Urbanisation is often seen in its intensification as a mutation of the biosphere, altering natural habitats, increasing pollution, and accelerating resource consumption. Expanding cities lead to deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and fragmentation of ecosystems. The rise in vehicular emissions and industrial activities contributes to climate change, affecting flora and fauna. Urban heat islands modify local climates, stressing species. Moreover, waste generation and water usage disrupt ecological balance, amplifying human impact on the biosphere. Yet, cities can also be a primary form of intensification and diversification of the biosphere, with the creation of complex water cycles, and structures that proliferate soil regeneration.
Ground Logic
Metabolic Office - Sahir Patel and Anahita Brahmbhatt
Sahir Patel is the principal founder of Metabolic Office. Sahir is a multidisciplinary architect whose work operates at the intersection of ecological planning, research and remote sensing. Sahir has been working on a variety of urban planning and land design as well as architecture projects in India- that include but not limited to master planning, permaculture, rewilding, water management, landscaping and real estate. His Diploma 4 Thesis Project at the Architectural Association - 'Turbulent Displacements' - is an ongoing body of work that addresses alternative imaginaries in relation to large scale water and land management infrastructure in Gujarat. Sahir is a co-founder of the Climate Tech startup Carbon Cycles and an associate partner at Aakirna Architects. Sahir has previously worked at Territorial Agency and has completed a RIBA Part 2 Diploma/MArch at Architectural Association, London.
Anahita Brahmbhatt is a multidisciplinary practitioner and an associate at Metabolic Office. She is a Director at BSAFAL, a real estate and renewable energy firm based in Ahmedabad and MumbaI. She is a Co-founder of climate tech start up Carbon Cycles. Her work involves a constant negotiation with rapidly changing market forces and climate conditions in India by strategically proposing financial and architectural solutions that can be implemented at scale in one of the world’s fastest growing economy. She holds an executive education degree in Real Estate Development and Leadership at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad Anahita has previously worked at David Chipperfield Architects and completed an MArch from the Architectural Association, London.