Raj Shamani's Figuring Out

Why Indian Homes Feel Smaller: Space, Furniture, Design & Planning | Sanjay Puri | FO459 Raj Shamani

Jan 17, 2026
Guest
Sanjay Puri
Sanjay Puri, a renowned Indian architect and head of Sanjay Puri Architects, shares fascinating insights on home design and sustainability. He discusses what to consider when buying a house, emphasizing builder reputation and layout. Puri highlights the impact of contextual design and how certain architectural icons have changed city identities. He offers practical tips to make spaces feel larger and explains how to incorporate greenery for better air quality. The conversation also touches on the intersection of luxury and noise management in modern homes.
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INSIGHT

One Building Can Reboot A City's Economy

  • A single iconic building can transform a city's economy by attracting tourism and investment.
  • Frank Gehry's Guggenheim in Bilbao demonstrates how architecture can catalyze urban revival.
ADVICE

Use Orientation And Shading To Cut AC Bills

  • Orient buildings and windows to minimize heat gain; north-facing windows lower AC costs in Mumbai by ~30%.
  • Provide shading or protected balconies for south/west exposures to reduce cooling load.
ANECDOTE

Local Bricks And Foam Roof Cut Lifetime Costs

  • In one low-budget home Sanjay used onsite earth bricks and foam concrete roofing to cut transport and steel use.
  • The result matched cost but improved insulation and reduced lifelong AC needs.
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