Ar. Hiten Sethi, HSA
"Designs today need to have a paradigm shift. This shift has to move from aesthetics and utilitarian to energy efficiency and technological to cater to a lifestyle of the future cities."
Hiten Sethi, Principal Architect of Hiten Sethi & Associates (HSA) is an alumni of Sir JJ College of Architecture. His philosophy of life is based on Brihadaryanka Upanishad shloka which says, "You are what your deep driving desire is. As your desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed. As your deed is, so is your destiny."
Ar. Hiten has a strong hold on strategic planning, high-volume and high-value negotiation and fast-track delivery of large-scale projects in both public and private sectors.
An architect extraordinaire, a truly intellectual and creatively enlightened professional, Ar. Hiten's iconic designs have been in buzz. His most famous structure, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) headquarters at Belapur, is India's first green municipal building and has entered Limca Book of Records with 3 citations. His expertise is multi-faceted and is spread across various verticals viz. Commercial, Residential, Institutional, Administrative, Transportation, Hospitality, Social & Healthcare projects, and Master Planning.
Ar. Hiten says, "Designs today need to have a paradigm shift. This shift has to move from aesthetics and utilitarian to energy efficiency and technological to cater to a lifestyle of the future cities." Creativity with a sense of practicality, he believes in architecture that works for modern day living. He lays great importance on quality and speedy delivery, with a focus on understanding and meeting the client's needs and budgets. He is known for his sensitivity to culture and environment, his enduring structures therefore aim at sustainability and co-existence. He believes in providing highly specialized services, with creative ingenious thinking and a strong commitment to quality. He offers the clients high design and construction value with the surety of completing the project as conceived.
Ar. Hiten has now embarked on an ambitious drive to create a pan-India presence for the firm and also to step on the international scene with some landmark projects. He aims to make HSA one of the most promising Architectural firms around the globe. Some of the major projects in which HSA is involved are Integrated Transit Oriented Development at Seawoods station, National Institute of Securities Market (NISM), National Cancer Institute (NCI - Hospital), Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) headquarters, Wise City Panvel, Railway stations at Nerul –Uran, etc.
He is a registered member of Council of Architecture, associate member of the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA), past-Chairman of the Navi Mumbai Chapter of the IIA and Member of the PEATA. He has been appointed as Member of the State Expert Appraisal Committee II, Ministry of Forest and Environment, GoI in 2015. He has been made an honorary member of Rotary Smart City, Navi Mumbai.
Ar. Hiten has been modest enough to mention about his achievements. He has been felicitated by visionaries of Government of India for Wonders Park, iconic design of NMMC and Sports Complex for Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation.
Ar. Sonali Rastogi, Founder Partner, Morphogenesis
"I believe that Architecture and design is not only a profession- but also a way of life. The commitment required is paramount as there is a tremendous responsibility to one-self, the environment and society at large. I believe the opportunity is immense, the opportunity to define a new emergent Indian architecture – An Architecture of almost somewhere, for a people, for a people of almost somewhere."
Graduated from the School of Planning and Architecture (New Delhi) and The Architectural Association (London) with a graduate diploma in Housing and Urbanism and a second graduate diploma in Graduate Design, Sonali is Founder Partner of Morphogenesis, one of India's leading award-winning Architecture and Urban Design practices whose sole approach has been to address from first principles, a design response based on local climatic, socio-cultural, economic and financial conditions, that addresses the needs of an evolving and emergent economy such as India's.
Being from a family of architects, Ar. Sonali grew up among architects and had always a serious interest in reading, model making and observing buildings while travelling, since her childhood. Essentially, those were the starting point of why she chose to be an architect."
Since the beginning of her career, issues related to the environment and sustainability have been at the core of Sonali's design attitude and her experience and expertise in Architecture and Design has been recognized by way of numerous awards and accolades. While talking about the inspiration for her designs, she says, "Our inspiration and mentor has always been nature. And here, I mean the processes that exist in nature, rather than the built form. All that we wanted to create in Architecture already exists in the processes of Nature – adaptability, sustainability, diversity, interactivity, connectivity etc. – from the design of ant hills, morphology of trees for the formation of mountains. This led to the genesis of our architecture where we examine the process of design from first principles, and in doing so, turn to nature for its analogies from the concept of biodiversity. The final form is hence, not the result of a stylistic application, but the end-product of a process that finds clues from that of natural selection."
The architectural design methodology, she says, is about creating a sustainable backbone, in terms of building physics and in terms of socio-cultural sensitivity for a design process to unfold. It incorporates resource availability, contextual identity and places the end user at the centre of it by understanding the livability of the project. There isn't really a method which can be so prescriptive as to address all of these issues.
On the growth of Morphogenesis from a firm of only 2 employees upon its establishment to over 100 today, she says, "Putting our heads down and working hard, day in and day out, is our Success Mantra. Morphogenesis has always been more about brain count than head count. So, when there were just two of us, it was still about design, debate and a design product. So, that philosophy has never changed, the firm has been fortunate to have many projects. Thus, the repertoire has grown and thus the numbers have been a resultant of that growth. The number is never a criterion, as far as Morphogenesis is concerned, it is the brain and the process which is the criterion. Hundred is an interesting number and a larger number to us represent the larger number of opportunities."
The one memory that always makes me look back and smile, she said, is when we won a World Architecture Festival award for Best Learning Building in 2009. The significance of it being the first Indian project to win a WAF Award is one thing, but our project Pearl Academy of Fashion marked a turning point in our own approach to design and truly made us consider sustainability in its widest sense from then on; not just of energy and water but of craft, of detail, of tectonic perfection.
Thereafter, we won many recognitions including Singapore Institute of Architects SIA-Getz Award in 2014 which is a hugely significant award for any Architect to be honoured with. Based on an entire body of work, reviewed by peers, it brings Emergent Asian architecture to the forefront of global discourse. To us, this recognition has converted our lifetime of commitment into a conviction, which we hope will go a long way towards our vision of 'Building Brand India'.
Ar. Abin Chaudhuri, ADS
"Architecture is not merely about Creation, but also about a Search. From social aspects, to the mechanics of spaces and forms, from the beauty of light and shadow to striking a harmony with nature; it is essentially a continuing process of discovery."
Graduated from Jadavpur University, Kolkata in 1998 and pursued Industrial Design at Domus Academy, Milan, Abin Chaudhuri founded Abin Design Studio (ADS) in 2005. Started as a small firm, ADS is now a frontline organization rendering complete design and management solutions right from conceptualization to realization of the space, object or visual in the market, keeping the synergy of execution of design solution through extensive research and innovation in mind. Over these 10 years, the firm has executed a range of diverse projects that have engaged many issues, multiple constituencies and varying scales, from Architecture and Interior design to urban Art intervention.
"We draw inspiration from small and big things, from things that surround us and ideas from across the globe. We appreciate design in every field and hope to grow with the collective growth of the world. There are many masters who have made their mark in the world of architecture, playing their part with their contribution towards this art. We also want to make a difference by becoming a respected architectural design firm globally with an experimental edge. We aim to contribute to a universal dialect of "responsible architecture, says Ar. Abin.
Apprising about his design philosophy, he says, "Our inherent design philosophy is to deal with every design problem at a fundamental level. We believe that a lasting experience is seldom about a first 'wow' and hence do not necessarily believe in a single 'big idea' approach. Our practice explores ways to engage the user, the way they move through spaces and interact with them. We like the fact that designing a space offers the opportunity to weave layers which unfold differently for different people. Our vision is to constantly explore new paradigms in an inherent desire to push boundaries in Architecture and lead our firm to an international level in the near future."
"We don't have a signature element but our each project is unique with its own merits. For us, it is important that our work not only inspires amazement once, but innumerable times after that; maybe even for many years to come. Our aim is to approach every project with a new thought, its own unique design vocabulary. This is important because every project is unique, with its own unique location, context, requirements, and of course the end user. It seems easy when you say it aloud, but you have to understand the social aspect, the significance of the materials used, and the users' response."
"It is the constant endeavour of ADS to set free built environment from the prevalent crustacean architecture and infill sustainability through a holistic approach of uniting architecture, interior, landscape, signage, and product design."
Due to its sustainable unique designs, work of ADS has been selected by Museum of Modern Art (MoMA, New York) to be showcased in their publication and travelling Exhibition Project, "Uneven Growth: Tactical Urbanisms for Expanding Megacities, 2014". Further, ADS has received "The International Architecture award, 2015 " from The Chicago Athenaeum : Museum of Architecture and Design and the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
Being featured in the prestigious South Asian cross border list of 'The 50 Most Influential Names in Architecture and Design for 2014, 2015, and 2016' ADS has bagged numerous international and national awards and innumerable publications in magazines worldwide over a slim span of 10 years. In a recent international publication, ADS has been nominated as one of top 50 young international design firms in the world who will be the leading light of world Architecture in 21st century.
