- What is the inspiration behind your design firm’s name?
Essentia lies in line with ‘essential’- and our beliefs and designs are rooted in the concepts of essential space-making elements that come together to create functional and comfortable living spaces, especially in line with nature and a sense of understated luxury.
- What is that one design book/movie you found inspiring?
The series of three documentary movies called Design Trilogy, directed by Gary Hustwit, has inspired us on a multitude of creative levels. The three documentaries are- Helvetica, Objectified, and Urbanized. The underlying thought of all of them is about how inspiration strikes in the most unforeseeable times. In the third movie – Urbanized, one can truly get a peek into the minds of the people who design our homes and also parallelly learn about the components that make a city and why certain selected cities attract visitors and others don’t.
- In what ways does your personality reflect in your designs?
Being a designer by profession and having lived and worked in numerous countries, I have imbibed a sense of professionalism and integrity that has broadly defined my work ethic and how I like to pursue ideas, concepts, and relations with my clients. I believe that simplicity is the most sophisticated way forward in design. The simpler the design, the more meticulous we must implement it. And hence, a keen eye for nuanced details is crucial when it comes to optimizing our design strategies.
- What inspires you in your day-to-day architectural practice?
The most exciting part of my job every day is the sheer process involved in design making. How a simple design germinates from a concept or thought is what interests me and keeps me vested throughout the process. An undivided focus on the microscopic details that frame the space on a macro level keeps me going and helps me craft an insightful and artful array of spaces.
- Who is your favourite architect?
There is nothing like favouritism for anyone, as such. But yes, with all due respect, I used to admire the works of Architect Zaha Hadid the most. The way functionality pans out in the structures and forms designed by her is genuinely rousing and motivating. Above all, her designs stemmed from the idea that she wanted people to “feel good in a space; it wasn’t just about shelter, but also about pleasure”. And that’s where, somehow, our ideologies also meet hers- primarily focusing on the well-being of the user.
- Do you have a signature style?
Built environments in congruence with nature and luxury- this is our intended motto towards design. We aim to transform the lives of our patrons by providing a space that is wondrous, comfortable, yet practical, with luxury and elegance being constant. Much like our life principles, we plan and design by borrowing elements from the past and fusing them with contemporary international trends using their evolved sensibilities.
- The one design philosophy you swear by?
Grounded in the idea of creating environments where aesthetics is not treated as a luxury but as a result of an efficiently working design. We not only strive for excellence in our curated designs but also pay attention to imbuing a sense of understated elegance. Grace and grandeur are not just sentiments to look out for; they are embodied in all the things around us and should be reflected in our living environments as well.
- The one design quote you find timeless?
I truly believe in the quote that states: “Design can be art. Design can be aesthetics. Design is so simple, that’s why it is so complicated.” It is usually the straightforward things in the design that need careful corroboration and contemplation of elements and layouts that have me rooted in this belief.
- A hobby that sets you apart?
I think an integral part of my life is being physically active. I thoroughly enjoy indulging in a game of squash with my friends alongside gymming every day. It keeps my energy levels high, which helps me be lively and agile through my creative endeavours that require all of my mental focus and zeal.
- A message to those few young practising Architects out there?
A message to future designers is to always know that there is much more to design than what is exposed to us. The key is to always keep learning and evolving with the modern times we live in. Technology and innovation have taken over the world, and we need to be a part of the bandwagon to stay in line with the upcoming and ongoing trends to provide our clients with an unparalleled design experience – from conceptualization to implementation and then to finally them inhabiting it.
- Which design blog/page/handle do you follow avidly?
Based on the philosophy of ‘drawing from experiences and surprising’, I genuinely admire the works of Boca Do Lobo. It is always interesting to see how they curate aesthetics, and it is through such interactions that we have with fellow designers that we learn more and push our boundaries to try new things.