studies at the University of Oxford as the Indira Gandhi Radhakrishnan Scholar with the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development, where he was awarded the Archibald Jackson Prize 2024 and Scholars Development Award 2024 for his work on Domicide.
Fahad has taught Architecture and Design Philosophy at CEPT University and at the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad as visiting faculty and is a columnist and political commentator with several Indian platforms, such as The Indian Express, The Hindu, The Wire, and The Hindustan Times. Fahad has also worked as a comics journalist and in electoral politics, and seldom composes music. He is the Producer of Mutant: The Democracy Podcast—conceived as a contemporary dictionary of politics—with the Institute of New Global Politics, Cal Poly Pomona, and his first feature-length film as a Music Director - Kayo Kayo Colour?—premiered at IFF, Rotterdam 2023.
LinkedIn | Facebook | X/Twitter | MIT Portal
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Website: www.betterarch.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterarch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterarch_org/
Twitter: https://www.x.com/betterarch_org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betterarch.org/
Copyright 2025 @ The Better Architecture Project.
Season 2: Architecture X Media Studies
Ep. 26: Ground Up, Nipun Prabhakar
In episode 26, Nipun Prabhakar shares how his path as a photojournalist, writer, and community architect has been shaped by a deep curiosity and a commitment to authentic storytelling. He discusses the interconnectedness of architecture and media, emphasizing that meaningful work comes from focusing on process, ethics, and real engagement rather than instant gratification. Drawing on his experiences working with grassroots communities and documenting real-life stories, Nipun highlights the importance of listening, learning on the ground, and building genuine relationships. He encourages young professionals to diversify their skills, seek out mentors, and immerse themselves in different fields to discover their passions. For Nipun, credibility and impact are built over time through thoughtful, experience-driven work that prioritizes substance over superficiality.
Guest: Nipun Prabhakar
Designation: Independent photographer, journalist, and architect, Founder - Dhammada Collective
Bio: Nipun Prabhakar is an independent photographer, journalist, and architect based in Delhi and Bhopal. He works closely with South Asian indigenous communities, documenting stories where ideas, folklore, and the built environment meet.
His photographs probe the poetics and politics of everyday life. Training in architecture shapes how he reads space and climate, which in turn guides how he photographs and designs. This dual practice lets him both observe and participate, moving between fieldwork, images, and drawings with ease.
His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Rest of World, Wallpaper Magazine, People’s Archive of Rural India, The Hindu, The Aga Khan Award for Architecture, and Google Arts & Culture. He has collaborated on research and documentation with MIT, Cornell University, IDS (UK), and the University of Michigan.
Nipun received the Berkeley Essay Prize in 2014 and was the Cornell South Asia Fellow in 2019–20 for documentary work in Nepal. In 2023, he was invited to the Royal Institute of British Architects in London to present his work and join a roundtable at their first Architecture Photography Festival.
He is the founder of Dhammada Collective, an architecture and design practice focused on community architecture, participatory design, natural building, and circular construction.
LinkedIn | Instagram | Muck Rack | Dhammada Collective - Website | Instagram
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Website: www.betterarch.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterarch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterarch_org/
Twitter: https://www.x.com/betterarch_org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betterarch.org/
Copyright 2025 @ The Better Architecture Project.
Season 2: Architecture X Media Studies
Ep. 25: Instruments of Advocacy, Rahul Mehrotra
In episode 25, Rahul Mehrotra offers a sharp critique of the current state of architectural media in India, arguing that it is plagued by self-indulgence, the tyranny of images, and a lack of criticality, often serving as an echo chamber for architects rather than engaging society at large. He insists that media should function as an “instrument of advocacy,” enabling architects to fulfill their societal mandate by fostering critical discourse, curatorial practice, and feedback loops that bridge the gap between professional insularity and public engagement. Drawing from his own experience, Mehrotra distinguishes between scholarship and advocacy, emphasizing the need for generosity, reflection, and the willingness to let ideas permeate culture. He calls for a pedagogical shift toward writing, reflection, and the study of broader contexts - social, political, and economic; arguing that critical thinking is not merely about criticism but about synthesizing multiple perspectives to generate robust, contextually responsive solutions. Ultimately, Mehrotra envisions media as both an archive and a catalyst, urging practitioners to situate themselves critically in the world, embrace evolving frameworks, and leverage media’s potential to mobilize collective action and shape more equitable futures.