Ar. Iqbal Chaney, Chaney Architects
"In this competitive age, where expediency often rates over quality, mediocrity over excellence, we place a very high value on professional integrity. That is who we are, a practice that believes in the old fashioned ideals of architecture."
Born in 1945, I grew up in Pune, where the family had established itself back in the 1830s. Architecture was not my wishful ambition as I grew up. It was art, primarily painting. However, destiny had other ideas for me. I graduated from the Sir J J College of Architecture, Mumbai in 1968 and the A A School of Architecture, London in 1969.
My first journey in architecture was dominated by learning the craft of building. Under the guidance of my mentor Fello Atkinson, I learned the nuts and bolts of our trade. He sent me to Tripoli, Libya, to oversee the construction of the prestigious University of Tripoli. It was the time of young Gadaffi and immergence of the new country. This phase taught me the importance of discipline and professional conduct that has become the corner stone of Chaney Architects over the years. After a few more years in London, working on large-scale commercial and educational projects, I returned to India in 1981.
The second journey began with the establishment of Chaney Architects in 1982. Over the years our projects have tried to speak the same language, a language of contemporary simplicity and timeless elegance. To us, sustainability, green architecture and local context is a given. We are constantly aware that our architecture will affect the quality of the lives of all those who come in contact with it directly or indirectly. We, therefore, carry a responsibility not only to our clients and users of our buildings, but also to the community at large. This form the base for everything we do, every project we design, irrespective of site or size. We believe in values rather than in styles, in analysis rather than in established criteria. We work closely with our clients and consultants and try to infect them with our passion for quality. We provide solutions that are appropriate, practical and cost-effective. Our motto: Provide quality service, quality architecture can only but follow.
In this journey, we have crossed paths with architects from USA, UK, South Africa and Canada and worked closely with them on international projects. Our discipline for prompt delivery and our ISO based quality management system were responsible for successful completion of many joint projects. In the intervening years so many young aspirants came to us and hopefully left with greatly improved skills.
Chaney Architecture is managed by its partners, Iqbal Chaney and Nandini Sapre. It has over 650 projects to its credit and several awards for excellence in design. It was one of the earliest practices in the country to introduce CAD and ISO. Many leading journals have published their projects. It has prepared master plans for Lake District tourism for MTDC. Its projects range from townships to private residences, health care to hospitality, industrial buildings to interior designing. Whilst it is always encouraging to see the enthusiasm written on the client's face when he or she first sees the concepts, it is most satisfying when we meet them twenty years down the line and hear them tell you how comfortable they are in their homes or offices. That is what makes it all worthwhile.
Iqbal and Nina Chaney Foundation is the third journey. A registered charitable trust, it assists established institutions to look after the educational needs of children less fortunate. It is funded solely from the sale of Iqbal's water colour paintings, the long lost passion.
Sundeep Gwash, THE FIRM
"Architecture bestows upon us an opportunity to make a difference to the world around us; we only need to accept it as we think, draw and write!"
Co-founded by Architects Sundeep Gwash and Vishal Shah in 1999, THE FIRM is a multi-disciplinary design practice, offering innovative and integrated architectural design solutions. Headquartered in Mumbai it has an overseas office in UK. Since 2003, it associated closely with Recording Architecture, London to cater to media facility industry as a separate focus, worldwide and in India.
Since inception, Sundeep heads 'Design & Technology' at the organization and has been responsible as Design Team Leader for a wide range of projects in the commercial, residential, educational, urban and leisure sectors. He has developed a reputation for high quality design, together with a passion for use of technology for design evolution. Having managed a series of highly complex projects, and driving the agenda of true partnering, he has been able to build and manage a team capable of delivering the highest client aspirations globally.
THE FIRM emerging as a truly multi-design practice over the years, resulted in building a wide spectrum of work, touching a multitude of businesses and that, according to Sundeep, is one of the best perks of being an architect! Influenced by multifarious interactions considering the mix of local and international projects during his early years in profession, he has gained a broader perspective for architectural issues.
With the current natural resources crisis in concern, he says that we all have to act like evangelists to save the environment! He regards architecture as a responsibility to make a difference by designing better facilities that run best and look great. It goes with the basis of their philosophy at work that Architecture is essentially the users' response, their emotional content, towards the spaces created. He reiterates the same from THE FIRM's diary of thoughts, 'We rather quantify our work by the lives touched; not the sq.m built!'
We have heard of famous phrase in architecture 'form follow function'; there are more the thinking architect has coined- 'form follows higher profitability', 'form follows by-laws'! These are few of the design challenges on the design board in today's scenario that he gets contemplative about.
He likes to keep himself abreast with the latest of technologies in all fields touching building industry and at the same time tries to dig in the fundamentals, learning and adapting from intelligence of both.
He feels that future in India is full of hope; hope for fair laws, fair governance, fair contracts, fair patrons, fair work culture, fair quality of construction, fair practice, the list is long! For inspiration, he does not rely on only celebrated architects; Sundeep actually feels that we come across lots of good, meaningful, inspiring work happening in all corners of the world, by architects who may not be well-known!
On current architectural trends, he says, "Beauty is subject to choice, but virtuous design is impartially beautiful!" According to him, "Good architecture is a balancing act! It strives for design excellence, fulfills clients' aspirations and is sensitive to environmental concerns."
He truly believes that simply fulfilling the basic functional needs of a project often results in only mundane solutions. But including the more elusive and less utilitarian aspects, paves the way for higher architectural quality. Since there is so much to accomplish, he says that the journey has just begun!
Ar. Kamal Malik and Ar. Arjun Malik, Malik Architecture
Ar. Kamal, the Founder and Principal Architect, was born and raised in Shimla, making Nature the primary source of his inspiration. He studied architecture at the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) in New Delhi.
Following his father, Ar. Arjun also chose architecture as his profession. After his B.Arch at Rachana Sansad Academy of Architecture, Mumbai, he completed a Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design, Columbia University,. Before his Masters, Arjun worked at Malik Architecture for three years and returned to the practice in 2005.
Malik Architecture, has from its inception, attempted to develop a relevant contemporary syntax of Architecture for the sub-continent, eulogized by Architecture as a synthesis of 'Ecology' and 'Spirit'.
Explaining his design philosophy, Ar. Kamal says, "ECOLOGY implies a seamless, cohesive and integrated approach to design. This is achieved through the assembly of a group of highly motivated and evolved specialists in diverse fields drawn from across the world. It is about creating lasting relationships that became so deeply inter-twined that the whole ceases to be a sum of disparate parts and instead becomes a living, breathing organism in itself. 'SPIRIT implies balance. Building art is always the spatial execution of spiritual decisions.'"
Expatiating on the subject he says, "Architecture and site should have an experiential connection, a metaphysical link and if we consider the order (the Idea) to be the outer perception and phenomena (the Experience) to be the inner perception, then in a physical construction, the outer perception and inner perception are intertwined. Through an ongoing process of 'Manthan' or churning, the practice has gleaned from the rich historic, cultural and philosophical past, incorporating the process of continuous change and generating a contemporary design idiom."
On choosing architecture as his profession, he replies, "My childhood in the pristine environment of the Himalayas, my wonderment at the miracle that is nature and my introduction to the books and teachings of Parmahansa Yogananda left an indelible impact on my life and my thoughts. This deep connection that I share with nature was made possible because of this spiritual master. I realized fairly early that the frontiers of finite knowledge are reached very quickly and then begins the journey of understanding and incorporating the intuitive and the infinite. This inner journey of self- realization culminates in the attainment of "Sanyama" or balance – total inner silence, the absence of duality. It is beyond all theories and concepts and what we call conventional knowledge. This is not my inference or philosophy, but to embark on this journey leads to an inevitable re-analysis of one's beliefs. This creates a sense of detachment – not to be confused with insentience or apathy – but rather the separation of the observer, the witness. I see my role not as an architect but as a catalyst, allowing the process to develop organically, free of all dogma and pre-conception."
Talking about the current architectural trends, Ar. Arjun says, "Architecture is not fashion. One cannot slip it on in the morning and divest oneself of it at night. Architecture is a deeply personal subject and requires an intense analysis of people and place, a journey into the objective and the subjective. To subvert this process, which by reckoning, is the very core of the design process; by resorting to narrow-minded and whimsical 'trends' is anathema to our philosophy. Repudiating meaning and context in favour of easy to digest cookie-cutter solutions has become the norm rather than the exception and does not augur well for our profession."
