- “Wit-ness to Mat-Haroo Spirit” reveals untold stories behind real-world design practice
- Gurjit Matharoo & Vagish Naganur spotlight the chaos, grit and humour behind architecture
- Panel of leading architects, writers & scholars decode the book’s deeper provocations
- Launch hosted at iconic Mill Owner’s Building, befitting its spirit of experimentation
- A refreshing chronicle blending memoir, misadventure, creativity & architectural truth
NE LITERARY BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, DEC 6
A book that dares to say what most architects only whisper was unveiled on Friday at the iconic Mill Owner’s Building in Ahmedabad, as designers, students, writers and city creatives gathered for the launch of “Wit-ness to Mat-Haroo Spirit” — a candid, humorous and deeply human account of architectural life written by architects Gurjit Singh Matharoo and Vagish Naganur.
Blending memoir with professional chronicle, the book pulls readers into the unfiltered world of real practice — from client capers and creative misfires to midnight breakthroughs and the unpredictable realities that shape architects long before their drawings ever solidify. It shines a light on the emotional and intellectual labour behind design, celebrating perseverance, grit, humour and the quiet madness that fuels creation.
Speaking at the unveiling, Gurjit Singh Matharoo emphasised the need for honesty in architectural storytelling.
“Architecture is often seen as a polished photograph or a perfect drawing, but the truth is far more chaotic. This book is our attempt to honour the humour, despair, stubbornness, and occasional madness that make the journey worthwhile. These stories are as real as the buildings themselves.”
Co-author Vagish Naganur shared how lived experiences became the book’s backbone.
“The idea was to write about architecture the way we have lived it — with grit, laughter, bruised egos, and unexpected joy. If readers recognise a bit of their own struggle in these pages, then the book has done its job.”
The launch event also featured an engaging panel discussion with Prof. Miki Desai, Praveen Bavadekar, Robert Stephens, and Sohini Chattopadhyay, who explored the book’s layered storytelling through lenses of research, culture, practice and architectural history. Their reflections added a textured understanding of how the book defies conventions and gives voice to the unseen life behind design.
Organised in collaboration with Artius, India’s pioneer in mass-timber innovation, the event fittingly took place at the Mill Owner’s Building — a masterpiece by Le Corbusier — making it the perfect setting to unveil a book that challenges norms, celebrates risk-taking and embraces the restless, searching spirit of design.
