Gyanendra Singh Shekhawat on How Jaipur Inspires Architecture

In this full episode of Click to Know More, we sit with Gyanendra Singh Shekhawat, Founder & Principal Architect at Ideas Jaipur, to explore how Jaipur’s identity shapes his architectural approach and why thoughtful design holds the key to real estate’s future. In this conversation, we cover: How Jaipur’s culture and streets influence design decisions The evolving relationship between architecture and real estate Stories behind some of Ideas Jaipur’s landmark projects What the future of Indian architecture could look like This is more than a podcast. It’s a deep dive into how architecture can transform not just spaces, but lives. Watch the full episode now.

Gyanendra Singh Shekhawat on How Jaipur Inspires Architecture

Gyanendra Singh Shekhawat

Founder & Principal Architect at Ideas

With over 25 years of experience, Gyanendra Singh Shekhawat is a respected leader in India’s architecture and planning community. He leads IDEAS with a diverse portfolio that spans high-end residential, hospitality, commercial, healthcare, and mixed-use developments. His work is driven by a deep commitment to rehabilitating marginalized communities, preserving urban heritage, and navigating the challenges of commercialization in historic areas.

Ashwani Mohan

Founder, CEO

With 20 years of marketing expertise, he has consulted on over 200 real estate projects, driving exceptional results and innovative strategies. He has created some standout promotional campaigns, consistently generating impressive lead figures and transformative growth for his clients. His deep industry knowledge and creative approach make him a sought-after marketing consultant.

Watch this episode and learn:

Real estate and architecture in Jaipur have evolved significantly over 25 years, shifting from independent homes to apartment communities, influenced by urban pressures and changing lifestyles.
Functionality and quality of life are central to Mr. Gyanendra’s design philosophy, with ‘form follows function’ as a core mantra.
Architecture affects not just individuals but community bonding and well-being; well-designed communal spaces foster social interaction.
Heritage and modernity must be balanced sensitively; Jaipur’s rich architectural traditions inspire contemporary projects.
Government policies, slow approvals, and infrastructure gaps remain major roadblocks to efficient urban development and architectural innovation.
Sustainable and eco-tourism require better understanding and government-led planning to protect natural and heritage sites while promoting economic growth.
Preservation of Jaipur’s heritage demands stricter measures, incentives, and active community involvement to prevent decay and loss of cultural identity.
Recent high-rise developments threaten heritage aesthetics and need better regulation and public consultation.
Creative freedom in architecture depends on client openness and governance; progressive stakeholders enable innovation.
Gyanendra’s passion for nature and travel serves as a source of inspiration and mental rejuvenation for his architectural work.

Read the full transcript

Read the transcript

[00:00 → 04:38] Early Journey, First Project, and Real Estate Evolution
- Gyanendra Singh Shekhawat, Principal Architect at Ideas, shares his journey into architecture, influenced strongly by his father, a civil engineer.
- His first architectural project was his own family house in Jaipur, which he is still living in, making it a personal and ongoing experience.
- He reflects on how real estate in Jaipur and India has evolved over the last two and a half decades, likening real estate trends to fashion - constantly changing and evolving.
- Initially, people preferred independent houses and plots over apartments and community living. Over time, population growth, rising property prices, and urban pressure shifted demand towards apartments and community spaces.
- The COVID-19 pandemic caused a paradigm shift emphasizing openness, wellness, and balconies in living spaces.
- Jaipur’s real estate market is maturing but still needs to catch up with metros like Delhi-NCR, Gurgaon, and Mumbai in terms of quality and development.

[04:38 → 09:39] Architecture Philosophy and Changing Aspirations
- The core of architecture, according to Mr. Gyanendra, is to do proper space planning that enhances residents’ quality of life.
- Over 25+ years, aspirations of residents have evolved with economic growth, increasing demands on design quality and functionality.
- India’s rapid economic growth (4th largest economy) directly influences architectural development, materials, and design sophistication.
- Advances in materials technology (tiles, wood alternatives, aluminum profiles) have expanded the possibilities beyond traditional materials like marble and teak.
- Architecture is a dynamic process reflecting economic, technological, and cultural changes.