Ar. Deepak Mehta, Deepak Mehta Architects
"Architecture has always been the strongest visual medium to define the culture of a country. But the current trends in architecture place great emphasis on a functional approach. The building does not only need to look pretty from the outside but also needs to be responsive to the user and his requirements. Architects have become conscious of the way their projects will communicate with the society at large."
Ar. Deepak Mehta, Principal Architect, Deepak Mehta Architects believes Architectural practice isn't just another job. "It's become a part of me, it flows through your veins if you are passionate about it, becomes your life". As a child he had an exceptional interest in painting and music. Ar. Mehta credits his School Principal, for identifying his true potential and encouraging him to take up a profession in the creative field. He studied at Academy of Architecture Mumbai where his imaginative and visualizing skills were moulded to create designs that not only provided shelter but also pleasure to its occupants.
Post graduation his professional life started under the guidance of Ar. Porus Master. Following which he joined Ar. Hafeez Contractor. He recollects these initial few years as an extension of his academic learning. "I was exposed to the practicalities of the profession. Architecture was beyond only good designs. Strategic PR, marketing, management were also key ingredients to establish a successful practice." In 1985 he laid the foundation of his independent firm, Deepak Mehta Architects.
He started out with small projects for a few private developers. The major turning point in his career graph came with a variety of projects at New Bombay. "We ventured with our expertise into designing structures in the upcoming town of New Bombay till there came a time when almost every third project at New Bombay was ours. We have since then expanded our base on a national and global platform." His works have been appreciated and featured in various publications around the world with a special recognition as the 'Best Architect of the Year' by the Accommodation Times.
His design philosophy stresses upon creating architecture for the people. He wants his designs to be relatable to anyone who experiences his product. He has greatly been inspired by marvels created by Ar. Michael Graves and Ar. Zaha Hadid. Their conceptual outlook and effective planning strategies have served as integral influences in the works of Ar. Deepak Mehta. He states "Every new project that comes our way is taken up as a challenge. We are always excited and bubbling with new innovative ideas to successfully design and implement the project integrating the aspects and expectations of all the stakeholders involved."
He also professes the aspect of giving back to the society. "It is important to follow the guidelines prescribed by the client or the developers but it is even more important to create homes for the end users." He talks about his newly designed concept of 'Self help middle income group housing.' His architecture is always inspired from the past, built for the present to be remembered in the future. This initiative too caters to the growing population from the middle income group. "They are going to be our future clients and designing for them should be our goal today" The concept dwells on the idea where the developer prepares a bare shell while the occupants fabricate the interiors for themselves yet enjoying common facilities.
His 25 years long career has been fruitful journey. He firmly believes that there is no substitute to hard work which he has experienced in his academic career and has also been the key mantra to his successful professional career. His passion and love for architecture knows no boundaries. He Dreams Architecture, Breathes Architecture, Lives Architecture.
Ar. Nirmal Kulkarni & Ar. Neha Kulkarni, AUM Architects
"Architecture is a totality of which we have a crucial responsibility." – Ar. Nirmal
Ar. Nirmal Kulkarni and Ar. Neha Kulkarni are the founding principals of AUM Architects, an international award winning, Gurgaon based firm that has over 25 years of rich experience in institutional, commercial, residential, and interiors projects.
Graduated from the AoA, Mumbai, Ar. Nirmal's engagement with the design of built environment reflects the goal of evolving an architecture which heightens the sensory experience. This is achieved by weaving an intricate web of spaces which harmonize the hierarchies of volume, scale, materiality, color, & technology, aiming to reach a synthesis whilst addressing programmatic conditions.
As a practicing architect, he has the ability to traverse the boundaries between education and the practice of architecture & design. His work and the academic focus dwell on architecture being experienced primarily as sense of place. He has varied interests and talents, from designing human habitat, book covers and expressing himself through varied mediums of art, including digital art. He believes that design can be the 'tool', which can help resolve big and small issues in the world, through creative thinking, innovative strategies and out of the box solutions.
Ar. Nirmal feels that design constantly challenges the status quo and looks to innovation and cutting edge thinking to push the boundaries of what the possibilities are, thereby addressing & evolving new design paradigms. He says, while pushing the boundaries of design we believe that great architecture marries the interests of all the stakeholders harnessing the latest in technology, materials and processes to deliver a project that lives up to its promise in terms of time, costs and quality and quantity.
He is one of the founding members of a "not for profit" organization called Investigating Design–INDES which believes that design is an everyday phenomenon and its vision is to be enablers to make design available to everyone. Using INDES as a platform, Ar. Nirmal conducts design workshops for school children from the underprivileged communities to seed design thinking in the minds of the future generations of Indians.
He has won many awards including the STEAM AWARD for the Museum of Science Fiction, Washington, USA, and has been shortlisted for the International design competition by Japan Design Foundation and has been invited to design the cover page for their magazine - DESIGN SCENE. Ar. Nirmal is an avid nature photographer, and idolises B. V. Doshi, Charles Correa from the Indian context and Rem Koolhaas & Thomas Heatherwick from the international context. He believes in working towards a sustainable and relevant architecture for India, and consciously, conscientiously and mindfully doing his own bit towards that goal.
He perceives the current Indian trends of 'over-building' to be the bane of good architectural practice.
"We see architecture as a system of complex interactions between people, forces and materials, operating within the framework of technology & time." – Ar. Neha
Graduated from Sir J. J. College of Architecture, Mumbai, Ar. Neha has accumulated a varied experience by working on selected Planning & Research Projects. She was a part of the design team that won the Delhi Co-operative Finance &Housing Scheme Competition.
With a rich and varied experience of over 25 years working on institutional buildings, commercial projects and office interiors, Ar. Neha believes that design constantly challenges the status quo and looks to innovation and cutting edge thinking to push the boundaries, thereby addressing & evolving new design paradigms. We want to be an integral part of "Design for Communities" and therefore strive to address the needs of people in a sort of "open source" approach to life. The essence of our way of designing is to address the fundamentals through intense programming & offer solutions for creating designs that have a positive impact on the environment.
"We at AUM, she says, are committed to architecture that adds cultural value and benefits society 'beyond buildings'. We think of architecture as the design of unique lifestyles. Buildings act as the face of their inhabitants. Rather than fitting clients into existing stereotypes, we help them explore the possibilities of a lifestyle tailored to their personality. Architecture can be both a site of self-expression and chance for the client to fulfill their dreams and hopes - and that's true regardless of site conditions, scale, or budget. Rather, those limitations become the motivation to create an even more attractive structure. We, as architects, don't design buildings alone. Time spent talking, thinking, and working through problems in collaboration with the client is an indispensible part of the process. Through extensive meetings and proposals, we seek to draw out the essence of what the client wants but may not be able to express.
As a part of Architect Ashok B. Lall's team, she worked on projects that were nominated for the Aga Khan Award 1994. She was also a key member of the design team that won the Indira Gandhi Memorial Cultural Centre Competition organized by the Lucknow Development Authority and the M.G.R. Memorial Competition, Chennai. Having worked as a design participant for the Institute of Health Management Research, she has an insight of achieving green building standards with efficiency. One of the interesting projects she has undertaken includes the interiors of the Times of India building in Delhi. The design components from the Havelis of Rajasthan were brought to Delhi and reconfigured to uplift the existing building interiors.
She has been working closely for international projects in association with the Japanese corporation, Shimizu. Under the same collaboration she has designed and managed projects for Mitsubishi, Toshiba, Honda R&D Centre, Bank of Tokyo, New Delhi and Mumbai, Mizuho Bank in Delhi and Mumbai. The projects she has been a part of are not only green field projects but also brown field where the main challenges have been to create a new identity and bring up a fresh image without having to salvage the building's structure.
Ar. Oscar G. Concessao and Ar. Ponni M. Concessao, Oscar & Ponni Architects
"Oscar & Ponni Architects approach is built not on a pre-determined aesthetic or a rigid "signature style." It grows naturally from a quest for ideas and answers; they evolve from a rigorous inquiry into the particulars of location and program, transforming problem-solving into art."
Architects Oscar and Ponni M. Concessao, husband and wife team are reputed architects whose careers have spanned decades of work devoted to engineering and architecture and won more than 69 International, National, and State awards. Oscar G. Concessao, was born in the coastal town of Mangalore, did his schooling from famous St. Aloysius Institutions, Mangalore. He completed his Bachelor's degree in Architecture at the prestigious National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirapalli, University of Madras, in June 1986. He graduated in Master's in Architecture, Urban Design, magna cum laude, in 1987 from the University of Oklahoma, USA. While at the University he won the William Van Allen International Design Competition to design a University in Africa, a first for an Indian at a young age of 23. He worked with architectural firms Emery Roth & Sons in New York and Silver & Ziskind, New York, USA on large scale projects such as high-rise buildings, hospitals, institutional projects and campuses.
