I am a Logical positivist who believes that any statement uttered shall be analytical provable or empirically verifiable or else it is rubbish, but I am an Illogical spiritualist who believes that insecurity in life is directly proportional to your success in life, and he alone wins who does not want to win.
Born to Mr. Narasimhe Gowda and Mrs. Aswathamma, in Baburayana koppal, Srirangapatna Taluk, Karnataka state, India in November 1971. I was second and last-born amongst the siblings for my parent's. My father was a government employee who started his career as a junior civil engineer and retired as a deputy Architect to the Government of Karnataka. My mother had very little schooling. My mother’s family is an agriculturalist family, while my father came from a bureaucratic family. In spite of his good background my father had to migrate to Bangalore and struggle to make in life. My mother is ambitious, smart, and analytical while my father was more spiritual, contented and not career oriented. And I am a combination of both my father’s and mother’s characteristics.
I was given typical Indian schooling at Sri Aurobindo Vidya Mandir, Bangalore. I was an average student and few note worthy incidents which would go on to influence my future were a) when I conduced an unscientific opinion poll for an on going state elections in my 6 grade class, b) my ability to solve geometry problems non conventionally in 8th grade class. c) My uncanny ability to memorize cricket games statistics. By this my interest in politics and mathematics were apparent. This is where I started to build my second team out side of my family and neighbors who constituted my first Team.
After schooling I went on to pursue my college at KLE society, Bangalore, for the first time I went on to become an A grade student from a typical B grade student and society immediately took note of it and their perception about me changed and people around me started to take me seriously. Here is where my interest in politics, science and mathematics deepened and I was introduced to the “Theory of relativity” and non-Euclidian geometry for the very first time, which would go on to influence my thought process forever. Here is where I built my third team.
After that I obtained my Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from the University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering at Bangalore. Here, for the first time I also got introduced to Philosophy and Religion for which I am thankful to professor Rajneesh (OSHO), who according to me is the most misunderstood prolific writer in India. He has become synonymous with sex and lavish living even though very few of his written works is about sex and lavishness. I only request people to withhold judgment on him until they read and understand books (127 in number) he likes and not written by him. Rajneesh should be looked at as a great philosophy scholar or professor rather than, as a “spiritual guru”. For anyone who is interested in philosophy and does not have any background in philosophy, his writings are a good starting point.Here is where I built my fourth team.
My acknowledgement letters below for my projects work summarizes my stay in the University:
"Study of Earthquake Resistant Structures" Elective project
It all started in the 2nd year of Architecture, when Dr. N. Munirudrappa taught us “Mechanics of Materials”, the idea of doing some studies in structures was conceived. This later was reinforced in the 4th year when he again taught us “Design of Steel Structures”. Finally I got an opportunity to work under him for my final year elective project “Study of Earthquake Resistant Structures”.
Without Prof. N. Munirudrappa’s inspiration and guidance this work would not have been a reality.
I would like to acknowledge former Head of Department (HOD) Prof. Kiranshankar and present HOD Asst. prof. K.V. Guruprasad for permitting me to work on such a project. I acknowledge all the staff of Architecture department, especially Asst. Prof. S.V. Ravindra for reading through the project manuscript and giving a prologue.
Finally, I thank all my classmates for supporting me actively and passively throughout my academic stay in the college.
"Dasara Exhibition Complex” Design Project
You are nothing before birth and you are nothing after death. Obviously you are nothing in life that is the implied internal logic. Nothing, it is not knowing and it is not unknowing (ignorance) it is knowingness itself.
The first step in realizing the above was during my 5-year academic stay in the department of Architecture.
I acknowledge Architecture, and all the persons who were with me during this period, especially my parents, HOD Asst. prof. K.V. Guruprasad, Asst. Prof. S.V. Ravindra, Prof. Munirudrappa, Architect Deepa and Dinesh Rao, Architect Haroon Salim, my classmates and friends.
After my under graduation I was engaged in Architectural practice & teaching for two years in India. Subsequently, thanks to Prof Goetz Schierle I got the opportunity of my life to go to the USA to do my graduate studies at the University of Southern California at Los Angeles.
My statement of purpose set my goals at USC and at the end of my graduation most of my goals was reached, thanks to Prof Goetz Schierle, Prof. Dimitry Vergun and Prof Marc Schiler.
