M-Connect: Celebrating Architectural Excellence & Innovation—a campaign by Marmo Solutions in association with Forbes India—explores these and other fascinating facets of architecture in its multi-episode series which spotlights the visionaries behind transformative design. Through conversations with architects and designers, the series unpacks how values, collaboration and thoughtful detailing give rise to structures with a conscience.
Episode five of the series featured Sumit Dhawan, Founder-Principal Architect at Cityspace ‘82 Architects, known for his aesthetic sensibility and eclectic facade styles; Manmeet, Principal Architect at The Arch, an artist and avid traveller who merges her love for art and exploration to build meaningful spaces and Jaskaran, Principal Architect at Fab Studio, who has worked on varied projects globally, from high-end homes to airport lounges. Their discussion underscored how architects can subtly embed change for the better into the very fabric of our cities and homes.
“To me, activism in architecture is about practicing with sensitivity and considering the consequences of our actions on the world,” stated Sumit Dhawan, adding, “As architects, our job is to ensure that our process is sensitive to human needs, involving everyone from clients to staff and housekeeping members. We must also consider the materials we use and their environmental impact.”
Sharing his view on the theme, Jaskaran noted, “The core skill and emotion required for both activism and architecture are remarkably similar. Activism involves identifying the current state and envisioning something better. This is exactly what designers and architects do, albeit at different scales.”
For Manmeet, architecture and activism go hand in hand to some extent, but not entirely. She explained, “Activism, to me, means taking a stand and considering the end-user's needs. As architects, we have a responsibility to prioritize functionality, utility, and the user's experience."
The conversation was a powerful reminder that great architecture isn’t just about following a client’s brief. It’s about reading between the lines, addressing unspoken needs, and thinking beyond the obvious. Activism in architecture is about building with intention, dignity and purpose, so that every space speaks for those who use it.
As M-Connect continues to explore the frontiers of design, episode five stands as a testament to the belief that architecture can—and should—be a force for enhancement and inclusion.
Presented by Forbes India and powered by Marmo Solutions, M-Connect reconfirms that the future of design excellence depends not only on innovation, but on purpose and conscience too.
The pages slugged ‘Brand Connect’ are equivalent to advertisements and are not written and produced by Forbes India journalists.
First Published: Sep 15, 2025, 18:38
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