Born into a family of professionals, Architect Ponni M. Concessao graduated from the illustrious Church Park Convent, Chennai. A pioneer in women's' technical education, Ponni Concessao was the first women undergraduate student of the prestigious National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirapalli, University of Madras, graduating in June 1987. Architect Ponni Concessao completed her post-graduate studies in Cornell University USA in 1989 with the JND Tata Endowment Scholarship and Scholarship from Cornell University. She also won the College of Human Ecology Grant for Thesis Research in Cornell on her pioneering work on conservation. Architect Ponni Concessao worked with Edward Larabbee Barnes Architect, New York City, USA, and with the National Trust of Historic Preservation, Washington D.C., USA.
Both Oscar and Ponni did their Advanced Professional Studies at Harvard University, USA in the areas of affordable housing, hospitals and research labs in 1992, and have been conferred with Honorary Doctorates from the University of Malaysia and University of Milano for Modern Architecture and Architectural Science. They returned to India and settled in Chennai, Ponni's hometown and started their firm Oscar & Ponni Architects in Chennai in the year 1996 providing consultancy services in Urban Design, Architecture, Interiors and Engineering services. The inspiration and design philosophy for Oscar & Ponni Architects work comes from an understanding of the Client's needs and goals informed by cultural, technological and social dimensions with both a local and global perspective, with a constant search for Design Excellence and meticulous details.
BOP Park
Adoption of local available materials and blending technology and engineering has been the hallmark of most of their projects. Over the years they built their practice designing versatile projects such as universities, engineering and medical colleges, stadiums at Doha, Qatar, several Information technology Parks, bio-tech Parks, nano technology parks, townships, hospitals, apartments, hotels, resorts, malls, corporate offices, luxury bungalows, factories, SEZ, several Government and State buildings.
To Architects Oscar and Ponni Concessao, an architect's role is nation building and one must have a strong sense of contributing to welfare of society to all levels - especially the poorest of poor. Their work includes the School for children of leprosy victims in Tamil Nadu for the Rising Star Outreach – an American NGO. They have been a key-note speakers on several topics on the Smart Cities, Smart Buildings, built environment, sustainability, eco-friendly architecture at several International, National, and State level seminars. They are on the Advisory Board of several government and private organizations, NGO's and Universities. Architects Oscar and Ponni Concessao has dedicated themselves for several social causes such as Rotary and Round table organizations and charity projects, building Noon-Meal Centers, Schools for the underprivileged, and Tsunami Housing being a few worth noting.
Ar. Ninad Tipnis, JTCPL Designs
Hailing from a family of distinguished architects he discovered his passion for the field at a very young age and pursued it fully while studying Architecture in Mumbai. In a short span of time, Ninad with his dedicated team has taken JTCPL Designs from its budding stage to a stage, where the firm is one of the best known workspace design practices in India.
Ninad's personal design philosophy is characterized by simplicity, distinct lines and forms that incorporate a sense of flexibility as well as scalability. He says, "At JTCPL Designs, we combine exceptional minds and gifted hands to create spaces visualized and crafted to the minutest details. Regardless of the size and scope of the project undertaken, the company has an excellent track record of delivering on time and within the client budget."
Designing sustainable workspaces is a vital calling in today's age. "At JTCPL, we are committed to create workspaces that are in harmony with their surroundings. We have developed the design and materials knowledge to create workspaces that are visually appealing, ergonomically optimal and environmentally sustainable."
JTCPL Designs has worked with some of the world's best corporates and banks all across India. As the Principal Architect of JTCPL Designs, Ninad has spearheaded various projects and has developed ongoing relationships with some illustrious clientele like Emirates, Visa, Nokia Siemens Networks, Deutsche Bank, Publicis Groupe, Axis Bank Limited, TATA AIG, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, BMW, K. Raheja Corporation, Standard Chartered Bank, Westpac Banking Corporation, and many more...
Ar. Ninad's ideas and insights have impacted the entire industry and he has been recognized with distinguished awards by renowned design bodies. The recent ones being the IIID award for excellence in Workspace design as well as the Artists in concrete award for space planning and functionality at Asia level. He has also been selected as one of the top 50 Architects in the country by Architect and Interiors India's, iGEN Design Forum 2012.
Ar. Ninad is an avid long distance runner and has participated in 5 half marathons and 2 full marathons. He is a speaker at various design platforms and personally enjoys sharing his experiences in workspace design with students. His ability to inspire, motivate, and mentor has led him to his first book, The 5 Ds.
Ar. Nirmal Mangal, M Moser Associates
Prior to moving back to India 3 years ago, Ar. Nirmal worked in the U.S. for more than 30 years. He has held leadership positions with global design firms including HOK, RTKL, Canon Design, Leo A Daly, Fluor Corporation and Friedmutter Group. He was also the Director of Taliesin Architect's Studio, the successor firm of Frank Lloyd Wright in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.
He is passionate about bringing global design expertise to India, modified to suit Indian construction technologies and regional building materials. His design approach is a synthesis of evolving global thoughts and ideas, and cutting edge construction technologies with Indian cultural, social, cultural, contextual, and economic influences. He strives to create iconic, inspiring and functional designs with "inside-out" architectural design methodology, which follows the same philosophy of designing. He thinks that the most important part of the building, its users, need to be acknowledged in terms of working style, spatial and infrastructure requirements, necessary amenities, flexibility, etc. before the completion of the building shell. He views the building footprint, exterior massing, and the building envelope as a reflection of the activities and requirements internal to the building.
In addition to architecture and interior design, Ar. Nirmal is also a consummate builder/contractor. He has led and delivered many large and significant architectural and interiors projects, using designer led project delivery approach. This approach has allowed him to pursue excellence of design, through managing implementation of design and construction.
Ar. Nirmal's area of interest includes high-rise towers, corporate campuses and headquarters, R&D Centers, hospitals, high-rise multifamily housing and corporate workplace interiors. Many of his projects have won international design awards in architecture as well as in interiors. His notable projects include Exxon Corporation Headquarters, Irving, Texas, Nortel Networks Regional Headquarter Campus, Richardson, Texas, Sept Wolf Office Tower, Xiamen, China, Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, Arizona, Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Jacobs Medical Center Hospital at University of California San Diego, San Diego, California.
Ar. Nirmal is a member of American Institute of Architects and a fellow of Indian Institute of Architects. He has taught architectural design and theory at the University of Texas, Austin, Texas USA and at the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA. He holds Bachelor's degree in Architecture from Chandigarh College of Architecture, Chandigarh and a Master's degree in Architecture from the University of Texas, Austin, Texas USA.
Ar. Dinesh Verma, ACE
"Architecture today is more technology than art or aesthetics. We as architects need to constantly re-invent ourselves to keep up with this rapid pace of development- be it in design, construction technology or in material innovation."
Ar. Dinesh Verma has been heading Ace Group since 1984. Under his leadership, ACE grew from a small office to a leading architectural, engineering and project consultancy firm that has changed the contours of architecture. With a creative mind like Ar. Verma at its helm, ACE is now a name to reckon with for its unique designs that seamlessly blend functional needs, space and ambience to create a variety of structures - educational institutions, residential homes, commercial complexes, auditoriums, IT office spaces, green buildings and industrial spaces.
Born on 16th January 1959, Ar. Verma had his early education in Nagpur. After graduation in Architecture from R.E.C Nagpur in 1980, he continued with higher studies at Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, where he completed his Master's in Industrial Design in 1982. After a stint with a couple of architectural firms in Bangalore, he set up his own firm in the early 80's, which has since earned recognition and accolades for its unique sustainable designs over the past decades. According to him, "Deliberation in design, versatility and team work are the vital elements that make up ACE's philosophy."
Ar. Verma has always enjoyed working with new concepts and designs, in order to develop styles that blend with the thinking behind the project. He is not in favor of a particular style and says, "Our versatility is our forte." He strives to be versatile not only in design, but also in building typology. He has blended designs from Indian Period to Modern styles, which can be seen in the projects designed by him all over India. His focus and involvement is more in Institutional Architecture. In his 30 years of architectural practice he has designed more than 65 schools, 8 Engineering Colleges and 2 Universities. His designs are environmentally conscious and he has certified Platinum and Gold rated projects by IGBC to his credit.
Ar. Verma has been actively participating and contributing in the field of Education as well. He was a teaching faculty at BMS College. Later he was a visiting faculty at BIT Architecture Department. A number of students from all over the country have been provided practical training under his guidance.