Guest: Rahul Mehrotra
Designation: Founder Principal, RMA Architects. Professor of Urban Design and Planning, Department of Urban Planning and Design, Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.
Bio: Rahul Mehrotra (b.1959) is an architect, urbanist and educator who is the Founder Principal of RMA Architects and is Professor of Urban Design and Planning at the Department of Urban Planning and Design at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. Mehrotra has designed projects that range from recycling urban land and master planning in Mumbai to the design of art spaces, boutiques, weekend houses, factories, social institutes, and office buildings across India – thereby engaging diverse issues, multiple constituencies and varying scales: from interior design and architecture to urban design, conservation and planning.
He studied at the School of Architecture, Ahmedabad graduated with a Master’s Degree in Urban Design with distinction from the Graduate School of Design at Harvard (1987). Apart from his engagement with the design of buildings, Mehrotra has been actively involved in civic and urban affairs in Mumbai, having served on commissions for historic preservation and environmental issues, with various neighborhood groups. He was the Executive Director (1994–2004) of the Urban Design Research Institute (UDRI), where he is now a Trustee and has taught at the University of Michigan (2003–2007) and at the School of Architecture and Urban Planning at MIT (2007–2010). Mehrotra has written and lectured extensively on issues to do with architecture, conservation and urban planning in Mumbai and India.
Instagram | RMA Architects | Architecture Foundation
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Website: www.betterarch.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterarch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterarch_org/
Twitter: https://www.x.com/betterarch_org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betterarch.org/
Copyright 2025 @ The Better Architecture Project.
Season 2: Architecture X Media Studies
Ep. 24: Narratives in Transition, Srivathsan A
In episode 24, Srivathsan A offers a sweeping, first-hand account of the transformation of architectural media in India, beginning with the era of a few authoritative print journals and magazines, where rigorous editorial gatekeeping ensured credibility and depth. He charts the shift brought by liberalization, the proliferation of new media platforms, and the subsequent explosion of voices, highlighting both the opportunities for broader engagement and the challenges of maintaining reliability in a landscape where self-publishing and social media dominate. Srivathsan delves into the nuanced divide between commercial, descriptive content and critical, reflective writing, arguing that both have a place and serve different needs. He stresses the growing responsibility of both content creators and audiences to exercise discernment, self-regulation, and support for quality work, while cautioning against the rush to form new collectives. Instead, he advocates for nimble, ongoing dialogue and a commitment to communication excellence within the profession.
Guest: A. Srivathsan
Designation: Head, Centre for Research on Architecture & Urbanism, CEPT University
Bio: A. Srivathsan has about three decades of experience as a practitioner, researcher, and writer in architecture, urban design, and urban development. He is currently a Professor and Head of the Centre for Research on Architecture and Urbanism at CEPT University. Previously, he served as the Academic Director of the University and before that worked in The Hindu, a national newspaper. His current projects include reviewing development regulations, conducting land value and density studies, and providing land pooling advisory services. Srivathsan has published many research papers and contributed to professional magazines and newspapers.
LinkedIn | Instagram
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Website: www.betterarch.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterarch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterarch_org/
Twitter: https://www.x.com/betterarch_org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betterarch.org/
Copyright 2025 @ The Better Architecture Project.
Season 2: Architecture X Media Studies
Ep. 23: Journalism: Hopes & Practice, Kaiwan Mehta
In episode 23, Kaiwan Mehta offers a nuanced exploration of the state of architectural journalism and media in India. He traces the historical gaps in critical, thoughtful writing within the field, highlighting the sporadic nature of quality publications and the unique role Domus India played in fostering a culture of intellectual discourse. Mehta delves into the ethical responsibilities of editors, the delicate balance between commercial viability and maintaining high editorial standards, and the importance of resisting the dilution of content in the age of social media. He further emphasizes the value of formal education, ongoing learning, and collaboration for those aspiring to contribute meaningfully to architecture media, advocating for a commitment to quality, integrity, and the creation of work that stands the test of time.
