How do you describe your journey in this male-dominated industry?
Sometimes being a woman in design can have its own hardships. We still get clients who are sceptical that there is no male partner involved in the company for the architecture project inquiries we get. Some people still have an old school mind set of women being better at interior design than architecture. From personal experience sometimes you have to deal with some preconceived notions and push through initial assumptions to prove your worth.
But fortunately in today’s world women-owned firms are more normal than not and we have so many wonderful women designers to look up to who are creating waves in the industry. At the end of the day, it’s your design aesthetic, talent, and hard work that pays off, irrespective of your gender identity, at least that’s how it should be!
Who has been your inspiration in the process of your entire career?
Geoffrey Bawa, the Master Architect inspires at every step. Rajiv Saini and Sandeep Khosla are two other designers whose work I admire.
On a more personal note, my mentor, Aparna Karve, who I worked under for 4 years, had a great impact on how I perceive design. She helped me to reach my full potential by guiding and giving me full responsibilities of large scale architecture and interior projects at a very young age which not just gave me exposure but also the confidence to design and execute projects of large scale.
Which has been your first project? Where? What was it? How has been your experience?
My first project was a café called Deli 9 Bistro in Hyderabad. Located in Gachibowli, it was designed to be a Modern European-style café. The brief was to keep this space young and playful keeping in mind the working crowd and the young residents around the area and the fun fusion menu they would be implementing.
What type of projects captures your interest or rather interested to do?
The design aesthetic that our brand is now associated with is incorporating our rich heritage and local materials laced with modern design. Our clients are always open to experimenting with design and materials and are as excited as us for the end results.
Your most challenging projects; where and why? Tell us more about the same?
Every project has its own set of challenges. Early on in my career the tragic and untimely passing away of my Mentor and Boss at that time, Aparna Karve had lead me to completing the prestigious Light & Sound show project at Ross Island in Andaman & Nicobar Island. I worked with Studio One Productions and Revathy (actress) who directed the show and helped provide for the civil architecture, design layouts, inter-team coordination and site execution. Since the island is a remote location it was extremely challenging.
The 3D mapping done for this project is one of the first of its kind in India, with the Bakery Building studied and mapped to substitute as the screen for the Show. The Bakery becomes the Laser Screen for the Light and Sound Show. The speakers and lights are kept at various places near the trees spread around the place, to create that magical aura, and to recreate the history in all its glory.
Tell us about your upcoming projects; where and what type; schedule of completions?
We are working on some Residential villa projects and apartments. We have 4 villa handovers in the next 2 months. We are also working on our first international project, a speak easy bar in Bahrain, we are in the design stage now.
Your wise words to next-gen stepping into this profession?
Be passionate about what you do, have your distinctive style, stay motivated and strive to keep doing better. At the end of the day, it’s your unique design aesthetic, talent, and hard work that pays off.