Red Bridge International School
He is a Fellow of the Indian Institute of Architects and a Founder Member of the Designers Guild of India. He was President at the Designers Guild [1997 -98] and the President of Practicing Architects Association [2002 - 2004]. He is currently the Honorary Secretary of Institute of Indian Interior Designers, Bangalore Chapter.
He is the recipient of National Award "Architect of the Year 2005" from "Accommodation Times - Mumbai". In 2009, his project in Jaipur received meritorious recognition by UltraTeck - ICI, Rajasthan Chapter and his project in Sangamner near Nashik won him the "Social Architecture of the Year" award by Sahara - Accommodation Times Mumbai. The Rotary Club of Bangalore South, in association with Indian Institute of Architecture have instituted an annual award in his name, the "Rashi-Dinesh Verma Green Building Award" for architects promoting Green Architecture. He was recently conferred the "Best Institutional Architecture of the year 2015" award by Business Excellence and Research Group (BERG), Singapore.
Ar. Parul Zaveri & Ar. Nimish Patel, Abhikram
"Architecture is a service oriented profession. Seeing it as an art, when it actually has to be functionally, climatically, psychologically and spiritually more comfortable for its actual users, to the society, to the nation and to the universe, is an irresponsible way to look at it. Those who wish to see it as art, should invest their own money in the making it, as all artists do. We must do away with the practice of blindly aping the west and must strive to create and define our own Indian identity."
Ar. Parul Zaveri & Ar. Nimish Patel established Abhikram (Sanskrit word for 'Initiation'), a Planning, Architecture, Conservation and Interiors consultancy firm in 1979, with a view to explore design directions and processes, which make Built Environment, functionally, psychologically, environmentally and spiritually, more balanced, contextual and comfortable for the end-user.
Besides studying at the MIT, Cambridge, USA, with specialization in Urban Settlement Design in Developing Countries, Nimish has also done a Diploma in Architecture from CEPT, Ahmedabad whereas Parul, with a Diploma in Architecture from CEPT, Ahmedabad in 1978, has supplemented her studies with specific courses in the Urban Settlement Design in Developing Countries programme, at MIT, Cambridge (USA) in 1975-76. She has also pursued interests in Alternative Technologies and use of Solar Energies and Recycling at Arcosanti and at the Cosanti Foundations, with architect-philosopher Paolo Soleri in Arizona, U.S.A.
From the very beginning, the duo were fascinated and inspired by the architecture of India, its limitless variety, range of materials and craftsmanship, and the quality of timelessness. Parul was influenced by her time spent in and around the rural areas near Ahmedabad; its old city - people, lifestyle and the interaction with the spaces while Nimish was influenced by his upbringing in Bombay in the family strongly associated with the freedom movement and the Gandhian thoughts.
The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, Rajasthan
The duo's travels to Rajasthan cities, during the school & college days, added to shaping a cross sectional view of the society. All these experiences, in their respective ways, helped them to realize the values of the cultural heritage in their lives, the importance of contextualizing the designs, asking relevant questions without hesitation while attempting to find their own answers, using materials to their potentials despite their constraints, and gaining the understanding that architecture was for people.
Nimish and Parul are committed to conservation of our cultural heritage, revival and continuation of the use of the traditional materials, technologies and the skills, generation of work and livelihood for traditional craftsmen. They also aim to reducing energy consumption for human comforts, through passive means. They also headed the conservation team of INTACH-Jaipur chapter, in the Rajasthan Urban Infrastructure Development Project (RUIDP) at Jaipur, Rajasthan, for its Rs.50 crore Heritage Component, from 2001 to 2004. They were instrumental in initiating the Heritage Conservation Movement in Udaipur, Jaipur and Amber.
Besides winning several awards for their professional works in Architecture, Interior Design and Conservation fields in India, they have also won internationally prestigious UNESCO'S Asia Pacific Heritage Award for Culture, Heritage Conservation in 2000. Moreover, they are the first Indian Architects, shortlisted for the prestigious 2016 Ashden International Awards, better known as the "Green Oscars".
The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, Rajasthan
This pair has initiated the 'Unknown Crafts Persons' Trophy (UCP Trophy), through Virasat Foundation, Ahmedabad at the Annual National Association of Students of Architecture (NASA) Convention. The intent is to provide opportunity for students to expose, analyse, investigate and understand themselves to the vast range of Crafts which exists all around in India. They continue to lecture and share their knowledge, nationally and internationally, both with students and professional communities on two areas of importance, sustainability and conservation of the national asset of the knowledge base in built environment. They believe that innovation will come if one tries to solve a problem with frugal means and resources.
Ar. Parul and Ar. Nimish are now diversifying into an advisory role to all stakeholders involved in the building design and execution process, with Client, Architects, Interior Designers, Project Management Consultants and others, on making a building and its interiors sustainable, cooling the spaces through passive techniques and using local material, arts and crafts.
Ar. S.K Das, SKDAS Associated Architects
Ar. Das has assumed a singular identity in fields of urban design and planning, regeneration and housing in India. He is of that rare breed of architects who, faced with the choice between designing a public housing project or a private estate, might actually prefer the former. He has been consultant to a number of international agencies, and has taught at prestigious universities and executed projects in various countries. His resistance to totalitarian solutions and promotion of community action might be against the grain of prevalent thinking, which favors the interests of capitalists and power elites in a neoliberal economy, rather than the average citizen and city-dweller. But SK has maintained a professional stance and an impeccable reputation, thereby ensuring that he is invited to participate in significant projects and enterprises.
From 1995 to '98, he served as Vice President of the International Society of City and Regional Planners. He was selected at various points of time as a USIS exchange visitor, Eisenhower Fellow, and Chettle Fellow at University of Sydney. In 1991, he received the national award for community architecture from Ministry of Urban Development and his reconstruction work with CARE-India was listed among the 100 best practices by UN Habitat.
"The new architecture of globalization is based on a single template of corporate identity and uniformity that replaces textured memory with high gloss, as in cooking, clothes, houses, buildings and even cities. It is against this backdrop that I explore an architecture of contextual multiplicity that celebrates diversity and pluralism specific to circumstances. Whether this constitutes a resistance or, a new direction for the future, only time will tell."
Neither knowledge and experience nor awards and achievements have blunted his critical stance towards the contemporary city. Ar. Das has witnessed how the Indian government has come to recognize, rather belatedly, the transformative phenomenon of urbanization and the potential of the Indian city to accommodate the collective needs of the people. Whether working for the government or for private developers, he sees himself contributing to the development of the Indian city as a vibrant agglomeration of diverse fragments. His projects tend to focus on the public realm as the glue that binds the space of the city, where the enclosed spaces occupied by individuals and groups maintain a symbiosis with the public, feeding off it in functional terms and returning to it an aesthetic that represents the diversity of users. His projects are illustrative of these thematic concerns and represent the scale of architecture that is both the forte of his work, as well as a perennial challenge and inspiration.
Ar. Das works from his studios in Delhi and Bhubaneswar. Recently he founded the Habitat Urban Transformation Lab (UTLab), a collaborative urban practice that intends to break away from isolation and seek the transformation of cities and public domain through a creative dialogue with social sciences, the arts, and the community.
Ar. Shirish Beri, Shirish Beri & Associates
Given below are some of the concerns that Shirish Beri tries to address through his designs. He asks...
- With man moving further away from Nature, can my work act as a catalyst in bringing man closer to Nature?
- With man missing the meaningful interaction with fellow human beings, can our architecture help in bringing man closer to man?
- With over commercialization and deterioration of human values and overconsumption resulting from greed, can we shift our emphasis from saleability to sanctity, from glossy wrappings to inner content, from superimposed architectural gimmicks to function and climate related forms, from overindulgence to restraint? Can a value based architecture act as an agent of social change?
- With a sudden break in the traditional socio cultural continuum and too much dependence on technology, can our designs be modern and still keep continuity with tradition, history, and social cultural values?
- Can our designs be geared towards true sustainability to counter the destruction of natural resources and disturbing of the ecological balance?
"Our architecture, in its deeper layers is many a times the reflection of our socio-cultural values. Thus the current architectural trends are expressive of the rampant commercialization and commodification of our society."
Though he respects and likes the work of many masters, colleagues and even younger architects, his work is inspired by life, his experiences therein and by some old complexes and the vernacular designs.
