Design Philosophy
At Elemental, our primary focus is on creating spaces that suit your needs. So much so that we run extensive initial discussions on getting to know the client and understanding their tastes before starting any project.
Two concepts that we promote in all our projects are climate-responsive design and critical regionalism, a philosophy that preserves local architectural identity while rejecting its non-functional features and meeting global standards.
The word ‘elemental’ means ‘to embody the powers of nature’ and this is precisely what we do. We make the most of nature’s bounty by leveraging the natural solar, wind and water resources present on each site and its surroundings. We believe in preserving the natural terrain and building to retain the natural vegetation of the space. Passive cooling (or heating) techniques are incorporated into our designs to create energy-efficient spaces.
See more of our design concepts in our graphic below:
Project Locations
Geography is no barrier for us, and we welcome projects from anywhere in the world. We currently have worked on projects across three countries
Client Brands
Apart from our eco-conscious clients who have built for their personal use, we have had the fortune of working alongside some amazing brands to create spaces that rejuvenate.
Team
The founder, Amrutha Kishor is an architect who specializes in climate responsive design. She believes critical regionalism is an essential tool in designing the way forward.
After completing her bachelor’s in architecture (B.Arch.) National Institute of Technology, Calicut in 2016, Amrutha went on to do a master’s in architecture (M Arch.) with a specialization in environmental design from the University of Nottingham, UK. During the master’s programme, Amrutha’s study on how good architecture aids energy efficiency in buildings was recognized by the Royal Institute of British Architects in 2019. The learnings behind this study led to the foundations on which Elemental was built in 2020.
As the company was founded, Amrutha had very specific ideas on how things ought to be run - taking the best out of the five architecture design firms she had worked with across India, the Middle East and the UK - on diverse projects that include Residential, Institutional, and Commercial Architecture and Interiors.
A strong believer that learning is a lifelong process, Amrutha is also a LEED Green Associate, GRIHA certified professional, and holds a Diploma in Vastu Shastra from Bangalore Samskrit University. She also has two recorded courses on Sustainable Interior Design and Sustainable Architecture online which can be accessed here. Off late, she is looking to do academic collaborations to carry out research on the energy performance of the buildings designed by Elemental.
Connect with Amrutha on linkedIn to read more about her professional journey.
Forever grateful to these brilliant architects who have contributed immensely to Elemental's journey-
Work culture
Refreshingly Remote
We're proud to be among the pioneering architecture firms in the country operating on a fully remote basis, prioritizing a healthy work-life balance for our team.
Flexibility is Key
We embrace an agile working methodology instead of a traditional hierarchical management system, with a focus on swift adaptation and collaboration in response to evolving circumstances and demands.
Work hard. Play harder.
Through office trips and team building sessions, we strengthen bonds and open channels of communication, ensuring excellent results by unlocking our team's full potential.
Productivity Hub
Our office system focuses on the importance of efficient work processes and output, rather than simply clocking in a set amount of time.
Catalysts for Innovation
Grounded in creativity, our collaborative approach fosters a learning environment free from repetitive tasks.
The Future is Inclusive
In our inclusive office, women constitute over 78% of our workforce, demonstrating a commitment to gender diversity. This environment fosters a rich tapestry of perspectives, driving creativity and innovation across all facets of our organization.