Guest: Kaiwan Mehta
Designation: Architect, Academic, and Researcher, Managing Editor - DOMUS India (Spenta Multimedia) and Dean, Balwant Sheth School of Architecture, SVKM's NMIMS (deemed to be) University
Bio: Kaiwan Mehta is a theorist and critic in the fields of visual culture, architecture, and city studies. Mehta has studied Architecture, Literature, Indian Aesthetics and Cultural Studies. In 2017 he completed his doctoral studies at the Centre for the Study of Culture and Society, Bengaluru, under the aegis of Manipal University. In April 2022 he was appointed as the Dean at Balwant Sheth School of Architecture, at SVKM's NMIMS University. He was recently elected to the coveted International Committee of Architectural Critics (CICA).
From March 2012 to December 2022 he was the Managing Editor of Domus India (Spenta Multimedia). He has curated various exhibitions and delivered lectures across institutions in India and abroad including Centre Pompidou, Paris, Cornell University, Parsons New School, New York, as well as conferences in Portugal, Hungary, China, and Italy.
LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | X/Twitter | Website
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Website: www.betterarch.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterarch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterarch_org/
Twitter: https://www.x.com/betterarch_org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betterarch.org/
Copyright 2025 @ The Better Architecture Project.
Season 2: Architecture X Media Studies
Ep. 22: Research in Practice, Ruturaj Parikh
In episode 22, Ruturaj discusses the fragmented nature of design and architectural media in India, distinguishing between popular/lifestyle media, professional (business-to-business) media, and academic publications. He highlights the confusion between critical and commercial content, the decline of professional publications post-pandemic, and the need for more platforms that foster critical discourse within the architectural community. He emphasizes the distinction between pure and applied research in architecture, noting that most practitioners engage in applied, practice-based research due to resource constraints. Ruturaj advocates for a culture where architectural practices actively reflect, articulate, and disseminate their ideas, not just through writing, but also through other mediums, arguing that content and critical thinking are more important than the medium itself.
Guest: Ruturaj Parikh
Designation: Founder & Director - Matter, Ex-director - Charles Correa Foundation
Bio: Ruturaj Parikh is the founder and director at Matter, an interdisciplinary Architecture, Design and Curatorial practice. Ruturaj served as director of the Charles Correa Foundation from 2014 - 2016. In 2014, he established MATTER – a firm with design and editorial verticals in partnership with Maanasi Hattangadi. His Goa-based practice works on architecture and urban design projects, research initiatives, and curatorial projects. Matter’s work lies in the interface between architecture and content, consistently experimenting with new ways of engaging with the built environment.
The firm was awarded the Lexus Design Award for architecture in 2020 and the JK Cement Architect of the Year Award (regional category) in 2024 and the IIA National Award for the project of Produce Market at Narindrapur, Bihar in 2025. Since 2021, Ruturaj Parikh and Maanasi Hattangadi serve as programme curators for Arthshila Ahmedabad and Arthshila Goa, multi-arts spaces led by the Arthshila Trust. Ruturaj is curator and editor of thinkmatter – a digital media platform for contemporary Indian architecture, and [IN]SIDE, a bi-annual professional design journal. Ruturaj has taught as a visiting lecturer at KRVIA (Mumbai), CEPT (Ahmedabad) and Goa College of Architecture.
LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Website | Matter
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Website: www.betterarch.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterarch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterarch_org/
Twitter: https://www.x.com/betterarch_org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betterarch.org/
Copyright 2025 @ The Better Architecture Project.
Season 2: Architecture X Media Studies
Ep. 21: Collective Actions, Gita Balakrishnan
In episode 21 of the talks, Gita Balakrishnan discusses her journey with Ethos and related initiatives, focusing on filling gaps in architectural education, community engagement, and visibility for architects, especially through innovative events, walking projects, and efforts to connect architects with broader communities. She advocates for collective action, resilience, and the importance of building supportive networks within the profession, encouraging young architects to carve out alternative career paths, embrace social responsibility, and foster collaboration to drive positive change in the field. Listen on as Gita advocates the need for discerning, meaningful content that bridges the gap between professional practice and public understanding in this episode!
Guest: Gita Balakrishnan
Designation: Founder - Ethos, Founding Trustee - Ethos Foundation
Bio: Ar. Gita Balakrishnan, the founder of Ethos and the founding trustee of Ethos Foundation, is committed to making design socially responsive and inclusive. A graduate of SPA New Delhi and trustee of AVAS, she has actively promoted Universal Design and Accessibility through her initiative, Walk for Arcause. Across six editions, including recent 100 km walks in Gujarat, Uttarakhand, and Kerala, she has walked over 2500 km across 13+ states, engaging communities and raising awareness. Her first journey is chronicled in 1700 in 70, published by Rupa Publishers. Gita has been a speaker at over 200 events, including TEDx, and is known for her advocacy of thoughtful, empathetic, and sustainable design. Her contributions have earned her multiple accolades, including the Woman of the Year Award 2023 by D-arc Build. Through her work, Gita continues to bridge the gap between design and social responsibility, inspiring a generation of architects and changemakers.
LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Website
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Website: www.betterarch.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterarch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterarch_org/
Twitter: https://www.x.com/betterarch_org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betterarch.org/
Copyright 2025 @ The Better Architecture Project.
Season 2: Architecture X Media Studies
Ep. 20: Be Well Informed, Amit Gupta
In episode 20 of the talks, Amit Gupta explores the critical role of media in architecture and design, emphasizing the need for deeper, more meaningful content over superficial, glamorous coverage. Listen on to know Amit's views on the importance of education, critical thinking, and long-form content as he constantly encourages future professionals to read widely, question practices, and value substance over instant gratification.
Guest: Amit Gupta
Designation: Founder & Editor-in-Chief, STIR
Bio: Amit Gupta is the founder and editor-in-chief of STIR – an award-winning global media house and curatorial agency that is committed to promoting, propagating, and fostering creativity and innovation in the fields of design, architecture, and art. A creative thinker, curator, and entrepreneur, Amit has worked for over three decades with a motivation to facilitate intersections across diverse creative disciplines and distant geographies while launching pioneering initiatives that propel the creative discourse, practice, and allied industries.
Starting with a career in advertising, Amit soon moved on to set up India's first architecture and design gallery in the late 1990s. Progressively, STIR was founded in 2014 and is the only global media house in the field emanating from the region. He is geared to launch the next ventures focused on the foundational principles of STIR, i.e., content, connect, collaboration, and community.
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Website: www.betterarch.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterarch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterarch_org/
Twitter: https://www.x.com/betterarch_org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betterarch.org/
Copyright 2025 @ The Better Architecture Project.
Season 2: Architecture X Media Studies
Ep. 19: Building Platforms, Verticaa Dvivedi
In episode 19 of the talks, Verticaa goes candid about her journey of following her calling to build and raise platforms. She places intense focus on market research and understanding target audiences, and highlights the importance of being consistent. Listen on to know about her journey in this space, building platforms that help communities come closer and act in unison as a symbol of mutual elevation.
Guest: Verticaa Dvivedi
Designation: Founder - THE WADE ASIA, Surfaces Reporter
Bio: Founder, THE WADE ASIA Architecture Event and MATECIA Exhibition | TEDx Speaker | Publisher, Surfaces Reporter | Chair, WADE Foundation | Former Co-chair, Women Entrepreneurs Committee, PHD Chamber of Commerce
Verticaa Dvivedi’s THE WADE ASIA champions in promoting Women-led-Development and Women-led-Design in Architecture & Interior Design. She is also the publisher of the popular architecture magazine, Surfaces Reporter.
Verticaa’s commitment to amplifying the voices of women in design is through THE WADE ASIA, the largest platform in the world for women in architecture & interior design, with participation from more than 15-20 states of India. It began in a small hotel room 10 years ago, and today, it spans more than 370,000 sqft, taking place alongside the MATECIA Exhibition and India Furniture Conclave.
Verticaa’s work as an ‘entrepreneur with a purpose’ has earned her accolades like the Economic Times Women Leader Award 2024, the All India Women Entrepreneurs Award, the "Promising Indian" recognition for Social Activism, the Sarojini Naidu Award, and more. She has been a speaker at various forums, including NIFT, Lady Irwin College, JIMS, JK Business, and India Water Week, among others.
Additionally, she spearheads initiatives aimed at raising awareness about water and promoting sustainability. Her efforts culminated in a record-breaking achievement, earning her the prestigious ASIA BOOK OF RECORD Medal for achieving the largest mass attempt in connecting the maximum number of women for water awareness.
LinkedIn
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Website: www.betterarch.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterarch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterarch_org/
Twitter: https://www.x.com/betterarch_org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betterarch.org/
Copyright 2025 @ The Better Architecture Project.
Season 2: Architecture X Media Studies
Ep. 18: Design Influencing, Sagar Saoji
In episode 18 of the talks, our friendly neighborhood design influencer Sagar Saoji takes us on his content journey! He goes in-depth into the metrics of modern-day content creation, and amalgamating it into an architectural practice. Listen on to know his views on influencing and practicing architecture in today's world, the challenges, and the financials that come with it!