Farmhouse, Gandhi Family, Nagpur
He says "My architecture would not like to be in the form of invulnerable contained enclosures but would try to find a kind of vulnerable expression in the meaningful interface between the enclosed space and the open space. It seeks joy, a sense of wonder and a special spatial beauty by befriending the simple, the mundane and the ordinary. I have started realizing the full meaning of what Samuel Mockbee says – 'as architects our goodness is more important than our greatness and our compassion more eventful than our passion.' My works are not designed to create iconic, grand, exhibitionist forms that attract the eye, but to create more humane, socially relevant, more natural and sustainable spaces that nurture the human spirit."
Ar. Snehal Shah, Snehal Shah Architects
Family House, Bhat
Ar. Shah believes in making architecture that is 'of its time', as a Gujarati proverb states, Vakhattevuvaju. History confirms that buildings appropriate to their time, place and climate, endure.
In learning to build, his architecture adopted a variety of expressions – with the constant being the will to manipulate light and ventilation to the best advantage. He studies vernacular techniques as well as learns from Indian exemplars and western architectural history. Reference from all these find their way into his buildings, along with his debt to the geometry of Louis Kahn and Mario Botta.
Ar. Shah's interest, since the beginning, is in the monumental architecture of the past – the Renaissance and subsequent periods in Europe, and also medieval architecture in western India, especially the Solanki period of the 10th-13th centuries. As an architect, he has researched medieval water architecture in western India, and his studies in that neglected field hitherto are producing remarkably insightful information.
One explanation of Ar. Shah's amazing range of projects and diversity of designs is that he has strategically located himself between the past and the future. His intense interest in architectural history, especially of western India, the region from which he hails, has sensitised him to traditional stone and timber constructional techniques, rigorous geometric codes of design, and local environmental conditions, especially the scarcity of water in an arid landscape. Ar. Shah has embarked upon an ambitious repertory of private and public buildings that testify to a unique cosmopolitan sensibility and refined aesthetic for the last over 20 years.
TCS, Gandhinagar
As Shah has always been interested in research and teaching, and he has continuously taught and published research articles. Since 1987, he has been an Honorary Professor at CEPT and in 2014 he was appointed as the Director, CEPT Library. He has lectured in Asia, Europe and the USA. His writings on the history of Indian architecture include the book "Ahmedabad", which he co-edited with George Michell. "The Water Architecture of Western India" is a forthcoming edition of UME, the precursor for which was sown in 1981 when he won the Royal Institute of British Architect (RIBA) Research Award for his investigation on the subterranean water structures of Gujarat and other parts of Western India.
Prof. Krishna Rao, JAISIM
The ODYSSEY of Jaisim-Fountainhead- In the Architect’s own words.
SIX 'n' forty years of professional practice, in the labyrinth of architecture creating spaces in time, the lows and highs of an adventure that has sustained and evoked many a laudable smile across boundaries. Evoking in the spirit of youth, the potential this arena holds for the brave and willing, with age as no barrier, only the willingness to accept the challenge to change the pattern while hugging the spirits.
I free myself from specific projects, which are but beads of value on a string of necklace and devote attention to the fascinating necklace alone. The beads are a pattern of history, evolving the culture of fountainhead over the years, as it passages through time. Here and there I might anchor a few thoughts, only to sense the journey.
1970, after four years (1966 to 1970) of intense learning with L. M. Chitale & Son, which followed five years of study (!) in the School of Architecture Madras (1961 to 1966), launched Jaisim-Fountainhead (JF), inspired by the book 'The Fountainhead' by Ayn Rand. The same year, also married Geeta, who made it fiscally possible for me to dabble into my passion, without fear or favor.
My first project, EGO, was a home for us on the sands of Kalakshetra beach, Madras. Influence of Mies van der Rohe's minimalism and the arrogance fueled by Ayn Rand's Objectivism saw this through challenging many norms and conventions. This opened new vistas and visions for those who dared to walk in. These sustained the first few years, but they were from a wandering office, which had no roots.
P.S. Sivasubramaniam, a phenomenal structural consultant and Uttam Reddy, a finance consultant, anchored JF by giving us office space. This nest drew many young spirited rebelling students to walk in and add fuel.
Suddenly clientele flocked in big numbers, curious and adventurous willing to dare the difference. The practice flew and flew high, like Jonathan Livingston Seagull. It was no longer a dream. Large span structures multi-storied printing factory, Geodesic exhibition structures - the BUBE, Taj Fisherman's Cove, the Cochin Hyperbolic Paraboloid Stadium, the Holy Cross Brothers and their highly challenging sports center and many homes and institutions. The Media caught on and life was never the same again.
One day in 1975, a challenge came as a short consultancy in Muscat, Oman, through a Professor at IIT Madras. Took the challenge and one fine day, I took off, only to land in a desert sprinkled with a few Oasis. How a week's consultancy became a Four year stint! These four and odd years, like the desert, pushed me into new ventures, in addition to architectural consultancy. I learnt to run a crusher, a fabrication unit, a construction firm, a trading firm – well it opened my spectrum so wide that I, in a way, mastered the elements of construction as it is on site. Architecturally the challenges were limited – the western influences crushed the local ethos mercilessly and I could, in a way, no longer take it.
Omar Khayyam never happened!
1980 put all our savings into the design- built ANTHEM, our home in Bangalore. ANTHEM was a revelation in its design and construction. From its single vertical stone foundation, to the four sloped catenary roof to the wind catchers and sundial double skin breathing windows, it became the cynosure of all students of architecture all over the country. My dream to retire became a dream. The storm struck, and here I am driven by forces beyond and the magic of adventure to accept challenges and change the built environment and influence the way one looked and experienced space. Learning and Sharing became a passion, especially with the eager hungry youth. Time and Space played and danced. Music froze.
In 1990 Jaisim-Fountainhead shifted to the city core, finally settled in its present domain. The office semi - underground, an Eco thermal space and with our residence floating above, with an interactive landscape in between.
Homes, Health care centers, Information Technology spaces, Social Clubs, Institutions, Research centers, Resorts, residential layouts, exciting projects flowed in and were executed with patience and charm. An assorted continuum of spaces like opulent beads, that challenged and evoked responses beyond the ordinary, were objectively achieved with daring new concepts.
Today (2016), the mind wants to run and challenge, but the body smiles and rests. Omar Khayyam is at hand, must respect that space, the time has come. And Life opens to new adventures in the built environment, from physical buildings to poetic transformation to NOW- the philosophical renderings! The Spirit of youth sustains.
Ar. Karan Grover, Karan Grover & Associates
Born on 22nd August 1951, Ar. Grover completed a Bachelor of Architecture in 1974 from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda and a Graduate Diploma in 1975 from Architectural Association, London. Ar. Karan is inarguably the most influential green architect and a celebrated one based in Gujarat. His designs are people centric and he supports the idea of interweaving the use of passive strategies and new technologies together. His idea is not to create an immutable built space, but an environment which showcases the beauty of nature and is also region specific.
Ar. Grover won accolades in India and internationally. One of the real show stopping recognition of his works was being appointed Permanent Honorary Fellow of the National Academy of Environment at the hands of former President Dr. Abdul Kalam. He single handedly, after a 22-year old campaign, won India the nomination for UNESCO's World Heritage Site status for Champaner..
"Architecture is about the place, rooted in its context and culture."
Besides the CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre, Hyderabad, a LEED Platinum rated building by US-GBC, his key noted projects include the Goa Assembly Building at Porvorim, Goa and District Office Complex at Bagalkot for Government of Karnataka.
Ar. Grover holds positions in some of the most reputed art and cultural institutes, such as-- Indian Institute of Interior Designers (Baroda Chapter), Kalabhavan Architects Alumni Foundation, Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage (INTACH) -Vadodara Chapter to. He is also the editor of the much known Design magazine "Design Detail", popularly known as Karan Grover's magazine.
Ar. Grover, Founding Director of Karan Grover & Associates is the voice of India's rich culture and heritage magnificently elaborated through his passion for architecture. Talking of his pinnacle entrepreneurial skills, he is also the Director of Grover Vineyards Ltd., one of the top names in the country.
Ar. Brinda Somaya, SNK
Her journey in her own words...
Over thirty years ago, when I started my independent practice rather boldly, looking back, I guess I never knew where it would lead me. I only knew I loved what I did and my work as an architect was not separate from my being. My early years of practice were rather isolated, as I had not worked in any large prestigious firm, nor had I worked with inspiring architects whom I could look up to as mentors. I wonder what my inspiration was and perhaps this isolation, in a way, gave me the strength to follow my dream and what I believed in.
"We strive to produce work that is innovative, and practical, while keeping in mind the social, economic, environmental and aesthetic issues relevant to each project."
