M-Connect: Celebrating Architectural Excellence and Innovation Episode 8 - Frame...

From screen to structure: Architects reimagine spaces frame by frame

By
Brand Connect | Paid Post
Last Updated: Oct 06, 2025, 11:24 IST2 min
Advertisement

Can architecture borrow from the language of cinema? Can built spaces tell stories the way films do—through mood, emotion, drama and symbolism? Episode 8 of M-Connect: Celebrating Architectural Excellence & Innovation—presented by Marmo Solutions in association with Forbes India—examined how architecture, much like cinema, can evoke awe, nostalgia, comfort and curiosity.

Advertisement

Titled ‘Frame by Frame’, this episode brought together three creative minds who seamlessly blended visual storytelling with design purpose: Ashwini Duggal, Principal Architect at Subash & Associates, who specializes in creating contemporary architectural forms with modern interiors, seamlessly marrying aesthetics with functionality; Rudraksh Charan, Co-founder and Managing Partner at 42MM Architecture, whose portfolio reflects remarkable versatility, spanning commercial, hospitality, residential, and urban design projects; and Gagan Kaur, Senior Architect at Archi Hives who strives to create spaces that are not only visually stunning but also meaningful and highly functional, skilfully balancing form and function of both homes and workspaces.

The conversation began with an intriguing conceptual construct—cinema as architectural inspiration. From ‘The Matrix’ to ‘Rock On!!’, Ashwini Duggal shared how iconic movie scenes shaped his design sensibilities. “Even a minimalistic corridor in a film can shift how we perceive spatial design,” he reflected.

For Gagan Kaur, the visual language of movies like ‘Her’ and ‘Harry Potter’ sparked entire design directions. In a recent villa project, her work drew from the moody lighting and long corridors in the movie ‘White Lotus’ to create an idyllic resort-like experience.

Advertisement

Rudraksh Charan explained architecture using parallels to cinematography. “When we deliver a space, we first create it in our minds,” he said. “That’s where the design begins. Then we use a medium—whether it’s a hand sketch, a digital drawing, or now even AI software—to translate that imagination into a representational environment. Eventually, that concept is physically built, and only then does the client get to experience the final outcome.”

Read More

What emerged was that the intent to go beyond creating physical structures resonated with all three architects. Rudraksh Charan mused, “Ultimately, when we’re gone, what remains is our legacy—our architectural footprint.” Ashwini Duggal, focussing on the end-user, wishes for clients to remember him for spaces that were both beautiful and functional and Gagan Kaur shared that even within client briefs, she strives to incorporate drama and nature. “Natural elements ground a space in emotion,” she explained.

The episode themed ‘Frame by Frame’ concluded with a reminder that architecture is not just a visual medium—it is cinematic in its ability to move people, inspire reflection, and leave behind lasting frames in time. It put a spotlight on the idea that behind every line drawn is a story waiting to be told.

Advertisement

The pages slugged ‘Brand Connect’ are equivalent to advertisements and are not written and produced by Forbes India journalists.

First Published: Oct 06, 2025, 11:21

Subscribe Now
B
Brand Connect
The pages slugged ‘Brand Connect’ are equivalent to advertisements and are not written and produced by Forbes India journalists
Advertisement

Latest News