Guest: Sagar Saoji
Designation: Architect, Founder - f.y.i.arch
Bio: Ar. Sagar Saoji is an architect turned content creator and the visionary behind the popular brand f.y.i.arch. A graduate of Sinhgad College of Architecture in 2016, Sagar hails from Nagpur, Maharashtra, and has become a prominent voice in the architecture community.
In March 2020, Sagar launched f.y.i.arch, a dynamic social media platform on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn, dedicated to exploring and celebrating the world of architecture. His platform is renowned for its unique and engaging content, offering updates on the latest developments in architectural design, projects, materials, and innovations from around the globe. Additionally, f.y.i.arch features exclusive design podcasts, making it a comprehensive resource for both budding and seasoned architects, as well as architecture enthusiasts.
With over 200K+ followers on Instagram, Sagar has built a thriving community that shares his passion for architecture. His mission through f.y.i.arch is to make architecture accessible and exciting for everyone. He aims to help architects, designers, and non-designers alike understand the nuances of architecture, stay informed about new projects, materials, and advancements in the field, and navigate the evolving landscape of architectural practice.
In 2023, Sagar was honoured with the 'Best Architectural Reviewer' award by Lokmat, a testament to his expertise and influence in the field.
Through f.y.i.arch, Sagar continues to bridge the gap between clients and architects, sharing knowledge, and making architecture a more engaging and enjoyable experience for all.
LinkedIn | Instagram | Threads | Facebook
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Website: www.betterarch.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterarch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterarch_org/
Twitter: https://www.x.com/betterarch_org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betterarch.org/
Copyright 2025 @ The Better Architecture Project.
Season 2: Architecture X Media Studies
Ep. 17: Find Your Tribe, Kedar Nimkar
In episode 17 of the talks, Kedar decodes podcasting in today's world. He talks of finding one's tribe and on the importance of consistency and routine! He discusses the avenues of monetizing a knowledge podcast, and he places focus on prioritizing the joy of content creation over immediate financial goals. Listen on to know his important take on what he calls infotainment, stimulating both mind and senses!
Guest: Kedar Nimkar
Designation: Host, The Gyan Project (formerly Audiogyaan)
Bio: Kedar serves as the Director of Design at PropertyGuru, an online property marketplace headquartered in Singapore. Having contributed significantly to notable companies such as Webchtuney, Cleartrip, Jupiter, and BookMyShow as head of Design, Kedar has established a reputation for crafting remarkable experiences, leading teams, and crafting digital products.
Apart from design, Kedar is also known for Audiogyan Podcast. He is a curator, producer, and host of Audiogyan. He has documented more than 300 conversations with luminaries from the Indian creative world.
Kedar’s passion for print and physical products led him to create Legends of India. This is a work-in-progress project.
LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
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Website: www.betterarch.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterarch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterarch_org/
Twitter: https://www.x.com/betterarch_org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betterarch.org/
Copyright 2025 @ The Better Architecture Project.
Season 2: Architecture X Media Studies
Ep. 16: Public Scholarship, Gauri Bharat
In episode 16 of the talks, Gauri Bharat dwells on the spectrum of knowledge dissemination, from high academia to public scholarship. Listen on to know her thoughts on how media has brought in changes in the prevalent architectural practices in the country; India's only architectural history & theory course at CEPT (where she instructs) and much more!
Guest: Gauri Bharat
Designation: Senior Associate Professor, CEPT University
Bio: Gauri Bharat specializes in architectural history in South Asia, with particular interests in indigenous built environments and architectural production in the late 19th and 20th centuries. She has developed and leads India’s only specialist postgraduate program in architectural history and research at CEPT University, Ahmedabad, while also engaging with undergraduate and doctoral students. She has authored books on Adivasi [indigenous] architectural built environments and the social life of streets in India and is currently working on a monograph on the history of reinforced concrete construction in South Asia.
LinkedIn
Website: www.betterarch.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterarch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterarch_org/
Twitter: https://www.x.com/betterarch_org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betterarch.org/
Copyright 2024 @ The Better Architecture Project.