My mother was a zoologist and my father was a power engineer. My first dream was to become an archaeologist. I was fortunate to be taken to different parts of India during my childhood, where I was exposed to different facets of architecture, history and culture. My elder sister went on to study architecture and that got me very curious. I used to talk to her about her studies and then I seemed to gravitate rapidly towards the profession. I completed my Master of Arts degree from Smith College, USA after graduating from the Sir J. J. College of Architecture.
Maybe if I had followed the more conventional route, I would have convinced myself that it would be impossible for a sari clad young woman, working in the world of the 70's, to set up her own practice. The confidence to follow my own path came from my parents, who just assumed that gender discrimination did not exist or certainly was not an excuse, my school who taught me that no dream was impossible and finally my husband and children, who valued me and my profession in their lives.
I believe my buildings speak for themselves. I am an Indian, and all what I am comes from my heritage. It is an intrinsic part of my being and will naturally reflect in my work in many ways. The diversity of my work is what I have enjoyed the most. I have built from the Himalayas to the south of India, from Bengal to Kutch and through the central plains and heart of our country, from Jharkhand to Indore and from Uttaranchal to Kodagu. The building types have included reconstruction of villages to hi-tech campuses, from orphanages and animal hospitals to state-of-the-art corporate headquarters, from the village school to the most elite schools in Mumbai and from conserving iconic heritage buildings to converting garbage dumps into parks.
There will be special ideas that work their way in my thoughts, but for me, hard work is the key to success. Architecture is creative and technical profession. It is not just idea, magic and sparks; it is translation of all these elements into reality. And that is a long, hard, difficult job. The ability to do that and to deliver a project of high quality is my challenge.
As architects our practice tells the world who we are and what we value. It is not a single building we designed which may have won awards, it is not something that only the stars in our profession have, it is something all of us architects have - our practice. Through my practice of almost forty years, I believe that an inclusive practice that spans our diverse population, be it economic or cultural, provides us with great satisfaction. The architect's role is that of guardian - he or she is the conscience of the built and un-built environment.
Ar. Prem Nath, Prem Nath & Associates
The journey of Mr. Nath in the initial stage of his career was challenging. According to him, "During my times, there was not much exposure to any such profession. My relationship with this profession started when I happened to start working as a blue printing boy and then as a draftsman, which exposed me to the interesting facts about Architecture. I eventually joined and passed out from Sir J. J. College of Architecture. From there I entered into the world of interior design and Architecture and have done a lot of hard work to reach on the present staure."
"Architecture is one of the best professions one can practice - it is the Mother of all Arts and perhaps the only profession that enables one to be involved in every aspect of human life."
Ar. Nath has always been establishing a lot many innovations himself - as an Architect, and has many Firsts to his credit, be it the first ever Revolving Restaurant - Ambassador Hotel, Mumbai, India's 1st ever Health Spa & Body Rejuvenation Centre was designed for M/s. World Resorts Ltd, at Golden Palm Resorts, Bangalore; First Multiplex-Mall in the country i.e. Fame Adlabs at Citimall, Andheri Mumbai, is a trendsetter for all other multiplexes to follow; Country's 1st fast-track IT Building was designed, executed and handed over to Morgan & Stanley of USA, in just 8 months period from the date of the first client meeting to handover; India's first Gold graded Township for HP-Mittal Energy Limited in Punjab has received HUDCO Green Township Award; India's first Platinum rated School - Cygnus World School at Vadodara, Gujarat; and many more.
Ar. Prem's design philosophy is to keep it simple and as functional as possible with a touch of drama; His designs are non-acrobatic, yet smart in all senses - they are detailed to the grass root level and that's what makes them successful.
The success mantra, for him, is the Professionalism he and his team follow at studio. They are not only very good in design and documentation but also fast in execution. "It has happened so many times that a client calls us after two decades or so, to review his existing building or needs some information about what was built, and we are able to retrieve the documents/designs, done then, in no time - that's our USP."
Ar. Prem is looking forward to work for major projects related to education, sports, infrastructure. He says, "I keep reinventing myself year after year, and keep upgrading myself for the next - I strongly feel that the future is Smart, and I am currently working on a few Smart projects, incl. a Smart Hotel-Resort, A Smart Comemrcial Tower, and so on."
Padma Bushan Ar. Hafeez Contractor, AHC
With over four decades in Architecture and innumerable unique projects to his credit, Ar. Hafeez Contractor had just not grown only as a well-known face in the architecture fraternity for his avant garde and surrealistic designs, but also as a man whose design approaches are in response to current demand. Ar. Contractor's constant belief, which he perceives has brought him to where he is today, is that architecture should be honest and should respond to the spirit of time, characterized by distinct ideas, disparate missions, contrasting convictions and divergent preferences.
Born in Mumbai he did his schooling at Boy's Town Boarding School, Nasik. After completing his architectural studies from the Academy of Architecture, Mumbai and post-graduation from New York's Columbia University in 1976-77, he started his career in 1968 as an apprentice with Architect T. Khareghat. There he became an associate partner in 1977. Between 1977 and 1980, he was a visiting faculty at the Academy of Architecture, Mumbai and in 1982 set up his own practice, Architect Hafeez Contractor (AHC), with a dedication to design excellence, efficient delivery and sophistication in building technology as his hallmarks. Today, he heads the largest architectural firm in India, with over 550 team members.
Ar. Contractor's passion is to create structures that exemplify functional and aesthetic qualities. He has shaped and changed the urban built landscape of the country through provocative, unpredictable and revolutionary ideas, while executing a wide range of architectural projects. His work spans the entire gamut of possibilities of the constructed space: bungalows, residential developments, hospitals, hotels, commercial complexes, educational institutions, sports facilities, townships, urban planning, civic redevelopment and infrastructure projects, etc. He is advocating for vertical growth of cities, judicious land use and the need for sustainable compact cities, to maintain a perfect harmony between increasing population and limited land resources. Ar. Contractor's special emphasis is also on social housing and his dream is to provide a house for every Indian.
"Architecture is a part and parcel of my life. It is something to me which is priceless and can't be expressed in words what I feel for it."
He is of the view that an architect should be very clear for whom (clients) he is creating; what should be incorporated in design that becomes unique once completed and draws others' attention. Also he should consider what will be its impact on the society, people and environment. He says, "One should keep abreast with changes and always adopt changes with time."
His design philosophy and thought process is not bound to one, but it varies depending upon the project, construction sites, client's demand, budget, etc. that he is dealing with. He solely believes in giving the need of a client, the utmost importance, as it is not just his profession, but his duty to fulfill those needs rationally.
Ar. Contractor was recently featured by The New York Times in their cover story "The Man Who Draws India". The Government of India conferred him with Padma Bushan in 2016, for his contribution to Indian architecture over 3 decades. He says, "Hard work, dedication, understanding of the social and environment needs and client's demand are the vital elements to get success in life."
Eric Carlson–Passionate to Design ‘Exceptional’
Born in Ann Arbor Michigan (USA) in 1963, Carlson after receiving his diploma in architecture moved to San Francisco to work with architects in America's ‘New Urbanism' movement. In 1997, Carlson co-founded the Louis Vuitton Architecture Department and in 2004 established his own firm CARBONDALE which later joined by Pierre Tortrat 2006 and Pierre Marescaux 2015. His previous professional experiences include collaboration with the Architecture offices of Rem Koolhaas, Oscar Tusquets, and Mark Mack.
Carlson's design philosophy is first and foremost based on a research for the "exceptional" Commitment to the "exceptional" makes exceptional service a vital part of Carbondale's intensive collaboration with their Clients. This approach stems from the experience of working on projects of prestige that demand the combination of innovative contemporary design with outstanding materials, detailing, and craftsmanship.
Carbondale's distinctive designs are the result of a progressive architecture ideology fixed on pragmatic foundations. Today, the practice is an internationally acclaimed Architecture office and particularly renowned as the first to bring Architecture to luxury brands. Its most recognizable design (both interior and exterior) is of the Louis Vuitton located on the Champs-Élysées, Paris's 7th most visited destination and a unanimously praised example of architectural beauty.
A wide variety of projects have been designed by Carbondale, ranging in scales from Urban, Architectural to Interior Architecture and Furniture Design, within settings throughout Europe, America and Asia. His most recent creations include the BMW showroom on avenue George V in Paris, the Museum 360 (Tag Heuer) in Switzerland, the Louis Vuitton Champs Elysées building and the Celine store on avenue Montaigne in Paris as well as the LV Roppongi and LV Omotesando stores and the Celux club in Tokyo. He also designed the LV store in Nagoya and a number of Residences. Exhibitions of his recent works include "Logique / Visuelle" in Tokyo and "Inclusive" at the Aedes Gallery in Berlin and Milk Gallery in New York.
