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An insight into the works of Mozaic Architecture reveals the sensitivities and sensibilities of Architect Dean D’Cruz towards his clients, environment and society which make him

not only a legendary architect but also a respectable human being

TEXT: Kruti Choksi Kothari | PHOTOS COURTESY: Mozaic Architecture

Master Stroke

A true interest in architecture began only in my third year of architecture when I began to look at buildings without the blinker of a curriculum

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“I believe that the role of an architect is not just catering to a client’s brief but guiding them and at times going against the brief if our conscience dictates. For this, we must realise that we are responsible primarily to the society and the environment. The financial ability of a client to build in a certain way that goes against these two is no justification to the design,” these words of Ar. Dean D’Cruz reflect his sensitivity and consciousness towards his work. No, these are not just words! He means them. Dean’s works are devoid of any pomp or razzle-dazzle. It is purely humane. Something about his places truly touches the heart and radiates soulful innocence.

In 1983, Dean graduated from Sir J. J. College of Architecture, Mumbai. About his early years, Dean recalls, “A true interest in architecture began only in my third year of architecture when I began to look at buildings without the blinker of a curriculum. Seeing the way people use them, the way they really look at eye-level and the way they suffer the climate.” He further adds, “I was trained for a year in a small firm called Architects’ Combine in Bombay. Here, I probably learned

more about the essential ethics than frivolous aesthetics. It is more essential that our practices are principled and inclusive rather than just creating pretty pictures.”

In 1985, he joined Architect Gerard Da Cunha as an assistant in Goa. Enamored by the soft and human scale of Goa’s architecture and lifestyle, he decided to stay. In 1986, he became a partner in the firm called Natural Architecture, working on the cost effective housing in a very Laurie Baker approach by using waste building materials and innovative

1–2. Dean designs spaces that have a timeless aura and evergreen freshness to it

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design. In 1994, he expanded the base of design work, taking on small hotels, large houses and institutional work as principal architect of Dean D’Cruz & Associates.

In 2001, Dean D’Cruz and Reboni Saha co-founded their design firm ‘Mozaic’. The term ‘mosaic’ refers to a design that is created by the combination

of different tiles, each of which is independently beautiful but co-existing as a part of the whole forming an alluring pattern. The underlying concept is that richness and maturity of thoughts comes from the interaction between different genres of design like architecture, interior design and product design.

Today, Dean has become synonymous to the charming Goan architecture and its conservation. He is truly looked upon as a source of reference for the upcoming designers. One of the rare contemporary architects, Dean has successfully conjured every facet of architectural designs such as hospitality, institution, mass housing, private residence, conservation, urban planning as well as eco-spaces. A few to name, his projects include Hotel Laguna Anjuna, Hotel Taj Fisherman’s Cove, Hotel Sharanam Green, Taj Holiday Village, Tito’s Beach Retreat, Reni Pani Jungle Lodge, Flameback Lodges, D’Penha Residence, Jain’s Residence, Saldanha’s Residence, Kingfisher Villa, Mendes’ Villa, Beck’s Residence, Jhaveri’s Residence, Pallotti Institute, Karwar Cathedral, Sheila Factory and a long list to go on.

Assembling his experience over the years through the spectrum of works, Dean elucidates, “Every type of project has a different scale, material based on its location and a varying style approach based on our experimentation over the years. Every five years or so, we switch styles to avoid getting into a formula design and also to bring freshness to our work. The constant factor is envisioning an experience without any architecture in mind and then putting form and materials to it.” Having designed for dignitaries

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3. Kingfisher Villa has been designed to create a friendly space, meant for entertainment and to impress the guests

4. The beach house is made up of stone piers that house the bedrooms with the transparent living areas connecting them.

5. Nilaya is an earthy structure built from stone excavated from the hill behind and uses a renewable timber (coconut rafters) for its roofing.

6. The Mahua Kothi Lodge in Bandhavgarh adopts the spirit of local methods of building and materials.

7–8–9. Dean ensures to avoid designing fairly typical looking buildings and interiors

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and corporate giants like Alcon Victor Group, Club Mahindra, Prestige Group, Taj and many more, Dean has never opted for the usual tacky outcomes as slaves of the sheep – like timely trends or fashions. His spaces have a timeless aura and evergreen freshness. They let you be engrossed in the context and surrounding. It is more of an experience to rejoice than a sculpture to admire. “The most striking element in our designs

is the connection with nature either through the use of earthy materials or through the visual interface with the outside,” avers the architect.

While the hullaballoo of Green Ratings gains momentum, Dean opts for a rather noble path. In his views, while these ratings are quite new in concept, the traditional Indian architecture has always been green. “For most people, sustainability is

about sensible materials and appropriate technologies. We, however, urgently need to look at the social aspects of community building and equitable design. We try to include all stakeholders in the design and execution process to achieve this,” explains Dean. He adds, “My philosophy is to be sensible and as local as possible by using materials and building techniques available close to the site. We also try to keep the costs minimum and this works well in introducing self checks on sustainability.”

The constant factor is envisioning an

experience without any architecture in mind

and then putting form and materials to it

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Mozaic explores the prospects of symbiotic growth of its clients with nature and encourage sustainable practices in architecture as well as industrial products.

architecture@mozaic.in www.mozaic.in

When inquired about his views on the present trends in the field of architecture, Dean reacts, “While there are a few inspirational pieces of architecture being constructed around the world, the general present trend is in fancy forms and flashy materials that make good photographs. Very little architecture today truly addresses some desperate social needs.” He continues, “Material manufacturers now determine a good deal of our choices and this, at times, reduces the efforts made in detailing or refinement, relying mostly on the manufacturers palette of choices. This leads to fairly typical looking buildings and interiors where, at times, the architect’s intervention is just in space moulding!”

Not only as an architect but also as a responsible human being, Dean’s efforts go beyond the tangible boundaries of his practice. He is an active member of the Goa Foundation involved in fighting environmental issues. He is also involved in the Green Goa Works which undertakes the environmental cleaning and environmental awareness projects. Moreover, Dean is a member of the Gubbi Group, an informal group of architects concerned with the issue of sustainability and freely sharing thoughts and realisations on it. Having been a part of the State Level Committee for making of

the Regional Plan 2021 for Goa, his current emphasis is on the urban interventions, sustainable principles and conservation. He is presently engaged in self-made proposals for low-cost housing, senior housing, education, healthcare along with village based planning and design interventions. While Dean believes in his own journey as his teaching, he feels free to share his knowledge with the newer generation of designers as the Visiting Faculty at the Goa College of Architecture.

Eager to share with equally inclined people, his thirty seven odd years of architectural experience from an enthusiastic student to at times a frustrated professional, Dean has recently downsized his office considerably to allow him a renewal of direction. “Far too often, we zoom along in our practice and fail to see the changing needs and approaches. Only a pause can give us the space and time to look back at where we have come from and where we intend to go,” adjourns Dean D’Cruz with his ever promising smile and bright eyes.•

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10. Laguna Anjuna has been built in Goan Portuguese style and with local eco friendly materials.

11. Samudra Darshan are large villas in Goa for the Prestige Group

12. The Taj Holiday Village has been designed to keep the Goan-Portuguese heritage in sync with tropical rusticity

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