[09:39 → 15:52] Design Principles and Community Impact of Architecture
- Mr. Gyanendra emphasizes his guiding principle: “Form follows function,” where design form arises from the intended function of the space.
- He imagines spaces in 3D, considering their use - whether living rooms, kitchens, schools, or hotels - and designs accordingly, focusing on natural light, usability, and comfort.
- His three words to describe his design approach are: Welcoming, Celebrated, and Open (well-ventilated).
- Architecture not only supports individual well-being but also influences community interaction and bonding.
- Examples shared include well-designed lift lobbies and communal spaces encouraging residents to meet, interact, and build relationships, contrasting with sterile, isolated corridors.
- Traditional Indian architectural concepts like courtyard (kothi-yard) planning fostered community living by providing shaded, cool areas and social interaction spaces, which modern corridor-based housing lacks.

[15:52 → 20:09] Architecture’s Negative Influence and Changing Social Dynamics
- Mr. Gyanendra agrees that architecture can negatively impact community life due to shrinking spaces and scarce land.
- However, he stresses that builders, architects, and promoters still hold the power to design spaces that foster intimacy and social interaction.
- The rise of nuclear families, smaller family sizes, and changing social habits have led to more isolated living patterns.
- He believes a paradigm shift is possible by revisiting India’s rich architectural heritage and integrating traditional wisdom with modern needs.
- He questions whether government policies sufficiently support this integration and calls for more proactive efforts in heritage preservation.

[20:09 → 24:44] Government Policies, Building Regulations, and Infrastructure Challenges
- Mr. Gyanendra talks about current government policies, especially related to building bylaws and urban planning.
- He highlights a contradiction where authorities talk about vertical growth but policies and bylaws encourage horizontal sprawl due to restrictive building norms.
- There are many missing infrastructural links like roads and flyovers, which delay development despite master plans.
- The approval process for construction projects is slow, complex, and frustrating, with multiple clearances (forest, environment) causing delays.
- He advocates for a fast-track, time-bound approval system to boost ease of doing business and economic growth.

[24:44 → 29:17] Regulatory Frustrations and Freedom in Design
- While regulations are necessary, Gyanendra finds the slow and cumbersome permission process frustrating, especially for architects and consultants.
- He calls for a streamlined, efficient system that can issue approvals within a month rather than months or years.
- The level of creative freedom architects have depends heavily on the client and government officials they work with—some are progressive and open, others are restrictive.
- Freedom to experiment and innovate in design is thus often inconsistent, influenced by immediate stakeholders rather than public-private sector divide.

[29:17 → 35:35] Balancing Heritage with Modern Design
- Gyanendra expresses deep personal connection to Jaipur’s rich architectural heritage, including the city’s planning principles like the nine-square mandala (Vastu Purusha Mandala), markets, streets, forts, and palaces.
- His design philosophy never abandons this heritage, even when designing modern buildings, always aiming to promote community living, open spaces, and interaction.
- He notes that Jaipur remains an inspiration and a “living university” of architecture for him.
- When asked about the new generation of architects, he is cautiously optimistic but admits he has limited interaction with younger professionals.
- He observes a trend toward minimalism and contemporary design, which some perceive as a loss of richness and experimentation but views it as a personal and contextual choice rather than a decline.

[35:35 → 39:35] Adaptive Reuse and Heritage Conservation Projects
- Discusses adaptive redevelopment projects like the Sawai Man Mahal and Ram Bagh campus, where heritage buildings are conserved and integrated with modern functionalities.
- The key to such projects is storytelling through architecture, understanding the piece’s original hospitality concept, and sensitively blending old and new elements.
- He emphasizes the thin line between conservation and development, advocating for collaboration to create a harmonious “screenplay” or narrative through design.
- Gyanendra enjoys this phase of career, combining passion for heritage with modern hospitality design, including hotels and resorts.