Carlson's architectural honors and distinctions include, Architectural Digest's "Best Designers of 2013," "Asia's Top 10 Best Retail Interior Design Projects" in 2013 for Hong Kong's Perspective magazine, the UK Lighting Award for "Best International Project" in 2013 and "The Rare Talent Prize" for 2009-10 for the Center for Luxury and Creation in Paris France, the Award for "The Most Beautiful Construction in Metal in 2006" for the Atrium of the Louis Vuitton Champs Elysées Building. Additionally the Seoul LV Building on the prestigious Cheongdam-Dong fashion street received the Outstanding Design Award from the Seoul Metropolitan Government in South Korea.
Truly a unique talent in the realm of luxury design and architecture, Carlson has also participated as lecturer and guest critic at Harvard University, the University of California at Berkeley, Tulane University in New Orleans and the Architecture Association in London.
Vincent Callebaut Amazes the World with Fantastic Architectural Design for Green Living
Born in 1977 in Belgium and graduated in 2000 from the Institute of Victor Horta, Brussels, the ecological architect plans and builds ecologic projects for the future in his own architectural practice Vincent Callebaut Architectures. The goal of his projects is to change the way of thinking of his clients. He has developed the theme of the "town of tomorrow," which incorporates all the needs necessary to allow the population to live in an environmentally sustainable manner.
With inspiration from the Nature, he leaves no efforts to implement in his designs for the betterment of mankind. The designs of Vincent Callebaut, heavily indebted to naturally occurring shapes and patterns like double helixes, butterfly wings etc and inspire fellow colleagues, students, developers, and the citizen of the world.
His innovative design creations and eco architecture have won him numerous prestigious awards and plaudits including the Napoleon Godecharle of the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts and the René Surrure. The jury appreciated his dynamism, his expression force and the coherence of his concept and recognised´ a personality endowed with a remarkable aptitude giving well-founded expectations of great success and able thus to contribute to the fact that reputation of Belgium becomes a truth.
In 2005, he was the finalist of the "RE-New Architecture Pleasures" awarding the 12 best figures of the Architecture in the French Community of Belgium. During the same year, the Edition Company Damdi of Seoul dedicated to him at the age of 28 its first architecture monograph detailing the story of his awarded and exhibited projects during worldwide spontaneous proposals and international competitions.
In 2008, his second monograph "Archibiotic" was published in English & Chinese with the support of the United Asia Art & Design Cooperation at Beijing. He is confirmed as one of the most important leaders in green architecture and low carbon emission living. From New York to Hong Kong crossing Brussels and Paris, Vincent Callebaut proposes with determination and conviction prospective and ecological projects by insufflating locally dialogs and meetings that try to raise questionings on the society in which we live as citizen of a global world! Since, in the framework of his architectural firm and great collaborations (Jakob+MacFarlane, Claude Vasconi, Jacques Rougerie), he militates continuously for the sustainable development of the new Ecopolises via transdisciplinary strategies for an investigation architecture mixing biology to information and communication technologies.
His other monographs published include 'Ecological Architecture' (3rd) in 2011, 'Masters of Architecture' (4th) in 2013, and 'Fertile Cities' (5th) in 2014.
In 2015, Vincent Callebaut publishes his sixth monograph "Paris 2050" (Ed. Michel Lafon) in which he explains his sustainable visions for the City of Light and Love. Following the Climate Energy Plan of Paris - aiming to reduce 75% of the greenhouse gas emissions within 2050 - this 'PARIS SMART CITY 2050' is a research and development project. Vincent Callebaut works on the integration of plus-energy skyscrapers producing by solidarity most energy than they consume for the historical surrounding areas.
In the same year in Chicago, he was the Award Finalist on Innovative Design by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). In China, Vincent Callebaut awarded by the International Union of Architects (UIA) the Honorary Mention Award for his project "Wooden Orchids", a shopping mall 2.0 switching to the circular economy.
In 2014, Vincent Callebaut is awarded for the project Tao-Zhu Garden with the "International Architecture Award 2014" in New York organized by the Chicago Athenaeum and by the European Centre Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies. In Singapore, for the same project in Taiwan, he was the winner of the "Highly Commented Award 2014" during the World Architecture Festival in the Future Residential Buildings category. By Greenroofs.com in Georgia, Vincent Callebaut, taking a Leadership Role in Green Design, is selected in the Top 10 List of Hot Trends in Greenroof and Greenwall Design. The Liaoning Science & Technology Publishing House Ltd edits his fifth architectural monograph titled "Fertile Cities, New Ecoresponsible Lifestyles inspired by Biomimicry."
In 2013, establishing his sterling reputation as practitioners of sustainable architecture, Vincent Callebaut was selected to be in the list of the Top 50 Sustainable Architecture Award Members of the Green Planet Architects. In Frankfurt, he is nominee for the "Design German Awards 2014" for his project in Shenzhen "Asian Cairns, Sustainable Farmscrapers."
In 2011, Time Magazine has referred to his work as the best eco-utopian architect: "Imagining fantastical projects that address the world's environmental and social ills." In 2010, Vincent Callebaut Architectures was awarded by BES Engineering Corporation as the first prize winner for the design and the construction of an ecological residential tower at the bottom of the Tower 101 in the heart of Taipei, Taiwan. This ecological tower called "Agora Garden" is under construction and will be delivered in 2016.
Mentioned here are just few accolades but there are many more recognitions to his credit. With commitments - To anticipate, To prospect, and To touch, Vincent Callebaut works in association with Architecture of the Living (Bios) and the NICT (New Technologies of the Information and the Communication) to build the future green ecopolis of tomorrow.
Design Forum International Aims to Achieve Excellence in Design
The practice started with the name "Tevatia Chauhan & Sharma Architects which later in 2003, was rechristened as Design Forum International (DFI) with a clear intent to foster an egalitarian organizational ethos where distinctive architectural talent finds self-expression and can contribute in a democratic and collaborative work environment. The practice has since grown from strength to strength and is currently marching ahead with a vibrant team of over 100 professionals; each pursuing a distinctive value based architectural spirit that DFI imbues.
Having won many accolades, DFI has emerged as an institution that attracts great design minds; who love to thrive in a professionally-charged environment focusing on every detail and exploring new design methodology for every project.
Ar. Goonmeet Singh Chauhan
Goonmeet is an Architect, Urbanist, aspiring author, and a futurist with boundless enthusiasm to push the frontiers of possibility and bring forth 'Newness' that is both 'Delightful' and 'Useful'. He believes that architects must go beyond the stated brief and use their imagination to discern the dynamic flow of life that shall happen within the containers called buildings to create habitats that are birthed in their context and irradiate experiential joy and visual delight.Having had the opportunity to work on large-scale projects, Ar. Goonmeet has created Landmarks such as Select Citywalk, New Delhi and Cyberwalk, Kolkata. Along with his passion to use creativity, design and innovation, he is actively involved in the reform of city architecture with his numerous projects in the Public Sector. With a focus on creating design with a purpose, he has a strong urge to change what is not right with a futuristic approach, and his upcoming book "Betterment of civic life" is a response to this change.
Ar. Anoj Tevatia
Anoj is an architect, chef, and visual artist with a keen acumen in free-hand sketching, and legendary perspective making skills. His key strength lies in his unique creative flair at achieving distinctive concepts and quality spaces forming remarkable architectural designs. He believes in creating free-flowing spaces, both interior and exterior that are mostly embedded with nature.Starting his architectural practice originally as a façade designer, his key style is the blend of traditional and modern designs amalgamated together with nature and materials used. He is an artist of spaces, adding vibrant details that bring them alive. His interest resides in an architecture where the integration of building system technology and a sense of place is clearly expressed. His enhanced ability to examine every nuance of design enables him to provide effective solution to projects of varying scale with a masterly ease. He has an immense ability to listen, perceive, diagnose, and solve the key problems that needs to be addressed in architectural projects. He combines his sharp logical ability with his joyful nature to create habitats that embody the wow spirit.
Ar. Anand Sharma
Anand is an architect, talented singer and literary enthusiast. At DFI, he coined the slogan of "People first" and constantly uses his leadership and people skills to mentor and upscale the creative and intellectual horsepower.He believes that the cities must have a distinct character and as an architect, he lays great emphasis on contextuality in his design responses. With his extensive expertise in Architecture and Engineering, Ar. Anand is an exceptional team leader possessing the capacity to carry a project from initiation to final production. His strength lies in his ability to manage projects with overlapping disciplines at the same time applying both quality and budget control. As a partner, he uses his diverse knowledge and experience to guide the architectural, engineering and client teams to work together to deliver highly successful projects.