Season 2: Architecture X Media Studies
Ep. 15: Multiple Perspectives, Mrinalini Ghadiok
In episode 15 of the talks, Mrinalini Ghadiok shares with us, points from her journey in the world of curation. Listen on to know her thoughts on how magazines run in the country, the importance of thinking from multiple angles and much more!
Guest: Mrinalini Ghadiok
Designation: Architect, writer, curator
Bio: Mrinalini Ghadiok is an architect by training, visualizer by heart and writer by passion. Intrigued by the purpose of process and intention of action, she has spent nearly two decades blurring the boundaries between practice and discipline—as an architect, educator, writer, magazine editor, and curator. Her personal research persists as a Design Culturist to question authorship and identity, the mechanisms that make architecture, design and culture relevant today, and those which serve to carve future histories.
Combining her architecture and editorial experiences, Mrinalini has curated and developed writings for eminent architects, designers, and artists. She is currently working on a series of monographs, as well as editing studio publications for internationally acclaimed practices situated in India. Her curatorial practice includes conferences, symposia, and masterclasses, often in collaboration with various design-led organisations to facilitate community engagements and interdisciplinary exchange. In this regard, her self-initiated interview series, Unplugged Talks, garnered much appreciation as a unique and reputed open-source archive of conversations with creatives from across the world. To further bridge the gap between designers and the industry, Mrinalini works with design-led brands to formulate interactive educational and outreach programs.
Having previously taught architectural design studio at university, and conducted independent workshops and lectures, her expertise continues to be sought across national and global forums for presentations and talks, serving as juror for awards and competitions, as well as collaborating with media and curatorial agencies. Acknowledged for her contribution to the field of architecture in India, Mrinalini was recently listed as one of 80 women architects ‘Shaping the Built’ at the first ever Indian Art, Architecture and Design Biennale (New Delhi, 2023).
LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook
Website: www.betterarch.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterarch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterarch_org/
Twitter: https://www.x.com/betterarch_org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betterarch.org/
Copyright 2024 @ The Better Architecture Project.
Season 2: Architecture X Media Studies
Ep. 14: Negotiating Flux, Nisha Nair Gupta
Nisha Nair Gupta discusses about her innovative publishing initiative, People Places Project in the episode 14 of the season. Listen on to know her take on running bootstrapped initiatives, how to manage projects, managing opportunities and grants for independent projects and much more!
Guest: Nisha Nair Gupta
Designation: Urban researcher and publisher, Founder - People Places Project
Bio: Nisha Nair-Gupta is an architect, urban researcher and writer, and is currently a PhD research scholar at IIT Bombay. She spearheads the publishing initiative, People Place Project, which has been invested in urban research, pedagogy and publication since its inception. As part of a publication initiative looking at creating literature, books, writing and media on urban consciousness, her responsibilities are editorial, creative and growth strategies. She has published five books as a curator and editor. Her current research works look at social spaces and urban mobilities, within the context of Southern urbanism.
LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook
Website: www.betterarch.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterarch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterarch_org/
Twitter: https://www.x.com/betterarch_org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betterarch.org/
Copyright 2024 @ The Better Architecture Project.
Season 2: Architecture X Media Studies
Ep. 13: Get Trained, Mridula Sharma
In episode 13, Mridula Sharma gets candid about the state of flux of the media industry in architecture and design in India. Listen on to know her views on the changing media landscapes, the importance of getting trained in journalism, and much more!
Guest: Mridula Sharma
Designation: Design Futurist, Founder: StyleCaviar by Mridula Sharma
Bio: Mridula Sharma is one of the distinguished design writers of India. She has been writing, compiling, and curating design content for over 27 years. Having started her journey with the iconic Indian design magazine, INSIDE OUTSIDE, Mridula has been the Founding Editor of UK’s best-selling homes magazine LIVINGETC in India. She has also worked on launching Better Homes & Gardens (US) in India and DESIGN TODAY, a design magazine from the INDIA TODAY stable. As one of India’s leading and long-standing design journalists, she has tracked the industry and developed a keen understanding of how design continues to mirror the aspirations of our fast-changing economy.
Mridula’s unwavering allegiance to design and its impact on our daily lives has led her to establish StyleCaviar by Mridula Sharma as a premier platform for fostering connections and nurturing growth synergies within the design community.
She has four books to her credit and a design handbook for middle school children: done in collaboration with a design educationist. Mridula travels around the world exploring design nuggets and their cultural anthropology. She works and lives between Goa and New Delhi.
Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | X/Twitter
Note: This episode was recorded while Mridula Sharma was working for Livingetc India.
Website: www.betterarch.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterarch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterarch_org/
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Copyright 2024 @ The Better Architecture Project.
Season 2: Architecture X Media Studies
Ep. 12: Architecture Films, Dhwaj Shah
Dhwaj Shah renders depth to the ongoing conversation by bringing his knowledge of architectural filmmaking to the house. Listen on as we discuss making films out of buildings, and making and sustaining a business out of this sacred act.
Guest: Dhwaj Shah
Designation: Co-Founder, Buildofy
Bio: Dhwaj Shah is the co-founder of Buildofy, an independent media firm that broadcasts architecture films and eBooks of amazing houses in India.
LinkedIn
Website: www.betterarch.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterarch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterarch_org/
Twitter: https://www.x.com/betterarch_org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betterarch.org/
Copyright 2024 @ The Better Architecture Project.
Season 2: Architecture X Media Studies
Ep. 11: The Metaverse, Abhishek "ABVERSE" Bhaskar
ABVERSE Abhishek is the guest for episode eleven of the series - one on a different note and flavor as we dive deep into the virtual world! This episode discusses architecture in the virtual world, the 'loss of soul', and chilling at Mars!! Well, almost!
Guest: Abhishek "ABVERSE" Bhaskar
Designation: Beatboxer, MC, Architect, Public Speaker, Entrepreneur.
Bio: Abhishek Bhaskar is one of India's leading Beatboxer and MCs, Public Speaker & an Entrepreneur. He is often referred to as a high-functioning generalist. He is the 1st Asian Beatboxer to work on a project for the United Nations. He has also conducted 2 of India's biggest Beatboxing workshops alongside Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle & Bollywood star - Ranveer Singh. He has been the ex-brand ambassador for Adidas Originals & JBL and performed for Artists like Sean Paul, AKCENT & other International Artists. He was also the ex-founder of DERT Lab, an award-winning design & research firm. He is building his new company in Stealth Mode, to be revealed soon.
LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Website: www.betterarch.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterarch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterarch_org/
Twitter: https://www.x.com/betterarch_org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betterarch.org/
Copyright 2024 @ The Better Architecture Project.
Season 2: Architecture X Media Studies
Ep. 10: Reinvent Yourself, suryan saurabh
suryan saurabh deep-dives into photography in episode ten of this season. Listen to the episode to hear his thoughts on how he managed to make a business out of photography in the design world, and his word of advice for the folks: to be innovative, to grab the opportunities, and to make the best out of oneself!
Guest: suryan saurabh
Designation: Artist & Photographer
Bio: "Man who lived at the airport ".
suryan practices as an artist and co-founded "studio suryan//Dang" based in Delhi, India. He trained as an architect. Passionate about design, he explores the tools of photography, films, creative direction, books, and exhibitions. He has worked with studios like Studio Mumbai and Sameep Padora during his early years and uses the learnings to shape better communication in design. Intrigued by the Indian landscape and self-made design, he always explores new mediums to better express himself and the world around him. In a constant hunt for new design languages, people, and practices to meet, he spends most of his time.
Website | Instagram
Website: www.betterarch.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterarch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterarch_org/
Twitter: https://www.x.com/betterarch_org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betterarch.org/
Copyright 2024 @ The Better Architecture Project.
Season 2: Architecture X Media Studies
Ep. 09: An Open Mind, Suneet Paul
Suneet Paul shares his views on media in design in this energetic conversation. Listen to the episode to hear his thoughts on how the culture of magazines have changed over time, and his earnest request to the youth to have an open mind that accepts feedback and embraces change!
Guest: Suneet Paul
Designation: Author & Architect
Bio: Author/architect Suneet Paul has been in the profession of architecture, academics and writing for over forty years, and was for twenty-five years the editor-in-chief of the national Indian magazine - Architecture + Design. Also, a former faculty of the School of Planning & Architecture, Delhi, he has participated in seminars and conferences and has written numerous articles on architecture and design.
Having authored three books in architecture and short fiction, painting is a hobby for him and he has won awards for his dedicated contribution to writing and journalism.
LinkedIn | Instagram
Website: www.betterarch.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterarch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterarch_org/
Twitter: https://www.x.com/betterarch_org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betterarch.org/
Copyright 2024 @ The Better Architecture Project.
