The much-renovated Mumbai airport is a paradigm of an ill-fated design model, it's constantly the point of discussing how, who, how much and why- clogged up entries and exits, the dirty upper glazing in the front elevation, unpleasant spaces all around where one feels odd even taking a seat to take rest. Importantly, the design doesn't keep terrorism in mind at all and the ambiance encourages modern confusion.
With globalisation comes the fear of us losing the indigenous character of our rich past. Until there is an effort at the design stage to look into the history as inspiration, I fear the airports will all start looking like Singapore or Dubai airports. Yes, the efficiency and the service by all means should be world class but the essence and the soul must remain Indian.
Outsourcing design shouldn't be the top priority but instead, investing in combing the Indian landscape for superior local talent might result in a super design outcome. If we undermine our worth in terms of design and rich heritage and accept the formats of different cultures because of an enticing gloss value, then clearly Indian design might as well be heading the way of the dinosaurs.
Furthermore, it is only we who can assess what is best for the blueprint of the new designs, as we do things differently and need unique ways to deal with that.
The pace of the project should be calculated with the vision of where India will be in the next 20 years. Risk is the birthplace of great inventions and ideas, thinking of absurd concepts and creative ideas in terms of good design should be reasonably welcomed.
The purpose of an airport is rather apparent - even a five-year-old knows what an airport is - so for sure the fundamentals of design, exterior and interior should be soul quenching, otherwise all the effort would be meaningless.
While the slick look is in now, no one really knows what will be the "in" thing in the next decade. However, what I am most certain about is that the Taj Mahal in Agra and the reputable five-star hotels in Delhi will not depreciate in the current-ness of design.
So as a solution to my design apprehension for the design of the future airports I can start with a suggestion, an answer that might be a starting point. I would propose an amalgamation of the impossible - combining the quintessential Taj Mahal "look" with a dynamic luxury hotel lobby.
Imagine walking into the airport and being served like you would be at a counter of the Oberoi. As you walk further you are gripped by the awesomeness of size of the brilliant dome overhead, the dull illumination behind the intricate lattice work glows and then fades off to re-glow, reminding you of the India that we once were.
What do you say? Don't be quiet about expressing your dream; a constructive input is a weightless treasure for the coming generations to benefit from.
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