Out of the three themes, the one that jumps out at Kazi Ashraf is paradox. In case of architecture, the paradox is simply a wall, an emblem of architecture. And architects are given the responsibility to deal with this paradox. A wall’s existence and absence are both equally desired. To quote Louis Kahn, “Walls part and become columns”. This paradox or perplexity is the basis of what architects do, and Ashraf wonders if paradoxes like this promotes critical thinking and creativity. He also believes that the wall brings up the notion of both paradox and porosity.

Balkrishna Doshi discusses the idea of porosity. He talks about his childhood, when there were no restrictions. Doors of houses would remain open. Windows of the houses stayed open as well, conversation across the road was easily carried out. “One hardly thought of less of an abundance, trust and belief existed,” he says. Choices were limited but one never felt those limits. This is what life was and what life should be. Each activity in life seemed to be like a flow and one never felt constrained or obligated. Which is what porosity seems to be. But in today’s world, doors and windows are no longer staying open. There are rules and regulations, which makes us become outsiders in our own realms. Suffocation occurs, so we find artificial ways of dealing with situations we have unintentionally created in our society. This is how the social structure suffers loss. So porosity has robbed us of our life, choices and joys. But things like technology and the power of internet has reintroduced porosity in our lives. Without moving from our place, we can meet and interact with others, which liberates us.