The proudest moment of their child’s achievements in the field of education is the moment of pride for all the parents in the world. The educational pursuit and quest has become so challenging and full of stress today. Achieving a degree in one’s specialized field has become a herculean task for the younger generation. 12 years of basic education in school, followed by 5 years of architecture studies to become an architect is not a mean feat by any means. Parents’ joy and the moment of pride to see their children’s achievements is the moment that will be cherished lifelong in the families and friends’ families.
Cultural Zone
When parents read about their child’s design creations and academic success in the global media, the joy and pride on parents’ faces lit up like bright twinkling stars! Many individuals may not even realize how their academic success fills their parents’ chests with pride, joy and a sense of greatest satisfaction. Truly so, I have received many feedbacks from parents, whose children have been featured on our GEN Z Series. Their joys are so infectious and their pride second to none. I wish every individual, who participates in our GEN Z Series with their path-breaking thesis and proposed projects, to thank and be grateful to their parents for supporting them all through their educational pursuit.
Master Plan and Details
From Lucknow, India – the GEN Z Series travel to Italy to meet Nikhita Mudraboina, a 2023 graduated Master’s in Sustainable Architecture and Landscape Design from Politecnico di Milano. Having graduated with a B. Arch from Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu in 2020 – she is currently practicing as a freelance Landscape Architect in Italy. Nikhita Mudraboina enthuses, “I am originally from Chennai, India. I was raised in a family dedicated to professional excellence. My journey has been profoundly shaped by the values and aspirations imparted to me by my parents.
My father, a passionate civil engineer, instilled in me an appreciation for the intricacies of lines, structure, and purpose. His steadfast discipline and technical acumen served as the foundation for my passion for design. Meanwhile, my mother fostered a creative and balanced environment that emphasized care and artistry. Their unwavering support and confidence in my abilities have been my greatest sources of strength.”
Micro Level – Conceptual Diagrams
Having been born and brought up in Chennai, Nikhita Mudraboina reveals, “The city’s rich blend of rich culture and modern aspirations has significantly influenced my design philosophy. The balance between tradition and contemporary life in Chennai has taught me the importance of adapting architecture to respect the past, while embracing the future. The city’s vibrant rhythm and warm community have inspired my creative instincts and understanding of urban space.”
Johnny D interacts with Nikhita Mudraboina to explore her journey in the architecture field and understand her design philosophy. Her Master’s thesis ‘The Oasis: Urban Flood Resilience, Chennai’ depicts her love, compassion and concern for nature, earth crisis and wildlife, especially the birds.
Wetland Park View
What was your childhood ambition? Have you always wanted to become a landscape architect?
Landscape architecture was not my initial aspiration. My father’s work greatly influenced my interests. A visit to one of Charles Correa’s buildings, on which my father collaborated, ignited my curiosity about architecture. In my Bachelor’s thesis, I explored the relationship between nature and built environments, focusing on key concepts such as biophilia and sustainability. This research deepened my understanding of ecology and landscape systems, ultimately motivating my pursuit of Landscape Architecture to integrate natural elements into our contemporary society.
Global Challenges – Focus on Chennai
How has architecture and landscape architecture influenced your life as a student?
During my first year pursuing a bachelor’s degree, my city was affected by flash floods that inundated the area in a matter of days. This experience highlighted the crucial contributions that architects can make to society and the environment. It instilled in me a profound sense of responsibility to design urban development and structures with sustainability in mind, considering the impacts of climate change in order to mitigate the risk of such catastrophic events in the future.
Landscape System of Marshland
Briefly tell us about your University and the Master’s Course.
I obtained a degree in ‘Sustainable Architecture and Landscape Design’ with the highest honors, achieving a score of 110, from Politecnico di Milano. My academic experience was priceless. Engaging with colleagues and faculty from various cultural backgrounds has provided me with significant international exposure and greatly expanded my horizons.
Planting Structure
Having completed your B. Arch from Hindustan Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India, what was the most challenging thing you had to experience to pursue your Masters at Politecnico di Milano in Italy?
Transitioning from an Indian architecture education framework to a European model presented a significant challenge. Indian programs emphasize technical skills, while European ones focus on innovation and creative freedom. This shift from a technical to a creative approach was demanding but ultimately rewarding, thereby greatly enhancing my understanding of architecture and landscape architecture.
Landscape of the Marshland
Briefly describe the significance of your project with the ‘Title of the Project and Site Location’.
Project Title – The Oasis: Urban flood resilience in Chennai, India
Chennai is a delta city on India’s southeastern coast that has been severely impacted by ongoing changes in climatic patterns. Rapid urbanisation is engulfing all green and ecologically sensitive areas with impermeable concrete surfaces, resulting in water logging in every part of the city with the slightest downpour. There are three major rivers that run across the city, as well as numerous lakes, ponds and wetlands. Human interference and development along these corridors have resulted in the shrinking of these buffer zones.
