Renu Khanna: Crafting Architecture as a Narrative Journey

Renu Khanna , Principal Architect of Renu Khanna & Associates - India wasn't destined to be an architect. In fact, her path to designing award-winning buildings began with a twist of fate and a determined friend. In this interview, Khanna discusses her design process, the importance of client collaboration, and the guiding principles behind her experiential and narrative-driven architecture.

Could you share with us a bit about your journey into architecture? What inspired you to pursue this field?

Destiny brought me to architecture. It was as if some buildings were waiting to be designed by me. I wanted to become a psephologist and had gained admission to Hindu College, Delhi, for a degree in Statistics. After studying for 15 days, my professor asked me to get a migration certificate from my school. When I reached the school, a friend who had filled out my form for CCA, where I got admission, convinced me to join in Chandigarh instead.

In 1980, architecture was not such a lucrative profession. I returned to Delhi to rejoin Hindu College, but the principal didn’t take me back. He said, “This girl left my prestigious college, which is known for grooming prime ministers, for a small architecture college in a village.”

That’s how I ended up back in Chandigarh. But once I started my practice, it was a U-turn. Architecture became my passion. The feeling I get when my project takes shape cannot be described. Now I say, “Creativity is my staple food.

Can you walk us through your typical design process, from concept to completion? How do you ensure that your vision aligns with the client’s needs and expectations?

Before I start any design, I familiarise myself with the background of my client and the purpose of the building. I strive to arrive at a unique concept most suited for the design. Once the concept is established, every detail and drawing flows smoothly from it. This initial phase is all about working with my heart.

Next comes working with my brain. I conduct a SWOT analysis, review the by laws, and consider any limitations. This stage involves creating drawings and 3D walkthroughs. Throughout this process, I ensure that the basic essence of the concept is not lost. During the specifications and estimation stage, I review the 3D models to maintain the integrity of the theme.

For example, while designing the Banda Bahadur War Memorial, we redid the walkthrough to ensure that the victory tower was fully reflected in the water body. Sometimes, clients may not initially understand a new design because it is unlike anything they have seen before. In such cases, I reassure them to have confidence in me and that I will deliver the best.

Head over to https://ssmb.in/2024/07/29/renu-khanna-crafting-architecture-as-a-narrative-journey/ to delve deeper into an exciting conversation with Renu Khanna for Womantecture - The women of today & tomorrow.

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