Statement of purpose
I am thankful for the encouragement given to me by the faculty of Architecture, University of Southern California in pursuing my graduation in Master of Building Science program.
I have completed my Bachelor of Architecture from University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering Bangalore last year (1994) and I have a year of professional work experience. Right now I am working as a faculty in Architecture in an Engineering college and I also have a small Architectural Practice.
By the information sent by the Department of architecture, I found that the courses offered by the university for master of Building sciences program are directly connected to my areas of interest especially courses listed below
- Design for Wind and Seismic forces
- Lightweight and Spaces Structures
- Computer Aided Structural Design
- Theory of Architectural Technology
- Integration of Architectural Technology
Further it is my pleasure to say that current research of Prof: Dr. GG Schierle are analogous to my interest of studies, particularly his holistic approach to Building design integration Structures and Architecture and his latest research in Seismic Design and light weight structures. Because my final year under graduate project “Study of Earthquake resistant structures” with introduction by Architect and Asst Prof. Dr. SV Ravindra is a manual for both architects and Engineers to design buildings in earthquake prone areas. Dr. Munirudrappa guided me in this work.
This report was acknowledged by Prof.S.K. Thakar who is an authority on the subject in our country (INDIA). And my design thesis project was Design of Dasara Exhibition Pavilion, where concept of high technology of structures was employed in compliance with needs of the requirements.
In my architectural practice I try to be very structural in my design approach, and I attempt to design buildings to all is complexity of aesthetic/Structure/Services etc.
My approach to design concept formulation is through a rational use of building technology and structure and is made a part of my teaching studio projects.
My passion has been to conduct research and the first step towards this has already been taken during my under graduate studies. I wish this search would find its logical conclusion in the University of Southern California through the MBS program because of the presence of the faculty Dr. GG Schierle, Prof.Marc Schiler, Prof. James E Ambrose and Asst Prof. Dimitry Vergun.
Addition to this visiting faculty to the Department, Ron Herron, Santiago Calatrava, Frei Otto are the people I used to idealize during my under graduation. I also had an opportunity to see and hear Ron Herron when he addressed in a seminar in Bangalore during my third year of under graduation.
MBS program at the university will help me to be on the forefront of next generation of Architectural Teaching and Profession.
Sir, please do give me an opportunity to do my graduation at the University of Southern California. I will assure you that I will be an asset, not a liability to the university.
At USC I got my Master's Degree in Building Sciences with emphasis on Structural Design. After my graduation I was working with Advanced Structures Inc. Los Angeles, as an Engineer (1997-2004). I was actively involved in designing and implementing some of the cutting-edge building technologies at ASI. I owe it to ASI for developing my engineering skills especially Dr. TJ and Mr. Mike Griffin at ASI. This is where I built my fourth team, which is also called as my International team.
My three mail summaries my stay in the US :
- My mail I wrote to Prof. Ravindra while working at ASI
- My first mail exploring the possibility to return to India (January 2004)
- My mail to International friends after my breakup with ASI (December 2006); will give you a context for my stay in the US.
1) Mail I wrote to Prof. Ravindra during my working at ASI (13th September 1998)
It’s been long time since I spoke with you; I hope things are going well with you.
About myself,
You must have known I am working for a company called Advanced Structures Incorporated. Whose Philosophy is “Implementing Innovative Building Technology”
The company specializes in design, engineering and construction of lightweight structures which include Space frames, Tensile Fabric, Tension glazing, and other specialty Structures.
My job involves analysis and design of space frames, tensile fabric, tension glazing, glass fin glazing and other specialty structures using physical models, computer models, finite element analysis programs such as ANSYS, DR, SAP2000, SPACEII, FEMAP and NASTRAN (software developed by NASA).
This includes preparation of engineering calculations, checking of stability and serviceability, connection detailing, and generation of construction documents, which is a documentation of all engineering calculation, involved in the project to be submitted to the building authority for approval. This basically summarizes my work.
2) My first mail exploring the possibility to return to India (January 2004)
I want to let you know that we have decided to move back to India by the year end. Our company has offered me to set up office in Bangalore and will support me for a while. I want to sincerely give an attempt at this and make it happen, as you are aware of the hard ship and struggle to set up new venture in India.