The project is designed to address this pressing issue through the implementation of a three-phase strategy aimed at enhancing the city’s water drainage network. This comprehensive approach involves a meticulous analysis of the metropolitan intricacies, culminating in the execution of a wetland-urban project in the final phase, which is intended to serve as a replicable model for analogous sites across Chennai.
By leveraging NBS – Nature-Based Solutions, the project endeavours to establish a regional sponge by interconnecting water bodies and green spaces, thereby facilitating groundwater replenishment and mitigating the incidence of recurrent floods.
Current and Projected Devastation (by 2100)
As an Intern, what is the most important lesson(s) you have learned from senior architects, while being a part of a project?
The design process often involves complexities that necessitate careful management. While at CRN in Chennai, I gained insights from a senior architect about breaking down intricate designs into simpler, function-based components. Prioritizing intended function over shape is generally more advantageous than starting with a predetermined form. This approach has significantly improved the clarity and effectiveness of my design thinking.
Nature-based Solutions
What are the current prospects and challenges of jobs’ opportunities for fresh young architects in Milan, Italy? Elucidate briefly.
The employment landscape for newly graduated architects in Milan, Italy, presents a combination of promising opportunities and significant challenges. The market is highly competitive, with many recent graduates from both local and international institutions competing for a limited number of entry-level positions. Proficiency in the Italian language is frequently expected and for non-EU graduates, navigating the bureaucratic requirements can prove to be particularly complex.
Biodiversity Network of Marshland
Which National or International landscape architect has inspired / influenced you? Please specify as to why?
Throughout my career, I have been influenced by many architects, but LAND stands out for its commitment to designing sustainable landscapes that connect deeply with communities. I appreciate how their approach integrates ecology, culture and innovation to transform urban environments. By employing meaningful and resilient nature-based solutions, LAND exemplifies my belief in design as a catalyst for developing stronger, more adaptable cities.
Urban Forest
Bus Stand Shelters around the world have become iconic symbols of ‘Hostile Architecture’. Elucidate how ‘Bus Stand Shelters’ can be made commuters-friendly to protect them during rain, hailstorm and floods, so that it becomes an iconic symbol of architecture of every city in the world.
Reimagining bus shelters as commuter-friendly, resilient and inclusive micro-structures presents an opportunity to transform them into symbols of humane, climate-resilient urban design. To achieve this, cities must shift from deterrence to human-centered design. By incorporating resilience, comfort, inclusivity, sustainability and aesthetics, these micro-architectures can become daily touch points of dignity, much like Paris’s kiosks or London’s red telephone booths. Well-designed bus shelters should not only protect individuals from the elements, but also reflect the character and spirit of the city.
Bus Stand Shelter with Single-Seat Benches, Italy
Which significant aspects of the global platform ‘zerobeyond – the new frontier!’ did you like the most, and why?
I commend ‘zerobeyond – the new frontier!’ for highlighting emerging architects and landscape architects. The global platform provides them an opportunity to share their perspectives and showcase innovative design projects, which is truly inspiring.
Macro Level Strategy
The “Global Urban Failure” has seen all the major cities being flooded each year repeatedly. Elucidate your perspectives and solutions as a Landscape Architect.
The phenomenon of “Global Urban Failure” encompasses more than just flooding; it reflects a failure to adopt a systemic perspective. As a landscape architect, I contend that the path forward requires reintegrating nature into urban environments, redesigning infrastructure for hydrological balance and fostering adaptive and resilient landscapes. By transforming cities into dynamic living systems – capable of absorbing and adapting – we can effectively address the challenges of a water-centric future.
Wetland Park
How would you describe Italian Architecture as compared to Indian Architecture as a Landscape Architect?
Italian and Indian architecture embody distinct design philosophies influenced by their cultural and historical contexts. Italian architecture values symmetry and order, incorporating structured gardens and formal geometry, while Indian architecture emphasizes a connection to nature through organic layouts and climate-responsive features. While Italian landscapes focus on human control over nature, Indian landscapes aspire to harmonize with it, offering valuable insights for culturally relevant and environmentally attuned space design.
Meso Level Strategy
Looking at the past in the present, what are the futuristic landscape and the architectural changes you would like to see in your home city? Elucidate the reasons for your vision.
Examining the past through the lens of the present offers essential insights into sustainability, cultural identity and coexistence with nature. As a landscape architect, I envision a future where my city incorporates these principles through regenerative green networks, climate-responsive design and the revitalization of heritage landscapes. These changes are not only aesthetic, but also they are vital responses to urban challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and social disconnection. By blending historical context with innovative design, we can create urban environments that are resilient, inclusive and grounded in their ecological and cultural foundations.
Moment of Pride
Image Courtesy: Nikhita Mudraboina