[39:35 → 44:35] Hospitality Sector and Overseas Projects
- Gyanendra is deeply fascinated by the hospitality industry, having worked on benchmark projects like the former JW Marriott (now Leela Palace Jaipur).
- He finds interiors of hotels more exciting than residential interiors, enjoying the experience of designing guest rooms, restaurants, bars, and lobbies.
- Besides Jaipur, he is involved in projects internationally, particularly in Africa, where fewer regulations allow greater creative freedom in design.
- He enjoys the “blank canvas” opportunity to explore forms, shapes, and elevations without strict bylaw constraints.
- The hospitality sector is booming domestically, with a shift from foreign to domestic tourists post-COVID, aligning with India’s economic growth.

[44:35 → 49:20] Eco-Tourism and Sustainable Tourism
- Gyanendra stresses that sustainable tourism is not fully understood or implemented, especially by private players focused only on profit from their plots.
- Post-COVID, there was a surge in interest for eco-tourism, nature stays, and wellness tourism, but efforts remain insufficient.
- He calls for government-led initiatives on town planning and policies to regulate and encourage responsible tourism, balancing nature conservation with economic benefits.
- He laments over-crowding in places like Pushkar and Ranthambore and the lack of infrastructure and planning in heritage and tourist areas.

[49:20 → 52:13] Preservation Challenges in Jaipur’s Heritage Areas
- Jaipur as a UNESCO World Heritage city faces significant challenges in preservation.
- Simple acts like repainting or lighting are insufficient. Active decongestion, traffic management, incentives for restoration (e.g., tax benefits), and commercial regulation are urgently needed.
- Traffic and parking issues in heritage zones like Jalebi Chowk exacerbate degradation.
- He compares Jaipur to well-preserved heritage cities like Bern in Switzerland, highlighting the need for stricter, more sensitive conservation efforts.

[52:13 → 53:42] Urban Skyline and Unplanned Development Concerns
- Gyanendra criticizes recent high-rise developments near Albert Hall and JLN Marg that violate height restrictions (20m limit) and clash with Jaipur’s architectural aesthetics.
- He regrets the loss of the skyline’s visual integrity and the lack of public consultation or impact assessments before such projects.
- The new developments dilute the pride and historic character of Jaipur’s iconic landmarks.
- He underscores the importance of comprehensive planning and community involvement in urban development.

[53:42 → 57:14] Personal Preferences, Recognition, and Teamwork
- Gyanendra shares his personal favorite projects, including the Leela Palace Jaipur and his own house.
- He mentions being featured in the “A+D Top 50 Designers” list, considering it a late but humbling milestone after 27 years of practice.
- He values teamwork and democratic decision-making in architectural projects, encouraging open debate and valuing input from all team members, including juniors.
- He manages potential conflicts by listening and collaboratively deciding on design outcomes.

[57:14 → 01:00:34] Passion for Travel and Nature
- Gyanendra is an avid traveler and nature lover, frequently visiting tiger reserves and national parks (e.g., Ranthambore, Bandhavgarh, Kanha).
- He views nature trips as a way to recharge and balance the intense urban and construction environment he works in.
- Prefers natural wilderness over urban or international tourist destinations, expressing a strong emotional connection to forests and wildlife.

[01:00:34 → 01:03:26] Rapid-Fire Personal Insights
- Favorite drink: Contextual; tea in mornings, coffee during the day, whisky (Macallan, Glenmorangie) in evenings.
- Never walked out of a meeting frustrated; prefers to resolve conflicts through discussion.
- Prefers immersive storytelling in architecture that balances function and experience.
- Expressed excitement for ongoing hospitality projects expected to be completed in 2-4 years.