We have a
river and we could use it like a river Thames. People all over the world use rivers for
recreational activities and for transport but here instead of beautifying Pune with its
river, people just use it for sewage.
If you don’t agree with the
client what do you do?
When I design house for a
client I have to understand the needs of a client. . Most clients don’t express their
needs well. I have to judge their budget and keep their lifestyle in mind. I would not
design something I know that would not be easy to maintain. If there is just no common
wavelength of thinking between the client and me I won’t take on the work. Very often
when I think that I won’t be happy or the customer won’t be happy I just
don’t take on the project
How would you describe your own
house?
If my own house didn’t
reflect on my personality it would mean that I am a very bad architect. Yes, I think that
my house does reflect on my personality. I would say that it is a bit like a Folks wagon.
It has no frills but the same it is very elegant. It is very practical and has all the
conveniences that one needs in a house.
Do you take on any trainees?
Yes, I take on many trainees.
In most architectural courses the students have to have one semester practice. We take on
trainees from Pune during November till April and from June to October out of Pune
trainees.
In the beginning did you have to
agree without making any suggestions and comments?
No in that way I was very
lucky I never had to do that because I did not start working young.
Do you think that being an architect
is profitable?
I think that architecture is
an art, you cannot do it with the idea of making money. You make a decent living but then
if I wanted to make money I would have become a builder and not an architect. It is a
profession and not a business.
What would be your Advice to all
those thinking of doing architecture?
They should not be thinking
of the money but whether they would enjoy it.
What are your working hours?
9AM - 6PM. 5 days a week, 4
holidays a year- Republic Day, Independence Day, 2 days for Diwali.
How do you deal with stress?
I really enjoy my work so I
don’t have any stress.
If you had not got into architecture
what would you have done?
If not architecture, it would
have been advertising.