If this plan does not materialize for me, my back up plan is a bit radical but in tune to my outlook on life. As you know I got a rare opportunity to do what I wanted to do and I am satisfied with what I have accomplished (not material accomplishments but things other than material). At this point I will quit and get into academics or farming and try to find the real meaning of life.
In either case my wife Gayathri is planning to work in Bangalore. She is almost done with her master's and with her credentials she should be able find a decent job.
I also want to let you know that I am a father now and my son Sankhya Gowda is eight months old.
Let us know what you think of our plan.
3) Final mail I sent to everybody in ASI (September 2004)
First I want to share this thought from the existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre
"Man realizes that there is more to existence than mere existence, and that there is more to life than mere living. Confronted with the ambiguity, meaninglessness, and absurdity of his existence, he then sets forth in a journey towards the rediscovery of his real self. He attempts to surpass himself, and embedded in that transcendence is the meaning he has been looking for in his life. The search for meaning becomes an act of surpassing. The search for meaning, then, becomes the search for authenticity"
This thought summarizes my current mental state.
I am sure you must all have heard the Mic Patterson (ASI, CEO) lingo “Do you know what you are doing?” At least I can speak for my self! He has asked me this question many times and every time my answer was positive “yes, I know what I am doing.” I was always confident answering this question because working with ASI, I had a rare opportunity to do what I wanted to do and I was contented with what I was doing and in short I had discovered myself.
But off late, especially after my son was born, another question started to emerge "Do I know what I am supposed to do?" The answer to this question, I realize is not straightforward or easy. I also realize that this question is probably one the most complicated questions I have faced so far in my life.
In an effort to find that answer through the process of my rediscovery, I have chosen ASI India to be my new path.
I hope I will find an answer and through the process, search the deeper meaning of my existence.
I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the United States, Professor Shiearle, and of course ASI - and all of ASI's past and present employees.
After moving back to India, I built my house and I am also engaged in farming in Kanakanahalli, 45 kilometers from Bangalore. I retrofitted an existing house and started living there partially. This is where I built my sixth team the rural team.
My mail to International friends after my breakup with ASI (December 2006) will give you a context for my current Indian living.
My ASI India venture did now work because of ideological and ethical difference, anyway I have moved on now. After ASI venture did not work, I immediately discussed about my future course of action with my family, friends and confidantes here in India.
Many suggestion and ideas were discussed and one of those suggestions was from my classmate, who offered me to be his structural consultant for his projects, and since I had little experience in regular structural consulting I have associated myself with another senior structural engineer friend and we both have taken up his projects for structural consultancy. We are now working on two big office buildings, a show room, and couple of industrial buildings. It is very interesting because now I am involved in design of concrete structures, masonry structures, steel structures, post-tensioned slabs, flat slabs, frames, footings, shear walls etc. I am not into full fledge consultancy but I am only picking and choosing the work that I would like to do, and for the projects I have chosen, we will provide full structural consultancy from foundation to the curtain wall.
The quantity of work I have take up will generate enough income to supplement my wife’s income to support our family and invest for our retirement.
Gayathri my wife works for an US (Portland) based company Tektronix. They do measuring devices like oscilloscopes for Test and Measurement, and Intel is one of their main customers.
My son, Sankhya is three years old and he is getting ready for his school next year.
Also we have a farm on the outskirts of Bangalore. Water scarcity has been an issue in and around our farm. So I am planning to implement rainwater harvesting in my farm. If this implementation works here it will be a breakthrough for the local farmers who could also implement this technology.
Otherwise I have been busy reading philosophy including Osho, Existentialism, Indian philosophy, Western philosophy, Theoretical physics etc. This is it from my side.
@ May 2010
I would like to pause and assess where I am. The last 5 years have been the most prolific so far in my life. Even though, I must admit I am not economically rewarded well for the efforts I have put in my work in the last 5 years, I am very much satisfied with my professional work (a) both built and unbuilt projects b) my academic publications in magazines, and in national/international conferences and c) developed a new spaceframe flooring system for India, developing this system was my tribute to ASI because without my learning there at ASI I would not have been able to do this. Having said that about my non economical reward, I would like to mention, we are economically rewarded (at least on paper) by the investments I had made for my wife and son.
My wife now works for Aditi technologies; an IT services company, as a project manager, she has made her transition from a technical persons to a process and people managing person. My son is progressing well and will start his 2nd grade now. My extended living family, which includes my mother, my brother and his family are moving ahead.
