An interview with architect NilanjanBhowal
When did you first start your practice and what kind of projects have you been doing? After my graduation, I worked for three years before going abroad for my two post-graduations. After coming back, I started my own company; Design Consortium, in 1995. Since then we've executed various projects ranging from urban developments, to individual residences, hotel interiors and office spaces. Conservation has been a major part of our works and we've worked on quite a few influential buildings such as The National Library in Kolkata. Tell us something about your approach to your projects. The site, it's context and the projects spatial requirements are the key determinants of our approach towards a projects. We also look at client requirements and client satisfaction as major parameters to address in a project. And most importantly, the energy saving techniques and achieving a cost effective design. What defines your style? Our style is minimalist and contemporary though, we try to experiment whenever the project allows.We often try to grab opportunities to work on projects that have a bigger scope of creativity and come with a challenging context. We undertake each project (big or small) with the same zest. Do you feel architects and designers should be concerned about environmental sustainability? Definitely. No Creator can be a Destroyer !! It is the duty of a designer to help protect the world we live in. Sustainability is our first priority when we commence a project and have been acknowledged for our initiatives in that direction. What has been your biggest challenge so far? I wouldn't say one specific challenge but I treat my every day as a challenge - to achieve a balance between creativity and functionality is one major challenge so far. What challenges do you continue to face and what is your strategy to tackle them? The lack of professionalism among building contractors and also a client's lack of sensitivity continues to be a challenge. Patience and diligently educating both of them, at every stage of the project, is the only way ahead. Source: Zingy Homes
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