Renu
Mistry graduated from I.I.T. Kharagpur in 1971 with
a B.Arch (Hons) degree. She was a brilliant student,
standing first in the Architectural Department throughout.
After graduation she worked in Bombay with M/S.
Talati & Shroff and with M/S. Premnath & Associates.
For four years she and her husband were with the
National Iranian Oil Company, when she worked mainly
on Hospital Projects.
On their return from Iran in 1980 Renu & Sharukh
Mistry launched "Mistry Architects", a sensitive
architectural practice in Bangalore. Even though
they share the practice and a lot of ideals and
principles Renu and Sharukh work independently on
projects. Besides several residential bungalows
and commercial interiors, Renu Mistry has worked
on group housing, interesting conservation projects
and several schools.
Besides architecture, Renu Mistry is a classical
dancer (Bharat Natyam) and has also participated
in contemporary Dance and Kalari workshops. She
also spends her time reading, travelling, trekking,
scuba diving and in community service.
No.42
Castle Street is a 90 year old building that
belongs to a family who approached the architects
help them find a builder who would 'jointly
develop' the property into a multi-storeyed
commercial complex. Space was developed and
rented out to 'SIGRI', a Hyderabadi restaurant
and 'BRAHMA', an artifact store. Visual connections
between the two were maintained, thereby creating
business opportunities for each other.
Spaces
were opened up removing existing doors and
windows. The wood from the old doors and windows
was used for wooden trellis The flooring is
red oxide, internal walls with the lime plaster
painted white, and walls along the site boundaries
finger plastered and painted ochre with white
niches edged with oxford blue china mosaic.
Courtyards secured with grills on the ceiling
and glass insert mangalore tiles provide
ample daylight.
The pogramme was implemented using new materials
and technology keeping in mind the strong
character and selecting the right colours
and textures. Harmonious blending of openings
like rectangular openings, arched openings,
circular openings, gables and fanlights are
one of the binding features of the building.
The satisfaction and excitement was to be
able to enthuse a new life to this structure
to satisfy contemporary
needs and yet provide a
historical continuum by preserving
a heritage.
