An oft-quoted line of Francis Bacon is, “When in doubt, start from the beginning. It is always a good place to start.” But how does one proceed, should they be clueless about where and how to begin? Architects—whether professionals or students—are usually beset with this perpetual quandary when addressing the inception of their designs. Simply put, we struggle to find a concept or a driving force that accords purpose and direction to our designs. Concepts play an integral role in deciding the course that a design should take to prove itself meaningful whilst being functional. It has the power to transform mechanical and inanimate structures into responsive spaces suffused with vitality, exuberance, and activity. However, deriving the concept for a design is one of its most challenging aspects. And the translation of said concept into a full-fledged design is by no means a simple feat.
Kulbhushan Jain’s “Architecture: Conceptual to the Manifest” addresses this dilemma by offering a thorough understanding of the strategic use of concepts and their expression in design. The book touches upon the themes of historicism, movement, courtness, light, structure & form—all of which have remained favourites and manifested themselves time and again in various forms. It lists notable examples from across centuries as compelling arguments that advocate the timeless quality of these recurrent elements. It also comprises several architectural theories and discourses proposed by renowned architects, designers, and authors that unveil the importance of concepts in the design process.
Professor and architect Kulbhushan Jain considers concepts as originators of design. They are interventions used to resolve the issues faced by the project. Concepts are the takeaways from our observation of the site and its surroundings. To design empathetically, an architect must look into every aspect—physical, climatic, sociological, and cultural—that influences the sensitivity and effectiveness of the design. These derivations act as points of genesis, consequently translating into prominent features that define a masterful design. Tom Peters writes succinctly, “Mistake number one is treating design as a veneer issue rather than a soul issue. The dumbest mistake is viewing design as something you do in the end to ‘tidy up’ the mess, as opposed to understanding that it’s a day-one issue and part of everything.” Concepts set forth a definitive statement—a physical commentary on the interaction between the design and its users.
Meticulously researched and mindfully compiled, it boasts a superb collection of case studies, excerpts, and ideas that guide the reader through each topic. It also consists of simple yet comprehensible diagrams, each illustrative of the concept. These diagrams help readers to picture how these elements or concepts interact within the composition. It notifies the reader of its translation across various scales and contexts, serving a different purpose and experience each time. These analytical diagrams also express the space-user relationship, capturing their circulation and engagement with the design. Additionally, the analysis of the case studies at the fundamental level also promotes the recognition of the role of different elements within the design. Ranging from the central concept to the smallest detail, the ingenious articulation of these elements determines the conception of a unique design.
About the Author
Kulbhushan Jain is a renowned architect, urbanist, academician, and conservation consultant. In his 40 years of professional and academic experience, he has served as a professor, director, and chairman at the School of Architecture, CEPT University. He has also been employed as a consultant by NID, Ahmedabad, and INTACH, New Delhi. He has been a much sought-after jury member for many national design competitions.
Kulbhushan Jain feels that teaching and learning processes must be addressed simultaneously. He believes that self-learning and investigative approaches work better as the students move towards the master’s and doctoral levels. He is also working towards establishing the learning process as the more significant and encouraging critique & analysis method for the students and faculties alike. He also aims to promote and organise critiques and discussions, all of which will be helpful in design projects and research.
Over the years, Prof. Kulbhushan Jain has authored several books, articles, and conference papers. Some of his notable works include Mud Architecture of the Indian Desert, 1992; Indian City in the Arid West, 1994; The Forts of Nagaur, 1996; Architecture of the Indian Desert, 200; Architecture of a Royal Camp: The Retrieved Fort of Nagaur, 2009, all co-authored with Minakshi Jain; Fatehpur Sikri: Where Spaces Touch Perfection, Thematic Spaces in Architecture, 2002; and Architecture: Conceptual to the Manifest, 2012.
Overall, Kulbhushan Jain’s Architecture: Conceptual to the Manifest is a must-read for architects and designers—beginners and professionals alike. Concise yet informative descriptions accompanied by self-explanatory diagrams manifest as an informative handbook that educates and inspires readers to wisely devise and adopt concepts within their designs.
References List:
- Jain, K. (2012). Architecture: Conceptual to the Manifest. Ahmedabad. AADI Centre
- Amazon.in. (2015). Amazon.in. [online] Available at: https://www.amazon.in/Architecture-Conceptual-Manifest-Khulbushan-Jain/dp/8190852817 [Accessed 13 Feb. 2025].
- Cept.ac.in. (2025). Kulbhushan Jain, Coordinator, Doctoral Programs Office – Doctoral Office – News – CEPT. [online] Available at: https://cept.ac.in/34/doctoral-programs-office/news/71/prof-kulbhushan-jain-coordinator [Accessed 13 Feb. 2025].
