Field Architects was formed by Faiza Khan and Suril Patel in 2017, evolving around their cognitive travel experiences, immersive vernacular lifestyle, and critical observations. It aims to deconstruct the indigenous built forms, traditional artisanship, and formal geometry. While engaging with contextual practices the duo explores the deeper potential of vernacular architecture aligning with contemporary aspirations. Their collaborative spirit brings rich dexterity to the project.
Ar. Suril Patel
Founding Partner
Suril Patel has worked with Serie Architects, in Mumbai, Beijing, and London for about a decade, and experienced working with Studio Mumbai for Ganga Maki Textile Studio in Uttarakhand. He pursued his B Arch in 2005 from IED, Gujarat. He regards processes related to design, representation, and construction as the fundamental aspects of the practice and is a perfectionist for details. His methodical approach, engineering mindset always push design boundaries.
Ar. Faiza Khan
Founding Partner
Faiza Khan earned her B Arch from AoA, Mumbai, and pursued M Arch from Barcelona Institute of Architecture in 2011. She has worked with Serie Architects, Malik Architecture, Stantec, and Studio Mumbai. She is an avid learner, and observant towards the local context and lifestyle that help her mould, appropriate, and execute the wide variety and scales of projects with utmost sincerity. She is trained under Ruedi Krebs, a Swiss master artisan, for lime and earthen finishes while working on Ganga Maki Textile Studio.
For the past few years, they have actively collaborated on adaptive reuse and conservation projects of various scales with Achi Association India, a non-profit organization working to safeguard the outstanding but endangered cultural heritage in the Himalayas.
They have coordinated and taught the Passive Solar and Earth Building two-year course and worked on various Passive Solar Buildings with SECMOL and HIAL in Ladakh. Faiza has also curated the Sun and Earth festival of Ladakh in 2017, which had multiple hands-on workshops exploring earth-building techniques and design principles for climate-responsive buildings.
They have executed projects across many sectors and scales, and their recent projects in Ladakh employ passive-solar-heated design. While practicing contemporary vernacular architecture, they explore the adaptive potentials of local materials and aesthetics of the trans-Himalayas. Their multidisciplinary team is made of masons, plasterers, structural carpenters, furniture makers, and architects.
MEET THE TEAM
Sejal Selwadiya
Architect
Akash Joshi
Architect
Neel Bothara
Intern
