Interview of Architect Vinod Mehra, Amritsar

Tell us something about your approach to your projects?   From initial meetings, programming to developing design concepts through sketches drawings, execution and final handover, we at Vinod Mehra and Associates recognize the clients requirements and likings thereby providing long term and sensitized solutions. The pursuit for excellence in client service is to deliver quality design implementation & building long term relations with clients.   Which kind of projects do you enjoy the most?   Any project which is design oriented, involves research and which creates some value to the society. All these factors make a project interesting. To add some newness to everything I do from design to the technique in execution, I strongly feel one must travel. Exploring various countries and their architectural heritage as well as newer projects adds to my knowledge. Also the space utilization, space integration, volume, lighting of spaces etc are points I keep in mind while ad miring an interesting building.    Tell us something about your most favorite project?   Sun n Sand Shirdi is one project that I feel most connected not only with respect to the designing but a very spiritual and deep attachment. I have always felt a presence of some soul there who has guided me through the project thereby helping me overcome any obstacle during construction. With regards to architecture it is a 100 room hotel with 20 apartment rooms, a banquet, Multi-cuisine restaurants, dedicated play space for kinds and beautiful landscaping. Other than that the Ashoka House is also close to my heart. The building is a perfect example of classical architecture, which is also, happens to be my favorite design style.   What has been your biggest challenge so far?   Unlike majority of the countries internationally where there is one standard set of rules that govern architecture, India has a different set of rules for every city. For example Mumbai, Pune and Nashik which are located in the same state but are governed by varied architectural norms. This serves as a road block to conducive planning and sustainability. Less free space and lack of landscaping are result of rapid urbanization is a challenge most architects face. The diversity of rules that govern architectural design in India needs to be addressed and a pressing need for recognition and appreciation of Indian architects are the biggest challenges we face today. Source: Zingy Homes