Agriculture has been challenging, however it is emotionally fulfilling. I am glad, I got an opportunity to be involved in agriculture. During this period, I also started to firmly believe that simplicity is spirituality and therefore I have adopted sustainability as a practice not from a professional viewpoint but as a means to my spiritual development.
I have also diversified from my core competency of Architecture and Structural Engineering to include, providing solutions to Water and Alternate energy problems.
During this period, I also made some progress into find answers to my fundamental question of “find the deeper meaning of existence”. In the process, I started generally observing the complexity and contradiction of life and the paradoxes of life i.e. indirectly of my life. I stared to pen these ideas, which I have published here. I also realized during these observations that this problem was always there in the world, and both eastern and western philosophers have dealt with this problem. This problem was earlier defined by older philosophers as 1) The Human Problem: How can human body, mind and soul live a fulfilling, happy life in a contingent, changing world of birth and death, with all the miseries, bondage and suffering caused by despair, anguish, absurdity, alienation, and boredom? 2) The Problem of Permanence and change: How can the world appear to be both permanent and changing? The world we perceive through the senses seems to be always changing where as world perceived through our intellectual is permanent and unchanging.
I have learnt that a deeper study into Empiricism and Rationalism, in the works of Pythagoras, Heraclitus, Parmenides, Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Hume, Lock, Leibniz, Kant, Hegel and contemporary philosophers, Frege, Russell, Wittgenstein and the Logical positivists would bare fruits and answer the Problem of Permanence and change. Whereas deeper study of eastern philosophy including Sankhya philosophy, Buddhism, Zen and the western existentialism in the works of Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre and others who have worked on solving the human problem would answer the human problem question i.e. bondage and suffering caused by despair, anguish, absurdity, alienation, and boredom.
In summary, my last 5 years experience is that I have matured as a person; professionally, socially, economically and spiritually.
@ Feb 2016
My assessments for the past 5 years: It has been a productive period for me in the last five years; professionally, academically, farming and socially.
First, professionally; completed few notable projects; Lakeshore hospital, Commercial building with Cadence Architects, introduced my hybrid structural system for a project in Chennai, Foot Over Bridges at Forum Mall and RMZ Eco Space….and lots of projects in the pipe line. Recently, I was nominated co-opt member of the executive committee, Indian Institute of Architects, Karnataka Chapter, and my nomination is alongside with few of the prominent Architects of Bangalure, which was significant for me!
Academically: I was nominated, member, Board of Studies in Architecture in June 2013 to 2016 at Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU). I have been instrumental in revamping the Bachelor of Architecture curriculum at VTU, especially the structures course in the B.Arch program; which is revised from detailed formula oriented pedagogy to creative design integration of Structures and Architecture. This is momentous because my second job as a lecturer in Architecture in 1995 at SIT, Tumkur, was an entry level job in academics, where as the current, member BOS job in 2013 is one of highest academic positions in the University. During the last five years, I also developed two new roofing structural systems that could be use to cover large span and complex roofs. This work was presented as papers in international conferences in SEWC 2011 and IASS 2014.
Agriculture: I rebuild our farm after we lost part of our farm and part of our farm house to a road widening project by the Government funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB). We got involved in sheep farming and poultry farming that would make us economically sustainable and will make our farming profitable in the future, my cousin, Sanjay, is very much involved in farm activity now. Farm rebuilding funds came from the compensation I received from the government for losing land for road widening. I was also successfully in my social activism to ensuring compensation was paid to all my neighboring farmers who lost land and house due to the road widening project.
Socially: It has been wonderful. My family and extend family (wife, son, mother, brother) all making progress and my son will start 8th grade soon and I can’t believe he will be a teenager soon. I was able to re connect with by school and college classmate, in fact, I was instrumental in setting up my undergrad B. Arch college alumni association at UVCE my alma mater and I am currently working on my school (1-10th grade) alumni association. I was always connected to few of my PUC classmates and my masters classmates through Facebook. It is a pleasure to be connected to all my classmates from 1st grade up to my masters program (i.e. 19 years of my education). I hope to continue my connection and friendship with all of them till the end!
Money: Even though it has been a good last five years for me, but, I must admit in terms of money it has been challenging, I am just meeting ends, that is, to have just enough money to pay for all my activities. I see my money situation improving in the following years.
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