Nurture - Pakistan's Pioneer Publication on Early Childhood Development

What would you have been had you not been an architect?
Arif H.: I know that had I not been an architect I would’ve been a Film Director. Cinema at one stage of my life interested me very much and I seriously thought of giving up my architectural studies for studying cinema but that never happened. That was when I was working in Paris.
Azhar A.: If not an architect I can’t say what else. Why I selected the field of architecture is because as a profession it gives us real understanding of how physical form affect human life, and how spaces can celebrate life. Architecture is about people, culture, climate and context. To understand human behavior in a space is a very complex phenomenon, therefore it is necessary to have deeper understanding of all factors.

What led you to specialize in the low-cost / safe structures?
Arif H.: I don’t really specialize in low-cost structures. But I have done a lot of work of the developments, upbringing and policy related issues of low-income housing structures across many countries including Vietnam, Cambodia, South Africa, Central Asia and Pakistan. This experience has led me to teach at both national and international universities as well on subjects of urban development and built environment issues.
Azhar A.: Low-cost is no specialization, it is the term architects use during design and it basically gives us information about the specification of the building material, typology, building system and techniques. As a professional it is our prime responsibility to make sure that structure is safe and designed as per engineering codes requirement.

Who (or what) were the biggest inspirations for the choice of your profession?
Arif H.: I remember when my father was Secretary of the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs, their office building was under construction. I was young at that time and the experience of seeing the architects discuss their projects and work was what got me interested in architecture at first. Luckily there was support from my father to study architecture so I got a chance to pursue my interest. My real teacher was Ghulam Kibria with whom I worked for many years while he was Head of the Appropriate Technology Development Organization. Much of the work I did with Kibria Sahib and the knowledge I gained through working with him was what I took to the Orangi Pilot Project when Akhtar Hameed Khan called me to work with him. Akhtar Sahib is again someone from whom I learnt a lot. He taught me to look at history from the eyes of ethics rather than through the various theories of history that I had been exposed to. The other thing that I learnt from him was how the work that I had been doing before I met him could be seen in the larger development context of Pakistan.
Azhar A.: Built environment has most influence on a human being; it addresses your comfort, aesthetics, lifestyles and most importantly human behavior. Considering the importance of built environment, I selected to become an architect. The work of Nayyar Ali Dada, who has been my teacher since my undergraduate program in NCA (Lahore), is a great inspiration.

In what way does architecture contribute to society?
Arif H.: Well, architecture is of various types. You have architect built architecture, contractor built architecture and you have people built architecture. Whatever architecture is built it has relationship to climate, light, ventilation, hygiene, recreation, entertainment, etc. Social relations and the world of architecture are closely related to each other and that is why it is important that architects do not do anything or work on any project that promotes poverty, environmental degradation or ecological damage.
Azhar A.: I think it depends on what you interpret as art & architecture. Is it the exhibits in the Tate modern or the Louver? Or is it the design and culture that we see every day? From a bin to the magnificent architecture of buildings like Opera House, society is shaped by the ideas and thoughts of everyone in it. I think art is someone's ideas shaped into the language of our mind and put on a page, wall, sculpture or building. This could explain why there are so many ways to interpret a piece of art. Architecture undoubtedly has its impact on the shape of society, culture and history.

How does design affect human behavior?
Arif H.: If architecture is well designed, climatically compatible, energy efficient, if places of work are near the places of residence, and if transport infrastructure is convenient for people, then you have a better and happier society, naturally. If you have well-lit schools, good classrooms, pleasant colors, you have a better environment and a happier world. So it is really important that irrespective of who builds and for what purpose, the built environment should not damage ecological systems. Unfortunately today architects are responsible for many such projects that harm the natural environment. For instance, in the case of Karachi’s beach development, there should be no reclamation from the sea or from mudflats on which flora and fauna are dependant. Natural drainage systems are continuously polluted and architects are responsible for projects that do all this. I think that here the architectural profession has to take a stand.
Azhar A.: Architects have long intuited that the places we inhabit can affect our thoughts, feelings and behaviors. But now, behavioral scientists are giving these hunches an empirical basis. They are unearthing tantalizing clues about how to design spaces that promote creativity, keep students focused and alert, and lead to relaxation and social intimacy. Institutions such as the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture in San Diego are encouraging interdisciplinary research into how a planned environment influences man.

What projects rank among your favorites? Why do they stand out?
Arif H.: My favorite project is undoubtedly the Orangi Pilot Project on which I have worked for many years for upgrading informal settlements. Helping people to build better houses; acquire sanitation systems as well as construct their own sanitation systems and providing them the necessary technical support for striking the more equitable relationship between themselves and the estate agencies, have all been very rewarding. Talking about architect built projects I would say that I am a great admirer of Nayyar Ali Dada’s work in Lahore especially the Al-Hamra Arts Complex, Al-Hamra Open Air Theatre and the Gaddafi Stadium which are exceptional pieces of architecture and a unique blend of modern building with traditional materials.
Azhar A.: I rank Sydney Opera House amongst my favorites. The building’s organic shape and lack of surface decoration have made it both timeless and ageless. Moreover, it demonstrates how buildings can add to environmental experience rather than detract from it something of spiritual value. The synergy between the setting and the building make it appear that the scheme actually involved flooding the harbour valley to set the building off to best advantage.